Cardinals Fantasy Report
This week the Cardinals travel to Houston for three games and then host Cincinnati for a three game series.
Albert Pujols gave fantasy owners a scare last week when he hurt his ankle. The ankle is fine and Pujols is proving why he is ranked number one in fantasy this year. He hit .379 with three home runs, six RBI’s, and scored eight runs last week. In August he is batting .402 with 11 home runs, 23 RBI’s, while scoring 29 runs. Pujols should have a very productive week coming up. This season against the Astros and Reds he is batting .400 with seven home runs and 28 RBI’s through 27 games. He should always be active in all fantasy formats.
Matt Holliday is currently on an 11 game hitting streak. During this streak, he is batting .298 with two home runs, eight RBI’s and scoring eight runs. This season against the Astros and Reds he is batting .295 with five home runs, 26 RBI’s and 11 runs scored. Holliday should be active in all fantasy formats.
Jon Jay just had his worst week since reaching the majors. Last week he batted .156 with one home run, six RBI’s, no doubles and scored six runs. He is now batting .330 this season. Jay’s fantasy value will drop with this average. He does not give the numbers to be active each week without his batting average. Jay is batting .375 against the Astros and Reds so this could be a week he continues his old ways. For now, he remains a low end fantasy option.
Colby Rasmus continues to have an injured right calf strain. There is no time table when he will return. He should have been placed on the disabled list. No need to start Rasmus until he can come back and prove he is healthy. Continue to bench him until further notice.
Adam Wainwright has not been the pitcher fantasy owners are used to seeing this season. In his last three starts he is 0-3 with a 5.21 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. His ERA went from 1.99 to 2.30 in those three games. Wainwright is scheduled to start Saturday against the Reds. He will pitch at home where this season he is 11-1 with a 1.42 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. I would expect him to bounce back and show why he is an elite fantasy pitcher this season. He should continue to be active in all fantasy formats.
Chris Carpenter is to be a two start pitcher this week. He is scheduled to pitch Tuesday at Houston and home Sunday against Cincinnati. In August he is 3-1 with a 2.94 ERA. Against the Astros this season he is 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA. This season against the Reds he is 4-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four starts. Carpenter remains a must start fantasy starting pitcher.
Jaime Garcia extended his streak without allowing an earned run to 20 1/3 innings on Friday night. In August Garcia is 3-2 with a 2.35 ERA. He is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Reds. In three games against the Reds this season, Garcia is 3-0 with a 4.08 ERA. His is having a terrific rookie season and a solid option in most mixed leagues.
Ryan Franklin has been unproductive the last two months. His fantasy value is not worth much. He is 3-2 with a 5.82 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Franklin had pitched in 19 games and given up 13 earned runs in July and August. He is no longer a fantasy closer right now. I would bench him for the remainder of the season.