Back Tuve Basics
Jose Altuve (HOU): 1-2, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 SB.
Don’t look now; the Astros are nipping on the heels of the Rangers and are looking to reclaim their spot at the top of the AL West. As if they drew it up themselves, Jose Altuve contributed an effective performance to keep them on their winnings ways.
Altuve is back again after an odd season of injuries thus far. Since his first game from the IL, where Altuve went hitless, he’s found his form. Last night, Altuve had a game that wouldn’t catch your immediate attention, but when you take a close look, you see his immediate impact. Altuve set the tone immediately with a bunt single in the 1st inning:
🚨🇻🇪 José Altuve: 1 974 hits en Grandes Ligas pic.twitter.com/0QKynb77vw
— Jerry DÃaz 🇨🇺 (@Jerryto94) August 1, 2023
After that, he stole second base. Then, in the 6th inning, Altuve walked and stole second again, eventually scoring to get the Astros their first run of the game. The floodgates opened after that with a 3-run home run from Yordan Alvarez.
This is exactly what Altuve can do to opposing teams. Add a veteran mix of patience at the plate and aggression on the bases. When it was all said and done, Altuve constantly badgered pitchers on the base paths by reaching second base four times without recording an XBH. Nothing fancy, just taking advantage of what was given to him.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Monday:
Joey Meneses (WSH): 3-4, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Fantasy owners last year were happily surprised by the ascendance of Joey Meneses as a reliable everyday option. Meneses has been racking up hits and run production in the past few weeks hoping to rediscover that 2022 production. Adding 2-XBH last night, including a sol0-shot off Corbin Burns, Meneses will continue to be a solid option for everyday at-bats. Just don’t expect any sort of consistent power like last year. In 222 AB in 2022, Meneses had 13 HR, compared to 8 HR this season in 399 AB.
Lane Thomas (WSH): 2-4, R, 2 RBI.
A subject to trade deadline rumors, Lane Thomas continues to produce during a promising campaign. Thomas has a shot at a 20/20 season for the Nationals and will enter August with a .807 OPS and 3.0 WAR. With 2 more years of control before UFA in 2026, Thomas has a chance to be a major deadline acquisition for the right price.
Cal Raleigh (SEA): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Two solo home runs for Cal Raleigh helped the Mariners beat the Red Sox in what was a low-scoring game until the late innings. Raleigh has been a streaky power hitter, but he has hits in 7 of his last 8 games, including 9 Runs and 7 RBI.
Chad Wallach (LAA): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI.
Being a backup catcher is a tough role! But Chad Wallach made the most of his night with a 3-hit performance, including a home run off Charlie Morton. Give it up for Wallach, who has struggled at the plate this year outside of the random home run pop from time to time.
Isaac Paredes (TB): 2-3, 2B, HR, R, RBI, BB.
Coming into the night, Paredes sported a solid .254/.359/.502 and then added to it with a home run in Yankee Stadium. Paredes continues to be a fearsome hitter in the Rays lineup by tallying over 20 HR and 60 RBI on the season. Even though he’s had a few too many hitless games recently, Paredes remains a flexible and valuable position player.
Gunnar Henderson (BAL): 1-3, HR, R, RBI, BB, SB.
The Orioles have become the powerhouse of the AL, thanks in part to Gunnar Henderson’s strong June and July. Henderson had a .702 OPS heading into June and has raised it to .805 going into August. The power numbers are steadily climbing, and along with it, the Orioles hopes for a run for the pennant.
Alec Bohm (PHI): 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, SB.
Bohm has been on a hot streak of late and continued it with a solid game in Miami. Bohm has produced an RBI or Run in 6 of his last 8 games, and if the Phillies keep hitting, he has a good chance to stay on track. A rare SB due to a wild pitch and a 2-Out RBI helped Bohn and the Phillies to a nice road win.
Ryan Mountcastle (BAL): 2-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI.
Ryan Mountcastle sits in the middle of the Orioles lineup and has begun to feast with the team’s ability to score. Mountcastle started the game fast with a 2-run double in the 1st inning and then added his 3rd RBI with a sac-fly in the 3rd inning. Mountcastle has a very low OBP sitting at .282, but you know what you get—lots of pop and few walks.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (CIN): 2-3, 2B, R, RBI.
Encarnacion-Strand (CES) is the most recent Cincinnati prospect to excite the baseball masses. After struggling for much of the past week, CES helped the Reds hold off the Cubs. CES had a great start to his career with a 4-game stretch of 1 HR, 4 R, and 4 RBI, and last night’s game helped him get back on track for hopeful fantasy owners wanting to get a piece of the Reds’ electric young roster.