Don’t look now, but the Atlanta Braves are hot. That has me interested in a off-the-wall pick for a two-start pitcher this week for my fantasy baseball roster.
Since July 26, the Braves are 8-4 and are executing at a high level with not only their pitching, but their offense. They’ve scored five or more runs in seven of the last 12 games and limited the opposition to two or less runs five times in the last 12 games.
So, I’m hanging completely on a limb this week and backing Atlanta’s right-hander Tyrell Jenkins.
Jenkins hasn’t been a model of consistency, and frankly he has a bit of a walks problem. But he’s only a rookie and that should subside as the year progresses.
What piques my interest is that he is limiting the opposition’s runs, while constantly escaping trouble. In his last two starts, he’s given up one earned run, while allowing eight walks.
If that was a veteran, I would hold up numerous red flags as this is not sustainable. And it might not be for Jenkins.
But he’s young — 24 to be exact — and was a former first round draft pick. And I have a hunch he might be able to get some things done this week against Milwaukee and Washington.
The Brewers will pit Wily Peralta against Jenkins on Tuesday. Peralta has been wildly consistent, going for a 6.68 ERA during his first stint in the Majors this season. That should allow plenty of run support for Jenkins. The Brewers also are hitting .260 since the All-Star break, which is respectable but not earth-shattering.
A team that is hitting slightly worse since the All-Star break, the Nationals, is up Sunday for getaway day. Normally the Nationals are one of the better offenses in Major League Baseball, but for some reason on Sundays, the Nationals rank toward the bottom in batting average at .245.
The Nationals are sandwiching the Brave’s series between a big series against Cleveland and then leaving for a week-long road trip to Colorado and then back to Atlanta. Sunday’s game will not be on the top of the Nationals’ priority list and won’t work walks, which is the best way to beat Jenkins.
Don’t keep Jenkins for the long haul, but this week may prove to generate some production for fantasy owners in the wins/ERA category.
