Emely Sharman 
We had a 12 game slate on Wednesday June, 12th. Justin Verlander did have a career high in strikeouts, but I will be looking at some names who aren’t as obvious for our winners column. I will then take a look at some bigger players who didn’t fare well Wednesday. Salaries and points are based on DraftKings.
Winners
Ramon Laureano ($3,200)
Laureano and the Oakland Athletics played visitors to the Tampa Bay Rays and got the win 6-2. Laureano was a big part of the win for the A’s as he went 2-for-4 with a grand slam. He ended the night with five RBI and one run scored. The grand slam came in the top of the eighth and was the decider. He finished the night with 35 fantasy points. Laureano has had a slow start to the year and is batting .255 with an OPS of .723. He has now hit nine home runs and has 28 RBI.
Laureano’s Outlook
The Oakland Athletics have an off day Thursday before hosting the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series. In the month of June, covering 10 games, the Mariners have the second-worst team ERA and allow an opposing batting average of .276. On the year they have allowed an opposing batting average of .270 to right handed batters. Laureano did put up big fantasy points Wednesday but a majority of it came on one swing. I will not be on Laureano too much even with Seattle’s pitching struggles.
Cole Hamels ($8,100)
Cole Hamels drew the difficult task of pitching against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. He came at a discount because of it but pitched really well. Hamels got the win and improved to 6-2 on the year while allowing no earned runs over seven innings of work. He gave up six hits and allowed one walk while striking out nine. Hamels has pitched well this year and his ERA is now at 2.98 and his WHIP has fallen to 1.18. He has not given up an earned run in his last three starts, across 22 innings. His strikeout numbers are just under a nine K/9.
Hamels’ Outlook
Hamels’ next projected start will come at home against the White Sox at Wrigley on Tuesday June, 18th. The White Sox offense has been sub-par this year and averages only 4.24 runs per game with a team batting average of .251. They also rank in the Top 10 in strikeouts. Hamels should continue his stellar year against a poor White Sox offense. He has been relatively affordable as well and can be used as a pitcher that will allow room for big bats.
Garrett Cooper ($4,300)
Garrett Cooper and the Marlins dismantled the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday and Cooper was the main guy. Cooper went 3-for-5 in the 9-0 win. He was a double shy of the cycle as he hit a grand slam and a triple in the first two innings. He finished the game with four RBI, two runs scored, and two strikeouts. Cooper scored 33 fantasy points. Cooper’s year has gotten off to a good start and he has a batting average of .296 to go with his OPS of .875. He has now hit six home runs and 20 RBI.
Cooper’s Outlook
Cooper and the Marlins stay home to start a three -ame series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The Pirates have been roughed up badly lately and have a team ERA right around seven in the month of June. They also have allowed an opposing batting average north of .290 in June. Cooper extended his hitting streak to seven on Wednesday and I expect him to add to that in the series with the Pirates. Cooper has been consistent and can fit in most lineups.
Losers
J.D. Martinez ($4,500)
Martinez and the Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers at home Wednesday but Martinez took the golden sombrero. He went 0-for-4 and struck out in all four at bats. Martinez was the only player on the Red Sox who did not reach base in the game. He has had a good year so far and his batting average dropped to exactly .300 and his OPS is now at .905. He has hit 12 home runs and has 34 RBI. Martinez had 10 hits in his last six games but this was not his night.
Martinez’s Outlook
The Boston Red Sox have one more game with the Rangers before heading to Baltimore for a three game set with the Orioles. Pitching for the Rangers Thursday will be Adrian Sampson. He has pitched adequately this year and has been really good lately. He has given up three or fewer hits in his last five games. I will be staying off Martinez for one more game before getting him back in the lineup against the Orioles. Baltimore has the worst team ERA in the league at 5.48.
Trevor Story ($5,300)
Trevor Story and the Rockies hosted Hamels and the Cubs and got pounded 10-1. Hamels pitched well and Story went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Story cost a pretty penny if you wanted him Wednesday and he scored zero fantasy points. Story has had a great year playing at home and a down year playing on the road. The Coors Field dynamic is fully in effect with Story. His home/road batting average split is .328/.246. His OPS is also wildly swayed at home at 1.055/.737.
Story’s Outlook
Story and the Rockies stay at home to face the San Diego Padres for a four-game series. Story should produce at home against a Padres pitching staff that has not pitched well in June. This month they have a team ERA of 5.56 and you should not expect that to get any better playing at Coors Field. Story and all of the Rockies hitters will be heavily owned this series but fading them could be trouble. I will be looking to roster Story in hopes of a bounce-back series at home.
Injury Report
Nolan Arenado left Wednesday’s game early after being hit in the forearm by a pitch. He is considered day-to-day.
Joey Votto was hit by a pitch and left the game with lower back tightness Wednesday.
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