The All-Star Game provides a break not only for the 30 Major League Baseball teams, but also for fantasy owners — a brief reprieve from the daily grind of changing rosters and monitoring the waiver wires.
But, before you know it, the All-Star festivities will be a thing of the past. David Wright, Robinson Cano and their respective squads will have partaken in the Home Run Derby, while Matt Harvey may have started the first of what should be many Midsummer Classics for him. Before you know it, you will be back in the swing of things for your final push toward the fantasy playoffs, or even next year’s first-round pick.
With that in mind, it’s time to look into Roto Files’ crystal ball and see what the second-half of the season will bring:
Yasiel Puig, Dodgers: The amazing ride on which this guy has taken fantasy owners and baseball fans over his first 30 or so games will continue to grow, despite his only hitting .311 in July.
Jeremy Hefner, Mets: Before last night’s start, he was 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA over his previous seven starts. With a carer 4.21 ERA, it’s hard to believe this stretch will continue much longer. He got hot, but he’ll cool off.
Matt Adams, Cardinals: Keep an eye on Matt Holliday’s hamstring issue, because it could open up more playing time for the powerful part-timer, who’s hitting .317 with seven homers and 25 RBIs in 120 plate appearances.
Matt Garza, Cubs: He’s 4-0 in his last four starts with a 1.20 ERA and 29 strikeouts. Keep your fingers crossed he gets traded to a winner, because he’ll be near top-of-the-line on another team.
Matt Harvey, Mets: He has pitched 130 innings in 19 starts, and his last two starts have been, well, less than Harvey-like. Wear and tear is a concern, as are the 10 first-half no-decisions, but he should be set for a stellar second-half — blister, nude magazine shoots and all.
David Price, Rays: After a 1-4 beginning and a DL stint, Price is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA in his last two starts. Big second-half coming!
Cole Hamels, Phillies: Ignore the 4-11 record. His last two starts, against quality opponents (Pirates Nationals) have been exactly what you want and expect (2-0, 1.20) from the lefty. Despite the Phillies’ so-so record, you can expect good things going forward.
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: The sky’s the limit with this guy, who became the first player to have 30 homers and 90 RBIs before the All-Star break. Forget a second straight Triple Crown (which is possible), otherwordly numbers are now expected and will likely be achieved.
Chris Davis, Orioles: With a .310 batting average, 34 homers and 86 RBIs, Davis has already bested his stellar 2012 campaign (33 HR, 85 RBIs, .270). Anything he does from this point on is a bonus.
Ike Davis, Mets: Before the All-Star break in 2012, Davis hit .201 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs. After the break, he hit .255 with 20 homers and 41 RBIs. He’s hitting .294 since being re-called from Triple-A. He’s going to wake up.
Chris Carter, Astros: He has ADD (Adam Dunn Disease) — all power, but not much else to bring to the table.
Josh Hamilton, Angels: His numbers this month heading into last night’s action have been promising (.294, four homers, 10 RBIs, 1.063 OPS). He’s starting to come around … finally!
Colby Rasmus, Blue Jays: His numbers to this point mirror his 2012 season. If he can keep his average near the .250 mark, where it is now, and stop striking out so much (103), he’ll remain a solid fantasy contributor, especially with his power (16 homers).
Logan Morrison, Marlins: If this guy can stay healthy, he’s a solid fantasy option. In 22 games before yesterday, Morrison was 24-for-79 (.304) with four homers and 11 RBIs. He’s a bit more valuable because of the dual eligibility at first base and the outfield.
Adam Eaton, D’backs: Keep your eyes on this guy. If he can start getting on base consistently (one hit — a triple — in his first eight at-bats of the season), the speedy outfielder could become a great source for stolen bases.
Bartolo Colon, A’s: Are there really any words to describe the portly 40-year-old’s season thus far? He’s 12-3 with a 2.69 ERA and is an All-Star. At this point, you have to believe this is for real and 20 wins is a possibility.
Adam Dunn, White Sox: More than one-third of his hits (38 percent) have been homers. Reaching 40-plus homers and 100 RBIs is reasonable, as is the chance his batting average will dip below .200 again.
Eric Hosmer, Royals: A bit unbalanced, but overall a nice first half — despite the disappointing power numbers. He’s hot this month, hitting .357 with two homers and seven RBIs. He’ll get better as the season goes along (which cannot be said about the guy at the other corner spot in Kansas City, Mike Moustakas).
Jim Johnson, Orioles: Leads the league in saves (31) and is tied for the lead in blown saves (six) to go along with a 1.30 WHIP and 3.83 ERA. Fifty-plus saves should happen, but with a 2-7 record and the high ERA and WHIP, is he really helping?
Alex Cobb, Rays: Scary moment when he got hit in the head with a line drive last month, but he’s already on the comeback trail. A stellar 6-2 start with a 3.01 ERA and 1.16 WHIP should be improved upon once he returns and gets a feel for being on the mound again.
Tim Lincecum, Giants: Wish we could expect more out of the 29-year-old, two-time Cy Young Award winner. Unfortunately, the occasional flash of his former brilliance and a ton of strikeouts to go along with a high ERA and WHIP are about all you should expect.
Alfonso Soriano, Cubs: At 37, the guy still has a ton of fantasy value — especially after the All-Star break. Last season, he hit .258 with 17 homers, 60 RBIs and a .853 OPS in the second half.
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