The fantasy baseball hot and cold is here! It is now late into August and seemingly against all the odds, major league baseball enters the fifth week of their season. We witnessed baseball get knocked down twice in round two, kind of like Balboa verses Clubber Lang, but they are still standing. Once the New York Mets gets back on the field, all teams will be fully involved during this week’s games. We can certainly begin to see trends develop and in a season as short as this one, managers have to make decisions. To that end, here are the players that are hot and cold when working the waiver wire. Let’s dive right in!

These hot players are must adds

Eugenio Suarez, Third Base, Cincinnati Reds

After an absolute miserable start to the season, Eugenio Suarez is heating up for the Reds. He has hits in four of his last five games, including a home run Sunday against the Cardinals. Much was expected of Suarez after a breakthrough 2019 with 49 homers, 103 RBIs and a .358 OBP. His main issue was his league leading 189 strike outs.

True, he is only hitting .145, but he has struck out only twice in the last week. Some dropped him to the waiver wire after his black hole of a start. However, If Suarez keeps the strike outs to a minimum while hitting the ball hard, his average will rise and he would be a huge add to any fantasy roster down the stretch. See if he is available in your league, and if so, make the plunge.

Austin Nola, Catcher/ First Base, Seattle Mariners

Hot doesn’t begin to describe the tear that Austin Nola is on right now. He has hits in five straight games, including a homer Sunday as the Mariners swept the Rangers. He also had three hits Saturday. If you recall, there was a recommendation last week of if a worthy catcher is found, to make a move and dump Mitch Garver of the Minnesota Twins. He is clearly the hot of this week’s baseball hot and cold.

Look no further, as Nola should be in the Mariner’s lineup more often than not as he also plays first base. He enters the week hitting .296-3-15. Catchers who can hit and are on the field in most games are rare, so jump when the opportunity comes calling. You can high five me later.

Andrew McCutchen, Outfield, Philadelphia Phillies

Even forgotten old men can join the heating up parade. Seek and ye shall find with Andrew McCutchen. He was pretty much written off by the fantasy community due to injuries and ineffective play in recent years. Don’t look now, but McCutchen is on the comeback trail.

He has hits in four of his last five games, including two hits in three of them. He also has six RBIs and four runs scored in that time. His stats of .228-2-13 don’t look that impressive, but his last week has been atmospheric. Ride the hand when its hot and grab him today.

Brian Reynolds, Outfield, Pittsburgh Pirates

Most of the Pirate hitters belonged at the very back of the freezer to start the season, including Brian Reynolds. That is no longer true, especially Reynolds. He smashed the Brewer pitching staff to the tune of six hits in three games over the weekend. Include Reynolds in the hot category of this week’s baseball hot and cold list.

Included in that was a massive game Friday with a home run, four RBIs and three runs scored. He hit .314 in his first MLB season last year, which shows what he is capable of. He is owned in 54.5% of leagues and that is sure to rise. If there is any driftwood on your roster, adding Reynolds would be a smart move.

Pablo Lopez, Starting Pitcher, Miami Marlins

Many of you may not be familiar with Pablo Lopez, as he pitches in obscurity in Miami. Everyone should get to know him quick. Lopez has really kicked it into gear this season. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in his last four starts. He has 24 strikeouts to five walks in that time. Even that is a bit misleading, as four of those walks were in one game.

Simply stated, he is bringing it for the Marlins. He is 2-1 with a 2,42 ERA and an excellent 1.16 WHIP on the season. He is owned in 54.3% of leagues. If he pitches well against the defending champion Nationals on Monday, that figure is sure to rise. Get into the groove with Pablo now before he disappears onto someone else’s roster.

Move these players as Hell has indeed frozen over

The entire Texas Rangers roster

The Rangers just finished a week that only Satan himself would love. They became the first team in baseball history to give up a grand slam in four consecutive games. Texas didn’t post a win on the week, losing seven straight. Who is to blame? Just a glance around their roster will reveal multiple offenders. The pitching has obviously cratered (see Mike Minor, 0-4, 6.94) and the bats are silent. If a team can’t get their offense going in the thin air of Colorado, what hope is there?

Shortstop Elvis Andrus (.184-0-3) is long past his prime and has no fantasy value. Neither does second baseman Rougned Odor (.151-3-10). How about outfielder Joey Gallo? He is supposed to be the Ranger’s star player, but he is one for his last 12 at bats. Additionally, his strikeouts have reached near mythical proportions, even for him.

He has 13 punch outs in the last seven games, 23 in the last two weeks and 38 in the last month. He is looking lost at the plate. It is tough for a fantasy roster to withstand all the negative at bats Gallo has. He still has name value and a manager in your league may offer something significant in return. If that happens make the move and don’t look back.

Shohei Ohtani, Designated Hitter, Los Angeles Angels

Despite somewhat salvaging his week by going 2-4 with a home run against Oakland Sunday, Shohei Ohtani should not have a prominent place on fantasy rosters. Prior to Sunday, Ohtani was 0-11 on the week. He is only hitting.165 on the season. He will not pitch again in 2020 and doesn’t play the field.

That reality gives no flexibility to fantasy managers. Despite that, he is owned in 75.2% of leagues. For some baffling reason, Ohtani is finding love. His value has flickered out. Trust me, just say no.

Robbie Ray, Starting Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks

Ice cold doesn’t adequately describe the season that Robbie Ray has had so far. He is another player that many thought would take a major step forward in 2020. Ray has taken steps, no question, but they have all been in the wrong direction. He is off to a hellish 1-3 start with an 8.33 ERA and an almost unseen 2.00 WHIP. That is simply dreadful. He is definitely the cold on this baseball hot and cold list.

The Giants hit Ray up for four runs on seven hits and five walks in just five innings on Friday. He has allowed a whopping 22 walks in his last five starts. Ray has hit rock bottom and that is no place to be on a fantasy roster. Send him packing and shut and lock the door. Don’t delay, do it now.

Victor Robles, Outfielder, Washington Nationals

Victor Robles hit a home run Saturday against Miami. That is the end of the good news for him and his fantasy owners. That was the only hit Robles had last week in 12 at bats. It had been a month since he hit his first homer. He is hitting .236-2-10 on the season with just six runs scored.

Most shockingly, he has only one stolen base after swiping 28 in 2019. He is owned in 83.3% of leagues and that figure is way too high for Robles’ lack of production. If he can be traded, that’s fine. If not, just cut bait and find someone having a much better season.

That’s it for this edition of baseball hot and cold list. Have a great week Five and please share if you have any recommendations on players to add to or remove from the list. I will see you next time!

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