Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott is at second base and is batting leadoff for Monday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants and right-hander Landon Roupp at Citizens Bank Park. Stott has fared well against right-handed pitchers this year and will make his third straight start in the leadoff spot against a righty as a result. Overall, he's hitting a modest .250 (12-for-48) on the year with a homer, three doubles, six RBI, one stolen base, five runs scored, five walks and 14 strikeouts in 13 games played for the Phillies. Before his recent move to the top of the batting order, Stott had been in the eight-hole most days, so if this new lineup arrangement sticks, it will be a notable boost to his fantasy value. None of the Phillies hitters on Monday have faced Roupp in their careers.

According to Charles Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine, manager Terry Francona hopes Reds outfielder Austin Hays (calf) will be back on Tuesday and that they'll evaluate him after he plays on Monday. Hays has played three games in Triple-A Louisville thus far after tweaking his calf in spring training. In those three games, he's had 10 plate appearances and has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and two RBI. Last year, Hays spent time with the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies and slashed .255/.303/.396 with five home runs. It will be interesting to see where he fits into the Reds lineup because when he was healthy in 2022 and 2023, Hays hit 32 home runs in those two seasons combined. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider taking a flyer on him to see how it plays out.

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler had another down day on Sunday and ultimately was handed his first loss of the season. Wheeler went six full innings against the Cardinals, allowing seven hits, one walk, and four earned runs in the 89-pitch outing. He recorded just three strikeouts, his lowest game total of the season and his fewest since recording a pair in a four-inning outing on May 12 of last season. Wheeler allowed 11 baserunners and five earned runs in his previous start, against the Braves. Through four starts in the young season, Wheeler is 1-1 with 28 strikeouts, a 4.07 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP. Wheeler should be able to right the ship in his next start. He is slated to face the Marlins at home on April 18.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman entered the game in a 6-6 tie in the ninth inning. He worked a scoreless ninth inning and earned himself another trip out to the mound in the bottom of the 10th. Hoffman had little issues in this one as he stranded the ghost runner and earned himself the victory. The Baltimore Orioles only managed one hit off Hoffman as he struck out four batters over his two innings of work. Hoffman is looking legit early in the season and clearly isn't afraid of pitching multiple innings. The right-hander is a must-have fantasy option going forward.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Carlos Estevez was asked to hold a two-run lead in the final frame against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Estevez gave up a hit, but didn't have any problems after that as he recorded three strikeouts and notched his fifth save of the season. The right-hander has done a nice job lately and has locked himself in as the primary closer in Kansas City. He already has five saves, so it looks like he's going to be busy at the back-end of the bullpen. Estevez should be rostered in most fantasy formats where saves matter.