Call to the pen
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A Cub, a Ranger and an Angel walk into your fantasy baseball team

By Chris Timoney

DYERSVILLE, IOWA - AUGUST 11: Nico Hoerner #2 of the Chicago Cubs scores off an RBI double by Ian Happ #8 during the first inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Field of Dreams on August 11, 2022 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DYERSVILLE, IOWA - AUGUST 11: Nico Hoerner #2 of the Chicago Cubs scores off an RBI double by Ian Happ #8 during the first inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Field of Dreams on August 11, 2022 in Dyersville, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Okay all you fantasy baseball players, the weekend is here so time to buck up and get those lineups stacked to win the week. Even if you’ve been getting trounced since Tuesday’s late local news, I have a few remedies to stop the bleeding so you don’t get completely destroyed on your league message boards and group chats.

Fantasy baseball advice including the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, and Texas Rangers

Now Batting…

It’s been a fun season over in Wrigleyville so far as the Chicago Cubs are off to a solid start and there’s no reason to think they’ll fall off any time soon. If the Pittsburgh Pirates weren’t blowing MLB’s mind Chicago would be the talk of the NL Central town. Between the hitting, pitching, Chicago dogs and neon relish, everything is going right for the Cubs. Chicago is tied for fifth in runs scored throughout the entire league and we’re riding one of their bats through their next homestand.

Not since the days of Atlanta Braves cornerman Bob Horner has there been such excitement for a “Horner” in baseball, but Nico spelled-slightly-differently Hoerner is filling that bill for Cubs fans. The 25-year-old second baseman, who in most leagues can also be used as a shortstop, is batting a career best .338 (tied for best on the team), leads the Cubs in hits (27) and is tied for the league in steals with nine. Equally as impressive is his only six strikeouts in 75 at-bats.

The Cubs are hosting the Dodgers all weekend in a four-game set that started Thursday and with L.A.’s projected starters one may shy away from Cubs hitters, but I say head straight on into battle. Ride the hot hand. Do it for Johnny!

This weekend the Cubs will face Julio Urias (3-1, 1.90 ERA), Dustin May(1-1, 3.00 ERA) and Clayton Kershaw (3-1, 2.52 ERA). Now here’s the good news. Chicago just beat Urias at Chavez Ravine and Hoerner went 2-for-3 against him. May is coming off a rough outing against the Mets and L.A. has lost three of the four games he’s started. And as for Kershaw, well, he’s coming off a strong seven-inning, three-hit win against the Mets, but our boy Nico is 3-for-6 against Kershaw. Hoerner is .348 versus all current Dodger pitchers, including a career 3-for-4 against Friday’s starter Urias.

I can’t believe Hoerner was available in my league as recent as last week. If he’s still on the waiver wire, grab him quicker than the L to Wrigley on a Saturday morning. In DFS leagues, Hoerner is around a $7500 bu,y which is like finding a solid pair of slacks at Marshalls. BUY NOW!

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