Keep Calm and Walker-on
Christian Walker (HOU): 3-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB.
A year ago, it seemed like the Astros made a huge mistake by acquiring Christian Walker.
By the end of June, he had 10 home runs and was hitting .213 with a .635 OPS. Many fantasy managers thought that the move to the more hitter-friendly Daikin Park would benefit him. Unfortunately, he seemed nowhere close to the slugger that he once was with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Since last year’s All-Star Break, Walker has finally gotten back to form. In the second half of 2025, he hit 15 home runs and batted .250 with an .800 OPS in 263 plate appearances. This year, in 215 plate appearances, he is hitting .266 with an .861 OPS. He also has 13 home runs, 30 runs scored, and 34 RBI.
On Saturday, the 35-year-old former South Carolina product had another banner day for Houston. He collected three hits, had two home runs, and was responsible for driving in all three Astros runs in a 3-0 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Even though the Astros are 22-31, their win on Saturday clinched the series against the Cubs and gives Houston a chance to sweep on Sunday.
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster with Walker since last year, especially when it comes to fantasy purposes. However, Walker is one of the more productive first basemen in fantasy baseball, and managers who took a risk on him in drafts (he was the 21st-ranked first baseman in NFBC formats) are definitely reaping the rewards so far in 2026.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Saturday
Teoscar Hernández (LAD): 3-4, HR, 2 R, 6 RBI, BB.
The Dodgers wiped out the Brewers 11-3, and Hernandez was a big reason why. In addition to three hits, he had a massive grand slam in the fourth inning and had six RBI total on the day. After a slow start, the Dodgers outfielder is hitting .276 with a .796 OPS with seven home runs and 31 RBI.
Jordan Walker (STL): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB.
In game two of today’s doubleheader against Cincinnati, the Cardinals outfielder had a sensational performance, though St. Louis lost 7-6. Walker had three hits, four RBI, and hit his 15th home run of the year. With a .302 average and .966 OPS, the 24-year-old is setting himself up for his first career All-Star appearance this summer.
Liam Hicks (MIA): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
It was the Hicks show on Saturday. He was the only Marlins hitter with multiple hits, and he also launched his 10th and 11th home runs of the year. For the year, he’s hitting .279 with an .842 OPS and 44 RBI in 186 plate appearances. It would be nice for Miami to get Agustín Ramírez back on track. That said, with Hicks on fire, they don’t need Ramirez right now.
Elly De La Cruz (CIN): 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB.
While Walker had a big day for St. Louis, De La Cruz’s strong performance was key in the Reds’ one-run win. The Cincinnati shortstop hit his ninth home run of the year, and he’s now hitting .288 with a .884 OPS. Last year was tough for De La Cruz, as he nosedived after the All-Star Break (.236 average, .666 OPS in the second half). It’s nice to see him not affected by the tough finish to 2025.
Harrison Bader (SFG): 2-4, HR, R, 4 RBI.
After a brutal March and April, Bader is finally looking like his old self in May. In 40 plate appearances, he is hitting .263 with a .958 OPS. He also has four home runs, which is three more than his March and April combined. On Saturday, he hit his fifth home run and also collected four RBI in the Giants’ 10-3 win over the surging White Sox.
Ketel Marte (ARI): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB.
Marte has handled the Rockies well on Saturday at home, which is what good players and teams are supposed to do with teams like the Rockies. In addition to two hits, the 32-year-old second baseman hit his eighth home run of the year. His numbers are a little down, with an average of .249 and an OPS of .745, both significant regressions from a year ago.
Bryan Torres (STL): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB.
Torres is essentially a modern-day version of Crash Davis. After 11 years in the Minors with the Brewers and Cardinals organizations, Torres finally made his MLB debut on Saturday. And what a debut it was. Torres hit a home run in the ninth inning off Reds reliever Jose Franco, helping seal a 9-1 win for the Redbirds. He also had two RBI and a walk. Hopefully, Torres’ MLB stint lasts more than 21 days.
George Springer (TOR): 2-4, 2B, HR, R, RBI.
It’s one thing to get a home run off Paul Skenes. It’s another to get a “leadoff” home run against Skenes. Well, Springer did just that, hitting a home run on the third pitch he saw, a 97+ MPH four-seamer up in the zone. That home run got momentum going and not only helped the Blue Jays to a 5-2 win, but also chased Skenes out of the game after just five innings.
Jorbit Vivas (WSN): 2-4, HR, R, RBI.
The Nationals are becoming the new “Moneyball” team. They’re getting a lot of surprising performance from unknown players, with Vivas (who?) being one of them. Against Atlanta, Vivas hit his first home run of the year, which helped Washington win 2-0. Vivas doesn’t offer much power upside, especially with a hard-hit rate of 23.5%. That said, he doesn’t whiff, doesn’t strike out, and puts the ball in play. Sounds like a Washington National, much like an Oakland Athletic in the early 2000’s.
