Pence picking up average: Philadelphia outfielder Hunter Pence went 2 for 3 with a walk during the Phillies' 5-1 loss to Boston in an interleague game on Sunday. Pence extended his hitting streak to four games with two singles that boosted his average to .268. He has now reached base in seven straight outings. (Updated 05/20/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
This is the type of steady production Fantasy owners were expecting from Pence as he has notched three multihit performances during his current hitting streak. The 29-year-old has also flashed some power in a Phillies lineup that severely needs it and clubbed seven homers during the month of May. He now owns a .635 slugging percentage this month and should return to being a must-start in all formats for now. (Updated 05/20/2012).
05/25/2012 14:07 Hit Parade for Week 9
Which schedules can you take advantage of in Fantasy Week 8? Our Scott White shares his start and sit recommendations by position for the upcoming scoring period in his latest Hit Parade.
05/25/2012 00:08 Phillies have season-high 18 hits in win
Shane Victorino and Freddy Galvis each drove in three runs, including Galvis' go-ahead single in the sixth inning, and the Philadelphia Philles beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-9 on Thursday.
05/24/2012 13:12 By the Numbers: Check-in time has arrived
With roughly two months in the books, it's time to do a little reflecting. Our Al Melchior looks back at some of his spring sleepers and busts to determine their true value in his latest By the Numbers.
05/23/2012 23:22 Hamels (7-1) stops Nats; Phils end skid
Cole Hamels pitched eight scoreless innings, finishing up by retiring Bryce Harper on a grounder as the Philadelphia Phillies snapped a season-long four-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory against the Washington Nationals.
05/23/2012 06:45 Dear Mr. Fantasy: Ups and downs of young players
Last year your team was a juggernaut. This year it's sitting in the cellar. What happened? You might even have most of those players back. If you're relying on young talent, our Scott White says prepare to take some lumps in his latest Dear Mr. Fantasy.
At first glance, everything about Hunter Pence's 2011 season -- from his career-high .314 batting average to the king's ransom that landed him in Philadelphia at the trade deadline -- would lead you to believe he's on the cusp of elite status in Fantasy. And yes, it's possible the 28-year-old's best is still ahead of him, especially since his batting average only improved with the move to Philadelphia, where he hit as many homers (11) in 207 at-bats as he had in 399 at-bats with the Astros. But before you decide he's the second coming of Matt Holliday and invest a third-round pick in him, take a second look at the peripherals. Pence's strikeout rate was one of the highest of his career, which means he added 30 points to his batting average by making less contact. Saying he benefited from good luck would be an oversimplification -- perhaps he decided he didn't need to swing for the fences as much anymore, and naturally, a move to a deeper lineup would take some of the pressure off -- but the point is the secret of his success is hardly an open-and-shut case. As a second outfielder, he's fine. As anything more, he has the potential to disappoint. (Updated 1/5/12)