re: DATBL Week 5

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Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates (34.3 percent K rate, 3 infield popups): He was a preseason breakout favorite -- and I was very much on that bandwagon -- yet has gotten off to a miserable start, primarily thanks to all the strikeouts. Alvarez's strikeout rate is sixth-worst among qualified hitters, only three times all season has he recorded a hit in back-to-back games and not once has he strung together even a three-game hitting streak. By contrast, Alvarez is riding a current seven-game strikeout streak and has had a K streak of five or more games on three occasions. Unfortunately, this is precisely the downside we warned you about, though fortunately, the Pirates are one of the few organizations capable of being patient with a potential franchise talent. Here's what bothers me: This -- approximately the 25-game point -- was the stage of his rookie 2010 at which he began to heat up at the plate, chipping in .270/.345/.490 rates and 53 RBIs despite a 32.0 percent K rate in his final 70 contests. This year, Alvarez has hit either a line drive or a (non-popup) fly ball 39.1 percent of the time. Last season, he did that 49.6 percent of the time. The point of giving up is rapidly nearing.

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Day games

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