Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell is back in the Pirates lineup and batting cleanup on Tuesday after sitting out the last two games. From all indications, it appears Bell was just getting some rest, and owners should make sure to plug him back into their lineups against the Giants.

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell is not in the starting lineup Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Bell has struggled of late, so the Pirates and fantasy owners are hoping a game off can help him round back into form. Jose Osuna will start at first and bat fourth against left-hander Jason Vargas. Osuna could provide some value in DFS leagues, but he has been a much better streaming option against right-handed pitching this season.

Having not hit a home run since August 13, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell broke the drought on Saturday night as the Pirates thumped the Reds 14-0. The seventh-inning three-run blast gives Bell 102 RBI on the season, along with 31 HR and 84 runs scored. His owners can only hope that the 365-foot shot off of Reds relieverKevin Gausman breaks the top-tier first baseman out his recent slump, as Bell is still just 4-for-40 over his last ten games.

In the middle of a breakout season, Pirate first baseman Josh Bell has seen the power go out since early July, having hit zero home runs since early July. But Bell ended his 26-game homerless streak in style, going deep twice on Sunday in an 11-9 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The two blasts give Bell 29 HR on the year and he remains one of the few fantasy bright spots on a Pirates team that has only won four games since the All-Star break.

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell (hand) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the New York Mets. Bell injured his hand on Saturday, so the team is likely giving him the day off to rest here. However, it doesn't sound like the issue is serious, but the Pirates want to play it safe. Jose Osuna will cover first base and bat cleanup versus lefty Jason Vargas. Osuna has been slumping over the last two weeks, so he won't be a great fantasy option here. .

Welcome to Contact Rate Risers and Fallers for Week 16! Our premium tools allow us to get out ahead of trends in player performance, including contact rate. Every [...]

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell is not in the lineup Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. It's Bell's first game off since June 4, who is just 3-for-19 since the All-Star Break. Taking his place is Jose Osuna, who will bat in Bell's usual fourth lineup spot. In just 65 PA this season, Osuna is hitting a blazing .339/.391/.695, but he's just a .247/.284/.461 career hitter in 403 PA. Against Cardinals starter Daniel Poncedeleon, that makes for a marginal DFS play.

Welcome to the All-Star Break edition of Power Hitting Risers & Fallers. All stats are full season through Monday, July 15 (unless otherwise noted). It's only been a few days since the All-Star Break concluded, but some hitters have already heated up. Others were starting before the hiatus and have continued to. And some have been bad. Nothing unusual.[...]

Not a ton has changed since last week given the one combined real game from Monday through Thursday. Friday doesn't exactly give us enough new information, either: as if Josh Bell opening the second half 0-for-4 would make anyone panic.That said, there are still decisions to be made. Fewer, given the lack of new evidence, but some. Only six suggestions this week, two per depth, before ramping things back up again next week.Stats are through Friday, July 12. [...]

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