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McNeil’s Stolen Base Ignites Victory Over Red Sox
Jeff McNeil Shows Flashes of Speed in Athletics’ Win Over Red Sox
What Happened in Saturday’s Game
The Oakland Athletics beat the Boston Red Sox 7-3 on Saturday, and veteran infielder Jeff McNeil had an interesting stat line despite not getting a hit:
- 0-for-1 at the plate (one official at-bat, no hits)
- 1 walk (got on base for free)
- 1 run scored (came around to score)
- 1 stolen base (swiped a bag!)
Important Point: In fantasy baseball, a "0-for-1 with a walk" means McNeil only had one official at-bat but reached base via walk. The stolen base and run scored are valuable "counting stats" that help fantasy teams.
The Bigger Picture: McNeil’s Recent Hot Streak
While Saturday’s box score looks modest, McNeil has actually been playing much better lately. Over his last 15 games, he’s put up impressive numbers:
| Stat | Last 15 Games |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .348 (really good!) |
| Home Runs | 1 |
| RBI (Runs Batted In) | 7 |
| Stolen Bases | 3 |
What This Means: A .348 average over 15 games is a strong "hot streak." The 3 stolen bases are especially nice for a 34-year-old — speed usually declines with age.
Season-Long Numbers: The Full Story
Despite the recent surge, McNeil’s overall 2026 season remains underwhelming for fantasy managers:
- Games Played: 102
- Batting Average: .250 (league average territory)
- Home Runs: 4 (low for a fantasy asset)
- RBI: 35
- Runs Scored: 30
- Stolen Bases: 4
Important Context: McNeil is 34 years old playing on an underperforming Athletics team managed by Mark Kotsay. The lineup around him hasn’t produced many runs, which limits his RBI and runs scored opportunities.
Fantasy Football… Er, Fantasy Baseball Impact
Should You Start Him?
It depends on your league format and needs:
| League Type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Shallow Leagues (10-12 teams) | Probably droppable — better options on waivers |
| Deep Leagues (15+ teams) | Hold/Start — multi-position eligibility + recent speed |
| Categories Leagues (need SB) | Stream him — 3 SB in 15 games is usable speed |
| Points Leagues | Bench — low HR/RBI ceiling caps his upside |
What to Watch For Next
- Can he keep hitting .348? (Unlikely — that’s above his career norm)
- Will the stolen bases continue? (3 in 15 games = ~32 SB pace over full season)
- Does the A’s lineup improve? (Better hitters behind him = more RBI chances)
Quick ELI5 Glossary
| Term | Simple Definition |
|---|---|
| Slashing | The three main hitting stats: Avg / On-Base % / Slugging % |
| Counting Stats | Raw totals (HR, RBI, Runs, SB) — unlike averages |
| Streaming | Picking up a player for a few games, then dropping them |
| Multi-position eligibility | Can play 2B, 3B, OF — super valuable in fantasy |
| Waiver wire | List of unowned players you can claim |
Summary
- Good game: Walk + run + stolen base in a win
- Hot lately: .348 with 3 SB over 15 games
- Season still meh: .250 with only 4 HR in 102 games
- Context matters: Bad team, old player, limited upside
- Fantasy take: Deep league asset for speed; shallow league drop candidate
FAQ
Is Jeff McNeil still a good fantasy player in 2026?
Not really. At 34, his power is gone (4 HR all year), and the Athletics’ offense is terrible. He’s only useful in deep leagues for batting average help and occasional stolen bases.
Why does he only have 102 games played in August?
The season started in late March/early April. By August 9th, teams have played ~110-115 games. Missing ~10 games could mean minor injuries, rest days, or platooning.
What does "0-for-1 with a walk" actually mean?
He came to bat once officially (made an out), but also drew a walk in another plate appearance. Walks don’t count as at-bats, so the line is 0-for-1, not 0-for-2.
Should I pick him up for the stolen bases?
Only if you’re desperate for SB in a deep league. 3 SB in 15 games is nice, but not elite. There are usually faster players available on waivers.
Who is Chris Schommer?
The Athletics Correspondent for FantasyPros — meaning he covers the A’s specifically for fantasy analysis. His byline adds credibility to the team-specific context.
