20 Matt Joyce, RF

Leading off for the Rays against Royals starter Luis Mendoza Friday, Matt Joyce hit his 13th home run of the season in the first inning of his team's 7-2 loss. He also hit his 11th double as part of a 2-for-4 performance.

Seeing most of his work against right-handers, Joyce has hit .269/.351/.523 in 197 at-bats this season. He's 10 for 24 with three home runs in his last six games. The Rays are scheduled to face right-handed starters on Saturdy and Sunday.

Like what Matt Joyce has given you over the last couple weeks? Wonder why nobody's talking about him?

It's because he's been sitting against left-handed pitchers much of the year. The Rays happened to face 14 straight righties from May 27 to June 10, allowing him 14 straight starts, and he took advantage of them, so much that the Rays kept him in the lineup for a game against tough lefty Jon Lester Tuesday.

And Joyce responded with another home run, his sixth in his last 21 games.

If the Rays continue to trust him against left-handed pitchers and he continues to perform against them, he'll quickly become more than just waiver fodder in standard mixed leagues. Keep an eye on his playing time.

Rays outfielder Matt Joyce homered and almost helped incite a brawl Monday night during the 14-inning loss to Boston. 

Joyce homered off Red Sox starter John Lackey in the first inning for a solo blast. Later in the game, Lackey hit Joyce with a pitch in the square of the back. Joyce took exception to the beaning and angrily gestured to Lackey. Benches emptied, but cooler heads ultimately prevailed with nobody ejected and no punches thrown. 

Joyce finished 1 for 5 with a walk as the leadoff hitter in the game. The HR was his 11th on the year and he has 27 RBI. That said, he's struggled in June with a .200 average over the first nine games of the month entering Tuesday against Boston. 

Rays outfielder Matt Joyce got things going in May, and is looking to continue his strong surge.

Joyce hit .299/.396/.584 during the month. He swatted five home runs over that period. Joyce has been a streaky hitter over his career, and has been prone to the occasional hot streak. While he's still looking to get things going in June, he can provide plenty of Fantasy value to teams when things are going right.

With the strong May, Joyce brought his overall line to .255/.335/.491 in 165 at-bats this year.