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Shawn Armstrong Getting Another Opening Assignment in ALCS
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for the Guardians again in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians are going to stick with what is working, as Armstrong has given up two hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 7 2/3 scoreless innings so far this postseason. He threw a scoreless inning in Game 4 and 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 5 on Sunday, so Monday will be his third straight appearance in the best-of-seven series. The 36-year-old veteran and former 18th-round pick by Cleveland in 2011 from East Carolina University went 2-1 during the regular season with a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 34:19 K:BB in 35 1/3 relief innings in his 12th year in the major leagues. Armstrong most likely will only go an inning or two at the most as he appears in the playoffs for the third straight day while trying to force a Game 7 in Tampa, with a trip to the World Series to face the Milwaukee Brewers on the line.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
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Freddy Peralta Starting Game 6 of ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta will start Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday back in Tampa against the Cleveland Guardians on a short turnaround after the Rays won Game 5 of the series in Cleveland on Sunday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Peralta will be looking for more of the same after he picked up the win in Game 2 against Cleveland by tossing six shutout innings with six strikeouts. In three postseason appearances (two starts) this year, Peralta has been money for the Rays, allowing just one earned run on seven hits (one homer) while walking four and striking out nine in 11 1/3 innings pitched for a win and a hold. He threw two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen in Game 4 of the ALCS in Cleveland. The veteran hurler did not face the Guardians at all during the regular season, going 10-11 on the year with a 4.42 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts in 169 innings pitched over his 32 starts with the Rays and New York Mets. Peralta was better in his 10 regular-season starts with Tampa, posting a 3.25 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 43:15 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Teruaki Sato Will be Posted This Offseason
The Hanshin Tigers have announced that they will approve the posting of third base/right fielder Teruaki Sato to the MLB this offseason, according to the Yakyu Cosmopolitan. Sato had 39 homers and 106 RBI for the Hanshin Tigers this season, while hitting .306 on his way to the Japanese Triple Crown. Sato should be one of the top hitters on the free agent market this off-season.
Source: Yakyu Cosmopolitan
Source: Yakyu Cosmopolitan
Austin Wells' Slow First Half Could Be Due To Persistent Headaches
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells took several foul tips to the catcher's mask that led to headaches, which slowed down his first-half production offensively, before he was able to have a resurgent second half of the season, according to a report from The Athletic's Brendan Kuty. Kuty says Wells passed concussion protocols after two specific shots to the mask but had "pressure in his head and headaches" as a result of the foul tips. Wells hit .186 this season with 14 homers and 32 RBI. Over the final three months of the season, Wells had 10 homers and 22 RBI, as he was clearly more productive over the second half of the year.
Source: Brendan Kuty, The Athletic
Source: Brendan Kuty, The Athletic
Chandler Simpson Has Productive Game 5
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson showed off his skills in the team's 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALCS on Sunday. Simpson was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, a single, a stolen base, and a run scored. Simpson showed off his speed and how much of a threat he is in the run game with his second stolen base of the postseason. The speedster had 46 stolen bases during the regular season. Simpson is hitting just .238 in the postseason, but he had a nice game in Game 5 and will look to build on that back home as the Rays try to put away the Guardians and make the World Series in Game 6 at Tampa Bay.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Orioles Hire Jared Banner As New General Manager
The Baltimore Orioles have made a hire in their search for a new general manager, and according to the team, it is Jared Banner, the former assistant general manager with the Chicago Cubs. The Orioles say that Banner will "work alongside President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias, managing the baseball operations department on a day-to-day basis. Banner will lead the organization's player development, coaching, and performance efforts, while also partnering with Elias on strategy, staffing, and talent acquisition, among other duties." Banner recently completed his 18th season in baseball operations and has worked as assistant GM of the Cubs since 2024.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Jonathan Aranda Continues Strong Postseason in ALCS Game 5 Win
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda was one of the key contributors in his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, logging two hits and an RBI in five plate appearances. Aranda emerged as a staple at the top of the Rays lineup in 2026, hitting .274/.358/.434 with 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 668 plate appearances. The 28-year-old has continued his solid production in the playoffs so far, slashing .290/.353/.387 with one home run, five RBI, and four runs scored across 35 plate appearances. Tampa Bay will have a chance to advance past Cleveland and into the World Series with a win in Game 6 on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Parker Messick Struggles in ALCS Game 5 Defeat on Sunday
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick did not have his best day in his team's 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. The 25-year-old pitched just two innings, throwing 57 pitches and allowing five hits, two walks, and two earned runs. Messick emerged as Cleveland's ace during the regular season, recording a 12-9 record with a 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts across 186 1/3 innings (32 games). However, the young lefty has not been quite as effective in the postseason so far. Messick is 0-3 in his three playoff starts, allowing 17 hits, 10 walks, and nine runs (six earned) across 13 2/3 innings. Cleveland will now need to win two straight games in Tampa to advance past the Rays and move on to the World Series.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Bryan Baker Logs Fifth Postseason Save in ALCS Game 5 Win
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker continued his dominant postseason on Sunday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Baker had a breakout regular season for the Rays, pitching to a 1.44 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 41 saves across 62 1/3 innings. He's continued his excellent production in the playoffs, logging six strikeouts and five saves while allowing one hit, two walks, and zero earned runs across six innings (six games). Tampa Bay has a chance to advance to the World Series for the third time in franchise history with a win in Game 6 of the ALCS on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Drew Rasmussen Pitches Rays to Within One Win of the World Series
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen came through for his team with a gem in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. The 31-year-old allowed just four hits, one walk, and one earned run while striking out six across seven innings of work in Tampa Bay's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Rasmussen had an excellent regular season for the Rays, recording a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts across 172 innings (30 starts). He's been even better across his three starts so far this postseason, allowing just 13 hits, three walks, and three earned runs while striking out 23 across 21 innings pitched. Thanks to Rasmussen's efforts in Game 5, Tampa Bay now holds a 3-2 series lead over Cleveland and will have a chance to advance to the World Series with a win in Game 6 on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Yandy Diaz Stars in Key ALCS Game 5 Win on Sunday
Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz was one of the stars of his team's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, logging three hits and scoring a run in five plate appearances. The 35-year-old was a consistent presence at the top of the Tampa Bay lineup all season long, hitting .293/.359/.446 with 22 home runs, 85 RBI, 93 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 686 plate appearances. Diaz has continued his steady production in the playoffs, slashing .314/.333/.514 with one home run, two RBI, and six runs scored across 36 postseason plate appearances. The Rays are now one win away from a trip to the World Series after taking a 3-2 series lead over Cleveland on Sunday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Travis Bazzana Hits First Playoff Home Run in Loss to Rays
Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana went 2-for-3 at the plate with his first career postseason home run as the Guardians came up short 7-3 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night. Bazzana's home run came in the seventh inning, when the Guardians put up a little rally, but it was not nearly enough as the Rays tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. "We've been in situations where it gets tough, where it gets tighter and it gets harder a little closer to the end of the season," Bazzana said. "You've just got to fight for that next win." The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2024 from Oregon State has struggled so far in his first nine postseason games, going 6-for-30 (.200) with the home run, two RBI, four runs scored, a stolen base, four walks, and six strikeouts in 34 plate appearances. The Australian native has been hot since the start of September, though, slashing .280/.365/.613 with six home runs, 15 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a stolen base.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jonathan Aranda has Three Hits, Two RBI in Game 4 Win Over Guardians
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda helped carry the offense in the 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night at Progressive Field. Aranda, batting out of the two-hole, went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. It was nice to see Aranda do something on offense after going hitless in the first three games of the series. In seven total postseason games this October, Aranda has gone 7-for-26 (.269) at the plate with a home run, four RBI, four runs scored, one walk, and three strikeouts. The Rays are going to need their core players like Aranda to continue stepping up if they are going to win two more games necessary to get them back to the World Series. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger from Mexico followed up his first-time All-Star bid in 2025 with a nice .274/.358/.434 slash line with a career-high 22 home runs, 92 RBI, and 73 runs scored across 155 games and 668 plate appearances during the regular season in his fifth year in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nick Martinez Helps Rays Even the ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez picked up the win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night in the 7-3 victory in Cleveland over the Guardians. Martinez allowed just one earned run on two hits while walking two and striking out three in 5 1/3 innings of work. After Game 4 was originally postponed on Friday night due to inclement weather, the ALCS is tied at two games apiece. Martinez, who had thrown 13 scoreless innings against the Guardians this season, was in full control of his game, with the only damage against him coming on a Chase DeLauter RBI single in the first inning. Tampa will trot right-hander Drew Rasmussen out for Game 5 of the series on Sunday at Progressive Field, and he will be opposed by Guardians lefty Parker Messick. Martinez now has a 3.00 ERA with three walks and six strikeouts in nine innings in his first two postseason starts this fall. In 10 total playoff appearances in his career, Martinez holds a 3.10 ERA with five walks and 17 strikeouts in 20 1/3 frames.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cade Povich has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich (elbow) had surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies in his elbow after pitching through significant pain down the stretch this year, a source told Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Povich is expected to be ready for spring training. The 26-year-old southpaw only made eight appearances (seven starts) for the O's in his third year in the major leagues, going 2-1 with a career-best 4.38 ERA (4.99 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 15 walks in 37 innings pitched in the majors. Povich had an ERA over 5.00 in each of his first two big-league seasons in Baltimore. He took a jump forward with a career-high 24.2% strikeout rate in 112 1/3 innings pitched in 2025. As long as Povich is fully healthy in spring training next year, he should be in the competition for a starting-rotation spot to begin the regular season. Povich is intriguing for his diverse arsenal and swing-and-miss stuff, but he has yet to put it all together at the major-league level.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Shohei Ohtani Plans to Pitch in 2027
Knee and biceps injuries kept Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani off the mound over the final three months this year, but he said he "definitely" plans to pitch in 2027, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. The 32-year-old also slumped badly at the plate late in the season, so badly that the Dodgers considered benching the four-time MVP for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. It is unclear if Ohtani will have an offseason procedure. Ohtani was in the NL Cy Young picture in the first half of the season and had a 1.79 ERA while limiting hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings. But he started dealing with pain in his left knee on June 11 and last pitched on July 3 against the San Diego Padres. Over his final four starts, he allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings. Before that, he gave up only five earned runs in 61 innings. Ohtani landed on the injured list in September, his first trip to the IL in almost three years. Depending on any offseason procedures that he has, Ohtani should be extremely attractive as both a hitter and pitcher in fantasy again in 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Bryan Rincon in the Mix at Third Base for the Phillies in 2027
Philadelphia Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski mentioned infield prospect Bryan Rincon (hamstring) as a player who could be in the mix at third base in 2027, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Incumbent Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm is set to hit free agency this winter and may be unlikely to return to Philadelphia. Rincon has yet to reach Triple-A, but he dominated across 534 plate appearances at Double-A in 2026 by hitting .267/.410/.517 with 26 home runs, 67 RBI, 92 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases. Rincon also underwent hamstring surgery at the end of the season, so he will need to get fully healthy in time for Spring Training. Still, Rincon could be a player for fantasy managers to monitor heading into 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Jeremy Pena on the Trade Block?
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena could be a candidate to be traded this offseason, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Rome writes that Houston's "inability to extend Pena, a free agent after 2027, makes him an ideal trade candidate" this upcoming winter. Pena has missed time due to injuries in each of the past two seasons. However, he remained highly productive when healthy in 2026, hitting .277/.325/.477 with 22 home runs, 56 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 483 plate appearances. Pena was a much better hitter at home in 2026, posting a .902 OPS in Houston compared to a .722 OPS on the road. Still, the 29-year-old's five-category potential makes him an appealing shortstop option for fantasy managers regardless of whether he remains with the Astros or gets traded ahead of 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Isaac Paredes Could Be an Offseason Trade Candidate
Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes could be a candidate to get traded this offseason, speculates Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Houston has a $13.3 million team option on Paredes for the 2027 season, which Rome writes is a no-brainer to pick up. However, the Astros have Jeremy Pena locked in at shortstop in 2027 and will also get veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) back from the ankle injury that cost him almost all of 2026. As a result, Paredes could be forced to play out of position or be left without a starting job if he remains with Houston next season. Across 659 plate appearances in 2026, the 27-year-old hit .262/.360/.447 with 25 home runs, 94 RBI, and 69 runs scored. His pull-heavy approach is a perfect fit for Houston's short porch in left field, so Paredes could lose fantasy value if he's playing his home games elsewhere in 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Enrique Hernandez Hoping to Return to Dodgers in 2027
Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez said he is hoping to return to Los Angeles for the 2027 season, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. Hernandez is set to hit free agency after slashing .222/.271/.400 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and 12 runs scored across 96 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2026. The 35-year-old has been a below-average contributor at the plate for several seasons now. However, his ability to line up all over the diamond defensively allows him to still provide value to Los Angeles. Hernandez is also a staple in the Dodgers clubhouse, having spent 10 of his 13 MLB seasons in LA. Still, Hernandez is unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production at this point in his career.
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Phillies Looking to Reduce J.T. Realmuto's Catching Workload in 2027
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that the team will reduce catcher J.T. Realmuto's workload behind the plate in 2027, per Cole Weintraub of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Realmuto caught 123 games for the Phillies in 2026 and had the worst offensive season of his career by far, hitting .205/.283/.331 with 11 home runs, 51 RBI, 52 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 467 plate appearances. At this point in his career, the 35-year-old may simply be done as a positive contributor at the plate. However, a reduced catching workload could help Realmuto's legs stay fresher and allow him to rebound. Realmuto could be a decent bounce-back target for fantasy managers to target in drafts ahead of 2027.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Cole Weintraub
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Cole Weintraub
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