2 mins agoArizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Brandon Pfaadt looked terrific on the mound during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The right-hander threw six innings, allowing five hits, and striking out 11 batters during a no-decision. The D-Backs would end up winning the game, but they didn't get the lead until Pfaadt was already done for the day. The hope is that this performance will help Pfaadt improve his 4.63 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. His next outing will be against the San Diego Padres next weekend.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 mins agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Bobby Portis was ejected in Sunday's playoff matchup with the Pacers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and
Damian Lillard (Achilles) weren't available for this contest, so Portis was expected to play a pivotal role offensively. However, after receiving two technicals for a physical confrontation with
Andrew Nembhard, his night is over. Portis will finish with four points and three rebounds, with
AJ Green,
Andre Jackson Jr., and
Pat Connaughton expected to see more action for the shorthanded Bucks.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: TV Broadcast
10 mins agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Brayan Bello (lat) has reportedly been making great progress in his recovery, according to manager Alex Cora. The right-hander recently landed on the 15-day injured list, but sounds like Bello should be back sooner rather than later. It's uncertain if the team plans on having Bello go on a rehab assignment. If not, Bello could rejoin the rotation once his injured list stint is over.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Mac Cerullo
11 mins agoDallas Mavericks guard
Kyrie Irving scored a team-high 40 points in Sunday's postseason contest versus the Clippers. However, it wasn't enough, as Los Angeles took the win to tie the series at two games each. In all fairness, Irving can't take any of the blame, considering he had his best showing of the postseason. DFS managers should expect his rostering cost to increase for Game 5 after his strong effort in Game 4. But he will likely have a difficult time staying as productive.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
17 mins agoLos Angeles Clippers guard
James Harden tied with
Paul George to finish with a team-high 33 points in Sunday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. The multi-time All-Star played well in the series' first three games, so he kept it going to help lead his club to a much-needed win. With
Kawhi Leonard (knee) uncertain for the remainder of the series, Harden will see as many minutes as possible for Game 5. He'll also remain a pivotal component of the offense, something DFS managers should keep in mind.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
20 mins agoNew York Yankees first baseman
Anthony Rizzo has been heating up at the plate over the last week. On Sunday, Rizzo went 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in the blowout win over the Milwaukee Brewers. This marked Rizzo's fourth homer in six days and his 300th career long ball of his career. It came in his 1,664th game since debuting with the San Diego Padres in 2011. The six hits in the last two days has boosted his slash line to .277/.341/.446 on the season. Fantasy managers should check the waiver wire to see if Rizzo is available.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
24 mins agoLos Angeles Clippers forward
Paul George tied with
James Harden for a team-high 33 points in Sunday's win over the Mavericks. He struggled in Game 3, ending the night with just seven points. But without
Kawhi Leonard (knee) on the floor for Game 4, George did all he could to help his team knot the series at two games each. It will be tough for the 33-year-old to remain as productive in Game 5. However, assuming Leonard isn't available for that contest, George should remain one of the Clippers' top performers.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
31 mins agoNew York Mets third baseman
Mark Vientos came up clutch for the team during Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and singled during that plate appearance. Vientos remained in the game and got another at-bat versus left-hander
Matthew Liberatore in the 11th inning. He blasted a two-run home run off Liberatore to help the Mets get the 4-2 win. The 24-year-old has a chance to remain with the team if he continues to hit like this. Fantasy managers should use a wait-and-see approach for Vientos.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
36 mins agoChicago White Sox relief pitcher
Jordan Leasure was called upon to record the final two outs during Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It sounds like
Michael Kopech was unavailable for this game after pitching in the last two games. That being said, the White Sox went with Leasure after starting pitcher
Erick Fedde went into the ninth inning. Leasure got the final two outs and recorded his first save in the MLB. He holds a 1.59 ERA through 11 1/3 innings but has also walked seven batters. Fantasy managers should run to the waiver wire after this save. Leasure might get more chances down the road, but it probably won't be enough to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
38 mins agoWinnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck struggled once again as part of a 5-1 loss in Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. The veteran allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 save percentage) and was pulled late in the game in favor of backup Laurent Brossoit. With the effort, the American has now allowed 19 shots over the first four games of the series, posting an .870 Sv% in the process. While the Avalanche led the NHL with 3.68 goals per game this season, Hellebuyck's poor postseason remains a surprise considering he posted a 2.39 goals-against average and a .921 Sv% across 60 games in the regular season. The Jets need a win on home ice in Game 5 on Tuesday to avoid elimination.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
43 mins agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher
Erick Fedde was sharp on the mound during Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander threw 8 1/3 innings while allowing seven hits and two earned runs during the 4-2 win. Fedde struck out nine batters during this game to build his season total to 39 strikeouts. The assumption is that the right-hander is going to regress, but for the time being he holds a strong 2.20 ERA over six starts. Fantasy managers in need of pitching help should look at Fedde.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
55 mins agoColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar both notched a pair of points as part of a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 on Sunday. MacKinnon assisted on both of Valeri Nichushkin's second-period tallies while Makar assisted on Nichushkin's first of three goals before scoring a beauty of his own with just under five minutes to go in the middle frame. MacKinnon now has a multi-point effort in three of the first four games of the series and seven total points in the series. As for Makar, the 25-year-old now has two goals and a hefty eight points across the first four games. Game 5 goes Tuesday as the series switches back to Winnipeg with the Jets needing a win to avoid elimination.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 hour agoEdmonton Oilers center Derek Ryan will enter the lineup for his 2024 postseason debut on Sunday for Game 4 of the team's best-of-seven series against the Los Angeles Kings. He will take the spot of center Sam Carrick on the fourth line. The veteran appeared in 70 regular-season games for the Oilers, notching five goals and 12 points in just 10:12 of average ice time per game. The 37-year-old didn't enter the league until the 2015-16 season and has tallied 81 goals and 203 points across 570 career games. He is skating in his ninth NHL season and also has 41 games of postseason experience under his belt, tallying three goals and nine points in that time.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Daniel Nugent-Bowman
1 hour agoColorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev was excellent on Sunday, turning aside 26 of 27 shots (.963 save percentage) he faced as part of a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. The Avalanche now hold a command 3-1 series lead ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday in Winnipeg. The Russian was beaten by Mason Appleton with roughly six minutes to go in the first period but was perfect from there on out. After allowing seven goals in a 7-6 Game 1 loss, the 28-year-old has allowed just five goals over his last three games, posting a .938 save percentage in that time. Georgiev paced the NHL with 38 wins this season, the second straight season in which he led the NHL in that department after posting a league-leading 40 victories a season ago.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 hour agoColorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin notched a hat trick in Game 4 on Sunday to help steer his team to a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He gave his team a 2-1 lead midway through the second period before extending the lead to 4-1 with just 24 seconds left in the middle frame. The Russian would then deposit his third goal of the game into an empty net with 13 seconds to go in the contest. The veteran now has a goal in each game this series and a whopping six tallies through the first four games. Add in his two-goal game in the final regular-season contest and Nichushkin now has eight goals over his last five games. The Avalanche lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday in Winnipeg.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 hours agoWinnipeg Jets forward Vladislav Namestnikov is being treated at the hospital after taking a deflected slap shot off the head during Sunday's Game 4 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Namestnikov needed assistance getting off the ice midway through the third period and, of course, did not return to the game. The veteran has one goal through the first four games of the postseason after tallying 11 goals and 37 points on 95 shots on goal across 78 regular-season contests. The Jets are now on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-1 in the series ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Mike McIntyre
2 hours agoToronto Maple Leafs center is dealing with an illness that has hampered his performance over the last two games of the team's first-round playoff series with the Boston Bruins. Head coach Sheldon Keefe provided an update on Matthews on Sunday. "For whatever reason, it's not one of those everyday types of illnesses that sort of come and go. This one has lingered and the effects have lingered and gotten worse when he's on the ice asserting himself," Keefe said. Matthews didn't return for the third period of Game 4's 3-1 loss. The superstar has been held off the scoresheet over the last two games and in three of the four games this season following a regular season that saw him tally a hefty 69 goals and 107 points.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Jonas Siegel
2 hours agoLos Angeles Kings netminder David Rittich will be between the pipes for Saturday's Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers. Cam Talbot has started the first three games of the series but has been lit up for a 5.30 goals-against average and an .861 save percentage so far. "David's [going to] go," Kings coach Jim Hiller said following the morning skate Sunday. "We feel good about that. I thought Cam did a good job, that's not it. David's played really well for us, played well against Edmonton. We'll give him a go." Rittich was indeed excellent for the Kings this season, posting a 2.15 GAA and a .921 Sv% across 24 games (22 starts).
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 hours agoWashington Capitals defensemen Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen are both on track to return for Game 4 of the team's first-round series versus the New York Rangers on Sunday. Both defensemen have been sidelined by upper-body injuries and have yet to appear in the series. "On track to play tonight, so we'll see how the rest of the day goes. Looking optimistic," Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said after Sunday's morning skate. "It should help us a bunch. Two guys that have been in our lineup the majority of the year." Sandin hasn't played since April 7 while Jensen has been out since April 13. The Capitals need a win on Sunday to avoid elimination.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 hours agoVancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith is not dressing for Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Nashville Predators. The netminder's specific ailment hasn't been revealed but he was perhaps injured when Predators forward Michael McCarron hit him behind the net while he was playing the puck in the second period of Game 3. McCarron received a two-minute minor for interference on the play and was also fined 2K by the league. The 32-year-old turned aside 29 of 30 shots to earn the Game 3 win but it will be 23-year-old Arturs Silovs getting the nod in Game 4 on Sunday. The Canucks lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 hours agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics. The 27-year-old has homered in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Mountcastle is enjoying solid production at the plate as he is slashing .319/.379/.527 with four homers, 14 RBI and 16 runs. He may not be the most electrifying fantasy asset, but he is worthy of a roster spot in all formats given his strong start and placement in one of the best offenses in baseball.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 hours agoOakland Athletics starter
Paul Blackburn allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings of work during Sunday's 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He struck out five batters while issuing one walk. The long ball killed Blackburn in this one as he gave up three home runs in the contest. The 30-year-old started the season with three straight scoreless outings and garnered streaming appeal in the process, but he has now given up 13 runs over his last three appearances. Blackburn will face the Miami Marlins in his next projected start, which is an appealing matchup, but he is tough to trust right now.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 hours agoBaltimore Orioles closer
Craig Kimbrel blew his second consecutive save on Sunday before leaving the game alongside the team's training staff. Kimbrel issued a four-pitch walk to Darrell Hernaiz and then served up a two-run home run to
Kyle McCann before leaving. He also blew the save in Friday's game after allowing two hits and three walks. It is unclear at this point what Kimbrel's injury is, but something was off with the veteran reliever. Expect more news to come out shortly from the Orioles.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Chelsea Janes
3 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman was 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk during Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was just the second homer of the season for Freeman and his first since March 28th. Despite the slight power outage, the former MVP has still been quite productive. Freeman is slashing .306/.425/.435 with 19 RBI, one stolen base and a 15.4 BB%. The 34-year-old is still one of the best bats in baseball and a serious hot streak might be right around the corner.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 hours agoToronto Blue Jays closer
Jordan Romano picked up his fourth save of the season in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He struck out two of the three batters he faced. The 31-year-old had a late start to the season due to injuries, but he is back and locked into the ninth-inning role for Toronto. Romano is a perfect 4-for-4 on save opportunities thus far to go along with a 3.18 ERA. He has been one of the best fantasy closers over the past few seasons and should continue to be a valuable asset.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 hours agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) was available for Sunday's postseason meeting with the Knicks. Last season's MVP amassed a game-high 50 points in Game 3. However, he cooled off on the scoring end in this one, finishing with 27 points, adding 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks. Embiid looked good again, which is more impressive considering he's still battling a left knee issue. With that in mind, the Sixers are one game away from elimination, so Embiid should remain involved heavily in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 hours agoToronto Blue Jays starter
Kevin Gausman picked up his first win of the season during Sunday's 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gausman allowed one run on five hits across seven innings of work. He struck out five batters without issuing a walk. The 33-year-old had a tumultuous start to the season due to injuries and inconsistencies, but he has only given up two earned runs across his last three starts. Gausman will look to continue his recent success in his next projected outing against the Washington Nationals.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 hours agoNew York Knicks guard
Jalen Brunson scored 47 points in Sunday's win over the 76ers. He added 10 assists, four rebounds, and one block. Brunson made history in Game 4, breaking a franchise record for most points in a postseason contest. While he still struggled shooting the ball from deep, his percentage from the field was his best of the series. The 27-year-old is firing on all cylinders, so he'll look to help his squad close out the series at MSG on Tuesday night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 hours agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal allowed one run on four hits across seven innings of work during Sunday's 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. He struck out six batters while issuing one walk. It was another masterful day on the mound for Skubal, who improved his season record to 4-0. The 27-year-old now owns a sparkling 1.72 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 41/6 K/BB through six starts. Skubal is unquestionably one of the top pitchers in baseball and is a must-start whenever he takes the field. He should continue to find success in his next projected outing against the New York Yankees.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 hours agoSeattle Mariners backstop
Cal Raleigh will receive the day off on Sunday as the Mariners look to complete a three-game sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Raleigh has missed only four games this season and is riding a .235/.315/.457 line with six long balls. The 27-year-old is considered one of the best power options at the catcher position and currently holds an incredible 94.3 mph average exit velocity, 15.7% barrel rate, and 54.9% hard-hit rate which places him in the 96th, 92nd, and 95th percentiles of qualified hitters respectively.
Seby Zavala will instead serve as the catcher and bat in the eight hole. Zavala has not made many appearances this season and is a desperation play in DFS against right-handed pitcher
Brandon Pfaadt, who enters Sunday with a 4.97 ERA.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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