Jeff Samardzija Takes Tough Loss Thursday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija pitched well but did not get any help from his offense in Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Cubs. Shark pitched seven innings, allowing a single run on two hits and a walk with four strikeouts. The veteran has pitched well this season and is now 9-10 with a […]

Kevin Pillar Hits Two Home Runs Friday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Kevin Pillar continued his hot August in Friday's 10-9 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. Pillar hit a pair of two-run bombs, one in the fourth inning and one in the 10th. The veteran is now hitting .396 in […]

Mike Yastrzemski Hits Three Home Runs Friday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski had a huge day in Friday's 10-9 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks, going 3-for-6 with three home runs, four RBI, and a strikeout. Yaz hit a solo homer in the third inning, a two-run shot in the seventh, and then the go-ahead HR in the 11th. The 28-year-old has […]

Mike Yastrzemski Mashes Three-run Home Run Wednesday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the A's. Yastrzemski just cleared the center-field wall on an eighth-inning Joakim Soria fastball for his 13th long ball of the season. The 28-year-old has been a contributor to the Giants all season, posting […]

Alex Dickerson Expected To Start Friday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Alex Dickerson returned Wednesday from the IL after recovering from a right oblique strain, going 0-for-1 with an RBI in a pinch-hit at-bat. He is expected to start Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, per MLB.com's Maria Guardado. Dickerson has been a huge asset to the Giants this season, posting a .343/.398/.657 […]

Jonathan Villar Plates Two Wednesday, Stays Hot

Baltimore Orioles second baseman/shortstop Jonathan Villar went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Yankees. The 28-year-old has hit well in August, batting .302 with two home runs, seven RBI, and three stolen bases. Villar has been a solid fantasy contributor all season […]

Renato Nunez Goes 5-For-5 Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles designated hitter/third baseman Renato Nunez had a great day at the plate in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Yankees, going 5-for-5 with four singles, a double, and two RBI. The 25-year-old has been useful in fantasy at times this season but is hitting just .204 with one home run and five RBI in […]

Will Smith Notches 29th Save Of Season Tuesday

San Francisco Giants closer Will Smith picked up his 29th save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the A's. Smith started the ninth inning with a two-run lead and allowed three singles and walked a run in but also had three strikeouts. It wasn't the cleanest save, but he got the job done as he has […]

Madison Bumgarner Strong On Hill Again Tuesday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner was at it again in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the A's. MadBum went seven strong innings, allowing a single run on two hits (including a home run) and no walks with nine strikeouts. He has been excellent as the Giants have been pushing for a playoff spot and […]

Anthony Santander Homers Tuesday, Stays Hot

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander continued to hit in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Yankees, going 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Santander took Domingo German deep in the fourth inning for his 11th long ball of the season. The 24-year-old has raked for the O's this season, posting a .303/.344/.517 slash line with 35 […]

John Means Hit Hard By Yankees Again Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means turned in another short start in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Yankees. Means lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits (including a home run) and two walks with one strikeout. Means has had to face the Yankees in both of his starts since returning from […]

Statcast Slider Usage Studs and Duds for Week 20

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s pitchers advanced stats and StatCast studs and duds article series! Each week we will select an advanced stat, choose two studs and two duds, and analyze what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. Last week I used Statcast's pitch arsenal tab to look at starters' four-seam fastball usage and […]

Strikeout Rate Risers and Fallers - Buy or Sell for Week 20

Welcome back to the strikeout rate risers and fallers series for Week 20! Each week we will take a look at two K% risers and two fallers, analyze what is behind those changes, and then decide if they are actionable. A pitcher can best control their fate by generating swings and misses, so this exercise […]

Scooter Gennett Goes Yard Sunday, Hitting Better

San Francisco Giants second baseman Scooter Gennett went 2-for-4 with a single, a solo home run, two RBI, and a strikeout in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Phillies. Gennett took Ranger Suarez deep in the sixth inning for his second long ball with his new team. Gennett struggled with the Reds this season but has […]

Mychal Givens Blows Save Sunday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Mychal Givens blew his sixth save of the season in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Astros. Givens came in for the ninth inning with a two-run lead but allowed three runs on three hits and a hit batsman with one strikeout before getting pulled after getting just one out. Thankfully, his […]

Trey Mancini Plates Two On Three Hits Sunday

Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini went 3-for-4 with three singles, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Astros. The 27-year-old has been clutch for the O's all season long, posting a .280/.344/.534 slash line with 27 home runs and 67 RBI. He should be in fantasy owners' lineups […]

Mike Yastrzemski Drives In Three Thursday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski had another nice day at the plate in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Phillies, going 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run, three RBI, and a strikeout. Yastrzemski took Nick Pivetta deep to right field in the seventh inning for his 11th HR of the season. The 28-year-old […]

Madison Bumgarner Pitches Gem Thursday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner was on his game in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Phillies. MadBum tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing a single hit and a walk with three strikeouts. He also had a bunch of great at-bats, going 1-for-1 with a single and two walks. The Giants' ace is now 7-7 […]

Statcast Fastball Usage Studs and Duds for Week 19

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s pitchers advanced stats and StatCast studs and duds article series! Each week we will select an advanced stat, choose two studs and two duds, and analyze what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. This week I will be using Statcast's pitch arsenal tab to look at starters' four-seam fastball […]

John Means Has Mediocre Return Start Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means had an ok start back from the IL in Wednesday's 14-2 loss to the Yankees. Means, who had been out with left shoulder inflammation, allowed four runs on five hits (including a three-run home run) and a walk with five strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy owners should […]

Jonathan Villar Hits For Cycle Monday

Baltimore Orioles second baseman/shortstop Jonathan Villar had a landmark game in Monday's 9-6 loss to the Yankees, hitting for the cycle in just the fifth time in O's history. Villar was left with just a single to go in his last at-bat but was facing Aroldis Chapman and was able to go the other way […]

Strikeout Rate Risers and Fallers - Buy or Sell for Week 19

Welcome back to the strikeout rate risers and fallers series for Week 19! Each week we will take a look at two K% risers and two fallers, analyze what is behind those changes, and then decide if they are actionable. A pitcher can best control their fate by generating swings and misses, so this exercise […]

Donovan Solano Stays Hot Sunday

San Francisco Giants middle infielder Donovan Solano continued to surprise with his bat in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Rockies, going 2-for-4 with a single, a solo home run, two RBI, and a strikeout. The 31-year-old now owns a .343 /374/.496 slash line with four HR and 18 RBI in 147 plate appearances. While he […]

Tyler Beede Gets Hit Hard Sunday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tyler Beede fell to 3-6 in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Rockies. Beede pitched just 3 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits (including two home runs) and two walks with three strikeouts. The 26-year-old now owns a 5.38 ERA with 69 strikeouts and 34 walks in 73 2/3 […]

Dereck Rodriguez Gets Hit Hard On Thursday

San Francisco Giants pitcher Dereck Rodriguez had a poor showing in Thursday's 10-2 loss to the Phillies. Rodriguez had been called up from Triple-A Sacramento for the start but lasted just three innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits (including a solo home run) and two walks with no strikeouts. The 27-year-old has […]

Hanser Alberto Fouls Ball Off Shin, X-Rays Negative

Baltimore Orioles second/third baseman Hanser Alberto exited Thursday's game after fouling a ball off his shin in the seventh inning. He ended up hitting a single and was able to run the bases before leaving the game. X-rays came back negative, per MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko. This is a relief for both the O's and fantasy […]

Trey Mancini Belts 25th Home Run Of Season Thursday

Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 11-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Mancini took Jason Adam deep in the eighth inning for his 25th HR of the season. He now has a career-high in HR with two months left in the season as well as a […]

Tyler Beede Takes Loss In Mediocre Start Tuesday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tyler Beede fell to 3-5 in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Giants. Beede pitched five innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits (including a two-run home run) and two walks with four strikeouts. The 26-year-old now has a 5.01 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 32 walks in 70 IP. While […]

Trey Mancini Plates Two Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini did his part in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Padres, going 2-for-4 with a single, a double, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. The 27-year-old now owns a .282/.344/.534 slash line with 24 home runs and 55 RBI on the season. Mancini has been mentioned as the O's […]

Renato Nunez Caps Hot July Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles third baseman/designated hitter Renato Nunez closed out a strong July in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Padres. Nunez went 2-for-5 with two singles, two RBI, and a strikeout. The 25-year-old has swung a hot bat all July, hitting .304 with seven home runs and 19 RBI. He has shown his power potential all […]