Joe Panik Hits First Home Run

San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik hit his first home run of the season off of Clayton Kershaw Thursday evening. Panik finished the night 2-for-4. Batting second in front of Andrew McCutchen, Buster Posey and Evan Longoria, Panik should pick of his fare share of runs. He is worth a look in NL-only leagues.

Hunter Strickland Picks Up First Save

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland picked up his first save of the year Thursday evening. Manager Bruce Bochy said pregame that Strickland would start the season as the closer. He should be owned in all leagues.

Ty Blach Picks Up First Win

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ty Blach picked up his first win of the season on Thursday. Blach went five innings allowing zero runs, three hits, three walks and three strikeouts. Blach can remain on the waiver wire for now.

Tim Anderson Hits Two Home Runs

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson was 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored. Anderson was dealing with a sore shoulder near the end of spring, but appears to be fully recovered. Aside from the all around effort, the most impressive stat was his ability to draw a walk. Anderson’s kryptonite... Read More

Matt Davidson Connects For Three Home Runs

Chicago White Sox designated hitter Matt Davidson connected for three home runs on Thursday and finished 3-for-4 with a walk. Davidson has always had a powerful bat, but aside from home runs, Davidson doesn’t offer much else. He is a worth a look for owners who are looking for power and stomach his career .224... Read More

Jose Abreu Hits First Home Run

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu connected for his first home run of the season on Thursday. Abreu finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. He remains one of the best power threats in the game and there should be plenty of more home runs in his future.

James Shields Settles Down After Rough First Inning

After a rough first inning in which Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields allowed four runs, the right-hander settled down and pitched five scoreless innings, allowing no hits. Shields did not record a strikeout and walked one batter. It’s nice to see Shields settle in after a rough start, but he is no longer... Read More

Hunter Strickland Named Giants Closer

Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports that San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland will be the team’s closer. Mark Melancon (elbow) was placed on the 10-day disabled list earlier in the day with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Strickland allowed zero runs this spring and should be added in all leagues. He'll have... Read More

Kyle Schwarber Hits Home Run Thursday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a home run on Thursday. Schwarber has high expectations this season after transforming his body, and after a nice spring it’s nice to see him start 2018 on the right note. Schwarber will certainty offer fantasys owners power, but he is a candidate to be pulled late... Read More

Anthony Rizzo Hits Home Run Thursday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a home run in the top of the third inning on Thursday. Rizzo finished the game 1-for-4 with two runs scored. He remains one of the more consistent fantasy players for this season.

Ian Happ Starts 2018 With A Home Run

On the first pitch of the Major League season, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ hit a home run off of Marlins starter Jose Urena. Happ was a monster this spring and so far he hasn’t slowed down. He finished the game 1-for-5 and did strike out three times, but the power is real and Happ... Read More

Jon Lester Struggles On Opening Day

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester had an Opening Day to forget on Thursday. Lester only lasted 3 1/3 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) while walked three batters and striking two. Lester had a rough 2017 season but had a nice spring and is looking to recover in 2018. He'll square off versus... Read More

Sam Dyson And Hunter Strickland Could Get Save Opportunities

With San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (elbow) placed on the 10-day disabled list, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that relief pitchers Sam Dyson and Hunter Strickland are most likely to replace Melancon. Dyson filled in for Melancon last year, while Strickland excelled this spring and gave up zero runs. Free-agent signee... Read More

Phillies Won’t Name Closer

When asked about the Philadelphia Phillies options in the ninth inning when the team is in the lead, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said, “We’re going to go with our dudes.” It doesn’t sound like the Phillies will announce a closer, but relievers Hector Neris, Pat Neshek and Luis Garcia would appear to be the likely candidates... Read More

Keone Kela To Begin Season As Rangers Closer

Texas Rangers manager Jeff Bannister has announced that relief pitcher Keone Kela will open the season as the Rangers closer. Bannister also mentioned that he won’t use any relievers in three straight games and that Kevin Jepsen could also be in the mix for saves. The biggest loser for fantasy purposes is reliever Alex Claudio,... Read More

Mark Melancon Placed On 10-Day Disabled List

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (elbow) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Melancon said earlier this spring he is not 100 percent. The closer has been a bust thus far for the Giants with both on-the-field struggles and injuries. Relievers Tony Watson and Sam Dyson... Read More

Ian Happ Leading Off On Opening Day

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ, as expected, will be at the top of the Cubs batting order on Opening Day. Happ had a monsterous spring with five home runs and has improved his stock heading into the season. He needs to be owned in all leagues. The rest of the Cubs lineup is as follows:... Read More

Hector Santiago Breaks Camp With White Sox

Pitcher Hector Santiago will be on the Opening Day roster for the Chicago White Sox. Santiago has been a starting pitcher throughout his career but will operate out of the bullpen to start 2018. Santiago can be avoided in all formats as long as he's coming out of the bullpen.

Kevan Smith Placed On Disabled List

Chicago White Sox catcher Kevan Smith (ankle) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list. Smith suffered the ankle injury on March 20. Smith was in a battle with Omar Narvaez to back up starting catcher Welington Castillo. He holds no value for fantasy owners at this point.

Carlos Rodon Placed On Disabled List

The Chicago White Sox have placed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list. As expected, Rodon will not be on the Opening Day roster. The left-hander has been throwing on flat ground but isn’t expected back until June. He is worth a stash for owners who have a spot in deeper leagues.

Reynaldo Lopez Finishes Spring Strong

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez will pitch the third game of the season for the White Sox. Lopez got off to a slow start this spring but finished on a high note, giving up one run over his last three appearances. Lopez is worth a dart throw at the end of drafts, but... Read More

Nick Delmonico To Work Out Wednesday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Nick Delmonico (hamstring) plans to work out on Wednesday. Delmonico has been dealing with a hamstring issue over the past week and was held out of the lineup for precautionary reasons. Delmonico is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Tim Anderson To Work Out Wednesday

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (shoulder) plans to work out on Wednesday. Anderson hurt his shoulder this past week and has been held out of the lineup for precautionary reasons. He should be good to go for Opening Day and offers owners a power and speed option at shortstop.

Carl Edwards Finishes Spring On A High Note

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards has finished Spring Training in top shape, allowing no runs and striking out eight batters over his last six appearances. Brandon Morrow will open the season as the Cubs closer, but Edwards is likely to be the next man up if Morrow gets hurt or struggles. Outside of holds,... Read More

Hunter Pence Has Solid Spring

San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence hit .314 with two home runs in 51 at-bats this spring. Pence played 134 games in 2017, which was his most since 2014. Pence was once one of the more underrated fantasy players, but injuries and age have slowed him down. Outside of very deep leagues, Pence can be... Read More

Albert Almora Has Rough Spring

Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora has struggled this spring and will be the team’s fourth outfielder. Almora was in a competition with outfielder Ian Happ for the the center field job, but Happ was on a tear this spring and ran away with the job, while Almora hit .164 in 55 at-bats. Almora will still... Read More

Brandon Morrow Has Mixed Results In Spring Training

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow offered mixed results this spring. The free-agent signee gave up three earned runs over four innings. Morrow is coming off of his most dominant season as a big leaguer, as he set up for Kenley Jansen in 2017. Morrow has very little closing experience, but fantasy owners shouldn’t overreact over... Read More

Buster Posey On Fire This Spring

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey is ready to go for Opening Day on Thursday. Posey dealt with some ankle issues early in camp, but has bounced back strong with a .471 batting average with two home runs and 10 RBI over 34 at-bats. He remains one of the top-three options at catcher along with... Read More

Jon Lester Has Favorable Matchup On Opening Day

Chicago Cubs Opening Day starter Jon Lester has looked good this spring after a disappointing 2017 campaign. The left-hander had a 2.81 ERA and struck out 15 batters in 16 innings. Lester will square off versus the Marlins on Thursday and is a good bounce-back candidate heading into 2018.

Yu Darvish Fares Well In First Spring Training With Cubs

Chicago Cubs prized free-agent signing Yu Darvish fared well over 19 1/3 innings this spring. The starting pitcher will be slotted behind Opening Day starter Jon Lester in the Cubs rotation this year and has a favorable matchup versus the Miami Marlins on Friday. Darvish remains one of the best starting pitchers for strikeouts and... Read More