MacKenzie Gore A Candidate For Wild-Card Series Roster

San Diego Padres left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore has been named to the club’s playoff bubble ahead of Game 1 versus St. Louis on Wednesday, which could indicate that he'll be added to the wild-card series roster. Gore is San Diego’s consensus No. 1 prospect and ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the Majors, […]

Josh Naylor Bats Sixth In Postseason Debut Tuesday

Cleveland Indians outfielder Josh Naylor will man left field and bat sixth during Game 1 on Tuesday against the Yankees and right-hander Gerrit Cole. Naylor’s power potential could give him some DFS upside for owners hoping to capitalize on Cole’s career-worst 1.7 HR/9 that he allowed during the 2020 regular season. With Tyler Naquin and […]

Garrett Crochet Makes Wild-Card Series Roster

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet impressed so much over his first five appearances out of relief (eight strikeouts, zero earned runs) that the club chose to add him to their wild-card series roster Tuesday against Oakland. Ranked as the club’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, the 21-year-old Crochet could transition to the […]

Shane McClanahan Joins Wild-Card Series Roster

Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan was added to the club’s wild-card series roster prior to Game 1 versus Toronto on Tuesday. The club’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, McClanahan would not only be making his postseason debut should he appear out of relief, but his major league debut as well. Having averaged […]

Miguel Andujar Not On Club’s Wild-Card Series Roster

New York Yankees utilityman Miguel Andujar was not included on the team’s wild-card series roster versus Cleveland. Andujar has struggled to see playing time throughout the 2020 season due to the depth that New York possesses, with his latest absence also due to a lack of potential at-bats. In the 21 regular season games that […]

Alex Kirilloff Makes Wild-Card Roster, Rich Hill Left Off

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Alex Kirilloff has the potential to make his major league and playoff debut simultaneously after having been added to the club’s wild-card series roster Tuesday. Correspondingly, left-handed pitcher Rich Hill was left off after having started Sunday, although he’d be a sure-fire candidate to return for the ALDS should Minnesota advance. Kirilloff, […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Cleared To Bat Leadoff For Game 1 Wednesday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (wrist) may have been absent from the club’s regular-season finale, but that appears to have been a precautionary move, as manager Brian Snitker confirmed Acuna’s presence atop the lineup for Wednesday. Acuna will be tasked with facing National League Cy Young contender Trevor Bauer, but he’ll likely retain one […]

Jordan Romano Healthy But Off Wild-Card Series Roster

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Jordan Romano (finger) had a breakout 2020 regular season, but even as he was ready to be activated off of the injured list, general manager Ross Atkins determined that Romano needed more work before joining the playoff roster. Romano allowed two earned runs in 14 ⅔ IP, striking out 21 […]

Jon Lester Set For Game 3 Start, If Necessary

Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Jon Lester has been officially announced as the club’s No. 3 starter for the wild-card series versus Miami, should the series need a third and decisive contest. With Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish set to start Games 1 and 2, respectively, Lester’s playoff acumen likely played into the decision despite the […]

Atlanta Hopes For Five Innings Out Of Max Fried In Game 1

Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Max Fried (ankle) was a tenuous pick to start Game 1 of the club’s wild-card series versus Cincinnati after sustaining a sprained ankle in his final regular season start. Manager Brian Snitker revealed Tuesday that he’d be thrilled if Fried pitched “five innings, that’d be great,” indicating that the southpaw is […]

James McCann Enters Lineup For Game 1

Chicago White Sox catcher James McCann will make the start behind the plate for Game 1 of the wild-card series versus Oakland and left-hander Jesus Luzardo. McCann has plundered left-handed pitching this season to the tune of a 1.242 OPS, which makes him an excellent upside DFS play when considering his price tag. He’ll also […]

Bradley Zimmer Joins Playoff Roster, Adam Plutko Left Off

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer has made the club’s wild-card series roster against the Yankees, with right-handed pitcher Adam Plutko not among the group. Zimmer has not appeared since Aug. 20 as the club has attempted to give him at-bats at their alternate training site after he posted a .603 OPS in 50 plate appearances […]

Alejandro Kirk Draws Start At Designated Hitter For Game 1

Toronto Blue Jays catcher/designated hitter Alejandro Kirk will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against Tampa Bay and left-hander Blake Snell, drawing the start at DH with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Kirk, the Blue Jays No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, excelled in a nine-game stint to close the regular season, slashing .375/.400/.583. […]

Yuli Gurriel Inks One-Year Extension With Astros

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel signed a one-year contract extension with the club just before the first pitch of Game 1 of the wild-card series Tuesday. Gurriel receives $7 million to return in 2021 as Houston’s first baseman, with an additional $8 million club option on the books for 2022. Gurriel is coming off […]

J.B. Wendelken Makes Oakland’s Wild-Card Series Roster

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher J.B. Wendelken (undisclosed) has returned off of the injured list to join the club’s wild-card series roster versus the White Sox. Wendelken allowed just five earned runs across 25 innings pitched during the regular season, striking out 31 batters in that stretch. Having become a valued arm at the back of […]

Josh Donaldson Not On Wild-Card Roster

Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson (calf) is not on the team's roster for the wild-card playoff series against the Astros. Donaldson has not played since departing Friday’s game due to a calf cramp, as he was unable to push off on the injured body part during workouts Monday. Marwin Gonzalez will earn the start […]

Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz Available To Pinch Hit In Game 1

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi (hamstring) and third baseman Yandy Diaz (hamstring) are both on the club’s wild-card series roster versus Toronto and are available to pinch hit for Game 1 against right-hander Matt Shoemaker. Choi has not appeared since Sept. 12, while Diaz has been out of the mix since Aug. 31. […]

Reynaldo Lopez Not On Wild-Card Series Roster

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez is not on the team’s roster for the wild-card series versus Oakland after a rough 2020 regular season. Lopez could return for either the ALDS or ALCS should the club advance, but in the three-game format versus Oakland, he’ll be unavailable. In eight regular season starts, Lopez was […]

Chad Pinder Earns Game 1 Start, Stephen Piscotty Available

Oakland Athletics utilityman Chad Pinder will start in the designated hitter slot for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the White Sox and right-hander Lucas Giolito. Stephen Piscotty will begin the game on the bench but is available to pinch hit, as it appears Oakland prefers the matchup of Pinder against Giolito. Having rejoined […]

FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (9/29/20): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

After what seemed to be a long shot three months ago, playoff baseball returns Tuesday. As opposed to the slobberknocker of competition that is ahead Wednesday, and potentially Thursday, we get a quick dip in the water with a four-game American League bonanza. As can be expected with Game 1’s across the board, aces will […]

Jackie Bradley Jr. May Play Final Game With Boston Sunday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is set to become a free agent at season’s end, and while the possibility remains that he could return in 2021, recent comments have indicated that Bradley could be at peace with a new situation next year. Entering play Saturday, Bradley was having his best offensive season since […]

Jon Gray Will Remain Starter Heading Into 2021

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Jon Gray will open the 2021 year as a candidate for the club’s starting rotation, rather than a possible shift into relief, manager Bud Black reiterated Saturday. Gray was mashed to the tune of a 6.69 ERA this year across eight starts, having also led the National League with 98 earned […]

Harold Castro Departs Early Saturday With Apparent Injury

Detroit Tigers utilityman Harold Castro (back/hamstring) exited Saturday’s contest versus the Royals after appearing to injure his back/hamstrings on a swing. Castro missed time earlier this year due to a strained left hamstring, which may have been the cause, but he cedes way to Eric Haase, with Austin Romine shifting over to first base and […]

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Exits Saturday Early With Foot Ailment

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (foot) exited Saturday’s game versus Baltimore early due to a left foot contusion. Prior to his exit, Gurriel struck out twice, dropping his average on the season to .294. Randal Grichuk entered the game in his place, with Jonathan Davis shifting over to left due to the precautionary […]

Madison Bumgarner Eyes First Win Of 2020 In Final Start

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher Madison Bumgarner will take the mound Sunday for the team’s season finale against Colorado, looking for his first win of the season. Bumgarner’s first year in Arizona has been disastrous, posting a 7.36 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across eight starts. But after nearly a month-long stint on the injured list, Bumgarner […]

Patrick Corbin Undergoes Swift Regression During 2020

Washington Nationals left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin entered play Saturday as having allowed the most hits (85) of any pitcher in the Majors this season. After having compiled a 3.20 ERA with 10.8 K/9 over the past two years, Corbin was bit by regression after posting a 4.66 ERA with 8.2 K/9 this season. Prior to […]

Mookie Betts Emerges As Elite DFS Play Saturday

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts entered the night as a difficult DFS play due to his immense price tag and stingy matchup with Angels right-hander Dylan Bundy. But after Bundy was scratched due to a finger injury and replaced by Julio Teheran, who boasts a 9.49 ERA, Betts stands out as one of the […]

Willi Castro Exits Saturday With Shoulder Ailment

Detroit Tigers third baseman/shortstop Willi Castro (shoulder) exited Saturday’s contest versus Kansas City early due to a sore right shoulder. Prior to his departure, Castro collected an RBI hit, bringing his average on the season to .349 with 24 RBI. He has come on rapidly in September, making a case for American League Rookie of […]

Carlos Hernandez Exits Saturday’s Start With Apparent Injury

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Carlos Hernandez (undisclosed) was pulled during the second inning of Saturday's contest versus Detroit due to an apparent side ailment. Left-hander Mike Montgomery entered the game in Hernandez’s place after the rookie yielded seven hits four runs (three earned) in 1 ⅔ IP. Ranked as the club’s No. 11 prospect […]

Michael Baumann Sustains Flexor Strain, Expected Back For 2021

Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Michael Baumann (arm) sustained a flexor strain in his pitching arm while working at the club’s alternate training site. General manager Mike Elias announced that Baumann, the club’s No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected back in time for Spring Training next season due to the fact that he avoided […]