Kalen Ballage Gets Surprise Start Over Kenyan Drake

Miami Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage was thought to be the backup to Kenyan Drake but got the starting nod in Week 1, carrying the ball five times for negative-one yard in a 52-10 blowout loss to the Ravens. Ballage also caught his lone target for a 13-yard reception, while Drake had four carries and […]

Kenyan Drake A Non-Factor in Loss

Much like the rest of the offense, Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake didn't do much to help his fantasy owners in a Week 1 loss to the Ravens 59-10. Thought to be the starter in Miami, Drake came off the bench instead and only carried the ball four times compared to the five carries […]

Brian Flores Says Ryan Fitzpatrick Will Remain Starter

Even after getting pulled in the second half of a 59-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will keep his job for at least one more week, according to Miami head coach Brian Flores. Fitzpatrick was uninspiring in his debut for Miami, going 14-for-29 for 185 yards, a touchdown and an […]

J.D. Martinez Keeps Red Sox From Being Shut Out

In the midst of a mini-slump after being scorching hot through August, Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez provided the only offense that Boston could manage in a 5-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday night. Martinez was 2-for 24 prior to the ninth-inning solo blast, after slashing .396/.484/.792 with 11 home runs […]

Edwin Encarnacion Goes Deep in Win Over Red Sox

Now back for five games since missing a month with a wrist injury, New York Yankees designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hit his second home run since returning on Sept. 3 in a 5-1 win over the Red Sox on Saturday night. Encarnacion gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead with the 423-foot blast in the fourth […]

Dinelson Lamet (SP, SDP) - Week 24 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 34% of leagues ANALYSIS: Coming off of a 10 K performance against the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres pitcher Dinelson Lamet didn't exactly blow the doors off anyone in his last start, losing to the Colorado Rockies 3-2. But Lamet wasn't exactly bad, allowing one earned run in […]

Shohei Ohtani Has Big Night in Win Over White Sox

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani filled up the scoresheet on Saturday night, powering the Angels to an 8-7 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Ohtani went 3-for-5, with five RBI and a stolen base. Ohtani started the scoring off in the first inning with a two-run RBI double but then brought his big […]

Drew Smyly Keeps Mets Bats Frowning

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Drew Smyly brought his good stuff on Saturday night, shutting out the Mets for seven innings in a 5-0 win. Smyly scattered four hits and walked two, striking out six before handing the game off to the bullpen. That's two good starts in a row for the 30-year-old leftie, after giving […]

Alex Young Strikes Out a Dozen

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Alex Young pitched the best game of his young career on Saturday night, shutting out the Reds for eight innings while striking out 12. The 25-year-old left-hander has been more than adequate since being called up on June 27, going 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA in his 12 starts. Young has now […]

Mitch Garver Continues Homer Barrage

Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver continued his career year on Saturday night, popping two more home runs in a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians. The two blasts now give Garver 28 home runs in only 309 plate appearances on the season, trailing only Gary Sanchez in that department among catchers. Garver has been one […]

Christian Yelich Does It All in Walk-Off Win

Reigning MVP and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is doing everything he can to keep the award in 2019, going 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and three walks. Yelich saved the biggest hit for last, doubling home Tyler Austin in the bottom of the ninth to give the Brewers the 3-2 victory. Yelich is not […]

Justin Verlander Continues Dominant Season

Relative to his last start - a 14-strikeout, no-hitter against the Blue Jays - Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was ho-hum on Saturday night, beating Seattle 2-1. Verlander was hit around by the Mariners, giving up one run on four hits while striking out only seven in seven innings. Seemingly saving his best pitching […]

Javier Baez's Season Now in Jeopardy

Out since last Sunday after injuring his hand sliding into second base, Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez got bad news on Saturday after an MRI revealed a hairline fracture in his left thumb. A clearer timeline won't be known until after Baez sees a hand specialist on Monday but hopes of him returning for the […]

Aaron Hicks Could Be Done For Season After Setback

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks may not be recovered in time to rejoin the team this year after suffering a setback in his rehab, according to manager Joe Girardi. While the latest MRI showed no new damage to Hick's right-UCL, it also didn't show enough progress to allow Hicks to resume throwing. And that […]

Christian Walker (1B, ARI) - Week 24 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 37% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker is heating up in August, just in time for those owners in the playoff hunt. Walker has had a fine showing in his first year as the Diamondbacks starting first baseman, slashing .264/.350/.479 and hitting 25 home runs with […]

Cole Hamels Blown Up By Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers ran Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cole Hamels off the mound on Friday, with Hamels failing to make it out of the fourth inning in a 7-1 Cubs loss. The Chicago left-hander gave up five earned runs in 3 1/3 innings on nine hits, including serving up home runs to Christian Yelich and […]

Brendan McKay Strikes Out Seven in Return

Tampa Bay rookie pitcher Brendan McKay looked fantastic in his first start in the majors since August 19, striking out seven in a 5-0 victory over Toronto. Throwing only 59 pitches, McKay allowed no runs and one hit over 3 2/3 innings, with Tampa Bay pitching combining for a two-hit shutout. The 23-year-old left-hander should […]

Nicholas Castellanos Homers in Loss

Turning out to be one of the best deals of the trade deadline, Chicago Cubs Nicholas Castellanos provided the only offense that the Cubs could muster on Friday night, hitting a solo home run in a 7-1 loss against the Brewers. Castellanos gave Chicago a brief lead, putting the Cubs up 1-0 when he parked […]

Christian Yelich Hits 44th Home Run

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich continued to make his case for National League MVP on Friday night, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in a 7-1 victory over the Cubs. The blast gives Yelich 44 home runs on the year, putting him only one behind league-leaders Mike Trout and Peter Alonso. And […]

Mike Trout Leaves Game With Ailing Toe

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (toe) left his Friday night game with the White Sox with discomfort in his right toe and is considered day-to-day. Trout was 0-for-2 prior to leaving the game in the fifth inning, being replaced in center field by Brian Goodwin. Impossibly, Trout may arguably be having the best season of […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu to Skip Next Start

Following his most recent poor outing, it was announced Friday that Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu would have his next turn in the rotation skipped. In his last four starts, Ryu has absolutely punished his owners currently in the thick of the fantasy endgame, going 0-3 with a 9.95 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. […]

Bryce Harper Exits Game After Being Hit on Hand

Philadelphia outfielder Bryce Harper left Friday night's game against the Mets after being hit in the right hand by Mets starter Steven Matz. Harper stayed in the game and took his base but then did not return for the bottom of the inning and is considered day-to-day until further notice with a right-hand contusion. Prior […]

Jorge Lopez Looks Sharp in Win

After being given a vote of confidence earlier in the week by manager Ned Yost, Kansas City pitcher Jorge Lopez led the Royals to victory over the Marlins 3-0 on Friday night. Lopez went six shutout innings, scattering four hits while walking none and striking out five. If the rotation stays as is, then Lopez […]

Willie Calhoun Hits Two More Homers

Facing a home run pitcher in a home run park, Texas outfielder Willie Calhoun continued his powerful rookie year, hitting two home runs in a 7-6 Rangers victory on Friday night. Calhoun started the scoring off in the first inning, hitting a two-out solo shot off of Baltimore starter Dylan Bundy. Then with the Rangers […]

Mike Zunino Ends Home Run Drought

Not having gone yard in 13 games, Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino ended the dry spell on Friday night, hitting a two-run home run off of Toronto's Clay Buchholz in a 5-0 Rays victory. He now has nine home runs on the year, but Zunino is still in the midst of a season of […]

Nathaniel Lowe Homers In Return to Majors

Tampa Bay first baseman Nathaniel Lowe was recalled by the Rays on Sunday and didn't take long to make an impact in Tampa's 8-2 victory over the Indians. After walking in his first appearance, Lowe homered off of Cleveland starter Zack Plutko in the fourth inning, driving in Kevin Kiermaier, adding a single later in […]

Adalberto Mondesi Steals Three In Return From Injury

Kansas City shortstop Adalberto Mondesi(shoulder) looked no worse for wear in his return from the injured list on Sunday, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three stolen bases. While reports have Mondesi being instructed not to dive either in the field or on the basepaths, the three thefts show that Mondesi won't feel hindered […]

Sean Manaea Strong in Return to Mound

Making his first start of 2019, Oakland starter Sean Manaea (shoulder) was sharp against the Yankees, even as Oakland eventually lost 5-4. Manaea pitched five shutout innings, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out five. While the three walks aren't ideal, they're certainly understandable given his lengthy absence and were the only negative […]

Charlie Morton Strong In Win

Tampa Bay pitcher Charlie Morton bounced back on Sunday, as the Rays defeated the Indians 8-2. It was a bounceback performance for Morton after he allowed six runs in four innings during a loss to the Astros in his last time out. Morton allowed just one run on four hits and three walks today, striking […]

New York Jets Defense Not Worth Rostering Past Week One

In the third preseason game of the year - the so-called "dress rehearsal" - the New York Jets Defense showed just what kind of unit they're setting up to be in 2019, with Drew Brees and the Saints going up 10-0 after two possessions. New York is going to give up big plays all year, […]