Ryan McMahon (1B/2B/3B, COL) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of leagues ANALYSIS: Having finally gotten a proper chance for everyday at-bats, Colorado infielder Ryan McMahon accounted himself fine in his 265 plate appearances before the All-Star break, hitting seven home runs with 35 RBI and 36 runs scored while slashing .256/.332/.399. But since the midseason festivities, […]

Mark Canha (1B/OF, OAK) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 6% of leagues ANALYSIS: After hitting a quiet 17 home runs in his 411 plate appearances last year for Oakland, outfielder Mark Canha was a late-round sleeper heading into 2019 but then promptly disappointed with a .200 AVG over his first 18 games before going on the injured […]

Willie Calhoun (OF, TEX) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 10% of leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Ranger rookie Willie Calhoun was surprisingly demoted on June 15, with a .277 AVG over his first 99 plate appearances in the majors while hitting five home runs, with 13 RBI and 15 runs scored. But after Joey Gallo hit the injured list […]

Cal Quantrill (SP, SDP) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: San Diego rookie Cal Quantrill has been on fire recently, allowing only one run over his past three starts, going 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA with a favorable matchup at home against the Rockies on the schedule. Quantrill started his big league career off […]

Drew Smyly (SP, PHI) - Week 19 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of leagues ANALYSIS: Yes, that Drew Smyly. The same Drew Smyly that was released by the Texas Rangers after he made 13 appearances (eight starts), going 1-5 with an 8.42 ERA and 5.96 BB/9; not to mention 19 home runs in his 51 innings pitched. After being let […]

Zach Greinke's Astronomical Fantasy Value

Nothing is ever completely quiet at the deadline, only often boring. But this year it was eerily silent on the day of the new hard trade deadline as only minor tremors shook the market. Sure, the typical moves were made that make fans shrug, as their teams shored up the back of their rotations, bullpens, […]

H2H Category Streamers - Week 19 Waiver Wire

There are plenty of strategies that fantasy managers explore in hopes of getting an advantage over their opponent. Heavy lineup, heavy starting pitchers, no catcher, all (or mostly) reliever staff, no reliever staff, etc. Even if you play a balanced lineup, injuries can cause holes. A few weeks without a key player won’t kill a […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Hits Two More Home Runs

In the midst of a "disappointing" rookie-year, Toronto third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit two home runs Thursday night in an 11-2 victory over the Orioles. Guerrero Jr. started off the scoring with a two-run blast in the third inning before hitting a 450-foot towering encore in the 8th. Still only 20-years old, Guerrero Jr. […]

Travis D'Arnaud Homers Again in Rays Win

Catcher reclamation project Travis D'Arnaud, stayed on fire Tuesday night, hitting his 13th home run 454 feet off of Boston starter David Price. After failing to homer in his first 26 games as a Ray, D'Arnaud has been a revelation since and is slashing .330/.416/.701 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, and 16 runs scored […]

Andrew Benintendi Homers in Third Straight Game

After starter Charlie Morton was removed with two outs in the fifth inning, Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi hit the first pitch from Tampa reliever Adam Kolarek 358 feet over the Green Monster. Benintendi still only has 11 home runs on the season but has now hit four in his past eight games and […]

Justin Verlander Strikes Out 13 Indians in Win

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander was dominant in a road win Tuesday night against Cleveland, striking out 13 batters over seven innings with only two hits allowed and no walks. That's the third start in a row with double-digit strikeouts for the 36-year-old who is now 14-4 on the year with 196 strikeouts. Verlander will […]

Ozzie Albies Collects Three More Hits

Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies went 3-5 on Tuesday night in a 11-8 victory over Washington, with a double and two runs scored. Albies is now slashing .288/.341/.471 with 15 home runs and eight stolen bases on the season. Since the beginning of July, Albies now has 10 multi-hit performances as well as 10 doubles […]

Josh Donaldson Hits 24th Home Run of the Year

Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson hit a three-run home run on Tuesday night, depositing an 89 mph fastball from National's starter Eric Fedde into centerfield in the fourth inning as part of an 11-8 road victory over Washington. The home run is Donaldson's ninth of the month but only his first since July 21 […]

Jake Odorizzi Bounces Back Against Marlins

Minnesota Twins starter Jake Odorizzi beat the Marlins for his twelfth win on Tuesday night, holding Miami to one run on four hits while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings. After a great first two months of the season, Odorizzi has been mostly disastrous since the middle of June, with a 7.99 ERA over […]

Yasiel Puig Brawls Minutes After Being Traded

Minutes after the news was starting to break that he had been traded to the Cleveland Indians, former Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig was involved in a benches-clearing brawl with the Pittsburgh Pirates, ultimately being ejected. In 99 games this year Puig has 22 home runs with 60 RBI, 51 runs scored and 13 stolen bases, […]

Indians Trade Trevor Bauer in 3-Team Deal

Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer was traded to the Reds on Tuesday night in a 3-team blockbuster that will see them receive Yasiel Puig in return from the Reds as well as Franmil Reyes and Logan Allen from San Diego. Bauer goes from a team leading the Wild Card race and only two games […]

Rhys Hoskins Homers in Second Straight Game

Suffering a power outage in July, Phillie's first baseman Rhys Hoskins homered on Tuesday night, after chasing Giants starter Tyler Beede in the fifth inning with a 414-foot shot to centerfield with Bryce Harper on first base in a game Philadelphia would eventually win 4-2. Hoskins also hit a walk-off home run on Sunday night […]

Cubs Acquire Reliever David Phelps From Toronto

Toronto continued their deadline sale, shipping right-handed reliever and cash considerations to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. In exchange, the Blue Jays receive Thomas Hatch, a right-handed pitching prospect who has a 4.59 ERA in 100 innings this year at Chicago's double-A affiliate. By acquiring Phelps, the Cubs continue to try and shore up their […]

Ken Giles Elbow Issue Makes Future Uncertain

Once thought a near-guarantee to be dealt by the Blue Jays, closer Ken Giles has now missed the past two games with elbow inflammation, putting the likelihood he's moved at risk. Manager Charlie Montoyo says Toronto will not use Giles if he is not 100%, even though Montoyo doesn't believe the issue to be serious. […]

Caleb Smith Strikes Out Nine in Marlins Win

Marlins starter Caleb Smith went seven strong innings on Monday night versus the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing four earned runs on four hits. Smith only walked one while striking out nine and left the game after retiring the last 10 batters he faced. Since coming off the IL on July 6, Smith is 4-0 with […]

Cavan Biggio Homers, Collects Three Hits

Blue Jays rookie Cavan Biggio homered for the second time in three games as Toronto beat the Royals 7-3 on Monday night. Biggio went 3-5, adding two singles to his eighth home run of the year, as well as scoring two runs. After hitting waiting until July 27 to hit his first home run of […]

Teoscar Hernandez Continues Power Surge

After hitting two home runs on Saturday night, including a 12th-inning walk-off blast, Teoscar Hernandez kept the power up on Monday night, hitting a 451-foot moonshot off of Kansas City starter Brad Keller. While the home run is only Hernandez's 15th on the year, he's now hit eight home runs in July along with a […]

Bo Bichette Singles in First Major League At-Bat

The Blue Jays continued their legacy-prospect parade, as Bo Bichette was called up and started at shortstop on Monday night against the Kansas City Royals. Bichette went 1-4 in his debut, collecting his first hit when he singled off of Brad Keller in the second inning. Only 21-years-old, the son of Dante hit eight home […]

Marcell Ozuna Heads to Memphis for First Rehab Start

Out since June 29 when he suffered multiple finger fractures sliding into first base, Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna is headed to Memphis to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday or Wednesday. Even after missing 25 games with the injury, Ozuna still leads the team with 62 RBI and will be a strong addition to a […]

Sonny Gray Gives Up Two Home Runs in Win

Cincinnati Reds starter Sonny Gray was not as sharp on Monday night as he's been in recent weeks, giving up four earned runs on six hits and two home runs over 5 1/3 innings. Coming into tonight's start, Gray's July had been fantastic, with a 1.33 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 27 innings in his […]

Anthony Rendon Crushes Grand Slam in Win Over Atlanta

Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon hit a grand slam off Atlanta reliever Chad Sobotka with two outs in the sixth inning of a 2-2 game on Monday night. Rendon's 23rd home run of the year ended up being the game-winner as the Nationals ultimately won 6-3. The 29-year-old All-Star has been on fire over […]

Max Scherzer Heads Back to IL

The Washington Nationals put ace Max Scherzer back on the 10-day IL today with a shoulder strain after Mad Max made just one start after missing 19 days with inflammation in the same area. Scherzer had returned from that IL stint last Thursday, in a no-decision against the Rockies, giving up three earned runs over […]

Jake Marisnick Lose Appeal of Suspension

Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick lost his appeal of the two-game suspension given to him after he ran over Los Angeles Angel catcher Jonathan Lucroy on July 7. Marisnick was suspended on July 11 after the collision left Lucroy with a concussion and broken nose. Ice cold over his 37 plate appearances in July, Marisnick […]

Brewers Acquire Jordan Lyles for Second Straight Year

Initially scheduled to start in Cincinnati on Monday night, Jordan Lyles was instead traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for 25-year-old minor league reliever Cody Ponce, a 2015 second-round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lyles is likely to slot into the Brewer's rotation, as starters Brandon Woodruff, Jimmy Nelson, and Jhoulys Chacin are all currently […]

Trevor Bauer Debuts New Long-Toss Regiman

Upon seeing that manager Terry Francona was walking out to pull him from his start in Kansas City - revolutionary pitch-mechanic and noted Twitter-commando - Trevor Bauer did the most Trevor Bauer thing he could, choosing to throw the baseball over the centerfield fence instead of handing it to Francona. Bauer was pulled after giving up […]