Yordan Alvarez Pops Two Home Runs In Loss

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hit two home runs in the team's 8-4 loss to the A's on Saturday. The rookie phenom continues to punish the baseball, already hitting 19 home runs and driving in 55 runs through only 192 at-bats this season. The slugger's OPS currently sits at a staggering 1.145 and is […]

Alex Bregman Knocks In 80th Run

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and one RBI in the Astros 8-4 loss to the A's. Bregman now has 80 runs batted in on the season and is slashing a fantastic .396/.500/.813 in the month of August. He has 13 extra-hits and 17 runs batted in over […]

Trent Grisham (OF, MIL) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 18% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The artist formerly known as Trent Clark has fared exceptionally well in his brief big league cameo in Milwaukee. After getting recalled around the start of the month, Grisham is now slashing .308/.356/.590 with three home runs, eight runs scored and 10 […]

Josh VanMeter Stays Hot In Win Saturday

Cincinnati Reds rookie infielder Josh VanMeter stayed hot in a 6-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. VanMeter went 2-for-2 with two walks and a run in the win. The rookie has been a pleasant surprise for the Reds, hitting .293 with an .855 OPS, four homers, 18 runs, 13 RBI, and four […]

Anthony DeSclafani Wins Eighth Game

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani pitched well in a 6-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. DeSclafani allowed just one run over five innings while striking out four and walking three. The win goes down as DeSclafani's third in his past five starts. The veteran hurler improved his record to 8-7 with a […]

Sam Travis (1B/OF, BOS) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 1% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The Red Sox replaced veteran Steve Pearce with Sam Travis as their short-side platoon bat off the bench, a valuable role as a lefty smasher that Boston has often utilized. Travis' overall season of .266/.314/.468 doesn't jump off the page, but the […]

Zach Plesac Struggles a Bit on Saturday

Cleveland Indians rookie starting pitcher Zach Plesac wasn't sharp on Saturday. He tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and a walk. He struck out five but allowed three home runs. He was somewhat lucky to only allow the four earned runs given the three bombs he allowed, but this […]

Carlos Santana Gets Three Hits and Drives in Three Runs

Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana got three hits and drove in three runs on Saturday, going 3-for-4 with three singles. He brought his line up to .293/.414/.551. He's been the most consistent member of the Cleveland offense and one of the more consistent players in the American League. He should continue to do more […]

Head-to-Head Hitter Streamers and Starts Week 21

Welcome to the hitting streamers column for the week of 8/19 through 8/25. Whether you're looking to maximize the number of games played, exploit favorable matchups, or fill in for injured players, streaming hitters can be a fruitful strategy for those willing to put in a little work every week. Keep in mind that this […]

Trent Thornton Logs Quality Start on Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays starter Trent Thornton allowed five hits and three earned runs, while walking four and striking out three, over six innings in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Mariners. Thornton served up a solo home run to Austin Nola in the fourth inning but limited the damage to two sacrifice flies the rest of […]

Starlin Castro (2B/3B, MIA) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 22% of Leagues ANALYSIS: As much as I'm a believer in Starlin Castro's abilities, I must acknowledge his stay in Miami hasn't been glorious. Although he finished 2018 with a 2.3 WAR (his best since 2014) and a wRC+ of 101, those numbers were nothing otherworldly. In 2019, […]

Freddy Galvis (2B/SS, CIN) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of Leagues ANALYSIS: In a little bit of a puzzling move, the Toronto Blue Jays moved on from infielder Freddy Galvis and put him on waivers after finding no market for him at the trade deadline. The Reds pounced since Galvis was having a good season in Toronto. […]

Brett Gardner (OF, NYY) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: Brett Gardner came back from the injury list on August 2. Since then, he has patrolled New York's center field each and every day while hitting mostly down in the second half of the order (around the fifth or sixth spots). His numbers in August […]

Max Scherzer On Track For Start Thursday

Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer tossed a 64-pitch simulated game on Saturday, potentially lining him up for a return to the rotation Thursday in Pittsburgh. The 35-year-old veteran has made just one start since July 6 dealing with a back injury for the month of August, likely snapping a six-year stretch of 200 innings pitched […]

Chris Sale Lands On 10-Day IL

Boston Red Sox starter Chris Sale hit the injured list Saturday with elbow inflammation while Ryan Brasier gets the call-up to take his roster spot. The southpaw is visiting Dr. James Andrews, which is never a good sign, and there's a real possibility his season is in jeopardy. We'll likely know more later in the […]

David Dahl "Progressing" From Ankle Sprain

Colorado Rockies outfielder David Dahl is out of his walking boot and doing exercises as he recovers from a high-ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined since August 3. Manager Bud Black said he's "progressing" and "feeling much better.' The club will further assess a possible timeline for a return to the lineup early this […]

Braves Hope To Activate Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley Before September

Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson and outfielder Austin Riley are both hoping to rejoin the big league club before the calendar flips to September as they recover from their respective injuries. Swanson increased his on-field activities by taking grounders at short while Riley was able to run without discomfort. A foot injury has sidelined Swanson […]

Eugenio Suarez, Joey Votto Absent Saturday

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez and first baseman Joey Votto are both out of the lineup Saturday versus Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Josh VanMeter is at first base batting second while Jose Peraza shifts to the hot corner batting eighth. Suarez hurt his thumb on a tag play Friday night, and he'll likely be […]

Pirates Waste Brilliant Performance By Steven Brault

Pittsburgh Pirate Steven Brault hurled a gem against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing only two hits over seven innings, while striking out eight. Unfortunately, one of the hits was a home run by Kris Bryant and Brault was saddled with the loss, with the Pirates ultimately losing 2-0. Brault is still a matchup dependant streamer […]

Ketel Marte Scratched From Saturday's Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder/second baseman Ketel Marte has been scratched from the lineup Saturday with lower back tightness. Wilmer Flores takes over his spot at the keystone and batting second versus Giants pitcher Logan Webb in a tasty DFS value play. Manager Torey Lovullo said Marte will be available off the bench and he expects him […]

Craig Kimbrel Set To Return Sunday

Chicago Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel is set to return from the injured list Sunday before the team's series finale against the Pirates. Kimbrel has been out of action since August 5 when he was shelved with a knee injury. In his brief time with the Cubs, he's 9-for-11 in save opportunities while holding an impressive […]

Julio Urias Accepts 20-Game Suspension

Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Julio Urias was suspended 20 games by Major League Baseball on Saturday for violating the league's policy on domestic violence after an incident in May when he was witnessed shoving his girlfriend. Five of the games are counted as having been served when Urias was placed on administrative leave following the […]

Carlos Santana Continues MVP Campaign

Once a longshot to ever be considered the most talented Carlos Santana, the Indians first baseman continues to close the gap, turning what was once a darkhorse MVP candidacy into a full-fledged race. Santana remained on fire during Cleveland's 6-5 loss against the Yankee's on Saturday, going 3-4 with three RBI and now has 13 […]

Kyle Seager (3B, SEA) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 26% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager has a reputation as a slow starter. While he's consistently finished with around 20 home runs, around 75 RBI and around a .270 batting average, it usually takes him a few months to heat up. His 2018 […]

Jon Lester Walks Five Batters In Victory

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester put together six shutout innings on Saturday versus the Pirates. Lester also allowed four hits and struck out three on the afternoon, but allowed five walks. Lester had really been struggling entering Saturday’s contest and it’s good to see him bounce back with a strong start. Lester should still […]

Rowan Wick Picks Up First Save

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rowan Wick secured his first save of the season Saturday. The Cubs bullpen had blown back-to-back saves on Thursday and Friday, but Wick was able to secure the victory for Cubs on Saturday. Wick has quietly been having a productive year, but with Craig Kimbrel (knee) due back soon, Wick may […]

Gleyber Torres Continues Double-Vision

Yankee's second baseman Gleyber Torres continued to show his prodigious power on Saturday, homering twice in a 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Torres now has 29 HR on the year in 472 plate-appearances, a year after hitting 24 HR in 484 PA in his rookie campaign. Today makes a remarkable seven times that Torres […]

Kris Bryant Goes Yard On Saturday

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant went 1-for-2 with a walk and solo home run on Saturday versus the Pirates. Bryant is now hitting .290 with 25 home runs and 60 RBI. The former National League MVP continues to be one of the better offensive options in all formats.

Rowdy Tellez (1B/DH, TOR) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 1% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The Blue Jays recalled slugging first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez from Triple-A Buffalo a few days ago, and manager Charlie Montoyo indicated that Tellez will get regular playing time down the stretch. That's bad news for Justin Smoak owners, but it also […]

Aroldis Chapman Locks Down 35th Save

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman needed only 10 pitches to set down the Cleveland Indians in order on Saturday afternoon, securing a 6-5 victory. After Zach Britton allowed a run in the eighth inning, bringing Cleveland to within one run, Chapman quickly slammed the door the ninth, striking out Greg Allen before getting Francisco Lindor to […]