Patrick Corbin Looks for First Win on Saturday

Washington Nationals southpaw Patrick Corbin will look to earn his first win of the season on Saturday against the New York Mets. Corbin notched a quality start in his first outing of the season against the Mets on Sunday, tossing six innings of two-run ball to go along with four strikeouts. Unfortunately, the bullpen blew […]

Stephen Strasburg Dominates in Win on Thursday

Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg twirled a gem on Thursday in his team's 4-0 shutout win over the New York Mets. Strasburg went 6 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on just three hits to go along with nine strikeouts. It was a nice rebound for the ace after he got touched up for four runs […]

Victor Robles Homers Again on Thursday

Washington Nationals outfielder Victor Robles provided the lone hit off New York Mets starter Noah Syndergaard on Thursday in a 4-0 win over the Mets. The rookie went deep off the Mets ace in the sixth inning to make it a 2-0 game. Robles is off to a strong start for the Nationals, hitting .300 […]

Steven Matz Will Be Challenged in Next Start Saturday

New York Mets southpaw Steven Matz faces a difficult matchup against the Washington Nationals on Saturday at Citi Field. Matz struggled against the Nationals last year, posting an 0-3 record with a 5.88 ERA in six starts. The lefty typically has a distinct platoon advantage when facing a lefty-heavy lineup. The Nationals, however, have plenty […]

Jeurys Familia Strong Again in Bullpen Thursday

New York Mets reliever Jeurys Familia continued his strong start to the season out of the bullpen on Thursday against the Washington Nationals. Familia pitched a scoreless eighth inning, striking out three batters and walking only one. Through four appearances in 2019, Familia has yet to allow a run and has only surrendered one hit […]

Wilson Ramos Collects Two Hits on Thursday

New York Mets catcher Wilson Ramos was the lone bright spot for his team in a shutout loss to the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Ramos went 2-for-4 to up his batting average to .478 on the season. Although it is still early, Ramos has proven to be one of the most valuable offensive catchers in […]

Is Pete Alonso for Real? The Verdict Is Yes

After hearing what I did in the preseason about Pete Alonso, it’s great for his fantasy outlook that he made the Mets roster out of spring training. Each year, I write the Fantasy Baseball Insider series, which consists of exclusive anonymous interviews with former and current players on key fantasy baseball targets. The FBIS won […]

On Injuries and the Illusion of Control

For this week's edition of The Friday Meta, I had planned to delve into the question of how owners approach the use of FAAB (free agent acquisition budget) in the early portion of the season. That's a worthwhile topic, but it can also wait a week. There are more immediate concerns at hand - namely, […]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa Seeing Extended Time At Catcher

Texas Rangers utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa started Thursday's game behind the plate against the Los Angeles Angels. That was just his third start of the season, having started one game in each of the first two series. However, the Rangers are planning to have Kiner-Falefa start two more games this weekend (Saturday and Sunday). It […]

Lance Lynn An Interesting Option Friday

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Lance Lynn could be an interesting cheap DFS option on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels. Lynn struggled in his first outing, surrendering seven earned runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs. He did manage to strike out five hitters in those innings, meaning there is […]

Joey Gallo Hits Second Home Run of 2019

Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo hit his second home run of the 2019 season on Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels. Gallo took Angels starter Matt Harvey deep for a three-run home run in the first inning. That was Gallo's only hit of the game, leaving him with a .227 batting average on the season. For […]

Edinson Volquez Unimpressive In Second 2019 Start

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Edinson Volquez struggled against the Los Angeles Angels in his second start of the 2019 season. Volquez gave up four walks and four hits in 3 2/3 innings of work on Thursday. He only surrendered two earned runs but racked up 83 pitches for just 11 outs. This outing follows a […]

Alex Cobb Has Respectable Pitching Debut Thursday

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Alex Cobb had a decent first start of the season in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Yankees. Cobb pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits (including two solo home runs) and a walk with four strikeouts. Cobb was supposed to start the first game of the season against […]

Jonathan Villar Hits Leadoff Home Run Thursday

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Villar went 2-for-5 with a single, a solo home run, and two strikeouts in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Yankees. Villar got things off on the right foot, lining a James Paxton fastball over the opposite-field wall to start the bottom of the first inning. The 27-year-old is now hitting […]

Yu Darvish Allows Four More Walks

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish allowed four more walks on Thursday versus the Atlanta Braves. Darvish went four innings and allowed five hits, three runs and struck out two hitters along with four walks. Darvish looked good for the first three innings, but couldn’t keep it going. Darvish has a good track record, but […]

Ian Kennedy (SP/RP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 2

BALLER MOVE: Add in AL-only and 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After back-to-back disappointing seasons as a starter, it appears that Ian Kennedy may have found his new niche in Kansas City. He debuted this season in the eighth inning, preserving the team’s two-run advantage by throwing a clean frame. In […]

Anthony Swarzak (RP, SEA) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 2

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Saves are more about opportunity than any other factor and Mariners relievers Anthony Swarzak just jumped up that list with Hunter Strickland out for a few months and the lack of great options in the Seattle bullpen. The first Mariner to get a […]

Melky Cabrera With Three Base Knocks On Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Melky Cabrera led the team with three hits in Thursday's 2-0 win over Cincinnati. The 34-year-old has taken full advantage of everyday playing time in Gregory Polanco (shoulder) and Lonnie Chisenhall's (hand) absence. Cabrera now owns a .429 average, albeit he has yet to drive in a run. The switch-hitting outfielder will […]

Blake Parker (RP, MIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 2

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of Leagues ANALYSIS: When the Minnesota Twins acquired Blake Parker this offseason, it wasn’t evident where the club planned to use his arm. The spring training hype for the Twins closer situation seemed to revolve around Trevor May winning the job, but now that we […]

Tyler Mahle Goes Six Scoreless Innings

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle turned in a great outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Mahle went six scoreless innings, striking out five and walking none. The 24-year-old wound up settling for a no-decision as Pittsburgh came back to score against the bullpen. Mahle is coming off a shaky rookie season which saw him […]

Josh Bell Records First Multi-Hit Game Of Season

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell picked up two hits in four at-bats while also driving in his fourth run of 2019 in a 2-0 Pirates victory over the Reds on Thursday. Hitting in the cleanup spot, all of his four hits this year have been singles. However, the Pirates are hoping some pop begins […]

Jordan Lyles Throws Five Scoreless Innings In Debut

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jordan Lyles impressed in his debut with his new team. The 28-year-old went five innings, allowing no runs on just three hits, three walks and two strikeouts as the Pirates eventually won 2-0. As the team's fifth starter, Lyles did exactly what they had hoped for; keep the team in the […]

J.D. Martinez Notches Third Long Ball Of Season

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez finished Thursday's game 2-for-5 with a solo home run, marking his team-leading third of the season. It's been a dreadful start to the season for Boston, as they sit at 2-6 heading into the season's second weekend. Martinez has been without a doubt the team's best player. He's […]

Trevor Bauer Pulled After Seven No-Hit Innings

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer threw seven no-hit innings on Thursday, striking out eight while walking six. After finishing the seventh inning at 117 pitches, it was an easy decision for manager Terry Francona to go to the bullpen. Bauer has been amazing this season and isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Jose Ramirez Leaves Game With Foot Contusion

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez left Thursday's game with a foot contusion and the club noted it was for precautionary reasons. Ramirez was hitless with an RBI in the game before having to exit and be replaced by Max Moroff. Ramirez has already had an injury scare just before the regular season started when […]

Nomar Mazara Out Of Lineup Thursday

Texas Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara (quadriceps) isn't in Thursday's lineup against Matt Harvey and the Los Angeles Angels. In his place, Shin-Soo Choo will play right field. Mazara has been off to a solid start this year, batting .300 with two home runs and seven runs batted in. It doesn't seem to be an injury […]

Jed Lowrie (2B, NYM) – Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues OWNED IN: 27% of leagues ANALYSIS: As a productive and reasonably healthy player for the last two seasons, Lowrie has been undervalued as a useful asset for an underrated Oakland Athletics offense. He’s hurt again to start this season, and his timeline is unclear. However, managers with a […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Serves Up A Clunker In Oakland

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez lasted just 3 2/3 innings while allowing six runs on eight hits, fanning only two and walking three in a 7-3 loss to Oakland. Rodriguez is off to a rough start with the rest of the Boston rotation. A 12.38 ERA over eight innings with just seven strikeouts […]

Luke Voit Puts Baltimore Away With Blast

After New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres' heroics put the Yankees ahead Thursday afternoon, the club held on to a one-run lead against the Baltimore Orioles. That was until the top of the ninth when Luke Voit delivered a three-run blast, his only hit of the game. While Voit entered the season in competition with Greg […]

James Paxton Overcomes Woes, Earns Win

Things appeared to be headed in the wrong direction early on Thursday afternoon for the New York Yankees and James Paxton. At Camden Yards playing the Baltimore Orioles, Paxton allowed three runs in the first, throwing nearly 30 pitches in the process. After that, however, he pitched better, allowing just one more run and striking […]