Reynaldo Lopez Falls To 3-2

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez went five innings in Thursday's loss versus the Oakland Athletics. Lopez tossed five frames this afternoon and allowed six hits, three runs (one earned), three walks and struck out two. The right-hander has pitched well with the White Sox dealing with injuries to starters Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and […]

Brandin Cooks A Solid WR3 Against Jaguars

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks should see a fair amount of targets in Week 1 against the Jaguars. Cooks torched the Jaguars' 27th-ranked pass defense in his two meetings against them last season, totaling 161 yards and a score on 12 targets in the first game and another 83 yards and a touchdown on […]

Tony Gonsolin Earns No-Decision In Return

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin earned a no-decision in his return to the mound on Thursday versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Gonsolin had been sidelined since July 31 with right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander went three innings in his return and allowed three hits, one run, two walks and struck out three. In […]

Tyreek Hill Should Continue To Star As A WR In Week 1

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill will look to start his 2021 campaign on a high note against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. The Browns posses a strong defensive unit, but the Chiefs enter the matchup with one of the most explosive offenses over the past three seasons and Hill has played a […]

Travis Kelce Should Play A Big Role In Week 1

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will look to build off of his record breaking 2020 season with a date against a stingy Cleveland Browns defense in Week 1. Kelce had an incredible season in 2020 with 105 receptions for 1416 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had six games of 100 yards or […]

Patrick Mahomes Should Continue To Put Up Big Numbers In 2021

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is destined for another year as one of the best at his position this season, but will draw a tough Cleveland Browns defense in Week 1. The Browns defense was more vulnerable versus the pass than the run in 2020 with 247.6 yards allowed through the air per game, […]

Austin Ekeler Remains Sidelined In Practice

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (hamstring) was seen with his helmet and pads on, but didn't participate in practice for the second straight day. Ekeler has missed games before in his career and missed six games in 2020. The veteran was rested for all three preseason games, but it's never a good sign […]

Mark Ingram II Not An Option in Week 1

Houston Texans running back Mark Ingram II gets one of the better matchups in Week 1 against the Jaguars' 30th-ranked run defense from 2020. Unfortunately, Ingram is stuck in a backfield committee with David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay, which unfortunately lowers the upside of all three backs. The 31-year-old back has had a nose for […]

Travis d'Arnaud On The Bench On Thursday

Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud is on the bench for a Thursday matchup with the Washington Nationals and right-hander Erick Fedde. The veteran has logged 156 plate appearances for Atlanta this year, hitting .224 with a .282 on-base percentage and six home runs. Stephen Vogt is batting eighth and starting at catcher against the Nationals. […]

Jonathan Villar Not In Thursday's Lineup

New York Mets third baseman Jonathan Villar is on the bench on Thursday. Villar has enjoyed a productive season for both the Mets and fantasy managers, hitting .263 with a .338 on-base percentage, 18 home runs, and 12 stolen bases in 425 plate appearances. It'll be J.D. Davis starting at third base in Villar's place […]

J.T. Realmuto Isn't In The Lineup Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto isn't starting on Thursday. The Phillies will take on the Colorado Rockies and right-handed starter Antonio Senzatela but will do so with one of their best hitters on the bench. Realmuto is hitting .259 with a .344 on-base percentage, 14 home runs, and nine stolen bases in 456 plate appearances […]

Raimel Tapia Isn't Starting Thursday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia isn't in Thursday's lineup for a matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies and left-hander Ranger Suarez. The 27-year-old is batting .277 with a .330 on-base percentage, five home runs, and 20 stolen bases in 470 plate appearances this season. The Rockies will start Sam Hilliard in left field in Tapia's place. […]

Phillip Lindsay Stuck In Committee Ahead Of Favorable Week 1 Matchup

Houston Texans running back Phillip Lindsay draws a favorable matchup in Week 1 against the Jaguars. Lindsay is expected to split the early-down work with Mark Ingram II, which will make this backfield a weekly headache to predict. The former Bronco posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons back in 2018 and 2019- meaning he'd be an upside […]

Charlie Blackmon Isn't In Thursday's Lineup

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon will begin Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies and left-hander Ranger Suarez on the bench. Blackmon, who is hitting .269 with a .346 on-base percentage, 13 home runs, and three stolen bases in 506 plate appearances this season, is getting the day off. Yonathan Daza is batting seventh and starting […]

Luke Voit On The Bench Thursday

New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit isn't starting on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-handed starter Jose Berrios. Voit is batting .249 with a .330 on-base percentage and eight home runs in 212 plate appearances this season. Anthony Rizzo is starting at first base and batting third for New York on Thursday. […]

Damien Harris A Low-End RB2 For Opener

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris is going to be the lead back to begin the season. This team doesn't have much reliable depth behind Harris, so he should get his fair share of carries. Although, Harris could have trouble finding room to run during their Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. A […]

Mac Jones Has Tough Assignment For Debut

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones won the starting spot with his impressive performance during the preseason. That means, the rookie quarterback will be the starter going forward with veteran Cam Newton being released. The 15th overall pick held his own in the preseason, but that also wasn't against first string defensive players. It's also […]

Nelson Agholor Misses Thursday's Practice

New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor (ankle) was unable to suit up for Thursday's practice. He continues to deal with a lingering ankle issue that could force him to miss Week 1. His absence could force Kristian Wilkerson, Gunner Olszewski, and Malcolm Perry into more playing time. It's tough to imagine any of those […]

Saquon Barkley Limited In Practice On Thursday

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (knee) was limited in practice once again on Thursday. Going into their drafts, fantasy managers knew that Barkley could have to ramp up his workload as the season progresses, hence the ADP discount at No. 11 overall. It appears that Barkley will be limited in his matchup versus […]

Devonta Freeman Signs With Ravens Practice Squad

Free-agent running back Devonta Freeman signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on Thursday in lieu of running back Gus Edwards (knee) most likely tearing his ACL. Freeman has lingered around the league for a few years now without producing much. Since 2018, Freeman has played in 21 games and rushed for only 896 yards and […]

Gus Edwards Feared To Have Suffered A Torn ACL

The Baltimore Ravens fear running back Gus Edwards (ACL) suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's practice. The Ravens' backfield has been destroyed by injuries and have now lost running backs J.K. Dobbins (knee), Justice Hill (Achilles), and Edwards for the season. Edwards and defensive back Marcus Peters sustained severe knee injuries in back-to-back plays in […]

Tre'Quan Smith Sits Out Thursday's Practice With Hamstring Injury

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (hamstring) logged a DNP on Thursday's practice report. This is particularly discouraging, considering that Smith wasn't listed on Wednesday's report. The UCF product has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury since the start of training camp- so he's clearly having trouble managing the ailment, which has him […]

Joe Mixon Named Training Camp MVP

Bengals running back Joe Mixon was named training camp MVP on Thursday. If everything goes right, Mixon could find himself on an electric offense with an adequate offensive line, neither of which are statements he could've boasted in years past. It's no secret that the running back is a physically talented player, but his poor […]

D’Andre Swift To Have No Workload Limit

Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (groin) is reported to have no workload limit heading into his matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The sophomore impressed in his rookie season with fantastic agility, quick burst and decent power, but his preseason injury posed concern for some fantasy managers in their drafts. Managers should consider themselves […]

Gerrit Cole Could Return Early Next Week

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (hamstring) could return to the rotation early next week. Cole played catch in the outfield before Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, which reportedly went well, leading to the belief that the ace hurler will avoid a stint on the injured list. Manager Aaron Boone said that Cole […]

Jameson Taillon Placed On 10-Day Injured List

New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a partially torn tendon in his right ankle. It's not yet clear when he sustained the injury- though it's another blow to a Yankee rotation that is already dealing with injuries to ace Gerrit Cole (hamstring) and righty Domingo […]

Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers, Start 'Em and Value Plays: The King and Pocket Aces

In this episode of The King and Pockets Aces, RotoBaller's Scott "The King" Engel and Anthony "Pocket Aces" Aniano share their highly charged Fantasy insights. They look at the latest and upcoming NFL player moves, NFL player rankings and lineup strategy to best prepare you for each week of the 2021 fantasy football season. Scott […]

Curtis Samuel Misses Practice Thursday

Washington Football Team wide receiver Curtis Samuel (groin) missed practice again on Thursday after tweaking his pre-existing injury at the beginning portion of practice on Wednesday. Head coach Ron Rivera was hopeful that Samuel would get a full week of work ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, but that has […]

Lucid's Best Bets - Premium MLB Betting Picks for 9/9/2021

Happy Thursday, RotoBallers, the weekend is just about here and NFL Football is back tonight! John 'LucidMedia' Brubaker here, filling in for Tommy Bell for the rest of the season. I'm privileged to be able to do this for you guys and am extremely excited to help you crush the sportsbooks in this final push […]

Yonathan Daza Reinstated From The Injured List

Colorado Rockies outfielder Yonathan Daza (thumb) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday. He's been sidelined since August 16 with a left thumb laceration. Antonio Santos was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Before the injury, Daza slashed .283/.331/.360 with two home runs, 29 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases […]