Anthony Beauvillier Scores Game-Winner, Islanders Win Game 1

The New York Islanders defeated the Florida Panthers by a score of 2-1 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers on Saturday. The Islanders got on the board midway through the opening period as center Jean-Gabriel Pageau found the back of net to open the scoring, while left-winger Anthony Beauvillier's power-play goal early on […]

Dominik Kubalik Records Five Points in Blackhawks' Win

The Chicago Blackhawks shocked the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon with four first-period goals to take the first game of the Stanley Cup Qualifying Series. Edmonton made a late push with two third-period goals but ultimately fell 6-4. Rookie Dominik Kubalik — who scored 30 goals in 68 regular-season games — was the offensive star […]

Matt Shoemaker (SP, TOR) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 20% of leagues ANALYSIS: Toronto Blue Jays Matt Shoemaker made a triumphant return to the mound on the season's opening weekend, hurling six innings and giving up just one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. After tearing an ACL in April 2019, Shoemaker missed […]

Jimmie Johnson Looking To Turn Luck Around At New Hampshire

Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson will roll off from the 20th starting position in Sunday's Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The last month has been abysmal for Johnson and the No. 48 team. Johnson missed Indy after testing positive for COVID-19 and has had issues in every race since he's returned. […]

Forrest Whitley Dealing With Arm Soreness

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Forrest Whitley -- the club’s No. 1 prospect -- has been shut down at the team’s alternate training site as he deals with discomfort in his throwing arm. Injuries have changed the landscape for Houston in 2020, as Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy, and Chris Devenski are just three of the notable […]

Yandy Diaz (1B, 3B, TB) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 22% of leagues ANALYSIS: It may seem odd to suggest adding a hitter who has started the season 2 for 21 at the plate but Yandy Diaz has been walked nine times (which leads the Majors) and struck out just five times in his seven games so far. […]

Jose Quintana Tosses Bullpen Session, Progressing In Rehab

Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana has not yet stepped onto a big league mound this season due to a left thumb ailment, but he tossed 38 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday, a step in the right direction toward his eventual activation off the injured list. The plan is for Quintana to step on […]

LCK & LPL DFS Picks for 8/2/20: DraftKings, FanDuel League of Legends

Hello again, my dear LOL friends, and welcome back to another weekend edition of my LPL/LCK picks and analysis here at RotoBaller! Five matches tomorrow morning and I am geared up for it to say the least. The Summer split is winding down and the playoff race is tightening up. Let's hop back in the […]

Juan Soto Clobbers Homer During Scrimmage In Return

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto is yet to make his on-field debut in 2020, but his swing appears to be on track for expected levels of success after he smacked a home run during a scrimmage Saturday. Soto is an elite fantasy option in any format, having put together a terrific 2019 that saw him […]

Eric Hosmer Hits IL After Battling Gastritis

A decision has finally been made on San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer after having been absent from the lineup for six of the team’s first nine games: he’ll be hitting the injured list. While the team had insisted that he was away due to a non-COVID-19 illness, it appears that gastritis is the […]

Chris Devenski Placed On IL Amid Rough Start To 2020

Houston Astros right-hander Chris Devenski is battling right elbow soreness and has been put on the injured list. Devenski was tagged for three runs in his most recent outing last Sunday. Houston’s pitching staff has been taxed by injuries in the early part of the 2020 year, with yet another valuable piece going by the […]

Erik Jones An Upside DFS Play At New Hampshire

Joe Gibbs Racing's Erik Jones will start from the 17th position in Sunday's Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Jones and the No. 20 team have flashed speed this year, but it is all about putting the full race together. Jones is coming off of a couple of much-needed results, a sixth-place […]

Chase Elliott One To Avoid At New Hampshire

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott will start from the third position in Sunday's Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Elliott and the No. 9 team have lost a step since the beginning of the year, and Elliott has struggled, with only one top-10 finish in the last seven Cup races. New Hampshire […]

Nicholas Robertson Set to Make NHL Debut Sunday

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson will be in the lineup Sunday. His anticipated NHL debut was confirmed by Sheldon Keefe Saturday after practice. The former second-round pick has generated plenty of buzz this year, joining John Tavares on a very short list of OHL skaters who have finished a season scoring at a goal […]

Zack Littell Placed On 10-Day Injured List

Minnesota Twins reliever Zack Littell (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. Perhaps this explains why the 24-year-old was off to a slow start, as he owns a 12.00 ERA with three home runs allowed in three innings pitched. Hard-throwing prospect Jorge Alcala has been called up to replace […]

Kevan Smith Placed On Covid-19 Injured List

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Kevan Smith (illness) was placed on the Covid-19 injured list on Saturday. Smith had minor symptoms and tested negative but needs another negative test to be able to play. Fortunately for Smith and the Rays, he hasn't had a positive test yet, so it may not be that long of an […]

Cowboys Cut Ties With Kai Forbath

The Dallas Cowboys have officially released kicker Kai Forbath. Forbath came to the Cowboys near the end of last season and made all 10 of his kicks after replacing Brett Maher. Forbath's early release means that Greg Zuerlein has locked up the kicking job in Dallas. With a strong leg in what should be a […]

Jose Urquidy, Yordan Alvarez About Two Weeks Away

Houston Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed) are both at least two weeks away from returning to the club. It's an odd situation, as the team hasn't provided much more information on their statuses. The worst part is, neither player was able to do much when they were away from […]

Daniel Suarez Is Useful For Lineups At New Hampshire

Gaunt Brothers Racing's Daniel Suarez will start from the final row, in 37th, in Sunday's Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Suarez took a huge hit in equipment for the 2020 season, after being let go from Stewart-Haas Racing, but all things considered, Suarez has been fairly impressive in the No. 96 […]

Cubs Don't Commit To Craig Kimbrel As Closer

Chicago Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel doesn't appear to have the confidence of his manager when it comes to closing games right now. Manager David Ross was non-committal in Saturday's press conference when asked if Kimbrel will get the ball with a one-run lead. The former All-Star had a rough outing on Friday night, giving up […]

Brandon Lowe, Kevin Kiermaier Not in Lineup Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays utility Brandon Lowe and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier are both being given rest for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Both Lowe and Kiermaier are out of the lineup because left-hander Wade LeBlanc is on the mound for the Orioles. Tampa Bay has sat both players for two of the last three games […]

Eric Hosmer Still On Bench

San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer (illness) is still out of the lineup and won't be playing in Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. It's a non-Covid related illness, but it's keeping the veteran first-baseman out for a sixth game this year. It was a small sample size, but Hosmer looked good in 10 […]

Matt DiBenedetto A Sneaky Pick For New Hampshire

Wood Brothers Racing's Matt DiBenedetto will start from the 19th position in Sunday's Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Despite running into some trouble in the last couple of races, DiBenedetto is enjoying his best season as a Cup Series driver. Of course, the No. 21 car is the best ride he […]

Luis Robert Leading Off On Saturday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert has been moved up in the order and is batting leadoff on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. Robert has been as advertised in 2020, slashing .296/.321/.444 with eight hits in seven games. The 22-year-old was a top-ranked prospect heading into the 2020 season and has flashed a little […]

Oliver Drake (RP, TB) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Oliver Drake has both saves for the team thus far in 2020, yet hasn't cracked the 30% mark in ownership. Some hesitation may be caused by the team he plays for as Tampa Bay is notorious for non-traditional bullpen roles […]

Josh Donaldson Not In Saturday's Lineup

Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson (calf) is not in the lineup for Saturday's contest against the Cleveland Indians. Donaldson strained his calf last night and was pulled from the game for a pinch-hitter in the second inning. Manager Rocco Baldelli said after the game that he and the Twins training staff don't expect it […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Will Not Pitch In 2020 Season

Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has been ruled out for the remainder of the shortened 2020 campaign as he continues to deal with complications of having contracted COVID-19. Boston had initially been hopeful that their planned Opening Day 2.0 starter would be able to make it back from myocarditis, but the decision was […]

David Njoku Now Committed To Browns

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has decided to "give the team his full commitment" according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Njoku requested a trade from Cleveland last month but reportedly had some positive meetings with the organization, including general manager Andrew Berry. Those who were hoping Njoku would land with a team that would […]

Cody Bellinger Out Of Starting Lineup For First Time

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger was not included in the team’s starting nine for Saturday’s contest against the D-backs and right-hander Luke Weaver. Edwin Rios essentially swaps into his spot in the lineup, although the hot-hitting Corey Seager moves up to the No. 3 hole. It’s been a frosty start to 2020 for Bellinger, […]

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (8/1/20) - MLB DFS Lineups

We've turned the page to August and we're still rolling along with MLB DFS, despite a mounting array of scheduling/coronavirus-related issues piling up. There are 11 games to choose from on the Saturday main slate. Be sure to double-check the weather, starting lineups, and postponements before finalizing your roster. I'll be going through some of […]