5 mins agoOklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Jalen Williams was effective all over the court in Wednesday's Game 2 victory over the Pelicans, scoring 21 points and registering five rebounds and one steal with a game-high seven assists. He was 1-for-3 with the three-ball and shot 10-for-17 from the field. Williams played a significant role as the Thunder had a historic outing -- for the first time ever in the NBA playoffs, a team had all of its points scored by players aged 25 or younger. It's been a strong start for Williams in the series, as he is averaging 20.0 points with 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
13 mins agoOklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren had an amazing 20-point first half in Game 2 against New Orleans on Wednesday, adding six further points after the break to help the team to a blowout win. Holmgren exchanged buckets early on with Pelicans center
Jonas Valanciunas and already matched his Game 1 tally of 15 points in the first quarter. He finished with 9-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-6 from downtown. Holmgren's efforts included the Thunder's only two blocks in the game, and he wrapped up his line with seven rebounds and one assist. The 21-year-old rookie has a tough matchup in the series against Valanciunas, but he's stood tall in the battle so far and boasts some outstanding numbers. With two games played, Holmgren is averaging 20.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks with 41.7 percent shooting from deep.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
17 mins agoUros Medic (9-2) is set to face Tim Means in the main card opener of UFC Vegas 91 on Saturday. Medic is coming off a submission loss to Myktybek Orolabi in November, which was his second fight at 170lbs. In his welterweight debut, Medic scored a knockout win over Matthew Semelsberger. Against Means, DraftKings has Medic as the favorite at a salary of $9,100. In the UFC, Medic is 3-2 with all three wins coming by knockout, and both losses by submission.
--Cole SheltonSource: UFC
19 mins agoTim Means (33-15-1 and one NC) is set to open the UFC Vegas 91 main card against Uros Medic. Means is coming off a third-round knockout over Andre Fialho which snapped his three-fight losing skid. Means enters the bout as a sizeable underdog as DraftKings has him at a salary of $7,100. The veteran is 15-12 and one NC in the UFC and has won eight of those by stoppage, while out of 12 losses in the UFC, six have come by stoppage.
--Cole SheltonSource: UFC
20 mins agoOklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 33 points as the team grabbed a 2-0 series lead against New Orleans with a 124-92 victory on Wednesday. After struggling from deep in Game 1, Gilgeous-Alexander hit three three-point bombs with five attempts and shot a very efficient 13-for-19 overall. He also bagged a pair of steals and grabbed three rebounds while dishing out five assists. OKC's MVP candidate is averaging 30.5 points through the first couple of postseason games. The Pelicans need to find a way to slow him down if they want to advance to the next round.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
22 mins agoAusten Lane (12-4) is set to take on Jhonata Diniz at UFC Vegas 91 on Saturday. Lane is coming off a knockout loss to Justin Tafa back in September after he had a No Contest against Tafa in June in his UFC debut. Lane enters this fight as a sizeable underdog as DraftKings has him at a salary of $7,200. In his MMA career, Lane has been knocked out in all four losses while he has won all 12 of his fights by stoppage.
--Cole SheltonSource: UFC
24 mins agoJhonata Diniz (6-0) is set to make his UFC debut on the main card of UFC Vegas 91 against Austen Lane on Saturday. Diniz got into the UFC with a first-round knockout win on the Contender Series. The Brazilian enters UFC Vegas 91 as a sizeable favorite as DraftKings has him at a salary of $9,000. Diniz has won all six fights by knockout.
--Cole SheltonSource: UFC
25 mins agoBogdan Guskov (15-3) is set for his third UFC fight on Saturday at UFC Vegas 91 as he takes on Ryan Spann in the co-main event. Guskov is coming off a first-round knockout over Zac Pauga in February after he lost to Volkan Oezdemir by KO in his UFC debut. Guskov enters the fight as the underdog as DraftKings has him at a salary of $7,300. Guskov has won all of his fights by stoppage, and if he beats the 11th-ranked light heavyweight, a top-10 opponent could be next for him.
--Cole SheltonSource: UFC
28 mins agoRyan Spann (21-9) is set to face Bogdan Guskov in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 91 on Saturday. Spann enters the fight on a two-fight losing streak as he's coming off a split decision loss to Anthony Smith and before that, he suffered a submission loss to Nikita Krylov. Despite being on the losing streak, Spann is the favorite as DraftKings has him at a salary of $8,900. In the UFC, Spann is 7-4 and has five wins by stoppage, while three of his four losses have come by stoppage.
--Cole SheltonSource: UFC
2 hours agoChicago White Sox pitching prospect
Drew Thorpe improved to 4-0 on Wednesday for Double-A Birmingham. Thorpe tossed six innings and allowed one run, one walk and struck out three on the evening. Thorpe's strong outing improved his ERA to a miniscule 0.75 on the season. Thorpe, 23, was a popular name this offseason as he was first traded by the San Diego Padres in the
Juan Soto deal and then dealt to the White Sox when they acquired
Dylan Cease. Regardless, Thorpe hasn't let the switching of homes deter him from dominating on the mound. Thorpe is behind fellow pitching prospect
Noah Schultz as far as pitching rankings go, but he looks more ready for the big-leagues with Schultz still in High-A. Thorpe should get an opportunity at some point for an embarrassing White Sox club, but don't expect many wins when that happens. Outside of dynasty leagues, Thorpe can be avoided.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
2 hours agoChicago Cubs outfield prospect
Brennen Davis went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. His home run came off
Alek Manoah in the top of the third inning. This was the outfielders first game in Iowa this season after returning from an arm injury that he suffered in spring training. Davis, 24, has slowly dropped from the Cubs top prospect over the past few seasons and injuries have been a big reason as he likely would have made his debut sometime in the past two seasons. Davis offers good power potential, but the Cubs have already promoted outfield prospects
Alexander Canario and
Pete Crow-Armstrong, so for now Davis will continue to swing the bat for Iowa. Outside of deeper dynasty leagues, Davis can be ignored for now.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
2 hours agoColorado Rockies outfield prospect
Yanquiel Fernandez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Wednesday's contest for Double-A Hartford. The home run for Cuban was absolutely crushed and marked his second of the season. The 21-year-old is a consensus Top-100 prospect is now hitting .243 with 12 RBI on the season. Fernandez is a very aggressive hitter, but he makes good contact and is only beginning to tap into his power potential, which should play very well in his future home of Coors Field. It is unlikely that Fernandez will make his big-league debut in 2024, but it is realistic that 2025 could be a big year for him. The Rockies do not have much to be excited about at the big-league club, but Fernandez offers excitement for patient fans. He should be rostered in dynasty leagues and redraft managers should file his name away for the future.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
2 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect
Paul Skenes proved he was human on Wednesday when he gave up his first run of the season. Last year's first overall tossed 4 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, two runs (one earned), one walk and struck out seven. Skenes, 21, continues to be as advertised and now have a 0.53 ERA with 34 strikeouts in just 17 innings. The right-hander is one of the top prospects in the game and doesn't have much left to prove, but the Pirates are going to be extra cautious with their future ace before taking the training wheels off and promoting him to the big-league. Skenes is worth stashing ahead of time in most leagues.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
2 hours agoHouston Astros outfield prospect
Joey Loperfido continued his dominant season for Triple-A Sugar Land by going 3-for-5 with three runs and two solo homeruns on Wednesday. The homers were number 11 and 12 and by doing so, Loperfido tied a Triple-A record with
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9 hours agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Garrett Whitlock (oblique) still hasn't been cleared to throw off a mound yet. Although Whitlock played catch on Saturday, fantasy managers should not be expecting him to be activated from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on May 1 at the pace he's progressing through his throwing program. The 27-year-old right-hander left with a strained left oblique in April 16's start versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians, and his 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts through 18 1/3 innings (four starts) for the BoSox make him a worthwhile stash in all mixed fantasy leagues. Boston will likely turn to a heavy dose of openers and long relievers until some of their arms return to their injury-depleted rotation. After throwing five scoreless innings in Wednesday's win over Cleveland, right-hander
Cooper Criswell might get himself into streaming conversations in the proper matchups.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
9 hours agoTexas Rangers starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (back) made his first appearance of 2024 in Wednesday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock, surrendering three runs on five hits (two home runs) with four punchouts. The long ball plagued Scherzer a year ago as well, serving up 28 homers over 27 starts, so fantasy managers hope he's getting those issues out of his system before he rejoins the major-league roster. With Scherzer's target being an early-May return to Texas' rotation after offseason back surgery, he appears likely to make at least two more rehab starts before becoming available to fantasy managers. Even so, the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer has a chance to crush the late-round ADP he carried in the spring due to concerns he'd be out until midseason. Last season, Scherzer recorded a rock-solid 3.20 ERA (3.41 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, and 53:15 K:BB over 45 frames (eight starts) after joining the Rangers.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
9 hours agoBaltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde says the team is discussing whether starting pitcher
John Means' (forearm) next start will come in Triple-A Norfolk or for the major-league club. The O's don't have a starter scheduled for Sunday's series finale versus the visiting Oakland Athletics, so there's a chance Means makes his 2024 regular-season debut in that one. While the 31-year-old left-hander struggled mightily with a 13.89 ERA, 2.31 WHIP, and 14:6 K:BB over 11 2/3 innings (five starts) during his minor-league rehab assignment, a matchup at home against the lowly A's would certainly put him on the streaming radar right off the bat in fantasy leagues. Means is on the mend from a strained left forearm, but if he needs one last rehab appearance, veteran right-hander
Albert Suarez has fired 11 1/3 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts in two starts for Baltimore and would get the ball on Sunday instead.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Andy Kostka - The Baltimore Banner
9 hours agoChicago Cubs relief pitcher
Hector Neris got the call in Wednesday's save situation against the visiting Houston Astros, allowing a run but holding on to safeguard the 3-2 win. After Neris relieved setup man
Mark Leiter Jr.,
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9 hours agoUpdating a previous report, Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that X-rays came back negative on right-hander
Alec Marsh (elbow, forearm) after he was forced to leave his start early on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays when he was hit by a comebacker on his right elbow/forearm in the fifth inning. Marsh was in a lot of pain initially, but the feeling came back in his arm quickly after he was pulled. "We feel like we got pretty lucky. Everything is good. X-rays are negative," Quatraro said. The 25-year-old could still be forced to miss his next scheduled start on Monday against these same Blue Jays, but it's obviously good news he avoided any kind of fracture in his arm. Before leaving on Wednesday, Marsh tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings with two hits allowed, two walks and only one strikeout to drop his season ERA to a strong 2.70.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Joel Goldberg
9 hours agoKansas City Royals closer
James McArthur continued cementing his status atop the club's bullpen hierarchy in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays, collecting his sixth save of the season after fanning two hitters in a clean ninth inning to preserve the victory. McArthur was summoned to sit down the lower part of Toronto's batting order and made the game a bit interesting by letting pinch-hitter
Justin Turner reach on a single to get the tying run aboard, but he prevented things from getting out of hand. The big 27-year-old right-hander is starting to leave veteran
William Smith in the dust when it comes to handling save opportunities for the Royals going forward, as he's now rattled off eight consecutive scoreless appearances while going 6-for-6 on save chances over his last 9 2/3 frames since April 5. There's no reason for McArthur to be on any fantasy waiver wires at this point.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
9 hours agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher
Joe Ryan tossed a quality start in Wednesday's 6-3 victory over the division-rival Chicago White Sox, striking out eight hitters while giving up three runs on four hits (two home runs) and one walk for the win. After hurling two clean opening innings, Ryan yielded a couple of solo homers to the seventh and ninth batters in Chicago's lineup during the third before
Braden Shewmake stole home in the fifth to tack on another score. The 27-year-old star right-hander is off to a fine start in the 2024 regular season, posting a 3.77 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a spectacular 38:4 K:BB over 28 2/3 frames (five starts). Up next for Ryan is another scheduled appearance on Monday against the White Sox, who are now slashing an anemic .189/.263/.292 as a team with an MLB-low 53 runs scored through 24 outings.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
9 hours agoNew York Mets shortstop
Francisco Lindor put together his most productive outing of the season in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, racking up four hits in five at-bats with two home runs. Although Lindor has been one of fantasy's biggest busts over the first month of action, he looked the part of an early-round fantasy pick on Wednesday. He homered to deep right center to score leadoff man
Brandon Nimmo in the third inning and get New York into the scoring column, later sinking the Giants with another two-run jack in the ninth to make it an 8-1 ballgame. The 30-year-old Silver Slugger is now slashing .206/.291/.361 with four taters, 10 RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base through 110 plate appearances (24 games) ahead of a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals starting on Friday. Last season, Lindor hit .375 (9-for-24) with one homer, two doubles, five RBI, and two thefts in seven games against St. Louis.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
10 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani enjoyed a big day at the dish in Wednesday's 11-3 rout of the Washington Nationals, going 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Each of Ohtani's hits were doubles on Wednesday, with his final two two-baggers bringing
Mookie Betts around for some insurance scores late in the contest. After this three-hit attack, the 29-year-old two-time American League MVP raised his triple-slash line to .371/.433/.695 to go with six home runs, 16 RBI, an MLB-leading 14 doubles, 22 runs scored, and five stolen bases over 121 plate appearances (26 games) in the 2024 regular season. After Thursday's series finale in Washington, Ohtani faces off with the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game set starting on Friday. In 20 games versus the Jays since 2021, Ohtani is batting .319 (22-for-69) with seven blasts, five doubles, 18 RBI, and 16 runs scored.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
10 hours agoBaltimore Orioles shortstop
Gunnar Henderson stuffed the stat sheet in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and a stolen base. Henderson first homered to get the O's on the board in the third inning. After leading off the fifth with a double, he hit a two-run single in the sixth before stealing a base in the eighth to put the cherry on top of a wonderful day in Anaheim. The 22-year-old reigning American League Rookie of the Year might be getting even better in his third season, now slashing a robust .309/.373/.649 with eight round-trippers, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored, and five pilfers atop Baltimore's high-powered lineup. Henderson has a great chance to stay hot during a home series with the Oakland Athletics starting on Friday, as he's batting .371 (13-for-40) with two bombs, five doubles, five RBI, and 11 runs scored in nine career games against the A's.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
10 hours agoDetroit Tigers outfield prospect
Max Clark went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, two walks, and a run scored on Wednesday for Single-A Lakeland. Clark extended his hit streak to seven games, also collecting at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games, and reaching base via hit or walk in all but one of his 15 games. Not too shabby for a 19-year-old. He's now batting .304-1-13-9-4 to begin the year. Per MLB.com, Clark is Detroit's top prospect after being selected third overall in the 2023 draft, but his ETA to the majors isn't until 2026, so he's off the redraft radar for now. Dynasty managers should be keeping an eye on him though, as he's the No. 12 overall ranked prospect in all of baseball, and a debut in 2025 isn't out of the question.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
10 hours agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder
Mike Trout went deep for the second time in as many days in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles, homering to deep left in the sixth inning. Trout's solo shot got the Halos on the board, but their late comeback attempt fell just short. The 32-year-old perennial Silver Slugger is rewarding those who took the gamble on his discounted ADP during fantasy drafts, slashing a powerful .237/.321/.598 with an MLB-leading 10 big flies, 13 RBI, five stolen bases, and 16 runs scored in 97 at-bats (25 outings). If he stays healthy, Trout should have no problem returning early-round value the rest of the way no matter where he's placed in Anaheim's lineup. He'll get a day off before a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins begins on Friday, and Trout is batting .400 (8-for-20) with a homer, three doubles, six RBI, and six runs scored in six games versus the Twins since 2021.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
10 hours agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge launched his fourth home run of the 2024 regular season in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the visiting Oakland Athletics, adding a single in the fourth inning. Judge's blast was a 394-foot shot to deep right center that scored fellow slugging superstar
Juan Soto, giving New York an early 2-0 advantage. The 31-year-old former American League MVP is still off to a sluggish start at the dish after being slowed by injury during spring training, slashing .191/.319/.383 with four homers, six doubles, 13 RBI, and one stolen base in 25 games. Following Thursday's series finale against Oakland, Judge will get the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game weekend set on the road starting on Friday. In six games versus the Brewers since 2022, Judge is batting .409 (9-for-22) with two long balls, four RBI, and six runs scored.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
10 hours agoWhen asked by Rich Eisen if he has any idea on where he's going to end up in this week's NFL draft, Michigan quarterback
J.J. McCarthy hinted at the New York Giants, who currently own the No. 6 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night. "I have somewhat of an Idea, New York, #Giants, I've spent the most time with. They're a phenomenal staff," McCarthy said. The young QB's stock has been rising rapidly ever since his pro-day workout. Reports suggest the Giants and Vikings could be in a raise to trade up to select McCarthy, who is attractive because of his experience running a pro-style offense in college. With
Daniel Jones (knee) coming off a torn ACL and with no guaranteed money owed to him beyond 2024, the G-Men have done their due diligence on QBs in this year's draft and feel like a lock to take one at some point this week.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Rich Eisen Show
10 hours agoChicago Cubs second baseman prospect
James Triantos went 3-for-4 with a double and two home runs on Tuesday for Double-A Tennessee, extending his mini-hit streak to four games. He also drove in three and scored three times in the contest. That brings his season line to .296-3-10-11-4. Triantos spent most of 2023 at High-A but played three games at Double-A at the end of the regular season. He had a phenomenal showing in the 2023 Arizona Fall League in which he batted .417 with the second-most hits during the campaign at 35, while also stealing nine bases in 22 games. A good spring that extends into summer should get him to Triple-A this year, but Gold Glove second baseman
Nico Hoerner currently blocks his path to the majors. Regardless, he'll likely make it there sometime in 2025, so dynasty managers should be keeping tabs on him.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
11 hours agoBoston Red Sox shortstop prospect
Marcelo Mayer hit his second home run of the season on Wednesday for Double-A Portland. It was part of a three-hit day, going 3-for-4 including a double, a home run, a walk, an RBI, and three runs scored. After recording a hit in his first 10 games of the season, Mayer went into a mini-slump, going 1-for-15 over his next three games, but busted out in a big way Wednesday. The 21-year-old is now slashing .317/.344/.500 with two home runs, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The walk rate could use some improvement, with a 3.4% BB% and 3:16 BB:K, but 2024 has been a success so far after hitting just .189 in 43 games at Double-A a year ago. The former first-round draft pick should be on the radar of all dynasty managers and will likely get some MLB at-bats at some point this season.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
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