2 days agoCarolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce suffered a lower-body injury in Monday's Game 2 win over the Islanders and might be shelved for a while. "That's not looking good," said Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour about Pesce's injury postgame. The 29-year-old blue-liner was minus-one across 8:47 of action before leaving the contest on Monday. Pesce doesn't provide a lot fantasy-wise, but he has been a valued member of the team and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time during the regular season as a member of the second defensive pairing. Tony DeAngelo is looking at an opportunity to join the lineup for Game 3 on Thursday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Walt Ruff
2 days agoDenver Nuggets center
Nikola Jokic cooked up a special line against the Lakers in Monday's 101-99 win, leading the team with 27 points and bagging 20 rebounds and 10 assists. It's his fourth career playoff game with at least 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. There have been only four other occasions in NBA playoff history when a player has managed to record these numbers. Jokic's night included a pair of steals in 41 minutes on the floor, as he shot 9-for-16 from the field and 2-for-4 from downtown. The reigning Finals MVP fills up the stat sheet with ease and should continue to do so as the series shifts to L.A. later in the week.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect
Tink Hence has adjusted positively in his second go-around for Double-A Springfield. Over his first three starts, he has a pristine 1.17 ERA in 15 1/3 innings. He has also struck out 17 batters with just two walks on the season. Hence, 21, split time in 2023 between High-A Peoria and Springfield, but struggled in Springfield with a 5.47 ERA in 12 starts versus a 2.81 ERA for Peoria. Hence offers good velocity on his fastball that registers in the mid-90s to go along with a nice changeup and slider. Hence has shown the ability to be a very productive pitcher, but durability remains a concern in the long-term with Hence never throwing more than 100 innings in a season or 82 pitches in a single game. If Hence can improve his stamina, he has the future makings of a MLB starter, but if he continues to have durability issues, Hence would be best suited as a relief pitcher. He remains an intriguing option for dynasty managers to monitor.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoDenver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray salvaged his bad night with a strong finish and the game-winning shot in Monday's 101-99 victory over the Lakers. Murray put the Nuggets 2-0 up in the series by hitting a tough step-back 15-foot shot over
Anthony Davis at the buzzer. Denver pulled off a 20-point comeback in the game, with Murray scoring 12 of his 20 points inside the final 7:15 of play. He failed to hit a single three-pointer with five attempts and finished 9-for-24 overall from the field. However, Murray also made a big impact defensively with a pair of blocks and registered three rebounds with five assists. Murray's shot has been off at the beginning of the series, but he's known as a very good postseason performer and should kick into gear soon.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James had a vintage playoff performance in Game 2 against Denver on Monday in a 101-99 loss. He produced 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and totaled eight rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, and two blocks. James was 3-for-6 with the three-ball and shot 9-for-19 overall. The NBA-s all-time leading scorer has now lost nine consecutive games against a single opponent for the first time in his 21-year career. He will try to spark a comeback in the series on Thursday when the two teams meet up in Los Angeles.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoPittsburgh Pirates second base prospect
Termarr Johnson has been off to a slow start over his first 14 games for High-A Greensboro. Johnson, 19, is coming off a strong season between Single-A and High-A in 2023 that saw him hit a combined .244 with 18 homers, 59 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 105 games. So far in 2024, Johnson has struggled to the tune of a .205 batting average with no homers, seven RBI and two stolen bases. Johnson has a keen eye at the plate and follows that up with plenty of power potential. Although second baseman aren't the biggest power hitters, Johnson can be special offensively and should be held onto in dynasty leagues, even though he may be a few seasons away from contributing at the big-league level.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center
Anthony Davis brought out all of his offensive moves to score a game-high 32 points in Monday's loss to Denver. Davis missed only five of his 19 shots and racked up 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block across 39 minutes. However, the Lakers needed one more swat from him, as
Jamal Murray hit a 101-99 game-winner at the buzzer over Davis. The Lakers are now 2-0 down in the series, but Davis has been in outstanding form. He's averaged 32.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks through the first couple of games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoMinnesota Twins outfield prospect
Emmanuel Rodriguez has been doing it all this season for Double-A Wichita. The 21-year-old outfielder has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, but looks fully recovered in his first 14 games of the season. Over that span, Rodriguez is hitting a healthy .289 with four homers, 10 RBI and eight stolen bases. He also has a shiny 1.219 OPS. Rodriguez has risen a level in each year of professional career with the Twins and held his own at each stop. The left-handed hitter has very good bat speed and strong plate discipline at such a young age and his power game is just developing as he fills out his body. The biggest flaw for the youngster has been his ability to stay healthy, but he has the future makings of a five-tool star, if everything clicks. He is a couple years away, but he should be looked at by dynasty managers and a name for redraft managers to file away for as early as next season.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoCleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen dominated the glass in Monday's Game 2 win against the Magic, becoming the third player in franchise history to record 20-plus rebounds in a playoff game. He joined
Kevin Love (21) and Brad Daugherty (20), gobbling up nine rebounds on the offensive end alone. The great work on the glass helped Allen to ease to a second consecutive double-double in the series, as he posted 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting. It was a productive night all around for the 28-year-old, with Allen completing his line with three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Allen also had 18 rebounds in Game 1, and Orlando clearly has to do better on the glass to have a chance in the series, which continues on Thursday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell put together a full line in Monday's 96-86 Game 2 victory over Orlando, leading all scorers with 23 points and collecting eight rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. It was a busy night for the Cavaliers superstar, although Mitchell struggled from downtown with a 2-for-10 effort. It dragged his overall shooting numbers down badly, as Mitchell finished 9-for-22 from the field. Mitchell's three-point shooting for the series now stands at 27.8 percent, but he's still enjoyed a good start to the playoffs, averaging 26.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 steals.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoArizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect
Druw Jones has been off to a slow start in 2024 for Single-A Visalia. Early in the season, Jones is hitting a weak .171 with five RBI and no home runs or steals. The son of Andruw Jones, Druw has battled injuries in his young professional career, since being drafted second overall in 2022. Jones, 20, already plays great defense like his father and also is very smooth on the basepaths, but he needs to improve his hit tool. Since being drafted, Jones has dealt with shoulder, quad and hamstring injuries and that is a big reason why his hitting hasn't developed as planned. As Jones fully recovers from those past injuries, his hit tool should improve. For now, Jones is a name to monitor in dynasty leagues, but can be a big asset if he reaches all his potential. He remains a few years away from being talked about a big-league promotion.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward
Kyle Anderson (hip) has been listed as questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 against Phoenix. Anderson hurt his right hip in the series opener at the weekend, playing only five minutes.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker earned extra trust off the bench and had an outstanding day at the office on Saturday with 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Everybody's favorite sixth man,
Naz Reid, should also eat up a few more minutes on Tuesday if Anderson can't play.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoVegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone got his team off to a good start in their Game 1 win over the Dallas Stars, scoring the first goal of the game in a 4-3 win. In Stone's first game back from a lacerated spleen, he found the back of the net just 1:23 into the contest. The powerplay goal sent social media into a frenzy, as Stone has now come back from injury just in time for the playoffs to begin three times during his Golden Knights tenure, allowing the team to load up at the trade deadline while his salary cap hit sits on injured reserve. Whether this is fair play or some underhanded tactics by Vegas is up for debate, but Stone being a huge addition to their team is certainly not.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoCarolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho was instrumental in the team's comeback 5-3 win in Game 2 over the New York Islanders, scoring the game-tying goal and assisting on the empty-netter that iced the game. Aho tied the game up with just 2:45 remaining in the third period, and the Canes scored again just nine seconds later to put themselves ahead for good. Carolina's top scorer showed why he is one of the most underrated players in the league in Monday's win and is part of the reason why the Hurricanes are a decent bet to go deep in these playoffs.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoCarolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis posted a goal and two assists in a 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders in Game 2 of their first-round series. After going down 3-0, Jarvis posted points on the Canes' first three goals. The 22-year-old was a revelation for the Hurricanes this year, posting 67 points (33 goals, 34 assists) in 81 games. If he can continue that level of play in the playoffs, it should give Carolina some of the scoring they will need to advance deeper than they've been able to in recent years. With the comeback win, the Canes grabbed a 2-0 stranglehold on the series.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoEdmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard helped lift the team to a 7-4 Game 1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, notching four assists. Two of Bouchard's assists came on the powerplay, which was his bread and butter throughout the regular season. He is a huge part of why the team was so successful with the man advantage this year and should play a big role during the playoffs as well. His breakout has transformed the Oilers into an even more dangerous team this year, one that might be capable of going all the way.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoEdmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid came up big in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, notching five assists in a 7-4 win. McDavid was in top form on Monday, providing two even-strength assists and three more on the powerplay. The Oilers looked unstoppable offensively in this one, with McDavid playing a huge role in that. If they can continue playing this well it is going to be hard to stop them from going on a long playoff run.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoEdmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman went off for three goals and an assist in a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of their first-round series. Hyman opened the scoring in the first period and added another in the second and third for his first career playoff hat trick. The 31-year-old just continues to get better with age, and it looks like he won't be slowing down from his 54-goal regular season. Playing with Connor McDavid also helps and could lead to many more goals during this playoff run for Hyman.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoSeattle Mariners shortstop prospect
Ryan Bliss went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and a walk for Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday. He also drove in a run and scored once. The 24-year-old is having a decent season so far at the plate, going
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2 days agoToronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored the game-winning goal and added a pair of assists in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of their first-round series. Matthews dominated this one, adding eight shots and six hits to round out his stat line. He was sprung on a breakaway by Max Domi late in the third and put a sweet move on Boston goalie Linus Ullmark before tucking away the tie-breaking goal. If the Leafs are going to go far in the playoffs for once, they'll need Matthews to continue to be the game-breaker that he was in this game.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal put forth another excellent performance in Monday's 7-1 win over the Rays. Skubal pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts. The 27-year-old has been every bit as good as fantasy managers had hoped for, going 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA, a 10.62 K/9 rate, and a 1.52 BB/9 rate in five starts. He will look to continue his hot streak in his next scheduled start against the Royals.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoAtlanta Braves closer
Raisel Iglesias converted his seventh save of the season in Monday's 3-0 win over the Marlins. Iglesias came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three and delivered a 1-2-3 outing with a strikeout. The 34-year-old veteran has converted all of his save opportunities with a 2.16 ERA, a 6.48 K/9 rate, and a 1.08 BB/9 rate. The strikeouts have been down, but Iglesias should continue to be a higher-end fantasy option serving as the closer on one of baseball's best teams.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoAtlanta Braves catcher
Travis d'Arnaud continued his power surge in Monday's 3-0 win over the Marlins. d'Arnaud went 2-for-4 with a single, a two-run home run, and a strikeout. The 35-year-old veteran has hit five HR in his last four games, bringing his season numbers to a .273/.344/.636 slash line with 14 RBI in 61 plate appearances. d'Arnaud should be a viable fantasy option in at least two-catcher leagues as long as he continues to hit while
Sean Murphy (oblique) is on the injured list with an oblique injury.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoColorado Rockies prospect
Hunter Goodman went 1-for-5 for Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, extending his current hit streak to five games. After going 10-for-42 (.238) with no home runs over his first 11 games, Goodman has now gone 11-for-36 (.306) with six home runs over his last eight games. The 23-year-old has played catcher, first base, right field, and DH for the Isotopes this season. In 2023, he played first base, right field, and DH during his 23-game audition with the big league club, so it remains to be seen where he'll fit in on the diamond. The right-handed hitter belted 36 home runs in 2022 over 134 games and 34 home runs over 106 games in 2023, so there's plenty of pop in that bat, although he hit just one during his short time in Colorado last season. Assuming he gets another shot with the Rockies in 2024, he could be a sneaky source of power for homer-needy fantasy teams.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals second baseman
Nolan Gorman played the hero in Monday's 5-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Gorman was called upon to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3, no outs, and a runner on first. The 23-year-old crushed the first pitch he saw deep into the right-field seats to end the game. Fantasy managers expected power from Gorman this season, but he has struggled with a .179/.238/.372 slash line, three HR, and 10 RBI in 84 plate appearances. Hopefully, this HR can help get him going.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoSan Diego Padres closer
Robert Suarez moved to a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities in Monday's 3-1 win over the Rockies. Suarez came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by two. He allowed a leadoff double, got the first out on a flyout, allowed a single, and got the final two outs on a ground-ball double play. Despite several off-season bullpen acquisitions, the 33-year-old has emerged as one of fantasy's top closers for the Padres with a 0.84 ERA and a 7.59 K/9 rate.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoSan Diego Padres starting pitcher
Dylan Cease turned in another stellar start in Monday's 3-1 win over the Rockies. Cease pitched very well in Coors Field, tossing seven innings of one-run ball on one hit and no walks with eight strikeouts. The 28-year-old has settled in with his new team nicely, going 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA, 10.62 K/9 rate, and 3.34 BB/9 rate in his first five starts. He will face a tougher matchup in his next start against the Phillies.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoPittsburgh Pirates closer
David Bednar picked up his third save of the season in Monday's 4-2 win over the Brewers. Bednar came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two. He got the first out on a flyout, allowed a single, and got the final two outs on another flyout and a strikeout. The 29-year-old has now only converted half of his save opportunities with a 10.13 ERA, but his strikeout numbers have been solid with a 12.38 K/9 rate. Fantasy managers shouldn't panic this early in the season given Bednar's track record over the past couple of seasons.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoPittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher
Jared Jones turned in another strong start in Monday's 4-2 win over the Brewers. Jones pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits (including a solo home run) and two walks with seven strikeouts, one of which was true highlight material. The 22-year-old rookie has been excellent to start the season, going 2-2 with a 2.79 ERA, a 12.10 K/9 rate, and a 1.24 BB/9 rate in five starts and 29 IP. He should have a chance to turn in another solid outing in his next scheduled start at the Giants.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoSan Diego Padres outfield prospect
Jakob Marsee went 0-for-4 on Sunday for Double-A San Antonio, bringing his season batting average down to .138. So far, the reigning Arizona Fall League MVP has failed to carry over the success he had last fall into 2024, with just one home run, four RBI, and nine runs scored over 15 games. On the bright side, he has worked 12 walks and stolen eight bases thus far, which were two of his calling cards during his tenure in the minors over the last two seasons. In 2022, Marsee had a BB:K of 30:25 and 15 steals in 31 games, while in 2023 he had a BB:K of 98:97 and 46 steals in 129 games. The 22-year-old has an ETA of 2024 per MLB.com's top prospect list, but he'll need to pick up the pace for that to happen, especially with no Triple-A at-bats to his name yet.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
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