May 10, 2025
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Lorenzen had a fantastic outing on Friday, shutting out the Boston Red Sox for seven innings in a tough-luck no-decision. The Royals ended up winning the game 2-1, but it took until the 11th inning for either team to score a run. Lorenzen played his part, allowing just three hits, walking none, and punching out seven in his best outing of the season. The 33-year-old now sits at a 3-3 record, 3.57 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 45 ⅓ IP. Lorenzen is a serviceable pitcher, but is certainly not a must-roster one. He should be used for streaming purposes when the matchup is right. His next start is next Wednesday in Houston, which is a matchup to avoid.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 10, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani stayed hot on Friday, going 3-for-6 with a homer and two doubles in a 14-11 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ohtani scored in the first frame, drove in one in the second, and then smashed a go-ahead three-run bomb in the ninth. The three-time MVP has been on fire lately, going 20-for-46 with six homers, 12 RBI, and five steals since April 26. That brings his season-long numbers up to a .304 AVG, 43 runs, 12 homers, 20 RBI, and 10 steals. Those who were worried about Ohtani in late April probably feel a little silly now, as he is once again performing like one of the best players in baseball, both in real life and in fantasy.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 10, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte did all he could for his team on Friday, going 2-for-3 with two homers and two walks in a 14-11 loss to the New York Yankees. Marte cracked a pair of solo homers and also scored on
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s grand slam. The 31-year-old has put together strong numbers in an injury-shortened start to his season, hitting .292 with 11 runs, three homers, and four RBI in 48 at-bats. When healthy, Marte is one of the best-hitting second basemen in the game. He should remain a fantasy standout throughout the season.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 10, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Jasson Dominguez had a night to remember on Friday, going 3-for-4 with three homers and seven RBI. Dominguez could not be stopped in this one, hitting solo shots in the third and seventh innings before capping the night off with a grand slam in the eighth. After a slow start to the season, the 22-year-old is suddenly back to solid overall numbers after this monster game. He has a .250 AVG, 20 runs, five homers, 19 RBI, and three swipes in 108 at-bats. Dominguez hasn't been playing every day, but still gets plenty of playing time and hits in a stacked lineup. He should be rostered in standard-size leagues just in case he lives up to his potential, and Friday is a reminder of his sky-high upside.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 10, 2025
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Gavin Williams allowed four hits and no runs across five innings of work in Friday's 6-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The East Carolina alum struck out eight and walked four while improving to 3-2 on the year. Williams again dealt with command issues, hurling 53 of 98 pitches for strikes and walking at least four batters for the second straight start. On the bright side, he's struck out 17 batters over that time, so it hasn't all been bad. Still, command like that will continue to limit his upside and force him from starts early. The 25-year-old's underlying metrics aren't all that inspiring, but he'd be an interesting fantasy asset if he could get the free passes under control. Look for him to line up against the Milwaukee Brewers or the Cincinnati Reds in the middle of next week.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
May 9, 2025
Minnesota Twins pitcher
Chris Paddack allowed three hits and one earned run over 7 2/3 innings in his team's 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Friday. The 29-year-old struck out six and walked none for the first time in 2025, earning his first quality start and win. Paddack had done well to limit damage against him coming into today, but had walked two or more batters in five of seven starts, so it was nice to see him display some control. It was the first time that he'd gone longer than five innings in any of his starts. He looked superb early on in this one, and it's worth noting that his fastball was up a few ticks against the Giants. We'll see if an extra bit of velocity is enough to make him relevant again after years of subpar performance following a promising rookie campaign. He'll square off against the Orioles in their first series next week.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
May 9, 2025
New York Mets starting pitcher
Clay Holmes allowed three hits and one earned run over six innings pitched in Friday's 7-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. Holmes struck out five and walked three while earning his third-straight win to improve to 5-1 on the season. He bolstered a solid 30% CSW with nine swings-and-misses -- five with his sinker. The 32-year-old cruised through three innings unscathed before Chicago's
Kyle Tucker tagged him for a solo shot in the top of the fourth inning. That'd be the lone tally against him, though, as he continues to pitch well for the Mets. He'll carry a fantastic 2.74 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 44:16 K:BB ratio (42 2/3 innings) into his next start, which should come early next week at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, it's possible he doesn't toe the rubber again until the following series with the Yankees, considering the Mets have been running him out on five days of rest.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
May 9, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Erick Fedde allowed six hits and no runs over nine innings in Friday's 10-0 win over the Washington Nationals. The 32-year-old struck out eight batters and walked none in the first complete game and shutout of his MLB career. It was easily the best start of the season for him and marked the first time he'd punched out more than four batters. Fedde hammered in 68 of 109 pitches for strikes and had previously not gone longer than six innings in any outing. The Las Vegas native scattered six hits (one double) and allowed no runs for the second time in 2025. He'll have a much tougher task in his next start, which projects to come on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies early next week. Despite the dominant showing against Washington, he'll be difficult to trust moving forward.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
May 9, 2025
New York Mets shortstop
Francisco Lindor went 3-for-5 with a home run in his team's 7-2 victory against the Chicago Cubs. The superstar switch-hitter singled and scored twice, adding his fifth stolen base of the campaign. Lindor started the scoring for New York with a 388-foot shot off Cubs pitcher
Jameson Taillon to lead off the bottom of the first inning. The long ball was his eighth, and second in his last four outings, as he continues to enjoy a fantastic start to 2025. He's up to a .297 average to go along with seven doubles, 26 runs scored, and 25 RBI. If the former first-round pick is set to take off in the summer months as he usually does, he could be in store for a monster season. Friday marked his second straight multi-hit effort and third in his last five.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
May 9, 2025
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher
Will Vest was called upon to hold a one-run lead against the Texas Rangers on Friday. The Tigers elected to use
Tommy Kahnle in the eighth inning and give Vest the final frame in this game. Vest was getting more save chances earlier in the season, but this was his first chance this month. He was able to throw a scoreless inning and strike out one batter as he recorded his fourth save of the season. He has been excellent with a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 19/7 K/BB ratio across 17 innings of work this season. He isn't a must-have fantasy option because he's not the primary closer, but Vest has been putting up good numbers this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
May 9, 2025
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal was excellent on the mound during Friday's outing against the Texas Rangers. The southpaw retired the first 15 batters he faced before giving up a single in the sixth inning. The Rangers would evenutally push across a run, but it was still an incredible performance by Skubal. The reigning CY Young award winner tossed seven innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, while striking out 12 batters. The left-hander has now struck out 11 batters or more in two of his last three starts. He'll take a 2.08 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 60/5 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Boston Red Sox. Yes, that is correct, Skubal has only five walks on the season and hasn't walked in a batter in three straight starts. He obviously needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
May 9, 2025
The San Diego Padres have traded outfielder/first baseman
Connor Joe to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. In exchange, the Padres will receive right-hander
Andrew Moore and cash considerations. The 32-year-old outfielder was hitless in nine plate appearances before getting traded. Joe doesn't have great career stats, but is someone who could be a contributor off the bench. The Reds are in need of some depth with
Jake Fraley (calf) and
Tyler Callihan (forearm) both injured right now. The move to Cincinnati should hopefully give Joe more playing time, but he's still unlikely to be a viable fantasy option.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
May 9, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays catcher
Alejandro Kirk is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Kirk saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end when he went 0-for-4 during Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Now, Kirk will get the night off on Friday and fantasy managers are hopeful he'll begin a new hitting streak on Saturday. In the meantime,
Tyler Heineman will do the catching and bat eighth versus right-hander
Luis Castillo on Friday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly ahead of first pitch.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
May 9, 2025
New York Yankees catcher
Austin Wells is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Athletics. Wells will get a rest day here after starting in all three games during their most recent series against the San Diego Padres. He went 3-for-12 with a home run and five RBI during that series. In his absence,
J.C. Escarra will cover behind the plate and bat seventh versus right-hander
Osvaldo Bido on Friday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
May 9, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Evan Phillips (elbow) was recently placed on the 15-day injured list due to forearm discomfort. An MRI revealed that Phillips is dealing with elbow inflammation, so he'll likely be sidelined longer than expected. For now, Phillips will be shut down for the next two weeks before hopefully beginning a throwing program. That being said, Phillips might not be back on the mound until some point in June. Before going down, Phillips threw 5.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and one save in seven appearances. There should be a better timetable on him in a few weeks.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
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