4 days agoCorey Lajoie is always a popular sleeper in Fantasy NASCAR, and this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway is no different. Lajoie went out and posted the 23rd-fastest lap in practice on Saturday morning in the Lone Star State and followed that up by qualifying 23rd for this weekend's Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 as well. Lajoie is priced at $5,800 on DraftKings this weekend, which makes him an attractive sleeper option if you think he can pull off a top-20 finish. Remember, Lajoie was legitimately running inside the top 10 at Las Vegas (a track similar to Texas) earlier this season before he ran into issues. With that being said, Corey came home just 26th here at Texas last fall and is in a major slump right now, with zero top-20 finishes since the Atlanta race back in February.Source: Racing-Reference
4 days agoOver the last two races at Texas Motor Speedway, Justin Haley has walked away with third- and 13th-place finishes, but those are definitely outliers when it comes to the grand scheme of things. Attrition and good timing played a lot into those good finishes. He was also in decently-fast Kaulig Racing cars when he got those results, and this season he is piloting the lower-tier No. 51 Ford for Rick Ware Racing. Looking at the race at Las Vegas earlier this season, Justin Haley was 28th-fastest in Total Speed Ranking and finished 27th when the checkered flag flew. That's likely where he will end up in this weekend's Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas as well. Haley is priced at $5,300 on DraftKings this weekend and qualified 32nd, so he makes for a decent low-priced option to fill out your lineup--just keep your FPTS expectations to a minimum.Source: Driver Averages
4 days agoNot much has gone right for Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing team to start out the 2024 season. Burton currently sits 34th in points with an average finish of 29.5--the worst in the series among all drivers who have started all eight races. But that doesn't mean you should avoid him like the plague in this weekend's Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Burton qualified 29th for this weekend's race and comes in at a very reasonable $5,400 salary on DraftKings. In the two NextGen races at this track, he has finished 20th and 18th, so the potential is definitely there for him. Burton will likely need attrition pull off a mid-20s finish this weekend, but it's not like we haven't seen that happen at 1.5-mile tracks before. He ranks just 32nd-fastest in speed at 1.5-mile tracks since the start of 2023. Harrison is definitely a sleeper DFS pick this weekend to round out your DraftKings lineups and give you some salary cap relief and room to play with.Source: ifantasyrace
4 days agoNew York Yankees right-hander Clay Holmes earned his sixth save in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. Holmes struck out two and gave up one hit in Saturday's victory. This was Holmes' first save since last Tuesday. Holmes remains unblemished in the 2024 season. The 31-year-old is (1-0) with a 1.14 WHIP but only has five strikeouts in seven innings. He continues to get the job done and has converted 6-of-7 save chances this season. Holmes should continue to get the same chances as the Yankee's primary closer.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoNew York Yankees Clarke Schmidt right-hander struck out seven across five innings in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians to get his first win of the season. Schmidt surrendered two runs (one earned) on three hits and five walks. With Friday's rain out, the Yankees are playing two games on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians. Schmidt started the first game, and the only run he gave up was on a fielder's choice. Schmidt has started three games this season and sports a 3.68 ERA and an unsightly 1.64 WHIP thus far. He also has 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. Schmidt will continue to be a part of the rotation in New York, with Gerrit Cole (elbow) out with elbow inflammation. His next start should be against the Tampa Bay Rays next weekend.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoSeattle Mariners GM Justin Hollander gave updates on several injured players. Relief pitcher Matt Brash (elbow) was shut down early in spring training with elbow inflammation. Hollander reports that Brash was able to throw live batting practice this week and that he will throwread more...
4 days agoSeattle Mariners general manager Justin Hollander provided some injury updates on injured players, specifically starter Bryan Woo (elbow). The team believes that Woo will be heading to Triple-A Tacoma this week to begin a rehab assignment. Hollander reported that everything went well for Woo in a two-inning "up-down," where a pitcher will simulate having a break between two innings like in a real game. Woo will throw live batting practice in the coming days, and if all goes well, he could get a three-inning rehab start in Tacoma next week. The team believes that Woo might need two rehab starts before he gets back on the mound for the Mariners. Woo was diagnosed with elbow inflammation in spring training and placed on the IL before the start of the season. Woo would slot back into the rotation when he can return and look to build off his momentum from last season.Source: Seattle Sports
4 days agoNew York Yankees veteran utility player Jon Berti (groin) hits the injured list Saturday with a left groin strain. The move is retroactive to April 11. In a corresponding move, the team added infielder Kevin Smith to the roster. Berti was hitting .211 in only 19 at-bats this season while playing third base in place of the injured DJ LeMahieu (foot), who has a fracture in his foot. The good news is that LeMahieu is nearing a rehab assignment, and the Yankees will need him. Oswaldo Cabrera should continue to get regular at-bats at the hot corner. Cabrera is hitting .333 in 40 plate appearances with three home runs and eight runs scored. Berti was not getting much playing time and figures to be a utility player when he returns, as long as Cabrera keeps hitting and LeMahieu is healthy again.Source: Yankees PR Department on X
4 days agoVeteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel has signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Approaching his 40th birthday in June, Gurriel hit .245 with only four home runs in 329 plate appearances in 2023 for the Miami Marlins. It is a low-risk signing for the Braves, who feature slugger Matt Olson at 1B and Marcell Ozuna at DH. Gurriel has played some second and third base in his career, but Atlanta already has Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley at those spots. Gurriel figures to be a bench bat depth option for the Braves if he can get his bat back on track in Triple-A Gwinnett County. This signing will have little to no impact on fantasy baseball rosters.Source: Jon Heyman
4 days agoChicago Bulls center Andre Drummond (ankle) won't play on Sunday against the Knicks. The veteran sprained his ankle when these clubs met on Tuesday and has missed Chicago's previous two contests. The team hopes to have him back for the Play-In. However, there's the possibility that Drummond won't be on the floor for the Bulls again this season. As of Saturday afternoon, Nikola Vucevic isn't listed on the injury report after resting on Friday in the win over the Orlando Magic. But if Vucevic doesn't suit up, Adama Sanogo, coming off a 22-point, 20-rebound showing, would see plenty of interest from DFS Managers.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoChicago Bulls forward Javonte Green is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Knicks. There's nothing wrong with him. Instead, head coach Billy Donovan might give him the afternoon off to rest in preparation for Chicago's upcoming Play-In contest. As of this writing, Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and DeMar DeRozan aren't listed on the injury report after missing Friday's win over Orlando to rest. Yet, they certainly may get held out, meaning the door would be open for Dalen Terry, Jevon Carter, and Adama Sanogo to see a surge in DFS interest for the regular-season finale.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoChicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game in New York. He missed the Bulls' previous three contests because of a quad contusion. But with Chicago locked into a Play-In spot, there's a good chance he'll sit for a fourth. As of Saturday afternoon, DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic aren't listed on the injury report after sitting out on Friday. However, they may be held off the floor for the regular-season finale, meaning guys like Jevon Carter and Dalen Terry, combining for 37 points in Friday's win over Orlando, would automatically enter the DFS value conversation.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard De'Anthony Melton (back) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Nets. He's only appeared in seven games since the beginning of 2024 because of a back injury. However, despite playing in Philly's previous two contests, the 25-year-old has logged just over 20 minutes combined. The Sixers need him healthy for the postseason, so Melton might get the afternoon off. More names may be added to the injury report heading into this contest. But Kyle Lowry and Cameron Payne are currently in line for extra work if Melton isn't on the floor for the regular-season finale.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Brooklyn Nets. The reigning MVP amassed 32 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and a block in the win over the Orlando Magic on Friday evening. He might have been even more productive. However, Embiid tweaked his left knee, forcing him to exit briefly before the end of the first half. Philly still has a shot to avoid a Play-In, so there's a chance Embiid could be out there. Yet, Nick Nurse may hold him out and rely on Mo Bamba and Paul Reed to handle things underneath the rim.Source: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoBaltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (elbow) was seen throwing a bullpen session prior to Saturday's game. This is a significant step for Bradish as he hopes to begin a rehab stint later this week. Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde expressed his confidence and stated that Bradish is scheduled to join Double-A Bowie later in the week. Bradish looks to be nearing the end of his recovery from a sprained UCL injury that he was diagnosed with at the beginning of Spring Training. The 27-year-old was excellent last season as he pitched to a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP and was dominant in the stretch run as he held a 2.34 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in the second half and should slotted right into the rotation when he is cleared.Source: Danielle Allentuck
4 days agoWashington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (illness) remains out of the Nationals lineup for the fourth straight day as he continues to battle an illness. The 25-year-old should not see a stint on the IL and remains day-to-day. Riley Adams will serve as the catcher and make his sixth start of the season. He will be batting in the eight-hole and will face Athletics pitcher Joe Boyle. Adams enters Saturday's game with a .278 AVG, one long ball, and four RBI, making him a sneaky play in the DFS as Joey Boyle is riding an 8.22 ERA and 2.22 WHIP.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoPittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen will be on the bench Saturday as the Pirates continue a four-game set against the Phillies. The 37-year-old has a tough start to the season as he holds a .161/.316/.226 line with no home runs and only two RBI. Edward Olivares will instead be in the designated hitter spot and bat in the five-hole as he takes on Spencer Turnbull. Olivares has been swinging a hot bat over the first two weeks, hitting for a .314 AVG and .600 SLG with seven RBI and three home runs. Olivares is worth consideration in DFS, but he does have a difficult matchup with Spencer Turnbull, who has yet to allow an earned run and has a minuscule 0.55 WHIP.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoOakland Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda will be sitting on the bench Saturday as left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore will be the opposing pitcher. Noda has yet to make a start against a southpaw this season, and today, this trend continues. Noda has struggled during the first two weeks as he is sporting a .179/.273/.205 stat line with 16 strikeouts. Veteran J.D. Davis will man first base today and comes into Saturday's game with two home runs and three doubles. Davis is worth considering in DFS today as he faces Gore, who has a 4.09 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in his first two starts.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoHouston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hamstring) is out of the lineup once again on Saturday. The 28-year-old was held out of the lineup on Friday due to a sore hamstring. He was seen working out on Saturday, so he should be back relatively soon. McCormick is off to a slow start to begin the campaign as he has hit for a .220/.333/.268 line with only two extra-base hits and no home runs. Yordan Alvarez will shift to left field today, opening the designated hitter spot for Jon Singleton. Singleton enters Saturday's game with a .217 AVG and could be a value in DFS as he faces southpaw Andrew Heaney, who is 0-2 with a 7.56 ERA.Source: Chandler Rome
4 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott and outfielder Brandon Marsh are not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marsh and Stott will sit against Pirates left-hander Marco Gonzales. Stott and Marsh should be available off the bench to pinch-hit in Saturday's contest. Cristian Pache replaces Marsh in left field and is batting eighth, while Edmundo Sosa is batting sixth and handling the keystone. Pache has appeared in three games and has yet to collect a hit over four plate appearances. Sosa is hitting a robust .750 (3-for-4) with a homer over three games. Pache can be avoided in all fantasy leagues, while Sosa can be used as a streamer in a plus matchup versus Gonzales for Saturday's slate.Source: MLB
4 days agoMiami Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson (illness) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves. He also missed Friday's contest against the Braves and remains under the weather. The 30-year-old is considered day-to-day, with the series finale on Sunday being the next chance for him to return to the lineup. Anderson is slashing .280/.308/.300 with a double, two stolen bases, and four runs scored over 13 games this season. Vidal Brujan will replace Anderson again at shortstop and is batting ninth in Saturday's game. Brujan has not logged a hit over 16 plate appearances this season, and fantasy managers can avoid using him as a streamer in most leagues.Source: MLB
4 days agoHouston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (illness) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers. He is resting at home and will miss his second consecutive game due to an illness. The 30-year-old has briefly popped up at the clubhouse but still needs another day off. Bregman is considered day-to-day. Mauricio Dubon will start at third base and is batting ninth for the Astros in Saturday's game. He is slashing .259/.286/.333 with two doubles, five RBI, and two strikeouts over 10 games in 2024. Dubon can be used as a streamer in deep leagues against Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney, who has struggled this season with a 7.56 ERA over his first two starts.Source: Brian McTaggart
4 days agoMilwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Yelich exited Friday's game early with a lower back discomfort. The 32-year-old has had a history of back issues, and the Brewers will be cautious with their star outfielder and rest him on Saturday. He is considered day-to-day, with the series finale on Sunday being his next chance to enter the lineup. Blake Perkins will replace Yelich in the lineup and is batting ninth for Saturday's contest. Perkins has been red hot recently, slashing .389/.476/.556 with a home run, four RBI, and six runs over five games. The 27-year-old can be a streamer in Saturday's slate against Orioles right-hander Dean Kramer while swinging a hot bat.Source: Milwaukee Brewers
4 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielders Jake Fraley and Will Benson are not in Saturday's lineup against the Chicago White Sox. Benson and Fraley will sit versus White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet. Both outfielders should be available off the bench and will look to re-enter the starting lineup for the series finale on Sunday. Bubba Thompson and Stuart Fairchild will replace Benson and Fraley in the outfield. Thompson is starting in center field, batting eighth, and is hitting .250 (2-for-8) with four stolen bases over nine games this season. Fairchild is starting in right field, hitting fifth and slashing .304/.385/.304 with four stolen bases over nine games in 2024. Fairchild and Thompson are deep-league streamers at best in a tough matchup against Crochet.Source: Cincinatti Reds
4 days agoBaltimore Orioles second baseman/shortstop Jackson Holliday will be on the bench as the Orioles continue a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Holliday, who is the top prospect in baseball, started in each of the last three games. However, the 20-year-old has yet to tally his first hit and has struck out seven times. As a result, Jorge Mateo will slot into the nine-hole and play second base. In eight games, Mateo has a .333/.375/.533 stat line and is worth looking at in DFS today as he will face Brewers pitcher DL Hall, who has a 4.82 ERA and 1.93 WHIP across nine ⅓ innings this season.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will be resting on Saturday as the Phillies continue a four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Realmuto went 0-3 with a walk last night and has a cumulative .267/.327/.400 stat line. He has hit two home runs and brought in four runs. Garrett Stubbs will catch for Spencer Turnbull and comes into today's game batting a .250 AVG with one swiped bag. Stubbs will face the left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales, who is riding a solid 2.45 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoBoston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill will be on the bench in the second game of the three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels. O'Neill has been one of the best hitters of the season so far, posting an excellent .279/.426/.698, and is tied at the top in home run leaders with six. As a result, Wilyer Abreu will be batting in the two-hole and playing in right field. Abreu is off to a slow start to begin the season with a .190 AVG and just one extra-base hit. However, Abreu is a sneaky play in DFS as he should see plenty of at-bats and has a great matchup against Griffin Canning, who comes into today's game with a hefty 8.38 ERA.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoKansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is not in Saturday's lineup as the Royals continue a three-game set in Queens. Pasquantino was off to a slow start, as he tallied just five hits in his first eleven games. Since then, Pasquantino has hit for a .583 AVG with two doubles and one home run. Salvador Perez will shift to first base today, and Freddy Fermin will serve as the backstop for pitcher Alec Marsh. This will be Fermin's sixth start of the season and will have a difficult matchup as he faces southpaw Sean Manaea, who has a dominant 0.82 ERA and 0.73 WHIP across his first two starts.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoNew York Mets backstop Francisco Alvarez will be getting the day off on Saturday as the New York Mets continue a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Alvarez went 1-4 in last night's victory and has an overall .293/.326/.463 line with one home run to begin the season. Veteran catcher Omar Narvaez will receive the start and bat eighth against Alec Marsh. Narvaez is worth consideration in DFS as he has put together a strong start to the 2024 season with a .385/.429/.462 line with three RBI.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton will be getting some rest during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. Buxton has appeared in all 11 games so far, batting a cumulative .220/.273/.293 stat line with no home runs. Buxton is expected to be starting in center field for the second game later this afternoon and is projected to face Matt Manning. As a result, Austin Martin will man center field and bat in the nine-hole. Martin is a sneaky play in DFS as he will take on Kenta Maeda, who has struggled in his first two starts, pitching to the tune of a 9.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.Source: MLB.com