Poor Toyota Strategy Arguably Cost Bubba Wallace Winning Chances at Talladega
Although Bubba Wallace only finished eighth at Talladega and led only five laps, he had one of the best drives in a lowkey way. After finishing fourth in Stage 1, Wallace then outdueled Joey Logano's illegal car on the last lapread more...
Christopher Bell Unhurt After Hard Contact with Inside Retaining Wall
Source: Racing Reference
After winning the previous drafting track race at Atlanta, Christopher Bell was unable to repeat the feat at Talladega after a hard crash on lap 52. Bell had driven from his 11th starting position to second behind Chase Briscoe for most of the first stage when the Toyotas worked together to drive from the field. The caution came out for a pit road crash after Bell had pitted but before many of the leaders did, allowing Bell to reinherit the second position after the drivers who stayed out pitted. Restarting alongside Chris Buescher, Bell received a bad bump draft from his teammate Denny Hamlin, which sent him into Buescher and then head on into the inside retaining wall. While this wreck would have likely caused a significant injury in the '90s, he was unhurt but dropped to 82 points behind the points leader William Byron for the regular season championship.Aaron Nola Pitches Seven Strong Innings
Aaron Nola didn't factor into the decision on Sunday but was solid in a 3-1 win over the Cubs. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts in seven innings. This was a step in the right direction for Nola who had lost all five of his starts before this one with a 6.43 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. This start lowered his ERA to 5.40, but he still has plenty of work to do before his stats look more in line with that of a near-ace that many fantasy managers drafted him to be. He'll look to carry this momentum into his next start, tentatively scheduled to be against the Diamondbacks.Source: MLB.com
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Tylor Megill Strikes Out Nine In No-Decision
Tylor Megill allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out nine over 6 ⅓ innings in an 8-7 loss to the Nationals on Sunday. This was the first time of the season that he allowed more than two runs in a start, which speaks to just how good he has been. More importantly, this was his first quality start and appearance of at least six innings of the year. If he can become more efficient and last longer into games he could be a real standout in fantasy, as he has already shown his strikeout upside with 19 punchouts combined over his past two starts. Megill will look to keep things up in his next time out, currently lined up to be against the Cardinals.Source: MLB.com
New York Mets starting pitcher Hunter Brown Strikes Out Nine In Win
Hunter Brown earned his fourth win of the season on Sunday, striking out nine over six innings while allowing one run on seven hits and one walk in a 7-3 victory over the Royals. This is his sixth straight quality start to begin the year and his second straight nine-strikeout performance. Brown has looked every bit like an ace, with his ERA now down to 1.22. He should be able to keep things up in his next start, which is currently lined up to be against the White Sox in Chicago.Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros starting pitcher Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice
Agustin Ramirez continued to impress on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with two solo home runs in a 7-6 loss to the Mariners. He has been nothing short of spectacular to begin his major league career, slashing .474/.524/1.158 through his first five games. Seven of his nine hits have been for extra bases, with three home runs and four doubles. He's also stolen one base so far, showing off his legs that led to 22 stolen bases in the minors last season. Ramirez has 20 home run and 20 steal upside which is extremely rare for a catcher, and is a must-add unless you already have an elite catcher.Source: MLB.com
Miami Marlins catcher Andy Pages Homers In Four-Hit Game
Andy Pages went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBI in a 9-2 win against the Pirates on Sunday. He has been on fire as of late, as this was his third straight game of three hits or more. He's now slashing .277/.355/.506 with five home runs, 11 RBI, 11 runs, and one stolen base through 25 games this season. Everyday playing time in a stacked Dodgers lineup tends to bring good outcomes, and Pages could be worth a pickup as a streaming option while he's hot.Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Ketel Marte Expected To Return Next Weekend
Ketel Marte (hamstring) was packing in the clubhouse on Sunday and confirmed that he will play in Philadelphia, according to Jack Sommers of SI.com. Arizona is expected to make the trip to Philly for three games starting on Friday, May 2. Marte has been sidelined since April 5 with a hamstring strain after only playing in eight games in 2025. He'll look to reclaim his title as the best fantasy second baseman after he had a breakout 2024 to the tune of a .292/.372/.560 slash line with 36 home runs.Source: Jack Sommers
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Joe Ryan Posts Stellar Outing
Joe Ryan was excellent on the mound during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Ryan was blasted for six runs during his last start, but bounced back nicely during this start. He tossed seven shutout innings, allowing four hits, and striking out 11 batters in the win. Ryan has allowed one earned run or less in four of his first six starts of the season. He'll take a 3.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 39/4 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Boston Red Sox. This isn't a favorable matchup for Ryan, but he still remains a must-have in basically all fantasy formats.Source: mlb.com
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Noelvi Marte Has Big Game On Sunday
Noelvi Marte continued smashing the ball during Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The 23-year-old went 3-for-5 with a double, two steals, and three RBI in the win. Marte went 7-for-15 with seven RBI during this three-game series in Colorado. Overall, Marte is slashing .364/.404/659 with three homers, 15 RBI, and four steals this season. This hot stretch might not last forever, so fantasy managers should take advantage of it and roster Marte where available. He has been red-hot at the plate since being recalled.Source: mlb.com
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jaylen Brown Available For Game 4
Jaylen Brown (knee) will play on Sunday versus Orlando. The right knee impingement isn't expected to go away anytime soon, so DFS managers will likely see him on the injury report for the rest of the postseason. But unless Brown suffers a setback along the way, he'll likely continue to see north of 30 minutes per contest. However, his presence should mean Sam Hauser, who would have been in line to start, will likely remain on the bench, lowering his fantasy ceiling.Source: Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics forward Nick Lodolo Throws Seven Scoreless Innings
Nick Lodolo took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The southpaw was unhittable until Jordan Beck got an infield single in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Despite that, Lodolo tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits, and striking out nine batters in the win. It's not easy pitching at Coors Field, but Lodolo had seemingly no problems in this one. He'll take a 2.25 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 27/5 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Washington Nationals. When healthy, Lodolo is one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game. He should be rostered in most standard 12-team formats.Source: mlb.com
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Marsh Removed Early During Rehab Game
Brandon Marsh (hamstring) was hopeful to rejoin the big league club within the next week, but that plan might've changed. Marsh played six innings during a rehab game with Triple-A Lehigh Valley before being removed due to a right hamstring cramp. The plan is to re-evaluate Marsh on Monday, but this setback will likely push back his timetable to return. The 27-year-old was struggling at the plate before going down with a hamstring issue. Marsh has four hits in 51 plate appearances, so fantasy managers can leave him on the waiver wire for now.Source: Corey Seidman
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Ranger Suarez Looks Sharp In Rehab Start
Ranger Suarez (back) looked strong on the mound during his most recent start at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday. The southpaw tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight batters. He threw 78 pitches in this one, so the Phillies will likely want to stretch him out a little more before returning to the big league rotation. There is no word of Suarez making another start, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he makes one more appearance before heading back to Philly. It's worth noting that Cristopher Sanchez (forearm) is banged up, so maybe Suarez replaces him in the rotation. Fantasy managers in need of pitching help should stash Suarez where available.Source: Corey Seidman
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Josh Jung Makes Early Exit On Sunday
Josh Jung (finger) was removed early during Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Jung was taken out in the fifth inning due to a cut on his index finger. It's unclear when Jung suffered the injury, but hopefully this won't result in a trip to the injured list. Josh Smith took over at third base while Nick Ahmed moved over to shortstop as a result of Jung exiting the contest. Smith figures to see more time at the hot corner if Jung is forced to miss time.Source: Jeff Wilson
Texas Rangers third baseman Tyler Glasnow Removed Early On Sunday
Tyler Glasnow (shoulder) has been removed early during Sunday's start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Glasnow gave up two hits, two runs, and walked a batter in the opening frame. He returned in the second inning, but Glasnow was removed while warming up due to right shoulder discomfort. Ouch, this is not a good look, but fantasy managers don't need to panic yet. Glasnow is expected to undergo further testing to determine the significance of the issue. Honestly, it wouldn't be shocking to see him placed on the injured list, but fantasy managers will need to check back for more updates.Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Darius Garland Questionable For Game 4
Darius Garland (toe) is questionable for Monday's encounter with the Miami Heat. He didn't suit up for Game 3 on Saturday because of a left great toe sprain, an Injury he battled toward the end of the regular season. As a result, Sam Merrill entered the starting lineup. However, Merrill went scoreless, with De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome combining for 34 points, 14 assists, and three steals. Jarrett Allen also returned to form, ending with a team-high 22 points, his highest of the postseason. If Garland remains sidelined, Hunter, Jerome, Allen, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus should all receive more scoring chances. Donovan Mitchell, coming off a 13-point effort, should turn things around.Source: NBA Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaden Ivey Making Progress
Jaden Ivey (calf) is still recovering from the broken left Fibula he sustained during the January 1 win over the Orlando Magic. Fortunately, Ivey is moving in the right direction, with the team reporting that his current activities include "a progression of basketball shooting and skill work," which have been accompanied by "continued re-conditioning and strength work." He had a down year in 2023-24. Yet, with J.B. Bickerstaff at the Helm, Ivey averaged a career-high 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 40.9% shooting from downtown during the regular season. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Still, the Pistons are one game away from being bounced from the postseason by the Knicks, meaning Ivey likely won't be back in the lineup until the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks along the way.Source: Pistons PR
Detroit Pistons guard Frederik Andersen Exits Game 4 With Injury
Source: Sportsnet
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen exited Sunday's Game 4 against the New Jersey Devils with an apparent injury. Pyotr Kochetkov replaced Andersen in the crease during the second period after he was involved in a collision with Devils forward Timo Meier. Andersen saved six of seven shots before exiting. The Hurricanes No. 1 has been in superb form during the postseason, as he entered Sunday's contest with a 1.48 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. Losing him for an extended stretch would be a blow for the Hurricanes, although Kochetkov has proven himself as a capable performer, posting a 27-16-3 record during the regular season.Jake Neighbours Shines On Sunday With Three Points
Source: ESPN
St. Louis Blues winger Jake Neighbours notched a game-high three points in Sunday's 5-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets. Neighbours tied the game at one near the end of the first period and collected two assists in the contest. The 23-year-old also had three hits in the game, logging 15:43 of action. The Blues offense has finally clicked in the series, and Neighbours has been one of the main men in attack. With four games played, he has tallied one goal and four assists in the matchup. With scoring machine Jordan Kyrou on the same line as him, Neighbours is perfectly set up for further success against the Jets.Jordan Binnington Makes 30 Saves In Game 4 Victory
Source: ESPN
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington saved 30 of 31 shots in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. The Blues managed to tie the first-round series at two despite falling behind in Sunday's game. Kyle Connor beat Binnington in the first period, but he rebounded well from the setback, finishing with 19 consecutive saves. Binnington allowed six goals in the first two games of the series, but he stifled the Jets offense on home ice, giving up three goals in two contests. The Blues No. 1 now holds a 2.29 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage for the playoffs. With the series shifting back to Winnipeg for Game 5, Binnington must prove that he can also do the business for St. Louis on the road.Patrik Laine Not Expected To Play In Game 4
Source: Dan Rosen
Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine (upper body) is likely to miss a second consecutive game on Sunday against the Washington Capitals. The Finnish forward did not participate in the morning skate as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. Laine has recorded one assist, six shots, and a minus-two rating over two games in the series. In his absence, Ivan Demidov joined the first power-play unit in Friday's Game 3. Montreal secured a big 6-3 victory on Friday night, but the Russian youngster was quiet and is still seeking his first postseason points. He has recorded one shot on goal and a minus-two rating against Washington, averaging 13:28 of ice time.Sam Montembeault Labeled Day-To-Day
Source: Renaud Lavoie
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (lower body) is considered day-to-day. After suffering a lower-body injury in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals, he is likely to miss Sunday's Game 4. Montembeault has registered a 2.76 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in the first-round series. Jakub Dobes is set to take over the crease on Sunday, with Cayden Primeau serving as his backup. Montembeault's injury is a setback for the Canadiens, but Dobes held his own during the regular season with a 7-4-3 record, demonstrating that the team can rely on him. Coming in for Montembeault on Friday, he saved seven of eight shots.Jarren Duran Collects Four Hits On Sunday
Jarren Duran was seemingly unstoppable at the plate during Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. This was a great series for Duran who went 3-for-9 with a walk, triple, and two RBI during the doubleheader on Saturday. He returned on Sunday and went 4-for-6 with three singles, a double, and one RBI in the win. It's worth noting that Duran is currently on an 11-game hit streak at the plate. He got off to a bit of a slow start to the season, but has been heating up at the plate over the last few weeks.Source: mlb.com
Boston Red Sox outfielder Tarik Skubal Racks Up 11 Strikeouts
Tarik Skubal put together an excellent performance against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. The left-hander tossed six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, and striking out 11 batters in the win. Skubal didn't have many problems during this outing as he only allowed singles and didn't walk anyone. Skubal gave up seven earned runs during his first two starts of the season, but since then he's only allowed one earned run in four starts. The reigning AL CY Young winner is one of the best pitchers in baseball and appears to be at the top of his game right now. He figures to keep the good times rolling against the Los Angeles Angels in his next start.Source: mlb.com
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Aliaksei Protas Considered A Game-Time Decision Sunday
Source: NHL.com
Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas (foot) is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Protas fully participated in Saturday's practice and could return to action after a nine-game absence. The Capitals have averaged 3.00 goals per game in the playoffs, but Protas could provide an additional boost to the offense. He had a breakout campaign with 30 goals and 66 points in 76 games. Protas is a candidate to join the top six, although the Capitals may reintroduce the 24-year-old into the lineup in a reduced role, especially with Anthony Beauvillier performing well on the first line.Logan Thompson A Game-Time Call Sunday
Source: NHL.com
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (lower body) is a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens. The in-form netminder suffered a lower-body injury in Game 3 on Friday but might be available to play on Sunday after participating in the morning skate. Thompson has played a big role in Washington's success in the first-round series, posting a 2.73 goals-against average with a .917 save percentage. If he isn't available on Sunday, the Capitals will turn to Charlie Lindgren, who stopped four of five shots during a relief effort on Friday night.Clayton Kershaw To Make Two Rehab Starts This Week
Clayton Kershaw (toe, knee) is scheduled to make two rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this week. The veteran southpaw continues to ramp up as he's working his way back from an offseason toe and knee injuries. The plan is for Kershaw to start on Tuesday and throw around five innings or 75 pitches. After that, Kershaw will have regular rest before taking the ball again next Sunday. The 37-year-old isn't eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until mid-May. The expectation is that Kershaw will be a regular in the starting rotation once he's healthy. Kershaw might be worth stashing for fantasy managers in need of pitching help.Source: Fabian Ardaya
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jackson Merrill Takes Batting Practice On Sunday
Jackson Merrill (hamstring) was able to take batting practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. This is a positive step forward for Merrill who is working his way back from a right hamstring strain. The hope is that Merrill can get into some minor league games within the next few days. If everything goes well, Merrill should be able to get back in the Padres lineup in the early stages of May. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Merrill as he should be back in the mix soon.Source: Sammy Levitt
San Diego Padres outfielder Sean Murphy Taking A Seat On Sunday
Sean Murphy (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Murphy will get a rest day here after starting in the first two games of the series. He went 2-for-6 with a solo homer and two runs scored during the first two contests. In his absence, Drake Baldwin will start behind the plate and bat eighth against right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Baldwin is viewed as one of the team's top prospects, but isn't a great add in fantasy rosters while splitting up time with Murphy behind the plate.Source: mlb.com
Atlanta Braves catcher