4 days agoToronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano picked up his fourth save of the season in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He struck out two of the three batters he faced. The 31-year-old had a late start to the season due to injuries, but he is back and locked into the ninth-inning role for Toronto. Romano is a perfect 4-for-4 on save opportunities thus far to go along with a 3.18 ERA. He has been one of the best fantasy closers over the past few seasons and should continue to be a valuable asset.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) was available for Sunday's postseason meeting with the Knicks. Last season's MVP amassed a game-high 50 points in Game 3. However, he cooled off on the scoring end in this one, finishing with 27 points, adding 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks. Embiid looked good again, which is more impressive considering he's still battling a left knee issue. With that in mind, the Sixers are one game away from elimination, so Embiid should remain involved heavily in Game 5 on Tuesday night.Source: ESPN
4 days agoToronto Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman picked up his first win of the season during Sunday's 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gausman allowed one run on five hits across seven innings of work. He struck out five batters without issuing a walk. The 33-year-old had a tumultuous start to the season due to injuries and inconsistencies, but he has only given up two earned runs across his last three starts. Gausman will look to continue his recent success in his next projected outing against the Washington Nationals.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoNew York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson scored 47 points in Sunday's win over the 76ers. He added 10 assists, four rebounds, and one block. Brunson made history in Game 4, breaking a franchise record for most points in a postseason contest. While he still struggled shooting the ball from deep, his percentage from the field was his best of the series. The 27-year-old is firing on all cylinders, so he'll look to help his squad close out the series at MSG on Tuesday night.Source: ESPN
4 days agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal allowed one run on four hits across seven innings of work during Sunday's 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. He struck out six batters while issuing one walk. It was another masterful day on the mound for Skubal, who improved his season record to 4-0. The 27-year-old now owns a sparkling 1.72 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 41/6 K/BB through six starts. Skubal is unquestionably one of the top pitchers in baseball and is a must-start whenever he takes the field. He should continue to find success in his next projected outing against the New York Yankees.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoSeattle Mariners backstop Cal Raleigh will receive the day off on Sunday as the Mariners look to complete a three-game sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Raleigh has missed only four games this season and is riding a .235/.315/.457 line with six long balls. The 27-year-old is considered one of the best power options at the catcher position and currently holds an incredible 94.3 mph average exit velocity, 15.7% barrel rate, and 54.9% hard-hit rate which places him in the 96th, 92nd, and 95th percentiles of qualified hitters respectively. Seby Zavala will instead serve as the catcher and bat in the eight hole. Zavala has not made many appearances this season and is a desperation play in DFS against right-handed pitcher Brandon Pfaadt, who enters Sunday with a 4.97 ERA.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoNew York Knicks forward Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle) won't return to Sunday's playoff meeting with the 76ers. According to multiple reports on Sunday morning, the veteran sharpshooter has torn ligaments in his left wrist and could need surgery during the offseason. However, he wants to continue playing until the end of the postseason, although he suffered a left ankle contusion in Game 4 while diving for the ball. Bogdanovic has averaged 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in the series versus Philadelphia. But the Knicks are down Julius Randle (shoulder) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle), so Bogdanovic could have gotten more involved. DFS managers should expect to see him on the injury report ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday. If he doesn't play, Precious Achiuwa could get a few extra minutes.Source: New York Knicks
5 days agoMinnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien is not in Sunday's lineup as the Twins are scheduled to face left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers. Julien has had a great week at the plate with an incredible .474/.565/.1.105 stat line with three long balls. However, he has only made two starts this season against left-handed pitchers and will be on the bench once again. Instead, Kyle Farmer will shift to second base and bat in the eight-hole. Farmer has struggled to begin the campaign and has a difficult matchup today and should be avoided in DFS as he will face Reid Detmers who enters Sunday with a 2.12 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers was not found in Sunday's lineup as the Rockies conclude the Mexico City Series against the Houston Astros. Rodgers has been swinging a hot bat as of late with a .292/.393/.458 line with one home run in his past seven games. As a result, Alan Trejo will cover second base and bat in the nine-hole. Trejo has tallied just two hits through ten games this season and holds a .105 AVG. Trejo has a difficult matchup against southpaw Framber Valdez, who will be making his first start since coming off of the 15-day IL due to elbow inflammation.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) won't play in Sunday's matchup with the Mavs. Leonard has been dealing with inflammation in his right knee for a while. Although he managed to return for Game 2, he logged only 25 minutes in Game 3, so it's apparent things aren't improving. As of now, the 32-year-old doesn't have a timetable for his return, meaning James Harden and Paul George will need to step it up for the Clippers to have a chance to win this series. Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, and Russell Westbrook should also be more involved on the scoring end without Leonard on the floor moving ahead.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
5 days agoHouston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick will be riding pine on Sunday as the Astros conclude a two-game set in Mexico City with the Colorado Rockies. This is the second time the 29-year-old has been on the bench this week, and he may find himself entering a part-time role. As a result, Yordan Alvarez will shift to left field, opening the designated hitter spot for Yainer Diaz, who is usually behind the dish. McCormick has had a rough start to the season as he has posted a .236/.325/.278 line and has yet to hit a home run, which is very different from his strong 2023 numbers, where he posted a .273 AVG and was one swiped bag away from being a 20/20 player. However, the entire Astros lineup will be a popular stack in DFS as they will face Austin Gomber, who enters Sunday's game with a 4.32 ERA.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoSan Diego Padres backstop Luis Campusano will be on the bench on Sunday as the Padres hope to avoid a three-game sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 25-year-old has made three consecutive starts and has posted an overall .286/.316/.396 line. Campusano currently holds an excellent 10.5% K rate, placing him in the top 97th percentile among qualified hitters. Kyle Higashioka will slot in behind the dish today and will face Taijuan Walker, who will make his season debut. Higashioka is a desperation play in DFS as he is riding a .190/.190/.381 line with just one RBI. Campusano should be expected to return to the lineup as the Padres open a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoDespite taking quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft on Thursday night, the New England Patriots selected Tennessee QB Joe Milton III in the sixth round on Saturday at pick No.read more...
5 days agoDespite the Atlanta Falcons shockingly taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, veteran QB Kirk Cousins' position as the team's starting signal-caller of the foreseeable future has not changed, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Minnesota signed Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed, in free agency in March. Morris said Cousins doesn't have to look over his shoulder, and that there is no QB controversy at all. Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, said there was frustration and confusion coming from his camp because the team didn't use their first-round pick to improve the team in 2024. Cousins will be Atlanta's starter in 2024, but perhaps the Falcons are just giving themselves some extra insurance with Cousins coming off an Achilles tear.Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
5 days agoTexas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. This looks like a routine rest day for the rookie outfielder against a left-handed starter. Wyatt Langford will handle left field, with Andrew Knizner getting the start at designated hitter versus left-hander Andrew Abbott. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with Carter out.Source: Shawn McFarland
5 days agoDespite taking a brief pause in contract negotiations during NFL draft weekend, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said the team and wide receiver Justin Jefferson continue to make progress. "We continue to have great dialogue with their representatives," Adofo-Mensah said. "The process is still ongoing. We did say, 'Hey, [let's pause] a couple days.' The draft's coming. They have players they represent. We have our process." The two sides have been discussing a new deal for more than a year, with the GM saying previously they got "unbelievably close" to a deal last summer. Despite going on Injured Reserve in 2023 with a hamstring injury, Jefferson still went over 1,000 yards receiving and scored five touchdowns. Sooner than later, he's going to become the league's highest-paid wideout.Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
5 days agoMilwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the New York Yankees. This looks to be a rest day for Hoskins after homering during Saturday's contest. The expectation is that Hoskins will return to the lineup after this one-game absence. In the meantime, Jake Bauers will hit cleanup and cover first base during Sunday's game.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoArizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The young backstop will get the day off after going 0-for-6 in the first two games of this series. Tucker Barnhart will make the start behind the plate and bat seventh versus right-hander Logan Gilbert on Sunday.Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
5 days agoThe Minnesota Vikings drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in this year's NFL draft for him to be their future starter, but the team is poised to err on the side of methodical caution with their young signal-caller. "We're not going to rush his development," general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. "We're just going to do what's best for the Vikings in the short and long term." McCarthy will be required to hit specific benchmarks in his development, and head coach Kevin O'Connell will have full authority to make the decision on when he thinks McCarthy is ready to start. It's a big reason the Vikings spent $10 million to sign veteran Sam Darnold as a bridge starter. McCarthy just turned 21 in January and played in an offense at Michigan that had him throw an average of 22.1 passes per game in 2023, fewer than 93 other college QBs.Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
5 days agoHouston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. This appears to be a routine rest day for the right-handed slugger. Yordan Alvarez will handle left field with Yainer Diaz serving as the designated hitter for Sunday's game. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoThe Denver Broncos acquired defensive end John Franklin-Myers from the New York Jets on Saturday in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026, according to sources. It's the second trade these two teams have pulled off in the last week, with the Jets also sending former first-round quarterback Zach Wilson to Denver. Franklin-Myers, a former fourth-rounder by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 out of Stephen F. Austin, started 52 games for the Jets in the last four seasons and racked up 56 solo tackles, 17.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 61 QB hits, one interception, seven passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in that span. The 27-year-old should immediately become a starting edge rusher for the Broncos in 2024, but he won't be on the IDP fantasy radar with a career-high six-sack season coming back in 2021.Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
5 days agoCincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. The young slugger needs a rest day after going 1-for-14 over the last four games. The expectation is the 24-year-old will be back in the lineup following this one-game absence. Spencer Steer will cover first base, while Nick Martini serves as the designated hitter on Sunday.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoFormer Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants wide receiver John Ross, whose 4.22-second 40-yard dash was the NFL scouting combine record until Xavier Worthy broke it earlier this year, will take part in the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie camp this week on a tryout basis, according to sources. Ross had retired last year but is now attempting to make a comeback. The 28-year-old speedster ended up being a bust after the Bengals took him with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of Washington. Ross last played for the G-Men in 2021 and had 11 catches for 224 yards and one touchdown in 10 games (one start). In his five years in the NFL, he caught 62 of 143 targets for 957 yards and 11 scores in 37 games (21 starts). Ross will be a long shot to make the Eagles' active roster in 2024, let alone be fantasy relevant.Source: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo
5 days agoLos Angeles Angels third baseman Miguel Sano (knee) is still banged up after being pulled from Wednesday's game due to left knee soreness. The right-handed slugger was able to play on Friday but then sat out on Saturday. Sano had an MRI on his knee, which revealed inflammation in his left knee. The organization is currently considering Sano as day-to-day right now. Luis Rengifo figures to see additional playing time until Sano is ready again.Source: Rhett Bollinger
5 days agoFormer Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, who was reinstated last week after being suspended for all of last season for violating the NFL's gambling policies, reached an undisclosed agreement with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, according to his agents. The 26-year-old former fifth-round pick (166th overall) by the Lions in 2020 out of Wisconsin has a total of 37 receptions on 60 targets for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) in his three seasons in the league. The Bills are notably lacking receiver depth after trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans and losing Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, so Cephus will have a chance to carve out a spot as receiving depth in Buffalo this summer in training camp. His best season came in his rookie year in 2020, when he caught 20 of 35 targets for 349 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games (two starts).Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
5 days agoJacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said on Saturday that the team is picking up the fifth-year option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr. It's no surprise that the Jags will pick upread more...
5 days agoArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas (hamstring) started baserunning activities on April 24, with manager Torey Lovullo saying that Thomas is doing everything except running full speed. The skipper doesn't have a target date for Thomas' return, but he said Thomas is progressing well. The 24-year-old strained his left hamstring when he grounded into a double play on March 31 against the Colorado Rockies and underwent an MRI exam on April 1 that showed a strain that was greater than a Grade 1 strain. It sounds like he's getting close to being able to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Until Thomas is able to return, Corbin Carroll will continue to operate as the team's center fielder, giving Jake McCarthy and Randal Grichuk more reps in the outfield. Thomas has still yet to show much offensively for fantasy managers, but he's a stud on defense when healthy.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoNew York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) won't play in Sunday's contest versus the 76ers. The 26-year-old is still bothered by a left ankle injury, and although he had warmed up with the intention of playing, he won't be out there. While Robinson's DFS contributions have been scarce during this series, the Knicks could have difficulty slowing down Joel Embiid without him on the floor. But Isaiah Hartenstein will try his best, so he should get most of the minutes at the five spot. However, Hartenstein's added workload doesn't mean he'll be more productive for DFS managers.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
5 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is active for Sunday's postseason clash with the Knicks. Most had already planned for Embiid to be out there, especially since he's appeared on the injury report since returning from knee surgery near the end of the regular season. The 30-year-old is coming off a big night, scoring 50 points in Thursday's win. He also logged 41 minutes, so it's apparent he can handle a full workload. Nonetheless, Embiid guaranteed that the Sixers would win the series, meaning he should be fired up and ready to produce for DFS managers in Game 4.Source: Philadelphia 76ers
5 days agoMilwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (Achilles) won't play on Sunday against the Pacers. The former Trail Blazer injured his Achilles during Friday's overtime loss, although he still managed to log a team-high 45 minutes to finish with 28 points. However, it was revealed on Saturday that Lillard is in a walking boot, so his status for Game 5 on Tuesday night is also up in the air. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) also out for this one, Khris Middleton (ankle) will have a heavy load to carry, assuming he's cleared to play. Without question, Middleton will need help from Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, and Patrick Beverley, who all should see more scoring chances with Lillard and Antetokounmpo on the shelf.Source: Malika Andrews