5 days agoAlonzo Menifield (15-3-1) will be looking to defend his spot in the rankings as he takes on Carlos Ulberg on the main card of UFC St. Louis. Menifield has been looking great since 2022, winning four of his past five fights. DraftKings sees Menifield as the underdog with a salary of $6,900. Throughout his UFC career of 12 bouts, he averages 76.0 fantasy points per contest. He may not be the best technician, but he has the ability to threaten Ulberg with his power and ability to close the distance suddenly.
--Alen Kurbasic - RotoBallerSource: UFC
5 days agoA featherweight bout pitting Sean Woodson against Alex Caceres is set for UFC St. Louis on Saturday. Woodson (11-1-1) will enter the Octagon on a four-fight unbeaten streak, most recently winning via split decision against Charles Jourdain at UFC 297. DraftKings sees Woodson as the favorite with a salary of $9,100. Throughout his UFC career of seven bouts, he averages 76.0 fantasy points per contest. Much like his opponent, Woodson boasts a commendable striking defense at 58%.
--Alen Kurbasic - RotoBallerSource: UFC
5 days agoAlex Caceres (21-14) is set to face off against Sean Woodson on the main card of UFC St. Louis on Saturday. Caceres continues to look great up until he faces the upper echelon. In his last two fights, he defeated Daniel Pineda to earn a "Fight of the Night" bonus, and then, he lost to Giga Chikadze by a unanimous decision. He had won seven of the previous eight bouts, with two "Fight of the Night" bonuses. DraftKings sees Caceres as the underdog with a salary of $7,100. Throughout his UFC career (29 bouts), he averages 55.9 fantasy points per contest. This should be a very fun scrap between two lanky strikers.
--Alen Kurbasic - RotoBallerSource: UFC
5 days agoThe Washington Wizards are reportedly going to start their search to fill the head coaching vacancy within the next week or so. Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports that the team's front-runner is Brian Keefe who took over as the team's interim head coach this past season once Wes Unseld was fired. Keefe had an 8-31 record this year, but the players reportedly gave him rave reviews for his communication skills, holding players accountable, and keeping egos in check, according to Robbins. According to some speculation, other coaches that would seemingly make their interview list would be Royal Ivey from Houston, Chris Quinn from Miami, and Sean Sweeney from Dallas.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Josh Robbins
5 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals first baseman/designated hitter
Matt Carpenter (oblique) will serve as the DH for Triple-A Memphis on Friday on his minor-league rehab assignment, and he said if everything goes well, he will join the Cardinals in Milwaukee on Saturday for their weekend series against the division-rival Brewers. In five rehab games on the farm, the 38-year-old veteran left-handed hitter has gone 4-for-17 with two home runs, so he appears to be swinging the bat well. He has been sidelined since early April with a right-oblique strain. When he's back in St. Louis, he's merely going to be a lefty bat off the bench who can occasional start as the DH against right-handed pitching. The three-time All-Star should only be rostered in deep NL-only fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Rob Rains
5 days agoThe New York Yankees have transferred the minor-league rehab assignment of infielder
Oswald Peraza (shoulder) from Single-A Tampa to Double-A Somerset. Peraza is moving to Double-A after going 2-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and two walks in two games at Tampa. He's working his way back from a shoulder injury that he suffered in late February during spring training, so his rehab assignment isn't going to be a short one. But when the 23-year-old is ready to return, he could see decent playing time at the hot corner in the Bronx, depending on whether
DJ LeMahieu is back from the injured list by then. The Venezuelan infielder has looked good in the minors but has yet to make his mark in the majors yet in the last two years, slashing .216/.298/.306 with three home runs, 16 RBI and six stolen bases in 70 total games. Peraza is expected to be several weeks away from being ready to play in major-league games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Yankees PR Department
5 days agoThe Phoenix Suns seem to have completed their search for a new head coach in record time. After firing former head coach not even 24 hours before, Shams Charania has reported that the team is planning on hiring former Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer. He has eight years of head coaching experience split between his time with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. During his tenure in Milwaukee, Budenholzer boasted a 271-120 record in the regular season and 39-26 in the playoffs. He also coached the team to a ring in 2020-21 which was the franchise's first championship since 1970-71. Along with this move, the Suns will be shifting lead assistant coach David Fizdale to a front office position.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
5 days agoColorado Rockies left-hander
Lucas Gilbreath (elbow, shoulder), who has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, was pitching in the first game of his minor-league rehab assignment on April 23, when he felt discomfort at the back of his shoulder and was shut down and moved to the 60-day injured list. Gilbreath pinpointed the injury to his "teres major, in the armpit, almost -- not the labrum, and the rotator cuff in general is in really good shape." He's currently in a rest period for an injury that isn't considered major, but it's nevertheless a setback as he tries to return from Tommy John surgery. It's a tough development for the 28-year-old southpaw, but he still could return to Colorado's bullpen this year. Gilbreath didn't pitch at all in 2023 and won't be an option in fantasy once he does return.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder
Kris Bryant (back) played catch and did some light running in the outfield on Thursday. He also took infield practice at first base on Wednesday and hit in the batting cages on Tuesday and Wednesday. Manager Bud Black said that Bryant "most likely" will need a minor-league rehab assignment before he returns to the Rockies. The 32-year-old former MVP is recovering from disc and arthritis issues in his lower back and could need a lengthy rehab assignment, considering he hasn't played in a game since April 13. In a best-case scenario, he might be back in Colorado at the end of May, but that might be a little optimistic. The four-time All-Star is having trouble staying healthy on the wrong side of 30 and was just 7-for-47 (.149) with a homer and six RBI this year before he went down with his back injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoTexas Rangers pitching prospect
Jack Leiter was sent back to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday after making his second major-league start in Game 2 of the team's doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander from Vanderbilt got rocked for the second straight time in a spot start, giving up six runs (four earned) in just four innings of work against the suddenly explosive A's offense. The team's No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, looks a bit overmatched at the big-league level right now, so he'll go back to the farm to work on things as he waits for his next call-up. With Texas' starting rotation banged up right now, Leiter's next MLB chance could come sooner than later. The good news is that the former second overall pick has looked better at Round Rock, posting a 2.84 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with eight walks and 37 K's in 25 1/3 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoChicago Cubs right-hander
Jameson Taillon will no longer take the ball on Friday for the series opener against the Pirates in Pittsburgh, with
Javier Assad now lined up for the start. There has been no information given as to why Taillon has been pushed back, but he could be dealing with an injury. Left-hander
Justin Steele is set to make his third start of the year on Saturday, but the Cubs have listed their starter for Sunday's game as TBA. The 32-year-old Taillon has been stellar so far early on this season, so his fantasy managers would hate to see him dealing with an injury. So far, he's gone 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 24 innings of work. When we get an update on Taillon, we'll pass it along, but for now, make sure to remove him from your starting fantasy lineups on Friday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Sun-Times - Maddie Lee
5 days agoColorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin remained red-hot in front of goal Thursday night in Game 2 against the Stars, scoring his ninth postseason goal in a 5-3 defeat. He joined Pat LaFontaine as just the second player in league history to score in each of his team's first seven games of a postseason campaign. The Russian forward leads the goal-scoring charts with Edmonton's Zach Hyman, who has scored nine times in six games. Nichushkin's work in these playoffs includes one assist, as he sits among six Avalanche players who have averaged at least a point per game in seven contests. More success appears to be guaranteed for Nichushkin & Co., with Colorado averaging a whopping 5.00 goals per game in the playoffs.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoDallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen had a productive outing with two power-play goals in Thursday's Game 2 victory over Colorado. He had the Stars' first and third goals in a 5-3 win, joining Brian Glynn as the second blue-liner in franchise history with multiple power-play goals in a playoff game. Heiskanen boasts three goals in total and eight points in nine games this postseason. The Finnish rearguard has been a terrific performer in the playoffs throughout his career, as he has collected 53 points (13 goals, 40 assists) in 75 postseason games -- only Cale Makar (77) and Victor Hedman (69) have scored more points among defensemen since Heiskanen made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in 2019.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoDallas Stars center Roope Hintz produced his second career four-point postseason game as the team tied the Western Conference semifinals series against Colorado in Game 2 with a 5-3 victory. Hintz finally got things clicking in the offensive zone after posting only one point through his first eight appearances this postseason. He scored Dallas' second goal and had three assists, including two on the power play. Hintz will head into Saturday's Game 3 boasting the third-most three-point efforts in the playoffs among Finnish players. He moved past Sebastian Aho on Thursday with his seventh such game and now trails only Esa Tikkanen (10) and Jari Kurri (28).
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoCarolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov factored in both goals in Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Rangers. He helped Jake Guentzel get the scoring started with his sixth assist of the 2024 playoffs and sent the game past regulation with only 1:36 left to play in the third period, scoring his second postseason goal. The Russian forward posted his third multi-point performance of this year's playoffs. He's averaging a point per game through eight contests, and the Hurricanes will need another big effort from Svechnikov in Saturday's Game 4 as the team faces early elimination.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoNew York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin provided the game-winning goal as the team grabbed a 3-0 series lead against Carolina on Thursday with a 3-2 overtime win. The Russian star also collected an assist in the contest for his third multi-point effort in four games. Panarin has exploded for eight points over a four-game stretch after posting only one point through his first three postseason appearances this year. It was a worrying start from him, but Panarin has now begun to replicate his regular-season form, which resulted in a career-high 120 points.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoNew York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck contributed two assists in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win against Carolina to register his third consecutive multi-point outing. He helped Alexis Lafreniere get his third postseason goal in the third period and was also among the helpers when Artemi Panarin finished the game with 1:43 played in overtime. Trocheck has shown off incredible form in the postseason, notching five goals and seven assists. Only Edmonton's Connor McDavid (13) has more points than him, despite Trocheck playing in only seven games. He had scored in five consecutive games before coming up empty-handed with four efforts on goal Thursday night.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoNew York Rangers center Filip Chytil made his long-awaited return to the lineup in Game 3 against the Hurricanes on Thursday, logging 12:02 of ice time in a 3-2 overtime win. After missing six months with a head injury, Chytil had a quiet outing on the offensive front with zero points and one shot on goal but registered two hits. He skated on the third line with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko. The Rangers have enjoyed a perfect 7-0 start to the postseason and should be even stronger now with Chytil, who had six points in 10 regular-season appearances.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoOklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander couldn't pull out a win over the other candidate who was up for the NBA MVP award this year. He did, however, put up the most points out of anyone who played in Game 2. He ended with 33 points on 13-for-24 shooting from the floor and 1-for-3 from three. On top of that, Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in 12 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, two blocks, and two turnovers. In the midst of the third playoff run in his career, Gilgeous-Alexander has seen increases in almost every stat across the board except for three-point shooting.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
5 days agoKansas City Royals third baseman
Maikel Garcia went 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI and two runs in Thursday's victory. Garcia tallied his first hit of the night with a single in the third and then laced a double in the fifth. Later in the sixth, he knocked his second double of the game, which scored two. This excellent performance brings Garcia to a .247/.302/.396 slash line with four long balls and eight swiped bags. His underlying metrics suggest he could be in for a big summer, as he holds a strong 91.7 mph average exit velocity and 47.6% hard-hit rate, which are both well above-average among qualified hitters. Garcia should be rostered in all leagues with his potent combination of power and speed.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Angels shortstop
Zach Neto extended his hitting streak to six games with a single in Thursday's loss to the Kansas City Royals. Neto got off to a slow start but has recently begun to catch fire. Since April 29, the 23-year-old is sporting an impressive .343/.378/.543 line with two long balls and one stolen base. Neto is usually batting in the nine-hole but did move up to the two-hole twice last week and was in the seventh hole last night, suggesting that his recent performance could be rewarded with more at-bats and scoring opportunities. Neto remains an option for deeper leagues but should be considered in DFS this weekend due to his recent stretch.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic was close to another triple-double while leading the team to a win on the road in Game 2, which tied the series a game apiece. While he may have missed out on his first MVP, he didn't let that get in the way of a big road performance. Doncic posted 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block, and one turnover. He also shot 11-for-21 from the floor and 5-for-8 from deep. With the series shifting back to Dallas for the next two games, Doncic will look to build on this momentum against an inexperienced Thunder squad.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
5 days agoKansas Royals first baseman
Vinnie Pasquantino went 2-for-4 at the plate on Thursday and launched his fifth home run of the campaign. After getting off to a slow start to the season, Pasquantino looks to be rounding into form. Overall on the season, the 26-year-old has a solid .256/.340/.457 slash line, but it has been even better as of late. Since May 1, he is riding an incredible .429/.441/.714 line with 11 RBI and a 3:4 BB:K. Hitting third in the Royals lineup every day presents him with significant opportunities to get on the scoresheet while batting behind superstar
Bobby Witt Jr. and in front of backstop
Salvador Perez. Pasquantino is a solid play in any DFS matchup and should always remain in your fantasy lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoDallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington was tied for the team lead in points during their Game 2 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The former Hornet registered 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block while shooting 11-for-18 from the floor and a red-hot 7-for-11 from downtown. This is why the Mavericks made the move to bring in his services, they've needed a third scorer who can also provide defense in the frontcourt. Washington has given them spurts of brilliance while staying solid most of the way through his Dallas tenure. Through the first playoff run of his career so far, Washington is averaging 13.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Basketball Reference
5 days agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha tallied his second victory of the season against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday by tossing six innings of three-run ball (two earned). Wacha allowed just three hits but struggled with his control, giving up five free passes. He struck out six. This was a big bounce-back performance for the 32-year-old as he got chased out of his previous start on May 4 against the Texas Rangers, allowing seven earned runs in just three ⅔ innings. Wacha now sits with a 5.15 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with just 37 punchouts across 43 ⅔ innings. Wacha has done well with limiting hard contact with an excellent 35.0% hard-hit rate and sports a 4.08 xERA, suggesting he could be due for some positive regression. However, Wacha remains an option for deeper leagues and should only be deployed in favorable matchups.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoHouston Astros first baseman
Jon Singleton launched his fourth home run in the past nine games in Thursday's victory over the New York Yankees. The 32-year-old has started at first base in each of these nine games and is looking like the primary option at this position for Houston. In this stretch, Singleton has a .241/.343/.655 line, 10 RBI, and a strong 5:6 BB:K ratio. His metrics support his recent power production as he currently sits with a 9.3% barrel rate, which is above average. His recent production in the batter's box and clear role on the Houston depth chart make Singleton an intriguing add in most formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoWashington Nationals outfield prospect
Dylan Crews launched his third long ball of the season on Thursday, breaking his nearly month-long home run drought. The second overall selection in the 2023 MLB draft has an overall .236/.317/.458 slash line with four stolen bases. Crews has begun to heat up at the plate with a .261/.357/.652 line through the first seven games of May. If Crews can continue this hot stretch, he should be prompted to Triple-A fairly soon, which could provide him an opportunity to make his major-league debut later this summer. The 22-year-old should be rostered in all dynasty and keeper leagues and could become relevant in redraft formats later this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoChicago White Sox starting pitching prospect
Nick Nastrini threw 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball on Thursday and is on the verge of returning to the major leagues. Nastrini made his major-league debut earlier in April but logged only two starts before being sent down. Since then, the 24-year-old has been pitching very well with Triple-A and could be back up with the major-league team very soon. In May, he has a 1.42 ERA and 0.79 WHIP through 12 2/3 innings. The White Sox do not have strong options in their rotation after
Garrett Crochet and
Erick Fedde, which makes Nastrini a worthy stash in deeper AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoMilwaukee Brewers third base prospect
Eric Bitonti posted his first career multi-hit game and launched his first professional home run on Thursday. The 18-year-old went 3-5 at the plate with one long ball and two singles. Through four games at the Arizona Complex League, the former third-round selection has a .222/.263/.389 line. MLB Pipeline ranks Bitonti as the 13th overall prospect in the Milwaukee system. Bitonti is still several seasons away from a major league debut; however, he could become a name to monitor in deeper dynasty leagues down the road if he can reach Single-A before the end of the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies outfield prospect
Zac Veen went 4-for-5 at the plate and launched his fifth long ball of the season, and second in as many days, on Thursday. He also swiped his eighth bag of the season. Overall, Veen has a .342/.441/.633 slash line through 23 games at Double-A this season. Veen has been in Double-A for the past three seasons but has finally been able to turn things around. In 2022, he posted a .177/.262/.234 line, and last season, he had a slightly improved .209/.303/.308 line. The former ninth overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft should be promoted to Triple-A fairly soon, which can potentially set him up for a late-season major-league debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
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