RADIO
Alex Gordon Out, Lucas Duda In Wednesday
19 hours agoKansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians. Cheslor Cuthbert moves up to third in the order, where Gordon has typically been since Adalberto Mondesi's injury, while Whit Merrifield makes a rare start in left field in his usual leadoff spot. Lucas Duda makes his first start since Saturday, as the designated hitter batting sixth. Kansas City is facing starting pitcher Trevor Bauer, and Duda could be a good value play in the early slate with the platoon advantage despite batting in the bottom half of the order. Bauer is largely too talented to trust the Royals today, however.Source: MLB.com
Dinelson Lamet Could Return Next Week
19 hours agoSan Diego Padres starter Dinelson Lamet (elbow) could rejoin the rotation as early as next week. Slated for one more rehab start this weekend as he recovers from Tommy John Surgery, the Padres and the 26-year-old right-hander will have a “serious conversation” about his return if all goes well. Lamet has posted an ugly 6.16 ERA in five rehab starts but gradually rounded into form. After a rookie campaign in 2017 where he posted a 4.57 ERA and 10.9 K/9 in 21 starts, Lamet was a touted breakout candidate in 2018 before missing the entire season to injury. It’s probable his pitch count will be limited and he’ll be allotted extended rest between starts, but he’s worth a speculative fantasy pickup for the upside.Source: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
Francisco Mejia's Rising Fantasy Stock
19 hours agoSan Diego Padres catcher Francisco Mejia went 2-for-3 with a walk and solo home run in Tuesday’s victory against the Baltimore Orioles. The long ball gives Mejia two on the season and he’s hitting a crisp .368 (7-for-19) since being recalled from Triple-A on June 18. The 23-year-old former top prospect struggled in his earlier stint with the Friars, but he’s raised his OPS from .466 to .649 since the call-up. Encouragingly, Mejia has played nearly every day since returning, seemingly supplanting defense-first backstop Austin Hedges (.195 average). With increased playing time and finally porting his hitting chops to the majors, Mejia is becoming an intriguing rest-of-season fantasy option at a weak position.Source: MLB.com
Eric Sogard Takes A Seat Wednesday
19 hours agoToronto Blue Jays second baseman/designated hitter Eric Sogard is out of the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the New York Yankees. Cavan Biggio plays second base and takes Sogard's usual leadoff spot, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the designated hitter batting second, and Brandon Drury is in at third base batting eighth. Of the three, Guerrero is the best DFS play against left-handed Yankees starter James Paxton. Drury plays most rarely of the trio, and there's a reason for that with his .210/.252/.356 slash line; no DFS value to be had there.Source: MLB.com
Giancarlo Stanton Out Wednesday
19 hours agoNew York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is not in the team's lineup Wednesday after hurting his knee Tuesday night. Results from a planned MRI are not yet known. Brett Gardner takes the left field spot Stanton occupied Tuesday and bats ninth. That's too low in the order to make him a good DFS play despite a good-looking matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays and starting pitcher Trent Thornton.Source: MLB.com
Fernando Tatis Jr. Pops A Homer In Baltimore
19 hours agoSan Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. cracked a two-run homer on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles, his ninth of the season. Tatis also walked, was hit by a pitch, scored two runs and struck out twice in five plate appearances. The 20-year-old budding star continues to impress, slashing .323/.392/.585 on the season. Despite missing over a month from injury, he’s collected 59 runs-plus-RBI with nine steals to accompany the dingers. While his expected stats hint towards a severe decline in production, Tatis’ relentless hustle has made him one of baseball’s most exciting young players. Skeptical redraft fantasy owners could be keen to sell high but Tatis is a mandatory hold in any keeper or dynasty format.Source: MLB.com
Tim Anderson In Walking Boot
20 hours agoChicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (ankle) has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and is currently in a walking boot. Anderson left Tuesday’s game after hurting his ankle making a defensive play and needed help coming off the field. Anderson has not been placed on the injured list, but it is likely to happen. Leury Garcia will be at shortstop on Wednesday in a tough matchup versus Red Sox ace Chris Sale.Source: Daryl Van Schouwen
Patrick Corbin Has Great Matchup Wednesday
20 hours agoWashington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin enters Wednesday with a juicy matchup against the Miami Marlins. In addition to being one of the worst offenses in baseball, Corbin tossed a complete-game shutout in his last start against Miami. He struck out five in that outing. The southpaw is coming off a quality start against the Philadelphia Phillies in his last start and should be one of the top options on Wednesday in all formats.Source: MLB.com
Max Scherzer Dominates on Tuesday
20 hours agoWashington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer cruised to an easy win against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Scherzer went eight innings, allowing just one run on five hits to go along with 10 strikeouts. He improved to 7-5 on the season. The veteran ace has righted the ship after a rough start to the year and remains one of the top pitchers in all of fantasy baseball. Scherzer will take an elite 2.52 ERA into his next start against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.Source: MLB.com
Robbie Ray Takes Hard-Luck Loss Tuesday
20 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray was hit with a tough loss on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ray tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits to go along with nine strikeouts. The southpaw was cruising through six innings before coughing up two runs in the seventh. The D-backs could not bail him out, and Ray fell to 5-5 on the season. He will take a 3.90 ERA into his next start against the San Francisco Giants this weekend.Source: MLB.com
Dee Gordon Busts Slump With A Pair Of Hits
20 hours agoSeattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon went 2-for-5 with an RBI double and a run scored in the team's 8-3 win over the Brewers. He's now had back-to-back multi-hit games as he's slowed down his offense considerably since returning from a wrist injury on June 11. The biggest concern is the fact that he has just one stolen base since May 17, tanking his overall fantasy value. Gordon has 13 thefts on the season with three homers, 21 runs and a .273 batting average, not stellar totals given his draft-day cost. With his at-bats coming primarily as the ninth hitter in the lineup, Gordon is droppable in shallow mixed-leagues unless you're absolutely desperate for stolen bases. It's possible the 31-year-old gets dealt before the trade deadline which may alter his fantasy outlook, but as a member of the Mariners, it's looking like a bust season.Source: MLB.com
Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier Toss Scoreless Frames
20 hours agoBoston Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes earned his 12th hold Tuesday after a scoreless seventh inning against the White Sox. Barnes struck out two and walked a batter. The righty was relegated to middle relief after a blow up appearance on June 22, when he allowed three runs in less than an inning of work. Reliever Ryan Brasier also tossed a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a hit and striking out a pair. The 31-year-old has been spotless in nine of his last 11 appearances, dating back to May 31. Brandon Workman recorded his third save of the season on Tuesday, while Barnes has four, and Brasier has seven to his name. The latter two will continue to get late-inning opportunities with a save chance sprinkled in there, but manager Alex Cora runs a bullpen-by-committee and it seems there's no signs of that changing.Source: MLB.com
Brandon Workman Notches Third Save
20 hours agoBoston Red Sox relief pitcher Brandon Workman earned his third save Tuesday in a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. Workman allowed one hit and struck out two in his scoreless final frame. The 30-year-old's 1.70 ERA is Boston's lowest, and his .101 opponent batting average is the lowest in the majors for pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched. His 7-1 record also places him tied for first in wins for a reliever. He will continue to get late inning, high-leverage opportunities but there is no guarantee they will be save chances as that is how manager Alex Cora runs his bullpen. Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier will continue to get similar chances, making this an extremely volatile bullpen for fantasy purposes. Workman can be owned in leagues that have a large amount of RP slots, as he will help in the win and ERA column, but don’t expect a bevy of saves.Source: MLB.com
David Price Delivers Against White Sox Tuesday
21 hours agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price went six innings, while allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and striking out nine in a 6-3 win over the White Sox. The veteran southpaw was both efficient and filthy, throwing 72 of 97 pitches for strikes, while generating 17 swing-and-misses. It was Price's fourth game this season with nine or more punchouts. After a shortened outing in his previous rotation stop, the Red Sox let the 33-year-old go to work on Tuesday. His June has been fantastic, if you toss out the six-run clunker where he didn't get out of the second inning against the Rangers. On the year, he is 5-2 with a 3.36 ERA, 82/15 K/BB, and a 1.12 WHIP. The Red Sox have Thursday and Friday off to travel to London, but Price’s next start should be on the road, next week, against the Blue Jays. He can be in lineups and should prove to be a solid cash game DFS option.Source: MLB.com
Max Fried Picks Up Ninth Win Of The Season
21 hours agoAtlanta Braves starter Max Fried allowed two runs on two hits through six innings of work during Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. He struck out eight batters but struggled a bit with his control by walking five. The 25-year-old is now 9-3 on the season with a 3.96 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 84/27 K/BB rate. Fried has become a top-35 arm in fantasy formats with his success this season. He'll look to keep it rolling against the New York Mets in his next projected start.Source: MLB.com
Ozzie Albies Hits Go-Ahead Home Run To Beat Cubs
21 hours agoAtlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies was 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk during a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. Albies has rediscovered his power stroke in June with five HRs, after hitting a single HR during May. The 22-year-old is slashing .285/.347/.468 on the season with 12 HR, 42 RBI, and 50 runs scored. Albies is one of the top young infielders in baseball and plays in a potent lineup. Start him each day without question.Source: MLB.com
Ronald Acuna Hits 19th Home Run On Tuesday
21 hours agoAtlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna was 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk during a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. Acuna has been cold over his past seven games, posting a .172 average with two RBI. Despite the small stretch of inefficiency, the 21-year-old is slashing .289/.370/.506 on the season with 19 HRs, 51 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. He is a premier young talent that can be rolled out in all formats without hesitation.Source: MLB.com
Clayton Richard Takes Loss Despite Quality Start
21 hours agoToronto Blue Jays starter Clayton Richard allowed three runs on eight hits through six innings of work during a 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees. He struck out a single batter while walking one. The 35-year-old is now has a 0-4 record on the season to go along with a 6.89 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, and 15/16 K/BB rate. He has no fantasy value, regardless of who he is facing.Source: MLB.com
Xander Bogaerts Hits Go-Ahead Two-Run Bomb
22 hours agoBoston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning of a tie game Tuesday to put the Sox ahead 5-3. It was his lone hit on the night but made it count notching two runs (one on an error) and two RBI on the night. Bogaerts and Rafael Devers have held down the middle of the lineup while J.D. Martinez has been struggling. Bogaerts is now rocking a .297/.389/.537 triple slash with 61 runs, 15 homers, and 53 RBI. In comparison to 2018, Bogaerts had only 72 runs and 23 homers in just about double the at-bats as he has this year. It looks like the Red Sox and fantasy owners were smart to invest in the 26-year-old, as he's playing just about as well as any other shortstop in the league right now.Source: ESPN
Rafael Devers Goes 4-For-4 In Win
22 hours agoBoston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI in the Red Sox win over the White Sox on Tuesday night. Devers has enjoyed a massive breakout this year with 57 runs, 12 homers, 49 RBI, eight stolen bases, and a triple slash of .308/.362/.503. The 22-year-old has a bright future ahead of him if he can continue his dominance at the plate and improved defense. Fantasy owners who took their shot on him later in the drafts have been rewarded handsomely and should continue to ride the breakout. He should be started in all fantasy formats. It would likely cost a lot to acquire him and rightfully so at this point.Source: ESPN
Brendan McKay Could Be Called Up In Early July
22 hours agoTampa Bay Rays No. 2 ranked prospect Brendan McKay could be called up sometime in July. With Tyler Glasnow (forearm) suffering a setback, the 23-year-old may get the opportunity to pitch at the big league level soon. McKay has made five appearances (25 innings) in Triple-A and posted a 1.08 ERA with a 0.76 WHIP. He only needed seven starts in Double-A before getting his next promotion and his stay in Triple-A may end up being close to that as he could be called up to start for a July 13 doubleheader against the Orioles. Note that this may be a slightly aggressive projection, but he is now worth stashing in all leagues in anticipation that he receives the call-up sometime in July.Source: Marc Topkin Twitter - Tampa Bay Times
Tommy Pham Staying Hot
22 hours agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder Tommy Pham has continued to post an excellent average and on-base percentage despite somewhat disappointing counting stats. Pham has hit .318 with a .414 OBP in the past month, but only posted 14 runs, three homers, nine RBI, and one stolen base. No one would consider this a bad month, but the runs and RBI were expected to be much better with Pham and the improved Rays lineup. There has been some inconsistency in front and behind Pham in the lineup contributing to that. Fantasy owners should take note that all of his statcast hitting categories are way above average. Bet on Pham to keep the average and OBP up and likely turn in more counting stats in the second half.Source: ESPN
Blake Snell Beat Up Again
23 hours agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell only lasted 3 1/3 innings on Tuesday against the Twins. He allowed seven runs on 11 hits and posted four strikeouts before exiting after 80 pitches. Snell has been downright awful lately combining to pitch only seven innings in his last three starts. This brings him to a surprisingly bad 5.01 ERA and 1.34 WHIP on the season. Despite the rough ratios, Snell has struck out 105 batters in 79 innings which has kept his value from completely sinking. It's not time to worry about Snell just yet as some of his peripherals suggest he can turn it around (3.47 FIP, 3.19 xFIP, and 3.56 SIERA). This is likely the best buy-low opportunity fantasy owners will see for Snell, and for those who have him, he's only worth trading for a top-50 player at least. He's still a must-start pitcher with a mediocre matchup against a solid Rangers lineup next time out.Source: ESPN
Tyler Mahle Takes Eighth Loss On Tuesday
23 hours agoCincinnati Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle struggled in his Tuesday start against the Los Angeles Angels. Mahle gave up four runs in five innings, striking out four and walking two. He was done in by the long ball as he served up two to the Angels in the loss, a solo shot, and a three-run shot. Mahle's record dropped to 2-8 with a 4.35 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 84 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings of work. The young right-hander has shown improvement this season, even though his record doesn't indicate it. He will take on the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for his next start.Source: www.MLB.com
Max Kepler Leaves Early After Getting Hit On Elbow
23 hours agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler left Tuesday's game early after getting hit by a pitch on the right elbow. Kepler went for X-rays on Tuesday, which came back negative. He is scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday on what the team is saying is a contusion. Kepler had gone 0-for-2 in the game before the injury. He is having a fantastic season, hitting .272 with 19 homers, 51 runs, 51 RBI, and one steal. Expect the team to update his status at some point on Wednesday.Source: Brandon Warne on Twitter
Kyle Gibson Strikes Out Seven In Eighth Win
23 hours agoMinnesota Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson picked up his eighth win in a 9-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Gibson allowed four runs in seven innings while striking out seven and walking one. The veteran improved his record to 8-4 with a 4.26 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 86 2/3 innings of work. He has been solid this season but has struggled a bit with inconsistency, which is keeping him from being a locked-in starting option every week. Gibson will next take the mound on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. He should be worth starting in fantasy for that outing.Source: www.MLB.com
Mitch Garver Homers, Drives In Three
24 hours agoMinnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBI in a 9-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Garver went deep in the eighth inning for his 12th dinger of the season, tacking on an insurance run for the Twins. It was his first start since last Thursday when he left early with soreness in his heel. Garver is putting together an excellent season, batting .305 with the 12 homers, 29 runs, and 31 RBI. He should be owned in all fantasy leagues going forward, considering his excellent production at a position where that can be tough to find.Source: www.MLB.com
Alex Young To Make MLB Debut On Thursday
1 day agoArizona Diamondbacks left-handed starting pitcher Alex Young will be recalled from Triple-A Reno to make his major league debut Thursday in San Francisco, manager Torey Lovullo said. Young has posted a 6.09 ERA across 54 2/3 innings, but he has managed 64 strikeouts. Don't put too much stock into his ERA in the PCL, as most pitchers struggle since many games are played at elevation, causing ERAs to balloon. With Jon Duplantier, Taijuan Walker and Luke Weaver out due to injury, and Zack Godley struggling out of the 'pen, the Snakes have to go deep on the organizational depth chart for help. Young isn't worth using in most fantasy leagues at this point.Source: The Arizona Republic - Julia Stumbaugh and Nick Piecoro
Ketel Marte Not Yet Cleared For The Outfield
1 day agoArizona Diamondbacks second baseman/outfielder Ketel Marte (groin) is being eased back into action and he has only been cleared to play in the infield so far. Manager Torey Lovullo is not yet positive when Marte will be able to play the more strenuous position of center field. However, with the return of first baseman/third baseman Jake Lamb (oblique), Eduardo Escobar might be shifted to second base to open up third base for Lamb. Second is currently occupied by Marte. Lovullo will have to be awfully creative to get everyone in the mix, but you can expect him to find a spot for Marte somewhere. He is just too valuable.Source: The Arizona Republic - Julia Stumbaugh and Nick Piecoro
Eduardo Escobar Could Shift To Second Base
1 day agoArizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar might be shifted over to second base with first baseman/third baseman Jake Lamb (oblique) activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game. Christian Walker has been playing well at first base, and Escobar has been solid at third, so manager Torey Lovullo will have to get creative with his defense/lineup to get everyone in the mix. It's a good problem to have. Escobar is a solid fantasy option in many formats for his eligibility at corner and middle infield, and he is having a strong season for the Snakes.Source: The Arizona Republic - Julia Stumbaugh and Nick Piecoro
