1 day agoHouston Astros starting pitching
Ronel Blanco looks to continue his hot start to the season when he faces the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City on Saturday. Blanco has been one of the bigger surprises of the season so far, starting off with a bang by throwing a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in his season debut. He's been the Astros' best starter, posting up a 1.33 ERA with 22 K in 27 innings pitched. His xwOBA of .232 ranks in the top 6% of the league, pointing to the fact that what we're seeing may be real results and Blanco hasn't been lucky. He'll face a tough test in Mexico City. Maybe not necessarily because of his bleak opponent, but because of the altitude at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu which sits nearly 2,000 feet higher than Coors Field. If he can keep control of his pitch mix then Blanco should keep on rolling on Saturday in what would normally be a very favorable matchup.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Houston Astros
1 day agoSan Diego Padres center fielder
Jackson Merrill (groin) is back in the lineup on Saturday for a tilt against
Ranger Suarez and the Philadelphia Phillies. Merrill had been dealing with groin tightness and was scratched prior to Thursday's game against the Colorado Rockies. After missing two games the rookie appears to be in a better spot and his tightness has subsided. Merrill has had a solid start to the season, slashing .318/.378/.409 in 98 PA for the Padres. Expectations may need to be tempered in his return on Saturday, though, as Merrill has been much less effective against lefties. He should be avoided Saturday in DFS formats, but will have a string of right-handed matchups coming up over the next week that will make him a viable option in most fantasy formats.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
1 day agoThe Chicago Cubs traded first baseman
Garrett Cooper to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations on Saturday. The Red Sox will be taking on the remainder of Cooper's $1.75 million salary for 2024. Cooper was designated for assignment by the Cubs earlier in the week. Boston has been decimated by injuries to start the season, including their starting first baseman
Triston Casas who suffered a torn cartilage in his ribs last week. That injury spurred the need for Boston to add a first baseman to the roster and Garrett Cooper appears to be their man, at least in the immediate future. Cooper slashed .270/.341/.432 in 41 PA for the Cubs, a line that easily exceeds the production the Red Sox are seeing from
Bobby Dalbec. Fantasy managers should grab Cooper off the waiver wire as he should be thrust into a starting role fairly quickly.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Craig Mish
1 day agoThe New Orleans Saints selected South Carolina quarterback
Spencer Rattler with the No. 150 pick in the fifth round on Saturday of the 2024 NFL Draft. The drought is over as a new quarterback record of 138 picks between selections of
Bo Nix (12th overall) and Rattler. The 23-year-old slipped further in drafts than anticipated and ended up in New Orleans. He had a 99.1 passing rating, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt with a 19:8 TD: INT ratio for South Carolina in 2023. Some of Rattler's strengths are that he has a solid pocket presence and excellent footwork. Rattler will compete for a chance to back up starter
Derek Carr, but the rookie QB is mainly an option in dynasty leagues heading into 2024 fantasy drafts.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network
1 day agoJohn Hunter Nemechek was in a rough accident last week at Talladega. Some in the industry, including Kevin Harvick, squarely blamed him for the incident. Nemechek had that wonderful run at Bristol going from 26th to sixth despite corded tires. Again, on Saturday, the Legacy Motor Club driver had issues which caused him track position. Nemechek begins Sunday afternoon 34th. It is the second time the Toyota driver has started 30th or worse. The No. 42 car lost a good deal of speed and grip coming off Turn 4 as his lap times approached 24 seconds in practice. Warmer temperatures may allow positive place differential on Sunday.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
1 day agoDaniel Hemric showed a little extra speed in his Kaulig Racing car. Along with A.J. Allmendinger, the team fielded two cars in the Top 15. That is significant. Hemric starts from the 14th position but rebounded from a 25th place average in practice. By merely gaining several tenths of a second, Hemric, like Allmendinger, showed their Chevy can handle the turns (particularly Turn 4). The 33-year old qualifying inside the Top 20 in consecutive races shows tangible signs of progress. Hemric finished ninth last week at Talladega. Though Dover is a unique one mile track, Hemric illustrated he can drive and survive.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
1 day agoToronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews was on the ice for Saturday's morning skate ahead of Game 4 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins. The superstar didn't practice Friday due to maintenance but will play in a pivot Game 4 on Saturday. Matthews led the charge with a game-winning goal and two assists in a Game 2 win on Monday but has been held off the scoresheet in two of the first three games of this series. The 26-year-old enjoyed a historical regular season that included 69 goals and 107 points on 369 shots on goal across 81 games. The Maple Leafs trail the Bruins 2-1 in the series entering Saturday's action.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: David Alter
1 day agoKaz Grala did not have the best time of Saturday. His Rick Ware Racing car hit the wall pretty hard in practice. As a result, Grala will start 35th on Sunday at Dover. The driver in the No. 15 Ford has struggled to an average finish of 27th in 2024 in nine races. Turn 4 caused an issue with several drivers but Grala never had a chance to save the car. Expectations for the Ford car are pretty low as Grala has had a tough time generating much pace other than Atlanta where he finished 14th early in the season. Minimal place differential is possible but again the "Monster Mile" is a different animal.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
1 day agoNashville Predators forward Michael McCarron has been fined 2K for interference on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Casey DeSmith. The 29-year-old put a shoulder into the netminder behind the net while DeSmith was playing the puck at 12:25 of the first period on Friday. McCarron was handed a two-minute minor for interference on the play. McCarron enjoyed by far the best season of his career in the 2023-24 campaign, setting career highs across the board with 12 goals, 10 assists, 94 shots, 142 hits, and 100 penalty minutes. If he can continue to ascend while providing that type of physicality, there's a chance he could become fantasy-relevant for leagues that count hits next season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoTodd Gilliland showed signs of improvement the past few weeks with a 13th at Martinsville and then an eighth at Talladega. The Front Row Motorsports driver has led 91 laps in four separate races in 2024. One still wonders what might have been at Dayton and especially Atlanta. However, Gilliland remains steadfast in improving his average finish of 22.7. He has raced in the Top 15 more and more often. The No. 38 car shows place differential potential at Dover. He improved six spots in 2022 and ten in 2023. Starting 30th on Sunday might provide a nice springboard from a DFS fantasy perspective.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
1 day agoAustin Dillon starts from the 23rd position for the Wurth 400 on Sunday afternoon from Dover. The Richard Childress Racing driver can take little solace that Kyle Busch is on the pole. Dillon is struggling mightily in the No. 3 car in 2024 with an average finish of 25.2. This is the worst mark of his career since becoming a full-time driver in 2014. He has one Top 10 result and has steadily regressed on the "Monster Mile" the past few seasons. Dillon dropped from 14th to 23rd to 27th. The Next-Gen car has not been kind as his hot seat could get a little hotter.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
1 day agoWashington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk has been ruled out for Game 4 of the team's first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Sunday. The blueliner took a questionable hit from Rangers tough guy Matt Rempe during the first period of Friday's 3-1 Game 3 loss and did not return to the game. Rempe was issued a two-minute minor for interference on the play. The veteran has averaged 15:53 of ice time so far in these playoff games but also played just 3:27 on Friday while skating at least 20:25 across the first two games of the series. The Capitals are also without defensemen Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen, and Vincent Lorio but all three haven't been ruled out for Sunday. The Capitals will need a win to avoid a four-game sweep.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoDallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque could make his NHL postseason debut on Saturday when the Stars travel to Vegas to take on the Golden Knights. The 22-year-old could be a replacement for either Mason Marchment or Radek Faksa who are both listed as game-time decisions on Saturday. The Stars selected Bourque with the 30th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft but he has appeared in just one NHL game so far. His lone NHL contest came this season but Bourque notched 26 goals and 77 points across 71 games with the AHL's Texas Stars this season, pacing the league in scoring in the process.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoNashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney is out week to week due to an upper-body injury suffered during the second period of Friday's Game 3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old has appeared in all three postseason games for the Preds so far and has averaged 10:59 of ice time but it appears he is done for at least the first round of the postseason. Stastney appeared in 20 regular-season games for the Preds, notching two goals and four points while he also appeared in 44 games with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, tallying five goals and 20 points in that time. Dante Fabbro and Tyson Barrie are options to replace the blueliner for Sunday's Game 4 in Nashville.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoAccording to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) is in a walking boot. The Bucks have been without
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), with head coach Doc Rivers reporting the multi-time MVP isn't expected to return for Game 4 of the series with the Pacers. It also appears Lillard could miss that contest as well. The former Trail Blazer suffered an Achilles injury early in Friday's overtime loss. While he managed to finish the game, Milwaukee might be down their primary scoring options on Sunday and beyond.
Khris Middleton, who almost missed Game 3 with an ankle issue, will have plenty of weight to carry if Lillard and Antetokounmpo are both sidelined. In addition,
Bobby Portis,
Brook Lopez,
Patrick Beverley, and
Pat Connaughton may also benefit on the scoring end.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
1 day agoNew York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin shut down the Washington Capitals again in Game 3 on Friday, leading the team to a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round series. Shesterkin has won all three games so far, posting a .933 SV% and 1.67 GAA. The Rangers haven't needed much help from Shesterkin to dispose of the Capitals, but he's been steady anyway. If he continues his solid play, the Rangers could be in for a long playoff run.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoChicago Cubs left-hander
Justin Steele (hamstring) is moving on to the next step of his rehab and is likely to pitch for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, according to skipper Craig Counsell. The 28-year-old tossed 47 pitches in an extended spring game in Arizona on Friday and has seemingly come out of the outing feeling fine. The southpaw tossed 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball on Opening Day against the Texas Rangers but suffered a hamstring strain that has cost him significant time. Steele was in Cy Young contention for much of the 2023 season before struggling late in the year but still posted a 3.06 ERA and a 19.6% K-BB% on the back of an elite 5% BB% across 30 starts a season ago.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Meghan Montemurro
1 day agoNew York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad continued his strong start to the postseason on Friday, posting two more assists in Game 3 against the Washington Capitals, helping the team take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Zibanejad had a bit of a down year, by his standards, with 72 points (26 goals, 46 assists) in 81 games, which was his lowest points-per-game since 2017-18. He looks fine now though, with five points in just three playoff games. He will be a key part of the Rangers playoff run and will need to continue producing at a high rate, especially once the competition stiffens.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Parker Meadows is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the visiting Kansas City Royals. The young outfielder's tough season continued with an 0-for-2 effort in Friday's series opener, although he was robbed of a home run by the Royals'
Adam Frazier at the right field wall. Meadows has been a major disappointment for fantasy managers who took a chance on the 24-year-old in drafts this spring as he's hitting just .079 (5-for-63) with two homers, three steals, and a .400 OPS across 72 plate appearances. He has posted a 12.5% BB% and has been bitten by a tiny .127 BABIP but he has also struck out in a whopping 40.3% of his plate appearances. His elite defense in center field has kept him in the big leagues but it wouldn't be surprising to see the club option him to the minors if his disastrous start at the plate continues.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoWashington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (upper body) left Game 3 against the New York Rangers on Friday after taking a massive hit from Matt Rempe. The hit was called for interference but was only given a two-minute penalty. It seemed to be a grey area hit, with fans of the Rangers arguing that it was clean while Capitals fans thought it deserved more than just a two-minute call. Either way, van Riemsdyk appears to be in danger of missing Game 4, which could be the last game of the Capitals season if things don't turn around.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Sammi Silber
1 day agoTampa Bay Rays right-hander
Aaron Civale will look for a bounce-back effort on Saturday when he takes on the Chicago White Sox on the road. Civale was touched up for five earned runs on eight hits and a hefty five walks while striking out five across just 4 2/3 innings in his last start against the Yankees. The rough outing was a rare one as the 28-year-old had allowed just seven runs across his first four starts of the season and he allowed two runs or fewer across his first three starts of the campaign. Civale will enter Saturday's contest sporting a 3.90 ERA and a healthy 19% K-BB% on the back of an increased 26.7% K% across 27 2/3 innings of work.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoWinnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon (hand) suffered an injury after the final whistle in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday. The two teams got into a massive scrum after the Avs beat the Jets 6-2 to go up 2-1 in the series, and Dillon appeared to cut his hand badly during the fracas. Head coach Rick Bowness didn't have an update on the veteran defender after the game, but if he unable to go in Game 4 it would not be a surprise.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Mitchell Clinton
1 day agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Adolis Garcia is not in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander
Hunter Greene. It appears it's simply a day off for the slugger after the two teams played a night game on Friday when Garcia went 0-for-3 as part of a 2-1 series-opening win. The 31-year-old is enjoying a massive start to the 2024 season, hitting .290 with seven home runs, four stolen bases, and a .906 OPS across 27 games and 110 trips to the plate. While he slugged a career-high 39 home runs last season, Garcia swiped just nine bags after a 25-steal 2022 season. Fantasy managers will certainly welcome back his speed to begin this season while he continues to offer big-time power as one of the top outfielders in fantasy baseball.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoBoston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman appears to be the starting goalie for Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Swayman has been brilliant so far, winning both his starts while posting a .955 SV% and 1.51 GAA. Although the Bruins went with Linus Ullmark in Game 2 and head coach Jim Montgomery implied they were going with a rotation, it appears that the organization has changed its approach after seeing the results of the first three games.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Fluto Shinzawa
1 day agoToronto Maple Leafs defenseman T.J. Brodie will make his 2024 playoff debut on Saturday in Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Boston Bruins. Brodie had been a healthy scratch in each of the team's first three games, but head coach Sheldon Keefe has decided to bring the veteran defender in after going down 2-1 in the series. Brodie should be able to help out the team's penalty kill, which has been brutal so far. Timothy Liljegren will be the odd man out on Saturday and Brodie will take his spot on a pairing with Joel Edmundson.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Jonas Siegel
1 day agoToronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander (undisclosed) is expected to play in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins on Saturday. Nylander missed the first three games of the series with an undisclosed injury that has been widely speculated on, but the team hasn't confirmed what the injury was. Willy will slot back into the third line and first powerplay unit and the team will hope that he can provide an offensive spark. Connor Dewar will be healthy scratched if Nylander does end up playing.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Jonas Siegel
1 day agoThe New York Mets have placed outfielder
Starling Marte on the bereavement list while infielder
Mark Vientos has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take his spot on the active roster. The 35-year-old has been off to a hot start this season, hitting .288 with four home runs, six stolen bases, and a .769 OPS across 111 trips to the plate, good for a 119 wRC+ that sits 19% above the league average. Marte plummeted down draft boards after a 2023 season that saw him hit .248 with only five homers alongside 24 stolen bases and a .625 OPS across 86 games in 2023, by far the worst offensive season of his career. However, he has rewarded managers who bet on a bounce back in drafts this spring.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: New York Mets
1 day agoBaltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (elbow) is slated to rejoin the Baltimore rotation, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The 27-year-old made three rehab appearances with Triple-A over the past two weeks and is officially on his way to the major leagues. Bradish looked great in his final rehab appearance on Friday, where he tossed five innings of one-run ball with ten punchouts. Last season, Bradish posted an overall 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP but was especially outstanding down the stretch, where he posted a 2.34 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in the second half. Bradish should be rostered in all formats. He should be given ample opportunities to win games behind an excellent lineup and provide strong ratios.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Roch Kubatko
1 day agoThe Seattle Seahawks selected Michigan tight end
AJ Barner with the No. 121 overall pick in the fourth round on Saturday in the 2024 NFL draft. Barner is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-6, but his lack of production in four seasons at Indiana and Michigan (64 catches, 610 yards, five touchdowns) leaves a lot to be desired as he moves to the next level. The 21-year-old also isn't extremely athletic, but he'll have some opportunity in Seattle to make a name for himself as he starts out behind
Noah Fant and
Pharaoh Brown on the tight end depth chart in his rookie season in 2024. Fantasy managers should only consider Barner as a developmental prospect in deep rookie-only drafts this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
1 day agoOne sneaky option in DFS tournaments this weekend at Dover is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The JTG Daugherty Racing driver has struggled for much of the season, but has shown speed in the intermediate package this year, which is what the Cup Series is running this weekend. Additionally, Dover has been a decently strong track for Stenhouse, as he has posted finishes of 15th and second in the two Next Gen era races here. Additionally, Stenhouse has ended up 16th or better in six of his last nine starts at this track. The No. 47 Chevrolet will roll off the grid from 17th for this weekend's Würth 400 and at just $6,500 on DraftKings, Stenhouse looks to be one of the low-priced drivers that it would be worth being overweight on in tournaments this weekend.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Speedway Digest
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