Austin Meadows Hits Leadoff Homer In Opener

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Austin Meadows hit a home run off Justin Verlander to open the season on Thursday. He went 1-for-4 on the day, with the homer being his only hit. Later in the game he also made a nice sliding catch in the field. Batting leadoff for the Rays combined with his power […]

Christin Stewart Jacks Game-Winning Homer

Detroit Tigers outfielder Christin Stewart notched just one hit in Thursday's action, but it was a big one. The rookie slugger cranked a two-run homer off Daniel Hudson in the top of the 10th inning for what would ultimately become the deciding factor in the game. Stewart hit 23 home runs at Triple-A Toledo last […]

Wil Myers Powers Padres Offense

San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers went 2-for-2 with a home run and walk on Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants. Myers accounted for the entirety of the Friars offense, adding an RBI single to his solo long ball. Expected to be a permanent fixture in the outfield this season after shuffling around positions […]

Bryce Harper Wins First Game as a Philly

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper won his first game as a Philly on Opening Day on Thursday. He went 0-for-3 with a run, walk and two strikeouts. Harper started this season off batting third in the Phillies lineup. With Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto batting behind him, Harper will be challenged more this season. He has […]

Andrew McCutchen Has a Big Day Out of Leadoff Spot

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a home run, two runs, an RBI and a walk on Thursday on Opening Day to start his Phillies tenure. McCutchen led the game off with a home run off Braves starter Julio Teheran. He did little more to produce after that, other than a walk and a […]

Rhys Hoskins Opens the Season in Grand Fashion

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins went 1-for-3 with a grand slam, walk, two runs and four RBI on Opening Day on Thursday. It was a beautiful start for Hoskins and his owners. This was the first grand slam of Hoskins' career. It came in the bottom of the seventh inning with no outs off Braves reliever […]

Christian Yelich Smashes First Home Run On Opening Day

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich went 1-for-2 with a three-run homer and two walks in Thursday's win against the Cardinals. There has been a lot of talk over the off season on whether or not Yelich could reproduce the power that led him to the 2018 MVP, and Thursday's 407-foot homer looks to answer […]

Harrison Bader Hits an Opening Day Home Run

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader hit a home run on Opening Day, finishing 2-for-3. Bader hit eighth in this one, but he's likely to force his way up in the lineup and carries some legitimate sleeper appeal in mixed leagues. The Harrison Hype Train is gaining steam, jump on before it gets too full.

Aaron Judge Scores Three Runs In Win

Back at his familiar positions of starting right fielder and No. 2 hitter for the New York Yankees, outfielder Aaron Judge was the catalyst his offense needed. The 26-year-old recorded two hits and scored three runs as the Yankees were victorious over the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Day. Judge's first his was his club's first hit, […]

Shin-Soo Choo Sits On Opening Day

The Texas Rangers opted to start outfielder Hunter Pence as the designated hitter on Opening Day over fellow veteran Shin-Soo Choo against the Chicago Cubs. Choo, a left-handed batter, was benched in favor of an extra righty against the lefty starter. Rangers manager Chris Woodward specifically said Pence was with the club to help against left-handed […]

Starling Marte Scratched On Opening Day

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte has been scratched from the Opening Day lineup as he deals with migraines. Veteran Melky Cabrera will play right field and bat second in his place on Thursday, while J.B. Shuck will start in center and bat seventh. Marte, 30, is coming off a season that saw him hit a […]

Victor Victor Mesa Playing In Games

Miami Marlins outfield prospect Victor Victor Mesa (hamstring) has resumed playing in minor league games after being shut down this spring. The team will make a decision in the next few days on whether he goes to High-A Jupiter or extended spring training. The 22-year-old Cuban was signed last fall and is already the team's […]

Mitch Haniger Batting Leadoff Against Red Sox

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger is starting in right field and batting leadoff in Thursday's home opener against Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale. Haniger is one of Seattle's best hitters, but batting leadoff will take away precious RBI opportunities. He's 0-for-5 in his career against Sale, but he should be a lineup lock in […]

Chad Pinder Playing Second Base, Batting Sixth Thursday

Oakland Athletics infielder/outfielder Chad Pinder is playing second base on Thursday and bats sixth. Pinder started in left field twice during the Japan series, but now moves to second base as Jurickson Profar (batting fifth) takes the injured Matt Olson's place at first. Pinder posted strong Statcast numbers last year and could provide solid power […]

Max Kepler Leading Off Opening Day

Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler gets the leadoff spot for Opening Day at home against Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians. Kepler is a popular sleeper pick and if he regularly bats ahead of Jorge Polanco, Nelson Cruz, and Eddie Rosario, that should help his runs scored count. Kluber may not be the best […]

Ketel Marte Batting Sixth, Playing Center Field

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Ketel Marte is playing center field and batting sixth against the Los Angeles Dodgers and pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu on Opening Day. Marte, who ought to have a consistent starting role in light of Steven Souza Jr.'s devastating knee injury, is also eligible at second base and shortstop and could have a breakout […]

Franmil Reyes Batting Cleanup, Hunter Renfroe Not In Lineup

San Diego Padres right fielder Franmil Reyes is playing right field and batting fourth, while Hunter Renfroe is not in the starting lineup for Opening Day. Reyes and Renfroe were competing for the right field spot in spring training. How much playing time each gets will have a big effect on their fantasy value and […]

Connor Joe Gets The Nod In Left Field

San Francisco Giants outfielder Connor Joe is starting in left field and batting sixth on Opening Day on Thursday against Padres starter Eric Lauer in his major league debut. Michael Reed is starting in right field and hitting seventh. Both Joe and Reed should see decent playing time in the Giants rebuilding outfield to start […]

Teoscar Hernandez in Three Hole to Start Season

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez got the coveted third spot in their batting order for Opening Day against Jordan Zimmermann and the Detroit Tigers. Hernandez was a bit of a sleeper during draft season on account of his strong Statcast numbers but uncertain playing time. If he hits third with regularity he could turn […]

Adam Jones Batting Leadoff On Opening Day

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Jones is batting at the top of the lineup on Opening Day against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Steven Souza Jr. (knee) out for the year, Jones will get everyday playing time in the outfield. The veteran had a modest season in 2018, batting .281 with 15 home runs and 63 […]

Kyle Schwarber Left Out Of Opening Day Lineup

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber will be absent from the team's Opening Day lineup on Thursday. The Cubs will face left-handed pitcher Mike Minor and manager Joe Maddon does not like to deploy Schwarber versus lefties. Outfielder Mark Zagunis will replace Schwarber and bat ninth. Zagunis had a nice spring, but can be ignored outside […]

Jose Osuna Placed On Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed outfielder Jose Osuna (neck) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday. Osuna had a chance to be on the Opening Day roster as a bench bat, and he likely would've seen some playing time in right field with Gregory Polanco (shoulder) not expected to return until May. Instead, Melky Cabrera will […]

Lewis Brinson At The Top Of The Lineup On Opening Day

Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson is batting in the leadoff spot against the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day. The centerpiece of the Christian Yelich deal had an encouraging spring that saw him hit .278 with five home runs and eight RBI through 54 at-bats. He will hope to carry over that success to the regular […]

Kev's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

That's GOLD, Jerry! GOLD! RotoSurgeon here with my first ever "gold predictions" piece. Many of you may not be familiar with my work because I have not been with RotoBaller as long as some of my esteemed colleagues. It is reasonable to not trust nor care about what I say because of my lack of […]

Victor Robles Hitting Ninth On Opening Day

Washington Nationals outfielder Victor Robles is starting in center field and batting ninth on Opening Day on Thursday against Mets starter Jacob deGrom. The 21-year-old Robles had 17 hits in 59 at-bats (.288) and three home runs in 21 games for the Nats last year and has a lot of upside, but his ceiling is […]

Lonnie Chisenhall Out 4-6 Weeks With Broken Hand

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall (hand) will be out four to six weeks with a broken hand, reports The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. He was hit-by-pitch in Monday’s spring training game against the Astros and was immediately pulled from the game. Chisenhall’s career has been marred by injuries but the Pirates are now forced to use […]

Melky Cabrera Batting Seventh On Opening Day

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Melky Cabrera will be the starting right fielder and bat seventh against the Reds on Opening Day on Thursday. Cabrera gets the nod after expected starter Lonnie Chisenhall (hand) was pulled from Monday’s spring game after being hit-by-pitch. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Thursday morning that Chisenhall has a broken […]

Eloy Jimenez To Bat Fifth In Big League Debut

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez will bat fifth in his big league debut Thursday. Jimenez is one of the best prospects in the game and is a candidate for Rookie of the Year. Jimenez isn’t in the best lineup, but the potential is there for him to be a big contributor this year in […]

Ronald Acuna Beginning Season In Four Hole

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna is in the cleanup spot in the Atlanta Braves Opening Day lineup. After setting the world on fire to the tune of a .328/.409/.634 slash line as a leadoff hitter in 2018, the Braves are placing Acuna into more of a run-producing spot this season. Hitting directly behind other MVP candidates Josh […]

Using Sabermetrics For Fantasy Baseball Part 15 - Ballpark Factors

If you have ever selected a streamable pitcher based on home park or benched an otherwise must-start arm at Coors Field, you already know how much a stadium can impact a player's bottom line. Ballpark Factors quantify the influence each stadium has, allowing you to make the most of your fantasy team's real-life schedule. Today, […]