Yordan Alvarez Homers Twice In Sweep Of Mariners

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez helped lead the team to a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners this week. Across the three-game series, he went 3-for-9 with two home runs, three walks, three RBI and three runs scored. Alvarez is currently fourth in the majors in home runs with eight, but he's played in fewer […]

Changes to the Baseball in 2022 (And What To Do About It In Fantasy)

Offensive production has been down quite a bit early on in the season, and there has been plenty of grumbling about the state of the baseball, including from some Major League players. At the time of this writing, the league triple-slash line (AVG/OBP/SLG) sits at .232/.306/.370 and we have seen a significant reduction in homers […]

Finding Breakout Hitters for Fantasy Baseball: Chase Rate Early-Season Metrics

In an earlier article on Blast Rate, I mentioned that this was the time of year that some hitting metrics start to stabilize. While many of us want to focus on exit velocity and hard-hit rate because they lead to more exciting outcomes, I think focusing on plate discipline metrics can be just as important. […]

Joc Pederson Back In Lineup Against Dodgers

San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson (groin) is back in the starting lineup for the series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff against right-hander Tony Gonsolin. Pederson pinch hit on Tuesday for his first game action since April 27, when he strained his right […]

Andrew Vaughn Expected To Be Placed On Injured List

Chicago White Sox outfielder/first baseman Andrew Vaughn (hand) will "most probably" be placed on the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox. He's been sidelined since last Friday after being hit in the hand by a pitch. It's unclear exactly how much time Vaughn will miss. X-rays came back […]

Nick Senzel, Tyler Naquin Placed On The COVID-19 IL

Cincinnati Reds outfielders Nick Senzel and Tyler Naquin were placed on the COVID-19 injured list on Wednesday. Senzel and Naquin were initially in the starting lineup but were placed on the IL before Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. It's unclear if either player tested positive for the virus or if they will have to […]

Teoscar Hernandez Should Return On Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (oblique) is expected to return from the injured list on Thursday. He has been sidelined since April 13, but appears ready to get back on the field. Hernandez will play another rehab game on Wednesday before hopefully rejoining the big league team on Thursday. Hernandez was hitting very well […]

Max Kepler Could Be Available Off Bench

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (illness) could be available off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. He was removed from Tuesday's game due to an illness, so he'll sit out on Wednesday for the same reason. The fact he is likely able to pinch-hit means Kepler should be able to avoid a […]

Byron Buxton Absent From Wednesday's Lineup

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is not part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Kyle Bradish and the Baltimore Orioles. Gilberto Celestino will be covering center field and batting ninth in the game while Luis Arraez will be leading off. Buxton is off to a hot start to the month of May. Through […]

Joey Gallo Returns To Action On Wednesday

New York Yankees outfielder Joey Gallo (groin) will be back on the field following a three-game absence on Wednesday when the team takes on Yusei Kikuchi and the Toronto Blue Jays. He'll be covering left field and batting seventh in the game. Gallo was sidelined due to groin tightness. The 28-year-old slugger has only mustered […]

Taylor Ward Out Against Red Sox

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward is not in the starting lineup against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. It will be Ward's first day off since he returned from the injured list on April 16. He went 0-for-3 on Tuesday, but he still leads the league with a .371 batting average, .480 on-base percentage, […]

Nick Castellanos Back Wednesday, Alec Bohm Leading Off

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday after sitting out on Tuesday after his wife went into labor. He was never placed on the paternity list and is back in right field while hitting second on Wednesday against Texas Rangers left-hander Martin Perez. Meanwhile, third baseman Alec Bohm moves […]

Max Kepler Out Of The Lineup Wednesday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (illness) is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Kepler left the game early on Tuesday because he was feeling under the weather, but the good news is that he tested negative for COVID-19, so he should be back soon. Trevor Larnach is starting in right […]

Ramon Laureano On Track To Return Sunday

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano remains on track to join the team when he's eligible to return from his suspension on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Laureano dealt with a minor injury while playing in the minor leagues, but he's good now and should be making his season debut for […]

Tony Kemp In Wednesday's Starting Lineup

Oakland Athletics second baseman Tony Kemp is back in the lineup on Wednesday. Kemp got the day off on Tuesday but will hit leadoff against the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Corey Kluber. So far this season, Kemp is batting .234 with a .318 on-base percentage and two stolen bases in 88 plate appearances. Fantasy […]

Seth Brown Is In Wednesday's Lineup

Oakland Athletics outfielder Seth Brown is in the team's starting lineup for a Wednesday matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Corey Kluber. Brown is batting .176 with a .260 on-base percentage, two home runs, and a stolen base in 77 plate appearances so far. The 29-year-old is hitting fifth against Kluber and the […]

Kevin Kiermaier On The Bench Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is on the bench for Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics and right-handed starter Frankie Montas. Kiermaier is hitting .193 with a .258 on-base percentage and a pair of home runs in 62 plate appearances so far this season. Instead, it'll be Brett Phillips starting in center field and […]

Avisail Garcia Sitting Against Lefty On Wednesday

Miami Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against left-hander Madison Bumgarner and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brian Anderson is shifting over to cover right field for the game. Garcia has had a quiet start to the 2022 season. Over 20 games, he's slashing .177/.207/.253 with one home run, three […]

Yadier Molina Back In, Juan Yepez Making MLB Debut

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (illness) is back behind the dish and is hitting eighth on Wednesday against Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic. Also, outfielder Juan Yepez is making his major league debut in right field, and he will hit fifth in the batting order. Molina missed Tuesday's game with sinus issues, but […]

Bryce Harper Goes 0-For-4 In Tuesday's Loss

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in the team's 6-4 loss to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. The 29-year-old is currently in the midst of a bit of a slump at the plate. In this past weekend's series against the New York Mets, he managed just one hit over […]

Joc Pederson Pinch Hits In Tuesday's Game

San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson (groin) made an appearance in Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He came on as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning of the game and wound up striking out in his only at-bat. Pederson had been out since April 27 due to a Grade 1 adductor […]

LaMonte Wade Jr. Slashing .357/.524/.714 At Triple-A

San Francisco Giants outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. (knee) is currently in the midst of a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento. He has played in five games for the River Cats and he is slashing .357/.524/.714 with one home run, two doubles, five walks and no strikeouts. The 28-year-old has yet to make his 2022 debut […]

Kyle Lewis Homers In First Rehab Game

Seattle Mariners outfielder Kyle Lewis (knee) began his rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday with a bang. He homered in his first at-bat of the game and went 3-for-5 overall with three RBI and two runs scored. The 26-year-old has been out since last spring after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee. […]

All-In-One MLB DFS Staff Picks and Analysis 5/4/22 (Premium Content)

All-In-One MLB DFS Staff Picks and Analysis for 5/4/22 All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Another split slate Wednesday, but a decent-sized seven-game night slate to play. Let's talk about some plays.   Top Hitters for 5/4/22 I'm going to give you my favorite hitters on the slate here with […]

Aaron Judge Homers, Plates Three Tuesday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge continued his strong start to the season in Tuesday's 9-1 win over the Blue Jays, going 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run, three RBI, and three strikeouts. The 30-year-old has brought the power early in the season, slashing .303/.361/.674 with nine HR, 19 RBI, and two stolen […]

Nelson Cruz Injured Tuesday Night

Washington Nationals designated hitter Nelson Cruz (back) left the game early on Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies due to back stiffness. Manager Dave Martinez said the team will see how Cruz feels on Wednesday. The 41-year-old veteran slugger went 0-for-3 with a strikeout before he was removed from the game in the seventh inning. […]

Teoscar Hernandez Homers, Doubles In First Rehab Game

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (oblique) went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and a run scored in his first minor league rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday. Hernandez played eight innings in right field. The 29-year-old has been out of action since April 13 with a left oblique strain, but […]

Max Kepler Leaves With Illness Tuesday

Updating a previous report, Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (illness) left the game early on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles because he was under the weather. Kepler tested negative for COVID-19, so fantasy managers can rest assured that he won't have to miss extended time while on the league's COVID injured list. The 29-year-old left-handed […]

Max Kepler Removed From Tuesday's Game Against Baltimore

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler was removed from Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. He went 0-for-2 before leaving. Trevor Larnach replaced Kepler in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old has been locked in at the plate recently, slashing .317/.429/.659 with four home runs, nine RBI, eight walks, and a 1.087 OPS over his last 13 […]

Mike Yastrzemski Could Return Wednesday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (illness) is expected to be activated from the COVID-19 list ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He tested positive for COVID-19 last week and has been sidelined since then. The 31-year-old is slashing .267/.340/.356 with a home run, three RBI, and six runs scored in […]