DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (6/1/18): MLB DFS Lineups

We have a full 15-game slate scheduled for Friday and all games are set for 7:05pm (EST), or later. That means we have a stocked player pool from both the pitching and hitting aspect of DFS. Seven of the games have an over/under of at least nine total runs and only one team is a […]

Holds Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds for Week 10

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire in Week 10. One-inning middle relievers are the constant sources for holds and specialists can manage to secure a hold even with one out. However, while specialists can get many […]

MLB Closers and Saves Report Week 10

The Mariners and Rays lit up the stove last week with the first major trade of the season, with the Rays sending Alex Colome and Denard Span to the Mariners. Colome had finally started to figure things out as the Rays closer, but he immediately moved into a setup role behind Mariners star closer Edwin […]

Week 10 Waiver Wire: H2H Category Streamers

I like to consider myself a pioneer of the streaming approach. I won a league about seven years ago completely ignoring saves and just stacking up the starts each week. While streaming is undoubtedly more directly associated with pitching, there's plenty of value in streaming for offense as well. Maybe you have a stacked roster […]

Tim Lincecum Pitches Two Scoreless Innings

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Tim Lincecum (blister) had a good outing at Triple-A on Wednesday. Lincecum pitched two scoreless innings in his latest outing but had two walks and zero strikeouts. This outing lowers Lincecum's ERA for the season to 6.17, and it will offer some encouragement to the Rangers. Texas has until Wednesday, June […]

Ryan Yarbrough Strikes Out Nine Thursday Versus Oakland

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough struck out nine versus the Athletics Thursday. He came into the game to relieve Ryne Stanek, who had already given up two runs. Yarbrough would go 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, but the Rays offense did not wake up until the ninth inning and would lose. He has […]

Seranthony Dominguez Picks Up Six-Out Save

The Philadelphia Phillies yet again had a different reliever close out a game for them. This time it was reliever Seranthony Dominguez, who picked up his second save of the season after two clean innings in the Phillies 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. You really never know who will finish off games lately […]

Brad Ziegler Removed from Closer Role

Before Thursday night's game, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly confirmed that relief pitcher Brad Ziegler will no longer be the closer going forward, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Kyle Barraclough seems to be the best candidate to replace Ziegler, having posted a 1.48 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 9.99 K/9 over 24 1/3 innings this […]

Felipe Vazquez Implodes On Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez did not record a single out on Thursday, blowing a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and taking the loss against the St. Louis Cardinals. Entering the game with an 8-5 advantage, he gave up a double to the first batter he faced. Following a fielding error, […]

Kyle Barraclough Could Take Over as Miami's Closer

In a post-game interview on Wednesday night, Marlins manager Don Mattingly suggested that reliever Kyle Barraclough could get a chance at save opportunities in lieu of struggling closer Brad Ziegler going forward. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that Mattingly mentioned Barraclough as the one most likely to take over as closer, with Drew Steckenrider and […]

Tom Koehler Throws Bullpen Session Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tom Koehler (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Thursday. He is currently working his way back from a right shoulder injury he suffered during spring training. It's unclear when Koehler plans to begin his rehab assignment, but he isn't expected back until at least mid-June. He'll likely fill a long-relief spot […]

Ian Krol Clears Waivers, Outrighted to Triple-A

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Ian Krol cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake. Krol only pitched in one game in LA, throwing two scoreless innings while striking out two. He amassed a 5.33 ERA in 49 innings last season and is unlikely to have much, if any, impact on a fantasy roster this […]

Angels Claim Oliver Drake

The Los Angeles Angels have claimed right-handed pitcher Oliver Drake off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Drake has pitched in parts of four big league seasons, owning a 4.81 ERA in 106 2/3 innings. He also sports a 1.51 WHIP but an excellent 10.0 K/9. Drake is likely just bullpen depth for the Angels and […]

Ryan Madson Activated Off DL

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ryan Madson (chest) was activated off the disabled list on Thursday. Madson had been sidelined with a chest strain after pitching in three of four games during the series at Arizona a couple weeks back. Madson is a nice waiver wire target in holds leagues and deeper leagues where a heavy […]

Blake Wood Undergoes Successful Tommy John Surgery

Los Angeles Angels reliever Blake Wood (elbow) underwent successful surgery on his UCL on Wednesday. The typical recovery is 12 to 14 months, so Wood likely won't be back until midseason of 2019. Wood had thrown 11 2/3 innings on the year with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He can be dropped in […]

Ben Taylor Optioned to Triple-A Columbus

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Ben Taylor was sent down to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. The move was made in order to make room for Thursday's starter, Shane Bieber. Taylor has appeared in six games at the big league level this season, tossing six innings while allowing four runs on six hits and a walk, but […]

Mike Mayers Back Up to the Cardinals Bullpen

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Mike Mayers was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday and will join the bullpen once again. Mayers has bounced back and forth between St. Louis and Memphis several times already this season and will likely continue the pattern throughout the season. He's been solid in his big league chances so […]

Austin Pruitt To Provide Length Friday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Austin Pruitt will relieve Sergio Romo on Friday. Pruitt will provide the length to the start and will attempt to bridge the gap from Romo to the rest of the bullpen. Pruitt has made four outings since returning to the Rays roster. His first outing was bad, as he surrendered […]

Sergio Romo To Start Friday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Sergio Romo will get his fifth start of the season Friday against the Mariners. Romo was successful in his first two starts, striking out six and giving up zero earned runs. In the next two starts, he gave up four earned runs combined and managed to pitch just an inning […]

Felipe Vazquez Picks Up 10th Save

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez worked out of a jam to pick up his 10th save of the season against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The southpaw allowed a pair of singles in the ninth inning, but he was able to retire Kris Bryant via a groundout to preserve the 2-1 win. After leaving Sunday's […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for June 1

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. We are always ready to stream. For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your neediest categories, and target players who may be […]

Homer Bailey Moved To Bullpen

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey has been moved to the bullpen and out of the starting rotation, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. This move was expected, as Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman announced on Tuesday that he had been contemplating the move. Luis Castillo will now start on Sunday in place of Bailey. The 32-year-old has […]

Robert Gsellman Picks Up Save For Mets

With the fledgling New York Mets nursing a two-run lead in the eighth inning and the best hitters in the Atlanta Braves lineup coming up, the team opted to use normal closer Jeurys Familia in the frame to stay on top. That means they needed someone else to close things out in the ninth, and […]

Jeurys Familia Pitches Eighth Inning In Atlanta

Before the season started, New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway was consistent in saying he was not going to have a set closer, but that he would rather play the matchups. Through the season’s first 52 games, Callaway did not stay true to that statement and used incumbent closer Jeurys Familia as the team’s closer. […]

Making Moves: Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice for Week 9

Happy Thursday Fantasy Baseball players! This week's mailbag dives into some of the bigger names in the game this week such as Noah Syndergaard, Mookie Betts, and Manny Machado. Be sure to send you trade questions and trade offers to me @MattWi77iams on Twitter for a chance to be included in next's weeks "Making Moves" […]

Rookie Report: Recent MLB Prospect Call-Ups (Week 9)

Juan Soto is running the major leagues. Is that an overstatement? Absolutely. Will that be an overstatement in three years? Probably still yes but there's a shot the answer is no. That's what makes Soto so intriguing to watch. In addition to Soto continuing his high-level play early in his career, we are seeing a […]

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (5/31/18): MLB DFS Lineups

We've got 11 games spread between four slates today, with the main slate beginning at 7pm and featuring nine games. I'll be covering players across all slates, including the early. In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/31/18. The lineup picks will range from some […]

Relief Pitcher Prospect Rankings (May) - 2018 Impact Rookies

The nature of relief pitchers is such that it is nearly impossible to predict with any certainty who will produce at the major league level. Often times, especially in keeper and dynasty leagues, stashing relief pitching prospects is simply not worth the trouble because they rarely contribute in fantasy in the beginning of their career. […]

Keone Kela Gets 12th Save Wednesday

Texas Rangers closer Keone Kela locked down his 12th save of the season despite giving up an earned run on two hits. Kela has had mixed fortunes this season and now owns a 4.43 ERA through 20 1/3 innings in 2018. However, the walks that plagued Kela early have not been an issue of late, […]

Brad Ziegler Blows Save Against Padres, Falls to 0-5

Miami Marlins closer Brad Ziegler blew his first save of the season on Wednesday night, as the Padres got the walk-off 3-2 win over the Marlins. Ziegler recorded only one out in the appearance, allowing two runs — one earned — on two hits and two walks. It's yet another bad outing for Ziegler, who […]