🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Yesterday's Studs and Duds: Fantasy Baseball Recap from 5/5/16

Kyle Bishop takes a look around MLB, and analyzes yesterday's fantasy baseball studs and duds for 5/5/16. These players can be sleepers and busts for fantasy baseball owners.

Every day, we will be taking a quick look at the best and worst fantasy baseball performers from yesterday's games. We saw three teams get shut out (one in 10 innings), while another scored 13 runs in a single frame.

Here's a quick look at those who impressed on Thursday, and those who want to pretend the day never happened.

Editor’s Note: To read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple Store.

 

Fantasy Baseball Studs

Jaime Garcia (SP, STL): Naturally, the same day I go in on Garcia, he throws a beauty. Granted, the Phillies aren't quite an offensive juggernaut, but Garcia was fantastic. He struck out five, allowed just a pair of singles, and needed only 82 pitches to cruise through seven innings. Still bearish long-term, but tip of the cap for a job well done.

Edwin Encarnacion (1B, TOR): E5 got off to a slow start this year, but homered for the second consecutive game last night. He also doubled twice, scored twice, and drove in six runs as the Blue Jays ran roughshod over the Rangers.

Jose Altuve (2B, HOU):  Altuve makes his second consecutive appearance on this list after going 4-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored, and two RBI. What a beast this dude is. Comparing him to Jeff Keppinger back in the day remains one of my more egregious misses as a fantasy writer.

Robinson Cano (2B, SEA): The only other player at the keystone within shouting distance of Altuve in the early going. Cano went 3-for-5 and knocked in four runs, helping the Mariners defeat Altuve and the Astros. (Side note: "Altuve and the Astros" would probably be a great prog-rock band.)

Ben Zobrist (2B/OF, CHC): Zobrist extended his RBI streak to four games, driving in four of the Cubs' five runs in a win against the Nationals. He also homered for the second straight game. This team looks every bit as good as expected, even with Kyle Schwarber injured and Jason Heyward struggling.

Trevor Story (SS, COL): It was a good night for middle infielders, folks. Story hit his first homer of the month and added a couple of singles, scoring twice and driving in three. Remember when people were concerned about Jose Reyes taking his job? Truly a more innocent time in America.

Nick Castellanos (3B, DET): Castellanos just keeps racking up hits. He's taken the collar only once since April 12 and six of his last seven games have been the multi-hit variety. Last night he homered and doubled, scoring two runs and knocking in three more, to raise his OPS to 1.018. When you're hitting this well, you don't need walks.

Michael Brantley (OF, CLE): Brantley had been pretty underwhelming since returning from offseason shoulder surgery, but was in vintage form last night. He singled in four of his five trips to the plate, driving in three runs and coming around to score one himself.

 

Fantasy Baseball Duds

Nelson Cruz (OF, SEA): The M's pounded out a dozen hits in their win over the Astros. Cruz didn't get any of them, finishing 0-for-5 with a strikeout and three runners stranded. He'd gone 3-for-4 the previous night with a two-run bomb. Can't win 'em all. Well, his team won, but you know what I mean.

Paul Goldschmidt (1B, ARI): Goldschmidt took the collar for the second straight night, going 0-f0r-4 with two whiffs. That lowered his average to a very un-Goldy .232. Have to figure that turns around soon enough, but the consensus top first baseman has been a disappointment through the first month of action.

Chris Davis (1B/OF, BAL): Davis also struck out twice in the process of going hitless in four trips to the plate. It's a lot less surprising to see his batting average in the low .200s than it is Goldschmidt's, but still not something his owners wanted to see. He's at least doing what he's expected to in the other cats, with seven homers and 37 R+RBI so far.

Derek Holland (SP, TEX): Oof. Most owners probably sat him given the matchup, but those who didn't suffered for their folly. Holland was lit up for 11 runs and 11 hits in just 2.2 innings by the Blue Jays. He also walked three and didn't strike out anyone. And yet he wasn't even the worst pitcher on Thursday night.

That dishonor is reserved for Vin Mazzaro, who despite his complete lack of fantasy relevance deserves a mention in this space. Matt Cain was yanked in the fifth inning of the Giants-Rockies game after allowing a Gerardo Parra single that made it 6-3 in favor of Colorado. Mazzaro came in and dropped an atom bomb on the fire. He allowed both inherited runners to score, plus nine more before Bruce Bochy put him out of his misery. His final line: Seven earned, six hits, one walk...and one out. Back in 2011, he allowed 14 (!) runs in 2.1 innings. He had to figure that would be the worst day of his professional life, but last night's disaster was arguably even more awful. Poor bastard.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Philip Rivers

Will Start on Sunday Against the Seahawks
De'Von Achane

Expected to Play Monday Night
Rome Odunze

Bears Optimistic Rome Odunze Will Play in Week 15
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Return to South Carolina in 2026
Cason Wallace

Off Injury Report Saturday
Keyonte George

Erupts for Career-High 39 Points Against Memphis
Bones Hyland

Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Isaiah Joe

To Miss Fourth Straight Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Removed From Injury Report
Austin Reaves

To Be Re-Evaluated In One Week With Calf Strain
Logan O'Connor

Still Not Ready for Season Debut
Lukas Dostal

Activated From Injured Reserve
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Ruled Out for Weekend's Action
Connor Bedard

Ruled Out for Saturday
Zeev Buium

Canucks Acquire Zeev Buium From Wild
Marco Rossi

Moves to Vancouver
Quinn Hughes

Traded to WIld
Joel Embiid

Available Against Indiana
Ja Morant

Back on Friday Night
Rickard Rakell

Available Saturday
Tre Jones

is Returning on Friday
Coby White

Cleared for Action Versus Hornets
Jake Ferguson

Listed as Questionable for Week 15
Bo Horvat

Ruled Out for Saturday
Tre Johnson

to be Limited in Return on Friday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Could Return Monday
Geno Smith

Officially Ruled Out for Week 15
Victor Hedman

to Be Out Until February
Kenny Pickett

to Start in Week 15 Against Eagles
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Available on Friday
Jared McCann

to Miss Three Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
Tyrese Maxey

Under the Weather on Friday
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Face the Broncos
Victor Wembanyama

Expected to Return on Saturday
Stuart Skinner

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Acquire Tristan Jarry From Penguins
Anthony Edwards

Sidelined on Friday Evening
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Questionable for Week 15
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
T.J. Watt

Officially Ruled Out for Monday Night
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Davante Adams

to be Questionable, Expected to Play on Sunday
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Sunday
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Alvin Kamara

Ruled Out for Sunday
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Jayden Daniels

Not Cleared for Contact
T.J. Watt

Undergoes Surgery for Collapsed Lung
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
Kennedy Nzechukwu

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 112
King Green

Returns At UFC Vegas 112
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 112 Main Card
Jake Ferguson

on Track to Play in Week 15
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
Jayden Daniels

Cleared for Contact
Tee Higgins

Ruled Out Against Ravens
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 15, Expected Back This Year
Josh Jacobs

"Feeling Pretty Good," Will Practice on Friday
Daniel Gafford

Still Unlikely to Play Friday
Brady Cook

to Get Starting Nod for Jets in Week 15
Khris Middleton

Misses Second Straight Game
Collin Sexton

Sidelined Again Versus Bulls
Tee Higgins

Absent From Practice on Friday
Coby White

On Track To Suit Up Versus Charlotte
Tre Jones

Expected To Play Friday Vs. Hornets
Ayo Dosunmu

to Miss Friday's Game Vs. Hornets
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff
Joel Kiviranta

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Lars Eller

Departs Early Versus Blue Jackets
Viktor Arvidsson

Makes Early Exit Against Jets
Bo Horvat

Suffers Lower-Body Injury in Thursday's Win
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Sustains Lower-Body Injury
Roope Hintz

Exits Loss With Injury
Logan Cooley

to Miss at Least Eight Weeks
CFB

Bryce Underwood Could Leave Michigan Without Buyout
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Padres Not Considering Trading Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Engaged in "Serious Talks" Around Trading Tarik Skubal at the Winter Meetings
CFB

Chris Brazzell II Declaring for NFL Draft
CFB

Fernando Mendoza Named AP College Football Player of the Year
Raisel Iglesias

to Remain the Braves Closer
Robert Suarez

Agrees on Three-Year Deal With Braves
CFB

Sherrone Moore Remains in Police Custody
CFB

Joe Klanderman Joining Baylor Coaching Staff
CFB

Kentucky Hiring Jay Bateman as Next Defensive Coordinator
Si Woo Kim

Closes 2025 With Strong Finish Among Putting Woes
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Rebound in 2026 After Down Year Off the Tee
Brian Harman

2025 Season a Step Back Despite Spring Win
Sam Burns

' Elite Putting Headlines a Solid 2025 Season
Sepp Straka

Ends Stellar 2025 Campaign on a High Note
Robert MacIntyre

Closes Out a Steady 2025 Campaign
CFB

Chip Kelly Interviews for Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

Louisville Receiver Chris Bell has a Torn ACL
Min Woo Lee

Breaks Through to Win in Texas This Year
PGA

Alex Noren Wins Twice on European Tour This Year
Wyndham Clark

has Up-and-Down 2025 Golf Season
CFB

Michigan Fires Head Coach Sherrone Moore
Corey Conners

Comes Close to Winning Again in Very Good 2025
Justin Rose

Turns Back the Clock in 2025
CFB

Jim Knowles Expected to be Hired as Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator
Harris English

Enjoys Solid Finish at Hero World Challenge
CFB

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Not Being Retained at Penn State
CFB

Indiana's Stephen Daley Done for Season After Post-Game Injury
Pete Alonso

Orioles Finalizing Five-Year Deal
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP