4 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith busted out of his postseason slump in a big way on Sunday, hitting a two-run homer to break open Game 6 of the NLCS. Smith got a hold of a
Phil Maton fastball and sent it over the center field wall in the third inning to put the Dodgers up 6-1. The veteran backstop has had a tough go in these playoffs, going 5-for-35 (.143 AVG) with one homer and four RBI coming into this one. That will all be forgotten now, though, as Smith made his mark on the series-clinching game and will look to ride this momentum in a blockbuster World Series matchup against the New York Yankees.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani set the table for the rest of the offense in Game 6 of the NLCS, going 2-for-4 with a walk in a 10-5 victory. Ohtani also scored two runs and drove in one. The 30-year-old had a terrific NLCS overall, going 8-for-22 (.364 AVG) with an astounding nine walks to set up the Dodgers offense for success all series. He also hit two homers, drove in six, and scored nine runs over the six games. Ohtani was certainly in contention for NLCS MVP, but just lost out to
Tommy Edman. The 700 million-dollar man will now get his first taste of the World Series in a matchup between two of baseball's biggest franchises, the Dodgers and the New York Yankees.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Tommy Edman was named the NLCS MVP after a series-clinching Game 6 win over the New York Mets. Edman had another big game to seal the honor, going 2-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double, two runs scored, and four RBI. The 29-year-old was an RBI machine in this series, driving in 11 runs over the six games. He also batted .407 and scored five runs. There was some tough competition with the Dodgers' star-studded lineup, but Edman proved himself worthy even if he isn't as big of a name. Los Angeles has to be pretty happy with their mid-season acquisition of Edman.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
4 weeks agoNew York Yankees designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton went 1-for-4 with a two-run shot in Game 5 of the ALCS and was named MVP of the series against the Cleveland Guardians. His two-run shot off Cleveland right-hander
Tanner Bibee tied the game in the sixth inning. During the ALCS, the 34-year-old hit four home runs in five games with seven RBI. Across October, Stanton has carried an excellent .294/.385/.794 line with five total home runs. The slugger will be a popular pick in DFS formats during the World Series, as he has been swinging a scorching bat.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Juan Soto hit a go-ahead three-run shot in the 10th inning to power the Yankees to a victory in the ALCS on Saturday over the Cleveland Guardians. During this game, Soto went 3-for-5 but was able to drive in the game-winning run to bring the Yankees back to the World Series for the first time since 2009. In the 10th inning, Soto would hit his third long ball of the postseason off Cleveland right-hander
Hunter Gaddis. During October, Soto has carried a stellar .333/.439/.667 slash line. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic debut season in the Bronx, as he has boasted a .419 on-base percentage with 41 home runs, and he will remain a popular pick in DFS during the World Series.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher
Nestor Cortes (elbow) is set to throw another bullpen session early next week and could make the World Series roster, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. The southpaw has been progressing well from the flexor strain he suffered in September and has begun to log successful bullpens over the past week. If the 29-year-old is able to have another successful session in the coming days, he could return in time to help the Yankees capture their 28th World Series. During the summer, Cortes held a 3.77 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 174 1/3 innings of work.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chris Kirschner
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman (ankle) was seen participating in batting practice on Saturday, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ardaya further reported that the first baseman should be expected to return to the starting nine on Sunday after sitting out earlier in the series due to an ankle injury. The 35-year-old has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury throughout October and has been unable to find consistency in the batter's box as he carries a mere .219/.242/.219 line through the postseason. During the regular season, the former World Series champion saw a slight decline in production but still boasted an excellent .282/.378/.476 slash line. Despite his recent struggles, Freeman will be a popular pick in DFS this evening as he will likely bat in the top half of the Los Angeles starting nine.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
4 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith (hand) was lifted from Game 5 of the NLCS after taking a foul ball off his hand. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that the backstop was taken for X-rays, but the tests were negative. As a result, DFS players should expect the primary catcher to be behind the dish this evening as the Dodgers hope to clinch the series victory over the New York Mets. During the postseason, the 29-year-old has posted an underwhelming .143/.268/.229 line with one home run and four RBI. He will face a difficult matchup this evening against Mets southpaw
Sean Manaea, who has held a strong 2.65 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP across 17 innings in October.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
4 weeks agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Tanner Bibee hopes to keep Cleveland's season alive as they face the Yankees in a potential elimination game on Saturday evening. Bibee got the starting nod in Game 2 of the ALCS but lasted only 1 1/3 innings after allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) with only two strikeouts. During the ALDS, Bibee made two starts and logged eight 2/3 innings, only allowing two runs while striking out nine. During the regular season, the right-hander posted a solid 3.47 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP after 173 2/3 innings of work. The 25-year-old remains a solid pick in DFS formats but faces a tough Yankee lineup that has hit right-handed pitching at a strong .803 OPS this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher
Carlos Rodon looks to clinch the ALCS for the Bronx Bombers on Saturday evening against the Cleveland Guardians. The southpaw got the nod in the series opener and performed exceptionally well, as he tossed six frames of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out nine. This was an excellent bounce-back for Rodon, as he served up four earned runs and seven hits across 3 2/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS. During the regular season, the 31-year-old posted a 3.96 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Rodon will be a popular pick in DFS due to his ability to generate whiffs but faces a tough task, as the Guardians have hit left-handed pitching quite well this summer at an .813 OPS.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoCleveland Guardians outfielder
Will Brennan remains out of the starting nine for Game 5 of the ALCS. Brennan has made only two starts this entire postseason so far, one in each series. As a result,
Jhonkensy Noel will cover right field and bat in the six-hole. Brennan has carried an underwhelming .167 AVG throughout the postseason with four strikeouts. Noel has begun to heat up at the plate after going hitless during the ALDS. In the ALCS, Noel has gone 2-for-4 with a two-run shot but faces a difficult matchup on Saturday evening against
Carlos Rodon, who allowed just one run in his previous outing.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoCleveland Guardians first baseman/designated hitter
Kyle Manzardo is not in the starting nine for Game 5 of the ALCS. Manzardo has tallied a hit in each of the past three games in the ALCS but will take a seat as the Yankees send out southpaw
Carlos Rodon in hopes of clinching the series victory. As a result,
David Fry will serve as the designated hitter, and
Josh Naylor will cover first base. During the postseason, the former second-round pick has carried an impressive .294/.294/.529 line with one home run and two RBI. Manzardo will likely be deployed as a pinch-hitter later in the game, but it is best to leave out of your DFS lineup as he may only get one at-bat.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoCleveland Guardians catcher
Bo Naylor is returning to the starting nine for Game 5 of the ALCS after sitting out in Game 4. Naylor will be behind the dish and bat in the seven-hole. Naylor did not tally a hit during the ALDS and has begun to work out of his slump, as he is currently gone 2-for-7 against the Yankees with one extra-base hit. During the regular season, the 24-year-old posted an underwhelming .204/.264/.305 line with 13 home runs and six stolen bases. He will face Yankee southpaw
Carlos Rodon, who is coming off a strong outing where he held the Guardians to just one run across six frames while striking out nine and is best to fade in DFS.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoNew York Yankees designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton is returning to the cleanup spot on Saturday evening after batting in the five-hole in the previous game. As a result, third baseman
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is moving down to the five-hole. Stanton has been swinging a scorching bat through the entire postseason, and he is currently carrying an impressive .300/.400/.767 slash line with four home runs and nine RBI. The 34-year-old has only gone hitless in two games during October. The power hitter will be a popular play in DFS formats this evening, facing
Tanner Bibee, as he has gone deep in two straight games.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 weeks agoCleveland Guardians closer
Emmanuel Clase's rough 2024 postseason continued on Friday night against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. Clase was brought into a 6-6 tie game in the ninth inning and proceeded to allow two earned runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one in his inning of work to take the loss, his second in six appearances this October. An error by shortstop
Brayan Rocchio didn't help matters, but Clase now has a 10.29 ERA (7.17 FIP), two losses and a blown save in his six playoff outings this year after he was the best closer in baseball during the regular season. It looks like the 26-year-old Dominican flamethrower has tired down the stretch, but the Guardians will need him to turn it around if they hope to win three straight and get back to the World Series.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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