4 days agoPhillies ace
Zack Wheeler had another down day on Sunday and ultimately was handed his first loss of the season. Wheeler went six full innings against the Cardinals, allowing seven hits, one walk, and four earned runs in the 89-pitch outing. He recorded just three strikeouts, his lowest game total of the season and his fewest since recording a pair in a four-inning outing on May 12 of last season. Wheeler allowed 11 baserunners and five earned runs in his previous start, against the Braves. Through four starts in the young season, Wheeler is 1-1 with 28 strikeouts, a 4.07 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP. Wheeler should be able to right the ship in his next start. He is slated to face the Marlins at home on April 18.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoRoyals catcher
Salvador Perez hit his second home run of the year on Sunday, contributing to Kansas City's eventual 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Perez came to the plate in the fourth inning with
Vinnie Pasquantino already on first and tagged a hanging breaker from pitcher
Ben Lively for the Royals' first runs of the game. It wound up as Perez's only hit of the game. Perez went 3-for-11 with today's home run and three total RBI in the series against Cleveland. Perez was drafted as a top-five catcher, but so far he has turned in a .213 batting average and nine RBI. It is too early in the season for fantasy managers to turn their backs on one of MLB's most productive backstops. Up next for Perez is a three-game set against the Yankees, followed by four games against the Tigers.
--Dan Stephens - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoChicago Cubs relief pitcher
Ryan Pressly picked up his fourth save of the season on Sunday, slamming the door on the Dodgers in a 4-2 win. He pitched a scoreless ninth with one strikeout and no hits or walks. It was his first save since April 4th, which was the last time the Cubs found themselves in a save situation. After giving up runs in each of his first two appearances of the year, Pressly has managed to avoid any earned runs in his five games since. He holds a 3.38 ERA on the season and looks locked in as the Cubs full-time closer.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoHouston Astros starting pitcher
Hayden Wesneski shined on Sunday, punching out 10 in a 7-3 win over the Angels. He allowed three runs on five hits and no walks in six innings. His sweeper was his most effective pitch in the outing, inducing seven whiffs on 13 swings. This was his third straight good start to begin the year, as he's yet to give up more than three runs in a start. He has looked like a new pitcher since joining the Astros and is a solid option off of the waiver wire.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoHouston Astros third baseman
Isaac Paredes homered for the third game in a row on Sunday, blasting a three-run shot in a 7-3 win over the Angels. He's now collected at least one hit in seven of his last eight games, with three being multi-hit performances. After a very slow start to the year, he's raised his slash line to .276/.382/.448. All three of his home runs have been pulled into the Crawford Boxes in left, and he's starting to show signs of the breakout that many were expecting.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoBoston Red Sox shortstop
Trevor Story carried the offense on Sunday, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and three RBI in a 3-1 win over the White Sox. It was his third home run of the season, and he's now slashing .308/.328/.477 on the year. He's also shown great success on the base paths, collecting six steals thus far. He's struggled to stay healthy over the past few years, but he clearly still has that 20-20 upside that made him an elite shortstop for all those years in Colorado. He's worth an add in fantasy leagues as a solid middle infield option.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoSan Diego Padres starting pitcher
Michael King blanked the Rockies on Sunday, pitching nine scoreless innings while striking out eight. It was the first complete game shutout of his career, and it looks like he is settling into 2025 as an ace-caliber pitcher after breaking out last season. Through four starts on the year, he has a 2.42 ERA with 24 strikeouts through 22 ⅓ innings. He'll be looking to top the 200 strikeout mark for the second year in a row, and is currently lined up to make his next start against the Astros later this week.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoToronto Blue Jays relief pitcher
Jeff Hoffman entered the game in a 6-6 tie in the ninth inning. He worked a scoreless ninth inning and earned himself another trip out to the mound in the bottom of the 10th. Hoffman had little issues in this one as he stranded the ghost runner and earned himself the victory. The Baltimore Orioles only managed one hit off Hoffman as he struck out four batters over his two innings of work. Hoffman is looking legit early in the season and clearly isn't afraid of pitching multiple innings. The right-hander is a must-have fantasy option going forward.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
4 days agoSan Francisco Giants relief pitcher
Ryan Walker was called upon to hold a one-run lead against the New York Yankees on Sunday. It wasn't easy as Walker threw 18 pitches to earn his fourth save of the season. He didn't allow any baserunners and stuck out one batter as well. It appears the Giants have a lockdown closer on their hands. When healthy, Walker is one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball. The Giants have been playing winning baseball which has given Walker plenty of save chances. That being said, Walker needs to be rostered in basically all fantasy formats right now.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
4 days agoMinnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton decided to bring his power swing with him for this series against the Detroit Tigers. On Sunday, Buxton started off the scoring with a solo home run off right-hander
Casey Mize in the first inning. He would later double in the sixth inning as the Twins would eventually get the 5-1 victory. He finished his day 2-for-4 with a homer, double, and two runs scored. Buxton doesn't have a pretty slash line, but he finished with two homers and three RBI during this weekend series with the Tigers. Fantasy managers who have Buxton rostered might want to stick with him a little longer.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
4 days agoKansas City Royals relief pitcher
Carlos Estevez was asked to hold a two-run lead in the final frame against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Estevez gave up a hit, but didn't have any problems after that as he recorded three strikeouts and notched his fifth save of the season. The right-hander has done a nice job lately and has locked himself in as the primary closer in Kansas City. He already has five saves, so it looks like he's going to be busy at the back-end of the bullpen. Estevez should be rostered in most fantasy formats where saves matter.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
4 days agoCincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Hunter Greene has been nearly perfect on the mound over his last few starts. On Sunday, Greene made easy work of the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup. He gave up a double and a walk in the first inning, but escaped without any damage. After that, Greene gave up a hit in the second inning and then retired the next 17 batters he faced. He finished his day with eight strikeouts while allowing two hits over seven innings of work. Greene has now thrown 18.2 innings without allowing a run. He'll take his 0.98 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, with 31 strikeouts into his next start against the Baltimore Orioles. Green is on an elite run right now and needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
4 days agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder
Jung Hoo Lee showed off his power ability during Sunday's game against the New York Yankees. He smacked a 406-foot homer off left-hander
Carlos Rodon in the fourth inning. Lee wasn't done, though, as he crushed another home run off Rodon in the sixth inning. He finished his day 2-for-4 with two homers and four RBI in the win over the Yankees. Lee now has three homers, 11 RBI, and three steals through April. He figures to remain in the middle of the order all season long. Fantasy managers in need of some help should consider adding Lee to their roster.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
4 days agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Cole Ragans had his swing-and-miss stuff going during Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The left-hander was electric as he struck out 10 batters while allowing one run on four hits over 7 2/3 innings in the win. Ragans has now posted three straight outings with 10 strikeouts or more. He gave up three runs in his season opener, but has allowed one run in each of his last three starts. He's a must-start fantasy option as he takes a 2.28 ERA into his next start versus the Detroit Tigers.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
4 days agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Garrett Crochet was excellent on the mound during Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The southpaw was at the top of his game for his revenge outing versus his former team. Crochet took a no-hitter into the eighth inning as he seemingly had no issues on the mound. He would eventually give up a hit and an earned run, but Crochet struck out 11 batters in what was an elite outing from him. Fantasy managers will be happy to hear that Crochet will face the White Sox again during his next start. He has been great this season with two earned runs or less in all four of his starts this season. Crochet is a top tier fantasy option that needs to be rostered and started in every format.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
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