1 week agoWashington Nationals starting pitcher
Mitchell Parker was terrific on Thursday, tossing 6 ⅓ innings without allowing an earned run against the Miami Marlins. Parker did allow two unearned runs on three hits. He fanned five and didn't walk a batter. The 24-year-old has hit a wall after an encouraging start to his career, so this game was nice to see. Parker is lined up for two starts next week, one against the Mets and the other against the Cubs. They aren't terrible matchups, but Parker hasn't shown enough to make him a must-stream. He should be left for deeper leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoMiami Marlins relief pitcher
Jesus Tinoco threw two perfect frames to record his first save in a 6-3 win over the Washington Nationals. Tinoco didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two. The 29-year-old hasn't pitched in a ton of high-leverage situations this year, with only six holds to his name, but he has been a reliable reliever for the fish. With limited options in their bullpen, Tinoco could be the next guy up. He was also used in the ninth inning in his last appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, giving even more reason to believe this is the guy. Still, there is no confirmation of Tinoco being the closer and the Marlins aren't likely to get many more save chances anyway, so expectations should be tempered. In deeper leagues, though, he may be worth taking a shot on.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoMilwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Frankie Montas was excellent on Thursday, tossing six shutout frames against the San Francisco Giants in a 3-0 win. Montas allowed just two hits and two walks while punching out eight Giants. The veteran might be hitting his stride at the right time, as he now has back-to-back quality starts with a combined 18 strikeouts in 12 IP. He has only allowed four hits and five walks in those starts. He is currently in line for two starts next week, but they are against the Phillies and D-Backs, two very tough matchups. He is only a desperation streamer.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoMilwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio hit a two-run homer on Tuesday to join the 20/20 club and lead his team to a 3-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants. His homer came in the eighth inning with the crew up 1-0, so the runs were key insurance markers. Chourio is just the third 20-year-old to reach the elusive club, with the other two being Vada Pinson and
Mike Trout. Good company to keep. The rookie phenom has been a solid five-category contributor in fantasy, and his stock should only continue to climb as he gets accustomed to the league.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoSeattle Mariners outfielder
Victor Robles continued to excel out of the leadoff spot, going 3-for-3 with a walk, a run scored, and two stolen bases in Thursday's 5-4 loss against the Texas Rangers. Robles has balled out since his move to Seattle, slashing .313/.382/.456 with four homers and 20 steals (zero caught stealing) in 208 PA coming into tonight's game. He has played so well that the team has basically made him an everyday player at this point, and he is mostly hitting at the top of the lineup. His solid average and great speed make him an asset in fantasy leagues, especially category leagues. He is a great stream for the final few weeks for those in need of an outfielder.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoBoston Red Sox outfielder
Rob Refsnyder (wrist) was scratched from Thursday's lineup, but eventually entered the game as a pinch runner. Refsnyder was removed from the starting lineup against the New York Yankees due to right wrist discomfort, but he was able to pinch-run in extra innings. The injury appears to be a minor one for the 33-year-old, and if all goes well he has a good chance to get back in the lineup this weekend. Refsnyder has had a surprisingly solid season, slashing .284/.361/.472 in 271 AB, but his playing time has been inconsistent and therefore he isn't of much use in fantasy.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Chris Cotillo
1 week agoSan Francisco Giants shortstop
Tyler Fitzgerald left Thursday's game with lower back tightness. Fitzgerald was removed defensively in the third inning, but the specific play on which the injury occurred is unknown. The 26-year-old breakout has enjoyed a stellar final three months that has seen him become a fantasy standout, but his status is now in jeopardy. An update should be available soon, but for now fantasy managers shouldn't panic. If he were to miss time,
Brett Wisely and
Marco Luciano would likely see more playing time. Neither are high-priority adds in any format.
UPDATE: Fitzgerald told reporters post-game that his back tightened up on him before the game and got worse as the game went on. He said that he'll get imaging done but isn't concerned.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Shayna Rubin
1 week agoSt. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Sonny Gray struck out nine batters en route to earning his 13th win of the 2024 season on Thursday afternoon. Gray allowed just two hits, two free passes and one earned run. Gray did not allow baserunners through the first five innings. However, he allowed four baserunners in the sixth but was able to escape the jam by allowing just one run to cross home plate. Entering this start, the 34-year-old held a stellar 1.38 ERA and 0.62 WHIP across his past two outings. Gray has looked comfortable in his first season in St. Louis as he sits with an overall 3.75 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 39:195 BB:K ratio across 160 2/3 innings of work.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoTexas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager (hip) will undergo season-ending sports hernia surgery, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. Seager hit the injured list last week with hip soreness; however, the injury is now much worse than expected. As a result, the 30-year-old will now be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 campaign. The two-time World Series MVP enjoyed another excellent campaign as he has posted a .278/.353/.512 slash line with 30 home runs and 21 doubles. Under the hood, he held some of the best metrics among hitters, with an impressive 15.2% barrel rate and a 50.7% hard-hit rate. Seager will once again be drafted as one of the top shortstops next season and will bat at the top of a potent Texas lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Wilson
1 week agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Ryan Pepiot (undisclosed) left his start early on Thursday but does not have an injury designation, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The right-hander logged only two innings of work against the Guardians before departing. Pepiot ran into some trouble, as he served up four hits, two walks, and two earned runs while only striking out one. However, since Aug. 16, Pepiot has carried a strong 2.81 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any updates regarding the 27-year-old, as he may be on another strict pitch count in his next start. In his first season in Tampa Bay, the former Dodger sits with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP through 113 innings of work.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
1 week agoArizona Diamondbacks shortstop prospect
Jordan Lawlar is set to be promoted to Triple-A Reno, according to MLB Pipeline. The top prospect in the Arizona system has battled a hamstring injury for most of the summer but will now return to the top level of the minor leagues. Across 15 games across the Rookie League and Double-A this summer, the No.7 ranked prospect in baseball has held a .304/.403/.482 slash line with five doubles and one round-tripper. Last summer at Triple-A Reno, the former sixth-overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft posted a stellar .358/.438/.612 line with five home runs. While the 22-year-old has had a disappointing season, he could make a strong case to open the 2025 campaign in the big leagues if he could have a strong finish at the top level of the minors.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
1 week agoArizona Diamondbacks starting pitching prospect
Yilber Diaz is set to rejoin the major-league roster, according to Jesse Friedman of PHNX Sports. In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks will option right-handed pitcher
Slade Cecconi to Triple-A. The 24-year-old got a brief look at the major leagues earlier this summer and held a modest 4.05 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and an 8:14 BB:K ratio across 20 innings. In his past 28 1/3 innings at Triple-A Reno, Diaz has posted a solid 3.18 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 9:35 BB:K ratio. The No.6 ranked prospect in the Arizona system could be worth a flier in deeper leagues as he has flashed strikeout upside in the past.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Friedman
1 week agoWith a left-hander on the mound, Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter
Masataka Yoshida will retreat to the bench on Thursday against the division-rival New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Tyler O'Neill will serve as the DH and will bat cleanup against Yankees left-hander
Nestor Cortes. O'Neill has hit .167 with an RBI in just six career at-bats against Cortes. However, O'Neill comes in riding high after hitting a walk-off home run to beat the division-rival Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. He's also hitting .313 (10-for-32) with five homers and nine RBI in nine games in the month of September. Needless to say, O'Neill is attractive for DFS lineups. The contact-based Yoshida is hitting just .200 (17-for-85) with only two of his nine home runs on the year against left-handed pitchers and is hitless in his four career at-bats against Cortes.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
1 week agoBoston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series opener in the Bronx against the division-rival New York Yankees.
Rob Refsnyder will make the start in right field for the BoSox and will hit third against Yankees left-hander
Nestor Cortes. Refnsyder will definitely be a sleeper to take a look at for DFS lineups on Thursday. He's hit .500 with a 1.188 OPS and an RBI in 16 career at-bats against Cortes and has hit .304 (38-for-125) on the year against southpaws, with eight of his 11 home runs coming against them. Abreu, 25, has struggled against lefties this year, slashing .177/.236/.275 with only one of his 15 homers coming against them in 51 at-bats. The Venezuelan outfielder is hitting .265 (93-for-351) overall in his first full season in the big leagues with 15 homers, 55 RBI and seven steals for Boston in 392 plate appearances.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
1 week agoBoston Red Sox first baseman
Triston Casas is sitting out on Thursday in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium against the division-rival New York Yankees with left-hander
Nestor Cortes making the start.
Connor Wong will make the start at first base and hit sixth, with
Danny Jansen behind the plate and batting eighth. Wong is hitting .333 with an RBI against Cortes in nine career at-bats, while Jansen hasn't found similar success with a .143 average in just seven career at-bats. Casas missed the majority of the 2024 regular season due to a rib-cage injury. Since returning from the injured list on Aug. 16, he's hit .247 (20-for-81) with only two home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, nine walks and 33 strikeouts. The 24-year-old lefty slugger has hit .222 (10-for-45) with only two of his eight home runs on the season against left-handers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
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