TJ Friedl Not In Saturday's Lineup
TJ Friedl is absent from the starting lineup for Saturday's contest with the Oakland Athletics. The 27-year-old has been productive with the bat, slashing .303/.357/.438 with a pair of homers and stolen bases, and has added eight runs and 11 RBI through 26 games. But with left-hander Kyle Muller on the hill for the A's, it's a good opportunity to give Friedl a rest, considering his .745 OPS versus southpaws. Kevin Newman is taking his spot in the lineup, playing shortstop and batting sixth. The lefty killer owns a .572 OPS this season but is slashing .318/.348/.591 against left-handers, so he looks like a perfect option for fantasy managers that need a shortstop.
Source: MLB.com
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Source: MLB.com
TJ Friedl Has Four-Hit Game
TJ Friedl was unstoppable at the plate during Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The O's pitchers had no answers as Friedl went 4-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a walk, and a steal in the loss. Friedl has been red-hot with eight hits over his last three games. He hasn't been a great fantasy option this season, but Friedl is now batting over .300 on the year. Fantasy managers seeking some production on offense might want to consider Friedl while he's on his hot streak. It's worth noting that Friedl has favorable matchups coming up against the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies.
Source: mlb.com
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Source: mlb.com
TJ Friedl Scores Twice Versus Pirates
TJ Friedl went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and one RBI in Sunday's 4-0 home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old is up to a .254 average now (15-for-59), with two doubles, one home run, six RBI and 11 runs scored. Friedl was limited to 85 games in 2024 after thumb, wrist, and hamstring injuries forced him to the IL on three separate occasions. He's been better so far this season, and statcast thinks he's underperforming. The California native has already swiped two bags -- seven off his total of nine last year -- and holds a .273 xBA. Perhaps more encouraging, Friedl's strikeout rate has dropped for the second straight season to 13.8%, presenting as a career-low if it holds.
Source: ESPN
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Source: ESPN
TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley Sitting Against Southpaw
TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley are not in the starting lineup on Sunday as the Reds will face San Francisco southpaw Robbie Ray. Friedl has started in each of the first two games of the series in center field. Serving as the leadoff man, he went 2-for-9 at the plate with an RBI. As a result, Blake Dunn will cover center field, but Matt McLain will move up to the top of the order. Fraley has also started in each of the first two contests but did not tally a hit. He will be replaced by Santiago Espinal in right field, and he will bat second. Fantasy managers should expect both Fraley and Friedl to return to the starting nine on Monday when they face Texas right-hander Kumar Rocker. Espinal and Dunn are best to fade in DFS this afternoon, facing Ray.
Source: MLB.com
Cincinnati Reds outfielders Source: MLB.com
TJ Friedl Hits A Home Run In Four-Hit Performance
TJ Friedl was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate in Saturday's 12-1 win over the Twins. The 29-year-old homered for the second straight game and has now gone 7-for-8 against Twins pitchers the last two days, tallying five RBI and four runs scored in the process. Now the author of a .233-13-53-34-9 line through 74 games played, one wonders what that line could have looked like had he been able to stay healthy all season long. With his strong contact rate and low strikeout rate, he could still finish the season with a flurry of production.
Source: ESPN
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Source: ESPN
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