Orioles Invite Samuel Basallo To Spring Training

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Thursday that catching prospect Samuel Basallo will be a non-roster invite at major-league spring training this year. Per MLB Pipeline, Basallo is the No. 13 prospect in all of baseball for the 2025 season. In addition to Basallo, outfield prospects Enrique Bradfield and Dylan Beavers will be at spring training. […]

Chadwick Tromp Expected To Be Backup Catcher

Atlanta Braves catcher Chadwick Tromp is expected to open the 2025 season as Sean Murphy's backup now that Travis d'Arnaud is with the Angels, which likely means he'll receive a start or two per week. Tromp had a similar role last year when Murphy missed two months with an injury, and again when d'Arnaud missed […]

Anthony Cirelli Will Not Play On Thursday

According to Benjamin Pierce of the Tampa Bay Lightning, center Anthony Cirelli (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. Pierce noted that Nick Paul (undisclosed) will return to the lineup. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Cirelli's status before their final games on Saturday and Sunday before the international break. Cirelli […]

Sidney Crosby Resumes Skating, Remains Uncertain For Friday's Contest

According to Josh Getzoff of the Pittsburgh Penguins, center Sidney Crosby (upper body) was able to skate on his own during Thursday's practice. However, Crosby did not participate in line rushes. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Friday's contest against the New York Rangers. Head coach Mike Sullivan said that […]

What is Plate Discipline (SwStr% and O-Swing%)? Sabermetrics Glossary for Fantasy Baseball (2025)

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our overview of plate discipline. This article is a deeper dive into plate discipline, and is part of our ongoing series "Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball." In this article, we'll look at how to predict K% and BB% using advanced plate discipline stats such as swinging strike percentage (SwStr%) and chase rate […]

Jericho Sims Moves To Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired center Jericho Sims from the New York Knicks in exchange for guard Delon Wright and cash. Sims will add some center depth to the Bucks roster behind Brook Lopez. The 26-year-old had a limited role in New York, averaging 1.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 10.8 minutes this season. The […]

DraftKings NBA DFS Picks for Today (Thursday, 2/6/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

It's trade deadline day in the NBA, and this week has already been packed with a bunch of big moves. Will we see some other big names like Kevin Durant on the move today? Stay tuned; things could get very interesting! We have six games tonight, with the majority of them tipping off later in […]

Lakers Acquire Mark Williams From Hornets

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard/forward Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap. After sending Anthony Davis to Dallas, the Lakers needed to add some frontcourt talent before the trade deadline, and Williams looks like a […]

Kelly Olynyk Moves To New Orleans

Veteran forward/center Kelly Olynyk has been traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Toronto Raptors made a big move for Brandon Ingram, and Olynyk was part of the package they sent out, alongside Bruce Brown, a first-round draft pick, and a second-round draft pick. This marks the second consecutive campaign in which Olynyk has been […]

Today's NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (2/6/25)

Welcome, RotoBallers! My name is Brandon, and I'll be writing both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for tennis and soccer. It is the return of the NHL season, which means it's time to sharpen our skills and partake in NHL DFS! As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you […]

Jake Rogers, Dillon Dingler Set To Split Catching Duties

According to Evan Woodbery of MassLive.com, the Detroit Tigers catchers Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler are expected to split duties during the 2025 season. Rogers spent the entire 2024 season with Detroit and held a .197/.255/.352 line with 16 doubles and 10 home runs. He was graded as an elite defender as he tallied eight […]

Quinton Byfield Tallies Three Helpers In Victory

Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield tallied three assists during their victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday evening. Byfield tallied his first helper on Vladislav Gavrikov's goal in the opening frame. Later in the third, Byfield would tally two secondary assists, both on Kevin Fiala's goals to seal the victory. Byfield has tallied five […]

Leon Draisaitl Tallies Goal, Assist In Victory

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl tallied two points during their overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday evening. Draisaitl tallied the primary assist on Jeff Skinner's 10th goal of the season in the third period. Later in the frame, Draisaitl would find the back of the net on a wrist shot. During the game, […]

Mika Zibanejad Tallies Two Helpers On Wednesday

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad tallied two helpers during their 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday evening. Zibanejad tallied his first helper in the second frame on the primary assist on Artemi Panarin's 23rd goal of the season. Later in the third, Zibanejad would tally another primary assist, this time while shorthanded, […]

Jason Dickinson Exits Early On Wednesday

According to the team, Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (lower body) exited early during Wednesday's loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Dickinson sustained this injury during the second frame and needed assistance to get off the ice. Before exiting, he logged just over seven minutes of ice time. He tallied two shots on goal and two […]

FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Thursday 2/6/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Today is the hardest DFS day of the year, and I'm here to hopefully make that easier. With the looming trade deadline, we have quite a few guys to watch. Luckily, it's a smaller six-game slate, so there are fewer teams we have to watch the news for. Mark Williams was just […]

Jonas Valanciunas Traded To The Kings

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Wizards are trading center Jonas Valanciunas to the Kings in exchange for guard Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks. Sacramento recently moved De'Aaron Fox to San Antonio and acquired guard Zach LaVine. However, the Kings will add a quality big man to bolster their depth chart. Valanciunas has averaged […]

Agustin Ramirez Could Contend For Starting Job

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins catching prospect Agustin Ramirez will be in the mix for the starting catching job during spring training. Jackson noted that Ramirez may need more development in the minor leagues but could make a case to open the season in the majors, depending on his performance […]

Brook Lopez Available On Wednesday Night

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (back) will play against the Hornets. The veteran missed his first game of the 2024-25 campaign on Monday versus OKC due to back soreness. But the Bucks also didn't have Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), Bobby Portis (personal), and Damian Lillard (groin). However, with Lopez, Antetokounmpo, Portis, and Lillard all available, guys […]

Chris Boucher Cleared For Action On Wednesday

Toronto Raptors forward/center Chris Boucher (illness) will play on Wednesday against Memphis. The 32-year-old didn't suit up on Tuesday versus the Knicks. However, he'll be back on the floor. Boucher also could draw the start, with Jakob Poeltl (hip) ruled out for this one. But even if he isn't in the starting lineup, he could […]

Jakob Poeltl Ruled Out Versus The Grizzlies

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (hip) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies. Poeltl lasted only 15 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Knicks. But he'll now miss his first game since December 26 due to a hip pointer. If Chris Boucher (illness) is available, he'll likely take over at the five. However, if […]

Ty Dellandrea Could Be An Option Thursday

San Jose Sharks center Ty Dellandrea (upper body) is close to returning to the lineup and may be an option on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old is nursing an upper-body injury, which has kept Dellandrea out for four games. Dellandrea has not had much fun as a Shark in 2024-25, settling for one […]

Alexander Wennberg Ruled Out For Third Straight Game

San Jose Sharks center Alexander Wennberg (upper body) will miss a third straight game on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. According to Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News, it's unclear if Wennberg will be ready to return on Saturday against the Dallas Stars, which means he could be sidelined for the entire week. […]

Joel Embiid Resting On Wednesday Evening

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee, injury management) won't play on Wednesday against Miami. The 2023 NBA MVP was sidelined for a month before returning for Tuesday's 118-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks. He played extremely well, amassing a 29-point, 11-rebound, 10 assist triple-double. Barring a setback, Embiid should be back on the floor on […]

Craig Smith Expected To Return On Wednesday

Chicago Blackhawks center Craig Smith (back) is expected to rejoin the action on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers. He has been sidelined for 11 games due to a back injury. Smith has posted six goals and 11 points in 30 appearances with the Blackhawks this season. He has averaged only 11:41 of ice time and […]

Tage Thompson Resumes Skating, Still In Concussion Protocol

According to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (concussion) skated on his own Wednesday morning but is still in concussion protocol. Head coach Lindy Ruff said that Thompson "feels good" but would still need to pass through the protocol to return to action. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his […]

Dylan Cozens Battling Lower-Body Injury

According to Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald, Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (lower body) is battling an injury and should be viewed as day-to-day. The 23-year-old has not missed a game this season. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status leading up to their next contest on Saturday evening against the Nashville Predators. Over […]

Sidney Crosby Absent During Wednesday's Practice

According to Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (upper body) was absent during Wednesday's practice. The captain sustained this injury during their shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday evening but eventually returned later in the game. Head coach Mike Sullivan noted, "I don't have any more specifics. […]

MLB Power Rankings: Top St. Louis Cardinals Prospects

St. Louis Cardinals fans have had a rough stretch the last few years. It is no secret that the MLB team was aging, and the farm system was not in a good spot. The organization brought in Chaim Bloom, who does a tremendous job on the scouting and development side of things. He most recently […]

FanDuel NBA DFS Picks for Today (Wednesday 2/5/25): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

It's a massive 11-game slate tonight on FanDuel, and it can be very challenging to pare down the options for our lineups. Navigating through all the injuries and recently traded players isn't easy either, which is why I am here to help you get your process started! I always make it a point to recommend […]