Can the Surprising Detroit Tigers Sustain Their Early Success?

In 2006, Detroit Tigers first baseman Chris Shelton had a ridiculous April, amassing a .326/.404/.783 line with 10 home runs and 20 RBI in the first month of the season. He hit just six more home runs over the next three months before ultimately being demoted to Triple-A Toledo. All that is to say, Tigers […]

Luke Bard Likely Heading Back to Twins

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Luke Bard was designated for assignment by the organization on Saturday. His seven-day DFA period ends on Saturday. The Twins can bring the Rule 5 pick back to their organization for $50,ooo and then they can option him to the minors. Bard struck out 13 batters over 11 2/3 innings […]

Rookie Report: Recent MLB Prospect Call-Ups (Week 4)

Ronald Acuna. That's all you need to read. No, seriously. I could just end the column there because that's probably what everyone will be talking about for the next week at the very least. The 20-year-old finally made his highly-anticipated MLB debut on Wednesday night, but I'll get to more on that below. In addition […]

Week 4 Points Leagues - Strategy, Pickups and Cuts

We're back at it again this week with some points league advice for you guys. In last week's suggestions of players to add, players to drop and pitchers to stream there were some definite standouts, but the streaming pitchers were the highlight as they pitched  14 innings, had a 1-0 record, struck out 14 batters and […]

Streaming Wars - Waiver Wire Targets for April 27

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. Even with only a week and a half of the season in the books, we are always ready to stream. For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on […]

Low-Level Minor Leaguers Worth Monitoring in Dynasty Leagues - Week 4

For those who play in dynasty leagues, checking minor league box scores and league leaders can become a daily routine. But it's not just the guys knocking on the door who are worth a look. There are plenty of enticing players in the lower levels of the minor leagues who could hold value in many […]

Nick Tropeano Roughed Up Again

Los Angeles Angels starter Nick Tropeano had a rough start on Wednesday, giving up four runs on four hits and three walks in just 5 1/3 innings. He added six strikeouts at least. Tropeano had an excellent first start of the year but has followed that up with two duds, and looks more like a […]

Shohei Ohtani's Blister is Gone

Los Angeles Angels starter Shohei Ohtani's finger now has a callus where the blister was previously. As such, Ohtani does not believe that the blister will be an issue for him the rest of the season. Ohtani was able to throw 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on five walks with seven strikeouts on […]

Luis Valbuena, Rene Rivera Starting Wednesday

The Los Angeles Angels will start first baseman Luis Valbuena and catcher Rene Rivera Wednesday. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani receives an off day after pitching Tuesday night and catcher Martin Maldonado gets a rest after catching three straight days. Rivera has never registered a hit against Astros starter Justin Verlander in seven plate appearances but […]

2018 Prospects: Top 30 Impact Rookies for Fantasy Leagues (Week 4)

Hello everyone, and welcome to my weekly Top-30 Fantasy Rankings for Impact Rookies! In this series, I will be going over the top prospects in baseball and discussing which ones figure to have an impact for the rest of this fantasy baseball season. This was a big week for prospect promotions. Sure, Franklin Barreto was […]

Streaming Wars - Waiver Wire Targets For April 25

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. Even with only a week and a half of the season in the books, we are always ready to stream. For those who are newcomers to this feature, use this column on a […]

Cam Bedrosian Steals Save for Angels

Los Angeles Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian nailed down the save in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Houston Astros. Bedrosian was almost certainly called upon because Keynan Middleton was unavailable after pitching multiple games in a row. This is a good indication that Bedrosian is next in line, but Middleton has been given every save opportunity […]

Andrelton Simmons Back in the Lineup Tuesday

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons (forearm) is back in the lineup on Tuesday, hitting fifth and playing shortstop. Simmons was removed early from a game on Sunday after getting hit on the arm. He sat out Monday's game, but it looks like that's the only day off he needed. Simmons has hit .295 with […]

Parker Bridwell has MRI on Elbow

Los Angeles Angels starter Parker Bridwell had an MRI on his elbow on Monday. The MRI did not show any structural damage, and he was diagnosed with elbow inflammation. He will be cleared to throw when his symptoms subside. More will be known when he begins throwing, but Bridwell probably will not make another start […]

Andrelton Simmons to Return to Angels Lineup on Tuesday

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday after sitting on Monday with a forearm contusion. He suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch on Sunday, but the Angels expect him to be fine after his day off. Simmons has been great to start the […]

Matt Shoemaker Begins Throwing Program

Los Angeles Angels starter Matt Shoemaker (forearm) began his throwing program on Monday in Anaheim. Shoemaker has been on the DL since April 3 with nerve irritation, but reported 'drastic improvement' about a week ago. Assuming his throwing program goes well, he could be expected back in a month or so. Deep league owners will […]

Angels Place Blake Wood on the DL

Los Angeles Angels reliever Blake Wood (elbow) has been placed on the disabled list. His injury is labeled as a right elbow impingement. Right-hander Justin Anderson has been recalled to take his place on the roster. Wood has a 2.31 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 11 2/3 innings so far this season. He is […]

Andrelton Simmons Out of Monday's Lineup

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons (forearm) is not in the lineup for Monday's game. Simmons was removed from Sunday's game with a right forearm contusion after wearing a fastball from Johnny Cueto in the second inning. He can still be considered day-to-day for now. Zack Cozart will slide over to shortstop, with Luis Valbuena […]

Jake Marisnick Should Crack Lineup Monday Against Angels

Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick has struggled mightily to begin the season, hitting only .130 with 29 strikeouts through 54 at-bats. It has been a miserable beginning for Marisnick, who hasn't knocked in a run since April 10. He has one hit over his last 22 at-bats and his two home runs came during the […]

Keynan Middleton Still Not Officially The Closer

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia does not believe in labeling pitchers and therefore won't officially name reliever Keynan Middleton as his closer. Scioscia mentions that he could foresee situations where Middleton comes on in the seventh or eighth innings if they need him to. Middleton notched his fifth save on Saturday and threw in a losing […]

Angels Option Jaime Barria to Triple-A

Following Sunday's game, the Los Angeles Angels optioned right-hander Jaime Barria back to Triple-A Salt Lake. Barria looked great in his first start back on April 11, but struggled in this one. He only lasted two innings, giving up two runs on five hits with one walk and one strikeout. A 49-pitch first inning was […]

FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (4/23/18): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

Despite several teams getting a night off Monday, the slate to begin the week is an intriguing one with many of the team's best offenses still to choose from. Pithcing ownership figures to be condensed largely to either Gerrit Cole or the mispriced Mike Leake. Deciding which of those two to build around in cash […]

Week 4 Start/Sit Matchups - Starting Pitchers

You know what it is--it's my updated starts/sits column for Week 4! Your friendly neighborhood @Roto_Dubs is back again this year with his weekly starting pitcher matchups. This is our fifth year now writing this weekly column, helping fantasy baseball managers pick the best pitchers weekly. Below are the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 4, which […]

Andrelton Simmons Exits Early with Forearm Contusion

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons was removed from Sunday’s game with what was labeled a right forearm contusion. Simmons was drilled in the arm by a Johnny Cueto fastball in the second inning, leading to the exit. No further detail has been given, so Simmons can be considered day-to-day for now.

Andrew Heaney (SP, LAA) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney was once a top-flight prospect and top-10 draft pick for the Marlins. It is only fitting that he is on the Angels' pitching staff now because he has battled injuries for the last two years. […]

Albert Pujols Gets Day Off on Sunday

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols is out of the lineup on Sunday. It is the first day off of the season for the 37-year-old. Shohei Ohtani is the designated hitter on Sunday, hitting fourth. Luis Valbuena will start at first. Expect to see Pujols, who is hitting .267 with four home runs, back […]

Shohei Ohtani to Hit Cleanup Sunday

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is batting cleanup in Sunday's game against Johnny Cueto and the San Francisco Giants. Ohtani began the year hitting eighth, but has climbed all the way up to fourth thanks to his .342 batting average and three home runs. Albert Pujols is getting the day off, so it […]

Angels DFA Luke Bard

The Los Angeles Angels have designated right-hander Luke Bard for assignment. Bard was originally a Rule 5 selection from the Minnesota Twins, but had an ugly 5.40 ERA in 11 2/3 innings with the Angels. Still, his 13/5 K/BB ratio was solid, so it wouldn't be shocking if another team gave him a chance. If […]

The Cut List (Week 4): Time to Let Go?

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Cut List! I hope my suggestions have helped everyone sort their rosters out over the past few weeks. We’re slowly reaching that point where we can start trusting sample sizes, but we’re not quite there yet. My goal with this weekly column is simple: I want to provide […]

How Superior Setup Men Provide Value to Closers - AL Focus

The goal of the previous column in this series was to propose that the home runs allowed by relief pitchers have a significant impact on fantasy teams, even when those pitchers do not make the roster. While a baseball truism on some levels, home runs given up late in games tend to diminish the number […]