MLB News
Miguel Rojas Starting In Game 1 Of NLDS
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (groin) will start in Game 1 of the NLDS, according to Eric Stephen of SB Nation. Rojas was sidelined during the final series of the regular season with a minor groin injury and will return to the starting nine on Saturday evening. Across 103 games this summer, the 35-year-old has held a .283/.337/.410 line with six home runs and eight swiped bags. Since the start of September, he posted a modest .250 AVG. Rojas is best to fade in DFS this evening as he will face San Diego right-hander Dylan Cease, who has carried a stellar 1.40 ERA across his previous three outings.
5 hours ago
Clayton Kershaw Will Not Pitch Again In 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (toe) will not pitch again this season, according to David Vassegh of SportsNet LA. Kershaw was originally targeting a return late into October but faced a setback last week and will remain sidelined regardless of how far the Dodgers go in the playoffs. The southpaw had a delayed start to the 2024 season due to offseason surgery and logged just 30 innings with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP before suffering a bone spur in his toe. The Dodgers rotation during the playoffs will now consist of Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. Yamamoto will get the nod in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday evening and is best to fade in DFS as he will face a San Diego lineup that holds a stellar 16.9% K rate against right-handed pitching.
5 hours ago
Freddie Freeman Remains Uncertain For Game 1 Of NLDS
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) remains questionable for the opening game of the NLDS. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that manager Dave Roberts said, "I'm hopeful. Maybe not as hopeful as I was yesterday," regarding the first baseman's status. This is not a good sign for the 35-year-old as he hopes to return from an ankle sprain he suffered during the final week of the regular season. If Freeman were to sit out for the opener, Kike Hernandez would likely get the starting nod at first base. Freeman held a strong .282/.378/.476 line this season with 22 home runs and nine stolen bases. Hernandez would be best to fade in DFS competitions as he will face San Diego right-hander Dylan Cease, who has held a 1.40 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP across his past three starts.
6 hours ago
Gleyber Torres Leading Off In Game 1
New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres will start at the keystone and bat in the leadoff spot in Game 1 of the ALDS. Torres had a rough start to the summer, hitting for a disappointing .231/.307/.347 slash line. However, after the All-Star Game, Torres was able to find his footing and held a strong .292/.361/.419 line with seven home runs and 11 doubles. Through September, Torres was swinging a hot bat with a .333/.387/.472 line. Torres will be a popular play in DFS this evening as he will have numerous scoring opportunities batting in front of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. He will face Kansas City right-hander Michael Wacha who enters Saturday with a solid 3.35 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
6 hours ago
Austin Wells Starting Behind The Plate, Batting Cleanup
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells will start at catcher and bat in the cleanup spot in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday evening. Wells opened the campaign, typically batting in the back half of the lineup, but began to move up to the four-spot deeper into the campaign. In the first half of the summer, Wells held a mere .216/.309/.377 line but posted a much-improved .241/.33/.412 line after the All-Star Break. However, since the start of September, the 25-year-old has been in a bit of a slump, holding a .111 AVG. DFS players should consider leaving Wells out of their lineup as he will face Kansas City right-hander Michael Wacha, who has posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.12 WHIP through September.
6 hours ago
Michael Grove Named To NLDS Roster, Joe Kelly Left Off
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Grove was named to the NLDS roster, while right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) was left off as he suffered a shoulder injury during a simulated game earlier this week. Grove has typically been deployed out of the bullpen this summer and has logged just two starts. Across 51 frames, Grove held a 5.12 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, with a 16:54 BB:K ratio. Grove could be deployed in long relief or even in a spot start during the series. Joe Kelly operated exclusively out of the bullpen this season and posted a 4.78 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Kelly was typically given set-up duties during the 2024 campaign but battled a shoulder injury late into the season. As a result, DFS players should expect Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Alex Vesia to be called upon in high-leverage situations during their tilt against the San Diego Padres.
6 hours ago
Oswaldo Cabrera Starting At First Base In Game 1 Of ALDS
New York Yankees outfielder/third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera will start at first base and bat in the eight-hole in Game 1 of the ALDS. Cabrera replaced Anthony Rizzo (finger) after he suffered a fracture during the final week of the regular season and will continue in that current role. Cabrera logged most of his starts at the hot corner this season, but Jazz Chisholm Jr. has claimed that spot since coming over from Miami at the trade deadline. Through September, Cabrera held a solid .280 AVG with two extra-base hits and an overall .247 AVG across 109 games this summer. DFS players should leave the 25-year-old out of their lineup this afternoon as he will face Kansas City right-hander Michael Wacha, who held a strong 2.60 ERA across his final five starts of the season.
7 hours ago
Martin Perez Rejoins Roster For NLDS
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Martin Perez is on the NLDS roster after being left off the Wild Card roster last week. Perez is rejoining the roster because Joe Musgrove (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. As a result, the Padres will enter the NLDS with four potential starters, including Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, Michael King, and Perez. Since joining San Diego at the trade deadline, the southpaw has held a modest 3.46 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, with a 17:44 BB:K ratio across 52 frames. However, he struggled with Pittsburgh in the first half, holding a hefty 5.20 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. Perez could start Game 4, but it is best to leave him off your DFS lineup as he sits with an underwhelming 18.1% K rate and a poor 41.5% hard-hit rate.
8 hours ago
Jeff McNeil Set To Ramp Up Activities, Could Return Later In October
New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (wrist) is set to join the Mets in Philadelphia and begin to ramp up activities in hopes of returning to the diamond in the NLCS or World Series, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. McNeil was placed on the injured list with a fractured wrist earlier in September and was ruled out of the season. However, the 32-year-old has begun to make progress and could return to the starting lineup if the Mets continue their playoff run. McNeil had a disappointing season, posting a mere .238/.308/.384 line, which is a stark drop compared to the .270 AVG and .326 AVG he held over the previous two campaigns. If McNeil can return, he could see occasional starts in the outfield and at the keystone but will likely serve as a bench bat.
8 hours ago
Clayton Kershaw Not On NLDS Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (toe) is not on the NLDS roster, according to David Vassegh of SportsNet LA. Kershaw hit the injured list at the end of August with a bone spur in his toe. The southpaw began to make progress in September but faced a minor setback last week and will need at least another week to recover before taking the mound. As a result, the Dodgers will enter the NLDS with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack as their starters. Kershaw had a delayed start to the 2024 campaign due to offseason surgery and was only able to log 30 innings to the tune of a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
8 hours ago
Marcus Stroman Left Off ALDS Roster
New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus Stroman was left off the ALDS roster, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Instead, the Yankees opted to add pinch-runner Duke Ellis to their roster in favor of the starting pitcher. As a result, the Yankees will enter their series against the Kansas City Royals, with their rotation consisting of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt. The 33-year-old should have a good chance of returning to the mound if the Yankees reach the ALCS. The right-hander enjoyed a modest debut season in the Bronx as he held a 4.31 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP across 154 2/3 innings. DFS players should consider adding Gerrit Cole to their lineup this afternoon as he will take the mound in Game 1 for the Yankees as he is coming off an impressive six 2/3 shoutout performance in his final start of the regular season.
8 hours ago
Jhonkensy Noel Starting In Right Field In Game 1
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Jhonkensy Noel is making the start in right field and is batting seventh for the Guardians in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers and left-handed opener Tyler Holton at Progressive Field. In his first year in the big leagues in 2024, Noel played in a total of 67 games and slashed .218/.288/.486 with a .774 OPS, 13 home runs, 28 RBI, 25 runs scored and 63 strikeouts in his 198 plate appearances. With Cleveland also facing a left-hander (Tarik Skubal) in Game 2 on Monday, it's possible Noel will make two straight starts to begin the series. Noel hit .246 (14-for-57) with seven of his 13 long balls against left-handers this year, compared to .205 (25-for-122) against righties. Noel packs a punch from the right side of the plate, but he should be considered more of a DFS sleeper long shot on Saturday.
10 hours ago
Yankees Include Jake Cousins On ALDS Roster
New York Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins (pectoral) has been included on the team's postseason roster for the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals. Cousins hasn't pitched for the Yankees since Sept. 19 due to a strained right pectoral muscle, but he was able to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and is feeling better. The 30-year-old will join a bullpen that includes Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill and Tim Mayza. In his first year in the Bronx after spending his first three years in the big leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, Cousins has posted a career-best 2.37 ERA (4.06 FIP), a 1.05 WHIP, his first career save, a career-high 53 strikeouts and 20 walks in his 38 innings out of the bullpen. The Yankees notably left veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman off the ALDS roster.
10 hours ago
Paul Blackburn Moved To 60-Day Injured List
The New York Mets moved right-hander Paul Blackburn (back) to the 60-day injured list on Saturday in order to activate right-hander Kodai Senga (calf, triceps) from the 10-day IL in order to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets put Blackburn on the 10-day IL in late August due to a hand injury before he injured his back and was diagnosed with a spinal fluid leak. The 30-year-old veteran is now done for the rest of the year and won't be able to join the Mets in the postseason, even if they were to make an improbable run to the World Series. Blackburn began the year with the Oakland Athletics and made nine starts for them before being dealt to New York at the deadline. In his five starts with the Mets, Blackburn has inconsistent, posting a 5.18 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 21 K's and seven walks in his 24 1/3 innings.
10 hours ago
Casey Mize Left Off ALDS Roster, Keider Montero Included
The Detroit Tigers left right-hander Casey Mize off the roster for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and included rookie right-hander Keider Montero instead. Mize missed more time with injury in 2024 and finished the regular season in the bullpen after making 20 of his 22 appearances on the year in a starting role. The 27-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn wasn't good in his two relief outings and went 2-6 overall with a 4.49 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and just 78 strikeouts in 102 1/3 total innings. Montero wasn't all that much better in his first MLB season, going 6-6 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:31 K:BB in 19 outings (16 starts) over 98 1/3 innings. He wasn't included on the roster for the Wild-Card Series but did throw 6 1/3 shutout innings against Cleveland back on July 8. Montero will most likely be used in a long-relief role.
10 hours ago
Alex Cobb Included, Ben Lively Left Off ALDS Roster
The Cleveland Guardians chose to include veteran right-hander Alex Cobb (finger) on the roster for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, with right-hander Ben Lively being the odd man out. Injuries were the story for Cobb in 2024, as he opened the year on the injured list with the San Francisco Giants and then finished the season with the Guardians on the IL due to a blister issue on his right finger. The 36-year-old is apparently doing better now, but he'll most likely be used in a long-relief role out of the bullpen in the postseason. He only made three starts for Cleveland this year, posting a 2.76 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 10 K's and three walks in 16 1/3 innings. In two career postseason games back in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cobb gave up only two earned runs with 10 K's and three walks over 11 2/3 innings in his two starts.
10 hours ago
Matthew Boyd To Start Against Old Team In Game 2
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd is expected to start in Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Monday against his old team, the Detroit Tigers, at Progressive Field. It will be a tough assignment while being opposed by Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal, who is the overwhelming front-runner to win the American League Cy Young in 2024. A shoulder injury delayed Boyd's 2024 debut with Cleveland until August, limiting him to just eight starts (39 2/3 innings). He was strong in those eight starts, though, only allowing 16 runs (12 earned) while walking 13 and striking out 46 batters. Boyd did not face the Tigers in any of his eight starts this year. His inclusion on the ALDS roster for Cleveland has left right-hander Ben Lively as the odd man out. In Boyd's eight starts, he never allowed more than three earned runs, but he also hasn't gone beyond 4 1/4 innings since Sept. 6. He'll be a DFS sleeper for Monday's slate of games.
10 hours ago
Luis Severino To Start In Game 2 Against Phillies
New York Mets right-hander Luis Severino will make the start in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday. Right-hander Kodai Senga is going to start Game 1 on Saturday despite making just one start in 2024. Severino got the win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the Wild-Card series on Tuesday, tossing a quality start (three earned runs allowed in six innings while walking two and striking out three). He faced the Phillies twice in 2024 -- once at home and once on the road in back-to-back outings on Sept. 14 and 19 -- tossing quality starts both times with six earned runs allowed on eight hits (three homers) while walking three and striking out 12 in 12 innings. Severino was much better at home (2.96 ERA) than on the road (5.00 ERA), and he'll be a volatile DFS play against a strong Phillies lineup.
22 hours ago
Alex Verdugo To Start In Left Field In Game 1 Of ALDS
New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo will start in left field for the Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday at Yankee Stadium against the Kansas City Royals and right-hander Michael Wacha, according to league sources. There was some question as to whether it would be Verdugo or young outfielder Jasson Dominguez starting in left field to open the playoffs for the Bombers. Verdugo hit .233/.291/.356 with a below-average .647 OPS, 13 homers, 61 RBI and 74 runs in 559 at-bats in his first year in the Bronx. He hit .234 (15-for-64) with two homers, seven RBI, four walks and eight strikeouts in 19 games in September to close out the regular season. Verdugo has faced Wacha 11 times in his career, picking up three hits (one double) with a walk and a strikeout. He'll likely be slotted near the bottom of the Yankees' batting order on Saturday.
Yesterday
Brent Rooker Undergoes Right-Forearm Surgery
Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker (forearm) underwent right-forearm extensor surgery earlier this week, according to Athletics general manager David Forst. Rooker had been dealing with an elbow issue all year, though it did not hinder his ability to hit. The 29-year-old hadn't played in the field since May 30, so if it affected his throwing abilities, it would not have been noticed over the last few months. Rooker had an incredible season at the plate, hitting for a 165 OPS+. Should his recovery from surgery go well and if he doesn't experience any setbacks, Rooker will be a prime target in fantasy drafts, as his bat will continue to drive value for the A's as they move into Sacramento for the 2025 season. Dynasty managers shouldn't worry about Rooker's surgery much given that it didn't affect his ability to hit. Assuming all goes well, he'll continue to be one of the strongest bats in the A's lineup.
Yesterday
