MLB News
Michael Harris II Continues Blazing Stretch
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II smacked three hits and stole a base on Sunday, doing his best to lead the Braves in a crucial 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Harris certainly did his part, cracking three singles out of the leadoff spot. Unfortunately, the rest of the offense had trouble getting anything going and Harris failed to record any runs or RBI. The 23-year-old is heating up at the right time, as he had a .317/.343/.614 line with eight homers in September coming into this game. He will look to set the table for the Braves again on Monday and send them to the postseason. The hot finish to the season should remind fantasy managers of why they were willing to spend a third-round pick on Harris before the season. He will likely go for a discount next year, and savvy managers should buy the dip.
4 hours ago
Elly De La Cruz Ends Season With 67 Stolen Bases
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz showcased his game-breaking speed on Sunday, going 1-for-5 with a triple and two stolen bases in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. De La Cruz finishes the season with 67 stolen bases, easily good enough for first in the majors. Interestingly enough, though, Elly only stole 10 bags in August and September combined, which equates to a 30-steal pace. That's not bad at all, but it's also not what fantasy managers would expect from the speedster. It was still a great season for the 22-year-old, who showed major improvements at the dish and contributed some power to go along with the speed. He will be a top-20 pick in most drafts next year and could rocket into the top 10 for those chasing upside.
4 hours ago
Francisco Lindor Does It All Sunday
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor showed why he is an MVP candidate on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with a homer and two stolen bases in a much-needed 5-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Lindor also walked, scored two runs, and drove in two. The switch-hitter will look to repeat his performance on Monday and send the Mets to the playoffs. He now has 32 homers and 29 steals on the season, so a stolen base will get him to the 30/30 mark. Lindor is one of the best five-category contributors in baseball and will be an early pick at a loaded shortstop position in fantasy drafts next year.
4 hours ago
Clay Holmes Picks Up 30th Save
New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes picked up his first save of September on Sunday, finishing off the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 6-4 win. Holmes struck out one in his inning of work and didn't allow a baserunner. The veteran righty was removed from the closer's role in mid-September after blowing multiple saves (13 on the year) and has been working in lower-leverage roles since. In this one, the Yanks used new closer Luke Weaver in the eighth inning in a tie game. The Yankees then took the lead in the bottom of the inning and went with Holmes for the save in the ninth. This could mark a return to high leverage for Holmes, who has been good since being removed from the closer's role. They have no reason to move away from Weaver as the closer, but Holmes could make for a good setup man in the postseason.
4 hours ago
Michael McGreevy Shines In Season Finale
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy was excellent against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, going eight innings and allowing just one run in a 6-1 win. McGreevy continued to impress in this one, allowing just five hits and walking none while punching out six. The 24-year-old now has a 1.96 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in a limited sample size of 23 IP. While he has been great in the majors, his minor-league stats are pretty mediocre. If nothing else, McGreevy has at least given himself a chance to aim for a rotation spot in Spring Training next year.
4 hours ago
Logan Gilbert Ends Year On High Note
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert finished off an excellent season with another strong performance on Sunday, tossing 5 scoreless innings in a 6-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. Gilbert had his way with the A's, allowing just one baserunner (a single) while striking out seven. He finishes the season with nine wins, a 3.23 ERA, a league-leading 0.89 WHIP, and 220 strikeouts in 208 IP. The 27-year-old blossomed into an ace this year and should be one of the first pitchers off the board in fantasy drafts in 2025.
5 hours ago
David Peterson Shuts Down Brewers In Crucial Win
New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson was at his best on Sunday, tossing seven shutout frames and earning the win in a 5-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Peterson allowed just one hit, walked three, and struck out eight in the terrific performance. The 29-year-old finishes the regular season with 10 wins, a 2.90 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts in 121 IP. It was a very solid year for the lefty, and he has a good shot to make the Mets rotation out of Spring Training next year. That said, his season might not even be over. If the Mets can win a game on Monday and get into the playoffs, he could end up pitching in Game 3 of the Wild Card series on short rest.
5 hours ago
Luis Arraez Clinches Batting Title
San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arraez picked up his third batting title of his career on Sunday. Arraez went 1-for-3 with a single during Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. That single was enough to push Arraez to a .314 batting average and win him the batting title. The 27-year-old has remained a force at the plate since being traded from the Miami Marlins early in the season. The assumption is that Arraez will remain at the top order heading into the postseason.
9 hours ago
Spencer Schwellenbach To Start Game 1 On Monday
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach will be tasked with taking the mound for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the New York Mets. The plan is for Schwellenbach to pitch in Game 1 and Chris Sale to take the ball in the night cap. It's worth noting that the Braves would clinch a postseason berth if they win the first game. That being said, the Braves would likely save Sale then and go bullpen game for the night contest. Schwellenbach holds a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 122/23 K/BB ratio across 20 starts this season.
9 hours ago
Tylor Megill Named Monday's Starter
New York Mets starting pitcher Tylor Megill has been named the starter for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets will clinch a postseason berth if they win the first game, so they'd likely go bullpen game if that happens for the night cap. If not, Luis Severino seems like the favorite to take the ball for the second game. Megill holds a 3.98 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 83/30 K/BB ratio across 15 games (14 starts) this season. It seems like the Mets are in good hands heading into their most important day of the season.
9 hours ago
Shohei Ohtani Misses Out On Triple Crown
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had an unbelievable 2024 season, but sadly he just barely missed the triple crown. Ohtani loses the batting title to San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arraez and came in second in home runs to Aaron Judge. Despite that, Ohtani finished with an impressive .314 batting average with 54 homers, 130 RBI, and 58 steals. He's also the first 50-homer, 50-steal player ever. Ohtani also became the first Dodger to reach 50 homers in a single season. The expectation is that his batting numbers will probably take a dip next season, assuming he returns to the mound. However, Ohtani is still one of the best players in the league and is a must-watch hitter whenever he's at the plate.
10 hours ago
Yordan Alvarez To Hit On Monday
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) will reportedly hit on Monday, according to manager Joe Espada. The superstar slugger has been sidelined since September 22 due to a lingering knee issue. It sounds like Alvarez has been making solid progress and should be ready for the Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. The expectation is that Alvarez is going to DH during that series. The Astros will take that as they'd be in serious trouble if their superstar slugger was unable to hit in the postseason.
10 hours ago
Jesse Winker Sitting For Second Straight Game On Sunday
New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker is out of the starting nine for the second-straight game on Sunday afternoon as the Mets look to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. As a result, J.D. Martinez will serve as the designated hitter and Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, and Starling Marte will be in the outfield. Since the start of the month, Winker has held a poor .071 AVG with just one extra-base hit. Even though the Mets offense has struggled over the past week, they have a favorable matchup against Milwaukee right-hander Colin Rea and are worth a look in DFS.
15 hours ago
Travis d'Arnaud Sitting On Sunday
Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud is not in the starting nine on Sunday afternoon as the Braves look to complete a three-game sweep against the Kansas City Royals. The backstop was the hero on Saturday evening as he launched a walk-off home run. As a result, Sean Murphy will slot in behind the dish and catch for right-hander Charlie Morton. Fantasy managers should expect d'Arnaud to get the nod in at least one game of the doubleheader against the New York Mets on Monday. Murphy is a solid play in DFS this afternoon as he will bat in the seven-hole and should have many RBI opportunities against Kansas City right-hander Alec Marsh.
16 hours ago
Luis Matos Recalled, Mark Canha Hits Injured List
San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Matos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento for the final game of the regular season as outfielder Mark Canha (finger) was placed on the injured list with a right thumb sprain. Matos is not penciled into the starting nine and will be available off the bench as the Giants face the St. Louis Cardinals in their season finale. Matos has posted a .216/.240/.351 line across 44 games at the major league level this summer. The Giant offense is best to fade in DFS this afternoon as they will face Cardinal prospect Michael McGreevy who enters Sunday with a strong 2.40 ERA.
16 hours ago
Juan Soto Sitting In Season Finale
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto is not in the starting nine as the Yankees wrap up their 2024 regular season playing host to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Yankees clinched the top seed in the American League on Saturday and will give their superstar outfielder a day off ahead of the playoffs. Soto started in 157 games this summer and held a stellar .288/.419/.569 line with 41 long balls. Under the hood he boasted an MLB-best 18.1% walk rate and 57.0% hard-hit rate. As a result, Jasson Dominguez and Alex Verdugo will flank Aaron Judge in the outfield. The Yankee bats are worth a look in DFS this afternoon as they will face Pittsburgh southpaw Bailey Falter who enters Sunday with a 4.26 ERA.
16 hours ago
Tyler O'Neill Sitting On Sunday
Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill is not in the starting lineup on Sunday as the Red Sox wrap up their 2024 season with a divisional match against the Tampa Bay Rays. As a result, Jarren Duran will shift to left field which opens up right field for Wilyer Abreu and center field for Ceddanne Rafaela. O'Neill exceeded expectations in his first season in Boston as he sits with a strong .241/.336/.511 line with 31 home runs and four swiped bags. O'Neill fell just three home runs short of tying his career-high of 34 he posted in the 2021 campaign. Under the hood, the 29-year-old boasted a stellar 17.3% barrel rate and 48.8% hard-hit rate. DFS players should fade Boston hitters this afternoon as they will face Tampa Bay right hander Ryan Pepiot.
16 hours ago
Kevin Kiermaier Has Dislocated Finger
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (finger) suffered a dislocated finger in Saturday evening's game, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California Newspaper Group. Plunkett further reported that outfielder James Outman has joined the Dodgers at Coors Field. Even though Andy Pages will cover center field on Sunday afternoon, seeing Outman up with the team could suggest Kiermaier may be expected to miss a few games during the playoffs. Fantasy managers participating in playoff contests should continue to monitor the Dodger starting nine during the playoffs, as Kiermaier may remain sidelined. DFS players should consider adding Pages to their lineups this afternoon, as he is carrying a strong .318 average across his past seven games.
16 hours ago
Matt Waldron Promoted To Major League Roster
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Matt Waldron was recalled from Triple-A El Paso earlier on Sunday. In a corresponding move, the Padres demoted right-handed pitcher Randy Vasquez to the minor leagues. Vasquez was given the starting nod on Saturday evening and held his own against the Arizona Diamondbacks as he tossed six shutout innings with only one hit and one walk. Martin Perez is slated to start in the regular season finale for San Diego but Waldron could be deployed as a long relief option if Perez struggles. Fantasy managers should avoid streaming Perez this afternoon as he has generated strikeouts at a very low 18.2% rate this summer.
16 hours ago
Ryan Feltner Set To Start On Sunday
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner (arm) is set to start in the final game of the regular season on Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Feltner left his previous start early due to cramping but that injury does not seem serious as he will get the nod in the season finale. The Ohio State product has held a 4.66 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, with a 50:135 BB:K ratio across 156 1/3 innings of work. The right-hander has held a slightly higher 5.53 ERA and 1.49 WHIP at home, where he will pitch this afternoon against a high-powered Dodger offense. DFS players should look to avoid Feltner in this start as he will have a tall task ahead of him.
17 hours ago
