MLB News
Giants Moving On From Farhan Zaidi, Replacing Him With Buster Posey
The San Francisco Giants replaced president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi on Monday after six underwhelming seasons with the organization. Franchise legend and part owner Buster Posey has been named as Zaidi's replacement, with Bob Melvin expected to return as the manager in 2025. Zaidi fell short of the playoffs for the third straight year as the Giants finished fourth in the National League West with an 80-82 record in 2024. San Fran went 453-417 overall during Zaidi's tenure from 2019-24 with just one winning season and one playoff appearance, both of which came during the team's franchise-record 107-win campaign in 2021. 2024 was a pretty big disappointment after the Giants committed over $320 million in free agency on Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee, Jorge Soler, Jordan Hicks and Tom Murphy.
2 hours ago
Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder Candidates To Start Against Padres
Atlanta Braves right-handers Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are all candidates to start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday. Anderson has some of the best postseason numbers of all time, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. The Braves may wait as long as possible to announce their starter against the Padres. Anderson has a 1.26 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched in the postseason, including a 1.04 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks, but he'd be a pretty big dice role for Atlanta to kick off the three-game series. In 15 minor-league stops at four different levels this year, he had a 3.44 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 29 walks in 68 innings. Smith-Shawver made just one start for Atlanta this year and has six starts since debuting in 2023. Elder was an All-Star in 2023 but had an ERA over 6.00 in his 10 starts this year.
3 hours ago
Luis Severino To Start First Game Of Wild-Card Series In Milwaukee
New York Mets right-hander Luis Severino will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Tuesday. The Mets won Game 1 of their doubleheader on Monday versus the division-rival Atlanta Braves to clinch a spot in the postseason, and they'll head right back to Milwaukee after losing two of three there this past weekend. In his first year with the Mets, Severino went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA (4.21 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP and a 161:60 K:BB in 182 innings over 31 starts. The 30-year-old Dominican allowed four earned runs in four innings for a loss in his last start on Sept. 24 against the Braves and he posted a 3.64 ERA with 30 K's and eight walks in his five starts in September. Severino's only start against the Brewers in 2024 was his first of the year on March 30, when he allowed six runs (three earned) in five innings for a loss in New York.
3 hours ago
Yu Darvish Heading To Bullpen For Wild-Card Series
The San Diego Padres will roll with right-handers Michael King, Joe Musgrove and Dylan Cease as their starting pitchers for the wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park, which starts on Tuesday. Right-handed veteran Yu Darvish will head to the bullpen for the three-game set. It doesn't come as a huge surprise, as Darvish didn't exactly look sharp in his last outing in Arizona, allowing three earned runs on three walks and four K's in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The 38-year-old Japanese hurler only made 16 starts for the Friars in 2024 due to injuries and a personal issue that kept him away from the club for an extended period of time. Since returning on Sept. 4, Darvish went 3-0 with a 3.55 ERA, seven walks and 25 K's in 25 1/3 innings over five starts. If the Padres advance to the National League Division Series, Darvish could return to a starting role.
3 hours ago
Michael King To Start Wild-Card Opener Against Braves
San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King will get the nod for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday at Petco Park. Right-hander Yu Darvish will head to the bullpen for the three-game series. In his first season in San Diego after coming over from the New York Yankees via the Juan Soto blockbuster trade, King went 13-9 with a sharp 2.95 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, a career-high 201 strikeouts and 63 walks in 173 2/3 innings over 31 outings (30 starts). The 29-year-old is hot coming into the playoffs, too, and didn't allow more than three earned runs in any of his 11 starts in the second half of the season. In four starts in September, he gave up seven runs (four earned) while walking six and fanning 24 in 23 innings. Tuesday's big start will be King's first against the Braves this year, a club that has had trouble scoring runs at times without Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and Austin Riley (hand).
3 hours ago
Royals Hope Vinnie Pasquantino Will Be On Playoff Roster
The Kansas City Royals are hoping that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) will be on their playoff roster for the wild-card series against the Baltimore Orioles that begins on Tuesday at Camden Yards. Manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino was going to test his fractured right thumb by hitting in the cages on Monday to see if he'll be included on the wild-card roster on Tuesday. If the 26-year-old left-handed slugger is included on the roster this week, he will only be used as a designated hitter and won't play on defense. Pasquantino needed surgery on his thumb earlier this month but has apparently made very good progress to give himself a shot to be available for the postseason. He'd provide the Royals with a power boost in the lineup, but it also remains to been how effective he'll be swinging the bat if he's available. The Royals used catcher Salvador Perez often at first base with Pasquantino injured, leaving Freddy Fermin to do the catching.
3 hours ago
Sal Frelick Says He's Good To Go For Playoffs
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (hip) said he's good to go for the start of the wild-card series at American Family Field on Tuesday against the New York Mets, but the ultimate decision will be up to the coaching staff, and the final roster for the wild-card series is due on Tuesday morning. Manager Pat Murphy said Frelick's status for the wild-card round is uncertain after he was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left hip over the weekend. The 24-year-old was due to get some testing done on Monday to determine if he's ready to go. Frelick is mostly useful to the Brewers for his speed and defensively abilities at multiple spots in the outfield and infield. He hit .259 in 475 at-bats during the regular season and had only two home runs, 32 RBI, 18 steal and 66 runs scored. Blake Perkins would see more action in Milwaukee's outfield for this week's wild-card series against the Mets if the Brew Crew doesn't include Frelick on the roster.
4 hours ago
Braves Don't Expect To Have Chris Sale In Wild-Card Series
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said he doesn't expect left-hander Chris Sale (back) to be available for the wild-card series in San Diego this week against the Padres. It comes after the Braves had to scratch Sale from a must-win game in a doubleheader at Truist Park on Monday versus the division-rival New York Mets due to back spasms. It's a massive blow for the Braves, as the 35-year-old veteran southpaw is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young award in 2024 after going 18-3 with a league-leading 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, a league-leading 225 strikeouts and 39 walks in 177 2/3 innings over 29 starts in his 14th year in the majors. It's unclear if Sale will be available for the Braves if they advance to the NL Division Series to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sale last started on Sept. 19 against the Cincinnati Reds, so if he does return and pitch in the postseason, you'd have to wonder if he'd be on some sort of pitch count. The Braves will move forward with Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Reynaldo Lopez for now against SD.
4 hours ago
Joey Lucchesi Called Up To Start Game 2 Against Braves
New York Mets left-hander Joey Lucchesi was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to make the start in Game 2 of Monday's divisional doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned pitcher Alex Young. The Mets clinched their wild-card spot with a thrilling comeback victory over their division rivals in Game 1 on Monday, so they will turn to Lucchesi in Game 2 and save right-hander Luis Severino for Game 1 of the wild-card series against either the San Diego Padres or Milwaukee Brewers on the road on Tuesday. Fantasy managers playing DFS on Monday will want to avoid the 31-year-old southpaw against an Atlanta team in a must-win situation. Lucchesi made just one start for the Mets this year, allowing five earned runs on 4 1/3 innings on May 15 at the Philadelphia Phillies.
7 hours ago
Chris Sale Scratched With Back Spasms, Grant Holmes To Start Game 2
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) has been scratched from Game 2 of the doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets at Truist Park on Monday as the Braves attempt to punch their ticket to the postseason after losing a dramatic back-and-forth affair in Game 1. Right-handed rookie Grant Holmes will instead start the must-win contest in Game 2. It's a huge blow for the Braves as the 35-year-old Sale is a National League Cy Young front-runner this year. If the Braves do win Game 2 and advance to face the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round, starting on Tuesday at Petco Park, it's unknown if he'd be available at all to pitch in that series. The Braves are calling Sale's situation day-to-day for now. Holmes, 28, made his big-league debut in 2024 and has gone 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 63 K's and 14 walks in 64 1/3 innings over 25 outings (six starts). Holmes had a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP as a starter.
7 hours ago
Anthony Rizzo A Long Shot To Play In ALDS
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (fingers) fractured two fingers in his right hand on Saturday and is now a long shot to be ready to play in the American League Division Series in the postseason, even though the Yankees chose not to place him on the 10-day injured list. Game 1 of the ALDS starts on Saturday at Yankee Stadium against either the Baltimore Orioles or Kansas City Royals. "I don't necessarily expect him for the division series," manager Aaron Boone said after a 6-4 win on Sunday. "I still view that as very much a long shot. The 35-year-old will receive treatment until testing his hand on Thursday or Friday before giving team officials "an honest assessment" of the situation. Whether he can play will come down to pain tolerance. Rizzo's injury was described as a clean break, giving him a shot to play in the ALDS. DJ LeMahieu, Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera are the options to replace Rizzo at first base in the playoffs if he cannot go.
11 hours ago
Jose Ramirez Falls Just Shy Of 40-40-40 Season
With the Cleveland Guardians final game of the 2024 regular season being rained out on Sunday against the Houston Astros, third baseman Jose Ramirez was robbed of a chance at a 40-40-40 season. Ramirez entered Sunday's game with 39 doubles, 39 homers and 41 stolen bases. In addition to those impressive totals, J-Ram hit .279 with an .872 OPS and 118 RBI while striking out only 82 times in 158 games played. Only one player has had 40 doubles, 40 homers and 40 steals in a single season -- Alfonso Soriano in 2006. If Ramirez had homered on Sunday, he would have been only the seventh player to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in a single season, joining Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr., Soriano, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco. Ramirez is still the second player ever to have a 39-39-40 season. Ramirez doesn't get the headlines, but he's an elite ballplayer.
11 hours ago
Tarik Skubal Wins AL Pitching Triple Crown
It was a fantastic season for Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal in 2024, as he finished first in the American League in wins (18), strikeouts (228) and ERA (2.39). Skubal has led the Tigers to a surprising postseason berth and is the overwhelming favorite to win the AL Cy Young. He is the first pitcher to win the Triple Crown since Shane Bieber in the COVID-shortened season of 2020. Skubal is the first pitcher to earn the Triple Crown in a full season since 2011, when both Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw did it. He became the 21st pitcher to win the pitching Triple Crown since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913. Skubal also became the third pitcher in franchise history to win the TC, joining Verlander (2011) an Hal Newhouser (1945). He also joined Verlander (2007, 2009-11) and Max Scherzer (2013-14) as the only Tigers pitchers since 2000 to win 18 or more games in a season.
11 hours ago
Sean Murphy Out For Game 1 Against Mets
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will not start in Game 1 of the team's big doubleheader on Monday at Truist Park against the division-rival New York Mets. With Murphy resting, Travis d'Arnaud will catch right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach and will bat seventh against Mets right-hander Tylor Megill. In nine career at-bats versus Megill, d'Arnaud is batting .222 with a .555 OPS. The Braves have elected to rest Murphy more in his second year with the team while also missing time with injuries. The 29-year-old backstop was a first-time All-Star in 2023 but has struggled in 71 games in 2024, hitting .194/.280/.353 with 10 homers and 25 RBI in 261 plate appearances. He has just four hits in 45 at-bats (.089) in 13 September games, but two of those hits have cleared the fences. d'Arnaud has been a bit more consistent with a .235 average, 15 homers and 48 RBI in 98 games in 2024.
12 hours ago
Starling Marte, Jesse Winker Sitting In Game 1
New York Mets outfielders Starling Marte and Jesse Winker are both on the bench for Game 1 of the team's big divisional doubleheader on Monday at Truist Park against the Atlanta Braves. Harrison Bader is starting in center field and batting ninth, while Tyrone Taylor gets the nod in right field and will bat seventh against Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach. Bader has never faced Schwellenbach before, while Taylor is hitless in just three at-bats against him. The 35-year-old Marte is typically a lineup regular for the Mets, but he enters Monday's big doubleheader with just one hit in his last five games and hasn't homered in the second half of the season. Bader gives the Mets a nice little power-speed combination at the bottom of the lineup, but he comes into Monday with no hits and five strikeouts in 12 plate appearances in his last six games dating back to Sept. 20.
12 hours ago
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.
23 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.
23 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.
23 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.
23 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.
23 hours ago
