MLB News
Jackson Holliday Not In Game 1 Lineup
Baltimore Orioles rookie infielder Jackson Holliday is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals at Camden Yards with a lefty on the mound. Jordan Westburg is starting at the keystone and is hitting second, while Ramon Urias will play third base and hit seventh against Royals left-hander Cole Ragans. While Holliday has a bright future, the O's are going to shield him from facing southpaws in the postseason, and for good reason. The 20-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 had his moments in his rookie season in 2024, but he finished by hitting just .189/.255/.311 with a .565 OPS, five home runs, 23 RBI, four steals and 69 strikeouts in 208 plate appearances and 60 games. He went 4-for-40 (.100) with one of his five home runs and 16 strikeouts in 46 plate appearances against lefties. Holliday finished off September with a .218 average, no homers, three RBI and 17 K's in 21 games.
2 hours ago
Jesse Winker Dealing With Back Injury; Brett Baty On Taxi Squad
New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker (back) didn't play in the last four regular-season games and had his back taped up on Monday. If he's unavailable to play in the wild-card series this week against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field, the Mets have an opening for a left-handed hitter. As such, third baseman Brett Baty is currently on the taxi squad and could be added to the playoff roster if Winker isn't included. It sounds as though the 31-year-old Winker won't be available against Milwaukee. It would mean more action for veteran designated hitter J.D. Martinez against the Brewers, with Baty likely just filling a bench role for the Mets. After being acquired in a trade from the Washington Nationals at the deadline, Winker hit .243 (28-for-115) in New York with three homers, five doubles and 13 RBI in 44 games played.
2 hours ago
Tylor Megill Excluded From Wild-Card Roster
New York Mets right-hander Tylor Megill was excluded from the roster for the wild-card series this week against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. The Mets added right-hander Max Kranick instead. Megill tossed 100 pitches over his 5 2/3 innings during Game 1 of the doubleheader against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Monday in which the Mets punched their ticket to the 2024 postseason, so he was not going to be available to pitch in the three-game wild-card series this week anyway. However, if the Mets upset the Brew Crew and advance to the NLDS to face the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, the 29-year-old Megill will most likely be added to the roster as a starter. In his 16 outings (15 starts) in his fourth year in New York, Megill went 4-5 with a career-best 4.04 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 91:32 K:BB in 78 innings. Kranick will serve in a long-relief role.
2 hours ago
Hunter Renfroe Starting On Bench In Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series
Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe is not in the team's starting lineup for Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. With Renfroe riding pine, the Royals will roll with Tommy Pham in right field, and he will hit seventh against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. Renfroe's playing time in the postseason might be more spotty now that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) is back from the injured list to take over designated hitter duties, at least for the wild-card series. If the 32-year-old Renfroe does get into a game at any point during the series in Baltimore, it will likely come against a left-handed pitcher. In his first year with the Royals in 2024, Renfroe hit just .229/.297/.392 with a below-average .689 OPS, 15 home runs and 52 RBI in 120 games played. In 23 games with KC, Pham went 23-for-101 (.228) with two homers and eight RBI.
2 hours ago
Vinnie Pasquantino Starting In Game 1 Against Orioles
Not only was Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) included on the team's playoff roster for the wild-card series this week, but he's serving as the designated hitter and batting third in Game 1 on Tuesday versus the Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Corbin Burnes at Camden Yards. Pasquantino was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday after recovering from a fractured right thumb that required surgery in early September. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger healed rapidly to give him a shot to contribute for the up-and-coming Royals in October. However, given the layoff and the nature of his injury, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Pasquantino struggle at the plate upon his return. Yuli Gurriel is starting at first base and is batting fifth against Burnes. Pasquantino hit .262 on the year with 19 homers and 97 RBI in his 496 at-bats for KC.
2 hours ago
Chas McCormick Rejoins Astros For Postseason
Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hand) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and has been added to the team's roster for the wild-card series this week at Minute Maid Park against the Detroit Tigers. McCormick is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 on Tuesday, but he is back with the team to provide outfield depth after suffering a fractured right hand in the middle of September. The 29-year-old will most likely see at-bats versus left-handed pitching, although he's not starting against lefty Tarik Skubal, who won the American League pitching Triple Crown this year. McCormick had his best year in the big leagues last year but failed to replicate that success in 2024, as he finished the regular season hitting .211 (51-for-242) with a career-low five home runs, 27 RBI and eight stolen bases in a career-low 94 games. In just seven September games, he went 9-for-23 (.391) with a double and three RBI for the 'Stros.
3 hours ago
Justin Verlander Not On Wild-Card Series Roster
The Houston Astros have left right-hander Justin Verlander off the roster for the wild-card series this week at Minute Maid Park against the Detroit Tigers. It's crazy to think that a three-time Cy Young winner won't be on the Astros' playoff roster, but considering what the 41-year-old has done this year, it doesn't come as that big of a surprise. Verlander battled injuries in his 19th MLB season and was only able to make 17 starts (90 1/3 innings), going 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP), a 1.38 WHIP, 74 strikeouts and 27 walks. The nine-time All-Star was not good in the second half of the season in his seven starts, allowing 30 earned runs on 46 hits (four home runs) while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 33 1/3 innings of work. Houston is rolling with left-hander Framber Valdez in Game 1 and will likely use Ronel Blanco and Yusei Kikuchi the rest of the series. If Houston advances to the ALDS to face Cleveland, Verlander could be added to the playoff roster.
3 hours ago
Yordan Alvarez In Lineup For Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) is serving as the DH and is batting second for Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Tarik Skubal at Minute Maid Park. Alvarez sprained his right knee while sliding over a week ago and was forced to sit out the final week of the regular season as a result. The 27-year-old lefty slugger did some hitting and running on Monday and was cleared to be part of the postseason roster. When healthy, Alvarez is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, but it's unclear how healthy he actually is, and he'll be facing Skubal, who won the American League pitching Triple Crown in 2024. Alvarez was an All-Star this year for the third straight season and hit a cool .308/.392/.567 with 35 homers, 86 RBI and six steals in 147 games played.
3 hours ago
Grant Holmes Tosses Four Scoreless Innings To Help Clinch Playoff Spot
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes stepped up when it mattered most in Monday's Game 2 3-0 win over the Mets. In a must-win situation, Holmes was slotted into the starting lineup after Chris Sale (back) was scratched due to back spasms. Making just his seventh start of the season, Holmes pitched four innings, allowing one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts. The 28-year-old pitched mostly out of the bullpen this season, going 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 9.22 K/9 rate in 26 appearances (seven starts) over 68 1/3 IP. It will be interesting to see how he may be utilized in the postseason and what his role could be for 2025. He only notched one hold this season, so he would likely need to be slotted into a higher-leverage role next season to offer fantasy value.
14 hours ago
Francisco Lindor Hits Go-Ahead Homer To Secure Mets' Postseason Spot
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor stepped up when it mattered most in Monday's Game 1 8-7 win over the Braves. Lindor went 2-for-5 with a single, a two-run home run, and three RBI. With their playoff hopes on the line, Lindor came to the plate in the top of the ninth inning down by one with a runner on first and one out. He sent a Pierce Johnson breaking ball just over the fence into the right-center bullpen to put the Mets up for good. The 30-year-old finished the regular season with excellent all-around numbers, slashing .273/.344/.500 with 33 HR, 107 runs scored, 91 RBI, and 29 stolen bases in 689 plate appearances. His batting average has waivered at times throughout his career, but he has consistently shown the ability to be a high-end, five-category fantasy contributor.
14 hours ago
Craig Breslow Mentions No Untradeable Players For Red Sox
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that "everything is on the table" when asked if the team has any untradeable players heading into the 2025 season, per The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. The Red Sox finished the 2024 season with an 81-81 record, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Rafael Devers has anchored the team's lineup, but they also have young talent in Triston Casas as well as intriguing outfielders Jarren Duran and Tyler O'Neill. The team also had a breakout season from starter Tanner Houck and have several other pitchers who could draw interest, such as Kutter Crawford and Nick Pivetta. From a fantasy perspective, Devers will carry high fantasy value regardless of the lineup he hits in. Other players would likely be affected more depending on their new homes and team context. Fantasy managers will have some downtime before the hot stove gets fired up, but they should keep an ear out for any rumblings from the Red Sox.
15 hours ago
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.
17 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.
18 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.
18 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.
18 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).
18 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.
18 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.
19 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.
19 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.
22 hours ago
