MLB News
Tobias Myers In Line To Start Game 3 Of Wild-Card Series
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Tobias Myers will start Game 3 of the wild-card series at American Family Field on Thursday against the New York Mets if the Brewers are able to win in Game 2 on Wednesday to force a deciding third game. Myers would only be available to start on Thursday if he's not used in relief in Wednesday's game. The 26-year-old stepped up big time for Milwaukee's banged-up rotation in his first big-league season in 2024, going 9-6 with a sharp 3.00 ERA (3.91 FIP), a 1.17 WHIP, 127 strikeouts and 36 walks in 138 innings over 27 appearances (25 starts). He was strong in the final month of September outside of a four-run outing on Sept. 14 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In Myers' final start of the regular season last weekend, he held the Mets scoreless through four frames to picking up the win while walking none and striking out five.
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Yariel Rodriguez's Role Uncertain Heading Into Offseason
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins didn't exactly to commit to a firm role for Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez heading into the offseason. Atkins called Rodriguez a "solid option" for the Blue Jays in the starting rotation and is happy with where his workload is at as a starter. However, Atkins also said, "If we were to acquire one, I think he would be an exceptional reliever." It sounds as though the Blue Jays will continue to be flexible with the 27-year-old's role heading into next year. Toronto was careful with Rodriguez's workload in 2024 in his first year in the big leagues after not pitching in affiliated ball at all in 2023. All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances in his rookie year for the Blue Jays came in a starting role, and he finished with a 4.47 ERA (4.34 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP and an 85:40 K:BB in 86 2/3 total innings. Rodriguez will be much more attractive in fantasy leagues in 2025 if he's starting again.
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Tanner Bibee To Start Game 1 Of ALDS
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee will make the start in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against either the Houston Astros or the division-rival Detroit Tigers. "He's been the guy that we've turned to more often than not this year... He's embraced that role and we're excited to hand the ball to him in Game 1," general manager Chris Antonetti said. With Shane Bieber injured this year, Bibee was Cleveland's ace all year and his second season in the big leagues with a 12-8 record, 3.47 ERA (3.56 FIP), a 1.12 WHIP, a career-high 187 strikeouts and 44 walks in 173 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He was even better to close out the year in his five starts in September, posting a 2.64 ERA with 31 strikeouts and nine walks in 30 2/3 frames. Bibee didn't face Houston at all in 2024 but made four starts against Detroit, recording a 4.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts and four walks in 22 innings pitched.
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Ryan O'Hearn Starting In Game 2 On Wednesday
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan O'Hearn is back in the starting lineup as the designated hitter for Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals and right-hander Seth Lugo at Camden Yards. O'Hearn did not make the start in Game 1 on Tuesday with a lefty on the mound, but he did appear as a pinch-hitter late in the game. The 31-year-old lefty swinger will now hope to do some damage in the six-hole in a must-win game for Baltimore. He could be a sneaky DFS play for Wednesday's action against a right-hander. O'Hearn hit .264 (106-for-401) against righties in 2024, including all 15 of his home runs. He finished September strong, too, going 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs, a double and five RBI in the last six games of the regular season. With Adley Rutschman moving back to catcher, James McCann will open Wednesday's contest on the bench.
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Tommy Pham Taking A Seat For Game 2
With a right-hander on the mound for the Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday at Camden Yards, Kansas City Royals veteran outfielder Tommy Pham will start on the bench. Hunter Renfroe will instead get the nod in right field and will bat seventh against Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin. In the Game 1 win over the O's on Tuesday, Pham made the start in right field and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the victory. Neither veteran outfielder is particularly attractive in DFS while hitting near the bottom of the Royals' batting order. The 32-year-old Renfroe doesn't move the needle much offensively these days after slashing .229/.297/.392 with a below-average .689 OPS, 15 home runs and 52 RBI in 120 games this year for KC. He hit just .177 (9-for-51) with three homers, five RBI and 16 strikeouts in 16 games in the month of September.
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Spencer Turnbull Hoping To Be Included On NLDS Roster
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull (lat) is hoping to get the final spot on the pitching staff for the National League Division Series, which begins on Saturday against either the Milwaukee Brewers or New York Mets. "I feel like I'm ready," Turnbull said. He is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. Turnbull last pitched for the Phillies on June 26, when he left after three innings in Detroit. He was later diagnosed with a right-lat strain and went on the 15-day injured list. He was eventually moved to the 60-day IL on Aug. 17. Turnbull threw 52 pitches in live batting practice on Sept. 27, which followed two innings in a minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 22. If the 32-year-old is on the team's playoff roster, it will be in a relief role for the Phils.
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Carlos Rodon To Start Game 2 Of ALDS
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon will start Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Monday at Yankee Stadium against either the division-rival Baltimore Orioles or the Kansas City Royals. Right-hander Gerrit Cole will take the ball for Game 1 of the series on Saturday in the Bronx. Rodon managed to stay healthy in 2024 and make 32 starts (175 innings pitched) for the Bombers, going 16-9 with a 3.96 ERA (4.39 FIP), a 1.22 WHIP and a 195:57 K:BB. Home runs have continued to be an issue for him, as he allowed a career-high 31 round-trippers in his second year with the team. Rodon had his share of ups and downs for fantasy managers, but the good news for the Yankees is he pitched well entering the postseason, not allowing more than two earned runs in any of his final five starts in September with 34 K's and 10 walks over 28 2/3 frames.
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Kerry Carpenter Hitting Second Against Astros
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter will serve as the designated hitter and bat second in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown at Minute Maid Park. Carpenter was not in the Game 1 lineup on Tuesday with left-hander Framber Valdez getting the start, but he's back in action near the top of the lineup with Brown on the mound for Houston in Game 2. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter missed a big chunk of time in 2024 due to injury, but when he was healthy, he was impressive, slashing .284/.345/.587 with a .932 OPS, 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 264 at-bats. Against righties, he hit .305 (72-for-236) with all but one of his home runs, so fantasy managers playing DFS on Wednesday should look his way. In the last month of the season in September, he went 18-for-65 (.277) at the plate with four homers, five doubles, a triple and 12 RBI in 22 games.
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Wenceel Perez Starting On Bench In Game 2
Detroit Tigers infielder Wenceel Perez will retreat to the bench for Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The left-handed-hitting Colt Keith will man the keystone and will bat fifth for the Tigers versus Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. Perez contributed two hits and scored a run in the Game 1 upset win over the Astros to put them on the brink of elimination. Matt Vierling is also starting in right field, with Zach McKinstry getting the nod at the hot corner. In his first big-league season in 2023, Keith held his own with a .260 average (134-for-516) with 13 home runs, 15 doubles, four triples, 61 RBI, seven stolen bases and 54 runs scored in 148 games played. He actually hit over .300 against lefties in 82 at-bats, but 12 of his 13 home runs on the season came against right-handers.
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Yusei Kikuchi An Option To Start Game 3
Houston Astros left-hander Yusei Kikuchi said he was told "a few days ago" that he may be used in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park in a relief role. Kikuchi will be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday, but he would start a deciding Game 3 on Thursday if it happens and he's not used in relief on Wednesday. The Astros aren't going to hold anything back on Wednesday to try and avoid elimination after losing Game 1 on Tuesday, so it's not a guarantee that the 33-year-old southpaw starts on Thursday. The Astros would be wise to use Kikuchi on Wednesday if the game is close, as he was great in 10 starts after joining Houston in a trade from Toronto, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, 76 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 60 innings pitched down the stretch.
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Jon Singleton, Jake Meyers Out For Game 2
Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton and outfielder Jake Meyers are on the bench for Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Victor Caratini is making the start at first base and will bat sixth, while Chas McCormick is starting in center field and in the nine-hole in a must-win game against Tigers left-handed opener Tyler Holton. Both Singleton and Meyers could enter Wednesday's contest later on once the lefty is out of the game. Neither Caratini nor McCormick bring a ton of DFS appeal to the table on Wednesday. Caratini hit .269 (66-for-245) on the year with eight home runs and 30 RBI, while McCormick had the worst season of his four-year career with a .211/.271/.306 slash line and five home runs in 94 games. McCormick was just activated from the injured list after fracturing his right hand in mid-September.
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Frankie Montas To Start Wild-Card Game 2 On Wednesday
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Frankie Montas will take the mound in Wednesday's must-win wild-card Game 2 against the Mets. He will be opposed by Sean Manaea. Montas had an inconsistent regular season with the Reds and Brewers, going 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and a 22.6% strikeout rate in 30 starts and 150 2/3 innings pitched. The 31-year-old faced the Mets once this season in his last start, allowing two runs on two hits (including a home run) and three walks with six strikeouts through four innings. The Brewers kept Freddie Peralta on a short leash in Game 1's 8-4 loss, so it would not be surprising if they treated Montas the same.
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Tyler Holton To Open Wild-Card Game 2 On Wednesday
The Detroit Tigers announced on Tuesday that relief pitcher Tyler Holton will serve as the opener for Wednesday's wild-card Game 2 against the Astros. The 28-year-old made an appearance in Game 1's 3-1 win, recording a single out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Holton excelled as both an opener and late-inning reliever throughout the regular season, going 7-2 with eight saves and 14 holds with a 2.19 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, and a 21.8% strikeout rate in 66 appearances (nine starts) and 94 1/3 IP. He offers intriguing fantasy value given his late-inning role, although that value will be capped in 2025 if he continues to serve part-time as an opener.
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Hunter Brown Starting Game 2 On Wednesday
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown will be called upon to keep the team's playoff hopes alive in Wednesday's wild-card Game 2 against the Tigers. The 26-year-old enjoyed a strong second half of the regular season, bringing his totals to 11-9 with a 3.49 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 25.1% strikeout rate in 31 appearances (30 starts) and 170 innings pitched. He owns a 1.69 post-season ERA in 10 2/3 IP, but this will be his first post-season start. Brown had two successful starts against the Tigers in the regular season, allowing just one run in 12 IP with 16 strikeouts.
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Luis Severino Tosses Quality Start For Wild-Card Game 1 Win
New York Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino got the job done in Tuesday's wild-card Game 1 8-4 win over the Brewers. Severino pitched six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts. He also hit a batter. The 30-year-old has changed his game approach from earlier in his career but had a successful regular season, going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and a 21.2% strikeout rate in 31 starts and 182 IP. He will turn things over to Sean Manaea for Wednesday's Game 2 with the opportunity to clinch a spot in the National Leagues Division Series with a road sweep.
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Fernando Tatis Jr. Powers Offense In Game 1 With Homer
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. got things started in Tuesday's wild-card Game 1 4-0 win against the Braves. Tatis Jr. went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk. The 25-year-old wasted no time getting the offense going, launching a first-inning AJ Smith-Shawver first-pitch fastball deep into the left-field seats to ignite the Padres faithful. Tatis Jr. had another overall successful regular season, slashing .276/.340/.492 with 21 HR, 61 runs scored, 49 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 438 plate appearances. He has only reached 600 plate appearances once in his career, but there is no doubt that Tatis Jr. is one of fantasy's best offensive options on a game-by-game basis.
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Michael King Fans 12 In Wild-Card Game 1 Win
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King was locked in for Tuesday's wild-card Game 1 4-0 win over the Braves. King pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and no walks with 12 strikeouts. The 29-year-old's performance made him just the third pitcher ever to record at least 10 strikeouts with no walks in his first postseason start. King had a great first season with the Padres, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 27.7% strikeout rate. He should be a fantasy target in 2025, and his stock could jump even higher if he gets more post-season opportunities to impress.
16 hours ago
Tarik Skubal Tosses Six Scoreless Innings For Game 1 Wild-Card Win
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal dealt with several health scares but earned the win in Tuesday's Game 1 wild-card 3-1 game against the Astros. Skubal pitched six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk with six strikeouts. The 27-year-old lefty took a comebacker off the base of his glove hand in the second inning and worked through cramping in the sixth inning. Skubal became just the third pitcher in Tigers history to post a scoreless outing of six or more innings in his postseason debut. This followed a regular season where he led the American League in ERA, wins, and strikeouts. Skubal emerged as a fantasy ace this season and will look to continue into the playoffs.
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Zach Eflin To Start Game 2 For Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin has been named the team's starter for Game 2 in a must-win contest on Wednesday at Camden Yards in the wild-card series versus the visiting Kansas City Royals. Baltimore's backs are against the wall in the three-game series after losing to the Royals 1-0 on Tuesday despite an excellent showing from right-handed starter Corbin Burnes. They'll now turn to Eflin, who allowed three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings for a no-decision in his last start of the year on Sept. 25 against the New York Yankees. The 30-year-old pitched well in nine starts for the O's, though, after being acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline in July, posting a 2.60 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 47 K's and 11 walks in 55 1/3 innings. Eflin's lone start against KC this year while with the Rays didn't go so well, as he allowed six runs (five earned) with a walk and three K's in five innings, although he recorded a win.
21 hours ago
Cole Ragans Pulled Early From Game 1 Start Due To Cramps
Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf) was pulled from his start early on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Game 1 of the wild-card series with left-calf cramps. Ragans said his leg cramped up with two batters left in his final inning and could have gone back out. He will be ready to go in the ALDS against the New York Yankees if the Royals advance past the Orioles this week. Before departing, Ragans threw six shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks and eight strikeouts to pick up the victory in the eventual 1-0 win. The 26-year-old southpaw was on his game on Tuesday and will now hope to pitch again versus the Yankees at some point next week. The former 30th overall pick of the Texas Rangers in 2016 was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and went 11-9 during 32 regular-season starts (186 1/3 innings) with a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a career-high 223 strikeouts as KC's ace.
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