St. Louis Expects Chris Paddack To Start Game 1 Wednesday

The San Diego Padres have not yet announced a starter for Game 1 of Wednesday’s wild-card series, but Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that the team anticipates facing right-hander Chris Paddack. Both Mike Clevinger (biceps) and Dinelson Lamet (biceps) are attempting to work their way back to make starts in the three-game series, although […]

Sandy Alcantara Headlines Marlins Wild-Card Series Staff

The Miami Marlins have officially unveiled the trio that will start during the club’s wild-card series versus the Cubs, which is headlined by right-hander Sandy Alcantara on Wednesday. Alcantara delivered a 3.00 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in seven regular-season starts, and he will be followed by rookie fireballer Sixto Sanchez in Game 2 and righty […]

Mike Clevinger Throws Tuesday, Unlikely To Start Game 1

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger played what was initially described as “aggressive catch” on Tuesday in an attempt to ramp up to pitch during the wild-card series versus St. Louis. But the nature of what he did at Petco Park makes it highly unlikely that he would return to the mound to start […]

J.A. Happ Trends Toward Being Named Game 3 Starter

New York Yankees left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ is moving toward being named the club’s starter for a potential Game 3 of the wild-card series versus Cleveland. Manager Aaron Boone conceded “it’s looking like” Happ would be the name, with right-handed rookies Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt having made their case over the past month. Happ […]

Julio Rodriguez Joins Mariners Prospects At Development Camp

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (wrist) has been cleared to join the club’s developmental Fall League in Arizona. Rodriguez, the club’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been sidelined since fracturing his left wrist back in July. The organization is expected to play 24 games during its time in Arizona, giving Rodriguez ample exposure […]

Brett Gardner Draws Game 1 Start Tuesday Over Clint Frazier

New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will start Tuesday’s Game 1 of the wild-card series versus Cleveland and right-hander Shane Bieber with Clint Frazier heading to the bench. Frazier finished the final week of the year with just a .167 BA and .292 SLG, so despite his reverse splits (.912 OPS vs. RHP), the team […]

Trevor Bauer Rolls Into Game 1 Start Versus Braves

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer may win the National League Cy Young Award on the back of the strikeouts that he compiled in droves this season. With five of his 11 starts seeing him accumulate double-digit punchouts, even more swings and misses could be in order Wednesday for Game 1 of the wild-series versus […]

Chas McCormick Joins Wild-Card Series Roster, Joe Biagini DFA’d

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick has a chance at making his Major League debut as part of the team’s wild-card series roster versus Minnesota. Ranked as the club’s No. 24 prospect per MLB Pipeline, McCormick has combined to steal 35 bases over the past two years, making him a late game pinch-runner option for manager […]

MacKenzie Gore A Candidate For Wild-Card Series Roster

San Diego Padres left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore has been named to the club’s playoff bubble ahead of Game 1 versus St. Louis on Wednesday, which could indicate that he'll be added to the wild-card series roster. Gore is San Diego’s consensus No. 1 prospect and ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the Majors, […]

Josh Naylor Bats Sixth In Postseason Debut Tuesday

Cleveland Indians outfielder Josh Naylor will man left field and bat sixth during Game 1 on Tuesday against the Yankees and right-hander Gerrit Cole. Naylor’s power potential could give him some DFS upside for owners hoping to capitalize on Cole’s career-worst 1.7 HR/9 that he allowed during the 2020 regular season. With Tyler Naquin and […]

Garrett Crochet Makes Wild-Card Series Roster

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet impressed so much over his first five appearances out of relief (eight strikeouts, zero earned runs) that the club chose to add him to their wild-card series roster Tuesday against Oakland. Ranked as the club’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, the 21-year-old Crochet could transition to the […]

Shane McClanahan Joins Wild-Card Series Roster

Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan was added to the club’s wild-card series roster prior to Game 1 versus Toronto on Tuesday. The club’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, McClanahan would not only be making his postseason debut should he appear out of relief, but his major league debut as well. Having averaged […]

Miguel Andujar Not On Club’s Wild-Card Series Roster

New York Yankees utilityman Miguel Andujar was not included on the team’s wild-card series roster versus Cleveland. Andujar has struggled to see playing time throughout the 2020 season due to the depth that New York possesses, with his latest absence also due to a lack of potential at-bats. In the 21 regular season games that […]

Alex Kirilloff Makes Wild-Card Roster, Rich Hill Left Off

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Alex Kirilloff has the potential to make his major league and playoff debut simultaneously after having been added to the club’s wild-card series roster Tuesday. Correspondingly, left-handed pitcher Rich Hill was left off after having started Sunday, although he’d be a sure-fire candidate to return for the ALDS should Minnesota advance. Kirilloff, […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Cleared To Bat Leadoff For Game 1 Wednesday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (wrist) may have been absent from the club’s regular-season finale, but that appears to have been a precautionary move, as manager Brian Snitker confirmed Acuna’s presence atop the lineup for Wednesday. Acuna will be tasked with facing National League Cy Young contender Trevor Bauer, but he’ll likely retain one […]

Jordan Romano Healthy But Off Wild-Card Series Roster

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Jordan Romano (finger) had a breakout 2020 regular season, but even as he was ready to be activated off of the injured list, general manager Ross Atkins determined that Romano needed more work before joining the playoff roster. Romano allowed two earned runs in 14 ⅔ IP, striking out 21 […]

Jon Lester Set For Game 3 Start, If Necessary

Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Jon Lester has been officially announced as the club’s No. 3 starter for the wild-card series versus Miami, should the series need a third and decisive contest. With Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish set to start Games 1 and 2, respectively, Lester’s playoff acumen likely played into the decision despite the […]

Atlanta Hopes For Five Innings Out Of Max Fried In Game 1

Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Max Fried (ankle) was a tenuous pick to start Game 1 of the club’s wild-card series versus Cincinnati after sustaining a sprained ankle in his final regular season start. Manager Brian Snitker revealed Tuesday that he’d be thrilled if Fried pitched “five innings, that’d be great,” indicating that the southpaw is […]

James McCann Enters Lineup For Game 1

Chicago White Sox catcher James McCann will make the start behind the plate for Game 1 of the wild-card series versus Oakland and left-hander Jesus Luzardo. McCann has plundered left-handed pitching this season to the tune of a 1.242 OPS, which makes him an excellent upside DFS play when considering his price tag. He’ll also […]

Bradley Zimmer Joins Playoff Roster, Adam Plutko Left Off

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer has made the club’s wild-card series roster against the Yankees, with right-handed pitcher Adam Plutko not among the group. Zimmer has not appeared since Aug. 20 as the club has attempted to give him at-bats at their alternate training site after he posted a .603 OPS in 50 plate appearances […]

Alejandro Kirk Draws Start At Designated Hitter For Game 1

Toronto Blue Jays catcher/designated hitter Alejandro Kirk will start Game 1 of the wild-card series against Tampa Bay and left-hander Blake Snell, drawing the start at DH with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Kirk, the Blue Jays No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, excelled in a nine-game stint to close the regular season, slashing .375/.400/.583. […]

Yuli Gurriel Inks One-Year Extension With Astros

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel signed a one-year contract extension with the club just before the first pitch of Game 1 of the wild-card series Tuesday. Gurriel receives $7 million to return in 2021 as Houston’s first baseman, with an additional $8 million club option on the books for 2022. Gurriel is coming off […]

J.B. Wendelken Makes Oakland’s Wild-Card Series Roster

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher J.B. Wendelken (undisclosed) has returned off of the injured list to join the club’s wild-card series roster versus the White Sox. Wendelken allowed just five earned runs across 25 innings pitched during the regular season, striking out 31 batters in that stretch. Having become a valued arm at the back of […]

Josh Donaldson Not On Wild-Card Roster

Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson (calf) is not on the team's roster for the wild-card playoff series against the Astros. Donaldson has not played since departing Friday’s game due to a calf cramp, as he was unable to push off on the injured body part during workouts Monday. Marwin Gonzalez will earn the start […]

Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz Available To Pinch Hit In Game 1

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi (hamstring) and third baseman Yandy Diaz (hamstring) are both on the club’s wild-card series roster versus Toronto and are available to pinch hit for Game 1 against right-hander Matt Shoemaker. Choi has not appeared since Sept. 12, while Diaz has been out of the mix since Aug. 31. […]

Reynaldo Lopez Not On Wild-Card Series Roster

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez is not on the team’s roster for the wild-card series versus Oakland after a rough 2020 regular season. Lopez could return for either the ALDS or ALCS should the club advance, but in the three-game format versus Oakland, he’ll be unavailable. In eight regular season starts, Lopez was […]

Chad Pinder Earns Game 1 Start, Stephen Piscotty Available

Oakland Athletics utilityman Chad Pinder will start in the designated hitter slot for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the White Sox and right-hander Lucas Giolito. Stephen Piscotty will begin the game on the bench but is available to pinch hit, as it appears Oakland prefers the matchup of Pinder against Giolito. Having rejoined […]

FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (9/29/20): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

After what seemed to be a long shot three months ago, playoff baseball returns Tuesday. As opposed to the slobberknocker of competition that is ahead Wednesday, and potentially Thursday, we get a quick dip in the water with a four-game American League bonanza. As can be expected with Game 1’s across the board, aces will […]

Jackie Bradley Jr. May Play Final Game With Boston Sunday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is set to become a free agent at season’s end, and while the possibility remains that he could return in 2021, recent comments have indicated that Bradley could be at peace with a new situation next year. Entering play Saturday, Bradley was having his best offensive season since […]

Jon Gray Will Remain Starter Heading Into 2021

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Jon Gray will open the 2021 year as a candidate for the club’s starting rotation, rather than a possible shift into relief, manager Bud Black reiterated Saturday. Gray was mashed to the tune of a 6.69 ERA this year across eight starts, having also led the National League with 98 earned […]