J.A. Happ Makes Final Regular Season Start Friday

New York Yankees left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ will take the hill Friday versus Miami, marking his final start of the 2020 regular season. After opening the year with back-to-back starts of four runs allowed, Happ has compiled a 1.93 ERA over his last six starts. With one final strong performance, Happ can likely clinch his […]

Javier Baez Sees September Slide Crater Season Numbers

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez has batted just .188 with a .216 on-base percentage during September, being dropped in the order as far as the No. 7 slot. His OPS has been in a steady freefall from his past numbers, settling into .579 with just three contests to play in 2020. Equally concerning is the […]

Aaron Bummer, Carlos Rodon Rejoin Roster Thursday

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitchers Aaron Bummer (biceps) and Carlos Rodon (shoulder) were both activated off of the injured list prior to Thursday’s contest versus Cleveland. Bummer has been a crucial cog in the Chicago bullpen over the last two years, having allowed just one run with 12 strikeouts in 7 ⅓ IP this year. […]

Joc Pederson Back Among Starting Nine Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson rejoins the starting lineup Thursday versus Oakland and right-hander Mike Fiers. Pederson has become a platoon option at this stage, having batted just .177 with a .639 OPS this year. Yet after clubbing 36 homers last year, Pederson can still present an appealing DFS boom-or-bust option due to […]

Carlos Martinez Lands On Injured List With Oblique Ailment

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitcher Carlos Martinez (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Thursday’s contest versus Milwaukee due to a strained left oblique. After having delivered a 9.90 ERA in five regular-season starts, it was murky as to whether Martinez would make St. Louis’ potential playoff roster, but the injury further […]

Freddy Peralta Hits Paternity List, Eric Lauer Rejoins Roster

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta was placed on the paternity list prior to Thursday’s contest versus the Cardinals, which effectively removes any remaining fantasy intrigue that he had in 2020. With the placement requiring at least three days away from the club, left-hander Eric Lauer was recalled to rejoin the roster. Peralta excelled out […]

Walker Buehler Faces Few Limitations In Thursday Start

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler (finger) is making his first start since Sept. 8 on Thursday versus Oakland, and manager Dave Roberts indicated that he hopes for the righty to reach six innings or 90 pitches. Buehler has worked at least six innings just once all season (Aug. 21), but he has delivered […]

Alejandro Kirk Draws First Start As Designated Hitter Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk will serve as the designated hitter for Thursday's contest versus the Yankees and left-hander Jordan Montgomery, the first time in his big league career that he’ll start from somewhere other than behind the dish. Kirk, the club’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has impressed in his early showings, […]

Aaron Judge Absent From Thursday’s Lineup

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is being held out of Thursday’s starting nine against Toronto as the club attempts to keep him healthy heading into the postseason. Brett Gardner will be in the lineup, while Clint Frazier holds down right field in Judge’s absence. Judge has gone just 5-for-25 with five singles since returning […]

Wilson Ramos Out Of Thursday’s Lineup

New York Mets catcher Wilson Ramos is not among the starting nine for Thursday’s contest versus Washington and left-hander Patrick Corbin. While Ramos has homered against Corbin in the past, it’s been his only hit in 12 career at-bats, as he cedes way to Robinson Chirinos behind the plate. Ramos’ power production has dipped considerably […]

Atlanta Expects Max Fried Back For Game 1 Of Playoffs

Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Max Fried (ankle) was forced to depart from his start Wednesday after just one inning due to a tweaked ankle. But manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that the club anticipates having Fried back for the opening game of the 2020 postseason next Wednesday. It was a tremendous regular season for Fried, […]

Renato Nunez Absent From Thursday’s Lineup

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Renato Nunez (knee) is not among the club’s starting nine for Thursday’s contest versus Boston and left-hander Martin Perez as he battles a sore knee. Pat Valaika will enter the lineup and hold down first base in Nunez’s absence. On the heels of a 31-homer campaign in 2019, Nunez showcased this […]

Anderson Tejeda Scratched From Thursday’s Lineup

Texas Rangers second baseman/shortstop Anderson Tejeda (arm) was a late scratch from Thursday’s starting nine versus Houston and right-hander Cristian Javier. Tejeda, the club’s No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is one of the young bats that the Rangers have been getting a look at down the stretch in 2020, as he has produced a […]

Clarke Schmidt Set For First MLB Start Sunday

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt is in line to make the first start of his big league career Sunday versus Miami. Schmidt, ranked as the club’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has appeared twice out of relief this season and allowed three hits, three walks and two runs in 2 ⅓ frames. […]

Nate Pearson Returns Thursday, Will Work In Relief

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson (elbow) was activated off of the injured list prior to Thursday’s contest versus the Yankees. Pearson, the club’s top prospect per MLB Pipeline, will work out of the bullpen after tightness in his pitching elbow shut him down for the past month. In four starts this year for […]

FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (9/24/20): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

Welcome to the final wacky and wild Thursday slate of the 2020 regular season. If it seems like just two months ago that we were kicking off this column with a two-game slate of Yankees-Nationals and Giants-Dodgers, well, it’s because we were.  But fast-forward to Sept. 24 and we get to welcome in the final […]

Khris Davis Draws Rare Start Versus Right-Hander Wednesday

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis is among the club’s starting nine for Wednesday’s contest versus the Dodgers and right-hander Joe Kelly. But with Kelly expected to serve just as the club’s opener ahead of bulk pitcher Julio Urias, Oakland has opted to keep Davis in the lineup despite having become essentially a platoon player […]

Mike Clevinger's Postseason Status In Doubt

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger (biceps) departed his start Wednesday early due to biceps tightness, an ailment that may ultimately force him to miss the remainder of 2020. Clevinger is set to undergo an MRI, but even if there is no necessity of surgery, any kind of muscle strain may put the righty […]

Wade Miley Returns To Roster Wednesday, Will Join Bullpen

Cincinnati Reds left-handed pitcher Wade Miley (shoulder) was activated off of the injured list prior to Wednesday’s contest versus Milwaukee, with Tyler Stephenson being optioned to the club’s alternate site to make room on the roster. Miley will join the club’s relief corps, with his first appearance marking the first occasion since 2012 in which […]

Rhys Hoskins Not Likely To Return This Season

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins (elbow) is more than likely done for the remainder of 2020. Hoskins is still not ready to hit in any capacity, which all but officially rules him out for the rest of the regular season, at the very least. Even if Philadelphia makes the postseason, manager Joe Girardi believes […]

Jakob Junis Shifts To Bullpen Role To Finish 2020

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis was recalled to the club’s active roster ahead of Wednesday’s contest versus St. Louis and is now expected to appear out of relief over the season’s final few days. Initially set to be a full-time starter, the club will utilize him in shorter stints out of relief in […]

Matt Olson Heads To Bench Wednesday

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson is not among the starting nine for Wednesday’s contest versus the Dodgers and right-hander Joe Kelly. Olson, who is slated to miss his first game of the season, has been quiet at the dish over the previous 10 days, ceding way to Mark Canha, who will hold down the […]

Nelson Cruz Remains Sidelined Wednesday; Return Uncertain

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz (knee) is once again absent from the club’s starting lineup Wednesday as he battles knee soreness, with manager Rocco Baldelli conceding that the club will not rush him back to the lineup with the playoffs around the corner. Cruz is available off the bench, although it doesn’t sound as […]

David Dahl Lands On 45-Day Injured List

Colorado Rockies outfielder David Dahl (shoulder) was placed on the 45-day injured list prior to Wednesday’s contest versus San Francisco due to a strained right shoulder. It was essentially a lost year for Dahl, who scuffled mightily at the plate, delivering a .183/.222/.247 slash line without a home run in 24 contests. Maybe most concerning […]

Joe Kelly Starts In Place Of Julio Urias On Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly will start Wednesday’s contest against Oakland in place of southpaw Julio Urias, who was scratched prior to first pitch, but Urias will ultimately toss the bulk of innings. Kelly has yet to allow a run in 10 appearances this season, having held opposing batters to a .192 average across […]

Michael Conforto Returns To Starting Lineup Wednesday

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup Wednesday versus Tampa Bay and right-hander Tyler Glasnow. Conforto has been out of the mix since Sunday, returning to the lineup in the No. 2 spot Wednesday. Having delivered a breakout campaign in 2020 which has put him on pace for new […]

Christian Vazquez Sits Wednesday Against Orioles

Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez is not among the club’s starting nine for Wednesday’s contest versus Baltimore, ceding way to Kevin Plawecki behind the dish. Vazquez has plated runs in four of his last six appearances, having compiled a 1.040 OPS in that span. After a breakout offensive performance in 2019, Vazquez has posted […]

Kris Bryant Absent From Lineup Again Wednesday

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (oblique) is once again on the bench for Wednesday’s contest versus Pittsburgh and right-hander Trevor Williams. Bryant sustained an oblique injury Monday, with David Bote taking over for him at the hot corner. It’s been an offensive malaise at the dish this season for Bryant (.583 OPS), whose status […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Gets Day Off Wednesday

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is not among the club’s starting nine for Wednesday’s contest versus the Angels and right-hander Jaime Barria. For the first time in his career, Jake Cronenworth is batting in the No. 2 spot in the order, as he shifts over to short to step in for Tatis. Despite […]

Josh Bell Absent From Starting Lineup Wednesday

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell is not starting Wednesday versus Chicago and right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Colin Moran shifts over to first base, with Jose Osuna holding down the DH spot. Bell is in a ferociously cold slump, having gone 0-for-19 over his last seven games with two walks and nine strikeouts. After an […]