Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Sits For Game 2 Of DH Friday

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman/designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not among the starting nine for Game 2 of the club’s doubleheader against the Red Sox. Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts during the afternoon affair, dropping his OPS on the season to .770 through his first 37 contests. Should Guerrero not appear […]

Andrew Miller Faces Activation As Soon As Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller could rejoin the club’s relief corps as soon as Saturday, per manager Mike Shildt. Miller last appeared Aug. 23 and has since been sidelined due to fatigue in his pitching shoulder. The club has utilized Giovanny Gallegos as its closer without Miller in the mix, although it’s unclear […]

Jon Gray Hits IL With Shoulder Inflammation

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Jon Gray was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Friday’s contest against the Dodgers due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. Gray has struggled mightily in 2020, allowing a Major League-high 29 earned runs through his first eight starts. Coors Field has again been a bugaboo for Gray, having […]

Marcus Semien Not In Starting Lineup Friday

Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien is not among the club’s starting nine for Friday’s contest against San Diego and right-hander Zach Davies. Vimael Machin will hold down the shortstop gig with Semien (side) still unavailable despite taking swings in the cage earlier in the day. He indicated that he was optimistic about returning soon, while […]

Jose Altuve Misses Weekend Series With Knee Sprain

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has been diagnosed with a sprained right knee stemming from a slide into third base Thursday. Manager Dusty Baker made it clear that Altuve was out for Saturday and highly unlikely to play Sunday, pushing his absence into next week. The duo of Abraham Toro and Aledmys Diaz figure […]

Alex Avila Exits Friday Due To Back Tightness

Just a day after being scratched from the starting nine due to a back ailment, Minnesota Twins catcher Alex Avila was removed early from Friday’s contest against Detroit due to tightness in his back. Ryan Jeffers took over behind the dish in both instances, as the club remains without primary backstop Mitch Garver (oblique). Through […]

Jeff Samardzija, Drew Smyly Set For Sim Games Saturday

San Francisco Giants right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija and left-hander Drew Smyly are both in line to work three innings during a simulated game Saturday. Samardzija landed on the IL on Aug. 8 due to an impingement in his right shoulder, while Smyly has been out since Aug. 2 with a strained finger on his left […]

Alex Cobb Lands On IL After Being Scratched Friday

Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb was scratched from his start Friday and ultimately placed on the injured list. Thomas Eshelman was tabbed to take Cobb’s starting spot, although it’s unclear if he’ll join the starting staff on a semi-permanent basis. Cobb has posted a 4.33 ERA through his first seven starts in 2020. Despite […]

Ryne Stanek Gets Activated Friday, Rejoins Bullpen

Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek was activated off of the injured list prior to Friday’s contest against the Rays. Caught up in the COVID-19 outbreak that decimated the early part of 2020 for Miami, Stanek has made just one appearance out of relief this year, yielding three runs in one frame. Acquired from Tampa […]

Ryan Braun Not An Option At First, Could Return Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Ryan Braun is not a candidate to see time at first base during September, manager Craig Counsell stated Friday. Braun was last among the starting nine last Sunday as the club attempts to manage his perpetual back ailment, but there’s a possibility that he gets back in Saturday versus Cleveland. Despite […]

Cleveland Expects To Have Roberto Perez Back Soon

Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez has been shut down while dealing with shoulder fatigue, but Cleveland president Chris Antonetti indicated before Friday’s contest that the team hoped to have Perez back in the mix within the next few days. In the meantime, Sandy Leon and Austin Hedges figure to share duties behind the dish, with […]

Dylan Moore Returns To Lineup Friday, Bats Second

Seattle Mariners utilityman Dylan Moore got back among the starting nine Friday as expected, batting second and manning the keystone against the Rangers and right-hander Kyle Cody. Moore last appeared Aug. 20, having been sidelined due to a sprained right wrist. Prior to the ailment, Moore was in the midst of a breakout campaign, having […]

Steven Matz, Dellin Betances Toss Off Flat Ground Friday

New York Mets left-handed pitcher Steven Matz and right-hander Dellin Betances both played catch off flat ground Friday, the first step on the comeback trail from their respective ailments. Matz landed on the IL on Sunday due to discomfort in his pitching shoulder, while Betances hit the IL on the same day due to discomfort […]

Aaron Judge In Line To Return For Postseason

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has played in one game since Aug. 11 due to a lingering calf injury. Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that he expects Judge to return before the start of the postseason, which while a positive, is also something of a surprise that the slugger would need to be sidelined […]

Ian Happ Sits Friday After Taking Foul Ball Off Face

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ is out of the starting nine for Friday’s contest against the Cardinals and right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty just a day after a foul ball struck him near the eye, forcing him from the game. Happ should avoid a stint on the IL, with Cameron Maybin slotting into center field Friday. […]

Jose Alvarado Could Rejoin Bullpen For Playoff Run

Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarado appears on track to returning at some point in 2020, although it may not be during the regular season. Currently on the IL since Aug. 15 due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder, Alvarado has struck out 13 batters in nine innings of relief this season. But while […]

NBA DFS Cheat Sheet & Expert Lineups for September 4th

With only two games on this Friday slate, I'm going to discuss each game and provide a player pool for the slate at the bottom.  The majority of the slates moving forward will be smaller so remember that almost anyone getting minutes is in play instead of being able to easily cross off or remove […]

Yu Darvish Reclaims Cy Young Form By Limiting Contact

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish has pitched like one of the game’s premier aces this season, having delivered a 310 ERA+ through his first seven starts. It’s not just his traditional statistics that paint the picture that Darvish has reentered the Cy Young conversation, it’s the fact that his Statcast metrics enhance that picture. […]

Mariners To Operate With Six-Man Rotation For Time Being

The Seattle Mariners have had their September schedule thrown in flux after having their series against Oakland postponed this week. When the team returns to the diamond Friday, they’ll tab Yusei Kikuchi versus the Rangers, but rather than coming back to him on regular rest next week, the team will utilize Ljay Newsome and Nick […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Sees Curveball Hit Hard During 2020

There figured to be an acclimation process for Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. after a season out of the mix, but no longer being an elite strikeout arm didn’t seem to be the cards. Yet, through seven starts, McCullers has produced a 7.7 K/9 rate and has a 5.40 xERA, while the biggest […]

Joey Gallo Sees Power Metrics Nosedive As Of Late

Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo has carved out his niche as a boom-or-bust hitter at the Major League level. The reality of being such a bat -- and for fantasy managers to roster such a bat -- is that when a cold spell strikes, it cripples production; in Gallo’s case, that’s been 2020 in a […]

Paul Goldschmidt Delivers Career Year Thus Far In 2020

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s production has not been fazed by the oddity of the 2020 year. Entering Thursday leading the Majors with a .478 on-base percentage, Goldschmidt is among the game’s elite, posting a .426 wOBA and .429 xwOBA. While usually an excellent source of walks, Goldschmidt has eschewed strikeouts this season […]

Denver’s Crowded Backfield Complicates Melvin Gordon In 2020

When healthy, running back Melvin Gordon should be the Denver Broncos lead back in 2020. But unfortunately for Gordon, with a rib injury lingering ahead of Week 1, Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman have been able to split first-team repetitions. A timeshare severely cut into Gordon’s production load last year when he compiled 612 yards on […]

Chris Godwin Should Be Ready To Roll In Week 1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin has been notoriously kept under wraps during the summer as it pertains to his injury status, but there’s little reason to believe that he will be unavailable when the team takes on the Saints next Sunday. Greg Auman of The Athletic notes that Godwin and quarterback Tom Brady […]

Jesse James Eyes Bounce-Back Campaign Despite Competition

Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James noted Thursday that last season was the “toughest year” that he had since becoming a professional. Having inked a four-year deal to join the Lions prior to the start of 2019, James produced just 16 receptions for 142 yards, quickly becoming a fantasy non-entity. The addition of T.J. Hockenson […]

Dallas Releases Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Creates Safety Opening

Dallas Cowboys safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was released Thursday, with the team saving payroll by not having him on its Week 1 roster. The move comes with curious timing as the Cowboys and veteran safety Earl Thomas have been linked to one another for years, with Thomas remaining a free agent with just over a […]

Ryan Kelly Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Center

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly inked a four-year contract extension Thursday that will pay him $50 million, thereby making him the league’s highest-paid center. Kelly will be integral to the acclimation of quarterback Philip Rivers to the Colts roster in his first season, while also being an anchor of the offensive line for the stylings […]

Titans, Saints Lead Clubs Making Push For Jadeveon Clowney

Three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney remains without an organization with the start of the 2020 season just seven days away. But with the clock ticking, the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints are reportedly making late flurries to get the top tier talent onto their rosters. While many have linked the Seahawks to […]

Reynaldo Lopez Gets Sent To Club’s Alternate Site

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was optioned to the club's alternate site ahead of Thursday’s contest against Kansas City after he lasted just 1 ⅔ frames in his start Wednesday. Lopez has scuffled mightily again in 2020, yielding 11 runs (nine earned) in his first 9 ⅔ innings with eight walks and three […]

Yoan Moncada Battles Depleted Energy After Virus

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada made it known Thursday that over six weeks since he tested positive for COVID-19, that he was still battling to keep his energy up. Moncada’s OPS has dropped 155 points this season from where he was at in 2019, with his average exit velocity (86.8 MPH) cratering from […]