Yordan Alvarez, Jose Urquidy Ramping Up Activities

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez and right-handed pitcher Jose Urquidy are both continuing to make their way back while working at the team’s alternate training facility. Alvarez advanced to taking batting practice Thursday, while Urquidy is pitching off of a mound. Still, manager Dusty Baker indicated that neither was particularly close to joining the […]

Antonio Senzatela Aims To Turn Corner On Road Woes Friday

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela struggled mightily at road ballparks last season to put it mildly. While pitching at Coors Field is never simplistic, Senzatela was battered to the tune of a 7.29 ERA across 13 starts elsewhere. But it appears that the righty may have turned a corner through his first two starts […]

Spencer Howard A Possibility To Start Sunday’s Contest

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard ranks as the club’s No. 2 prospect and when manager Joe Girardi was asked whether he may be tabbed to start Sunday's game versus Atlanta, he answered with a coy “stay tuned.” Howard was masterful across three Minor League levels last season, compiling a 2.03 ERA in 15 starts; […]

Devin Smeltzer Enters Rotation For Start Friday

Minnesota Twins left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer has been shifted to the starting rotation for Friday’s contest against the Royals. Smeltzer worked behind an opener his last time out and allowed one run over 2 ⅔ innings, a drastic step forward from his nightmarish debut July 25 (2 IP, 5 ER). The southpaw has starting experience […]

Kelvin Herrera Inks Deal With Cubs, Eyes Bullpen Spot

Right-handed pitcher Kelvin Herrera has latched on with the Cubs after a brief two-game tenure with the White Sox to open 2020. Things went sideways for the veteran righty to start the year, yielding four runs in 2 ⅓ innings. While his 2019 numbers (6.14 ERA in 51 ⅓ frames) aren’t promising either, Herrera has […]

Ender Inciarte Could See Decreased Playing Time

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte may be the odd man out of the team’s lineup against right-handed pitching moving forward, per manager Brian Snitker. With Nick Markakis back in the mix, Inciarte found himself on the bench Thursday, a decision that Snitker reiterated by saying he would stick with that division of labor “for a […]

Rio Ruiz Could Be Back In Lineup By Weekend

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Rio Ruiz has been battling a right shoulder ailment that again kept him out of the lineup Thursday, although manager Brandon Hyde was optimistic that Ruiz could be back in the mix Friday or Saturday. Ruiz was last in the lineup last Saturday, having gotten off to a hot start in […]

Yonny Chirinos Placed On Injured List With Triceps Ailment

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Yonny Chirinos has landed on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation of his right triceps. The move comes as a swift roadblock after Chirinos had gotten off to a promising start in 2020, even as he failed to complete five innings in either of his two appearances. While Chirinos […]

Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu Out Of Lineup Thursday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and second baseman DJ LeMahieu are both getting the day off Thursday against Phillies right-hander Zach Eflin after both players took the field for both legs of Wednesday’s doubleheader. Mike Tauchman enters the lineup for Judge and takes over the leadoff spot -- which makes him a high-upside DFS […]

Nick Markakis To Make First Start Of Season Thursday

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis will man right field and bat fifth during Thursday’s matchup against Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson. Markakis, who had initially planned to sit out the 2020 year due to COVID-19 concerns, forces Ender Inciarte to the bench and Marcell Ozuna to the designated hitter spot. Having recorded an out in […]

Rougned Odor Expected To Rejoin Lineup During Weekend

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward said Thursday that he hoped to have second baseman Rougned Odor back in the fold either Friday or Saturday against the Angels. Odor was absent from Thursday’s lineup, marking four consecutive games that he has been sidelined due to a right oblique strain. Even as Odor has gotten off to […]

Michael Brantley Rejoins Lineup Thursday After Absence

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley is back among the starting nine for Thursday's contest versus the D-backs and right-hander Zac Gallen. Brantley has been dealing with a quad ailment and will return to the lineup as the designated hitter Thursday, a role that he is reprising for the fifth time this season. He has collected […]

Gio Gonzalez Slated For Tough Matchup Thursday

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez faces his former team, the Brewers, on Thursday in a tough matchup for those banking on the southpaw’s performance. Gonzalez excelled to the tune of a 3.20 ERA across 24 appearances for Milwaukee over the past two seasons, but in addition to facing a team that has a […]

Zach Eflin Expected To Be Capped Around 60 Pitches Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin is not expected to have a long leash Thursday against the Yankees. As Eflin has been ramping up to make his season debut, he got up to as many as 60 pitches last week, which could prevent him from going deep into his start. Combine the righty's potential pitch […]

Jo Adell Scratched From Lineup Thursday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell is dealing with a tight quad which will keep him out of Thursday’s lineup against the Mariners and right-hander Taijuan Walker. One of the game’s premier prospects, Adell has gotten off to a 2-for-8 start in his big league career, with four strikeouts. Justin Upton and Brian Goodwin, who […]

Salvador Perez Hammering Ball Early Despite Slow Start

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez has compiled just a .693 OPS through his first 13 games in 2020, which nearly sets him on pace for a career low. But a deeper look at the metrics shows that Perez is actually scorching the ball, tied for the second-most hard hit balls (20) in the Majors. […]

Eric Lauer To Join Rotation Friday Against Reds

Milwaukee Brewers left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer will make his first start of 2020 on Friday against the Reds after having reeled off an impressive six-strikeout outing back on July 26. Lauer made 52 starts for San Diego over the past two seasons, compiling a 4.40 ERA. The vast majority of his metrics from 2019 are […]

Kyle Lewis Out Of Lineup Thursday Against Angels

Seattle Mariners outfielder Kyle Lewis is out of the starting nine for the first time this season for Thursday’s matchup against Angels right-hander Dylan Bundy. The rookie has gotten off to a scorching hot start in 2020, entering play Thursday leading the Majors with 20 hits. While he has struck out in exactly one-third of […]

Kwang Hyun Kim Enters Starting Rotation, Closer Spot Open

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim has been tabbed to take the rotation spot left voided by Carlos Martinez, thereby opening up Cardinals closer’s duties. Kim served predominantly as a starter during his time in Korea, but opened the year in the St. Louis bullpen as injuries and absences piled up. Having compiled […]

Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault Likely To Continue Piggyback Roles

The Pittsburgh Pirates have essentially knotted right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl and left-hander Steven Brault at the hip when it comes to appearing in games during 2020. Brault has started both games that the two have appeared in, with Kuhl following him, a move that manager Derek Shelton approved for at least one more start, although […]

FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (8/6/20): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

Thursday represents one of the more tumultuous slates of the young 2020 season due to the uncertainty surrounding many starting pitchers across the league. There is no runaway ace that should dominate cash or GPP games alike, paving the way for lots of uncertainty and diverse lineups. Due to the nature of the pricing of […]

Rui Hachimura Goes Cold From Field Across 39 Minutes

Washington Wizards power forward Rui Hachimura saw a game-high 39 minutes during Wednesday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, but was unable to cash in on his time on the floor, shooting just 2-for-11 overall. Over his last three outings, Hachimura has shot 8-for-29, failing to reach double figures in scoring in any of those games. […]

Jerome Robinson Pours In 19 Points Off Bench In Loss

Washington Wizards shooting guard/small forward Jerome Robinson continued to lead the team’s second unit against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, dropping 19 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Since entering the bubble, Robinson has been the Wizard who arguably has benefited most from the absence of Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans, staples of the team’s offense at […]

Nick Burdi Shut Down For 2020 Year, Bucs Bullpen In Flux

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi has been placed on the 45-day injured list due to a right elbow injury, ending his 2020 campaign just as it was beginning. Having notched his first big league save back on July 28, Burdi was holding down the Pirates’ closer’s role for the time being, having showcased a […]

Nick Margevicius Set To Enter Rotation Saturday Versus Rockies

Seattle Mariners left-hander Nick Margevicius has made three appearances out of relief in 2020, but with Kendall Graveman (neck) set to miss multiple starts, Margevicius will enter the starting five this weekend, set to face Colorado at T-Mobile Park. The 24-year-old is particularly experienced with the Rockies from his time with the Padres last year, […]

Josh James Headed For Bullpen Role To Bolster Relief Corps

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Josh James made two shaky starts to kick off 2020 and manager Dusty Baker announced Wednesday that he would be heading to the bullpen for the time being. James has walked a Major League-high 11 batters in his six innings this year, and with Houston’s bullpen trying to keep itself above […]

A.J. Puk Nearing Return To Mound, Set For Relief Role

Oakland Athletics left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk has been throwing at 75 feet and is on the precipice of getting back on the mound. Manager Bob Melvin would not commit to whether or not Puk, who is dealing with a shoulder ailment, would return in 2020, but said that if he did get back, it would […]

Zach Davies Tabbed To Start Friday Versus D-backs

San Diego Padres right-hander Zach Davies will be on the hill for Friday’s contest against Arizona, essentially allowing the Padres to skip a spot in the rotation. Davies has provided solid production through his first two starts in 2020, both of which have lasted five innings on the road. Normally able to reduce the barrels […]

Billy Hamilton Records 300th Career Stolen Base Wednesday

New York Mets outfielder Billy Hamilton drew the start Wednesday and immediately made an impact by swiping his first bag since being acquired earlier in the week. Hamilton, who made a name for himself as an electric base runner during his time with the Reds from 2013-18, has now amassed 300 stolen bases in his […]

Thomas Bryant Notches Third Consecutive Double-Double

Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant continued his masterful development inside the NBA bubble, compiling his third straight double-double during Wednesday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Bryant battled All-Star Joel Embiid and managed to finish with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. Prior to the restart of the NBA season, Bryant attempted more than two […]