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Every day, we will be taking a quick look at the best and worst fantasy baseball performers from yesterday's games. There were several dominant performances on both sides of the ball, as an MLB record was tied and several players went deep multiple times - including one of the last guys you'd expect.
Here's a quick look at those who impressed on Wednesday, and those who want to pretend the day never happened.
Editor’s Note: To read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple Store.
Fantasy Baseball Studs
Max Scherzer (SP, DET): Well, duh doy. Scherzer tied the MLB record for strikeouts in a game, whiffing 20 batters and walking none in a complete game against the Tigers. He did give up two solo homers, but who cares? 20 strikeouts!
Noah Syndergaard (SP, NYM): Thor wasn’t nearly as dominant as Scherzer on the mound, merely striking out six in his eight innings. However, he also homered twice and drove in all four of the Mets’ runs, essentially beating the Dodgers by himself.
Jackie Bradley (OF, BOS): Bradley extended his hitting streak to 17 games and drove in six runs for the second time in three nights. He blasted two homers, giving him five in his last seven contests. You get the idea – kid is on fire right now. He put together a similarly gaudy stretch last season and is a must-add in all leagues while he’s hot.
Dustin Pedroia (2B, BOS): Though Pedroia only had one hit in his four at-bats, it was a two-run homer. He also scored three times and stole a base.
Jaime Garcia (SP, STL): Garcia turned in his second straight gem, striking out eight and allowing only five runners to reach base in seven shutout innings against the Angels.
Nelson Cruz (OF, SEA): Cruz homered and tallied a pair of runs and RBI in a win over the Rays.
Freddie Freeman (1B, ATL): Freeman homered for the third time in four games, and has collected multiple hits in four of his last seven contests. Last season’s wrist issues seemed to be lingering as he struggled through April, but Freeman’s looked a lot more like himself this month.
Mark Trumbo/Chris Davis/Adam Jones (1B/OF, BAL): The middle of the Orioles order drove in all nine of their runs on Wednesday, going 10-for-15 with four homers. Jones now has six hits, two of them home runs, in his last two games, providing owners with some hope that he’s busting out of an extended early-season slump.
Drew Pomeranz (SP, SDP): Pomeranz helped the Padres to a surprising doubleheader sweep of the Cubs, tossing six shutout innings and striking out 10 in the nightcap.
Jason Kipnis (2B, CLE): Kipnis collected five hits, raising his average from .263 to .288. They were all singles, unfortunately, but he did knock in a run with one of ‘em.
Charlie Blackmon (OF, COL): Blackmon homered, driving in three runs and scoring three himself in the Rockies’ win over the Diamondbacks. He’s now hit safely in nine straight, raising his OPS nearly 200 points in the process.
Nolan Arenado (3B, COL): Just another day in the life of the MLB home run leader. Arenado had three hits, including his 13th dinger of the year. He did, however, get caught stealing for the second time in five games. Don’t quit your day job, buddy.
Fantasy Baseball Duds
Jorge Soler (OF, CHC): Soler was awful in both games of the Cubs’ doubleheader, leaving nine runners stranded on the day and taking a Golden Sombrero in the second game. He's been a tremendous disappointment so far this season, failing to take advantage of the playing time afforded him by Kyle Schwarber's injury.
Dexter Fowler (OF, CHC): Fowler sat out the first half of the twin bill (though he singled as a pinch hitter) and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the second game. But hey, his OPS is still four digits, which is more than anybody can say for you. Jerk.
Chris Archer (SP, TAM): Archer’s disappointing 2016 continued yesterday, as he allowed four runs on five hits and four walks in five innings of work.
Chris Carter (1B, MIL): Carter struck out in all three of his at-bats, leaving four runners stranded in the process. He did work a walk, though. So he’s got that goin’ for him. Which is nice.
Michael Pineda (SP, NYY): Pineda was a mess, allowing 10 baserunners in less than six innings of work. Six of them came around to score. He'll carry a 6.28 ERA and 1.60 WHIP into his next start, which shouldn't matter to you because you dropped or benched him weeks ago like a sensible person.
Miguel Cabrera (1B, DET): It was tempting to just list every Tigers hitter in this space given their performance yesterday, but J.D. Martinez did homer, and Justin Upton striking out multiple times has ceased to inspire comment. Miggy whiffing three times, though? That’s a paddlin’ rarity.
Phil Hughes (SP, MIN): Hughes fell to 1-6 on the season as he allowed five runs in four innings, thanks in large part to three home runs. His ERA rose to 6.44 and he basically has no business being on your fantasy roster, regardless of your league format.
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