Fantasy Baseball News

Zach Neto went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the Angels' 9-3 victory over the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included a crucial home run, contributing significantly to the team's win. This season, Neto has been hovering around a .255 average with modest power, as evidenced by his five home runs and 16 RBI over 44 games. His .309 wOBA and .327 BABIP suggest a reasonable level of production, but his high strikeout rate (0.270) and low walk rate (0.055) highlight areas for potential improvement. Fantasy managers should view Neto as a possible depth option in larger leagues, particularly for those in need of a shortstop who can occasionally contribute across multiple categories.

Taylor Ward went 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in the Angels' 9-3 victory over the Rangers.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included a crucial home run that contributed to the team's robust offensive display. Ward's season has been solid, maintaining a .273 batting average with consistent power, as evidenced by his nine home runs. His ability to contribute significantly in games like today's highlights his value in fantasy lineups, especially in categories like home runs and RBI. However, his strikeout rate remains a concern, potentially limiting his batting average upside. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his performance closely, particularly in matchups that favor his power-hitting capabilities.

Andrew Heaney struggled through just 3 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five in Friday's 9-3 loss to the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a concerning trend for Heaney, whose season ERA now sits at an inflated 4.43 across nine starts. Despite a decent WHIP of 1.23 and a solid strikeout rate (8.9 K/9), his inability to pitch deep into games or secure wins (now 0-5) severely limits his fantasy appeal. Owners should be wary of relying on him as anything more than a matchup-dependent streaming option, given his current form and the lack of support from the Rangers' lineup.

Marcus Semien went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in the Rangers' 9-3 loss to the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: His lone hit of the game was a two-run home run, contributing to his season tally but not enough to steer his team to victory. Despite the loss, Semien's performance this season remains solid, maintaining a .276 batting average with nine homers and 33 RBI over 46 games. His consistent power-hitting, evidenced by his decent .339 wOBA, makes him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups, particularly in leagues that value extra-base hits and RBI. However, his low walk rate (.062) suggests limited opportunities for scoring runs, which could cap his ceiling in points leagues.

Jonah Heim went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Rangers' 9-3 defeat to the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: His solo home run was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing game for Texas. Despite the loss, Heim's performance this season has been solid, maintaining a .276 batting average with five homers and 27 RBI over 40 games. His consistent power, albeit modest, and ability to drive in runs make him a viable option in deeper fantasy leagues, especially given the scarcity of productive catchers. However, his relatively high strikeout rate and low walk rate suggest some volatility in his offensive output, which fantasy managers should monitor.

Jeremiah Estrada delivered a flawless inning, striking out three to notch a save in the Padres' 3-1 victory over the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: His performance was a textbook example of efficiency, utilizing just 16 pitches to retire the side and secure the win. This outing lowers his ERA to an impressive 0.84 and WHIP to 0.75, reinforcing his role as a reliable asset in high-pressure situations. Estrada's ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (11.0 K/9) and a minuscule BABIP (.136) suggests that while he's riding a wave of good fortune, his skill in missing bats is undeniable. Fantasy managers should consider him a solid option for saves and strikeouts, though his low number of total saves indicates a limited role in save situations thus far.

Matt Waldron delivered a strong performance on Friday, allowing just one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 5 2/3 innings in the Padres' 3-1 win against the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: This outing was a refreshing change of pace for Waldron, whose season has been marred by a high 5.00 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across nine starts. His 10 strikeouts in this game highlight his potential for high strikeout totals, aligning with his season K/9 rate of 9.0. Despite his previous struggles, this performance could signal a turning point, offering hope for fantasy managers in need of strikeouts and quality starts. However, his overall inconsistency this season suggests a cautious approach in relying on him as a regular starter in fantasy lineups.

Jake Cronenworth went 3-for-5 with an RBI in the Padres' win against the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included three singles, contributing significantly to the team's offense in their 3-1 victory. This game underscores Cronenworth's consistent ability to put the ball in play, which is reflected in his solid .275 batting average and .350 wOBA for the season. While his power numbers aren't eye-popping, his knack for hitting singles and driving in runs occasionally adds value, especially in formats that reward hits and RBIs. Fantasy managers should continue to view Cronenworth as a reliable middle-infield option, particularly in leagues that value contact hitting and on-base percentage.

Manny Machado went 0-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in the Padres' 3-1 win over the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: Despite managing to contribute an RBI and swipe a base, Machado's ongoing struggles at the plate were evident as he failed to secure a hit. His season batting average now sits at a concerning .217, and with a wOBA of just .262, fantasy managers might be growing weary. Although he has driven in 23 runs over 42 games, his lack of consistent hitting and power numbers (only five home runs) are alarming. His ability to occasionally steal bases and drive in runs provides some value, but unless he can find a way to boost his average and on-base skills, his fantasy relevance may continue to wane.

Max Fried struggled in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Padres, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out only two over 4 1/3 innings.

Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a noticeable dip in effectiveness for Fried, whose season had been relatively solid with a 3.81 ERA and 1.19. The increase in hits allowed and the low strikeout total from this outing could raise concerns about his consistency, especially given his modest 7.1 K/9 rate this season. Fantasy managers should monitor his next few starts closely for signs of rebound or further regression, as his ability to limit walks and maintain a decent ERA will be crucial for his value.

Pete Fairbanks notched a save with a flawless inning, striking out one in the Rays' narrow 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays.

Fantasy Impact: This performance was a clean and efficient outing for Fairbanks, who needed just six pitches to secure the win. Despite a rocky season with a 5.73 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, this game could be a sign of stabilization, especially considering his impressive 13.1 K/9 rate and solid 2.53 FIP. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Fairbanks as he may still offer valuable strikeouts and occasional saves, but his high ERA and WHIP make him a risky play in most formats.

Tyler Alexander allowed three earned runs over 7 1/3 innings while striking out four in the Rays' 4-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Fantasy Impact: Despite giving up three hits and zero walks, Alexander's performance was a mixed bag, as the three earned runs slightly tarnished an otherwise efficient outing. His season ERA of 5.17 and WHIP of 1.21 suggest a struggle to consistently suppress runs, but his solid outing today hints at potential stability. Fantasy managers should remain cautious, however, as his high FIP of 5.28 indicates underlying issues that may not bode well for future outings. Alexander's low strikeout rate (7.1 K/9) also limits his upside in categories that reward strikeouts.

Richie Palacios went 1-for-4 in the Rays' 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays with a home run and two RBI.

Fantasy Impact: His two-run shot contributed significantly to the narrow win, showcasing his ability to impact games with power. Despite a modest .259 batting average over 38 games this season, Palacios's performance today hints at potential value in deeper fantasy leagues, particularly if he can maintain or improve his power numbers. His current stats, including a .331 wOBA and four home runs, suggest he might be a useful, albeit inconsistent, option for fantasy managers looking for outfield depth.

Davis Schneider went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in the Blue Jays' 4-3 loss to the Rays.

Fantasy Impact: His two-run shot contributed significantly to the game's tight scoreline, though it wasn't enough to secure a win. Schneider's performance this season has been fairly consistent, maintaining a .260 batting average with a decent power output, evidenced by his five home runs. His ability to drive in runs, now totaling 17 RBI, makes him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups, particularly in leagues that reward extra bases and RBI. However, his high strikeout rate (.261) remains a concern, potentially limiting his batting average upside. Fantasy managers should consider Schneider a viable option for middle infield positions, especially in deeper leagues where power is scarce.

Chris Bassitt endured another rough outing, allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over 5 2/3 innings in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.

Fantasy Impact: This performance continues a troubling trend for Bassitt, whose season ERA now sits at an inflated 5.03, accompanied by a 1.53 WHIP. His strikeout rate remains decent at 8.4 K/9, but his high BABIP of .328 and a poor strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.96 suggest that he's both unlucky and struggling with control. Fantasy managers should be wary; while he's capable of racking up strikeouts, his overall inconsistency this season makes him a risky play in all but the deepest of leagues.

James Paxton delivered a lackluster performance in the Dodgers' 7-3 victory over the Reds on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: He allowed three earned runs on seven hits and struck out two over six innings, without issuing any walks. Despite not factoring into the decision, Paxton's outing was less than stellar, particularly in the strikeout department, which has been a weak point throughout the season with a low 4.9 K/9 rate. His season ERA slightly increased to 2.84, and his WHIP remains elevated at 1.38, reflecting ongoing challenges with baserunners. Paxton's low strikeout numbers and high FIP (5.26) suggest potential volatility ahead, making him a risky play in fantasy leagues that heavily reward strikeouts and low ERA.

Jason Heyward contributed significantly in the Dodgers' 7-3 win against the Reds.

Fantasy Impact: Jason Heyward went 1-for-3 with a home run, one run scored, two RBI, and a walk. This performance, highlighted by his first home run of the season, offers a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers who might have been discouraged by his injury-plagued start to the season. With a batting average of .235 and a modest total of four RBI through five games, Heyward's impact has been limited. However, his ability to drive in runs when he connects suggests he could be a situational asset in deeper fantasy leagues, especially in matchups that favor him. His low strikeout rate is promising, but he'll need to improve his on-base skills to become a more consistent fantasy contributor.

Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in the Dodgers' 7-3 victory over the Reds.

Fantasy Impact: His solo blast contributed significantly to the team's win, underscoring his role as a pivotal player in their lineup. Ohtani's performance this season has been stellar, boasting a .358 batting average and a .459 wOBA, which are dream numbers for fantasy managers. His power-speed combination, highlighted by 13 homers and 10 stolen bases, continues to make him one of the most valuable assets in fantasy baseball. While his strikeout rate sits at a manageable 19.5%, his ability to consistently get on base and drive in runs keeps his fantasy stock high. Managers should continue to view Ohtani as a top-tier option in all formats.

Mookie Betts went 1-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored in the Dodgers' 7-3 victory over the Reds.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included driving in a run, drawing a walk, and striking out once. Betts's consistent hitting this season, reflected in a robust .341 batting average and a .429 wOBA, continues to make him a top-tier fantasy asset. His power-speed combination, evidenced by eight home runs and eight stolen bases, provides a diverse range of contributions across multiple categories. Fantasy managers should continue to view Betts as a cornerstone of their lineups, given his high-level production and ability to impact the game in multiple facets.

Frankie Montas had a rough outing in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Fantasy Impact: He allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out just one over five innings. This performance underscores a troubling trend for Montas, whose season ERA now sits at 4.37 with a WHIP of 1.37. His strikeout rate remains low at 6.4 K/9, and his FIP at 5.60 suggests that his struggles are not solely due to bad luck. Fantasy managers should be cautious, as his reduced strikeout ability and high FIP indicate potential ongoing issues that could hurt his value in all formats.