Fantasy Baseball News

Brad Keller allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 4 2/3 innings in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Cardinals.

Fantasy Impact: This outing marked Keller's first start of the season, and it was a rocky debut, reflected by his elevated 4.26 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. His performance today didn't do much to inspire confidence among fantasy managers, especially considering the lack of run support from his team. While his 8.5 K/9 indicates some strikeout ability, his 1.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio suggests control issues that could hamper his effectiveness in future outings. Fantasy managers should be cautious with Keller, as his ability to pitch deeper into games and control his walks will be critical to his success and fantasy relevance.

Joe Ross delivered a solid performance in the Brewers' 3-1 over the Cubs on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: He pitched six innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. Ross's outing was a solid effort, showing control and efficiency by not issuing any walks and keeping his team in the game. However, his season-long stats, including a 4.65 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, suggest inconsistency. Fantasy managers should view Ross as a risky play, given his high WHIP and ERA, but his latest performance could indicate a potential for improvement if he maintains this level of control and effectiveness.

Trevor Megill notched a save with a clean inning and one strikeout in the Brewers' 3-1 victory over the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: This performance continues a strong season for Megill, who now boasts a 1.17 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP through seven appearances. His ability to suppress hits and runs, evidenced by a .211 BABIP and zero earned runs allowed in this outing, enhances his fantasy relevance in leagues where saves and holds are valued. With two saves and three holds already, Megill is proving to be a reliable option for late-inning duties, and his solid strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.33) should keep him in the mix for high-leverage situations. Fantasy managers should consider him a viable asset, especially in deeper leagues or those that heavily weigh bullpen performance.

Hayden Wesneski delivered a strong performance, tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out eight against the Brewers on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: Despite his efforts, the Cubs could not capitalize, losing 3-1. Wesneski's season has been marked by exceptional control and efficiency, as evidenced by his stellar 0.54 ERA and 0.72 WHIP through three starts. His ability to maintain a high strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.67) and a low BABIP (.196) suggests that while some regression might be expected, his underlying skills are solid. Fantasy managers should continue to view Wesneski as a valuable asset, especially in leagues that reward strikeouts and low ERA/WHIP contributions. His consistent performance early in the season indicates he could be a reliable option in most fantasy formats.

Christopher Morel contributed a solo home run in the Cubs' 3-1 defeat to the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: He went 1-for-4 with the home run, one run scored, and one RBI. Despite the homer, Morel's season has been underwhelming, batting just .210 through 32 games with a concerning .211 strikeout rate. His power numbers are modest, with six home runs contributing to a .295 wOBA. Fantasy managers should view Morel as a risky play, given his low batting average and high strikeout frequency. His occasional power surge does offer some upside, but it's not enough to consider him a reliable starting option in most formats.

Charlie Morton delivered a quality start but couldn't secure a win as the Braves fell 4-3 to the Dodgers on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: He allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings. Despite the loss, Morton's performance was a silver lining, maintaining his solid ERA at 3.50 and WHIP at 1.14 for the season. His consistent strikeout ability, with an 8.3 K/9 rate, continues to make him a reliable option in fantasy rotations. However, his lack of wins in outings like this can be frustrating for fantasy managers. Moving forward, maintaining his current metrics could see him remain a steady, if not spectacular, fantasy contributor.

Ronald Acuna Jr. went 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in the Braves' 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included a solo home run, contributing one of the three runs for Atlanta. Despite the loss, Acuna's homer could be a positive sign for fantasy managers, especially considering his modest power numbers earlier in the season. With this game, his batting average slightly improves, but his overall power production still remains a concern. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on whether this game sparks a hot streak, though his high BABIP suggests some regression might be on the horizon.

Austin Riley went 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in the Braves' 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the defeat, Riley's performance was a bright spot, showcasing his power with a solo home run that contributed to his season tally. This season, Riley has been struggling with a modest .242 batting average and a high strikeout rate of 24.8%, but his ability to hit for power remains evident. His wOBA of .316 indicates that he is still producing at a reasonable level, but fantasy managers should be cautious due to his inconsistency at the plate. Moving forward, Riley remains a viable fantasy option, particularly in formats that value power, but expectations should be tempered given his current batting trends.

Gavin Stone allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out five over six innings in Friday's 4-3 victory over the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: This performance continues a season of mixed results for Stone, who now boasts a 4.06 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP through six starts. Despite a modest strikeout rate of 6.7 K/9, his ability to limit damage on the scoreboard remains a key asset. Stone's 3.87 FIP suggests some sustainability to his success, though his relatively low strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.77 indicates potential challenges ahead. Fantasy managers should view him as a reliable option, particularly in deeper leagues, but should temper expectations for high strikeout totals.

Andy Pages went 4-for-5 with an RBI in the Dodgers' 4-3 win over the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: This performance continues to solidify Pages as a reliable asset in fantasy lineups, especially considering his consistent hitting this season. His batting average now sits impressively at .333 through 15 games, with a .385 wOBA indicating strong offensive production. While Pages didn't score or drive in multiple runs, his ability to consistently get on base with hits rather than walks (evidenced by a .000 walk rate) suggests a potential for higher scoring games as the season progresses. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his contact rates and slugging opportunities, especially in leagues that reward hits and batting average.

Teoscar Hernandez went 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in the Dodgers' 4-3 win over the Braves.

Fantasy Impact: While his lone hit was impactful, contributing a home run to the tight victory, Hernandez's overall performance this season has been a mixed bag. With a batting average of .252 and a high strikeout rate of .324, his consistency at the plate remains a concern for fantasy managers. However, his power numbers, with seven homers and 23 RBI through 34 games, provide some upside. Fantasy managers should view Hernandez as a risky play with potential for high rewards, particularly in power categories.

Ronel Blanco delivered a mixed outing in Friday's 5-3 victory over the Mariners.

Fantasy Impact: He allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings. Despite not factoring into the decision, Blanco's performance slightly tarnished his stellar early-season stats, bumping his ERA to 2.09 and WHIP to 0.96. His 8.4 K/9 continues to offer fantasy value, though his FIP at 4.06 suggests some potential regression might be lurking. Fantasy managers should monitor if his low .181 BABIP begins to correct itself, potentially leading to more outings like today's as the season progresses.

Josh Hader notched a save in the Astros' 5-3 win over the Mariners, striking out two while allowing no hits and one walk.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a rocky start to the season with a 5.93 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP, Hader's latest outing hints at potential stabilization. His impressive 15.1 K/9 and 2.38 FIP suggest that his underlying skills remain elite, though his high BABIP of .429 indicates he's been somewhat unlucky. Fantasy managers should remain cautiously optimistic; while his high strikeout ability is a boon, his overall volatility this season makes him a risk-reward option in all formats.

Josh Rojas went 3-for-4 in the Mariners' 5-3 loss to the Astros.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the team's defeat, Rojas's performance was a bright spot, showcasing his ability to consistently put the ball in play. His season batting average now stands at an impressive .338, and while he didn't contribute to runs or RBIs in this game, his ability to get on base remains a valuable asset for fantasy managers. Rojas's solid contact skills and low strikeout rate (.146) suggest that he could maintain a high batting average, making him a reliable option in fantasy lineups, especially in formats that reward on-base percentage.

Dylan Moore went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in the Mariners' 5-3 loss to the Astros.

Fantasy Impact: Moore's two-run shot provided a rare highlight in what has been a challenging season for the second baseman, who is hitting just .203 through 23 games. Despite the low batting average, Moore's power and RBI production in this game could offer some hope to fantasy managers starved for positive contributions. However, his high strikeout rate and inconsistent on-base skills continue to limit his appeal in most fantasy formats. Moving forward, unless Moore can find more consistency at the plate, he'll remain a risky, low-end fantasy option primarily in deeper leagues.

Jorge Polanco went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Mariners' 5-3 defeat to the Astros.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the solo shot adding some sparkle to his stat line, Polanco's season continues to be a struggle with a mere .183 batting average and a high strikeout rate of 32.3%. His power numbers are modest with five homers, but the lack of consistent contact and on-base skills (.292 wOBA) limits his fantasy appeal. Owners should view Polanco as a risky play, primarily useful in deeper leagues or as a potential matchup-based option, given his current form and underlying metrics.

George Kirby delivered a solid outing in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Astros.

Fantasy Impact: He pitched six innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. Despite Kirby's strong performance, his efforts weren't enough to secure a win for the Mariners. This game is a testament to Kirby's consistent season, maintaining a commendable 3.76 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP through his first seven starts. His ability to limit walks, evidenced by a stellar 10.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio, continues to make him a reliable option in fantasy leagues. While the strikeouts were a bit lower than usual this game, his control and efficiency should keep him as a favored starter in most fantasy rotations.

Jhoan Duran delivered a flawless performance, striking out two and securing a save in the Twins' 5-2 victory over the Red Sox.

Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a stellar start to the season for Duran, who now boasts a 0.00 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP across his appearances. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (13.5 K/9) while keeping runners off base highlights his dominance and reliability in closing situations. Given his consistent performance and role in securing games, Duran should be considered a top-tier option for fantasy managers in need of saves and strikeouts. His ongoing success, underscored by a minuscule 0.26 FIP, suggests sustained elite performance, making him a must-own in all formats.

Chris Paddack delivered a standout performance in the Twins' 5-2 win over the Red Sox on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: He allowed no earned runs on just two hits and one walk while striking out six over six innings. This outing was a breath of fresh air for Paddack, whose season had been marred by a bloated 4.78 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. His performance on Friday significantly contributes to improving those numbers and offers a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers who might have been considering benching him due to his earlier struggles. The improvement in his strikeout-to-walk ratio, now standing at 3.86, and a solid outing could hint at a return to form, making him a player to watch or retain in fantasy lineups, especially if he can maintain this level of control and effectiveness.

Edouard Julien went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a stolen base in the Twins' win over the Red Sox.

Fantasy Impact: His performance was bolstered by drawing two walks, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts without adding to his strikeout total. Julien's season has been a mixed bag, marked by a modest .222 batting average and a high strikeout rate of 0.316, but his ability to draw walks and occasional power (seven homers) keeps him relevant in deeper fantasy leagues. His stolen base in this game, though only his second of the season, hints at potential underutilized speed. Moving forward, Julien's value will hinge on his ability to balance power with on-base capabilities, making him a speculative play in most fantasy formats.