Greetings, friends. Welcome back to those of you who followed along with the Daily Opener last season. For those of you who are new here, this is where we hang out and talk about what happened in baseball the night before.
Every morning, I’ll be with you to recap the previous day of baseball and talk about what stood out to me. We’ll find fun stats. We’ll discuss some top performances. We’ll lament some injuries. We’ll touch on any noteworthy news and updates. We’ll take a peek at the day ahead. We’ll start way too many consecutive sentences with the word “we’ll.” And we’ll have a few laughs along the way.
Have questions or just want to talk baseball? Feel free to reach out on Twitter @mikeMaher with questions or feedback anytime.
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Fantasy Baseball News and Notes
Three Up
- Max Muncy went deep twice on Monday, going 3-for-3 with the double dong, seven RBI, and a walk. He’s off to a slow start, but he has been hitting the ball hard on a pretty consistent basis. He’s a potential buy-low candidate, but you may have to wait until the dust settles from this two-HR performance before making any offers.
- Andrew Heaney went nuts on Monday, striking out approximately 37 batters in a row (slight exaggeration). He struck out NINE (not a typo) batters in a row at one point to tie an American League record. This was an impressive bounce-back performance after he allowed seven earned runs over just 2 2/3 innings in his first start. He’s currently scheduled to face the Astros in Houston in his next start, so you may not want to start him right away even if you do manage to get him on your roster.
- Zac Gallen struck out 11 over seven shutout innings on Monday. Gallen had allowed 9 ER over his first two starts (10 2/3 IP), so it’s nice to see this kind of performance against a Brewers team that has gotten off to a strong start. Worth noting: Gallen has now faced the Dodgers, Padres and Brewers, so he hasn’t exactly been handed cupcake matchups out of the gate.
Three Down
- Sandy Alcantara got LIT UP by the Phillies on Monday, allowing NINE earned runs on 10 hits, one walk, and four strikeouts over four innings of work. His ERA is now sitting at 5.79 on the year despite tossing a CG SO in his second start. In this two non-shutout starts, Alcantara has now allowed 12 ER on 13 hits and five walks while striking out just six over 9 2/3 IP.
- Roansy Contreras‘s roster % jumped a little bit after his first start (6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, but only 2 K vs. the Red Sox), but it’ll go back down after this one: 7 ER on 9 H, 4 BB, and 3 K over 3 1/3 IP in a loss to the Astros. He’s still young and has an intriguing profile, but these are the kinds of performances you’re likely to see as he continues to develop. He posted a 3.79 ERA over 95 IP last season, but all of his expected metrics had that number in the mid-4.00s. He’d be more attractive if he played for the Braves or Dodgers, but there probably isn’t enough upside to justify the risk with him pitching for the Pirates.
- Christian Yelich went 0-for-4 with 3 Ks on Monday, which puts him at 16 Ks and a 34.8% strikeout rate through 10 games. He’s batting .231, and that number is actually being benefited by a .364 BABIP. Now, 10 games is an extremely small sample size. It is not time to panic. But the bounce-back season that many were hoping for from Yelich with the new rules is off to a slow start.
Fun!
Rub Some Dirt On It (Injuries)
- Yoan Moncada (back) not expected to play in Twins series
- Tim Anderson (knee) placed on the 10-day IL
- Ian Anderson will undergo Tommy John surgery
- Drew Pomeranz (forearm) to begin rehab assignment
- Lars Nootbaar (thumb) took swings off a tee Monday
- Drew Waters (oblique) to play in spring games soon
- Anthony Rendon (shoulder) was not available to hit Monday
- Adam Duvall (wrist) will not need to undergo surgery
- German Marquez (forearm) unsure if he will make his next start
Studs and Duds
Here are some of the best and worst performances from yesterday.
Studs (Pitchers)
|
PLAYER
|
IP
|
K
|
W
|
QS
|
SV
|
ERA
|
WHIP
|
ER
|
H
|
BB
|
HR
|
G
|
GS
|
L
|
CG
|
ROST%
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zac Gallen (ARI – SP) | 7.0 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.57 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 97% |
| 2 | Andrew Heaney (TEX – SP) | 5.0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.80 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 44% |
| 3 | Julio Urias (LAD – SP) | 6.0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 99% |
| 4 | Max Scherzer (NYM – SP) | 5.0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.80 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 99% |
| 5 | Matt Strahm (PHI – RP) | 5.0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3% |
Studs (Hitters)
|
PLAYER
|
AB
|
R
|
HR
|
RBI
|
SB
|
AVG
|
OBP
|
H
|
2B
|
3B
|
BB
|
K
|
SLG
|
OPS
|
ROST%
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Muncy (LAD – 2B,3B,DH) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.000 | 4.000 | 84% |
| 2 | Alec Bohm (PHI – 1B,3B) | 5 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.200 | 1.800 | 75% |
| 3 | Mookie Betts (LAD – 2B,RF) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.200 | 1.800 | 99% |
| 4 | Trea Turner (PHI – SS) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .750 | .750 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .750 | 1.500 | 99% |
| 5 | Corey Seager (TEX – SS) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .750 | .800 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.500 | 2.300 | 98% |
| 6 | Travis Jankowski (TEX – LF,CF,RF) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .667 | .750 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.750 | 0% |
| 7 | Sean Murphy (ATL – C,DH) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.600 | 2.200 | 77% |
| 8 | Brandon Marsh (PHI – LF,CF) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.600 | 2.200 | 6% |
| 9 | Nick Castellanos (PHI – RF) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .800 | 1.400 | 85% |
| 10 | Hunter Renfroe (LAA – RF) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .667 | .750 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.667 | 2.417 | 68% |
Duds (Pitchers)
|
PLAYER
|
IP
|
K
|
W
|
QS
|
SV
|
ERA
|
WHIP
|
ER
|
H
|
BB
|
HR
|
G
|
GS
|
L
|
CG
|
ROST%
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 108 | Roansy Contreras (PIT – SP) | 3.1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18.90 | 3.90 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 17% |
| 107 | Sandy Alcantara (MIA – SP) | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20.25 | 2.75 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 99% |
| 106 | Devin Smeltzer (MIA – SP) | 4.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11.25 | 2.75 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| 105 | Jose Suarez (LAA – SP) | 4.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 2.75 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3% |
Duds (Hitters)
|
PLAYER
|
AB
|
R
|
HR
|
RBI
|
SB
|
AVG
|
OBP
|
H
|
2B
|
3B
|
BB
|
K
|
SLG
|
OPS
|
ROST%
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 | Kody Clemens (PHI – 1B,2B,3B,LF) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 0% |
| 274 | Tyler Stephenson (CIN – C) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | 76% |
| 273 | Bryce Johnson (SF – CF) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | 0% |
| 272 | Bryan De La Cruz (MIA – LF,CF,RF) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 6% |
| 271 | Gabriel Moreno (ARI – C) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 20% |
| 270 | Kevin Smith (OAK – 3B,SS) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | 0% |
| 269 | Jake McCarthy (ARI – LF,CF,RF) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | 63% |
| 268 | Jake Cronenworth (SD – 1B,2B,SS) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | 93% |
Dingers
Here is every player who hit a home run yesterday:
|
PLAYER
|
AB
|
R
|
HR
|
RBI
|
SB
|
AVG
|
OBP
|
H
|
2B
|
3B
|
BB
|
K
|
SLG
|
OPS
|
ROST%
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Muncy (LAD – 2B,3B,DH) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.000 | 4.000 | 84% |
| 2 | Alec Bohm (PHI – 1B,3B) | 5 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.200 | 1.800 | 75% |
| 3 | Mookie Betts (LAD – 2B,RF) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.200 | 1.800 | 99% |
| 5 | Corey Seager (TEX – SS) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .750 | .800 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.500 | 2.300 | 98% |
| 7 | Sean Murphy (ATL – C,DH) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.600 | 2.200 | 77% |
| 8 | Brandon Marsh (PHI – LF,CF) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.600 | 2.200 | 6% |
| 10 | Hunter Renfroe (LAA – RF) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .667 | .750 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.667 | 2.417 | 68% |
| 11 | Jonah Heim (TEX – C) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .667 | .750 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.667 | 2.417 | 8% |
| 12 | Austin Hays (BAL – LF,RF) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.500 | 2.000 | 27% |
| 13 | Adolis Garcia (TEX – CF,RF,DH) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | .200 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .800 | 1.000 | 89% |
| 14 | Hanser Alberto (CWS – 2B,3B,RP) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 0% |
| 15 | Yuli Gurriel (MIA – 1B) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.250 | 1.750 | 3% |
| 17 | Christian Walker (ARI – 1B) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 85% |
| 18 | Ryan Mountcastle (BAL – 1B,DH) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 78% |
| 19 | Jake Cave (PHI – LF,RF) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .400 | .400 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.200 | 1.600 | 0% |
| 21 | Jarred Kelenic (SEA – CF,LF,RF) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.000 | 2.500 | 28% |
| 23 | Brandon Lowe (TB – 2B) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .333 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.333 | 1.833 | 79% |
| 27 | Wilmer Flores (SF – 1B,2B,3B,DH) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 17% |
| 28 | Hunter Dozier (KC – 1B,3B,LF,RF,DH) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 2% |
| 29 | Ji Man Choi (PIT – 1B) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 0% |
| 30 | Adley Rutschman (BAL – C,DH) | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 99% |
Swipes
Here is every player who stole a base yesterday:
|
PLAYER
|
AB
|
R
|
HR
|
RBI
|
SB
|
AVG
|
OBP
|
H
|
2B
|
3B
|
BB
|
K
|
SLG
|
OPS
|
ROST%
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Trea Turner (PHI – SS) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .750 | .750 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .750 | 1.500 | 99% |
| 6 | Travis Jankowski (TEX – LF,CF,RF) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .667 | .750 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.750 | 0% |
| 16 | Nico Hoerner (CHC – 2B,SS) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .600 | .600 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .600 | 1.200 | 65% |
| 20 | Brandon Nimmo (NYM – CF) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .500 | 86% |
| 22 | Victor Robles (WSH – CF) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .667 | .667 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .667 | 1.333 | 3% |
| 31 | Bryson Stott (PHI – 2B,SS) | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .667 | 33% |
| 32 | CJ Abrams (WSH – 2B,SS) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 | .500 | 22% |
| 33 | Bobby Witt Jr. (KC – 3B,SS) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .333 | .833 | 98% |
| 34 | James Outman (LAD – CF,LF) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 1.500 | 56% |
| 44 | Ian Happ (CHC – LF) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .250 | 77% |
| 45 | Cedric Mullins II (BAL – CF) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .250 | 98% |
| 46 | Steven Kwan (CLE – LF,RF) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | .400 | 96% |
| 48 | Xander Bogaerts (SD – SS) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 | .833 | 98% |
| 49 | Isiah Kiner-Falefa (NYY – SS) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .667 | 1% |
| 52 | Andres Gimenez (CLE – 2B,SS) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | 93% |
| 56 | Randy Arozarena (TB – LF,RF,DH) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .500 | 98% |
| 62 | Amed Rosario (CLE – SS,LF) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | .500 | 78% |
| 63 | David Villar (SF – 1B,3B) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .500 | 3% |
| 76 | Jose Ramirez (CLE – 3B,DH) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | 99% |
| Nick Madrigal (CHC – 2B) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 |
Arm Barn Report
Pete Fairbanks finally gets on the board as the Rays manage to win a game by fewer than 5 runs!
Here is every player who recorded a save yesterday:
|
PLAYER
|
IP
|
K
|
W
|
QS
|
SV
|
ERA
|
WHIP
|
ER
|
H
|
BB
|
HR
|
G
|
GS
|
L
|
CG
|
ROST%
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Reynaldo Lopez (CWS – RP) | 1.1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24% |
| 16 | Andrew Chafin (ARI – RP) | 1.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18% |
| 17 | Emmanuel Clase (CLE – RP) | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99% |
| 18 | Pete Fairbanks (TB – RP) | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58% |
| 19 | Kyle Finnegan (WSH – RP) | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15% |
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Mike Maher is an editor and content manager at FantasyPros and BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive, and follow him on Twitter @MikeMaher.