Porter Hodge delivered a flawless inning in Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Reds, striking out one without allowing any hits, walks, or runs.
Fantasy Impact: This performance continues a season of strong relief appearances for Hodge, who boasts a 1.88 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (10.9 K/9) while keeping his walks low contributes significantly to his fantasy value, especially in formats that reward strikeouts and WHIP. Given his consistent performance and the metrics like a low BABIP (.189) and solid FIP (2.84), Hodge remains a reliable option for fantasy managers needing bullpen stability. His role in high-leverage situations could increase, making him even more valuable in leagues that count holds and saves.
Kyle Hendricks delivered a masterful performance, allowing just two hits and two walks over 7 1/3 scoreless innings as the Cubs blanked the Reds 3-0 on Saturday.
Fantasy Impact: This outing was a bright spot in what has been a challenging season for Hendricks, who entered the game with a bloated 5.92 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. His ability to limit the Reds to minimal baserunners and keep them from scoring could hint at a return to form, but fantasy managers should remain cautious. Given his overall season struggles and a low strikeout rate of 6.0 K/9, Hendricks remains a risky play in all but the deepest of leagues. This performance might not be enough to suggest a significant turnaround, so it's wise to keep expectations tempered.
TJ Friedl went 1-for-3 in the Reds' 3-0 loss to the Cubs.
Fantasy Impact: Despite managing to secure a hit, Friedl's performance did little to spark any offense for Cincinnati in a game where runs were sorely needed. This season, Friedl's batting average sits at a .226, and while he has shown some power with 13 homers, his overall production has been underwhelming. His .304 wOBA and .226 BABIP suggest that he's not been particularly unlucky, just not overly effective. Fantasy managers should view Friedl as a fringe option.
Rhett Lowder delivered a strong performance, allowing zero earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Cubs.
Fantasy Impact: Despite his commendable effort, Lowder was left without a decision, a recurring theme that might frustrate fantasy managers given his solid 1.17 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through six starts. His low strikeout rate (6.5 K/9) continues to be a concern for those needing whiffs, but his ability to suppress runs makes him a viable option in deeper leagues or as a streaming candidate in favorable matchups. However, his lack of run support and win potential on the Reds could limit his overall fantasy impact.
Seth Lugo delivered a solid performance, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Saturday's narrow 2-1 loss to the Braves.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the Royals' defeat, Lugo's outing was a bright spot, showcasing his ability to maintain control and efficiency in a high-pressure scenario. His season-long metrics, including a solid 3.00 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, continue to make him a reliable option in fantasy leagues, particularly in formats that value strikeouts and WHIP. Lugo's consistent performance this season, marked by a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio and a low BABIP, suggests he can be trusted down the stretch as a steady contributor to fantasy rosters.
Travis d'Arnaud went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Braves' 2-1 win over the Royals.
Fantasy Impact: His solo shot contributed crucially to the narrow victory, underscoring his ability to impact games despite a modest .236 batting average for the season. With 15 homers and 48 RBI through 97 games, d'Arnaud remains a viable fantasy option, primarily due to his power potential from the catcher position. However, his high strikeout rate and low walk rate limit his upside. Fantasy managers should continue to view d'Arnaud as a power-first option, suitable for filling gaps in the lineup rather than a cornerstone player.
Matt Olson went 2-for-4 in the Braves' 2-1 victory over the Royals.
Fantasy Impact: Despite not contributing to the runs or RBIs, Olson managed to notch a couple of hits, which could help maintain his batting average, currently sitting at .247 for the season. With 29 homers and 98 RBIs this year, Olson remains a significant power threat, although his high strikeout rate (166 strikeouts) continues to be a concern for fantasy managers. His consistent power numbers and ability to get on base (.339 wOBA) keep him relevant in fantasy lineups, but the lack of multi-category contributions in games like today's shows some of the limitations in his fantasy impact.
Jorge Soler went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in the Braves' narrow 2-1 victory over the Royals.
Fantasy Impact: While not a standout performance, Soler's ability to contribute to the win with a key double and a run continues his pattern of steady, if unspectacular, production this season. With a batting average lingering around the .241 mark and a modest power output of 21 homers, Soler remains a fringe fantasy option. His consistent ability to draw walks does add a layer of value in formats that reward on-base percentage. However, his high strikeout rate and relatively low batting average limit his appeal primarily to deeper leagues or as a bench player in standard formats.
Emmanuel Rivera had a standout performance in the Orioles' 9-2 rout of the Twins.
Fantasy Impact: He went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three runs scored, and four RBI. This game marks a significant uptick in Rivera's production, considering his modest .240 batting average and 29 RBI over 122 games this season. His multi-homer game could signal a potential hot streak, making him a player to watch for fantasy managers in need of power. However, Rivera's overall season stats suggest caution, as his performance has been inconsistent.
Jackson Holliday delivered a solid performance in the Orioles' 9-2 win over the Twins, going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while also drawing two walks.
Fantasy Impact: This outing is a bright spot in what has been a challenging rookie season for Holliday, whose batting average has lingered around the .185 mark. His ability to reach base multiple times in this game could be a sign of adjusting to major league pitching, but his high strikeout rate and low wOBA suggest there's still a long road ahead. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Holliday for signs of consistent improvement, but he remains a risky play in all but the deepest of leagues.
Adley Rutschman went 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI as the Orioles trounced the Twins 9-2.
Fantasy Impact: This performance, while solid, reflects his season-long trend of moderate batting with occasional bursts of productivity. Rutschman's current season batting average sits at .252, which, combined with his 79 RBI and 19 home runs, positions him as a reliable, if not spectacular, fantasy option. His wOBA of .310 indicates decent on-base productivity, though his fantasy managers might be left wanting more consistency in power hitting and run production. Moving forward, Rutschman remains a steady presence in fantasy lineups, especially valuable in formats that reward on-base percentage and RBI.
Ryan O'Hearn went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the Orioles' 9-2 victory over the Twins.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included a key home run that contributed significantly to the team's win. This season, O'Hearn has maintained a .261 batting average with 15 home runs and 59 RBI over 141 games. His consistent power hitting, evidenced by his slugging percentage and wOBA (.326), makes him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups, particularly in categories that reward extra-base hits and RBI. However, his moderate strikeout rate and below-average BABIP (.278) suggest some volatility in his batting average, which fantasy managers should monitor.
Zebby Matthews allowed six earned runs over three innings in Saturday's 9-2 loss to the Orioles.
Fantasy Impact: He surrendered seven hits and three walks while striking out five. This outing inflates Matthews's already concerning ERA to 6.69 and WHIP to 1.65 for the season, further tarnishing his fantasy appeal. Despite a decent strikeout rate of 10.3 K/9, his high FIP of 5.81 and BABIP of .364 suggest that both luck and skill deficits are at play here. Fantasy managers should be wary of relying on Matthews in any critical matchups, as his inconsistency and vulnerability are becoming more pronounced with each appearance.
Ryan Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in the Twins' 9-2 defeat to the Orioles.
Fantasy Impact: His contributions at the plate included a two-run home run, marking his 21st of the season. Despite the loss, Jeffers's power display continues to be a silver lining in an otherwise average season, characterized by a .226 batting average and a modest .314 wOBA. His consistent power (21 homers) makes him a viable option in fantasy leagues, especially those that value home runs and RBI from the catcher position. However, his high strikeout rate and low batting average could be a concern for average-focused managers.
Emerson Hancock allowed three earned runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over 5 1/3 innings in Saturday's win against the Athletics.
Fantasy Impact: Despite a shaky performance that saw him struggle with control and fail to dominate in strikeouts, Hancock was spared a loss thanks to his team's late offensive surge to secure a 7-6 victory. This outing underscores a season marred by inconsistency, evidenced by a ballooning 4.75 ERA and a modest 5.8 K/9 rate. His WHIP of 1.34 and FIP of 5.78 suggest that improvements are necessary if he aims to be a reliable option in fantasy rotations. Moving forward, fantasy managers should view Hancock as a risky play.
Julio Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with two runs scored in the Mariners' 7-6 win over the Athletics.
Fantasy Impact: While he didn't contribute any RBIs or extra-base hits, his ability to get on base and score was crucial in the tight contest. Rodriguez's performance this season has been solid, maintaining a .273 batting average with 20 homers and 24 steals, marking him as a consistent multi-category contributor in fantasy leagues. His strikeout rate remains a concern, but his speed and power combo should keep him relevant in all formats. As the season winds down, Rodriguez's blend of power and speed continues to make him a valuable asset for fantasy managers looking for an edge in the outfield.
Luke Raley went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double, driving in three runs and scoring twice in the Mariners' 7-6 win over the Athletics.
Fantasy Impact: Raley's performance today was a bright spot in what has been a fairly average season, marked by a .244 batting average and 22 home runs over 136 games. His ability to contribute key hits and RBIs today, however, underscores his potential value in deeper fantasy leagues, particularly in formats that reward power and on-base percentage. While his high strikeout rate remains a concern, performances like today's show that Raley can be a useful fantasy asset when he's connecting with the ball.
Cal Raleigh went 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in the Mariners' 7-6 victory over the Athletics.
Fantasy Impact: His solo shot contributed crucially to the narrow win, though his overall batting average remains at .218 for the season. Raleigh's power numbers, with 33 homers and 98 RBI, continue to make him a valuable fantasy asset, particularly in formats that reward power production from the catcher position. However, his high strikeout rate and low batting average could be a concern for fantasy managers looking for consistency and contact. His ability to provide occasional bursts of scoring keeps him relevant, but expectations should be tempered given his batting trends.
Joey Estes allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Mariners.
Fantasy Impact: This outing was a microcosm of Estes's season, characterized by moderate control but limited strikeout ability, as evidenced by his 6.5 K/9 rate. His season ERA now sits at an elevated 5.01, with a WHIP of 1.23, which are hardly inspiring numbers for fantasy managers. The lack of strikeouts and high ERA are significant concerns, diminishing his appeal in standard fantasy formats. Estes's performance this season suggests he's more of a depth option in deeper leagues, rather than a reliable starter in most fantasy rotations.
Sun, Sep 29th 9:04am EDT
By Chris Schommer
Tyler Soderstrom went 1-for-5 in the Athletics' narrow 7-6 loss to the Mariners, contributing with a home run and an RBI.
Fantasy Impact: While his power display was a bright spot, Soderstrom's overall season has been a mixed bag, marked by a .232 batting average and a concerning strikeout rate. His ninth homer of the season does offer some hope for fantasy managers looking for power from the catcher position, but his inconsistency at the plate could be a liability. Owners should consider him a risky play, best suited for matchups against favorable pitching, given his current form and performance trends.
