Fantasy Baseball News

Aaron Judge went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the Yankees' 7-3 victory over the Athletics.

Fantasy Impact: This performance, featuring his third homer of the season, provided a much-needed boost to his sluggish start, lifting his batting average slightly to .191. Despite the slow start, Judge's power potential remains undeniable, and games like this could hint at a turnaround. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his contact rates and BABIP, which suggest there might be some positive regression on the horizon if he can maintain a steadier performance. His ability to drive in runs and score remains a valuable asset in all fantasy formats.

Joe Boyle endured another tough outing, allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out six over three innings in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Yankees.

Fantasy Impact: Boyle's inability to pitch deep into games continues to be a glaring issue, as evidenced by his early exit after just 85 pitches. With a ballooning ERA of 7.06 and a WHIP of 1.80 through his first five starts, his fantasy relevance is becoming increasingly questionable.

Brent Rooker went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI in the Athletics' 7-3 defeat to the Yankees.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the loss, Rooker managed to make his presence felt by driving in all three of Oakland's runs, thanks to his fourth homer of the season. His performance today slightly uplifts his otherwise concerning .191 batting average and adds a bit of shine to his season RBI total, now at 10. However, his high strikeout rate and low BABIP continue to be red flags for fantasy managers. Rooker's power can be an asset in deeper leagues, but his inconsistency at the plate makes him a risky play in standard formats.

Alexis Diaz logged a save in the Reds' 7-4 win over the Phillies, allowing one hit in a clean inning of work.

Fantasy Impact: Despite not recording any strikeouts in this outing, Diaz's performance was efficient, needing just five pitches to secure the game. This season, Diaz has been a reliable option in the closer role, now tallying his fifth save. His ERA sits at a respectable 3.48 with a solid 1.16 WHIP, indicating his effectiveness in limiting base runners. His high strikeout rate (9.6 K/9) remains a significant asset, though his strikeout-to-walk ratio could use some improvement. Fantasy managers should continue to view Diaz as a valuable asset in leagues that reward saves, though his lack of strikeouts in this appearance might raise some eyebrows among those expecting more dominant displays.

Nick Lodolo had a challenging Wednesday, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings in the Reds' 7-4 victory over the Phillies.

Fantasy Impact: Despite this less-than-stellar performance, Lodolo's season numbers remain impressive, with a still-low ERA and WHIP, suggesting this game might be more of a hiccup than a trend. His high strikeout rate and excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio continue to make him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues, especially in categories that reward strikeouts and WHIP. Fantasy managers should keep faith in Lodolo, as his underlying metrics indicate potential for continued success.

Elly De La Cruz went 3-for-5 in the Reds' win over the Phillies with a double, one run scored, one RBI, and three stolen bases.

Fantasy Impact: This performance underscores his growing role as a dynamic offensive threat, particularly with his speed on the bases. De La Cruz's ability to swipe three bags in a single game elevates his fantasy value, especially in categories that reward stolen bases. His season batting average of .313, coupled with a solid wOBA, suggests he's finding ways to get on base and score, making him a valuable asset in most fantasy formats.

Will Benson went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in the Reds' 7-4 victory over the Phillies.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included a crucial home run that contributed significantly to the team's win. Despite this being a bright spot, Benson's season has been lackluster, batting just .203 through 22 games. His high strikeout rate continues to be a concern, limiting his on-base opportunities despite a somewhat decent .295 wOBA. Fantasy managers should remain cautious; while games like this show his potential, his overall inconsistency and high strikeout frequency make him a risky play in all but the deepest of leagues.

Spencer Turnbull allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over five innings in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Reds.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a strong performance that continued his excellent start to the season, Turnbull couldn't secure a win due to lackluster support from the Phillies' bullpen and offense. His season ERA now sits impressively at 1.33, complemented by a stellar 0.85 WHIP and a 10.0 K/9 rate. Given his low .175 BABIP, some regression might be expected, but his high strikeout numbers and strong command suggest he remains a valuable asset in fantasy leagues. Fantasy managers should continue to view Turnbull as a reliable starting option, especially in strikeout categories.

Garrett Cleavinger delivered a solid performance, securing a save in the Rays' 7-5 victory over the Tigers.

Fantasy Impact: He pitched a clean inning, allowing no hits and striking out one, though he did issue a walk. This outing lowers his ERA to a respectable 2.53 and marks his second save of the season. Despite a somewhat worrisome WHIP of 1.59, Cleavinger's ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (11.8 K/9) continues to make him a valuable asset in leagues that reward strikeouts and saves. However, fantasy managers should remain cautious due to his high walk rates and BABIP, which suggest potential volatility in his performances.

Curtis Mead went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in the Rays' 7-5 victory over the Tigers.

Fantasy Impact: His solo shot contributed crucially to the win, marking his first home run of the season. Despite a sluggish start to the year, with a batting average of just .231 and minimal power numbers prior to this game, Mead's performance could be a sign of turning things around. His ability to drive in runs when needed is a positive, but fantasy managers should remain cautious. Mead's overall production has been underwhelming, and while a home run might excite, consistency will be key to his fantasy relevance moving forward.

Randy Arozarena went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Rays' 7-5 victory over the Tigers.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the home run, Arozarena's season continues to be a challenge, with a meager .158 batting average and a high strikeout rate of 30 in 95 at-bats. His performance today, characterized by striking out in his three other at-bats, underscores the volatility and the ongoing struggles he's facing at the plate. Fantasy managers should be cautious; while the power display offers some hope, his high strikeout rate and low batting metrics are concerning indicators for his reliability as a consistent fantasy contributor.

Jack Flaherty struggled in Wednesday's matchup, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while striking out six over five innings as the Tigers lost to the Rays 7-5.

Fantasy Impact: Despite not issuing any walks, Flaherty's performance was marred by the Rays' ability to capitalize on his pitches, leading to a less than stellar outing. This game nudges his ERA up to 4.94, a slight detour in what has been a decent season with a strong 11.1 K/9 and a solid 9.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Fantasy managers should be mildly concerned about his inconsistency, but his high strikeout potential and low WHIP still make him a viable option in most leagues. However, today's game is a reminder of the volatility that can come with starting pitchers, and Flaherty's managers will hope for a bounce-back in his next outing.

Jake Irvin struggled mightily, allowing six earned runs on 12 hits and one walk while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Wednesday's 11-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Fantasy Impact: This outing was a stark departure from his solid start to the season, significantly inflating his ERA from 3.13 to a less flattering figure of 4.55 and impacting his WHIP, which had been an impressive 1.00. Given the sharp increase in hits allowed and the surge in his ERA, fantasy managers should be cautious. While his early-season stats suggested potential, this performance could indicate a need for adjustment or simply an off day against a strong lineup. His ability to bounce back in his next starts will be crucial for reassessing his value in fantasy lineups.

Nick Senzel went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the Nationals' 11-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Fantasy Impact: This performance marked his first home run of the season, bringing a slight uptick to his otherwise sluggish start. With a batting average still hovering around .200, Senzel's fantasy relevance remains limited. His power display could hint at potential improvements, but consistent production will be necessary to make him a viable fantasy option. Owners should keep an eye on any signs of sustained offensive improvement before considering him for regular fantasy lineups.

Landon Knack delivered a strong performance in the Dodgers' 11-2 rout of the Nationals on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: He allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five over six innings, earning his first win of the season. This outing was a significant improvement for Knack, who entered the game with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP from his previous start. His ability to maintain a low hit rate and a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.00 in this game suggests potential for reliable starts in the future.

Andy Pages went 3-for-5 in the Dodgers' 11-2 victory over the Nationals with a home run, a double, three runs scored, and one RBI.

Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a significant upturn for Pages, who had been struggling with a meager .182 prior to this game. Fantasy managers should take note of this game as a potential indicator of Pages finding his rhythm at the plate, but given his high strikeout rate and low walk rate thus far, caution in expecting consistent production is advised.

Will Smith went 4-for-6 with a double and two runs scored in the Dodgers' 11-2 rout of the Nationals.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included driving in a run, which adds to his solid season tally. Smith's consistent hitting has been a boon for fantasy managers, especially with a batting average that has now climbed to .352 over 23 games. While the lack of home runs might be a concern for those needing power stats, his high average and ability to drive in runs should keep him relevant in most leagues.

Mookie Betts went 4-for-6 with a double and two RBIs in the Dodgers' 11-2 rout of the Nationals.

Fantasy Impact: His performance included scoring two runs, though he didn't manage to add any home runs or stolen bases to his tally. This game is a clear indicator of Betts's consistent hitting prowess, as he maintains a robust .365 batting average through 26 games this season. His ability to contribute across multiple categories, including power and speed, makes him a top-tier fantasy asset.

Shohei Ohtani went 3-for-6 with three doubles and two RBI in the Dodgers' 11-2 rout of the Nationals.

Fantasy Impact: His performance highlighted his consistent ability to drive in runs and hit for extra bases. Ohtani's season batting average remains impressive at .371, and his knack for hitting doubles (now totaling 14 for the season) continues to bolster his fantasy value. While he didn't add to his home run tally in this game, his consistent contact and power at the plate make him a top fantasy asset.

Sean Murphy (oblique) has caught bullpen sessions in two consecutive days, but has yet to resume swinging a bat. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Murphy continues to rehab from a left oblique strain. Fantasy managers should expect the veteran catcher to need a rehab assignment once he is able to begin swinging a bat.