Tuesday’s action featured the end of a streak, a moving win in Arlington, the continued emergence of a star third baseman and some promising pitching efforts. Here’s a review of all that and more, with a focus on fantasy repercussions.
Mets defeat Yankees and end streak
Zack Wheeler tossed 6 1/3 innings of five-hit ball, allowing just two earned runs while fanning eight before three relievers combined for 2 2/3 scoreless frames, propelling the Mets to a 4-2 win over the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers had homered in the previous 31 games but failed to leave Citi Field in the 32nd.
Seth Lugo vultured the win for the Mets. After a rough opening to the 2019 campaign Lugo has registered a 2.65 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over his last 37 1/3 innings, featuring 48 punch outs in that span. Tuesday’s scoreless stanza followed three straight outings in which Lugo allowed multiple runs. This all speaks towards the volatility of relief pitching in the hitter-friendly climate.
Wheeler appears to be back on track, giving up just four runs over his last three outings, whiffing 20 in 19 1/3 innings while issuing just four free passes. Wheeler was one of the best hurlers last season in the second half, perhaps he’s primed for another similar run.
Devers ignores All Star snub
Perhaps fueled by not making the 2019 Mid-Season Classic, Rafael Devers continues his onslaught towards AL pitching, going deep twice in a 10-6 Red Sox victory over the Blue Jays in the Rogers Centre. Devers is now slashing .329/.378/.548 after his four-hit effort. It wouldn’t be surprising if J.D. Martinez’s back kicked up over the weekend, clearing a spot for Devers as a replacement All Star.
David Price captured his fifth straight decision despite showing uncharacteristic control woes with four walks. Price has quietly had an excellent campaign amid the Red Sox struggles to regain 2018 form, or something close to it.
Danny Jansen had a big day for the home team, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs and two RBI. The rookie backstop was a popular sleeper in drafts but got off to a terrible start. However, over his past seven starts, the 24-year-old receiver is slashing .444/.474/1.000 with three homers.
Nola bests Braves
Aaron Nola pushed his ERA below 4.00 for the first time since opening day after hurling eight scoreless frames in SunTrust Park. Nola fanned eight while issuing three free passes. His 3.89 ERA is still half a run higher than expected, but he has half a season to continue overcoming a sluggish start to the 2019 season.
Jay Bruce knocked in both runs in the Phillies 2-0 blanking of the Braves. Hector Neris notched his 17th save with a perfect ninth, fanning all three hitters he faced.
Bauers helps Bauer to win
Trevor Bauer owes Jake Bauers a dinner as the sophomore outfielder’s 4-for-5 effort helped the righthander earn his seventh victory despite a subpar outing. Bauers scored a run while knocking in three teammates as the Cleveland Indians crowned the Kansas City Royals 9 to 4.
Bauer battled through six stanzas, scattering 11 hits and a walk, fanning half a dozen. Adalberto Mondesi didn’t miss a beat in his return from the IL, blasting his seventh homer. While the exciting shortstop isn’t out of the woods, a .269 average with a 27% K% and 27 steals is in sync with last season’s numbers. The high strikeouts are a concern, but if they don’t increase Mondesi will remain one of fantasy’s top producers.
Angels honor their lost teammate
With heavy hearts, the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers resumed their schedule after postponing Monday’s contest. The Rangers honored Tyler Skaggs by eschewing their normal walk up music, instead considering the silence a tribute to Skaggs. The Angels defeated the Rangers 9 to 4 in a total team effort.
Kole Calhoun smacked the sole home run for the Angels on route to a 2-for-4 evening. Jonathan Lucroy drove in three while Justin Bour contributed a key two-run knock, pinch-hitting for the injured Tommy La Stella. La Stella is undergoing tests for a right shin contusion. His availability is unclear.
Mike Minor absorbed the loss, failing to last five innings for the first time since opening day. It will be interesting to see how Minor pitches in the second half as the already hot Texas heat climbs even higher. Last season, the higher than normal temperatures helped elevate Globe Life Park to be on a par with Coors Field for both homers and runs.
Quick hitters
Dylan Cease will make his long-awaited debut for the White Sox in the opener of a day-night doubleheader with the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon. It’s unclear if Cease will remain with the club through the break. The righty is one of the top pitching prospects in the league and is earmarked to be a key to the Pale Hose rebuilding effort.
Matt Strahm’s day as a starter could be numbered as it appears he’ll be the odd man out as Dinelson Lamet is returning from TJS. The Padres system is loaded with starting pitchers, including rookies Cal Quantrill, Logan Allen and Chris Paddack already on the big club along with MacKenzie Gore knocking on the door.
Ji-Man Choi was placed on the IL with an ankle sprain. The diversified Rays have plenty of internal options with Yandy Diaz, Joey Wendle and Michael Brosseau all in line for more playing time.
Domingo German will start for the Yankees on Wednesday, after missing about a month with an injured hip. The club has been getting by with a bullpen game in his absence, so his return is eagerly anticipated.
Just as it looked like Jesus Luzardo was getting close, the athletics rookie suffered a setback from tightness in his left lat. It’s unclear how this affects his timetable to debut for Oakland.
