Another Wednesday, another doubleheader and a full slate of games. Boston at Tampa Bay saw a long delay in the eighth inning when pitching changes caused confusion. Adam Kolarek came into the eighth to replace starter Charlie Morton and induced an infield pop-up. Chaz Roe entered to pitch to Mookie Betts, but instead of pulling Kolarek from the game, manager Kevin Cash moved Kolarek over to first (bumping Ji-Man Choi from the game). Roe retired Betts on a fly ball, and Kolarek returned to the mound with Nate Lowe coming in to play first base. It took a lengthy delay to sort out the lineup card, and the Red Sox decided to play the rest of the game under protest. In typical baseball fashion, one pitch ended the inning.
Another Barn-Burner in Minnesota
If this week’s series is any indication of what October might bring, we should all be crossing our fingers for a Twins-Yankees playoff matchup. After Tuesday’s epic see-saw battle that many are calling one of the year’s best, Wednesday’s battle continued the fun. Former Twin Aaron Hicks, who ended Tuesday’s game with a diving bases-loaded catch, hit a solo home run and Didi Gregorius went 3-for-5 with three RBI. In a series that saw a total score of 30-27, it should be no surprise that Wednesday’s pitchers fared poorly. J.A. Happ gave up six earned runs in his 3.1 innings and Jake Odorizzi was chased after the fourth, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned).
Bieber Shuts Down Blue Jays
Shane Bieber continued his breakout season with a one-hit, one-walk, complete-game shutout, while striking out 10 Blue Jays. Erik Sogard spoiled the no-hitter in the seventh, but Bieber spoiled Marcus Stroman’s last home game before the trade deadline. It is widely believed that Stroman will be traded and Toronto fans gave him a warm ovation when he walked off the mound after his one-run, six-strikeout performance.
Cardinals Bring the Bats to Pittsburgh
Jordan Lyles struck out two of the three batters he faced in the first inning, but was driven from the game in the second after the Cardinals broke out for nine runs. Paul DeJong went 4-for-4 with three home runs and five RBI. Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Knizner also contributed home runs, and Yairo Munoz went 3-for-5 with two stolen bases. Lyles was charged with five earned runs (8 total) in just 1.2 innings. The one bright spot for the Pirates was Starling Marte, who went 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Marte has been hot in July, slashing .333/.365/.654 and hitting five of his 17 home runs.
Verlander hits Double-Digit Strikeouts… Again
For the fifth time this season, Justin Verlander had double-digit strikeouts, setting down 11 A’s in six innings of work. Verlander allowed just four baserunners, but two first-inning errors (Bregman and Reddick) caused an unearned run to score. George Springer and Jose Altuve both hit two-run home runs to provide the Astros with all the runs they needed for Verlander to pick up his 13th win.
Phillies Stay on a Roll
Vince Velasquez made his pitch to Phillies management to set their sights on the playoffs. Velasquez went 5.2 innings of shutout baseball, striking out nine Tigers and giving up just four hits and two walks. In a tight NL, the Phillies are a half a game back of a wildcard spot (Washington and St. Louis) and are third in the East trailing the Braves by 5.5 with a pivotal series this weekend against the division leaders.
Zac Gallen Dominates
Zac Gallen’s fantasy owners may have had their fingers hovering over the drop button last night. Gallen was an anticipated call-up, but his control problems in the minors accompanied him to Miami, as he had allowed 14 walks in 22.1 innings of work (5.64 BB/9). Gallen calmed those fears on Wednesday, going seven dominant innings striking out nine and allowing only one walk and two hits. Gallen won’t get a lot of wins pitching for the Marlins, but he did secure the first of his major league career last night. Center fielder Cesar Puello knocked in all the game’s runs with a two-run homer in the eighth.
Trade Candidates Square Off
Mike Leake and Mike Minor are both potential candidates to be wearing new uniforms by August. Leake went seven solid innings with seven strikeouts but gave up a three-run Rougned Odor home run. The Mariners scratched out five runs to back Leake’s win with Daniel Vogelbach blasting two solo home runs. Before the All-Star Game, the Rangers might have been considered trade deadline buyers, but they have scuffled to a 3-9 record after the break. With Joey Gallo placed on the IL with a wrist injury, the chances that Texas will trade Minor increased, despite his lackluster performance yesterday (6 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 K).
Charlie Morton Steps Up to Salvage Series
The Red Sox controlled the first two games of their series against the Rays with strong pitching performances from Eduardo Rodriguez and Chris Sale. Charlie Morton turned the tables yesterday going seven strong innings striking out 11. Morton gave up two runs on five hits, but Tommy Pham, Joey Wendle, and Guillermo Heredia each knocked in a run to give the Rays the 3-2 win sending Morton to a 12-3 record on what, so far, has been a spectacular season (2.60 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 163 K, 131.1 IP).
Injuries
Kris Bryant left Wednesday’s game with left knee soreness. Bryant homered in his first at-bat but struck out in the fifth inning and was replaced by David Bote for the sixth. The severity of the injury is not known yet, so consider Bryant day-to-day. The Cubs don’t play again until Friday, so, hopefully, the rest day is enough to get Bryant back into the lineup.
Jon Lester was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game with an illness (fever). Tyler Chatwood replaced him for the start, but expect Lester to return on Saturday. This ruins Lester’s chance at what would have been two starts next week. Chatwood pitched well in his four innings allowing just one run and striking out five.
Jameson Taillon suffered a setback in his recovery from an elbow injury. After weeks of rest, Taillon had begun throwing again but felt renewed pain. A treatment has not been announced, but Taillon will meet with his 2014 Tommy John surgery doctor to determine a plan. It is safe to drop Taillon in redraft leagues, as Taillon looks set to undergo the surgery for the second time.
Transactions
Blake Parker was designated for assignment by the Twins. Parker gave up four runs in Tuesday’s clash with the Yankees, but the move comes as somewhat of a surprise. Parker has 10 saves on the season and started the season well putting up a 1.96 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 18.1 through May, but from June 1st, Parker struggled with a 6.50 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. This puts the Twins at 37 players on their 40-man roster, so expect players to be added or a trade in the coming days.
Gary Sanchez was placed on the 10-day IL with a left groin strain. The strain is considered minor, so Sanchez is expected to miss minimal time. Kyle Higashioka was recalled and will share catching duties with Austin Romine while fantasy’s top catcher is on the mend.
David Peralta was activated from the IL by the Diamondbacks. His right shoulder has recovered enough to return to the team, but he did not start Wednesday’s game. He grounded out in a pinch-hit appearance. Peralta’s return could mean less playing time for Tim Locastro and more frequent rest days for Adam Jones and Jarrod Dyson.
Willson Contreras was activated with Addison Russell optioned to the minors. Fantasy managers will be pleased that Contreras can be returned to their lineups as he has put up excellent numbers from the catcher slot (.286/.381/.560). Russell has struggled since his return to the Cubs with a .247 average in a suspension-shortened season. Utility infielders Robel Garcia, Daniel Descalso, and David Bote will retain playing time.
