Wednesday was a day for the hitters and with 16 games on the docket, there is a lot to get to, so let’s get to it.
Let’s Play Two in Washington
Patrick Corbin picked up the win, throwing seven comfortable innings (4 H, 3 BB, 1ER, 8 K) with Brian Dozier and Gerardo Parra each going 2-for-4 with a home run. Dozier had three RBI to Parra’s two as his part of back-to-back homers came with Juan Soto on the bases.
Dozier was back at it in Game 2 with the game-deciding solo home run in the second. Jake Arrieta threw six solid innings, surrendering just a walk, a single, and the Dozier home run while a very bruised Max Scherzer dominated with 10 K, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB through seven innings. Victor Robles added a solo home run of his own, handing Scherzer the win with Wander Suero and Sean Doolittle securing the hold and the save, respectively.
CC Sabathia Hits Milestone
On a day with hitters filling the box scores, CC Sabathia took another step closer to Cooperstown, nabbing his 250th career win. In six innings, Sabathia quieted the Rays, allowing just one earned run on three hits and three walks, adding seven strikeouts to his career total of 3,043. Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres each homered, with Sanchez driving in four on the day and Torres hitting the first grand slam of his career. Blake Snell, however, scorched ratio categories, giving up six earned in just one-third of an inning.
Rise and Fall of the Astros
Michael Brantley powered the Astros’ offense on Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with the home run that gave Gerritt Cole (6 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 8 K) the lead until Roberto Osuna handed the series sweep to the Reds. Osuna gave up a ground-rule double to start the home half of the ninth but struck out Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto. Nick Senzel singled to tie the game on the first pitch he saw (advancing to second on a throw), and Jesse Winker singled on the first pitch he saw to win it. Though Osuna blew his third save of the year, there is no need to panic. Set-up man Ryan Pressly is worth a speculative add because he has had a stellar season (33.1 IP, 0.81 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 37 K) and he should help your stats regardless of any possible saves.
Ponce de Leon Discovers a Gem Against Miami
Daniel Ponce de Leon allowed just two doubles and one walk in six innings, striking out six Marlins. Carlos Martinez couldn’t hold on to the win for Ponce de Leon, but a Paul Goldschmidt pinch-hit extra-inning home run would give the win to the Cardinals and might be the shock to resuscitate his season. Ponce de Leon is an option to stick in the rotation with Adam Wainwright returning from the IL today and Michael Wacha bouncing in and out of the bullpen. Goldschmidt is now slashing an underwhelming .256/.345/.432.
Domingo Santana Powers M’s
Domingo Santana smashed a pair of home runs in Seattle’s 8-2 drubbing of Brad Keller and the Royals. Santana ended the day 3-for-4 with five RBI and two Runs. With Edwin Encarnacion heading to New York and Mitch Haniger on the IL, Santana is the main source of power in the Mariners’ lineup, but his runs and RBI could be muted with Seattle gasping at the bottom of the AL West and GM Jerry Dipoto looking to move salary and add prospect assets.
Bryan Reynolds hits go-ahead 3-run blast
If you are in a 15-team five-outfielder league and Bryan Reynolds is still a free agent, rectify that situation and pick him up. Reynolds hit a home run and two singles both scoring and knocking in three. In 177 at-bats since his call-up in late April, Reynolds is hitting .362/.418/.571 and has been out of the lineup just three times while batting at the top of the order.
Double-Double in Toronto
Rowdy Tellez and Mike Trout both hit two home runs. Tellez went 2-for-4 with a three-run and a solo home run and Trout hit 3-for-6 mashing a grand slam and a two-run bomb while also singling in a career-best seventh RBI of the night. Both Andrew Heaney and Aaron Sanchez left after 3.2 innings, giving up a combined total of 11 earned runs.
Jason Kipnis Rocks for Cleveland
Jason Kipnis went 2-for-2 hitting two home runs and knocking in four while walking twice in a drubbing of the Rangers. Cleveland is showing sign of life lately winning seven of their last 10, but still trail Minnesota by nine games.
Willson Contreras Brings Giolito to Earth
Willson Contreras became one of the only players to dominate Lucas Giolito this season. Giolito put up a rare misstep surrendering a grand slam and a solo bomb to the Cubs’ catcher. After winning eight consecutive starts, Giolito has risen up pitcher rankings. Though pegged with his first loss since April 6, Giolito still struck out nine and had 21 swinging strikes in his 4.1 IP. Contreras has been excellent this season, smashing 15 home runs, scoring 34 runs, and knocking in 42 RBI to a .293 batting average.
Chris Taylor Shining in Corey Seager’s Absence
Chris Taylor could see a lot of playing time now that Corey Seager has been sent to the IL. Going 3-for-4 with two home runs, three runs, and 4 RBI will also help that cause. If Taylor is still available in your league, look to add him to a middle-infield roster spot despite sporting a disappointing .235/.304/.434 slash line. The Dodgers have the depth that could stymie Taylor’s chance at regular at-bats if he doesn’t continue to progress at the plate.
Injuries
Rich Hill left after throwing his warm-up pitches in the second inning of last night’s game with left forearm discomfort and will be placed on the IL. With Ross Stripling and Julio Urias putting up good numbers in the bullpen, look for both to be options to return to the rotation. Both are scheduled to pitch today in what may be an audition for the now-vacant spot.
Trevor Story appeared in significant discomfort and immediately hustled off the field after sliding into second base trying to extend a single into a double. X-Rays on his thumb were negative, but an MRI is scheduled.
Rafael Devers should be considered day-to-day after tweaking his right hamstring running out an infield single. Eduardo Nunez replaced him in the field. The Red Sox are off today, so be sure to check his status before lineups lock on Friday.
Yandy Diaz was placed on the 10-day IL with a nagging hamstring injury. Diaz was traded from Cleveland in the off-season and reworking his swing has been a priority for the Rays. The powerful Diaz has seen his Fly Ball % jump from 23.3% to 31.8% and has 11 home runs through 217 at-bats this season
Pat Neshek returned from the IL four days ago looks like he will be headed back. After coming back from a strained shoulder, Neshek left the second game of yesterday’s double-header with a left hamstring strain.
Transactions
Chris Paddack is expected to return to the Padres to start on Saturday. Fantasy owners who benched him in weekly leagues will be frustrated to hear this news, but players with more frequent lineup changes can get him in for this start against the Pirates at PNC.
One of the most anticipated pitching promotions of the season will see Zac Gallen come up to face the Cardinals in St. Louis today in place of the recently injured Pablo Lopez. Gallen has put up video-game numbers with the Baby Cakes in his 91.1 IP this season, posting a 1.77 ERA, 0.71 WHIP with a 112:17 strikeout to walk ratio. Don’t forget, too, that these numbers have come with the same “juicy” ball as in MLB. Add him if you can.
Jose Altuve was activated and returned to the third spot of the Astros’ lineup yesterday. He was 0-for-4, but avoided striking out. It may take some time to readjust after five weeks away from game action recovering from a hamstring strain.
Pirates’ starter Mitch Keller was optioned back to the minors. Keller put up a disappointing 10.50 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP in 12 innings with 15 strikeouts. He could be dropped in shallow leagues, but considering his prospect pedigree, be ready to pick him up when news comes of his recall back to the big club.
The Twins have placed Marwin Gonzalez on the IL with a right hamstring strain and closer Blake Parker has been given family emergency leave. The IL-stint comes at a terrible time for Gonzalez, as his recent run at the plate has all but erased an ice-cold start to the season bringing his slash line of .255/.323/.420 right to his career norm. Look for Taylor Rogers and Trevor May to pick up saves while Parker is away from the team.
