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Max Fried returns to form, lacks support in Yankees' 1-0 loss to Red Sox

Max Fried returned to form, but the Yankees gave him no run support in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Takeaways

  1. Fried (13-5, 3.14 ERA) had his best start in almost a month and his best outing since June 25. After three straight games of eight hits in five innings, Fried fired six scoreless frames while scattering four knocks and striking out seven. He walked three and threw 63 strikes on 99 pitches but dug deep in a rebound no-decision that had the Yankees (69-59) primed for a bounce-back win over the Red Sox (70-59).
  2. Unfortunately for Fried, Brayan Bello was just as good -- if not better. Boston's starter yielded three hits while striking out five and walking one in seven shutout innings before passing the ball to reliever Garrett Whitlock and closer Aroldis Chapman for the perfect final two frames.
  3. With Fried on the verge of 100 pitches,Aaron Boone's Mark Leiter Jr. decision backfired. Promptly, after Ceddanne Rafaela's leadoff flyout, Leiter allowed consecutive doubles to Nathaniel Lowe and Connor Wong. Leiter (5-7, 4.14 ERA) subsequently retired Romy Gonzalez and Alex Bregman, but not before the one-run damage was done.
  4. Ultimately, though, the Yankees did not hit in their third shutout loss of August. Singles by Ben Rice (first inning), Trent Grisham (third inning) and Austin Wells (sixth inning) were all that they got. Wells also ran the Yankees right out of the sixth inning when he jumped too far off the base and got doubled up on Grisham, who lined out to shortstop. This is who the Yankees are, and the Red Sox lapped them for the first wild card as a result.

Who's the MVP?

Bello, who went one inning more than Fried in this pitcher's duel.

What's next

Saturday's 1:05 p.m. game at Yankee Stadium. New York RHP Will Warren (7-5, 4.25 ERA) and Boston LHP Garrett Crochet (13-5, 2.43 ERA) are set to start as the Yankees look to salvage the four-game series with at least a split.

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Mets' Tylor Megill pitches five dominant innings for Triple-A Syracuse

Mets starter Tylor Megill made his latest rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday night and was dominant.

After walking the first batter he faced, the big right-hander mowed down Indianapolis batters for three no-hit innings. Nick Yorke broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the fourth inning, but that would be the last baserunner against Megill, who kept Indianapolis batters off balance. 

Megill tossed 65 pitches (39 strikes) across five shutout innings, allowing the one hit, one walk and striking out four batters.

Friday was Megill's third rehab start as he tries to make his way back from an elbow sprain. It's also his third shutout appearance after he tossed 1.2 innings in his first start and 3.1 shutout innings in his second start. While Megill didn't have the strikeout stuff like he did in his second start, where he struck out nine batters, he went longer in the game, which is something the Mets are certainly happy to see.

Also of note from Friday's game was first base prospect Ryan Clifford. The young slugger clubbed his first Triple-A homer (373 feet), taking right-hander Wilkin Ramos deep over the left field wall.

Clifford would single in a run in his second at-bat but he wasn't done with the longball. In the eighth, Clifford took RHP Cam Sanders deep for a 397-foot blast. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI.

 

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Duran's first blown save with Phillies leads to series-opening loss to Nationals

Duran's first blown save with Phillies leads to series-opening loss to Nationals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Phillies manager Rob Thomson talked earlier this season about seeing things he’d never seen before in his many years in MLB. He can add a couple more things to the list as the Phillies fell to the Washington Nationals, 5-4, in the series-opener at Citizens Bank Park.

In a game that saw three Taijuan Walker pickoff attempts overturned – two to outs, one to safe – and closer Jhoan Duran blow his first save opportunity for the Phillies in seven tries, the Phillies got excellent pitching.

That is if you take away the first and last innings.

Early on, it didn’t appear to be the Phillies’ night and certainly not Walker’s, as the Nationals tagged him for three runs in a first inning that included two walks, a pickoff at first, a three-run home run and an astounding 38 pitches. In Duran’s ninth inning, he gave up a double to Dylan Crews and a game-tying single to Dayle Lile, who went to second on the throw home by Brandon Marsh, which hit Crews, not enabling catcher J.T. Realmuto to secure the ball. Lile then stole third and scored easily when Realmuto’s throw sailed into left.

The Phillies have been playing so well lately that it seems like it had to take some crazy events for them to lose for the first time in five games.

After a rough first inning, Walker pitched four more and faced the minimum 12 batters. It was an adjustment he made that allowed him to overcome the lengthy first, but the three-run damage had already been done.

“Just the two walks,” Walker said of his first inning troubles. “I feel like when I get in trouble a lot is when I start walking guys. It seemed like they were a little more patient in that first inning. The splitters that they were taking and just out of the zone a little too much. After the first inning I started getting in the zone more and it seemed like they were being more aggressive and putting the ball in play more.”

Walker says his cutter just wasn’t there to begin the night but it came back to him with a little work.

“It was a little off in the bullpen,” he said. “I thought the first inning it would be better but it was just off a little bit, made a little adjustment after the first and it started picking up. Just a wrist adjustment, a stiffer wrist.

“It was really just not commanding the zone in that first inning and just not throwing enough strikes. I really didn’t know how many I threw. I didn’t know that. It didn’t feel like 38. I know it was a longer inning but I didn’t feel like 38. But I felt good, the whole game after that started to get quicker outs and got into a good little groove.”

The whole team did. While Tanner Banks, Jose Alvarado and Matt Strahm contributed to keeping the Nationals off the board after the first, the torrid offense came to life for the Phillies.

Nick Castellanos began the second with a single, hustled to third on a Bryson Stott single and scored on a groundout by Trea Turner to cut the lead 3-1. In the sixth, Castellanos doubled for his third hit of the night and scored two batters later when Stott homered to tie the game 3-3.

In the seventh, after Nationals lefty reliever Shinnosuke Ogasawara struck out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, Realmuto launched a low, 3-2 changeup, into the left field seats for a 4-3 lead. And when Strahm put down the Nats in the eighth, the general feeling was game over as Duran warmed in the bullpen.

But not on this night as Duran gave up a couple hits and Realmuto aired one into left to help Washington get the winning run.

“That’s the game,” Duran said. “Sometimes that happens. We need to prepare for everything.” Asked if he can easily shake off his first blemish as a Phillie, Duran said, “Right now. I’m good. Sometimes we do good, sometimes we do bad. So, that’s the game. Tomorrow I’ll be ready for tomorrow, so it’s ok.”

Realmuto, after becoming the offensive hero with a late-inning home run, reflected more on the play at the third than his offense after the game.

“I probably shouldn’t have thrown the ball, in hindsight,” he said. “It was a curve ball away and I really didn’t get to set my feet and get around the (batter) so I did have to throw it over his head. In that situation, it’s tough to do, but I probably should have just eaten it, let him have third base and give Duran a chance to strike the next two guys out, which he ended up doing. It’s tough to do in the moment but I probably should have just eaten that one.”

Still, there were positives to the game that manager Rob Thomson was quick to point out afterwards.

“(Casty) swung the bat well, Stott’s hot,” he said. “J.T. with a big home run in the seventh to get us where we wanted to be. We fought back and I’m happy with that. Castellanos also going first to third created a run for us, our first run and Trea busting it down the line to avoid the double play and get us on the board.”

As for his thoughts on his new closer?

“Super confident. Mariano (Rivera) had 80 (blown saves), so it’s going happen every once in a while. He struck out the side. There’s going to be hits in there sometimes.”

As for seeing three overturned pickoffs, add that to the list of an inside-the-park three-run homer that beat the Phillies earlier this year in San Francisco and a walk off win on a catcher’s interference against Boston.

“I don’t think so,” said Thomson of seeing the pickoff situation. “I’m not sure but I don’t think so.”

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Astros sign veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star

BALTIMORE — The Houston Astros have signed Craig Kimbrel to a major league contract, and the veteran reliever reported to the team in Baltimore on Friday.

The 37-year-old Kimbrel posted a 5.33 ERA with the Orioles last year before being released in September. He later returned to the Atlanta Braves - where he began his big league career - but pitched in only one game before being designated for assignment. Texas signed him to a minor league deal in June, and the right-hander was with Triple-A Round Rock before being released Thursday and picked up by the Astros.

In 42 minor league appearances this year at Triple-A and Double-A, Kimbrel is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA. The nine-time All-Star has 440 saves at the big league level.

“Happy to have him,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before Friday night's game at Baltimore. “This guy has been one of the best for a very long time.”

Houston also reinstated right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. from the injured list and put left-hander Bennett Sousa (left elbow inflammation) on the 15-day IL retroactive to Wednesday. The team optioned right-hander Logan VanWey to Triple-A Sugar Land, transferred left-hander Brandon Walter to the 60-day IL and sent right-hander Tayler Scott outright to Sugar Land.

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Orioles reach a $67 million, 8-year deal with 21-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo

BALTIMORE — On a team with plenty of talented young players, Samuel Basallo now has a special distinction - the first to agree to a long-term contract.

The Baltimore Orioles reached a $67 million, eight-year deal with the rookie catcher Friday, less than a week after the 21-year-old made his major league debut. The agreement - a record pre-arbitration deal for a catcher - starts in 2026 and includes a team option for 2034. It has escalators based on awards and playing time at catcher and could be worth $88.5 million.

“We are thrilled to agree with Samuel long term and are delighted about what this means for him and his family,” general manager Mike Elias said in a statement. “His debut and this extension are big achievements for our organization, beginning with the work of our international scouting staff and carried forward successfully by our entire player development operation."

Basallo will make $1 million a year in 2026, 2027 and 2028, $4 million in 2029, $7 million in 2030, $11 million in 2031 and $15 million in 2032 and 2033. The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus, and the 2034 option is $18 million with a $7 million buyout.

It's the first major long-term deal this Baltimore front office has been able to reach with one of the Orioles' standout prospects, and it comes just four games into Basallo's big league career after he made his debut Sunday. He is ranked as baseball's No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

It's a significant move for a Baltimore team that has come out of a rebuild with several impressive young players - Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday among them - but hadn't been able to extend any of them beyond their initial periods of team control.

Elias and Basallo are expected to hold a news conference Saturday. The Orioles didn't announce the deal until after the clubhouse was closed to reporters before Friday night's game against Houston. Basallo wasn't around when it was open, and neither were a number of other key players, but interim manager Tony Mansolino shed some light on the reaction.

“I was sitting in the room, and I won't say who, but I saw several guys right away walk up to Samuel when he walked into the clubhouse and shook his hand, gave him a hug, told him congratulations,” Mansolino said. “And some pretty prominent guys did it. Great joy for Samuel in a lot of ways, and just a lot of leadership right there by some of those guys.”

Rutschman, also a catcher, was terrific for his first couple years in the majors, but he slumped toward the end of 2024 and has hit just .227 during an injury-plagued 2025. Now the Orioles have made a commitment to Basallo, but he can also play first base.

It's been a dismal year in Baltimore, with fan frustration high after the team remained cautious in free agency and quickly fell to last place in the AL East after making the playoffs two straight seasons. Basallo's recent call-up was much anticipated, and now the Orioles have shown a willingness to spend a bit more if that's what's needed to hold onto young talent.

“The agreement with Samuel is just a catalyst for the next exciting period of Orioles baseball,” owner David Rubenstein said. ”I thank Mike Elias, (vice president for international scouting and operations) Koby Perez, and the entire baseball operations group for their effort and diligence in securing Samuel as a key piece of the future of the organization.”

Basallo, a native of the Dominican Republic, originally signed with the Orioles during the 2020-21 international signing period.

“You think back to when Mike came in, there was kind of a lack of a Latin American program,” Mansolino said. “I think there's a lot of significance that the first extension is a guy that came through the brand new Latin American program.”

Also Friday, the Orioles put infielder Jordan Westburg (right ankle sprain) on the 10-day injured list - retroactive to Tuesday - and right-hander Brandon Young (left hamstring) on the 15-day IL. They also transferred right-hander Félix Bautista (right shoulder surgery) and catcher Gary Sanchez (right knee sprain) to the 60-day IL and selected the contracts of right-hander Matt Bowman and infielder Vimael Machín from Triple-A Norfolk.

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Willy Adames' emphatic two-homer homecoming spoiled as Brewers walk off Giants

Willy Adames' emphatic two-homer homecoming spoiled as Brewers walk off Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Before his first at-bat back in Milwaukee since departing last offseason in MLB free agency, Willy Adames received nearly a minute-long standing ovation from the Brewers’ home crowd.

The fan-favorite shortstop clearly still is beloved at American Family Field after spending three and a half seasons with the Brewers, even after signing with the Giants this past December.

Well, perhaps not for long, as Adames crushed the first pitch he saw 419 feet into the second deck in left field and promptly was met with boos. He then went deep a second time in the eighth inning, this one to the opposite field, helping fuel a late Giants resurgence.

“It was very emotional, I would say. They changed their mind really quick, though,” Adames told reporters with a laugh, referring to the crowd’s quick switch from celebration to antagonism. “Obviously, I know that they didn’t mean those boos.

“It felt really good to see that they have that much love for me. They know that I have the same love back. It was really special to see it and feel it, and kind of embrace everything and soak it all in.”

But the Milwaukeeans got the last laugh in the end, as the Giants’ late comeback proved fruitless after William Contreras’ walk-off homer in the ninth inning gave the red-hot Brewers a 5-4 win on Friday night.

So, in the end, it was another thrilling win for MLB’s hottest team since the All-Star break, and another heart-wrenching loss for the league’s coldest team in that same span.

“It’s just another day. It feels the same way that it’s been going on for us,” Adames explained postgame. “It felt like we played better baseball — obviously, we had some difficulties … Contreras had a really good pitch there, and he took advantage of it.

Regardless of the result, the night clearly was all about Adames’ emphatic homecoming.

“It was great … to get the reception he did and then hits first-pitch homer,” manager Bob Melvin said. “I mean, that’s pretty cool stuff. And then he hit another homer to get us a little bit closer, and then we tie the game. Willy came in here, obviously looking to put together a good game, and he did.”

After signing a franchise-record contract worth $182 million over seven years, this hasn’t quite been the season that Adames or the Giants desired. His .224 batting average and .722 OPS both are the second-lowest marks of his eight-year career.

But the 29-year-old shortstop quietly is up to 22 home runs on the season, and his effusive personality shone in the spotlight during Friday’s two-homer game — both primary reasons why the Giants signed him.

“Even my second at-bat, when they started booing me, I was just laughing, because that’s how it is,” Adames admitted. “I enjoyed it like the standing ovation. For me, it was the same. It felt good. I know it was all love.”

So while all hope feels all but lost for the Giants’ playoff hopes in 2025, San Francisco will hope that Friday’s big night could spur on their star shortstop for more production through the rest of this season and beyond

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Mets Notes: Jeff McNeil undergoes precautionary MRI, Brandon Nimmo 'better today'

Prior to Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza gave some updates on the team...

Jeff McNeil undergoes MRI

McNeil is not in the starting lineup for the second consecutive game as he deals with shoulder soreness. The Mets skipper gave an update on McNeil's condition and revealed that they got some imaging done on McNeil's shoulder since yesterday.

"We took some MRI this morning just precautionary and it didn’t show anything," Mendoza said. "He’s just got to play through it. It’s in a real spot. Giving him some extra time for the medicine to start working, but this is something that will be day-to-day... He’s available like last night, but limit his exposure on the field for now."

As Mendoza said, McNeil did pinch-hit in the eighth inning of Thursday's loss to the Nationals. While he did strike out, McNeil played the field in the bottom half of the inning, which is an encouraging sign.

For Friday's series opener against the Braves, the outfield alignment consists of Juan Soto in right, Cedric Mullins in center and Tyrone Taylor making his second consecutive start in left in place of Brandon Nimmo. Brett Baty is starting at second base. If McNeil were to get a pinch-hit opportunity, it would likely be for Taylor just as it was on Thursday.

Brandon Nimmo, Luis Torrens updates

Speaking of Nimmo, the veteran outfielder is out of the lineup again after his recurring neck issue popped up during Wednesday's game. 

Mendoza had a promising update on Nimmo, saying that he's "better today" and received treatment and is moving around. He pointed out that when he came to the ballpark on Thursday, he did not do any activities, but since he is, it's a good sign.

While Nimmo is out of the starting lineup, Mendoza didn't rule out an appearance from his outfielder in Friday's game. But he is going to wait and see how he feels after doing some pregame baseball activities before he decides.

As for Torrens, the backstop is riding the bench for the second consecutive game after his glove hand took a swing in Wednesday's game against the Nationals. While Torrens finished the game, his hand was sore and Mendoza said that is still the case on Friday. The Mets skipper did say Torrens is available off the bench, but wanted to give him another day and that there is still no plans to get imaging done on Torrens' hand.

This will be the first time Senger has started back-to-back games since early July.

Mets remain confident in Ryne Stanek

Stanek's performance of late has been as inconsistent as the team's bullpen as a whole. After back-to-back scoreless outings earlier this week, the right-hander allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Nationals. 

Mendoza was asked how the team plans to get Stanek right for the stretch run.

"Continue to be supportive," he said. "The stuff is there. You look at 100 mph, the split and it’s kinda crazy. We continue to believe in him."

The Mets skipper was asked if Stanek's issues are a product of his lack of execution or the sequence of pitches and Mendoza said it's a combination of both.

"When he’s ahead in counts, not being able to finish hitters," Mendoza said. "A little too much in the strike zone and they put the ball in play, and he’s been a little unlucky as well. Executing when he’s ahead in counts is the biggest thing. Making guys chase as opposed to leaving hittable pitches."

In 50 appearances this season, Stanek has pitched to a 5.65 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP.

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Willy Adames homers on first pitch after standing ovation in Giants-Brewers game

Willy Adames homers on first pitch after standing ovation in Giants-Brewers game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Willy Adames made a grand entrance in his first return to Milwaukee on Friday night.

The Giants shortstop, who spent the previous four season with the Brewers before joining San Francisco last offseason, received a rousing standing ovation from the home crowd at American Family Field.

Adames then jumped on the very first pitch of his first at-bat, crushing a solo home run to left field mere moments after being greeted by a warm reception.

Those cheers quickly turned to boos as the Brewers fans watched their longtime shortstop put Milwaukee into an early 1-0 hole with his towering blast.

The home run was Adames’ 21st of the 2025 MLB season, but it didn’t take long for the slugging shortstop to add another.

Adames teed off on Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby in the eighth inning for his second home run of the night, pulling the Giants within one run.

It likely will be a night Adames never forgets.

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Thomson, Phillies hopeful red-hot offense carries into Nationals series

Thomson, Phillies hopeful red-hot offense carries into Nationals series originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

To say the Phillies offense has been as hot as an August summer day in Philadelphia might be an understatement right now. Consider in their three game series just completed against the visiting Seattle Mariners, they scored 29 runs and collected 49 hits, 17 for extra bases.

It all starts at the beginning and Trea Turner has been absolutely spectacular of late as the shortstop has had two or more hits in six of his last seven games, and scored 11 runs and drove in seven during that time.

Kyle Schwarber leads the National League with 45 home runs, 109 RBI and has a home run in 15 straight series. Bryce Harper is hitting .288 over his last 35 games with 15 doubles, 12 home runs and 26 RBI. Throw in J.T. Realmuto posting a .333 average with 23 multi-hit games, 18 extra base hits and 21 RBI over his last 51 games and you see why the Phillies have been so good offensively.

Before Friday’s game with the Washington Nationals, manager Rob Thomson pointed to something else that has been working quite well for his team.

“The back end of the lineup,” Thomson said. “We’re producing which turns it over to those guys and that’s where you can really do some damage as far as scoring runs. The bottom of the lineup is doing a great job right now.”

Leading the way has been outfielder Brandon Marsh and second baseman Bryson Stott. Because of his continued hot hitting, Marsh has moved up a bit in Thomson’s lineup and understandably so. Since snapping an 0-for-31 slump on May 3, Marsh has hit .296 over an 87-game span and is hitting .338 over his last 24 games.

Stott, along with his always-present excellent glove work, has hit .381 with nine runs scored, four stolen bases, seven extra base hits and eight RBI over his last 14 games.

Outfield carousel continues …

Nick Castellanos heads back to right field Friday while Harrison Bader takes the night off, sliding Brandon Marsh to center and Max Kepler to left against Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli, whom the Phillies just saw Sunday. Castellanos was held out of the series finale on Wednesday against the Mariners.

“Casty didn’t face him the last time and I don’t want him sitting too many days,” said Thomson. “This would be his third day in a row and I don’t want to do that. He’s in there tonight and then we’ll figure it out moving forward.”

Which means Thomson will probably continue to shuffle his outfield, pending numerous things but he said, “A lot of it has to do with the pitcher.” So it will probably continue that Kepler will face the majority of right-handers and Bader lefties and some right-handers, too.

“I try to get ahead of it if I can and communicate that with the players, if I can,” said Thomson of his platooning. “Sometimes it changes. You schedule a guy for a day off tomorrow, but he hits two homers and a double, you really got to change gears at that point. With a lefty going tomorrow I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I’m doing.”

Wheeler update

Nothing official from the team Friday as far as the condition of pitcher Zack Wheeler, who was diagnosed with a blood clot near his right shoulder last week. Asked what he’s heard, Thomson said there wasn’t much.

“I think we’ll know something in the next couple of days,” Thomson said. “We’ll see him in the next couple of days. Just getting some opinions, that’s all. Just texting (Wheeler). I don’t want to really bother him. He’s resting but he feels good.”

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What Alex Cora expects from Red Sox prospect making debut vs. Yankees

What Alex Cora expects from Red Sox prospect making debut vs. Yankees originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Jhostynxon Garcia, also known as “The Password,” is the latest Red Sox prospect to be called up in hopes he’ll provide a spark.

Garcia, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, will bat fifth and start in centerfield as the Red Sox face the rival Yankees on Friday night. A late-August night at Yankee Stadium with the Red Sox playing arguably their most important series in years? No, not a bad night for a Major League debut.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora offered a scouting report of Garcia, a 22-year-old slugger who arrives after recording a .932 OPS in 66 games in Triple-A Worcester. MLB Pipeline views Garcia as Boston’s third-best prospect behind Franklin Arias and left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle.

“He swings a lot,” Cora said of Garcia, who has struck out 110 times in 99 games this season. “That’s the first thing, he swings a lot. But HE drives the ball to right-center, can do that with two strikes. He’s a great defender, good base-runner. So, we’ll see.”

Garcia’s elevation fills a need for the Red Sox with outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Rob Refsnyder on the injured list. Their respective injuries aren’t expected to cause long-term absences, which could result in Garcia returning to Worcester in the not-too-distant future. Unless, of course, he receives one of Boston’s added roster spots when rosters expand in 10 days.

For now, Cora indicated Garcia will start every game against a left-handed pitcher. He’s hit .283 with a .964 OPS against lefties this season.

Yankees left-hander Max Fried might present a different challenge for Garcia. But having watched rookie Roman Anthony blast one into the second deck against the Yankees on Thursday night, and having Anthony next to him in right field, could go a long way in setting the tone.

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Igor Shesterkin Took A Positive Step Last Season, But It Wasn't On The Ice

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Throughout the entirety of the 2024-25 season, there was a lot of noise surrounding Igor Shesterkin, but he remained quiet. 

He entered the season without a contract extension, as speculation about his future with the New York Rangers and contract status began to dominate headlines.

Shesterkin refused to talk about it though, making it hard to truly read his emotions. 

“I don’t read and I try to not hear about that,” Shesterkin said about all of the outside noise during the season. “I just focus on my game, on my practice and on my family. That’s it.”

In December, Shesterkin signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the Rangers, which should have simmered down all of the outside noise. 

However, the Rangers began to struggle, and the team faced intense scrutiny for their play, including Shesterkin who signed the richest contract for a goaltender in NHL history.

It was a long and grueling year for both the Rangers and Shesterkin. 

During his exit interview, Shesterkin was as honest and candid as we’ve ever seen him. He divulged that the Rangers were a broken team.

“In my mind, something broke during the season and (went) the other way,” Shesterkin said. “We couldn't handle it.

“Probably not too much confidence. If we can look on the last season before when we won (the) President’s Trophy, if we’re down 3-0 we still know we get back but during the season I didn’t feel that sometimes.”

Dylan Garand's Confidence In Himself Runs DeepDylan Garand's Confidence In Himself Runs DeepNew York Rangers prospect Dylan Garand possesses the ideal trait for a goaltender: confidence. 

This kind of honesty and openness from the 29-year-old goalie is a good thing for the Rangers. Shesterkin is the face of the franchise, so his comments carry a significant amount of weight. 

He’s one of the best players in the NHL, but the next step for Shesterkin is to blossom into a leader, and his exit interview was a positive first step. 

There’s a lot of pressure on Shesterkin going into the 2025-26 campaign. 

In order for the Rangers to succeed and bounce back into Stanley Cup contention, it’s all on Shesterkin’s shoulders to propel them to those levels and prove he’s the best goalie in the world.

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Mets signing catcher Ali Sanchez to minor league deal: report

The Mets are signing catcher Ali Sanchez to a minor league deal, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic.

The move will bolster New York's minor league catching ranks with Francisco Alvarez on the shelf with a thumb injury that he hopes to play through before eventually needing surgery.

Sanchez, 28, began his career with the Mets organization as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2013. He worked his way up the ranks and eventually made his MLB debut during the 2020 season, when he appeared in five games -- notching one hit in nine at-bats.

After being DFA'd by New York in February 2021, he bounced around several big league organizations' minor league outfits and played a handful of big league games while making stops with St. Louis, Detroit, Arizona, the Chicago Cubs, and Miami. Sanchez appeared in nine big league games this season with Toronto (eight) and Boston (one), and tallied five hits in 22 at-bats (.227), including two doubles. 

In 54 games with the Blue Jays' Triple-A outfit this season, he slashed .279/.347/.419 for a .766 OPS with 13 extra-base hits and 28 RBI. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox earlier this month before he was again designated for assignment 10 days later.

Sanchez has appeared in 47 big league games and has 22 hits in 119 at-bats (.185) with six extra-base hits, for a .458 OPS.

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Adversity to evolution: How Mets prospect Brandon Sproat put himself on cusp of MLB debut

Last week, the Mets called up No. 4 prospect Nolan McLean for his big league debut, and he impressed with 5.1 scoreless innings against Seattle. This has led to the question of "who’s next?"

There is likely just one more prospect who should be expected to debut during the 2025 season: No. 5 prospect, right-hander Brandon Sproat. 

It’s been somewhat of a roller coaster ride for Sproat, who -- less than a year ago -- was the consensus Mets No. 1 prospect and was ranked among the top 50-60 prospects in all of baseball. It now appears as if that ride is soon going to arrive at the station, Willets Point that is.

Sproat burst onto the scene last year in his first professional season after the Mets took him in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

In 17 starts split between High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton, he was basically untouchable, posting a 2.05 ERA in 87.2 innings with 110 strikeouts. Batters only hit .170 with a .523 OPS against him. He was blowing hitters away with his upper 90s fastball and leaning on a changeup and sweeper as his primary secondary offerings.

Then came his first real adversity as a professional at the Triple-A level. He made his first start with Syracuse on Aug. 8 against Worcester and allowed six runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. Sproat ended up making seven Triple-A starts to close out 2024 and posted an unsightly 7.53 ERA. Triple-A opponents hit .313 with a .957 OPS against him.

Adversity is not a bad thing. In fact, it is something the Mets organization embraces, as senior vice president of player development Andy Green told us on The Mets Pod back in spring training. 

"[Adversity] is going to come in a big league uniform at some point in time, and you can always go back to that experience in the minor leagues," Green said. "We would love for everyone to have to fight through something."

New York Mets pitcher Brandon Sproat (91) prepares to pitch against the Houston Astros at Clover Park.
New York Mets pitcher Brandon Sproat (91) prepares to pitch against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Some of that adversity was due to challenges at the Triple-A level that affect some more than others. They use the major league ball there, and it is a different ball than Double-A and below. That generally has a negative impact on pitch metrics. 

There is also the ABS challenge system, so pitchers must be more precise. On top of those changes, pitchers are facing veteran players, sometimes as much as 10 years older than them, who have much more of a plan at the plate.

The Mets were excited about Sproat’s spring training and his approach heading into this season, but it did not go according to plan for his first 15 outings. In 62 innings, Sproat posted a 5.95 ERA and struggled to miss bats, striking out only 43, which is a well below average 15.4 percent strikeout rate.

From a pitch usage standpoint, Sproat appeared to be focusing on trying to be a ground ball pitcher, with a higher use of his sinker. He was throwing it 21 percent of the time during that stretch after throwing it just one percent of the time in 2024. Overall, his power stuff wasn’t quite as powerful as it was in 2024.

His four-seam fastball’s average velocity was down nearly a full mile per hour, from 96.7 mph in 2024 to 95.9 mph in early 2025. It wasn’t just his fastball; his velocities were down across the board. 

There was some thought that Sproat was not throwing with conviction and trusting his stuff like he should. He was pitching much more defensively, just trying to outsmart hitters instead of attacking them.

In late June, there was a mental shift from Sproat. He decided, after conferring with his mental strength coach as well as the Mets organization, that he was going to just let everything loose and throw the ball nearly as hard as he could. In his eyes, there was no downside.

In nine starts since, Sproat has pitched to a 2.05 ERA in 48.1 innings with 57 strikeouts. In this span, his 30.3 percent strikeout rate was essentially double what it was earlier in the year. Opponents have hit only .144 with a .461 OPS against Sproat over the last nine starts.

For Sproat, everything has taken a step forward in the last nine starts. 

He is throwing more strikes, getting more swings and misses, his ground ball rate is up and, importantly, his line drive rate has gone down significantly. His average velocities and/or whiff percentages are up across the board for all six of his offerings from just earlier this season:

- Four-seam fastball velocity is up from 95.9 mph to 97.1, and whiff percentage is up from 18.1 percent to 32.1

- Changeup whiff rate is up from 27.8 percent to 40.6

- Sinker velocity is up from 95.3 mph to 96.1

- Slider velocity is up from 86.9 mph to 90 mph, and whiff rate is up from 20.7 percent to 24.4

- Sweeper whiff percentage is up from 31 percent to 38.6

- Curve ball velocity is up from 78.9 mph to 81.1 mph, and whiff percentage is up from 27.8 percent to 34.3

Sproat is pitching with confidence and conviction, and his stuff has ticked up across the board. He is back to routinely touching 99-100 mph, which he was not doing at all earlier in the season.

The Mets' rotation has been struggling for much of the second half, and Sproat has made the necessary adjustments that warrant a call-up. 

Having both McLean and Sproat in the rotation could provide a jolt that the Mets seem like they need as they head into the final month of the season -- as they try to make the playoffs for the second year in a row for just the third time in franchise history.

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Brewers fans are hoping ‘Uecker magic’ will carry the team to a deep October run

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers fans offer a supernatural explanation for their team’s surprising surge to the top of the major league standings.

And they believe it can continue carrying them all the way through October as the Brewers seek to win their first World Series title.

“It’s Uecker magic,” said Bonnie Bruhn, a 79-year-old Brewers fan from the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisconsin.

As the Brewers prepare to honor Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Uecker, fans are hoping the team can pay tribute to him by making the deep playoff run that has eluded this franchise lately.

Uecker, who died Jan. 16 at age 90 after fighting small cell lung cancer, had broadcast Brewers games for 54 years. He remained loyal to his hometown team even after his chats with Johnny Carson and appearances in beer commercials and the “Major League” movies made him a national celebrity.

The Brewers are holding a celebration of life for the man nicknamed “Mr. Baseball” before their afternoon game with the San Francisco Giants. The pregame ceremony will be hosted by Bob Costas, Uecker’s longtime broadcast partner on NBC national telecasts.

There already has been plenty for Brewers fans to celebrate this season, as they own the best record in the major leagues and hold a seven-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central.

Milwaukee didn’t send a single position player to the All-Star Game, yet the Brewers are ranked second in the majors in runs scored thanks to a lineup with a tenacious approach that has manager Pat Murphy comparing his players to woodpeckers because they “keep pecking away.”

Rookie third baseman Caleb Durbin used a different comparison this week.

“It feels like we’re sharks out there,” Durbin said. “We smell blood. Once we get runners on and start scraping those first couple runs across, we want that big inning.”

The Brewers (80-48) could go just .500 the rest of the season and would still end up with the best record in franchise history. They were 25-28 and 6 ½ games behind the Cubs on May 24, but they’re 55-20 since.

That surge includes a franchise-record 14-game winning streak that had some strange coincidences.

Milwaukee scored 12 runs in its 12th straight win. The Brewers extended the streak to 13 when Christian Yelich used a special Uecker-themed bat in a game for the first time and homered twice in a victory over Cincinnati. The Brewers’ 14th straight win featured a go-ahead homer in the 11th inning from light-hitting utilityman Andruw Monasterio, who happens to wear No. 14.

Bruhn noted a couple of those examples as she talked Brewers baseball while waiting in line to get her free hamburger from George Webb, a local fast-food chain that gives away burgers whenever Milwaukee wins at least 12 straight games. Bruhn also explained just how much faith she has in this year’s team.

After the Brewers’ last 12-game winning streak in 2018, Bruhn said she got her free burger from George Webb but kept it in the freezer “in a little baggie just to remind us it would happen again.”

“‘Til a week ago we threw them away, because we knew that we were going to get fresh hamburgers,” Bruhn said. “It was just a sign that we trusted the team to win 12 in a row.”

The question is whether this Brewers team can be trusted to carry over its regular-season success into the postseason.

Milwaukee has reached the playoffs six of the last seven years but hasn’t won a postseason series since reaching Game 7 of the NL Championship Series in 2018. The Brewers have lost 11 of their last 13 postseason games.

Yelich noted the random nature of postseason baseball and said the Brewers’ playoff history is pretty irrelevant because there’s so much turnover from year to year. Yelich and pitcher Brandon Woodruff are the only players remaining from that 2018 team.

“Each team has just as good of a chance as winning the World Series as losing in the first round every year,” Yelich said. “It’s baseball. You line out a few nights in a row, you’re out of the postseason. If you have some ground balls that find the holes in the right situation, you’re probably going to move on.”

Last year, the Brewers led the New York Mets 2-0 in the decisive third game of the NL Wild Card Series before two-time NL reliever of the year Devin Williams allowed four runs in the ninth inning.

Uecker closed what would end up being the final broadcast of his legendary career that night by saying, “That one has some sting on it,” before heading down to console the Brewers players in a silent locker room.

That message from Uecker still resonates with Brewers fans, who believe in their hearts he’s playing a role in this special season.

“Uecker is contributing, because after the last game, he said this one really stings,” Bruhn said. “He knew he wasn’t coming back for another game. So we’ve got to win for him.”

And they know the longtime broadcaster is still cheering on every victory.

“I’m glad they’re doing it for him after his passing,” said Steve Ebert, a 62-year-old Brewers fan from outside West Allis. “Bob’s looking down, going ‘Go Brew Crew, go.’”

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Two-start pitchers: Tarik Skubal leads the outstanding options for the week of August 25

Hello and welcome to the 21th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.

I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.

Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

The Dodgers only play six games next week, so with six starters in their rotation currently that means that they’ll each pitch once and no one will line up for two starts.

The Pirates plan to finally promote Bubba Chandler from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, though he’ll work in a bulk role out of the team’s bullpen rather than as a traditional starter. We aren’t sure yet which day he will make his Pirates’ debut, and that throws the rest of the rotation into flux. If he goes on Tuesday, he would pitch in bulk roles twice next week (@ Cardinals, @ Red Sox).

With Landen Roupp (knee) heading back to the injured list, the Giants have a need for another starter to fill their rotation once again. The expectation is that Carson Whisenhunt will step back in – and right into a two-start week against the Cubs and Orioles. Whisenhunt posted a 5.02 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 12/7 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 innings in his first three starts with the Giants.

We aren’t quite sure yet how the Braves plan to incorporate the return of Chris Sale into their starting rotation. They could either go to a full six-man rotation and keep everyone else around, or they could bump an underperforming option like Bryce Elder from the mix. If they go to a six-man, Elder would line up for two starts next week (@ Marlins, @ Phillies). If they bump Elder and stick with a five-man rotation, then Hurston Waldrep would make those two starts. Regardless, we should have plenty of interest in Waldrep and none in Elder for fantasy purposes.

We are also awaiting official word on what the Orioles will do to incorporate Kyle Bradish back into their starting rotation. Brandon Young and Cade Povich have each pitched well lately, so it’s hard to see them bumping either from their rotation at the moment. If it’s not them, maybe Tomoyuki Sugano goes to the bullpen? Otherwise, they roll with a six-man rotation at least this trip through the rotation. If they go six, it would be Sugano making two starts next week (vs. Red Sox, @ Giants). If they go five and bump Young or Povich, then Bradish would also make two starts next week.

At the moment, it sounds like the Astros may go to a six-man rotation with Lance McCullers Jr. returning from the injured list during the upcoming week. If that’s the case, none of their starters will go twice. They could opt to keep Hunter Brown on regular rest though and send him to the hill twice (vs. Rockies, vs. Angels), though that has yet to be confirmed. He should be locked into fantasy lineups regardless though, it would just be an added bonus to get double the volume – especially with a pair of premium matchups.

Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of August 25.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of August 22 and are subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Tarik Skubal, Tigers, LHP (@ Athletics, @ Royals)

The best pitcher in baseball lines up for two starts this week, which instantly makes him the top overall play on the board regardless of matchups. Those aren’t bad either though. He should be a favorite to win in both starts and he should have no problem adding to his Major League-leading strikeout total (200) against two offenses with plenty of swing and miss to their games. Look for Skubal to continue strengthening his resume in a bid for back-to-back Cy Young awards in the American League.

Cam Schlittler, Yankees, RHP (vs. Nationals, @ White Sox)

The 24-year-old right-hander has impressed through his first seven big league starts, posting a 3.22 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 38/16 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings of work. He seems to be getting better each time out as well, spinning five innings of one-run ball against the Twins with six strikeouts two starts ago before shutting out the Rays in Tampa Bay over 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts to earn his first victory his last time out. The matchups couldn’t be much better – getting to battle the Nationals at home before taking on the lowly White Sox in Chicago. He makes for an excellent streaming option in any leagues where he’s still available and should be started in all formats for the upcoming week.

Luis Gil, Yankees, RHP (vs. Nationals, @ White Sox)

We haven’t seen the best of Luis Gil since returning from the injured list, but that’s to be expected after such a long layoff to open the season. Fortunately, the matchups are lined up perfectly for him this week to get his 2025 season on track. I’d be surprised if he didn’t secure a victory and approach double digit strikeouts with solid ratios over his two starts this week. Start with full confidence in all leagues.

Jacob deGrom, Rangers, RHP (vs. Angels, @ Athletics)

Fantasy managers will need to pay close attention to make sure that deGrom is actually going to start against the Angels on Monday after the Rangers skipped his last start due to shoulder fatigue. You know the deal with the star right-hander by now, as long as he’s healthy enough to take the mound, he should be locked into fantasy lineups. He has been brilliant this season, going 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a 148/30 K/BB ratio over 140 1/3 innings in 24 starts.

Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Twins, vs. Brewers)

Now that he’s finally healthy and over the thumb issue that plagued him for most of the season, we have seen the vintage version of Max Scherzer show up for the Blue Jays. In 11 starts on the season he holds a 3.60 ERA, an elite 1.08 WHIP and a 56/15 K/BB ratio over 60 innings of work. He’s a threat to earn a victory each and every time he takes the hill and he’ll get the added benefit of making both starts at home during the upcoming week. The matchup against the Brewers to finish the week is tough, but it’s not enough to sit Scherzer for a two-start week. As long as he’s healthy and taking the baseball for the Jays, fantasy managers should keep rolling with him.

Noah Cameron, Royals, LHP (@ White Sox, vs. Tigers)

Noah Cameron has been a revelation for the Royals this season, compiling a 2.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and an 83/31 K/BB ratio across his first 103 frames. He has been a viable fantasy asset in most weeks and looks like a particularly strong play for his upcoming two-start week. He’ll be a big favorite to earn a victory against the White Sox to open the week before finishing with a home tilt against the division-leading Tigers. They’re much worse against left-handed pitching though, which makes that start much less terrifying. I’d be starting Cameron with confidence in all leagues for the upcoming week.

Decent Plays

Tanner Bibee, Guardians, RHP (vs. Rays. vs. Mariners)

Tanner Bibee has been seemingly struck by a bit of bad luck this season as his ERA (4.62) sits significantly higher than his xFIP (4.23) and xERA (3.78). His elevated WHIP (1.29) and diminished strikeout rate from last season are discouraging, but he hasn’t been nearly as bad as his overall line would indicate. He has really struggled of late though, giving up four runs or more in four of his last five outings. With the way the Guardians are playing right now, he’s in prime position to earn a victory this week and should approach double digit strikeouts with the added volume of the two-start week. Just don’t expect pristine ratios.

Shane Smith, White Sox, RHP (vs. Royals, vs. Yankees)

While he hasn’t won many games this season, Smith has done a nice job through his first 22 starts for the White Sox – posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 102/47 K/BB ratio over 107 innings. The matchups aren’t great for the upcoming week, especially the battle against the powerful Yankees on Sunday, but at least he’ll be making both starts at home. He should be able to keep his ratios in check and will provide help in the strikeout department, making him worthy of a start in most leagues.

Lucas Giolito, Red Sox, RHP (@ Orioles, vs. Pirates)

Giolito struggled against the Yankees on Thursday evening, but overall he has pitched pretty well across 19 starts for the Red Sox, going 8-2 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and an 87/34 K/BB ratio over 106 2/3 innings. Both of the matchups seem to work in his favor this week, especially the home tilt against the Pirates on Sunday, making him a strong streaming option in any shallower formats where he may still be available.

Martin Perez, White Sox, LHP (vs. Royals, vs. Yankees)

The 34-year-old southpaw was terrific in his return to the White Sox’ rotation on Wednesday, allowing just one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings against the Braves. Fantasy managers should know by now that trusting Perez for fantasy purposes never seems to work out well. That being said, he has provided quality ratios throughout the season and could continue to do so once again in a two-start week. It’s playing with fire trying to throw him against the Yankees over the weekend, but I’ve seen worse plays work out before.

Bailey Ober, Twins, RHP (@ Blue Jays, vs. Padres)

While Bailey Ober has been a disaster for the majority of the 2025 season, we have at least seen flashes that he is starting to figure things out. Over his last three starts he holds a 3.18 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and a 15/2 K/BB ratio over 17 innings. Of course he surrendered four or more runs in each of his six starts before then, and seven or more in three of those. I would like to trust the track record and blindly throw him here, but the matchups against the Blue Jays and Padres both look to be challenging. I’d still roll the dice here in 15-teamers but I may try to find a better option if I could in shallower leagues.

Shane Baz, Rays, RHP (@ Guardians, @ Nationals)

Baz has been a colossal disappointment for fantasy purposes this season, registering a cringe-inducing 5.22 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 143/52 K/BB ratio. The stuff is there, but the consistency has been a major struggle for him while allowing a league-high 80 earned runs and serving up 26 long balls. On paper, matchups against the Guardians and Nationals on the road look like a good spot for Baz to get back on track this week, but you just never know what you’re going to get here. In 15-teamers, you probably have to roll with it and hope for the best.

At Your Own Risk

Bryce Miller, Mariners, RHP (vs. Padres, @ Guardians)

Bryce Miller struggled in his return from the injured list, surrendering four runs on four hits – including a pair of home runs – over five innings against the Mariners. It’s not like he was pitching well before the long layoff either, as he sports a disappointing 5.87 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 53 2/3 innings through his first 11 starts on the season. He also draws a pair of tough matchups this week. I understand fantasy managers wanting to trust him and throw him out there after waiting it out through the injury, but I’d prefer to want to see Miller get right before throwing him to the wolves. It’s possible that in 15-teamers you can’t get away from it and need the extra volume, but I’d try to sit him in 12’s if at all possible.

Walker Buehler, Red Sox, RHP (@ Orioles, vs. Pirates)

Buehler hasn’t been what the Red Sox were hoping they would get when they signed him to a one-year, $21 million deal over the winter. The 31-year-old right-hander holds a troublesome 5.40 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and an 82/54 K/BB ratio across 110 innings. There were reports on Thursday evening that the team is considering moving Buehler to the bullpen, so it’s possible that he won’t even make a start against the Orioles on Monday at all – which would completely sap him of any lingering fantasy value in deeper leagues. If he doesn’t pitch out of the bullpen over the weekend and does get the call for Monday, he’s fine if all you’re looking for is wins and strikeouts. Just don’t expect him to suddenly turn things around and become an asset in ratios.

J.T. Ginn, Athletics, RHP (vs. Tigers, vs. Rangers)

There’s really not a whole lot to like about Ginn’s two-step this week. He holds an underwhelming 4.95 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 60 innings on the season. His strikeouts have been solid, with 66 punchouts in his first 17 appearances, but that’s the only real positive that he has going for him here. In addition to the two matchups being against quality offenses, he’s set to do battle against Tarik Skubal and Jacob deGrom. Pass.

Kyle Hendricks, Angels, RHP (@ Rangers, @ Astros)

There are occasions where streaming Kyle Hendricks and his middling ratios and poor strikeout rate make sense in two-start weeks where both matchups line up in his favor. This is not one of those weeks. He has to go on the road to battle two tough offenses that have been smashing right-handed pitching, making him a difficult time to envision any sort of success here. If you’re desperate for volume and feel like rolling the dice, by all means go ahead. I’ll be staying away.

National League

Strong Plays

Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies, LHP (@ Mets, vs. Braves)

Sanchez has worked himself into the conversation for the National League Cy Young award, posting an 11-4 record, 2.46 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 169/38 K/BB ratio over 157 innings of work. He has been especially good as of late, allowing just six earned runs over 26 1/3 innings with a pair of wins and 30 punchouts over his last four starts. Both opponents this week are divisional foes that are very familiar with him, but that’s no reason to shy away from this exceptional left-hander. Start him with complete confidence in all league sizes.

Jesus Luzardo, Phillies, LHP (@ Mets, vs. Braves)

Luzardo has been maddeningly inconsistent this season, but it coming off of one of his best starts of the year – a 12-strikeout gem over six innings of one-run baseball against the Mariners. We usually don’t like to attack the Mets with left-handers, but Luzardo has had success against them in the past and he should also be a favorite to win against the Braves over the weekend. There’s more ratio risk here than we’d usually like to take on with Luzardo, but the strikeouts should be elite and the win equity is solid as well. He’s an easy start in all formats.

Hunter Greene, Reds, RHP (@ Dodgers, vs. Cardinals)

Greene has returned from the injured list and hasn’t missed a beat, allowing just three runs over 12 1/3 innings in his first two starts back while recording 18 strikeouts. It’s tough to trust anyone against the vaunted Dodgers’ offense, but the matchup against the Cardinals to finish the week makes up for that. Expect more good things from the fire-balling right-hander this week. He’s an easy start in leagues of all sizes.

Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, @ Blue Jays)

After complete and utter domination to begin his big league career, we have seen Misiorowski struggle a bit over his last three starts – registering a 9.64 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 15/8 K/BB ratio across 9 1/3 innings in his last three starts. While those struggles are worrisome, we’re still betting on the talent here and he’s a threat to earn a victory every time he takes the mound with the Brewers’ offense backing him. This looks like a good week for him to get back on track. Keep the faith.

Quinn Priester, Brewers, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, @ Blue Jays)

Priester has been an exceptional addition to the Brewers’ rotation this season, posting a 3.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 104/45 K/BB ratio over 128 1/3 innings in his first 24 appearances (19 starts). He should be locked in as an every week starter in most fantasy formats in his single start weeks, and is an easy play in all doubles. Enjoy the added production from the extra volume.

Kodai Senga, Mets, RHP (vs. Phillies, vs. Marlins)

Kodai Senga and his elusive ghost forkball have continued to befuddle major league hitters this season to the tune of a 2.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 99/50 K/BB ratio across his 104 2/3 frames. He was inexplicably blasted by the Nationals his last time out, but that seems to be more of a blip on the radar than a trend that we should expect to continue. The matchup against the Phillies is much more challenging than the battle against the Marlins to finish the week, but we’ll gladly roll with both here. He’s an easy play in all formats.

Decent Plays

Sean Manaea, Mets, LHP (vs. Phillies, vs. Marlins)

We have seen mixed results from Manaea through his first eight appearances on the season, posting an elevated 5.15 ERA to go along with a quality 1.12 WHIP and a 45/8 K/BB ratio over his first 36 2/3 innings. What’s concerning is how he has been pitching recently – giving up four runs or more in each of his last four starts. In 15-teamers he’s probably fine to throw out there again this week, but I’d have some trepidation about using him in 12-team leagues given the recent struggles.

Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Pirates, @ Reds)

Fantasy managers have finally gotten their wish with McGreevy entrenched in their rotation for the remainder of the season, though the results haven’t been as good as expected thus far. A matchup against the Pirates to start the week seems like the perfect place for him to get back on track. Overall, the 25-year-old hurler holds a 4.42 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and an underwhelming 33/7 K/BB ratio through his first 57 innings. The diminished strikeout rate should be offset by the added volume of a second start this week, making McGreevy a strong streaming option.

Jameson Taillon, Cubs, RHP (@ Giants, @ Rockies)

Taillon delivered an extremely impressive performance in his return from a nearly two-month stay on the injured list, allowing just one run on five hits over six strong innings in a victory over the surging Brewers. He gets two very strong matchups for the upcoming week and even though the battle against the Rockies is at Coors Field, there’s a good shot that he earns a victory there. He may have been cut loose in shallower leagues and would make for a terrific streaming option in places where he may be available.

Edward Cabrera, Marlins, RHP (vs. Braves, @ Mets)

Cabrera has been an absolute revelation in the Marlins’ rotation this season, registering a stellar 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 126/39 K/BB ratio over 117 2/3 innings in his first 22 starts on the season. He’s coming off of a two-start stretch though in which he allowed 11 runs over 9 2/3 innings against the Guardians and Cardinals, which leaves reason for concern heading into a pair of divisional battles against much stronger offenses. In 15-teamers you have to trust the track record and hope for the best, but if you’re concerned with your ratios, I could see reasons to leave him on the bench in 12-team formats.

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins, RHP (vs. Braves, @ Mets)

We have seen an extreme amount of inconsistency from Sandy Alcantara this season, which is to be expected following a full missed season due to injury in 2024. Overall, the 6.04 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 134 innings are obviously terrible and not something that you’d be looking for from a fantasy perspective. We know what type of upside is hiding in that right arm though and Alcantara is coming into the week off a pair of dominant starts against the Red Sox and Cardinals in which he surrendered just two total runs over 13 innings while racking up 16 strikeouts. I’m a gambling man by nature, but I like to think that trend continues this week. I’d be firing him up in all leagues in which I had him rostered this week.

Mitch Keller, Pirates, RHP (@ Cardinals, @ Red Sox)

At this point, Mitch Keller pretty much is who he is. He holds a middling 4.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 145 innings on the season while punching out 116 batters. That means we’re staying away from most of his single start weeks unless it’s a premium matchup and considering him when he toes the slab twice. Fortunately for us, this is one of the weeks where he gets consideration. He’ll take on a Cardinals’ offense that struggles against right-handed pitching before finishing up with a tougher battle against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. There’s enough meat on the bone here for me to be interested in 15-team leagues for sure. In 12’s it would depend on whether I was trying to prioritize wins and strikeouts or protecting ratios.

JP Sears, Padres, LHP (@ Mariners, @ Twins)

The re-injury to Michael King has opened the door for JP Sears to seize a spot in the Padres’ rotation for the time being. He looked good his first time back out, allowing just one run over six innings in a victory over the Giants. You’d prefer that he was making these two starts at home, but fortunately he’ll still be in a pair of pitcher’s parks. The Mariners have a legitimate offense that inspires fear in opponents while the Twins have been struggling mightily to score runs. I think Sears makes for a fine streaming option in leagues in which he’s available.

At Your Own Risk

Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, RHP (@ Brewers, @ Dodgers)

Pfaadt has somehow managed to secure 12 victories on the season despite a troublesome 4.95 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 113/31 K/BB ratio over 140 innings in his first 26 starts. That would make him a streaming option at best in good matchups for fantasy purposes. You’d hope that you would be able to use him for most two start weeks, but at the Brewers and at the Dodgers is about as bad as it can possibly get in terms of matchups. I know it’s hard to do, but the right play is probably to sit him this week in most leagues.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks, LHP (@ Brewers, @ Dodgers)

It has been disappointing to see Rodriguez struggle as much as he has this season – getting knocked around to a 5.40 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 115/46 K/BB ratio over 116 2/3 innings. The strikeouts have been fine, but everything else has been crushing fantasy managers throughout the season. Now he’ll have to battle the best two teams in the National League with both starts coming on the road. This looks like an easy avoid for me this week.

Tanner Gordon, Rockies, LHP (@ Astros, vs. Cubs)

Never Rockies. It’s that simple. Never Rockies. It doesn’t even matter that Gordon has been awful this season and that the matchups are both abysmal, there’s simply no upside to trying to stream this two-start week. Stay as far away as possible.

Andre Pallante, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Pirates, @ Reds)

Pallante has held down a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation throughout the season but has been very underwhelming through his first 25 starts, going 6-11 with a 5.17 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 92/47 K/BB ratio over 134 innings. Can I squint and see paths to a useable fantasy week here with a matchup against the Pirates at home to kick things off, sure. I just think the overall upside to this play is limited with his poor strikeout rate and the likelihood of him imploding your ratios are far greater than you’re going to want to take on. He’s just not someone that I have any sort of faith in.

Brad Lord, Nationals, LHP (@ Yankees, vs. Rays)

Whether it has been out of the bullpen or in the Nationals’ rotation, Brad Lord has done a nice job in 41 appearances (12 starts) this season, putting together a 3.46 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 77/31 K/B ratio over 96 1/3 innings. I just think that it’s playing with fire trying to throw him against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It gets a little easier against the Rays over the weekend, but there’s still not a whole lot of upside here for fantasy purposes. He’s not as bad as some of the options on the list here, but he’s also not someone that I would be going out of my way to try to stream.