Edwin Diaz notched his 23rd save of the season Sunday in the Mariners' win against Kansas City in the first game of a twin bill. He pitched a scoreless ninth frame allowing no runs and no hits, while striking out one and walking one.
The young fireballer continues his excellent second half of the season. He has recorded 10 saves in his last 12 appearances, and has just two blown saves since May 2. The Mariners' indubitable closer should be rostered in all fantasy formats.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Nelson Cruz hits two home runs Sunday
Nelson Cruz smacked a pair of round-trippers Sunday afternoon in Seattle's 8-7 win over Kansas City in the first game of a double-header. He finished the game going 3-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
Fantasy Implications: The Seattle slugger took Royals' pitcher Danny Duffy deep to left-center field for a three-run blast in the third inning, followed by a solo shot off of Scott Alexander to center field in the seventh. The Seattle slugger now has 24 homers through 105 games, and 10 since July 5. He is slashing .280/.386/.518 with 84 RBIs and 54 runs scored. He should be automatically inserted into all seasonal fantasy lineups.
Fantasy Implications: The Seattle slugger took Royals' pitcher Danny Duffy deep to left-center field for a three-run blast in the third inning, followed by a solo shot off of Scott Alexander to center field in the seventh. The Seattle slugger now has 24 homers through 105 games, and 10 since July 5. He is slashing .280/.386/.518 with 84 RBIs and 54 runs scored. He should be automatically inserted into all seasonal fantasy lineups.
Marco Gonzales makes Mariner debut
Marco Gonzales, who was acquired this week in a trade with St. Louis, gave up five runs (all earned) and seven hits in 4.0 innings of work in Seattle's win over Kansas City on Sunday. He struck out five and walked one.
Fantasy Implications: The 25-year-old southpaw was called up from Triple-A Tacoma when Felix Hernandez was placed on the 10-day disabled list yesterday. After setting down the Royals in order in the first and second innings, Gonzalez pitched in-and-out of trouble the rest of the afternoon. He was finally removed in the fifth after he allowed the first three Royals to reach base on base-hits, including an RBI double to Lorenzo Cain. The Colorado native, who missed the 2016 season because of Tommy John surgery, has been steady if not remarkable in the minors this year, with a 3.02 ERA, 7.6 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. He could be in line for a few more starts if things go well.
Fantasy Implications: The 25-year-old southpaw was called up from Triple-A Tacoma when Felix Hernandez was placed on the 10-day disabled list yesterday. After setting down the Royals in order in the first and second innings, Gonzalez pitched in-and-out of trouble the rest of the afternoon. He was finally removed in the fifth after he allowed the first three Royals to reach base on base-hits, including an RBI double to Lorenzo Cain. The Colorado native, who missed the 2016 season because of Tommy John surgery, has been steady if not remarkable in the minors this year, with a 3.02 ERA, 7.6 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. He could be in line for a few more starts if things go well.
Nick Pivetta gets rocked on Saturday night
Nick Pivetta (4-7) had a difficult time missing bats Saturday night in the Phillies 8-5 loss to the Rockies. He allowed eight runs (six earned) on eight hits, one walk, one hit-by-pitch and one strike out in only 2.2 innings of work.
Fantasy Implications: The 24-year-old right-hander allowed the first four batters to reach base, resulting in a five-run first inning. After a scoreless second, Pivetta gave up a sacrifice fly to Carlos Gonzalez, and was mercifully relieved after coughing up a two-run dinger to Pat Valaika. Though the rookie has a fine 9.0 K/9, his bulging 5.89 ERA is due to his propensity to give up the long ball (1.89 HR/9) and his struggles with control (3.8 BB/9). Pivetta's next projected start is Friday against the Mets in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where he has been much more effective (3.89 ERA; 0.97 WHIP) than away (6.70 ERA; 1.70 WHIP).
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Felix Hernandez back on disabled list with right biceps tendinitis
Felix Hernandez was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Saturday because of right biceps tendinitis, and was scratched from his scheduled start against Kansas City.
Fantasy Impact
In a corresponding move, recently acquired Marco Gonzales was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, and will start in place of Hernandez. The move is retroactive to August 2, allowing Hernandez to be eligible to return as soon as next Saturday (Aug. 12). It is unknown if he will be ready by that time.
Ben Gamel breaks hitless skid
Ben Gamel ended an 0-17 hitless drought when he singled in the sixth inning Friday night in Seattle's 5-2 win over Kansas City. He finished the evening going 1-4, while striking out once.
Fantasy Implications: The 25-year-old rookie outfielder has been a pleasant surprise this year to both the Mariners and fantasy owners alike. But Gamel's outstanding first-half of the season has been driven by an abnormally high .400 BABIP, making him a prime candidate for a second-half negative regression. As a matter of fact, in the past five games he has seen his batting average drop from .322 to .307. Gamel's modest power and speed (6 HR, 3 SB) make him a credible starter in only the deepest of fantasy leagues.
Fantasy Implications: The 25-year-old rookie outfielder has been a pleasant surprise this year to both the Mariners and fantasy owners alike. But Gamel's outstanding first-half of the season has been driven by an abnormally high .400 BABIP, making him a prime candidate for a second-half negative regression. As a matter of fact, in the past five games he has seen his batting average drop from .322 to .307. Gamel's modest power and speed (6 HR, 3 SB) make him a credible starter in only the deepest of fantasy leagues.
Edwin Diaz records save Friday night
Edwin Diaz pitched a perfect one-two-three ninth inning to collect his 22nd save of the season Friday night in Seattle's 5-2 win over Kansas City. He struck out Melky Cabrera, and induced two ground-outs to Eric Hosmer and Drew Butera to close out the game.
Fantasy implications: The 23-year-old right-handed flamethrower has returned to his electric 2016 form since the All-Star break. In his 11 games since then, he has compiled a sparkling 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 13.9 K/9, and 3.3 BB/9 without surrendering any home runs. In addition, Diaz has collected nine saves and blown only one in that span. He remains valuable in all fantasy formats.
Fantasy implications: The 23-year-old right-handed flamethrower has returned to his electric 2016 form since the All-Star break. In his 11 games since then, he has compiled a sparkling 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 13.9 K/9, and 3.3 BB/9 without surrendering any home runs. In addition, Diaz has collected nine saves and blown only one in that span. He remains valuable in all fantasy formats.
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