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Less than 24 hours after delivering a dramatic three-run, walk-off homer against the division-leading Astros in the 10th inning on Friday evening, Adolis Garcia’s unexpected metamorphosis into a middle-of-the-order stalwart continued on Saturday afternoon with an epic two-homer effort, powering the Rangers to their second consecutive victory in the three-game series. The 28-year-old burgeoning fantasy superstar kicked off his second multi-homer effort of the young season by walloping a no-doubter to left field against righty Lance McCullers Jr. in the fifth inning and finished it off with a game-tying moonshot to left field off righty reliever Andre Scrubb in the seventh inning.
He’s emerged as the most valuable in-season waiver wire addition for fantasy managers over the first seven weeks of the 2021 campaign, posting a sublime .295/.333/.616 triple-slash line with 14 home runs, 37 RBI, 23 runs and five stolen bases across 156 plate appearances. He’s still striking out at a healthy clip, and opposing pitchers are going to adjust the way they approach him moving forward, but there’s nothing inherently fluky about what he’s done at the plate so far this year. He’s gone deep a whopping nine times in 21 games this month and is just one round-tripper shy of Braves’ phenom Ronald Acuna Jr. for the major league-lead in homers this season. Given his stratospheric over-the-fence power production so far, it’s almost inconceivable that Garcia failed to secure a spot on the Rangers’ Opening Day roster, but it’s clear that he’s arrived, and he’s not going anywhere.
Starting Pitchers with an EDGE
Gerrit Cole vs. White Sox
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
34% CSW, 11 swinging strikes
Cole scattered four hits -- all singles -- and a trio of walks over seven dominant frames in his latest gem to open the 2021 campaign. He finished with 11 swinging strikes and a 34 percent CSW (called strikes plus whiffs). The flame-throwing 30-year-old righty has compiled a microscopic 1.81 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 92/8 K/BB ratio over 64 2/3 innings (10 starts) this season. He’s in line for a tasty matchup on the road against the Tigers on Friday.
Pablo Lopez vs. Mets
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
31% CSW, 12 swinging strikes
Lopez came through in a massive way for the Marlins’ heavily taxed bullpen, which was pushed to the breaking point on Friday evening in an extra-inning marathon against the Mets, by tossing a much-needed seven-inning gem. The 25-year-old righty remains one of the most underrated starting pitchers in the fantasy landscape. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts this season. He’ll carry a sparkling 2.73 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 54/17 K/BB ratio over 56 innings (10 starts) into a home outing against the Phillies on Thursday.
Walker Buehler vs. Giants
7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
32% CSW, 13 swinging strikes
Buehler took care of business against the division-rival Giants on Saturday evening, spinning his third consecutive seven-inning gem. He registered only five strikeouts, but managed to turn a pair of key double plays and also threw a season-high 105 pitches (68 strikes) in this one. The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty will carry a 2.78 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 59/8 K/BB ratio across 58 1/3 innings (nine starts) into a rematch with the Giants on Friday.
Adbert Alzolay vs. Cardinals
7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2ER, 0 BB, 6 K
36% CSW, 12 swinging strikes
Alzolay continues to impress since becoming a full-fledged member of the Cubs’ starting rotation, allowing three earned runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts since April 12. The 26-year-old righty will carry a 4.30 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 45/7 K/BB ratio across 44 innings (eight starts) into a home matchup with the Reds on Friday.
Joey Lucchesi vs. Marlins
4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
49% CSW, 12 swinging strikes
In the words of Luke Wilson’s character in Anchorman, “Gah. I did not see that coming.” Seriously, Lucchesi entered this start with an ERA over nine and authored perhaps the most dominant performance of his entire big-league career, allowing only one baserunner and recording a season-high eight strikeouts over four scoreless innings in an abbreviated spot start for the injury-depleted Mets on Saturday afternoon. It’s shocking that he was lifted from the contest after throwing only 43 pitches. Fantasy managers will be left wondering what could’ve been. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets another turn in the team’s rotation over the next few weeks. He’s worth monitoring in NL-only formats.
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Hitters with an EDGE
Ozzie Albies vs. Pirates
2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI
So much for that early-May offensive slump. Albies has gone deep in back-to-back games and left the yard nine times in 44 games overall this season. The 24-year-old second baseman has been prone to extreme fluctuations as one of the game’s streakiest hitters over the last few years, mixing ice-cold stretches with sizzling-hot outbursts. He’s underperformed from a batting average standpoint, but the over-the-fence pop and counting stats have been there for fantasy managers over the first two months of the season.
Gleyber Torres vs. White Sox
3-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI
Torres has begun to heat up after a frosty start at the plate, hitting .571 (8-for-14) with two homers and six RBI in four games since returning from the COVID-19 injured list earlier this week. The 24-year-old shortstop appears primed for a summer surge in the heart of a loaded Yankees’ lineup. He’s hitting .268/.353/.355 with two homers and three stolen bases across 156 plate appearances this season.
Jesse Winker vs. Brewers
1-for-4, R, HR, RBI
Winker homered for the second consecutive game and sixth time over his last 12 games. The 27-year-old has blossomed into one of the premier hitters on the senior circuit, posting an extra-terrestrial .353/.412/.673 triple-slash line with 32 runs scored, 12 homers and 27 RBI across 165 plate appearances this season. As long as he remains healthy, he’s an elite four-category fantasy producer and has a legitimate shot at finishing as one of the top outfielders in the fantasy landscape.
Andrew Benintendi vs. Tigers
2-for-3, 1 R, 3 RBI, SB
Benintendi got off to a frigid start at the dish in his Royals debut last month, but has turned things around in recent weeks, hitting .356 (26-for-73) over 19 games since May 1. The 26-year-old outfielder isn’t the dynamic power/speed combo fantasy star that many envisioned earlier in his career, but he has a chance to hit for a decent batting average and contribute for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues moving forward.
Closing Time
Mark Melancon vs. Mariners
0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (16th save)
Melancon was called upon to put out a fire and safeguard a three-run lead in the ninth inning on Saturday evening after Austin Adams failed to slam the door. The 36-year-old righty committed a throwing error, which allowed Mitch Haniger to reach and a run to cross the plate. Yet, he managed to strike out both Jarred Kelenic and Kyle Lewis to end the contest and collect his major league-leading 16th save of the season.
Josh Hader vs. Reds
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (10th save)
Hader was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and fired a perfect frame to slam the door on a high-powered Reds’ lineup. The 27-year-old southpaw owns a microscopic 1.08 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 30/7 K/BB ratio over 16 2/3 innings. He’s allowed only two runs in 17 appearances this season.
Kenley Jansen vs. Giants
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (11th save)
Jansen has yielded only five hits to the 75 batters he’s faced this season. Granted, he’s issued 15 walks during that span, but he hasn’t allowed an earned run since April 26. The 33-year-old righty has re-established himself as an elite fantasy stopper, posting a 1.31 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 24/15 K/BB ratio over 20 2/3 innings this season.
Alex Reyes vs. Cubs
1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (14th save)
Reyes only trails Padres’ closer Mark Melancon by a pair of saves for the major-league lead this season and has clearly evolved into one of the best stoppers in the game. The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty has allowed only one run over 24 innings of work this season. Unreal.
Matt Barnes vs. Phillies
1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (11th save)
Barnes was tasked with protecting a one-run lead against the Phillies and proceeded to give up a leadoff single to Ronald Torreyes and a one-out walk to Jean Segura before settling down, getting Bryce Harper to ground into a force out and whiffing Rhys Hoskins to end the contest. The 30-year-old righty owns a 2.42 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 40/5 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 innings this season.
Diego Castillo vs. Blue Jays
1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (8th save)
The Rays are about as non-traditional as it gets in terms of established relief role, but Castillo appears to be the primary stopper based on how he’s been utilized the vast majority of the season so far. Newly-acquired righty J.P. Feyereisen worked the sixth inning before Andrew Kittredge and Pete Fairbanks bridged the gap to Castillo in the final frame. The 27-year-old righty owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 26/6 K/BB ratio over 18 2/3 innings this season.
Daniel Bard vs. Diamondbacks
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (5th save)
Bard managed to work around a leadoff double by David Peralta, striking out Josh Reddick and Ketel Marte to preserve a one-run lead in the ninth inning at Coors Field on Saturday afternoon. There are better alternatives out there for fantasy managers in shallow formats, but he’s worthy of a roster spot in deeper mixed leagues where every save makes a difference.
Brad Hand vs. Orioles
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (6th save)
Hand was called upon to ice a three-run lead in the ninth inning of a high-scoring affair and fired a perfect frame to net his sixth save. The 31-year-old southpaw has run into the occasional rough outing, but he’s been solid overall as the Nationals’ primary closer this season.
Josh Staumont vs. Tigers
1.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Staumont made things interesting against the Tigers, serving up a two-run homer to Robbie Grossman, and barely hanging on to a four-run lead in the ninth inning of this one. It wasn’t an official save situation, yet it’s notable that the hard-throwing 27-year-old righty was brought on to protect another lead for the Royals. He appears to be firmly entrenched as their primary stopper and is worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy formats.
Emmanuel Clase vs. Twins
1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
James Karinchak vs. Twins
1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R. 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
The dynamic tandem did what they do best on Saturday evening, combining for three perfect frames as the Indians pulled out a victory in an extra-inning affair against their division rivals. Clase entered a tie ballgame in the eighth inning, retiring all five batters he faced, before handing the ball to Karinchak for the final out of the ninth inning. He was credited with his second win of the year after tossing a scoreless 10th inning as well. There isn’t a more electrifying one-two punch at the back of a bullpen anywhere else in the game right now.
Yimi Garcia vs. Mets
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Garcia’s emergence as an elite close has seemingly flown under the radar this season. He didn’t pick up a save against the Mets on Saturday afternoon, but was credited with a victory in relief. He’s reeled off seven consecutive scoreless appearances and owns a minuscule 1.37 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 19/4 K/BB ratio over 19 2/3 innings this season.
EDGE Priority Pickup
Danny Santana, OF, Red Sox
Santana has made quite an impression in his brief time with the Red Sox, launching solo homers in back-to-back games against the Phillies since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester earlier this week. The versatile 30-year-old outfielder, who also stole his first base of the year on Saturday evening, posted a 28-homer, 21-steal season with the Rangers back in 2019 and appears eager to prove that he still has something left in the tank after an extremely disappointing 2020 campaign. His tremendous power and speed combination appears firmly intact, therefore Santana is worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats.
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Sunday’s Matchup of the Day
Freddy Peralta (Brewers) vs. Luis Castillo (Reds) - 1:10 PM ET
Peralta and Castillo find themselves at very different crossroads than fantasy managers envisioned just two months ago. Peralta has been the highest-profile starting pitcher breakthrough of the 2021 campaign, and appears to be on the verge of putting together a monster fantasy campaign as a full-fledged member of the Brewers’ starting rotation. Meanwhile, Castillo has massively underperformed expectations from a run prevention standpoint, but has also shown some signs that he could be on the precipice of turning things around his last time out earlier this week. It’s difficult to draw conclusions from any single outing, but this is a big outing for Castillo.
American League Quick Hits: Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to make his return to the mound on Friday against the Athletics … Franmil Reyes launched his 11th round-tripper of the year before leaving Saturday’s game against the Twins with an abdominal strain … Alex Verdugo (hamstring) was not in the Red Sox’ starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Phillies … Nelson Cruz (wrist) and Jorge Polanco (right ankle discomfort) were held out of the Twins’ starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Indians … Blue Jays placed Cavan Biggio on the 10-day injured list with a cervical spine ligament sprain … Indians optioned Triston McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus …Kohei Arihara will undergo surgery to correct an aneurysm in his right shoulder and is expected to be sidelined from throwing for at least three months … Whit Merrifield collected his major league-leading 13th stolen base in the Royals’ win over the Tigers … Aaron Judge went 2-for-4 with a walk, extending his on-base streak to 14 games in the Yankees’ one-sided victory over the White Sox … Xander Bogaerts slugged his 10th round-tripper of the season and newcomer Danny Santana homered for the second consecutive game in the Red Sox’ win over the Phillies … Cesar Hernandez drilled a walk-off, two-run homer in the 10th inning, lifting the Indians past the White Sox … Ryan Mountcastle walloped a grand slam and Anthony Santander went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three runs scored in the Orioles’ loss to the Nationals … Miguel Sano blasted a solo homer and struck out four times in the Twins’ loss to the Indians in extra-innings … Isaiah Kiner-Falefa went 3-for-4 with two RBI in the Rangers’ win over the Astros … Matt Olson hit his 11th homer of the season in the Athletics’ victory over the Angels ... Robbie Grossman belted a solo homer and Akil Baddoo went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI in the Tigers’ loss to the Royals … Nick Madrigal went 2-for-3 with a triple in the White Sox’ shutout loss to the Yankees … Chris Bassitt posted eight strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings in a win over the Angels ... Robbie Ray recorded seven strikeouts over seven innings of one-run ball in a no-decision against the Rays … Shane McClanahan allowed one run over five innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays … Shane Bieber allowed three runs and struck out six batters over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Twins … Kenta Maeda whiffed six batters over five innings in a no-decision against the Indians … Brady Singer posted six strikeouts over 6 1/3 frames of three-run ball in a win over the Tigers … Lance McCullers Jr. notched seven strikeouts over five innings of three-run ball in a no-decision against the Rangers … Nathan Eovaldi allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a win over the Phillies … Dylan Cease was lit up for five runs over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Yankees … Matthew Boyd surrendered five runs on eight hits over five innings in a loss to the Royals … Michael Wacha (hamstring) will start for the Rays against the Jays on Sunday … Framber Valdez (finger was expected to throw 65 pitches on Saturday in a minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land. That game wound up being rained out, so he’ll likely get bumped to Sunday … Jake Odorizzi (forearm) is expected to throw 75 to 80 pitches in his next minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land … Jose Urquidy (shoulder) threw a side session Saturday and could make a rehab start at Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday … Clint Frazier was absent from the Yankees’ lineup for the fifth consecutive game on Saturday … Hunter Dozier (concussion) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Saturday … Royals acquired right-hander Domingo Tapia from the Mariners for cash considerations.
National League Quick Hits: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Cody Bellinger (calf) could return at some point next week … Padres manager Jayce Tingler told reporters on Saturday that Manny Machado remains out due to tightness in his right shoulder and that Trent Grisham is dealing with “a little bit of a heel bruise” and “some lower-half stuff” … Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Saturday that an MRI on Victor Robles’ injured right ankle revealed a sprain … Ke’Bryan Hayes (wrist) went 1-for-2 in his first minor-league rehab game on Saturday with Triple-A Indianapolis … Dylan Carlson was scratched from the Cardinals’ lineup for Saturday’s game against the Cubs with back tightness … Miles Mikolas allowed one run over four innings before exiting his season debut against the Cubs due to right forearm tightness … Ronald Acuna Jr. launched his major league-leading 15th round-tripper and Freddie Freeman reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances, leading the Braves to a win over the Pirates … Max Muncy tallied three hits, including a solo homer, propelling the Dodgers past the Giants … Charlie Blackmon slugged a two-run homer and Garrett Hampson swiped his ninth base of the season in the Rockies’ win over the Diamondbacks … Ryan Zimmerman belted a three-run homer and Josh Harrison launched a grand slam, propelling the Nationals past the Orioles … Garrett Cooper mashed a walk-off, two-run homer to lift the Marlins to a victory over the Mets … Buster Posey hit a two-run homer -- his ninth long ball of the season -- in the Giants’ loss to the Dodgers … Rhys Hoskins tattooed his ninth homer of the year in the Phillies’ loss to the Red Sox … Eduardo Escobar walloped his 12th long ball of the year in the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Rockies … Yadier Molina hit his seventh homer of the season in the Cardinals’ loss to the Cubs … Luis Urias and Daniel Robertson went deep in the Brewers’ win over the Reds … Scott Heineman left the yard for the first time this season in the Reds’ loss to the Brewers … Scott Kazmir allowed one run over four innings in a spot start against the Dodgers. It was his first appearance in the major leagues since 2016 … Spencer Howard issued five walks and allowed two runs over three innings and was saddled with a loss against the Red Sox in his return to the Phillies’ rotation … Bryse Wilson gave up one run over 6 2/3 innings to pick up a win against the Pirates … Mitch Keller surrendered five runs and struck out six batters over five innings in a loss to the Braves … Sonny Gray yielded three runs and struck out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Brewers … Brett Anderson allowed two runs over five frames in a no-decision versus the Reds … Madison Bumgarner was torched for seven runs (five earned) over six innings in a loss to the Rockies … Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Taylor Widener (groin) will be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Rockies … Kolten Wong (arm) was held out of the Brewers’ starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Reds … Joey Votto (hand) resumed baseball activities on Saturday … Brandon Nimmo told reporters Saturday that he’s close to resuming swinging a bat … Pirates placed Trevor Cahill on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain … Braves acquired righty Yoan Lopez from the Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Deivi Estrada … Brewers designated Billy McKinney for assignment and also released Dee Strange-Gordon.
