In somewhat surprising news, the Brewers announced that they designated veteran Lorenzo Cain for assignment before their game on Saturday. It was a mutual decision between the club and the player. Saturday also marked the day of Cain’s tenth year of service time in the majors, so he will qualify for the MLB pension and many other benefits.
Lorenzo Cain has always been one of my favorite players to watch. He made super flashy plays in the outfield:
LORENZO CAIN STRAIGHT ROBBED 'EM. pic.twitter.com/fj5zjNuStt
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 28, 2019
While providing our fantasy teams with plenty of counting stats. However, what makes Lo-Cain the best is his story. He showed up to his first baseball practice in 10th grade with a collard shirt, jean shorts, and basketball shorts.
Lorenzo Cain after being DFA'd by the Brewers:
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 18, 2022
"To say that i've played ten plus years in the show, I couldn't ask for anything more. It's been a great ride for me... If it's the end, I can't be upset about anything."
(via @AdamMcCalvy)pic.twitter.com/5RSyO6rAog
He had the respect of his teammates:
Here’s Christian Yelich on the respect he has for Lorenzo Cain — and what he’ll miss most behind the scenes. pic.twitter.com/PiLl2WNovh
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 18, 2022
He knew that it was his time to go. He accepted it. And to be honest, that has to be one of the hardest things to do as a professional athlete. As a baseball fan, I want to thank you, Lorenzo. You brought me so much joy and I hope you enjoy your time off the field with your family.
Hitters with an EDGE
Robinson Chirinos vs. Rays
3-for-4, 4 RBI, 1 SB (1)
Well, this was a bit of a surprise. The 38-year-old had himself a pretty good day against his American League East rival, the Rays. Chirinos double to center field bringing in Ryan McKenna and Tyler Nevin in the bottom of the second inning and then singled in the bottom of the fifth driving in Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander. The veteran has been playing here and there for the Orioles and there is no fantasy baseball value here but - Chirinos. You go, Robinson Chirinos!
Francisco Mejía vs. Orioles
4-for-4, 1 R
While Mejia did not fill up the stat sheet, he had a productive night against the Orioles on Saturday. The 26-year-old has had a slow start to the season but has the prospect pedigree and lineup context that makes him very interesting to fantasy managers, especially those in two-catcher leagues. Mike Zunino recently hit the injured list and the team fears his shoulder injury could be thoracic outlet syndrome. If that is the case, Mejia could see more playing time.
Eric Haase vs Rangers
3-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR (3)
I could have added so many Tigers to this blurb as it as the entire team put on a hitting clinic. Riley Greene made his major league debut but Haase stole the show as he picked up three hits, three runs, and three RBI to go along with his third homer of the season. Haase was a fantasy baseball darling early last year but has struggled to live up to the hype. Hopefully, this outing along with Greene’s debut gets one of the league’s worse offenses on the right track.
Pitchers with an EDGE
Taijuan Walker vs. Marlins
6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
32% CSW, 11 swinging strikes
This is the second straight nine-plus strikeout game for Walker. While the Marlins might not be the scariest opponent, Walker has put together a great season overall. In 52 2/3 innings, the 29-year-old has a 3.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 35/16 K/BB ratio to go along with five wins. Walker used all four of his pitches in this start and his slider generated five of his 11 whiffs on the night. If he continues to utilize his secondary offerings, fantasy managers could see the strikeouts increase. If not, you have a reliable starter that you only need to bench in the worst of matchups.
Aaron Nola vs Nationals
8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
27% CSW, 12 swinging strikes
Aaron Nola was lights out again on Saturday against the Nationals. On the night the Nats retired Ryan Zimmerman‘s number Nola threw eight innings of shutout ball, which he has down in his last two starts for the Phillies. Nola’s knuckle-curve was doing all the work in this outing as he had a 43 CSW% on that pitch alone. While Nola might not be that “ace” fantasy managers can feel safe putting him in their lineup week after week. He faces the Padres in San Diego on Friday.
Johnny Cueto vs Astros
7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
23% CSW, 8 swinging strikes
While many starters racked up more strikeouts, Johnny Cueto shimmed his way to a win against the AL West-leading Astros Saturday night. This was Cueto’s first win of the year and first since last July when he was with the San Francisco Giants. The veteran allowed a leadoff single to Jose Altuve but no other Astor got a hit until Alex Bregman‘s single in the seventh inning. Not much has gone right for the White Sox this season but picking up Cueto, and his 3.53 ERA has worked out so far. He and the White Sox will face the Orioles in Chicago on Thursday.
Priority Pickup
Alex Kirilloff (Twins) 1B/OF - Available in 78% of Yahoo leagues
Kirilloff has been killing for Triple-A St. Paul and the Twins called upon his services on Friday. He was in Triple-A for a month, and during that time he slashed .385/.477/.725 with 10 bombs, 31 RBI, and a 20/16 K/BB ratio. If he had been in the majors during that time, he would be tied for sixth in home runs hit. Now while I don’t expect him to keep up that level of power production, the 24-year-old should be able to hit around .260 while bopping plenty of balls over the fence. It has never been a lack of talent and more of a lack of health for Kirilloff. That pesky wrist does not seem like it is bothering him and is a nice player to pick up, as long as you are not looking for speed.
Closing Time
Camilo Doval vs Pirates
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (11th save)
Doval entered the ninth with a two-run lead and left with the same two-run cushion and his 11th save of the season. He struck out both Ke’Bryan Hayes and Daniel Vogelbach while getting Bryan Reynolds to ground out to the shortstop. The 25-year-old has locked down the closer role in San Francisco with a 2.54 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
Colin Poche vs Orioles
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (4th save)
Colin Poche sailed through the ninth inning against the O’s by striking out Ryan Mountcastle and getting Anthony Santander and Tyler Nevin to ground out. This was Poche’s fourth save of the year and moved into second place in total team saves. Who knows if he will get the next chance but he is a nice reliever to make a speculative FAAB bid on.
Scott Barlow vs A’s
1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (8th save)
Barlow only needed 10 pitches to pick up his eighth save on the year. He struck out Seth Brown before getting Ramón Laureano and Stephen Vogt to ground out in the bottom of the ninth inning in Oakland. While saves have been few and far between for the team in the AL Central basement, Barlow has been the go-to guy for manager Mike Matheny.
Edwin Díaz vs Marlins
1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (14th save)
Díaz entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead and faced the top of the Marlins lineup. A red-hot Jon Berti singled to right and quickly stole second base. Berti then scooted over to third after a throwing error by catcher Tomás Nido. Díaz got to business by striking out Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jorge Soler before Garrett Cooper smacked a single to center scoring Berti. Diaz reclaimed his composure to strike out Avisail Garcia and racked up his 14th save of the season. While he might give you heartburn while watching him, fantasy managers should just lock him in their lineup and never give it a second thought.
Jose Quijada vs Mariners
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (1st save)
Quijada entered the bottom of the 10th inning with a two-run lead after a monster homer but Mike Trout. This was the first game of a double header and it appears the Angels were saving Iglesias for the second game. From a fantasy standpoint, there is nothing to see here but if you have never caught Quijada pitch, I would take time to watch an inning or do. He is a fun watch.
Seranthony Domínguez vs Nationals
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (1st save)
It was announced this week that Corey Knebel lost his key to the closer role in Philly. Brad Hand got the first chance on Friday and then filled in the eighth inning on Saturday. Hand gave up a run and manager X turned to Dominguez in the ninth. He only needed 10 pitches to move past the Nationals and looks like the “closer” for the time being. The Phillies bullpen has been shaky for years but Dominguez lead the team in saves back in 2018 and should be picked up in all fantasy leagues.
Sunday’s Matchup of the Day
Sandy Alcantara (Marlins) vs. Chris Bassitt (Mets)
The best matchup on Sunday is a National League East contest in New York. Sandy Alcantara has been ace-like. In his last six games, the 26-year-old has a minuscule .74 ERA, a matching .74 WHIP, and an 80/8 K/BB ratio in 48.⅔ innings of work. In that time, he has also won four games, and all of us fantasy managers know that Wins are one of the hardest stats to find right now. Alcantara will need to bring his A-game on Sunday as he is going up against the New York Mets, who have a 124 wRC+ over the same timeframe. His pitching opponent will be Chris Bassitt. After getting off to a great start this season, Bassitt has been on the struggle bus. Since May 19, the 33-year-old has had a 6.09 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 35/12 K/BB ratio. Woof. He has faced the Giants, Dodgers, and Padres during that time so we can give him a pass. While the Marlins are not a formidable offense, they do have a 110 wRC+ during that time. Hopefully, we’ll see Bassitt get back into his early-season groove.
American League Quick Hits
Justin Upton returned to the Mariners lineup a day after being plunked on the helmet with a pitch. … Luis Severino (illness) will start against the Blue Jays on Sunday. … Stephen Piscotty (calf) is nearing a rehab assignment. … Brent Honeywell Jr. (elbow) is making steady progress…Daulton Jefferies undergoes season injury surgery…Riley Greene makes his major league debut for the Tigers on Saturday. … Hyun Jim Ryu underwent Tommy John surgery. … Yoán Moncada is scheduled have an MRI on his hamstring. … Julio Rodriguez led off for the Mariners on Sunday and has started in every single spot in the lineup this season. … Grayson Rodriguez (lat) is set for follow-up imaging. … José Ramírez sate out on Saturday with a sore thumb. … Amed Rosario extends his hit streak to 12 games. … Every hitter in the Twins’ starting lineup managed at least one hit against the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
National League Quick Hits
Mookie Betts missesd a second straight game and will head to the injured list with a cracked rib. … Josh Hader will return Monday from the paternity list. ... Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) could return next week for the Giants. … Matt Olson was dropped to sixth in order for Atlanta. … Clint Frazier accepts an outright assignment to Triple-A Iowa. … Frank Schwindel landed on the 10-day IL with a back injury. … Liover Peguero makes his debut against the Giants. … Bryce Harper missed Saturday’s contest against the Nationals with an infected blister. … Lorenzo Cain was designated for assignment by the Brewers. … Aaron Ashby (forearm) felt great after his bullpen session. … Kolten Wong (calf) suffered a setback on Saturday and will miss the rest of the Brewers’ homestand. … Yermín Mercedes was claimed off waivers by the Giants. … Dustin May threw off the mound before the Dodgers game on Saturday. … Ketel Marte (hamstring) misses his second straight game. … Yordan Álvarez left the Astros’ game in the seventh inning after a bad swing.
