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Journeyman left-hander Wandy Peralta bailed out veteran closer Aroldis Chapman, winning a grueling nine-pitch battle against fearsome slugger Freddie Freeman to strand the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday, lifting the Yankees to their 11th consecutive victory with a dramatic 5-4 win over the Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta. This one wasn’t easy, requiring another come-from-behind effort to erase an early deficit, but the streak -- which represents the longest in Yankees’ franchise history since 1985 -- remains alive. Giancarlo Stanton blasted a solo homer off righty Charlie Morton in the second inning, DJ LeMahieu launched a go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth inning and Rougned Odor tacked on a pivotal insurance run with a solo shot against righty Chris Martin in the eighth inning. It proved to be just enough as Peralta induced a harmless fly ball to left field to end the contest after Chapman nearly squandered a two-run lead in the final frame.
If the regular season ended right now, the Yankees would be hosting the division-rival Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in the most highly-anticipated American League Wild Card matchup in baseball history. Those storied franchises have been trending in opposite directions since the All-Star break, but it seems like they’re pre-destined to meet up in the postseason. However, the Athletics and Mariners find themselves each within three games of Boston for the final Wild Card playoff berth. The Athletics will attempt to simultaneously snap their own four-game losing streak, and the Yankees’ remarkable 11-game winning streak, on Thursday evening in the opener of a pivotal four-game series at the Oakland Coliseum.[[ad:athena]]
Starting Pitchers with an EDGE
Dylan Cease vs. Blue Jays
7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
31% CSW, 15 swinging strikes
Cease looked un-hittable in the early stages, retiring 11 consecutive batters to open Tuesday’s contest at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled with two outs in the fourth inning. He ended up surrendering only four hits and one walk against a formidable Blue Jays’ lineup as a solo homer off the bat of righty-masher Corey Dickerson in the seventh inning represented the lone tally against him in this one. The 25-year-old righty has started to display the consistency required to truly morph into an upper-echelon fantasy contributor, allowing three earned runs or fewer in nine consecutive starts since July 11.
Ranger Suarez vs. Rays
6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
27% CSW, 9 swinging strikes
One month ago, Suarez was arguably the Phillies’ best reliever. Just a few weeks later, he’s undergone a dramatic transformation into arguably their second-best starting pitcher behind ace Aaron Nola. The 25-year-old southpaw registered a career-high seven strikeouts and worked into the seventh inning on Tuesday evening in a no-decision against a tough Rays’ lineup at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This was the first time in five starts that he completed five frames, but he’s allowed just five runs with an 18/11 K/BB ratio across 21 1/3 innings since joining the Phillies’ rotation on August 2. How many pitchers in baseball history have recorded four saves and made at least five starts in the same season? It’s pretty incredible what Suarez has done over the last few weeks and he’s certainly worthy of a roster spot for fantasy managers in shallow mixed leagues moving forward.
Erick Fedde vs. Marlins
6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K
29% CSW, 13 swinging strikes
Fedde authored the strongest performance of his career on Tuesday night at loanDepot park in Miami, recording a career-high 10 strikeouts over 6 1/3 frames in a win over the Marlins. The 28-year-old righty carried a shutout into the seventh inning and allowed just seven baserunners in this one. He hasn’t missed bats consistently enough to warrant consideration from fantasy managers outside of NL-only formats, but this is the type of outing that puts him on the radar as a potential streaming option when a favorable matchup presents itself.
Hitters with an EDGE
Brandon Belt vs. Mets
4-for-5, 2 R, 2 HR (18, 19), 3 RBI
Belt tallied a season-high four hits and launched a pair of solo homers off rookie right-hander Tylor Megill on Tuesday night, leading the Giants to a one-sided victory over the free-falling Mets at Citi Field. It was his second multi-homer effort this month. The 33-year-old first baseman has been snake-bitten by injuries this season, but put together a remarkable performance during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. He hasn’t been able to sustain that level of production, but he’s gone deep a career-high 19 times in just 261 plate appearances this season.
Jo Adell vs. Orioles
2-for-5, 2 R, 3B (1), 4 RBI
Adell served as the Angels’ main offensive catalyst, spearheading a surreal 19-hit, 14-run explosion on Tuesday evening at Camden Yards. The 22-year-old burgeoning fantasy force tattooed a two-run triple to right-center field off righty Spenser Watkins in the second inning. He also ripped a two-run single to shallow center field off righty reliever Konner Wade in the third inning. While Adell hasn’t exactly set the fantasy landscape ablaze since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier this month, he’s shown flashes of elite fantasy potential, and will continue to improve with more experience at the major-league level. Given his stratospheric potential, and propensity to rack up extra-base hits in bunches, he’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats.
Anthony Santander vs. Angels
4-for-5, 3 R, HR (21), 3 RBI
It wasn’t just the Angels that were scoring runs in bunches on Tuesday night in Baltimore as Santander stayed red-hot, going deep for the seventh time in his last 14 games since August 8. The 26-year-old outfielder finished with a season-high four hits and plated three runs in the Orioles’ lopsided defeat against the Angels. He connected on a two-run shot to right field off righty reliever Andrew Wantz in the sixth inning and also smacked a pair of doubles earlier in the contest.
Jose Abreu vs. Blue Jays
3-for-5, R, HR (26), 4 RBI
Abreu set the tone with a gargantuan three-run blast to left field against righty Jose Berrios in the opening frame, propelling the White Sox past the Blue Jays. It was his 26th round-tripper of the season. He also picked up an additional RBI with a ground out versus righty reliever Trent Thornton in the fourth inning. The 34-year-old reigning American League MVP is on the precipice of reaching the 30-homer and 100-RBI milestones for the fifth time in eight seasons since 2014.
Hunter Renfroe vs. Twins
2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (24, 25), 5 RBI
Renfroe enjoyed a monster night at the dish on Tuesday evening, launching a pair of home runs off Twins righty Griffin Jax at Fenway Park. He walloped a three-run homer to left-center field in the fourth inning and also connected on a two-run shot in the ensuing frame to record his second multi-homer effort of the 2021 campaign. The 29-year-old outfielder has helped keep the Red Sox playoff hopes alive, going deep a whopping 10 times in 20 games since August 1.
Closing Time
Drew Steckenrider vs. Athletics
2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (6th save)
With Paul Sewald unavailable after working back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday earlier this week, Steckenrider came on to protect a four-run cushion and recorded the final seven outs of the Mariners’ impressive victory over the Athletics.
Chris Stratton vs. Diamondbacks
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (2nd save)
Stratton spun a perfect ninth inning on Tuesday evening, protecting a two-run lead against the Diamondbacks to collect his second save of the season. It was his first save since June 4. It will likely be a combination of David Bednar and Stratton handling any save chances in Pittsburgh over the remainder of the regular season.
Andrew Kittredge vs. Phillies
2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (3rd save)
Kittredge may not be utilized like a traditional closer, but he’s evolved into one of the best relievers in baseball this season. The 31-year-old righty fired two scoreless frames to notch his first save since May 9. He’s compiled a microscopic 1.37 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 65/14 K/BB ratio across 59 1/3 innings (45 appearances, four starts) this season. He may only finish with a handful of saves, but he absolutely should be rostered in all fantasy formats.
Liam Hendriks vs. Blue Jays
1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (29th save)
Hendriks didn’t make it look easy, but he managed to get the job done on Tuesday evening, thanks to an inning-ending double-play ball in the eighth inning, and a timely strikeout and ground out to end the contest in the ensuing frame. The 32-year-old stopper is on the doorstep of his first-ever 30-save season. Not bad at all.
Hansel Robles vs. Twins
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (11th save)
Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? Robles came on for the Red Sox to close out his former team on Tuesday night after Matt Barnes served up a solo homer to Josh Donaldson and issued back-to-back walks to open the ninth inning. There’s no way to sugarcoat Barnes’ recent struggles as he’s allowed a whopping 10 runs across 5 1/3 innings over nine appearances this month. It’s unlikely Robles takes over as the team’s primary stopper, but given his experience in the role, it wouldn’t be surprising if he (and rookie Garrett Whitlock) continued to vulture the occasional save over the final month of the regular season.
Josh Hader vs. Reds
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (27th save)
Hader needed just 19 pitches to silence the Reds on Tuesday night, protecting a three-run lead to collect his 27th save of the season. The 27-year-old southpaw has converted 27 of his 28 save opportunities this year.
EDGE Priority Pickup
Edward Cabrera, SP, Marlins
Cabrera is one of the most electrifying pitching prospects in baseball and is slated to make his highly-anticipated major-league debut on Wednesday evening against the rebuilding Nationals. The hard-throwing 23-year-old righty has recorded astronomical strikeout rates throughout his minor-league career, and recently strung together three consecutive double-digit strikeout efforts at Triple-A Jacksonville from July 30 to August 13. His control remains a work in progress, which amplifies some of the immediate risk from a run prevention standpoint, but given his stratospheric strikeout upside, fantasy managers can stomach the occasional free passes. It remains to be seen whether he’ll get an extended opportunity in the Marlins’ starting rotation, but he’s certainly worthy of a speculative roster spot for fantasy managers in all formats moving forward.
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Wednesday’s Matchup of the Day
Josiah Gray (Nationals) vs. Edward Cabrera (Marlins) - 7:10 PM ET
Gray has lived up the considerable hype ever since making his major-league debut with the Dodgers earlier this summer, and also headlining last month’s blockbuster Max Scherzer and Trea Turner deal with the Nationals, recording a solid 3.90 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 35/10 K/BB ratio across 30 innings (six appearances, five starts) at the major-league level this season. He’ll square off against the Marlins’ top pitching prospect, Cabrera, who will be making his big-league debut on Wednesday evening. The only thing we can guarantee is that there will be plenty of strikeouts in this one.
American League Quick Hits: Chris Bassitt underwent successful facial surgery on Tuesday … Mike Trout (calf) has not been cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment yet … Tim Anderson (legs) hopes to return to the White Sox’ starting lineup on Wednesday … George Springer (knee) ran the bases Tuesday at the Rogers Centre … Astros manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Alex Bregman (hamstring) will be activated on Wednesday … Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Tuesday that the Twins are getting a second opinion on Kenta Maeda‘s right forearm and that there’s “some concern” about his ulnar collateral ligament … Byron Buxton (hand) will play minor-league rehab games on Tuesday and Wednesday with Triple-A St. Paul … Matthew Boyd (elbow) tossed four scoreless innings Tuesday in a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Toledo … Jose Urquidy (shoulder) allowed one run over four innings on Tuesday in his second minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land … Rangers placed RHP Dane Dunning, C Jonah Heim and RHP Spencer Howard on the COVID-19 injured list … Rays placed 1B Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain … Cole Irvin was removed from his start Tuesday against the Mariners due to a minor hip injury … Red Sox optioned OF Jarren Duran to Triple-A Worcester … Nelson Cruz made his first career start at first base and went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI, leading the Rays to a victory over the Phillies … Jarred Kelenic went 2-for-4 with two RBI, lifting the Mariners to a win over the Athletics … Nate Lowe and DJ Peters clobbered three-run homers in the Rangers’ blowout win over Cleveland … Miguel Cabrera and Robbie Grossman slugged solo home runs in the Tigers’ victory over the Cardinals … Brandon Marsh went 4-for-6 with two RBI in the Angels’ blowout win over the Orioles … Carlos Correa went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI in the Astros’ win over the Royals … Ryan Mountcastle launched a pair of solo homers in the Orioles’ loss to the Angels … Jorge Polanco and Josh Donaldson left the yard in the Twins’ loss to the Red Sox … Corey Dickerson belted a solo homer in the Blue Jays’ loss to the White Sox … Daniel Johnson and Yu Chang went deep in Cleveland’s defeat at the hands of the Rangers … Elvis Andrus went 2-for-4 with a double in the Athletics’ loss to the Mariners … Luis Garcia recorded seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Royals … Chris Flexen fanned five batters and allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings in a win over the Athletics … Taylor Hearn struck out six batters and allowed three runs over five innings in a win over Cleveland … Casey Mize spun five scoreless innings in a win over the Cardinals … Tanner Houck recorded six strikeouts and allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Twins … Andrew Heaney gave up two runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Braves … Drew Rasmussen yielded one run over five innings in a no-decision against the Phillies … Dylan Bundy gave up one run and recorded only four outs in a no-decision against the Orioles … Jose Berrios fanned six batters and allowed four runs over three innings in a loss to the White Sox … Brady Singer was charged with four runs (one earned) over five innings in a loss to the Astros … Eli Morgan was tagged for four runs over 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Rangers … Griffin Jax was lit up for nine runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Red Sox … Spenser Watkins was obliterated for eight runs over two innings in a loss to the Angels.
National League Quick Hits: Tuesday’s game between the Rockies and Cubs was postponed due to inclement weather. It will be made up as a doubleheader on Wednesday at Wrigley Field … Jack Flaherty was removed from his start Tuesday night against the Tigers due to right shoulder tightness … Willy Adames exited Tuesday night’s game against the Reds with left quad discomfort … Buster Posey was lifted from Tuesday night’s game against the Mets with right knee discomfort … Tejay Antone was removed from Tuesday night’s game against the Brewers, his first appearance since June 24, due to an apparent injury … Jacob deGrom (elbow) is scheduled to undergo a follow-up MRI on his right elbow on Wednesday … Mets activated SS Francisco Lindor from the 10-day injured list … Cardinals signed C Yadier Molina to a one-year, $10 million contract extension … Yu Darvish (back) could potentially return to the Padres’ rotation Thursday against the Dodgers … Clayton Kershaw (forearm) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday … Mookie Betts (hip) played in a simulated game on Tuesday … Caleb Smith has been suspended 10 games by MLB for having a foreign substance on his glove. He has elected to appeal the suspension … Tyler O’Neill was scratched from the Cardinals’ lineup for Tuesday’s matchup against the Tigers due to mid-back tightness … Giants placed RHP Kevin Gausman (undisclosed) on the 10-day injured list … Brewers placed INF Eduardo Escobar on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring … Cardinals activated OF Dylan Carlson from the 10-day injured list … Giants activated 3B Evan Longoria from the COVID-19 injured list; placed him on the 10-day injured list with a right hand contusion … Trevor Rogers made a minor-league rehab start Tuesday with Low-A Jupiter … Freddy Peralta (shoulder) is expected to throw off a mound later this week … Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) could return to the Giants’ starting rotation this weekend … Adbert Alzolay (hamstring) will make a minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa … Braves activated C Travis d’Arnaud from the paternity list … Gregory Polanco cleared outright waivers and will remain with the Pirates … Reds designated LHP Sean Doolittle for assignment … Michael Chavis and Anthony Alford went deep to propel the Pirates past the Diamondbacks … Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade left the yard in the Giants’ lopsided victory over the Mets … Tres Barrera and Ryan Zimmerman homered in the Nationals’ win over the Marlins … Kolten Wong went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and three RBI in the Brewers’ win over the Reds … Ketel Marte slugged a pinch-hit two-run homer in the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Pirates … Jazz Chisholm Jr. stole two bases in the Marlins’ loss to the Nationals … Austin Riley tallied three hits and Dansby Swanson collected two RBI in the Braves’ loss to the Yankees … Nolan Arenado drilled a two-run double in the Cardinals’ loss to the Tigers … Julio Urias recorded four strikeouts over five scoreless innings against the Padres in his return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation … Sammy Long registered four strikeouts over 5 1/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Mets … JT Brubaker struck out six batters over five shutout frames in a win over the Diamondbacks … Tyler Mahle recorded eight strikeouts and allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Brewers … Corbin Burnes was charged with four runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Reds … Charlie Morton notched nine strikeouts and gave up four runs over five innings in a loss to the Yankees … Madison Bumgarner was charged with four runs over six innings in a loss to the Pirates … Jesus Luzardo was shelled for five runs over 4 2/3 frames in a loss to the Nationals … Tylor Megill was torched for seven runs over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Giants.
