MLB Player News

No surprise here with lefty Patrick Corbin taking the ball for Toronto in this one. Simpson told reporters he’s feeling better and could potentially be available off the bench after departing the late stages of Monday’s one-sided affair with left leg cramping. He’ll be reevaluated prior to Wednesday’s series finale. It doesn’t sound like a serious concern. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day.

Benge had his finger prints all over this game for a variety of different reasons. First, he misjudged a line drive from Colt Keith amidst heavy winds at Citi Field that clanked off his glove, turned into a double, and set-up a two-run first inning for the Tigers. Then, he knocked a couple singles and stood at third base as the go-ahead run in the seventh. The Mets ran a cheeky first and third double steal, but Benge hesitated every so slightly and was thrown out at the plate. Finally, he stepped to the plate in the 10th inning and poked a walk-off single up the middle. After a disastrous first two weeks of his career, Benge has maintained a .271 batting average over his last 30 games and found some more power lately with an .817 OPS over his last 15 games. He’s also hit lead-off in two straight games, including here against a left-handed pitcher. It’s officially time to put him back on our radars.

It was a grind for Scott in nearly every inning he pitched, but he dug deep to hold the Tigers to just two runs. Both scored in the first inning after heavy wind blew a line drive from Mets’ right fielder Carson Benge before Riley Greene knocked a liner over a drawn-in infield. Why the infield would be in during the first inning is a valid question, but Scott stopped the bleeding right there. The Tigers struggled to square him up, but he also struggled to put hitters away. Especially left-handers as Scott continues to search for the splitter that was supposed to be his new weapon against them. Nevertheless, his fastball, sweeper, and cutter are all nasty and keep him at least mildly effective on most nights. He’s scheduled for a two-start week coming up against the Nationals and Marlins.

Greene came through with a two-run knock in the first inning to give the Tigers an early lead. Those stood as their only two runs in an extra inning loss against the Mets. Oddly enough, Greene has foregone power this season in favor of more contact with just four home runs, but a .325 batting average so far this season. His strikeout rate remains relatively high, so expect that average to dip while the home runs likely follow as the weather warms up in Detroit.

It was smooth sailing for Valdez most of the night here. The Mets barely challenged until a two out walk by their nine-hitter Luis Torrens and a bloop single by Carson Benge to follow chased Valdez from the game. Bo Bichette matched Benge with a bloop single of his own to tie this game and take the opportunity to earn a win from Valdez. Still, he was sharp in his return from suspension forcing 11 swings-and-misses, with four different pitches forcing at least two, and getting tons of ground balls. It was a nice bounce back performance before what is scheduled to be a two-start week for Valdez against the Guardians and Orioles up next.

The Padres did literally nothing all game offensively as Jacob Misiorowski set them down with ease. Then, a two-out single by Miguel Andujar in the ninth inning off Abner Uribe led to a walk by Xander Bogaerts before Sheets stepped to the plate. He promptly smacked a go-ahead home run that barely cleared the right field wall and left the Milwaukee crowd stunned. That was Sheets’ seventh long ball of the year as he’s carved out a nice role against right-handed hitters for San Diego.

After a clutch Gavin Sheets home run to put the Padres up in the top of the ninth, Miller came in for the bottom of the frame to slam the door. He allowed a lead-off single, but retired the next three to draw himself even with Cade Smith at 13 saves to lead the league. We’re almost numb to his 102 mph fastballs and diabolical sliders at this point because of how consistent he’s been this season.

King is so much fun to watch when he has everything clicking. His fastball and changeup each forced four swings-and-misses and he was tunneling those two pitches beautifully off each other against left-handed batters. At the same time, his sinker-sweeper combo tormented right-handers. The only run he gave up came after a single by Sal Frelick following an eight-pitch battler, bunt hit, and two straight fielder’s choices. He’ll look to take this momentum into a two-start week against the Dodgers and Athletics with both starts coming at home.

Just as he’d gotten himself firmly back on track, Uribe crumbled here. He retired the first two hitters in the ninth while clinging to a one run lead, but gave up a single to Miguel Andujar. Then, he walked Xander Bogaerts which set up Gavin Sheets to hit a go-ahead three-run homer. He hadn’t blown a save in a month and should remain the preferred closing option for the Brewers should there be no more hiccups in the near future.

In his seventh game back from a hand fracture that took the first six weeks from his season, Chourio stole his first base of the season. He’s yet to hit a home run, but is spraying hits all over the field going 9-for-27 so far with three doubles.

There are no words for this guy. His fastball averaged 100.6 mph in this start – yes, averaged – and forced a whopping 13 swings-and-misses. Specifically in the first innings, he threw 16 of them and they averaged 102.0 mph. Even to close out his start he threw fastballs at 102.0, 101.9, and 103.2 mph on his final three pitches to punch out Nick Castellanos and finish off another gem. It’s a marvel anyone can even put their bat on the ball against him when he’s clicking like this. That being said, the Padres barely did as Misiorowski retired the final 14 batters he faced. Also, it’s important to note that he left this game after warming up ahead of the eighth inning with quad cramps. The injury didn’t seem serious, as Misiorowski chuckled a bit as manager Pat Murphy came to yank him before the inning formally began. Regardless, it’s now been three consecutive starts since the last time he allowed an earned run and sports 2.12 ERA on the season to go along with 80 strikeouts and 17 walks across 51 innings. This is an ace to the highest degree and is set for a huge two-start week coming up against the Cubs and Dodgers. Get your popcorn ready for those two games.