If Yu Darvish could only pitch against the Brewers every time out. The Cubs’ big-money, free-agent acquisition took to the hill opposite The Crew on Friday afternoon and proceeded to toss six dominant frames versus the N.L.-Central foe for the second time this season. Darvish has now allowed only two runs (one earned) while striking out 17 across 12.0 innings against the Brewers so far this season. The bad news is that he’s been tagged for 14 earned runs across his other 13.2 innings in 2018.
Encore
So what did Sean Manaea manage to do in his follow up to last Saturday’s no-no versus the Red Sox? Well, the Oakland lefty casually climbed the hill against another elite lineup in Houston on Friday night and surrendered one unearned run on four hits and a walk with seven punchouts across 7.0 innings. Manaea now carries an A.L.-best 1.03 ERA through six starts (43.2 IP).
In Case You Missed It
Keeping the hot start to his MLB career going, Braves’ phenom Ronald Acuna picked up two more hits and an RBI in Friday’s loss at Philadelphia. Acuna wen hitless over his first three big-league at bats, but since, he has gone 6-for-10 with two doubles and a homer.
Didi Gregorius is showing no signs of slowing down, as the Yankees shortstop smacked his 10th home run of the campaign Friday night. This particular roundtripper, which was the fifth in the last six games for Gregorius, came in the top of the 10th inning at Angel Stadium and served as the game winner for the Pinstripers.
The Indians lineup was certainly amped up on Friday night, launching five baseballs out of the yard during a 6-5 win over the Mariners in Cleveland. Three of the deep drives came in the first frame alone, as Francisco Lindor led things off with his fourth homer of the season before Michael Brantley and Edwin Encarnación went back-to-back later in the inning.
Speaking of Brantley, it’s certainly nice to see him healthy and swinging the bat well. The two-time All-Star has produced a strong 1.034 OPS with seven extra-base hits and seven multi-hit performances over his last 11 games.
Saturday on the Hill
Can the Dodgers find a way to push a run across against Johnny Cueto in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader in San Francisco? The Giants’ veteran righty has allowed only one run across his 26.0 innings so far this season and none over his last 13.2. In addition to his MLB-best 0.35 ERA, Cueto sports a 23-to-4 K/BB ratio and 0.65 WHIP on the year.
Another former “ace” looking to fully reassert himself, David Price will toe the rubber opposite the Rays – a club with which he spent almost seven seasons – for the third time in six starts this season. The first two matchups with Tampa Bay went quite well, as Price allowed only seven hits and three walks while striking out 10 across 14.0 combined shutout innings.
Arizona southpaw Patrick Corbin has been sensational through his first five outings of the campaign, as he will carry a 4-0 record and a 1.89 ERA into his start at the nation’s capital Saturday afternoon. Perhaps most impressive from Corbin is that he has yet to punch out less than eight batters in any of his starts so far in 2018.
You can follow Nate Miller on Twitter @Miller_RotoDad or hear him every Monday & Thursday hosting the Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Baseball Podcast along with Colby Conway.
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Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.