AL Week 27 Technique-September 21, 2024
In The Area
SS Bo Bichette was scratched from the Blue Jays lineup on Wednesday with a proper finger contusion. He was positioned on the 10-day IL on Tuesday. Bichette has been a significant disappointment this yr (.225 AVG with 4 HR, 29 R, 31 RBI, and 5 SB in 81 GP). OF Victor Robles (hand) left Tuesday’s sport early with a bruised hand. He was additionally out of the lineup on Wednesday however returned on Friday. Robles has been hitting properly for the Mariners (.333 AVG with 4 HR, 31 R, 20 RBI, and 25 SB in 69 GP). 3B Jordan Westburg (hand) began a rehab project on Thursday. He has been out since August 1 with a fractured proper hand. Westburg was having a positive season earlier than the harm (.269 AVG with 18 HR, 55 R, 58 RBI, and 6 SB). He additionally had the underlying expertise to again it up (21% Ok, 12% Barrels, and 47% Hardhit). 3B Ramon Urias (ankle) has additionally began a rehab project. Each gamers ought to be again on the identical time. The Orioles are going to wish to get each gamers as many reps as potential earlier than the playoffs. 3B Colt Keith (shoulder) was out of the Tigers lineup on Wednesday. He returned on Friday. Keith is having a stable rookie season (.264 AVG with 13 HR, 53 R, 58 RBI, and seven SB). OF Mickey Moniak (hand) was out of the Angels lineup on Wednesday and hadn’t performed since getting hit on the hand on Sunday. OF Jordyn Adams has been enjoying frequently. 2B Brandon Drury (hamstring) missed 5 straight video games earlier than returning to the Angels lineup on Wednesday. Drury has struggled mightily this yr (.166 AVG with 4 HR, 27 R, 15 RBI, and 0 SB). OF Max Kepler (knee) acquired a cortisone shot in his hip on Monday to attempt to scale back irritation. He’s anticipated to begin a rehab project this weekend earlier than returning subsequent week. Kepler is hitting .253 with 8 HR, 43 R, 42 RBI, and 1 SB. He is not going to maneuver the needle sufficient to warrant a pickup within the final two weeks as a result of he is not going to play day by day because the Twins platoon him. OF Daulton Varsho was positioned on the 10-day IL on Tuesday with a shoulder harm. It’s a season-ending harm as a result of the group desires him to have rotator cuff surgical procedure as quickly as potential. Varsho finishes the season hitting .214 with 18 HR, 73 R, 58 RBI, and 10 SB. It was a disappointing season general. His common continues to fall as his strikeout price will increase and he didn’t run as usually this yr. Varsho was drafted as a possible 20 HR/2 SB bat with a decrease batting common. He’ll head into 2025 with main query marks with reference to his well being (shoulder) and enjoying time (declining manufacturing). OF Steven Kwan has been positioned on the 10-day IL with mid-back irritation. He had beforehand missed 5 straight video games and the Guardians need Kwan to get wholesome earlier than the playoffs begin. He has been an integral a part of their offense this yr. He has been the Guardians’ leadoff hitter and is hitting .291 with 13 HR, 81 R, 43 RBI, and 12 SB. OF Angel Martinez has taken his spot within the outfield and because the leadoff hitter. Martinez is hitting .248 with 3 HR, 14 R, 10 RBI, and three SB in 155 PA. 1B Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) has began a rehab project and is predicted again earlier than the tip of the season. Mountcastle has been out since August 22 with a sprained left wrist. He was hitting .265 with 13 HR, 53 R, 61 RBI, and three SB. OF Mike Trout is reportedly open to shifting off of centerfield. The perfect state of affairs can be for the Angels to DH him much like what they did with Ohtani however Trout would not seem open to that. OF Juan Soto underwent X-rays on his left knee after he crashed into the wall throughout Thursday’s sport towards the Mariners. He was in a position to end the sport. Soto was out of the lineup on Friday however returned on Saturday. The Orioles despatched 3B Coby Mayo again to the minors. It is because they’re getting Westburg and Urias again quickly. Additionally it is as a result of Mayo has struggled in his restricted at-bats (.098 AVG with 48% Ok). 3B Rafael Devers (shoulder) is probably going going to overlook the rest of the season in accordance with supervisor Alex Cora. He was positioned on the 10-day IL on Saturday. 3B Romy Gonzalez is predicted to get an opportunity to be the common third baseman for the final week. He’s hitting .270 with 5 HR, 22 R, 24 RBI, and 10 SB in 83 GP.
On The Mound
Tanner Houck (shoulder) was scratched from his begin final Friday versus the Yankees with what the group referred to as “useless arm”. He returned on Wednesday to begin towards the Rays (4 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, and 4 Ok). Jeffrey Springs (elbow) is feeling higher in accordance with his supervisor Kevin Money however a return this season has been dominated out. Springs had respectable outcomes (3.27 ERA and 1.36 WHIP) however the underlying expertise have been regarding. His Stuff+ has a profession low at 87. It is because his fastball velocity fell to 89.9 mph which was the bottom it has been since coming into the league. It seems that he was by no means wholesome. This makes Springs a really unstable participant heading into 2025 as a result of we cannot learn about his potential till we get velocity readings in Spring Coaching. The Orioles’ common supervisor Mike Elias talked about that Grayson Rodriguez (lat) may pitch out of the bullpen when he returns. It is because he is not going to have time to construct up his pitch depend earlier than the season ends and the Orioles would slightly have him contribute within the playoffs in no matter approach potential. Kevin Gausman left his final begin early on account of lower-back tightness. He expects to make his subsequent scheduled begin. Gausman has a 3.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP throughout 175 IP. Max Scherzer was scratched from his begin on Saturday with what’s believed to be an harm. Scherzer has had an injury-riddled season. He has a 3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 17% Ok:BB in 9 GS. Cody Bradford has been wonderful for the Rangers this yr. He has a 3.59 ERA and 0.94 WHIP via 72.2 IP. Bradford has had success by lacking simply sufficient bats (23% Ok) and having elite command (4% BB). He has simply sufficient stuff to get by and he will get matched up towards the Athletics in a pitcher-friendly park to finish the yr. He ought to be one of many high obtainable arms this week. Joey Cantillo has a 4.63 ERA and 1.20 WHIP via 35 IP. They aren’t encouraging numbers however he has sufficient underlying expertise to be excited. He’s lacking bats (26% Ok) and getting floor balls (48% GB). The world he wants to enhance is his management (9% BB) which is able to assist him restrict baserunners. He additionally will get a house matchup towards the Reds who’ve a backside 10 offense away from Nice American Ballpark. Kumar Rocker will make his remaining begin towards the Athletics in Oakland which is a wonderful matchup. Rocker has proven sufficient flashes via two begins to be picked up. He has struck out 35% of batters and gotten 50% GB. There’s danger given he has walked six batters in two begins however the stuff is electrical.
In The Bullpen
Kenley Jansen completed the save out on Wednesday evening for his twenty seventh save of the yr. Nevertheless, he was visited by the trainers throughout his look, and supervisor Alex Cora stated after the sport that Jansen is battling a shoulder harm. He has not been positioned on the 15-day IL however it is a state of affairs to regulate and Chris Martin can be price selecting up (3.35 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 28% Ok:BB). Pete Fairbanks (lat) is unlikely to be again this season. He’s progressing however there is not sufficient time left for him to make it again to a significant league mound. The Rays proceed to be matchup based mostly with Garrett Cleavinger, Hunter Bigge, and Drew Rasmussen selecting up saves this week. Edwin Uceta is the best choice as nearer within the Rays’ pen however they haven’t dedicated to him. He has been lights out this yr (1.42 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 33% Ok:BB). The Orioles launched Craig Kimbrel after his struggles. Seranthony Dominguez blew his solely save likelihood however general has been good for the Orioles (3.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 24% Ok:BB). Luke Weaver picked up a win and a save this week as he has seemingly taken over because the Yankees most popular possibility on the finish of video games. Weaver has been excellent as a reliever this yr (2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 22% Ok:BB). The White Sox bullpen continues to be a catastrophe with Justin Anderson and Chad Kuhl blowing saves this week. It’s a state of affairs to avoid. Emmanuel Clase picked up two extra saves this week and continues to have some of the dominant seasons in current reminiscence (0.63 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, and 46 of 49 saves). The Tigers are enjoying good baseball and had 4 save probabilities this week with three going to Jason Foley and Will Vest getting the opposite. The Twins used Jhoan Duran in excessive leverage this week so Griffin Jax picked up two saves as he continues to be probably the greatest non-closers in baseball (2.10 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 4 W, and 10 SV). Josh Hader had an enormous week with three saves and a win after he blew the save. Hader now has 8 W and 33 SV. Mason Miller is now as much as 27 SV after selecting up two this week. He has a 2.34 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 32% Ok:BB in his first season as nearer.
Gamers so as to add this week:
SP Kumar Rocker (TEX)- Kumar Rocker will make his remaining begin towards the Athletics in Oakland which is a wonderful matchup. Rocker has proven sufficient flashes via two begins to be picked up. He has struck out 35% of batters and gotten 50% GB. There’s danger given he has walked six batters in two begins however the stuff is electrical.
RP Luke Weaver (NYY)- Luke Weaver has seemingly taken over because the Yankees nearer. This makes him a must-add. He has been dominant as a reliever this yr (2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 22% Ok:BB). Weaver is one other instance of a failed starter turning it round as a reliever.
SP Joey Cantillo (CLE)- Joey Cantillo has a 4.63 ERA and 1.20 WHIP via 35 IP. They aren’t encouraging numbers however he has sufficient underlying expertise to be excited. He’s lacking bats (26% Ok) and getting floor balls (48% GB). The world he wants to enhance is his management (9% BB) which is able to assist him restrict baserunners. He additionally will get a house matchup towards the Reds who’ve a backside 10 offense away from Nice American Ballpark.
2B Zack Gelof (OAK)- Zack Gelof has been swinging the bat higher for the reason that starting of August (.256 AVG with 4 HR, 19 R, 13 RBI, and 11 SB). He barrels the baseball (9%) however struggles with contact (34% Ok). He is been swinging a scorching bat so he’s price including for the ultimate week. He additionally provides energy/velocity even when the common is not there.
3B Justin Turner (SEA)- Justin Turner hasn’t been spectacular however he continues to be a stable major-league hitter. He’s hitting .256 with 11 HR, 57 R, 49 RBI, and 0 SB. He would not strike out a lot (18% Ok) and has been hitting close to the center of the Mariners lineup regularly. In case you are on the lookout for somebody that gives low danger Turner would match into that class.
1B Spencer Horwitz (TOR)- Spencer Horwitz is hitting .272 AVG with 12 HR, 45 R, 36 RBI, and 0 SB. He has plus plate expertise (11% BB and 18% Ok) and barrels the ball persistently (9% Barrels). This is sufficient to make him viable and he’s lined as much as begin towards six right-handed starters.
OF Taylor Ward (LAA)- Taylor Ward is hitting leadoff each evening and has been pink scorching for the reason that starting of August (.295 AVG with 9 HR, 24 R, 17 RBI, and a couple of SB). He has good plate expertise (9% BB and 25% Ok) and has hit the ball more durable extra persistently than ever this yr (14% Barrels). If somebody gave up on him after a sluggish first half and he’s nonetheless on the wire he must be picked up instantly.
SP Cody Bradford (TEX)- Cody Bradford has been wonderful for the Rangers this yr. He has a 3.59 ERA and 0.94 WHIP via 72.2 IP. Bradford has had success by lacking simply sufficient bats (23% Ok) and having elite command (4% BB). He has simply sufficient stuff to get by and he will get matched up towards the Athletics in a pitcher-friendly park to finish the yr. He ought to be one of many high obtainable arms this week.
Registered members can click on on the next hyperlink to see the entire weekly report: http://www.fantistics.com/baseball00/M-Strategyplus.
