The Dodgers bullpen was dealt a major blow on Friday when it was announced that All-Star closer Kenley Jansen would be sidelined for about a month as he undergoes treatment for an irregular heartbeat. Oh well.
It’s an issue that Jansen has dealt with before, and that
he had surgery to address in October of 2012. While the specifics of his
treatment plan aren’t yet known this time around, Ken Rosenthal of The
Athletic reported that the condition is believed to be “very
manageable”. Easy for you to say Kenny.
The Dodgers sit tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks atop the
National League West, so losing their bullpen ace for an extended
period of time is definitely a major blow. It’s also a heart-breaker for
fantasy owners who undoubtedly rely on Jansen’s elite production.
Scott Alexander
came on for Jansen on Thursday and closed out the Rockies to earn his
second save of the season. The 29-year-old southpaw looks to be the
logical candidate to assume the closer’s role while Jansen is on the
shelf. He boasts a 3.27 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 45/24 K/BB ratio in 52 ⅓
innings on the season.
Presuming that he does take over the job, he immediately
becomes a relevant fantasy option in all mixed leagues. Now would be the
time to scoop him up if he’s available. Another possible option for the
Dodgers could be shifting Kenta Maeda back to the bullpen, a role that he excelled in during the playoffs last season.
Remember, during the 2017 postseason Maeda allowed just one run in 10 2/3 innings (0.84 ERA) while registering a 10/2 K/BB ratio. He could also become a dominant force in the ninth inning if given the opportunity.
Ronald Guzman |
Yankee Clipper
Ronald Guzman sure does enjoy hitting against Yankees’ pitching.
The Rangers’ 23-year-old rookie first baseman
terrorized the Yankees’ pitching staff during the team’s three-game set
in May, homering in each of the three games. He wound up hitting .500
(5-for-10) with three homers and five RBI in the series.
Entering play on Friday, he had been scuffling at the
plate, hitting just .189/.259/.264 with no homers, six RBI and a 20/3
K/BB ratio in 16 games since the All-Star break.
Masahiro Tanaka,
the Yankees’ starting pitcher on Friday, started the first game of that
fateful series against the Rangers in May. Guzman faced Tanaka twice in
that contest, going 0-for-1 and also getting hit by a pitch.
He would get his revenge in a big way on Friday.
After grounding out in his first at-bat against
Tanaka, Guzman took the right-hander deep for a solo shot in the fourth
inning, increasing the Rangers’ lead to 4-0. It was Guzman’s ninth home
run of the season.
That good feeling carried over to his next at-bat, as
he led off the sixth inning with another solo blast off of Tanaka, this
time increasing the Rangers’ edge to 6-1. He wasn’t finished though.
Facing A.J. Cole
in the seventh inning, Guzman belted his third solo home run of the
game, this time an opposite-field shot to left. It wasn’t until the
eighth inning that the Yankees were able to get him out again, with Chad Green punching him out to end the frame.
What made the memorable night extra-special, was that
it was the first time that Guzman’s father Manuel had seen him play a
major league game in person. He actually had 10 guests in attendance,
including his mother, sister, two brothers and even his little league
coach.
Rangers’ skipper Jeff Bannister talked after the game
about Guzman’s incredible performance coinciding with his family being
in attendance, telling reporters, “''That might be one of the coolest
things ever, for a major league player (to have) his dad see him play
for the first time… A number of people that really had an opportunity to
impact his life… A night he was able to give back to them, give them
some excitement, something they'll all share together tonight and from
now on. It will be one of those nights he will never forget.”
Guzman became the first Rangers’ hitter to hit three homers in a game since Adrian Beltre
accomplished the feat in 2012. He’s also the first rookie to ever hit
three home runs in a game against the Yankees. He’s also the only player
ever to leave the yard in each of his first four games against the
Bombers.
Guzman had even told his father that if he got a
pitch over the plate, he was going to try to hammer it. He definitely
accomplished that.
He now has 12 home runs overall on the season. Six of
them have come in 15 at-bats against the Yankees, while the other six
have been spread out over 263 at-bats. Coincidence? Or extra motivation?
Guzman grew up idolizing Manny Ramirez
and rooting for the Boston Red Sox. He admitted after Friday’s game
that he grew up detesting the Yankees. "I want to kill them every time I
play them, to be honest," Guzman said. "I never liked the Yankees
growing up, just the fact that every Dominican who is a Yankee fan, they
are so loud and they talk so much. Now I know they hate me, but I'm
happy about it."
He’ll assuredly be back in the Rangers’ lineup on Saturday, where he’ll take on newcomer Lance Lynn,
a pitcher that he has never faced before. Let’s see if he can make it
five straight games with a homer against his least favorite team.
Lance Lynn |
Phillies get Nix’d
Padres’ pitching prospect Jacob Nix made his major league debut against the Phillies on Friday and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
The 22-year-old right-hander, ranked as the 14th best
prospect in the Padres’ organization, dazzled in front of family and
friends on hand, hurling six scoreless innings in a victory over the
Phillies.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Nix struggled early on,
stranding the bases loaded after walk and a pair of singles in the
first inning, and leaving another pair on base in the second inning.
After that, he settled in though, retiring 12 of the final 13 hitters
that he faced.
Nix scattered just four hits on the night, walking
two and striking out four. The rookie right-hander threw 63 of his 88
pitches for strikes.
He isn’t a great bet to be a terrific mixed league
asset over the remainder of the season, but he could be worth a look as a
streaming option in good matchups, especially at home in San Diego.
American League Quick Hits: The Angels officially placed Mike Trout
on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to August 6, with right wrist
inflammation. The word on the streets is that he’ll return as soon as
he’s eligible on Thursday against the Rangers… Edwin Encarnacion
will undergo an MRI on his left biceps on Saturday after he was pulled
from Friday’s game… The Baltimore Orioles were officially eliminated
from contention in the American League East. On August 10. They’re 35-80
and 45 ½ games behind the Red Sox… Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered for the third straight game at Triple-A Buffalo and is hitting .433 in the 10 games since his promotion… Tommy Pham
(foot) took batting practice off a pitching machine on Thursday and
seems to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a fractured foot… The
Orioles designated Danny Valencia for assignment… The Tigers signed Zach McAllister to a one-year deal… Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the Twins are set to call up pitching prospect Kohl Stewart… Tyler Skaggs (groin) will return from the disabled list to start on Saturday against the Athletics… Blake Snell struck out six over five perfect innings in a win over the Blue Jays, but was lifted after throwing only 47 pitches… Michael Perez clubbed his first big league home run in that victory… Jake Marisnick had to be pulled from Friday’s game against the Mariners due to left groin discomfort… Adrian Beltre homered and drove in four runs as the Rangers topped the Yankees… Jean Segura was diagnosed with a bruised wrist after X-rays came back negative following a hit by pitch during Friday’s game… Carlos Rodon fanned five over eight shutout innings in a no-decision against the Indians… George Springer (thumb) is unsure of when he will resume swinging… Cedric Mullins went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI, and three runs scored in his big league debut on Friday… Mookie Betts went 3-for-4 with two walks, three RBI, and three runs scored… J.D. Martinez plated two more runs in that one, giving him a major league-leading 101 RBI on the season… Xander Bogaerts homered and drove in four runs in that slugfest… Khris Davis slugged his 33rd home run as the Athletics fell to the Angels… Everyday Edwin Diaz locked down his major league-leading 44th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning against the Astros…
National League Quick Hits: Nolan Arenado
had to be removed from Friday’s contest against the Dodgers after
tweaking his shoulder while turning a double play. He’ll be re-evaluated
on Saturday… The Phillies bolstered their bench on Friday, acquiring Justin Bour from the Marlins in exchange for minor league left-hander McKenzie Mills… Derek Dietrich
is expected to see regular action at first base for the Marlins
following Bour’s departure… The Cubs signed veteran left-hander Jorge De La Rosa to a one-year contract… Stephen Strasburg (neck) will throw a high-intensity 60-pitch bullpen session Saturday… The Marlins placed closer Kyle Barraclough on the 10-day disabled list with lower back stiffness. Drew Steckenrider is likely to fill in while he’s out… The Braves are expected to call up pitching prospect Touki Toussaint to make his major league debut during Monday's doubleheader against the Marlins… Anibal Sanchez
(calf) reported feeling much better on Saturday and expects to make his
next start on Tuesday… Mike Puma of the New York Post hears that the
Mets "are leaning toward not calling up Peter Alonso in September."... Brandon Belt (knee) will begin his minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday…. Jeremy Hellickson didn’t allow a hit over 5 ⅔ innings in a no-decision against the Cubs… Austin Jackson
went 3-for-4 with an RBI single and two runs scored Friday against the
Marlins. He’s now batting .472 (17-for-36) with two homers, three
doubles, and nine RBI in 12 games since joining the Mets… Yairo Munoz was forced to leave Friday's contest against the Royals after suffering a right wrist sprain… Anthony DeSclafani racked up nine strikeouts over seven shutout innings in a dominant victory over the Diamondbacks… Ender Inciarte drove in four runs, leading the Braves in a rout of the Brewers… Kevin Gausman struck out eight over eight innings of one-run baseball in that win… Austin Hedges homered, stole a base and scored both of the Padres’ runs in a win over the Phillies… Matt Carpenter slugged his National League-leading 32nd homer in a victory over the Royals… Francisco Cervelli went 3-for-5 with a grand slam in a loss to the Giants… Buster Posey went 4-for-5 and plated three to lead the Giants past the Pirates… Max Muncy belted his 26th homer in a loss to the Rockies...
No comments:
Post a Comment