Look for our fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings, hitter upgrades and downgrades daily to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions and for MLB betting tips. MLB game odds are provided by ESPN BET, and fantasy advice is geared toward ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.
Note: This file has been updated with overnight pitching changes and weather-related game postponements, along with the addition of the latest MLB game odds as of the indicated time of publication.
Light at the end of the tunnel?
It's been a rocky few years for Toronto Blue Jays SP Alek Manoah. He endeared himself to MLB fans after fanning three while being mic'd up during the 2022 All-Star game. Manoah finished third in the Cy Young voting that season.
Entering last year, Manoah was ranked among the top starting pitchers, though some expressed concern over a low strikeout rate relative to other aces. Many also wondered if Manoah, who is a notoriously slow worker, would be affected by the newly instituted pitch clock.
Of course, 2023 was an unmitigated disaster. Be it regression or having to adjust to the pitch clock, Manoah couldn't get in a groove. He was twice demoted, the first time to the Florida Complex League, where he was shelled by the New York Yankees rookie affiliate in his first outing. The right-hander received several injections in September, designed to reduce pain and shoulder inflammation. He initiated the procedure, despite no evidence of structural damage.
Manoah and the Blue Jays didn't see eye-to-eye over the manner he was handled last season, but the parties mended fences and the burly 26-year-old was slated for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. He showed up in spring training after losing weight in the offseason. However, he developed shoulder soreness and began the season on the injured list.
Manoah threw 18 rehab innings with Triple-A Buffalo, posting a 6.50 ERA and 1.67 WHIP, albeit with an encouraging 26 strikeouts in 18 innings. However, he walked seven and served up four homers in that span.
Manoah made his first 2024 start for the Blue Jays on May 5. He was lit up by the Washington Nationals, yielding six earned runs on seven hits in four frames.
A week later, Manoah stymied a solid Minnesota Twins lineup, allowing three runs (but zero earned) on just four hits. He punched out six while issuing only one free pass. Is this enough to signify Manoah has turned the corner?
His pitch mix and usage are like that of 2022: four-seam fastball, sinker, slider and changeup. However, the velocity on his four-seamer and sinker are up a tick, which is encouraging especially since this could generate more strikeouts.
If Manoah's stuff is back, it comes down to command and control. Control-wise, Manoah's strike rate was only 56.5% in his first start of the season, but it spiked to 70.5% in his last outing.
Is this enough to wipe away two years of disappointment? No, not even close. However, Manoah should at least be back on the fantasy radar. Focus on maintaining velocity and keeping strike percentage around 65%. If Manoah can do both, results should follow.
As for Sunday, Manoah (5.5% rostered in ESPN leagues) checks in seventh overall among probable starters and as the top-ranked steaming option. The lofty rank reflects the early success he enjoyed, while the low rostership is due to the struggles experienced last season and so far this year. Manoah and the Toronto Blue Jays wrap up a home series with the Tampa Bay Rays.
In head-to-head leagues, deployment is based on needs. In other formats, my lean is waiting at least one more outing, and keep on eye on strikeouts. The positive aspect is, at minimum, Manoah has entered the chat.
What you may have missed on Saturday
· The Texas Rangers reported that 3B Josh Jung won't return for a minimum of six more weeks. Jung still hasn't swung a bat since his wrist surgery on April 2. The plan is to examine him in 10-14 days and hopefully set a new timeline.
· On Saturday, 3B Austin Riley missed his fifth consecutive game with inflammation in his left side. He's not expected to play in the ESPN Sunday night affair featuring the Atlanta Braves hosting the San Diego Padres. The club has Monday off, so the next chance Riley can play is Tuesday. Up to this point, there has been no consideration for an IL stint. The Braves will also be without C Travis d'Arnaud tonight, as he's getting the weekend off after experiencing dizziness following being hit in the mask by a foul ball on Friday. Chadwick Tromp will handle the catching duties and since the club did not call up another backstop, the implication is d'Arnaud would be available in an emergency.
· Washington Nationals 2B Luis Garcia Jr. missed his second straight game yesterday with a sore heel. His availability for today's road date with the Philadelphia Phillies is unclear. Garcia is quietly batting .283/.336/.433, all career bests. He's also swiped seven bags without being caught.
· A sore hand had Colorado Rockies C Elias Diaz on the bench for a third straight game yesterday. Jacob Stallings is the primary backup, but it's noteworthy that Hunter Goodman is serving as the backup while Diaz is out. Goodman started on Saturday, though it would require an extended Diaz absence for Goodman to capture catcher eligibility.
· Chicago Cubs 2B/SS Nico Hoerner missed his fifth consecutive game yesterday with a sore hamstring. The club hoped Hoerner would not require an IL stint, but manager Craig Counsell suggested Hoerner may need a visit if the issue continues to linger.
· Edwin Diaz's struggles continued yesterday. The New York Mets closer failed to convert his prior two chances. Yesterday, he was brought in for the ninth inning and was asked to preserve a 9-5 lead over the Miami Marlins. Diaz surrendered four runs, allowing the Marlins to tie the game before they walked it off in the bottom of the 10th. Because it was a non-save scenario, Diaz was not charged with another blown save, but his ERA ballooned to 5.30. After the game, Diaz expressed willing to temporarily be relieved on ninth inning duties, though no official roles change has been announced.
Everything else you need to know for Sunday
• Chicago Cubs SP Jameson Taillon (21.8% rostered) is listed just below Manoah. After four starts, Taillon posted a 1.13 ERA and .88, with three outings at home in Wrigley Field. The Atlanta Braves hit him hard the last time out, scoring seven runs (just two earned) on seven hits in four innings. On Sunday, Taillon draws the Pittsburgh Pirates, who sport the second least productive lineup in the league while fanning the fifth most facing righties, rendering Taillon as one of the ledger's top spot starters.
• New York Mets southpaw Sean Manaea has opened May with a pair of quality starts. He's in a favorable spot to keep the streak alive with a road date in South Beach against the Miami Marlins. The hosts offense has the second lowest wOBA in MLB with a lefty on the mound.
• JP Sears has pitched into some good luck as his ERA is 3.96 while the expected level is almost a run higher. A low .238 BABIP and 77.4% left on base mark are the chief reasons. Even with a ratio earnings correction coming, Sears is in play on Sunday when the Oakland Athletics wrap up a series in Kauffman Stadium with the Kansas City Royals. The host's offense is the 10th least productive against lefties.
Betting Tip of the Day: The rubber game of the weekend series in Camden Yards between the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners portends to be a pitcher's duel with Corbin Burnes and George Kirby taking the hill for their respective clubs. Not to mention, the wind is forecast to be blowing in. In anticipation of a low-scoring affair, I'll take the under on 7.5 runs scored (-135).
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Starting pitcher rankings for Sunday
Reliever report
To get the latest information on each team's bullpen hierarchy, as well as which pitchers might be facing a bit of fatigue and who might be the most likely suspects to vulture a save or pick up a surprise hold in their stead, check out the latest Closer Chart, which will be updated every morning.
Hitting report
Plan ahead in fantasy baseball with help from our Forecaster projections. Each day, we will provide an updated preview of the next 10 days for every team, projecting the matchup quality for hitters (overall and by handedness) as well as for base stealers.
Best sub-50% rostered hitters for Sunday
Best and worst hitters from the day are generated by THE BAT X, a projection system created by Derek Carty using advanced methods like those used in MLB front offices, accounting for a variety of factors including player talent, ballparks, bullpens, weather, umpires, defense, catcher pitch-framing and lots more.
Maikel Garcia (KC, 3B -- 40%) vs. JP Sears
Joc Pederson (ARI, LF -- 5%) vs. Matt Manning
Giancarlo Stanton (NYY, RF -- 29%) vs. Chris Flexen
Matt Chapman (SF, 3B -- 32%) vs. Dakota Hudson
Jorge Soler (SF, RF -- 48%) vs. Hudson
Freddy Fermin (KC, C -- 0%) vs. Sears
JJ Bleday (OAK, LF -- 6%) at Brady Singer
Nelson Velazquez (KC, RF -- 2%) vs. Sears
Dairon Blanco (KC, LF -- 1%) vs. Sears
Hunter Renfroe (KC, RF -- 3%) vs. Sears
Worst over-50% rostered hitters for Sunday
Cal Raleigh (SEA, C -- 71%) at Corbin Burnes
Jordan Westburg (BAL, 2B -- 84%) vs. George Kirby
Ryan Jeffers (MIN, C -- 77%) at Tanner Bibee
Ryan McMahon (COL, 3B -- 51%) at Jordan Hicks
Christopher Morel (CHC, CF -- 70%) vs. Mitch Keller
Ian Happ (CHC, LF -- 66%) vs. Keller
Gabriel Moreno (ARI, C -- 59%) vs. Manning
Cedric Mullins (BAL, CF -- 65%) vs. Kirby
Luis Campusano (SD, C -- 52%) at Bryce Elder
Jonah Heim (TEX, C -- 62%) vs. Jose Soriano
THE BAT X's Best Stacks for Today
New York Yankees vs. Flexen