As the playoff chase heats up, so has Yasiel Puig who recorded career highs in home runs with three in Saturday’s game along with seven RBI. Over the last two days, within a 24 hour span, Puig’s hit five home runs driving in nine. For perspective, Trevor Story leads the majors with seven home runs and 17 RBI in September. There’s no guarantee he will leave the yard again on Sunday night, but Puig has hit 16 of his 21 home runs this year on the road and may be peaking at the right time for the Dodgers as they push for a playoff spot. Justin Turner tallied three hits and has reached base in 37 of his last 39 starts with 33 runs, 17 doubles, eight home runs and 27 RBI. Manny Machado added his 35th home run, his second in the last three games.

While focus centers on the playoffs, a head-to-head match-up of potential National League Rookie of the Year candidates continued in Atlanta. Ronald Acuna ’s prolific second half will resonate with voters but Juan Soto still lingers:

https://twitter.com/Nationals/status/1041038486168432640

Anytime a player can mentioned in the same sentence with Rickey Henderson, he’s doing well in my book. Soto has reached base in 20 straight games, owns a nine-game hit streak during which he’s 13-for-37 (.351) with two nine runs, two doubles, four home runs, nine RBI and nine walks. It’s still Acuna’s award to lose, but the two will be hotly debated regarding fantasy value in the years to come.

 

That Just Happened

Not only did Cleveland clinch the division, they made some history as well:

https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1041109690833428481

It’s almost silly what Francisco Lindor and José Ramírez continue to achieve this year as they move into the first round of drafts for the 2019 season. In this game, Lindor hit his 35th home run to accomplish the feat above while Ramirez went 3-for-4 with three runs, a double, triple, two RBI and a walk. Edwin Encarnación did leave the game after rolling his right ankle. With the playoffs already locked in, he can rest as needed going forward.

Remember when Jon Lester fell in drafts? He won his 16th game throwing seven shutout innings giving up only two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. His last start was cut short due to back spasms, but through three starts this month, Lester’s 2-1 with a 1.45 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 23 strikeouts against four walks in 18.2 innings. Steve Cishek recorded his fourth save retiring the last batter with three different pitchers deployed in the ninth inning.

Both José Peraza (23) and Billy Hamilton (31) stole a base in the Reds loss. Peraza’s on a 10-game hit streak hitting .439 with three doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in it. He’s also one of three players this year with at least 170 hits, 30 doubles and 23 stolen bases. The others? Francisco Lindor and Whit Merrifield .

Brandon Nimmo hit his 17th home run, a three-run shot in a Mets loss. Over his last 25 games, Nimmo’s hitting .357 with 21 runs, 11 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 15 RBI and 16 walks. Jeff McNeil stole his fifth base and has hit safely in 24 of his last 26 starts.

Still underrated, Xander Bogaerts stole his eighth base on Saturday and only needs two more to reach double digits in the category for the fourth straight season. He’s scored 16 runs with 10 doubles, five home runs and 25 RBI in his last 32 contests. Craig Kimbrel notched his 41st save in a clean ninth with a strikeout. He’s been scoreless in six straight outings without giving up a hit and striking out nine. In fact, Kimbrel’s only yielded one hit over his last 10 appearances while racking up 27 strikeouts over his last 15 innings of work dating back to July 29th.

It’s been a wonky season for Randal Grichuk , but he recorded his third multi-home run game of the year on Saturday. Grichuk finished 3-for-5 with three runs, his 22nd and 23rd home runs while driving in two. Do not overlook his last 22 games during which Grichuk’s hit .342 with seven doubles and seven home runs in 79 at-bats. Sean Reid-Foley only pitched five innings but struck out 10 en route to his second win this season. In only five starts, Reid-Foley’s reached double digit strikeouts in two of them and generated 17 swinging strikes of his 92 pitches on Saturday. Ken Giles secured his 21st save in a clean 1.1 inning outing with two strikeouts.

Two home runs for Didi Gregorius as he broke his own Yankees record for home runs by a shortstop in a season with 26 on the year. Miguel Andujar hit a pinch-hit grand slam, his 24th homer of the year and has 42 RBI in his last 45 games.

Sergio Romo locked down his 20th save but allowed a home run to Matt Chapman in the process. Romo’s only pitched three times since August 25th and recorded his first save since September fourth. But, Jose Alvarado ’s been the better reliever of late and should receive more save chances in an audition for the role for the 2019 season.

As for Chapman, he’s on a role with 10 multiple hit games of his last 22 with 17 runs, 10 doubles, six home runs and 19 RBI in them. Matt Olson hit his 27th home run and leads American League first baseman in the category.

Strong outing for Reynaldo López getting his sixth win striking out six in seven shutout innings in Baltimore. Lopez moves to 2-0 over his last five starts with a 1.10 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB in his last 32.2 innings.

The revolving door of the Phillies bullpen continues to churn with Pat Neshek getting his fifth save in a clean ninth inning, his first save since August 23rd.

Not only did Charlie Morton set a career high in wins on Saturday, but he’s struck out 195 in only 163 innings this year. Morton won his 15th game and has bounced back nicely since getting a brief stint on the disabled list to protect his workload. George Springer racked up four hits and scored three runs but has one home run in 12 games this month. José Altuve went 2-for-3 with three runs, a double, two RBI and his 16th stolen base. He will fall short of his seventh straight 30 stolen base season and this marks only his second steal since returning from the disabled list on August 21st.

Iván Nova won for the third time in his last six starts during which he’s 3-3 with a 2.62 ERA in 34.1 innings. Felipe Vázquez converted his 23rd straight save and 33rd of the season.

Christian Yelich reached base for the 30th straight contest and reached 30 home runs for the first time of his career. During his streak, Yelich has hit .320 with 12 home runs and 28 RBI. Yelich only needs one more steal to complete a 30/20 season.

Break up the Royals? They’ve won three straight and the offense is rolling. Whit Merrifield went 2-for-4 with two runs, two doubles and a walk. He’s the only player over the last two years with at least 70 doubles and 70 stolen base. Only Mookie Betts (88 doubles, 54 stolen bases) and Lorenzo Cain (51 doubles, 54 stolen bases) have reached 50 in each category. Adelberto Mondesi stole his 24th base in only his 61st game as the go-go Royals continue to be aggressive on the bases. And, Alex Gordon drove in five runs with three hits, two doubles and has 14 RBI in his last 16 starts.

In a quiet assault on a 40 home run season, Joey Gallo hit his 37th and third on his team’s present road trip. Gallo’s seven for his last 21 with five runs, three home runs and eight RBI. Jose Leclerc continues to thrive recording his 11th save and 18th straight scoreless outing. He’s also made 15 straight appearances getting at least three outs, no runs and a strikeout in them.

Although German Marquez absorbed the loss on Saturday, he did record his 10th straight quality start. During this streak, Marquez is 4-2 with 87 strikeouts and only 14 walks since July 29th. Trevor Story stole his 26th base as he moves closer to a 30/30 season.

Trying to assess how to valuate Madison Bumgarner for next year’s drafts will be difficult. He did fire six shutout innings allowing only five hits and a walk with only two strikeouts. It’s Bumgarner’s first win since August 23rd at the Mets and his home and road splits stand out. Bumgarner’s produced a 1.34 ERA at home in 60.1 innings but a 5.02 ERA in 57.1 on the road. If the strikeouts stay depressed, will he be a home stream in 2019? Teammate Brandon Belt underwent an MRI and could be shut down the remainder the season, plan accordingly.

Home runs galore for the Angels in a loss to Seattle. Mike Trout went 2-for-3 with his 34th homer and two RBI along with a walk. Shohei Ohtani reached 20 home runs, has hit 13 in the second half and needs one more steal to reach the third 20/10 season by an Angels rookie in the history of the franchise. Trout was the last to achieve this in 2012. Justin Upton ’s been a bit boom or bust of late, hit two home runs, his 28th and 29th and drove in two.

 

What To Watch For

A full slate Sunday provides a tasty match-up of Jacob deGrom versus Chris Sale in Boston. deGrom will try to add to his already strong Cy Young resume in Fenway and it’s the first time the two pitchers will meet since college.

Can Lucas Giolito turn in another strong outing for the White Sox rotation in Camden Yards?

Two veterans will meet with Zack Greinke opposing Justin Verlander in Houston.

Last, Ross Stripling will try to extend the Dodgers lead in the Wild Card chase as the Cardinals will send, gulp, Adam Wainwright to the mound on Sunday night.

Be sure to stop back on Monday for the Round Up on Fantasy Alarm to stay ahead of the competition.

 

Statistical Credits:

MLB.com

Fangraphs.com

BaseballSavant.com

MiLB.com