Tuesday was a day home runs, but there were a couple that never happened:

 

 

Things That Make You Go “Hmmmm…”

Kershaw was not himself once again in his second start, but at least his velocity was closer to what it typically is. However, that may be because there apparently has been some issues with “getting some data loaders correct” according to Dan Brooks of Brooks Baseball. While Kershaw has not been his amazing self yet this year, it appears at least the fears over his velocity aren’t as big of an issue as some made it out to be.

Nelson Cruz was placed on the 10-Day DL with ankle injury. With the Mariners playing in a National League park versus the Giants this series and Cruz’s ankle injury, the Mariners opted to let him rest up on the DL. The injury does not appear to be serious and manager Scott Servais said that he expects Cruz to return after a minimum stay.

Not only did Josh Donaldson hit a home run Tuesday, but he was back playing third base which is even more important considering the issues he was having with supposed “dead arm.” Proving that he is able to play the field should alleviate some worry about his overall health.

Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run of his career for the Angels:

 

Ohtani will get to DH 2-3 times a week when he is not pitching, but he is unlikely to have a major impact for most fantasy teams as a hitter. His value mostly in lies with pitching.

Aledmys Diaz left Tuesday’s game with back spasm. He was 3-3 with a home run in the game prior to exiting giving him two bombs on the season with a .313/.313/813 triple slash. With Troy Tulowitzki on the 60-Day DL, Diaz will get plenty of playing time to reestablish his value after a disappointing season in 2017. In  2016, Diaz hit 17 home runs with a .300/.369/.510 triple slash in 111 games for the Cardinals and appeared to be their shortstop of the future, but he struggled last year and was ultimately replaced by Paul DeJong. Diaz is worth the gamble in deeper formats and should be monitored in shallower formats as well.

Jack Flaherty looked really good for the Cardinals in what may be his last start for a while in the Majors. With Adam Wainwright close to returning, Flaherty may be the odd man out. Flaherty pitched five innings for the Cardinals, allowing only one run and striking out 9 versus the Brewers. Wainwright’s name and contract will force his way back into the rotation, but the Cardinals want to win and if he shows the same poor form as last season, Flaherty will be back starting in short order.

Carlos Correa will sit on Wednesday with discomfort in his big toe. The toe hasn’t hurt Correa’s production on the field as of yet, so it is not a big issue. Consider him day-to-day at this time. He did hit an inside the park home run though:

 

What We’ll Be Watching Today

– Will Gabe Kapler pull Aaron Nola with 68 pitches today? Nola is supposed to be not only the ace of the Phillies, but an emerging fantasy ace. If he gets pulled early, then the latter can't happen.

– Can Dylan Bundy, Mike Foltynewicz, Tyler Skaggs, Jake Odorizzi,  and Clayton Richard repeat their great first starts? They all won’t, but some may be more breakout than bust.

– Jon Gray did not pitch well in his first start of the year in Arizona. Can he rebound in San Diego?

– How many home runs are hit in Chase Field? Still on a 3 homer/game pace for the year. Will the humidor have an effect?

– Baseball. Lots of baseball.