The Major League Baseball schedule is heading into September this week, but we still have a big set of Sunday afternoon games today.  This is the last day of Week 20 and before taking a look ahead at your fantasy baseball lineups for today we first need to look back at the top MLB news and headlines from Saturday’s slate of games. Highlights include a big win for Sandy Alcantara, a pitcher duel in Canada and Rill Hill turning back the clock a few years. Do not forget to check out our updated August Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings before setting your lineups this week plus the latest MLB Injury Report, Fantasy Baseball Player Spotlight Series, and players trending up and down in the Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch. Before we start our day let’s take a look back at the top performances from yesterday...

Big Rebound for Sandy Alcantara

 

After allowing a season high six runs to the Dodgers in L.A. in his last start, Sandy Alcantara came through like he has done all season. The National League Cy Young frontrunner threw his fourth complete game of the season in gaining revenge over the Dodgers with ten strikeouts over nine innings, his fifth double-digit strikeout game of the year. in the Marlins 2-1 win.

Shohei Ohtani and Alek Manoah Sizzle North Of The Border 

 
 

What a performance two Ace pitchers put on yesterday in Toronto. Shohei Ohtani of the Angels and the Alek Manoah of the Blue Jays put up zeroes until the sixth inning when a single by Luis Renigfro was the only run allowed by either starter in the Angels 2-0 win. Ohtani pitched seven innings and allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out nine batters on 109 pitches. Manoah only allowed four hits and struck out eight across seven frames of his own. Ohtani is now 11-8 on the season with a 2.67 ERA/1.06 WHIP with 176 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. Manoah will be pitching in a playoff race in September and has also been an Ace with a 12-7 record and 2.60 ERA/1.03 WHIP with 147 strikeouts in 155.2 innings. 

Rich Hill Turns Back The Clock

 

For one day in August, Rich Hill was an ace again. After having nine days off and a chance to tweak some things Hill struck out a season-high 11 in seven shutout innings, and the Red Sox beat the Rays 5-1 for a rare series win against another AL East team. Hill baffled the Rays right from the start with a quick pace and mixing up his cutter and curveball for six strikeouts in the first three innings. The veteran is now 6-5 on the season with a 4.32 ERA/1.25 WHIP. 

Aroldis Chapman to IL… Because Of A Tattoo

 

No Aroldis Chapman did not get tattooed on the mound like has been the case many times this season for Yankees. The former closer is now on the IL because of an infection in his leg caused by a recent tattoo. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the infection is serious enough that Chapman, who was demoted after Clay Holmes took over the closer role in May, had to stay back at the team hotel yesterday, but he should be back by the time he’s eligible to return. Opposing hitters have been hitting only .164 batting average (9-for-55) against Chapman in his past 19 appearances since returning a previous IL stint. He has a 4.70 ERA/1.43 WHIP in 36 games this season.

Dean Kremer Shuts Down Mighty Astros

 

The Orioles are no longer the joke of the AL East. After Kyle Bradish threw eight scoreless innings on Friday night against the Astros, Dean Kremer followed that up with his own masterpiece by allowing just one run on four hits in 7.2 innings last night against the team with the best record in the American League. The Orioles are only 1.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot and if they keep getting games like this from their pitchers there will be meaningful baseball being played in Baltimore in October. 

Eduardo Rodriguez Solid Against Rangers

 

After missing two months to deal with a personal matter Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez was sharp in his second start back in the Tigers 11-2 win against the Rangers. He has now only allowed one extra-base hit and one run in 11 innings in those two starts and each of the six hits he surrendered to Texas yesterday were singles.

 

Fantasy Alarm is the home of all things Fantasy Sports. Bringing you the best Fantasy Football content all year long. Be sure to also check out the best fantasy promo codes on offer today!

Related MLB Links: