The second half of the Major League Baseball season opens with its full slate on Friday night after a small schedule yesterday. We are now in Week 15 and before taking a look at your fantasy baseball lineups and the rest of the weekend, we first need to look back at the top MLB news and headlines from Thursday's games. Top MLB highlights include the Houston Astros' doubleheader sweep of the Yankees, a big day by Mookie Betts, and Jacob deGrom coming one step closer to his much anticipated 2022 MLB debut. Do not forget to check out our updated July 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 the weekend let’s take a look back at the top performances from yesterday as well as a look at my two favorite props for Friday night.

 

 

Fantasy Baseball MLB News From Thursday

Big Night for Mookie Betts and Los Angeles Dodgers

 

 

Mookie Betts saved the Dodgers' hide last night two different times. First, with a 3-run two-out home run to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 6-6 tie, and secondly, with a diving catch for the final out of the game against the Giants. The Dodgers (61-30) should not have even needed those heroics after jumping out to a 5-0 lead on Carlos Rodón after only three innings. Mitch White pitched five scoreless innings for the Dodgers, but their bullpen was not on point and eventually allowed the Giants to tie the game before the Betts heroics.

 

Houston Astros Sweep New York Yankees

 

 

The Astros' doubleheader sweep of the Yankees yesterday just proved that the American League still runs through Houston. The ‘Stros won 3-2 and 7-5 and now may be in the Yankees’ heads as they finished their regular season series as 5-2 winners. The margin of error is so thin between these two teams as the Astros sliced the Yankees' AL lead to 2.5 games and, more importantly, will take AL Championship Series home field advantage in a Game 7 by clinching the season series between the two teams.

 

Jacob deGrom Throws Simulated Game

 

 

It will not be long before Mets fans finally get their “Co-Ace” back. Jacob deGrom, who has been out since Spring Training with a stress reaction in his right scapula took a huge step towards his return by throwing 60 pitches in five innings of a simulated game in Port St. Lucie, FL. According to Mike Puma of the NY Post, the team was encouraged with the outing and noted that Mets manager Buck Showalter wants at least five innings before deGrom makes his 2022 debut. Five innings and 60 pitches may just qualify.

 

 

Jon Gray Continues to Impress

 

 

Jon Gray (7-4) put together another solid outing yesterday when he allowed only four hits and two walks while striking out five across six scoreless innings against the Marlins. Only three runners reached scoring position when Gray was on the mound yesterday and he now has an ERA of 1.81 with 58 strikeouts over his last eight starts (49.2 innings). 

 

 

MLB Best Bets for Friday

 

 

Max Scherzer OVER 42.5 Fantasy Points

Max Scherzer has been nothing but elite since his return from the Injured List. In his three starts, he has an insane 31:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has allowed two runs or less in eight of his 11 overall starts on the season and ended the first half with a 2.22 ERA/0.88 WHIP, a 34% K rate, 2.55 SIERA, and an 11.74 K/9 rate. Max has won three of his four starts at Citi Field this season and is allowing just a .180 batting average at home. 

 

 

 

Braxton Garrett OVER 5.5 Strikeouts

Braxton Garrett is coming off an 11-strikeout, 23-whiff in six innings against the Pirates and he faces that exact same lineup again tonight. The Pirates have struggled against left-handed pitching all season and are ranked 29th against southpaws with a 26.0% strikeout rate and 28th with a wRC+ of 85. Garrett will be pitching in PNC Park tonight which is left-handed pitcher friendly so take the over on the 5.5 K prop.

 

 

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