Week 22 of the major league baseball season is now a wrap but before closing the door on the week we need to first take a look back at the top fantasy baseball news and headlines from Sunday’s major league baseball games. Yesterday’s action was highlighted by Albert Pujols setting more records, a playoff-like game in Seattle and the Dodgers being the first team in the playoffs. Do not forget to check out our updated September 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. So, before you start another fantasy baseball week let’s go back and look at yesterday’s top performances plus my favorite prop for tonight.

 

Fantasy Baseball MLB News & Headlines

Albert Pujols All Alone in 4th 

And with his 18th homer yesterday Albert Pujols did what we all said was impossible back in April, he passed Alex Rodriguez for the fourth-most home runs in the history of Major League Baseball. With 697 homers, only three players have hit more than Pujols has: Ruth, Aaron and Bonds. The best part is that he came home and did this in a Cardinals uniform. 

Dodgers Officially In

The Dodgers are back in the playoffs for the 10th straight season after defeating the Padres, 11-2, and are the first team in 2022 to secure a postseason berth. With a 96-43 record, they are well on their way to home-field advantage in any series they play. The Dodgers are now third all-time in AL/NL history in consecutive playoff appearances- only behind the Braves (14 straight from 1991-2005, excluding the 1994 strike season) and the Yankees (13 straight from 1995-2007).

Walk-Off HR for Mariners in Playoff-Like Game

What a game yesterday between two playoff bound teams- the Braves and Mariners. It had everything a baseball fan could ask for – especially dramatics. When it was all said and done in the bottom of the ninth inning rookie Julio Rodríguez turned a Kenley Jansen slider around into the seats to tie the game and then Eugenio Suárez took Jansen deep again for a walk-off solo bomb. The Mariners are now tied with Tampa Bay for the top AL Wild card spot just a half-game ahead of Toronto for the third and final spot. 

Zac Gallen’s Streak Finally Ends

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen snapped the franchise record of 42 consecutive scoreless innings held by Brandon Webb in 2007 yesterday against the Rockies. He entered the matchup in Coors Field just two outs away from tying Webb’s record and three from cracking it. The three outs in the first inning moved him 16.2 innings (7th all time) off of Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Orel Hershiser’s 59 innings in 1988. Gallen’s streak ended at 44.1 innings in the bottom of the fourth inning. During the streak he struck out 50 batters and walked eight and his ERA on the season sits at 2.50, while his WHIP is at 0.92, both career highs.

Xander Bogaerts Continues to Crush’

Xander Bogaerts is one red-hot hitter. He is now 25-for-49 (.510) over his last 13 games after going 1-for-2 yesterday with an RBI. Over his last 20 games he is hitting .408 with 4 HR/16 RBI and a .237 ISO/.473wOBA and 207wRC+.  Give this guy some respect!

MONDAYS TOP PRIZE PICKS PROP

Framber Valdez OVER 20.5 Pitching Outs

Framber Valdez, who went 5-0 in five August starts, lost for the first time since July 9 in his last start (Rangers). He did keep his streak of consecutive quality starts alive at 23 after throwing 6.2 innings and allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out 11 batters -- his second-highest total this season. In that game last against the Rangers, the Astros went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and committed a season-high-tying three fielding errors, two of which led directly to runs being scored, and stranded nine runners on base. So, expect Valdez and the Astros to be back to normal tonight as they face the Tigers offense, the worst in baseball. This is an easy one- take the over. 

 

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