It is already September — the last full month of the major league baseball season — as we enter the weekend of Week 21. Before taking a look ahead at your fantasy baseball lineups for tonight and the rest of the weekend we first need to look back at the top MLB news and headlines from yesterday’s action. It was “getaway day” in MLB but we still had some highlights that included Spencer Strider doing his best Nolan Ryan impression and making history in Atlanta, the Orioles hanging on to their playoffs hopes on the back of a young hurler and a call-up of a big-time Yankees prospect. 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. 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 & Notes from Thursday

Strider Makes History

Spencer Strider’s extraordinary rookie season continued last night, as the right-hander rewrote Braves record books for the most strikeouts in a single game. Facing the Rockies at Truist Park, Strider struck out 16 batters, breaking Hall of Famer John Smoltz’s record of 15 from 2005. Strider is now 9-4 with a 2.67 ERA/0.98 WHIP and has an amazing 174 strikeouts in only 114.2 innings.

 

Mets Win NL Championship Preview Series

We may have received a glimpse into the future with the Mets/Dodgers series this week. It is easy to understand why the top two teams in the National League were the center of attention this week and there are all kinds of reasons to realize the Mets and Dodgers will meet again in the NLCS at some point next month. The Dodgers are a great team and have the best record in baseball, but the Mets are just as good and after taking two of three at Citi Field, including a 5-3 win yesterday to clinch their season series, it looks like there is a good chance that they will meet again in October.

 

 

 

Oswald Peraza to Make Debut

Yankees GM Brian Cashman is finally pressing the Oswald Peraza button. Peraza is a top Yankee prospect and since a minor-league hot streak that started in June and offensive woes by infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa has forced the Yankees to pull the trigger and bring him up to The Show. From the start of June, Peraza is batting .289/.364/.498 with 13 homers, 22 steals, and a 128 wRC+ in 60 games. Expect Peraza to make his MLB debut tomorrow night at Tropicana Field as New York begins what is now an important weekend series with the Rays, who have cut the Yankees once huge AL East lead down to six games.

 

Bradish and Orioles Staying Alive

Kyle Bradish became the first starter in Orioles history to record consecutive scoreless outings of at least seven innings and two or fewer hits allowed, and these two games were not against cellar dwellers- they came against the mighty Astros and the first-place Guardians. The young righty is the first pitcher to accomplish this feat since Max Scherzer did it for the Dodgers on Sept. 12 and 18, 2021. The Orioles are still hanging strong and are now only 1 1/2 games back of the Blue Jays for the final AL Wild card spot- a team that they open a huge franchise important four-game set with on Monday in Baltimore. Even better, the Orioles get to host the AL-worst A’s for three games this weekend as a tune up.


Thursday’s Best Bets on PrizePicks

Alek Manoah OVER 6.0 Strikeouts

It is now Alek Manoah’s turn to face the Pirates- the prime matchup team for right-handed pitchers. Pittsburgh has posted the highest K rate against righties over the previous 15 days with a 27.8% rate while posting a low .278 wOBA over that same span. On the season, they have a 24.5% rate with a .149 team ISO. Manoah has reached seven or more strikeouts in three straight starts and over his last eight starts, the righty has put up five quality starts and 50 strikeouts over 48 innings.
 

 



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