The Round Up — April 26th 2018
Ronald Acuna Called Up
The time has finally come for the most hyped player of the year to be called up. Earlier this month we wrote a piece how you should be keeping Acuna on your bench in Fantasy because it is only a matter of time before he gets called up. Last night he went 1–4 notching his first MLB hit while also driving two balls to the warning track for outs. The call up of Acuna is much earlier than most people expected, but there is no doubt that Atlanta Braves fans are rejoicing. They finally have a young talent that they can be excited about in the big leagues. Acuna is sure to drive up attendance rates, jersey sales, and just about anything you can think of that will help the franchise financially. This move is good for baseball, good for fantasy, and good for the Braves.
Didi Can’t Stop
Didi Gregorius has been on another planet recently. It is April 26th and the shortstop has 9 home runs and an astonishing 29 RBIs. Four of those home runs have come in the last four games, a pace that has Yankee fans screaming Hall of Fame. Those RBI’s put him on pace for a 200 RBI season, as well. Obviously this pace can’t be kept up, but Didi is playing with a little chip on his shoulder this year, after being kept out of MLB network’s “Top 10 shortstops” list. In a box like Yankee stadium and bats behind him like Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, and the red hot Aaron Judge, it will be a blast to see how far Sir Didi can go.
Kershaw Hits A Speed Bump
When you talk about greatness in starting pitching the last 10 years, it’s hard to not hear the name Clayton Kershaw. Kersh has been nothing short of an all-time great through the first half of his career, but he appears to have hit a bump in the road early in 2018. He hasn’t been terrible, but he just doesn’t look like Clayton Kershaw. His ERA sits at a pretty good 2.84, but after only going 5 innings and giving up 3 runs against a sub-par Marlins team, Kersh fell to 1–4 on the year. Maybe not a sign to worry yet, as it’s only April and he has been the best pitcher of our generation. However, not seeing the kind dominance that Kershaw has spoiled us with so far is making us wonder how long it will be until we see it again.
Brew Crew Rolling
The Milwaukee Brewers win over the Kansas City Royals last night made it 8 wins in a row. It is amazing to see this organization finally turning it around. Last season they made a late run at the playoffs only to miss it by a few games. Now, after some high profile off season additions in the off season, they are seeing their team pull it all together. The Brewers bullpen won Bullpen of the week last week, as well. All is looking up for the newly minted force to be reckoned with in the Central.
Stop Pitching To Mookie Betts In The First Inning
Mookie has launched yet another lead off homerun. 3 pitches into the game he sent a bomb into the left field seats. Not only that, but Mookie basically ended the Red Sox short skid by launching another homerun later in the game. Mookie Betts might be the hottest hitter in the American League (The Yankee fans scream Didi) and he is playing a great right field too. The key to the Red Sox victory this year will be if Mookie can keep up the pace. All signs showing he will.
Nationals Break Out, But Still Struggling
The Washington Nationals have been nothing short of disappointing this season. After being one of the favorites to win the World Series in the off season, to now being 11–13. They scored 15 runs yesterday in what could possibly be a breakout game, but the dark cloud still hangs over D.C because these guys have been playing terrible. Three of their best hitter are hurt (Adam Eaton, Anthony Rendon, Daniel Murphy) but that isn’t an excuse for hitting .230 with runners in scoring position. Not only that, but this could be the last real chance they have at winning it all. If the Nationals don’t lock down Harper with a contract big enough to feed a small country, the next 10 years look bleak for Washington baseball.
Fantasy News
Yoan Moncada, Actually Good
Moncada led off yesterday’s game with an absolute missile sent out to right field. It was his 5th homer of the year, a great start for a young bat. There has been plenty of fantasy speculation so far about the second basemen, whether or not he would produce like the experts said he would. So far this season he is putting that speculation to rest because he already has the home runs and RBI’s to back it up. If you play in a keeper league, it might be in your best interest to trade for him to see him flourish and score you points in the years to come.
Josh Hader — Brewers Back End
In the most surprising story so far this year fantasy wise, the no name Brewers closer is dominating the 9th inning and putting up great numbers. With the normal Brewers closer, Corey Knebel, down and out with a hamstring injury the next few saves will be all for Josh Hader. The lefty is 3–3 in save opportunities, with 29 K’s on the year. If you’re looking for some late points this week and the next, consider picking up this young gun while the points are plentiful.
Scaf’s Picks
The Diamondbacks blew the game late, so that puts this weeks record at 4–4. Tomorrow’s picks:
- New York Mets (-110)
- Tampa Bay Rays (+110)
- Toronto Blue Jays (+180)
Balzy’s Beat The Streak Pick
Both picks got hits yesterday which restarts our streak. Tomorrow’s picks are Christian Yelich & Paul Goldschmidt. #RoadTo56
Streak Counter — 2
Bonus — I Can No Longer Trust Chris Sale
This wasn’t big news or anything, but it caught my eye when I was scrolling through Twitter. Red Sox fans, I’m sorry, but your star pitcher drinks beer through a straw. This is the biggest gaff in Boston history. Through a straw??? Are you kidding??
Do you see it?? No??
There it is. Clear as day. Someone in Boston drinking beer through a straw is the equivalent of being from New York City and using a knife and fork to eat your pizza. You just hate to see that.
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