What you need to know for Wednesday

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• After a doubleheader-laden Tuesday, Wednesday offers a standard 15-game docket, albeit with a handful of matinees on getaway day for several squads. The slate begins with a pair of 1:10 p.m. ET affairs, one of which features the top pitching matchup of the day with Corbin Burnes and the Milwaukee Brewers hosting Max Friedand the Atlanta Braves. The other early game is in Tropicana Field with Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Raysentertaining Eduardo Rodriguez and the Detroit Tigers. After some early struggles, Rodriguez has righted the ship with consecutive quality starts, so he merits a lineup spot, even for a tough road tilt. On the other hand, the safe play is keeping Logan Webb on reserve in the 3:40 p.m. ET matchup in Coors Field between the visiting San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies.
  
  • The day slate is devoid of streamers, and unfortunately, the night action isn't much better in that regard. Drew Smyly (4% rostered in ESPN leagues) has lost his last four starts but has a good chance to stop the skid with a home date against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Chicago Cubs left-hander squares off with the seventh-least productive offense with a southpaw on the hill. As such, Smyly checks in as the slate's top spot-starter and lower-priced DFS play.
  • Dane Dunning (8% rostered) is the "best of the rest" among starters available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues, but he faces a formidable foe. Dunning looks to rebound from his worst outing of the season after the Boston Red Sox tallied five runs against him in 5⅔ innings last weekend. Next up for the Texas Rangers right-hander is a home date with the Los Angeles Angels and the league's fourth-most prolific offense facing righties, although the Halos do offer some strikeout upside for Dunning.
  • The best place to find batters to stream is no surprise, as the platoon-happy Giants have a bevy of right-handed swingers to deploy against southpaw Kyle Freeland in Coors Field. The list includes Wilmer Flores (55%), Thairo Estrada (47%), Darin Ruf (2%), Evan Longoria (1%), Austin Slater (1%) and Curt Casali (1%). Other standalone options from around the league are Gavin Sheets (3%), Jesus Sanchez (22%), Danny Jansen (11%) and Harold Ramirez (1%).
  • One of the most difficult decisions for fantasy managers is trusting a pitcher in their first outing after a long absence, especially when the hurler is normally an automatic start. Specifically, Blake Snell is slated to make his 2022 debut for the San Diego Padres in Citizens Bank Park against the Philadelphia Phillies. Those who stashed Snell probably did so because he posted a 1.83 ERA and an 0.77 WHIP to close out the 2021 campaign, fanning 65 over his final 44⅓ innings. Snell threw fewer curves and abandoned his changeup down the stretch, relying more on his four-seamer and his slider. The Phillies hit southpaws well, so it is a risk, but Snell fanned 15 with just two walks over nine frames in his last two rehab starts. Going the "wait and see" route is defensible, but after last season's pitch-mix shuffle and strong rehab stints, those needing a pitching boost should go ahead and activate Snell.

 

[carolinakid]

gl today with all your action Biggins and thanks for the info

 

[lemartinsports]

think cubbies can run it back again today?

 

[BobbyFK]

thank you!

 

[Enikk]

gL tonight Biggins. Thanks for info

 

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Jorge Soler MarlinsOF, DH Day-To-DayNews Archive

WED, MAY 18, 1:35 PM Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Soler isn't starting in Wednesday's game against the Nationals while he contends with lower-back stiffness, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports. Spin:Mattingly is hopeful that consecutive days out of the lineup coupled with Thursday's team off day will provide sufficient recovery time for Soler, who is expected to rejoin the starting nine for Friday's series opener in Atlanta. With Soler on the bench Wednesday, Brian Anderson will draw the start in left field.

 

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Blake Snell PadresSP News Archive

WED, MAY 18, 1:17 PM The Padres activated Snell (groin) from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday in Philadelphia, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Spin:Snell is finally ready to make his 2022 debut for the Padres after he was scratched ahead of what would have been his first start of the season April 10 due to left adductor tightness. The injury ultimately forced an extended trip to the IL, but Snell looks to be healthy again after recently completing a three-start minor-league rehab assignment. He stretched out to five innings and 59 pitches in his final minor-league outing May 10, so Snell should be capable of offering the Padres a decent amount of length Wednesday.

 

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Giancarlo Stanton YankeesOF, DH News Archive

WED, MAY 18, 1:13 PM Stanton isn't starting Wednesday against Baltimore. Spin:Stanton started in the last six games and hit .417 with three homers, two doubles, 10 RBI and five runs. He'll get a breather while Aaron Judge serves as the designated hitter with Marwin Gonzalez starting in right field.

 

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DJ LeMahieu Yankees2B, 1B, 3B News Archive

WED, MAY 18, 1:11 PM LeMahieu isn't starting Wednesday against the Orioles. Spin:LeMahieu will get his first day off since May 8 after he went 1-for-12 with two RBI, a run, a walk and five strikeouts over the last three games. Gleyber Torres will start at second base and bat fifth

 

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Josh Naylor GuardiansOF, 1B OutNews Archive

WED, MAY 18, 12:57 PM Manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that he's hopeful Naylor (illness) will be able to return to the lineup Friday against the Tigers, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports. Spin:The Guardians have a scheduled day off following Wednesday's series finale against the Reds, and Francona is hopeful that Naylor will be able to return to action for Friday's series opener against Detroit after spending a week on the COVID-19 injured list. The 24-year-old was off to a hot start to the season prior to his absence, as he hit .347 with five homers, four doubles, 22 RBI and 10 runs over 20 games.

 

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Bryce Harper PhilliesOF, DH Day-To-DayNews Archive

WED, MAY 18, 1:53 PM Harper (elbow) isn't expected to be available to play right field until after the All-Star break after he was advised not to throw for six weeks upon receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection for his right elbow Sunday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Spin:The six-week rest period would come to an end in early July, but since Harper would still need additional time after that to build up his throwing distance, the Phillies are preparing for him to be a full-time designated hitter for the remainder of the first half of the season. Perhaps no player has benefited more from the implementation of the universal designated hitter in 2022 than Harper, who likely would have gone on the injured list weeks ago if not for being available in a non-defensive role. Playing through the UCL sprain in his elbow hasn't hindered him at the plate, as Harper has maintained a .995 OPS through 147 plate appearances on the season. As a result of the recent PRP injection, Harper is still experiencing enough pain that he'll be out of the lineup Wednesday against the Padres for the third consecutive game, but the Phillies anticipate that he'll be ready to handle DH duties by the weekend, if not Thursday's series finale with San Diego.

 

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I made this bet

MLB Colorado Rockies (K Freeland - L - Must Start) (L Webb - R - Must Start) Spread Selling 3 Pts -1½ +277 for Game. And bottom 8 Rockies tie it up 3-3 runner on first my only hope is two run home run. And CJ Cron delivers. And Bard lights out top nine.

 

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Jordan Romano Blue JaysRP Day-To-DayNews Archive

WED, MAY 18, 2:14 PM Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Romano (illness) is recovering from a gastrointestinal infection but isn't expected to require a stint on the 15-day injured list, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Spin:Romano hasn't appeared out of the bullpen since Saturday on account of the illness, which he's been treating with antibiotics. Though the Blue Jays are labeling Romano as day-to-day and believe he'll avoid the IL, the 28-year-old doesn't sound like he'll be available for Wednesday's series finale with the Mariners. Adam Cimber has secured saves on back-to-back days while Romano was on the mend, but the Blue Jays could go in a different direction if a save situation arises Wednesday.

 

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Tommy Edman Cardinals2B, OF Day-To-DayNews Archive

WED, MAY 18, 2:02 PM Edman isn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Mets due to calf soreness, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Spin:Edman was hit by a pitch in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, and Brendan Donovan will take his place at the keystone a day later. However, Edman will be available off the bench, so it doesn't appear as though his injury is a significant concern.