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What you need to know for Thursday's MLB Games

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biggins

biggins

Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
3,924
  • After getting roughed up in his major-league debut, Matthew Liberatore (7% rostered in ESPN leagues) looked better in his second outing, spinning five shutout frames with six strikeouts against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 22-year-old still has some kinks to work out, as he needs to show improved command and gain some consistency with his secondary offerings, but the pieces are there for him to be a fantasy-relevant starter. The former first-round pick finds himself in a favorable spot on Thursday, squaring off against a Chicago Cubs team that posted the second-highest strikeout rate (25.6%) in May.
    • Corey Kluber (33%) has battled inconsistency this season, but when he's been good, he's been really good, registering a Game Score of 70 or higher in three starts. To compare, Gerrit Cole has only two starts this season that registered at 70 or higher. Plus, if you remove his one blowup outing against the Los Angeles Angels in early May (8 ER in 3 IP), Kluber sports a 2.59 ERA in his other eight starts with nearly a strikeout per inning. On Thursday's abbreviated slate, the veteran right-hander makes for a solid streaming option against the Texas Rangers, who rank bottom-five versus right-handed pitching with a .288 wOBA.
    • Tyrone Taylor (6%) is finally getting everyday at-bats in the Milwaukee Brewersoutfield, and he's making the most of it. Over his last 13 games, he has hit .341 with five home runs, 18 RBI, and nine runs while slotting into the heart of the batting order. If Taylor keeps hitting like this, he's going to stay in the lineup -- even when Hunter Renfroe returns from the IL. On Thursday, he gets the platoon edge against Sean Manaea, who has been more vulnerable against right-handed batters this season. Scoop up Taylor for this matchup and ride out his current hot streak.
    • Alex Faedo of the Detroit Tigers has a 3.00 ERA over five big-league starts, but the underlying numbers suggest some regression is coming. That regression could very well begin on Thursday against a Minnesota Twins club that put up a 123 wRC+ last month. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to get exposure to the Twins lineup, as Gary Sanchez (44%), Gio Urshela (21%), Trevor Larnach (3%), and Jose Miranda(1%) are all widely available. All four hitters have been doing damage at the plate over the last two weeks -- particularly Urshela (.390/.458/.585) and Miranda (.348/.375/.609).
 

biggins

biggins

Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
3,924
So of the three morning games this fantasy guy likes Tampa Bay and Corey Kluber who’s had two bad games YTD and last year beat the Rangers 2-0 two hits in 8 inning. And he’s looking for regression from the Tigers rookie of whom I’m partial to from following Tigers farm system and love this kid but wallet not heart. Can’t really trust old man Archer so looking at the over.
 

biggins

biggins

Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
3,924
George Springer
Toronto Blue Jays
Blue JaysOF, DH
Day-To-DayNews Archive
THU, JUN 2, 8:34 AM
Springer (illness) is out of the lineup Thursday versus the White Sox.
Spin:After falling ill and missing Wednesday's contest with a non-COVID illness, Springer will remain on the bench Thursday. Per Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic, he's at least feeling better and could potentially appear as a pinch hitter. Bradley Zimmer will start in center field and bat ninth as the Blue Jays go for the series sweep.
 

biggins

biggins

Joined
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Messages
3,924
% ROSTERED
88.8(+0.2)

Tyler Stephenson Headshot

Tyler Stephenson
Cincinnati Reds
RedsC, 1B
News Archive
THU, JUN 2, 10:24 AM
Stephenson is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's contest with the Nationals, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Spin:Stephenson will take a seat Thursday after starting six straight games, going 6-for-24 with three RBI and four runs over that span. Aramis Garcia will start at catcher and bat eighth in the series opener.
 

biggins

biggins

Joined
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Messages
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Hunter Renfroe Headshot

Hunter Renfroe
Milwaukee Brewers
BrewersOF
Out: 10-day ILNews Archive
THU, JUN 2, 2:21 PM
Renfroe (hamstring) won't return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Spin:Renfroe has made good progress in his recovery from a right hamstring strain and remains on track to return soon, but manager Craig Counsell said that the team wants the outfielder to have some more days to work on his running. The 30-year-old took batting practice Wednesday and went through a full workout Thursday, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action at some point during that Brewers' weekend series against the Padres.
 
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