Performing well with Atlanta atop the National League should be enough for Ronald Acuna Jr. to overcome his time lost due to injury as he continues to add to his Rookie of the Year resume. On Sunday, Acuna launched his 25th home run, becoming only the seventh player in major league history to record at least 25 in a season before turning 21 years old. Here’s a look at yesterday’s blast:

Since moving to leadoff, Acuna’s scored 43 runs in the second half, hit 14 home runs his last 128 at-bats dating back to August eighth. Lost in the home run news, Acuna also stole his 14th base of the season and he’s hitting .293/.367/.581 after 92 games while carrying the Braves offense at times as a rookie. Receiving two intentional walks on Saturday reinforces this.

News and Notes

Weather moved into the spotlight with cancellations on Washington and Pittsburgh due to rain. This will not please the Cubs who now lineup to face Max Scherzer in the makeup game on Thursday. With both the Pirates and Marlins not figuring in the postseason races right now, it’s doubtful this game will be played.

Another weather related move affected Jacob deGrom owners. He was scratched on Sunday with rain in the forecast and will try to start on Monday night. This puts him on track for two starts this week, but he also loses his projected start on the last day of the season while engaged in a heated Cy Young Award race in the National League.

Keep tabs on Randal Grichuk . He left Sunday’s game early after colliding with a chair in the outfield for the a security guard. Grichuk’s presently in concussion protocol.

That Just Happened

Congratulations to José Ramírez who stole his 30th base and becomes the first player since Ryan Braun and Mike Trout in 2012 with at least 30 home runs with 30 stolen bases in a season. It’s the third time a player from Cleveland’s done so in team history. Francisco Lindor set a career high with his 34th home run and set a franchise record for the most by a shortstop.

Ken Giles recorded his 20th straight save on Sunday getting the last out with traffic on the bases. He’s entrenched as the Blue Jays closer, but fantasy owners will not ignore his 1.43 WHIP through 13.1 innings with his new team before targeting him too early in drafts next season.

Despite missing time with injury, Mallex Smith moved into a tie for the lead in stolen bases in the American League. Smith stole his 31st base on Sunday, and has one in each of the last three games. Tommy Pham extended his personal hit streak to 13 games going 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and his 11th stolen base. Pham’s hitting .400 in the streak with three home runs and 11 RBI.

Rhys Hoskins continues to surge homering for the third straight game. He crushed his 30th of the year and has hit 16 in 47 games in the second half in only 174 at-bats (one every 10.9).

Note the second half bounce back by Michael Conforto for 2019. In 47 games since the break, Conforto’s slashing .261/.332/.500 with 31 runs, 12 home runs and 33 RBI including his 23rd home run of the year on Sunday. Jeff McNeil continues to rake with three more hits, has reached base in 22 straight starts and he’s recorded three hit games five times since his promotion.

John Gant won his seventh game of the year, and fourth since August eighth on Sunday. Gant allowed five hits, two earned runs and a walk with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Over his last 39.1 innings, Gant’s recorded a 1.60 ERA for the Cardinals. Carlos Martínez notched his second save of the season with a clean ninth. With Bud Norris struggling with his command, look for Martinez and Jordan Hicks to factor in high leverage going forward.

Adalberto Mondesí remains in the highlights due to recent production. He hit his seventh home run and 14-for-39 (.359) with 10 runs, three home runs, seven RBI and four steals over his last 10 contests.

Although Trevor Hildenberger remains the primary closer for Minnesota, Taylor Rogers moved his scoreless streak to 16.1 innings with an eye popping 22 strikeouts against one walk in it.

Andrew Heaney won only his second start on the road and evened his record a 9-9 while setting a career high with 12 strikeouts against the White Sox. Heaney generated 17 swinging strikes and 17 called of his 96 pitches limiting Chicago to three hits in seven shutout innings. José Álvarez converted his first save of the season as he and Ty Buttrey wrested away save chances from Blake Parker over the weekend.

Opposing Heaney, Reynaldo López fired a quality start in a no-decision giving up only two hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in six shutout innings. Lopez has only won one of his last four starts but owns a 1.40 ERA, 29:8 K:BB and 0.89 WHIP in them over 25.2 innings of work.

Due to volume and recent production, Corey Knebel notched his 15th save on Sunday during a clean 1.1 inning outing with two strikeouts. It’s his first save since July 27th. Since his promotion from Triple-A on September second, Knebel’s not given up a hit or a walk in five scoreless appearances with 10 strikeouts.

Speaking of red hot, Justin Turner went 4-for-5 with two runs, two doubles, his 13th home run, two RBI and two walks on Sunday in Colorado. Turner’s reached safely in 32 of his 33 starts off of the disabled list dating back to August. He’s slashing .386/.477/.709 in these 33 games with 28 runs, 15 doubles, eight home runs and 23 RBI.

Homering in back-to-back games, Charlie Blackmon racked up three hits, including two home runs, and drove in two on Sunday. Nolan Arenado reached 15 at-bats without a hit prior to hitting his 32nd home run. It’s his first home run since August 24th as Arenado plays through injury in a pennant chase.

Owners of Trevor Cahill may want to get off the bandwagon before his next start. Cahill walked six on Sunday before being removed after 2.2 innings on Sunday. Stephen Piscotty hit his 23rd home run while batting third for Oakland. Over his last 20 games, Piscotty’s hitting .347 with five doubles, eight home runs and 21 RBI. He’s also hit 20 home runs the last 76 games after a slow start due to the distraction of his Mother’s health. Suddenly, Piscotty looks like the player many thought he could be in the preseason.

Due to another bullpen meltdown, Robbie Ray did not factor in the decision. Ray held the Braves to two hits, two earned runs and four walks with six strikeouts in six innings. His last four starts yield a 1.59 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. Brad Boxberger imploded allowing three hits and three earned runs in only one-third of an inning. It’s his seventh blown save and seventh loss of the year. The Diamondbacks have lost seven games since August 28th when leading in the eighth inning or later and fell to 4-8 in this stretch after Sunday.

Edwin Díaz notched his 54th save striking out one in a clean inning against the Yankees. Diaz owns a 1.84 ERA on the year with 118 strikeouts in 68 games and has converted 27 one-run saves while striking out 46.1 percent of the batters he faces.

Eric Hosmer homered for the third straight game and matched his best home run total for a month in the process. Hosmer also hit three home runs in May.

Signs of life from Joey Votto must encourage his owners. Votto has homered in consecutive games with seven RBI. If he’s healthy, key on the 101 walks compared to 90 strikeouts and Votto could finish the season strong. Billy Hamilton stole his 30th base and José Peraza tallied two hits with two runs and two RBI. Over the last 88 games, Peraza’s hitting .317 with eight home runs, 39 RBI and 12 stolen bases.

José Altuve hit his first home run since August 24th in a loss to Boston. He’s producing a solid batting average but the counting statistics have lagged this year. Altuve could heat up but has only attempted two stolen bases since returning from his knee injury.

J.D. Martínez continues to obliterate baseballs. He hit his 40th home run reaching the plateau for the second straight season. Martinez leads the majors in RBI (121) as he pursues the American League Triple Crown.

What To Watch For

Rain. With the forecast looking bleak across baseball, it’s going to be a tough week to navigate lineups in head-to-head playoff match-ups. Jacob deGrom ’s slated to face Miami if weather provides a window.

A battle of southpaws with Wade Miley and Jon Lester facing off in a key National League Central battle for first place.

Hot right handed pitchers Lucas Giolito and Jakob Junis meet in Kansas City. No playoff implications, but an intriguing one to project values for next year.

Arizona limps into Coors Field with Zack Godley on the mound opposing German Marquez .

Be sure to check back on Tuesday for a recap of all of the action to stay ahead of the competition on Fantasy Alarm.

 

Statistical Credits:

MLB.com

Baseball-Reference.com

Fangraphs.com

BaseballSavant.com