With the early struggles by the aces in fantasy drafts, Sunday’s landscape popped with impressive performances by pitchers often passed over in drafts, until someone speculated on them. For instance, Reynaldo López , the talented yet frustrating sometimes ace of the White Sox staff:

His 14 strikeouts set a career high. In regards to his Statcast data, Lopez generated 24 swinging strikes, the fourth highest total this season and his 42 CSW% (Calles plus swinging strikes percentage) represents the sixth best total in 2019. Lopez used his four-seam fastball for 13 of his 14 strikeouts during his second win of the season. Consistency can be an issue for Lopez, but for this day, he takes center stage in the pitching primer of the Round Up, even if his celebration comes with less swag than teammate Tim Anderson ’s.

Other pitchers of note from Sunday:

  • Zach Eflin finished his first complete game on 107 pitches with 11 swinging strikes, 20 called and a 29 CSW% on Sunday. Eflin allowed one earned run on seven hits with three strikeouts for the Phillies first complete game win since September of 2016.

  • Not only did Tyler Glasnow get his fifth win, he defeated the Red Sox in Boston striking out nine in 6.2 innings. Glasnow produced 10 swinging strikes with 24 called for a 34.7 CSW% versus one walk. Through his first 36 innings, Glasnow’s recorded a 27.7 strikeout percentage with a 48.9 ground ball rate. Yes, his 90.6 strand rate and 3.19 xFIP forecast some regression, but, an ERA at or below 3.50 in this hitting climate over a full season would be impressive.

  • Steven Matz continues to bounce back from his rough start to the season. Matz held down a surging Brewers offense to five hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts en route to his third win.

  • Win number two for Kyle Gibson . He yielded three hits and an earned run over seven innings with six strikeouts. Gibson also induced 13 swinging strikes with 18 called for a 29.5 CSW%.

  • Jack Flaherty fired seven shutout innings giving up four hits and a walk with four strikeouts for his third win.

  • Lance Lynn received plenty of run support, on a day he did not need it. Lynn recorded nine strikeouts over seven innings allowing five hits, one earned run and three walks during his win. He also generated 20 swinging strikes with 14 called for a 30.9 CSW%. Perhaps he’s a bit better than perceived?

  • Chris Bassitt did not factor in the decision, but, struck out nine in seven innings with a CSW% of 32 registering 17 swinging strikes with 16 called. Bassitt held the Blue Jays to three hits and an earned run in this outing as well.

As the bullpen turns could be a weekly segment with its own drama with the Rays, but, for this day, the save chance fell to Diego Castillo . One day removed from giving up a home run in the eighth, he records his third save of the season allowing a hit and striking out one in the ninth. José Alvarado gets his fourth hold facing the top of the Red Sox lineup in the eighth retiring the side in order. Emilio Pagán notched his first hold getting one out in the seventh after recording three saves last week. With the fluidity of this bullpen, along with how well Tampa Bay’s playing, all three possess value in fantasy for the saves chasers.

Here’s the rest of the bullpen notes from Sunday:

  • Edwin Díaz locked down his eighth save, in as many chances, with a clean ninth and a strikeout. Of the 41 total batters he’s faced so far, Diaz has struck out 20 for a robust 48.7 strikeout percentage.

  • Another sullied outing for A.J. Minter . He did receive the save chance, but allowed consecutive hits to open his appearance before retiring Daniel Murphy . Luke Jackson took over getting the last two outs and his first save of the season. Welcome to another committee, but Jackson’s turned in 12 straight scoreless outings spanning 13 innings with a 15:4 K:BB.

  • Both Blake Parker and Alex Colomé notched their fifth saves. Parker fired a clean ninth with two strikeouts. Colome worked around a walk but struck out two and helped the White Sox tie a record with 20 strikeouts as a team against the Tigers.

  • Jordan Hicks retired the only hitter he faced in the eighth. Then St. Louis extended its lead, so he did not return for the save chance to save bullets. Dominic Leone then allowed three hits and two earned runs giving John Gant the save chance, and he converted his second save needing only one out to attain it. Gant’s won three games with two saves and owns a 0.64 WHIP so far this year. League only gold.

  • Save number 10 for Kenley Jansen . Sitting one strike from a clean inning, Jansen did not get a call on an inside pitch. He ended up walking one and giving up a double, but held on with two strikeouts. More importantly, no home runs for a second straight outing.

  • Ryan Pressly surged to his 32nd straight scoreless appearance en route to his second save for Houston. Pressly’s 30.1 scoreless inning streak only reinforces his ability to help fantasy owners without being the primary closer.

As for the offense, once again, home runs continue to accumulate. Starting in Minnesota:

 

Checks notes, yes, target the Orioles pitchers when making daily lineups. In this series, Max Kepler launched four home runs in the three-game set and raised his total to seven this year. Byron Buxton also hit his first home run on Sunday, with a career best 109.6 MPH exit velocity.

Not to be outdone, Pete Alonso continues to rake for the Mets and hit a beer aided triple against the Brewers:

 

Speaking of youth being served, how about the Nationals win in extra innings coming with a side of history:

 

Juan Soto also turned in a stash and dash with his sixth home run and third stolen base. Matt Adams hit a no doubt walk-off game winning home run and will face seven right-handed pitchers this scoring period while Ryan Zimmerman heads to the injured list. Plan accordingly.

Last, but not least from the Twitter machine, Texas became the eighth team in history and the second in the American League, to win back-to-back games by 13 or more runs, plus:

 

Other notable hitting performances include:

  • Eric Sogard extended his hit streak to 10 games with a lead-off home run. He’s also the fourth player in the live ball era (since 1920) with multiple lead-off home runs in his first 10 games with a team. Sogard’s hitting .415 over his last 41 at-bats with four doubles, three home runs and nine RBI. Here’s your cup, Eric.

  • Daniel Murphy homered for the second straight game while Trevor Story moved his hit streak to 16 games in a loss to the Braves.

  • Freddie Freeman launched his fifth home run, and third against a left-handed pitcher this season. Ozzie Albies hit two home runs among his three hits and Josh Donaldson hit the game deciding three-run home run in the eighth inning.

  • Albert Pujols knocked in two runs with a double moving ahead of Barry Bonds in career RBI with 1,997 and third place all-time. Kudos to the Machine.

  • Gary Sánchez does not feel the fences need to be moved in at Oracle Park. Sanchez launched another no doubter for a home run in back-to-back games leading the Yankees to a sweep in San Francisco.

  • On a day Christian Yelich left his game early with lower back soreness, perhaps from carrying the Brewers offense, Cody Bellinger crushed his 14th home run and drove in three runs. They’re now tied atop the leader board in the majors for home runs with Bellinger leading the way with 36 RBI.

What To Watch For Monday

Michael Wacha will return from the injured list to oppose Patrick Corbin in Washington. St. Louis arrives with the second best record in the National League while the Nationals try to get back to five hundred on the year.

A struggling Reds offense arrives in New York to face a resurgent Zack Wheeler , tough draw.

Young arms will litter the landscape with Frankie Montas facing Eduardo Rodríguez in Boston while Nick Margevicius does battle with Mike Soroka in Atlanta. Also, J.D. Martin ez hope he returns to the lineup after missing both games this weekend.

Grizzled veteran Justin Verlander will try to tame the home run hitting Twins in Minnesota and help Houston take over first place in the West.

Be sure to stay with Fantasy Alarm to remain ahead of the competition as another busy week of fantasy ensues with May on the horizon. Those who own Fernando Tatis Jr. should be on standby if he needs to miss time after his stretching catch at second base on Sunday. If lands on the injured list, Luis Urías could replace him.

 

Statistical Credits:

BaseballSavant.com

MLB.com - Game Notes

Fangraphs.com

MLB.com leaderboard