Weather Issues
The Phillies/Orioles Some game is becoming more and more risky. At about 6pm EST, flash flood warnings were issued around the stadium. Best to avoid this game. There is minor risk in the Braves/Yankees and White Sox/Reds games, but more likely a late start risk than a chance that either of the games are postponed.
What’s Happening
Kyle Schwarber went 2-for-4 with a home run versus the Tigers on Tuesday. Schwarber is now hitting .247/.374/.502 with 17 home runs in 295 plate appearances. He still struggles versus left handed pitching, but the Cubs have done a good job protecting him from facing southpaws and he has improved dramatically on defense which has helped him stay on the field late in games this year. He gets a big boost in OBP formats, where he could be considered a top 20 outfielder.
Matt Chapman has been activated off of the DL by the Oakland A’s. Chapman has missed just over two weeks with a hand issue, but appears to have shaken things off after receiving two cortisone shots in his hand. Chapman has hit 10 home runs with a .250/.346/.447 line this year and should slot back in the middle of the Oakland lineup.
Gleyber Torres is out of tonight’s lineup due to a hip flexor issue. Manager Aaron Boone inferred that the injury does not appear to be serious and that Torress may only miss one game. Torres is hitting .296/.353/.560 with 15 home runs in 239 plate appearances this year and is the clear leader for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Josh Donaldson is expected to start hitting again this week. Donaldson has been on the DL with a calf injury since the end of May. He suffered a setback last week after it was thought he might be ready to return to the Blue Jays. Toronto would love to get him healthy and back on the field as he will draw a tremendous amount of trade interest at the deadline if he can prove he is 100%.
Antonio Senzatela has been recalled to start today’s game versus the Giants. Senzatela has been awful this season at the Major League level this season, but has since been a better pitcher in the minor leagues since transitioning back to a starter in AAA. It is probably not a good time to start him in any format, but he isn’t an instant stack against either.
Quick Hits
Brian McCann will be placed on the 10-Day DL with knee soreness. This is not a minor issue as he is expected to undergo surgery that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks. With McCann out, Max Stassi is in line for more playing time.
Kris Bryant will not return to the Cubs on Wednesday as originally planned. Bryant felt a “twinge” in his ailing shoulder and the timeline will be pushed back at least until this weekend.
Lorenzo Cain will also not be activated on Wednesday as planned. Cain suffered a minor setback on Monday and will take at least a few more days to get back.
Ronald Guzman has been reactivated from the 10-Day DL by the Rangers and will be into tonight’s lineup versus the Astros.
José Abreu is expected to return to the White Sox lineup on Wednesday. He will miss tonight’s game with the ankle injury, but it does not appear that a DL stint is coming for him.