Top Prospect Dylan Crews Set for MLB Debut
Dylan Crews, a top-10 prospect in baseball and the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, is making headlines as he prepares for his MLB debut. Crews has been hitting .270/.342/.451 across Double-A and Triple-A, showing potential to become a significant player despite not being dominant yet. Fantasy baseball managers are advised to add him to their rosters ahead of his debut.
MLB Power Rankings: A Tight Race for the No. 1 Spot
The race for the best record in baseball is extremely close, with six teams separated by just two games. No team is on pace for more than 96 wins, a rarity since 2007. The top teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cleveland Guardians. Some teams are already looking towards the future while others battle for remaining playoff spots.
Los Angeles Dodgers Lead the Pack
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won 13 of their first 19 games this month after a sub-.500 July. Mookie Betts has returned to right field, and Gavin Lux‘s offensive transformation has been significant. The Dodgers currently hold the top spot in the power rankings with a record of 76-52.
New York Yankees Face Bullpen Challenges
The New York Yankees are in second place with a record of 74-53. However, closer Clay Holmes has struggled after a strong start, and manager Aaron Boone is considering other options. The Yankees are in a tight battle with the Orioles for first place in the AL East.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bullpen Woes
The Philadelphia Phillies are also in the mix with a record of 74-52. Concerns about bullpen performance have arisen, with key players like Jose Alvarado and Jeff Hoffman struggling recently. The Phillies lead the Braves by seven games and the Mets by nine games in the NL East.
Baltimore Orioles Hit by Injuries
The Baltimore Orioles are in fourth place with a record of 74-54. Zach Eflin has been placed on the IL with shoulder soreness, and the rotation has been hit hard by injuries. The Orioles are in a tight battle with the Yankees for first place in the AL East.
Milwaukee Brewers’ Impressive Pitching
The Milwaukee Brewers are in fifth place with a record of 73-53. Despite losing Christian Yelich, the pitching staff has performed impressively. The Brewers are aiming for a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Cleveland Guardians’ Streaky Performance
The Cleveland Guardians are in sixth place with a record of 73-53. They have had a streaky performance lately, but Emmanuel Clase is emerging as a Cy Young candidate. The Guardians lead the AL Central but face competition from the Twins and Royals.
San Diego Padres Show Resilience
The San Diego Padres are in seventh place with a record of 72-56. Jurickson Profar is having an outstanding season, and the Padres have shown resilience with multiple come-from-behind victories. They are in a tight race in the NL West.
Arizona Diamondbacks Stay Competitive
The Arizona Diamondbacks are in eighth place with a record of 72-56. Jake McCarthy‘s strong performance post-All-Star break has helped the team stay competitive despite injuries. The Diamondbacks are in the mix for a playoff spot.
Houston Astros’ Hot Streak
The Houston Astros are in ninth place with a record of 68-58. Catcher Yainer Diaz has been leading the recent hot streak with impressive hitting stats since the All-Star break. The Astros are looking to secure a playoff spot in the AL West.
Kansas City Royals’ Offensive Surge
The Kansas City Royals are in tenth place with a record of 71-56. Vinnie Pasquantino has been driving the offensive charge, and the Royals had an explosive week, outscoring opponents significantly. They are in the hunt for a playoff spot in the AL Central.
Injury Updates: Shohei Ohtani and Hunter Greene
Shohei Ohtani was hit on the left forearm by a 91.8 mph sinker from the Rays’ Richard Lovelady. X-rays showed no serious damage, and Ohtani stayed in the game despite visible pain. Manager Dave Roberts expressed relief, noting the potential severity of such injuries.
Hunter Greene avoided UCL damage, with an MRI revealing elbow inflammation. Greene was initially placed on the 15-day injured list with hopes of a short recovery. Despite the positive news about the UCL, Greene is expected to be out longer than the minimum 15 days. He will not resume throwing until the inflammation subsides, which could take up to two weeks.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Highlights
In fantasy baseball news, Dylan Crews is a must-add target ahead of his MLB debut. Other notable waiver wire targets for Week 23 include:
– **Catchers**: Jacob Stallings (Rockies) and Miguel Amaya (Cubs)
– **First Base**: Spencer Torkelson (Tigers) and Niko Kavadas (Angels)
– **Second Base**: Connor Norby (Marlins) and Spencer Horwitz (Blue Jays)
– **Third Base**: Shay Whitcomb (Astros) and Andres Chaparro (Nationals)
– **Shortstop**: Ernie Clement (Blue Jays) and Jose Tena (Nationals)
– **Outfield**: Parker Meadows (Tigers), Tommy Edman (Dodgers), and Joey Loperfido (Blue Jays)
– **Starting Pitcher**: Spencer Arrighetti (Astros), Jacob deGrom (Rangers), and Bowden Francis (Blue Jays)
– **Relief Pitcher**: Lucas Erceg (Royals) and Edwin Uceta (Rays)
MLB Player Props: Best Bets for Saturday
For those interested in MLB player props, here are the best bets for Saturday, August 24:
– **Joc Pederson Home Run (+335) BetRivers**: Pederson faces Kutter Crawford, who has the worst HR/9 in MLB at 1.76. Pederson excels against right-handed pitching with an ISO rate of .264.
– **Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Home Run (+425) BetMGM**: Guerrero Jr. faces Carson Fulmer, who has a high HR/9 rate since becoming a starter. Guerrero Jr. has been hitting hard line-drives and fly-balls recently.
– **Elly De La Cruz Home Run (+480) Caesars**: De La Cruz faces Jake Woodford, who has allowed five home runs in five starts this year. De La Cruz has been performing well lately with strong stats against right-handed pitching.
– **Honorable Mention: James Wood (+830) FanDuel**: Wood has been hitting well recently and has a favorable matchup against the Braves’ Charlie Morton.
Conclusion
The past week in Major League Baseball has been filled with exciting developments, from top prospects making their debuts to tight races for playoff spots. As the season progresses, fans can look forward to more thrilling moments and key performances that will shape the outcome of the 2024 MLB season.
