In a recent surge of performance, the Baltimore Orioles have showcased their offensive prowess by scoring at least seven runs in three of their last four games. A significant contributor to this offensive explosion has been outfielder Anthony Santander, who continues to emerge as a key player for the team. Santander's recent feats include knocking out two home runs in a commanding victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, bringing his season total to an impressive 32 home runs and 75 RBIs.
Another standout for the Orioles has been second baseman Jackson Holliday, who has made a notable impact since returning from Triple-A Norfolk. Holliday has launched four home runs, three of which came against the Blue Jays, demonstrating his powerful hitting ability and providing a substantial boost to Baltimore’s lineup.
Blue Jays' Struggles on the Mound
The Toronto Blue Jays, on the other hand, have faced challenges with their starting pitchers. Kevin Gausman, one of their key starters, has a current record of 9-8 and an ERA of 4.56. These statistics reflect the inconsistency that the Blue Jays' pitching staff has been grappling with. Conversely, former Blue Jay and current Diamondbacks starter Jordan Montgomery has been enduring a rough patch, with a record of 7-5 and a high ERA of 6.37. In his last four starts, Montgomery has struggled to make it past five innings, exacerbating the issues faced by the Diamondbacks.
DFS Picks and Performances
In the world of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), McClure's proprietary projection model, which simulates each game 10,000 times, has identified some key players likely to offer value. On Wednesday, McClure pinpointed Jesse Winker as one of his top MLB DFS picks. Winker delivered an impressive performance, going 3-for-5 with an RBI, resulting in 12.5 points on FanDuel and 11 points on DraftKings.
As of Thursday, McClure has shifted his spotlight to Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm. Bohm, priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,300 on FanDuel, leads Philadelphia’s lineup with 128 hits this season. He is currently on a nine-game hitting streak and boasts a team-high 78 RBIs in 2024, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the Phillies' batting order.
Yankees' Offensive Powerhouse
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge continues to make headlines with his consistent and powerful performance. For Thursday, Judge is priced at $5,400 on DraftKings and $3,900 on FanDuel. In the Yankees' recent 5-2 victory over the Angels on Wednesday, Judge reached base four times, demonstrating his exceptional skill at the plate. Over his past 20 games, Judge is batting an astounding .431 and has drawn five intentional walks since Saturday. His ability to reach base multiple times in 10 of his last 11 games underscores his critical importance to the Yankees' lineup. Furthermore, Judge currently leads the MLB with 41 home runs this season, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's premier sluggers.
Challenges for Angels' Pitching
The Los Angeles Angels have also faced their own set of pitching challenges. Starter Tyler Anderson has posted a 0-2 record with a 4.18 ERA in his last four starts since July 6. Anderson’s struggles on the mound have been a part of the larger difficulties that the Angels have had in maintaining a consistent pitching performance throughout the season.
With teams like the Orioles and Yankees continuing to push forward with strong offensive displays, and pitchers like Gausman, Montgomery, and Anderson seeking to stabilize their outings, the coming weeks promise to be filled with pivotal moments that could shape the trajectory of their seasons. Players like Santander, Holliday, Winker, Bohm, and Judge remain central figures to watch as they influence game outcomes and drive their respective teams toward success.