The Baltimore Orioles have been lighting up the scoreboard lately, registering at least seven runs in three of their last four games. This recent offensive outburst has been fueled, in part, by the standout performance of outfielder Anthony Santander.
Santander Stepping Up
Emerging as a key player for the Orioles, Anthony Santander has been showcasing his power at an opportune time. Santander recently hammered two home runs in a decisive victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, adding to his impressive season totals of 32 home runs and 75 RBIs. His contributions have been pivotal in maintaining the Orioles' competitive edge in the league.
Holliday's Instant Impact
As the Orioles continue to pile up the runs, another noteworthy contributor has been second baseman Jackson Holliday. Following his return from Triple-A Norfolk, Holliday has wasted no time making his presence felt. He has slugged four home runs since his recall, three of which came against the Blue Jays. His return adds another layer of depth to an already potent Orioles lineup.
Blue Jays' Struggles on the Mound
Conversely, it's been a rough stretch for Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman. Holding a 9-8 record and a 4.56 ERA, Gausman has struggled to find consistency. The Blue Jays will need him to regain his form if they hope to keep pace in their division.
In a similar vein, Jordan Montgomery, now with the Diamondbacks, has found it challenging to deliver extended outings. With a record of 7-5 and a 6.37 ERA, Montgomery has failed to pitch beyond five innings in his last four starts. His struggles only compound the challenges faced by the Diamondbacks' pitching staff.
DFS Picks Rising
Fantasy sports enthusiasts have also turned their attention to some standout individual performances. McClure’s proprietary projection model, known for simulating each game 10,000 times, has consistently identified key players. On Wednesday, McClure pinpointed Jesse Winker as one of his top MLB DFS picks. Winker delivered by going 3-for-5 with an RBI, tallying 12.5 points on FanDuel and 11 points on DraftKings.
As of Thursday, McClure spotlighted Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm for DFS. Priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,300 on FanDuel, Bohm has been a linchpin in Philadelphia’s lineup. Leading the team with 128 hits this season, Bohm is riding a nine-game hitting streak and has a team-high 78 RBIs in 2024.
Judge Continues to Dominate
Meanwhile, New York Yankees' Aaron Judge remains one of the most disciplined and dangerous hitters in baseball. In the Yankees' 5-2 victory over the Angels on Wednesday, Judge reached base four times, a testament to his laser-focused approach at the plate. Judge's recent plate performances have been stellar, drawing five intentional walks since Saturday and batting .431 over his past 20 games. He has reached base multiple times in 10 of his last 11 contests, solidifying his status as a formidable force in the lineup. With 41 home runs this season, Judge leads the MLB, a stat that speaks volumes about his offensive prowess.
Pitching Woes for the Angels
On the other side, the Los Angeles Angels have been grappling with pitching issues, particularly with starter Tyler Anderson. Anderson has posted a 0-2 record with a 4.18 ERA in his last four starts since July 6. His recent outings underscore the ongoing challenges facing the Angels’ rotation as they strive for stability.
The recent performances of both hitters and pitchers across Major League Baseball highlight the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport. As teams and individual players navigate the grueling season, the impact of key contributors like Santander, Holliday, Bohm, and Judge remains undeniable.