The Baltimore Orioles' recent offensive surge has grabbed the spotlight in Major League Baseball, as they have managed to tally at least seven runs in three of their last four games. A key player in this impressive performance has been outfielder Anthony Santander, who seems to be finding his stride just at the right time. Santander’s contributions were particularly noticeable in a recent victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, where he launched two home runs. With these additional homers, Santander's season tally now stands at 32 home runs and 75 RBIs, underscoring his importance to the Orioles' lineup.
Not to be outdone, second baseman Jackson Holliday has also made headlines following his return from Triple-A Norfolk. Holliday has hit four home runs since his comeback, three of which came in a series against the Blue Jays. His newfound power at the plate has provided a timely boost to the Orioles as they chase postseason success.
Blue Jays’ Struggles
While the Orioles have been thriving, the Toronto Blue Jays have faced their own set of challenges. Starter Kevin Gausman has had a roller-coaster season, marked by a 9-8 record and a 4.56 ERA. His inconsistencies on the mound have hampered the Blue Jays' efforts to solidify their position in a competitive division.
Similarly, Jordan Montgomery, now pitching for the Diamondbacks, hasn't fared much better. Montgomery holds a 7-5 record with a 6.37 ERA and has struggled to get past the fifth inning in his last four starts. This lack of endurance has put considerable strain on the Diamondbacks' bullpen, complicating their game plans and limiting their chances of sustained success.
McClure’s Projections on Point
In the realm of daily fantasy sports (DFS), savvy players have come to rely on McClure’s proprietary projection model, which simulates each MLB game 10,000 times to predict top performers. On Wednesday, McClure identified Jesse Winker as one of his top picks, and Winker did not disappoint, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. This performance yielded 12.5 points on FanDuel and 11 points on DraftKings, validating McClure’s projections once again.
As of Thursday, McClure had spotlighted Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm for DFS, and for good reason. Bohm is having a standout season, leading Philadelphia's lineup with 128 hits and carrying a nine-game hitting streak. Priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,300 on FanDuel, Bohm has also accumulated a team-high 78 RBIs in 2024, making him a valuable asset in DFS lineups.
Aaron Judge: A Consistent Force
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge continues to be a dominant force at the plate. Judge’s recent performance in the Yankees' 5-2 victory over the Angels saw him reach base four times, a testament to his keen eye and plate discipline. This feat adds to a remarkable stretch where he has drawn five intentional walks since Saturday, highlighting the respect he commands from opposing pitchers.
Batting .431 over his past 20 games, Judge has reached base multiple times in 10 of his last 11 games and leads MLB with 41 home runs this season. His ability to consistently perform at such a high level is a significant factor in the Yankees' recent successes and their aspirations for the remainder of the season.
Angels’ Pitching Woes
The Angels, on the other hand, have faced challenges with their starting rotation. Tyler Anderson's recent outings have been less than stellar, as he 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 part of a broader issue for the Angels, who have found it difficult to maintain consistency and momentum.
As the MLB season progresses, these individual performances and team dynamics will undoubtedly continue to shape the playoff picture. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Orioles can maintain their scoring spree, whether the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks can find stability on the mound, and if stars like Aaron Judge can keep delivering in the crucial moments.