Trade winds are circling in the Bronx as the Yankees landed Todd Frazier and two arms from the White Sox bullpen. Â The Yankees are giving up Blake Rutherford who was their 1st pick in 2016 and the No-3 ranked prospect in their system. Â It seems like a lot to give up since Frazier has an expiring contract at the end of this year. Â However there doesn’t seem like there is a lot of room in the Yankee outfield for Rutherford to come up and grow. Â I don’t think it is a good trade, the Yankees are in a good position and shouldn’t give up this good of a prospect for bullpen arms. Â If they got a proven starting pitcher that would be worth it but this is a bit of a stretch for the Yankees. Â They still have a ton of prospects and great young talent already in the Bigs so they will be alright.
Every team is in action today with a couple of afternoon games.
St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets – A number of teams have been in contact with the Mets for Jacob deGrom, however the Mets aren’t interested as they still think this is a pitching staff that can lead them to the promised land. Â deGrom has been filthy this year and is the best pitcher on the day. Â The Cardinals are only batting .255 Â as a team which is 16th best in the league. Â deGrom has a WHIP of 1.18, and an ERA a little above 3. Â The Mets should be in good shape to win this one.
Targets: deGrom, Bruce
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Cincinnati Reds – The Reds were shut down yesterday by the Diamondbacks and Robbie Ray. Â Ray didn’t have the strongest performance as he only struck out 4 batters over 6 innings. Â The Diamondbacks should have another big game today with Greinke on the mound. Â He will have a stronger game than Ray did as the Reds still have yet to prove to be a threat. Â The Diamondbacks are scoring runs at will so Greinke will pick up the win in this game, it just depends on how many he is going to strike out. Â Goldschmidt is one of the best bats in the league and is always a great play look for him to pick up a couple hits here and drive in runs.
Target: Greinke, Goldschmidt
Detroit Tigers @ Kansas City Royals –Â The Royals have been hot a have climbed back into the race in the AL Central. Verlander is pitching for the Tigers who had a less than stellar first half of the season. Â It wasn’t awful but it wasn’t up to Verlander’s standards. Â The second half of the season is a new season so look for Verlander to have a good outing here. Â Castallenos had a monster game yesterday and the Tiger veterans in Carbrera and Martinez are always great plays. Â Look for the Tigers to score runs and help Verlander pick up this win.
Targets: Verlander, Castallenos, Cabrera
High-Scoring Plays
Washington Nationals @ L.A. Angels –Â The faces of baseball square off in this series for the only the 2nd time in their careers. Â Harper vs Trout should set up to be a big series. The game finished 4-3 last night where both Trout and Harper homered. Â The difference was that Harper came up with a triple to help the Nationals win it. Â The Angles are a different lineup with with Trout in it. Â The Nationals are hot and are due for a loss in this second half of the season. Â Look for Trout to have a big day against Gio Gonzalez and help turn the Angels season around.
Targets: Trout, Escobar, Revere
Texas Rangers @ Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles went off last night as they scored 6 in the first inning. Â That is the Oriole team that was here in the beginning in the season and the Oriole team that I think will stay. Â Look for them to ride off of the offense from yesterday and have another big day with their bats. Â Machado, Trumbo, Davis, and Jones are all too good of players to be silenced for so long. Â Schoop is one of the quiet players but is electric. Â He can hit for power and run very well once he’s on the base.
Targets: Schoop, Trumbo, Machado
Undervalued Players
Gray – Oak – SP –Â Gray is one of the players that seems to be on the move this trade deadline. Since he might traded I like him to have a huge game to help his trade value. His last 4 starts have been incredible while his ERA is around 1. Â He is only $9600 which is a steal.
Hosmer – 1B – KC –Â If Verlander is going to lose this game, one reason will be because of Hosmer. Â He is batting .314 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI’s. Â Hosmer is a solid play, I won’t be taking him today, but if you don’t believe in Verlander take him.
Holt – 2B/OF – BOS –Â Holt is back up in the big leagues and could be the answer the Red Sox were looking for at 3rd base. Â They can’t afford to trade more prospects so they might as well give Holt the shot. Â If he is in the starting line up take him as he is only $3300. Â He bats 9th so he has Mookie, Bennintendi, Bogaerts coming up right after him.
Khris Davis – OF – OAK –Â Davis has been crushing the ball this year, he has 27 home runs but only 65 as the A’s are not getting on base for him. Â However a home run is still very valuable for a player and Davis can hit them. Â He is only $4200 which is a great price point for a slugger.
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Featured Image Credit: Keith Allison/Flickr C.C. 2.0Â

