Betting

On the second anniversary of Cease’s no-hitter for the Padres in 2024, it looked like he’d be on the verge of history once again as he held the Red Sox without a hit through five innings before Andruw Monasterio led off the sixth with a double. It was the only hit he’d allow on the day as he went the distance in this one, recording the last six outs all via the strikeout to collect a dozen.

Ray was brilliant against the Angels on Saturday, holding them scoreless over six innings on his way to a win. He scattered six hits and two walks, tossing 54 of 80 pitches for strikes to collect five strikeouts. It was an excellent showcase for the 34-year-old left-hander, who could find himself on the move by the August 3 trade deadline. He’ll take a 3.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 101/56 K/BB ratio across 116 2/3 innings into a start against the Padres in San Diego on Thursday.

Roberts added that Ohtani’s left knee doesn’t feel 100 percent following his latest bullpen session earlier this week, but expressed confidence that he’ll pitch again this season. There’s zero incentive for the Dodgers to push Ohtani back out on the mound at this stage of the season, which means that fantasy managers shouldn’t count on him making a significant impact, if any, from a pitching standpoint over the final two months.

Minnesota manager Derek Shelton told reporters the expectation is that Ryan will pitch at some point against the Royals next week. The 30-year-old’s name is going to come up a ton in trade rumors over the next couple weeks leading into the trade deadline. Clearly, the Twins aren’t going to take any chances if he’s not feeling right from a physical standpoint. It doesn’t sound like a significant concern since the club hasn’t placed him on the injured list. There should be some much-needed additional clarity concerning Ryan’s next start at some point next week, but fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate a lengthy absence.

Arrighetti lands on the injured list after departing Friday’s start against the White Sox following just 33 pitches over one inning with nerve irritation in his foot. The 26-year-old looked like a fixture in fantasy rotations for several weeks after returning from the injured list in mid-April, but his performance unraveled as the first half wore on. He surrendered six earned runs or more in three of his final four starts before the All-Star break, and now heads back to the shelf after another abbreviated outing. It’s unclear how much time he’s going to miss, but fantasy managers should brace for the possibility of an extended absence.

Perez moved past Royals icon George Brett for sole possession of first place as Kansas City’s all-time home run leader with a seventh-inning solo shot to left field against Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan. It was the 318th round-tripper of his remarkable career. The 36-year-old ironman has gone deep four times in nine contests since the Midsummer Classic. His days as a mixed-league relevant fantasy backstop are probably finished at this advanced stage of his career, but he remains a decent power source at the position in deeper leagues.

The Mets can’t seem to catch a break. Soto winds up requiring a trip to the injured list with a left calf issue for the second time this season after suffering the injury during Friday’s showdown against the Dodgers. New York’s interim skipper Andy Green told reporters Soto has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain that will keep him out for at least three weeks, if not longer. Simply put, fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him back until at least mid-to-late August or early September. The 27-year-old generational talent has put together another borderline elite fantasy campaign, slashing .283/.408/.539 with 46 runs scored, 21 homers, 52 RBI and seven steals in 359 plate appearances through 84 games. His absence kicks the door wide open for rookie A.J. Ewing to play everyday in left field.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Suarez is finally ready to take the ball after his return from the injured list was delayed by an illness earlier this week. The 30-year-old All-Star southpaw will return to a red-hot Boston squad after missing exactly three weeks with a groin strain. He got off to a bit of a slow start in his Red Sox debut, but finished the first half with a sparkling 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 97/26 K/BB ratio across 91 1/3 innings. It’ll be rookie Peyton Tolle drawing the starting assignment for Monday’s series opener against the Athletics out in West Sacramento.

Kurtz returns to the Athletics’ lineup for Saturday’s contest against the Twins following a two-week absence recovering from a thumb sprain that he suffered prior to the All-Star break. The 23-year-old on-base machine should provide a massive lift for the struggling Athletics, and fantasy managers as well, after making a lightning-quick recovery. He was off to an excellent start at the plate prior to the injury, slashing .266/.405/.497 with 61 runs scored, 20 homers, 66 RBI and seven steals in 412 plate appearances across 92 games.

Whisenhunt draws a favorable matchup against the Angels at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park. He misses plenty of bats, but needs to refine his command if he’s going to make the leap to fantasy mainstay at some point in the future. The 25-year-old former top prospect is coming off one of his best performances of the year where he piled up eight punchouts over five scoreless innings at Triple-A Salt Lake last weekend. He figures to get an extended run in San Francisco’s rotation, assuming they’re planning on moving impending free agent Robbie Ray at the upcoming trade deadline. He’s at least worth monitoring closely in deeper mixed leagues.