-
Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Plates two runs
Baez went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Rays.
Baez had plated just three total runs over his last 10 games, but he was able to take advantage of the Tigers getting on base at a collective .361 clip in the easy win. The Tigers will include Baez in the lineup for Sunday's series finale, with the shortstop batting third against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen.
-
Aledmys Diaz 1B | HOU
Astros' Aledmys Diaz: Filling in for resting Altuve
Diaz will start at second base and bat second in Sunday's game against the Guardians.
After a one-game absence due to a sore ring finger, Diaz checked back into the lineup for Saturday's 4-1 loss, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles an an RBI. He'll make his second straight start in the middle infield, this time replacing a resting Jose Altuve after spelling Jeremy Pena on Saturday. Moving forward, Diaz is projected to see most of his playing time in left field while the Astros wait for Michael Brantley (shoulder) to return from the injured list.
-
Ezequiel Duran 3B | TEX
Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Hits third homer
Duran went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI fielder's choice in an 8-0 win over the White Sox on Saturday.
Duran showed why scouts admire the raw power in his bat by taking a hanging slider from Michael Kopech to the opposite field for his third home run of the season. The 23-year-old infielder was called up after the All-Star break and is slashing .233/.276/.379 in 116 at-bats for the Rangers in his rookie season. Duran is worth watching down the stretch to see if the power he displayed in the minor leagues can translate into success at the major-league level.
-
Yu Chang SS | TB
Rays' Yu Chang: Hits second homer
Chang went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 9-1 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.
Chang has been playing very good baseball since being picked up off waivers by the Rays in early July. The backup utility player is now slashing .342/.375/.474 with one home run in 38 at-bats with his new team. Chang could continue to find his way into the number nine spot in the Rays lineup, which has been depleted by hand injuries to Wander Franco and Harold Ramirez.
-
Jose Barrero SS | BAL
Reds' Jose Barrero: Slugs pair of homers
Barrero went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Brewers.
Barrero's first two hits of the season left the yard, as he hit a two-run shot in the fourth inning and added a solo homer in the sixth. The 24-year-old struggled to a .209/.262/.377 slash line in 55 games with Triple-A Louisville, though he managed nine homers in the minors. He's expected to get an extended audition at shortstop, with Kyle Farmer making a full-time move to third base, per Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
-
David Fletcher 2B | ATL
Angels' David Fletcher: Collects two hits, homer
Fletcher went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in a 7-1 win against the Mariners in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.
Fletcher launched a two-run homer to left field off Seattle starter Chris Flexen in the sixth inning and singled home another run in the ninth. The 28-year-old had sat out the last two games due to a foot injury on the heels of missing over two months as a result of a hip injury but appears to be healthy now. Fletcher is slashing .220/.270/.424 with two long balls, six runs and eight RBI in 21 contests. He has yet to attempt a stolen base after recording 15 thefts last year.
-
Bo Bichette 3B | NYM
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Swats 15th homer
Bichette went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Twins.
Bichette accounted for the Blue Jays' offense with a two-run homer in the fourth inning and an RBI single in the eighth. He's gone 7-for-22 (.318) through five games in August, lifting his season slash line up to .262/.303/.424 with 15 long balls, 59 RBI, 59 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 106 contests.
-
Oneil Cruz CF | PIT
Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Connects on ninth homer
Cruz went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's loss to the Orioles.
Cruz has just 11 hits in 13 games since the All-Star break, but five of them have left the park and he also has 12 RBI over that span. After bouncing around the batting order a bit, Cruz has now hit out of the fifth spot in four straight starts, all against right-handed pitchers.
-
Andrew Velazquez SS | KC
Angels' Andrew Velazquez: Absent from Game 2 lineup
Velazquez is not in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mariners.
Velazquez is playing more of late, but he will not start both games of Saturday's twin bill. David Fletcher will get the nod at shortstop in the nightcap.
-
David Fletcher 2B | ATL
Angels' David Fletcher: Starting in nightcap
Fletcher (foot) is in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mariners.
Fletcher injured his foot when he was struck by a pitch in Thursday's game, and he wound up sitting out Friday's contest and the first game of the twin bill. He is ready to return to action, though, and will play shortstop and hit seventh Saturday night.