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Note: This file will be updated with any overnight pitching changes or weather-related game postponements, as well as the most recent MLB game odds as of the indicated time of publishing.
Light at the end of the tunnel?
Alek Manoah, the Toronto Blue Jays’ starting pitcher, has had a rough few years. He won over MLB fans by fanning three while being mic’d up during the 2022 All-Star Game. Manoah placed third in the Cy Young voting that season.
Manoah was regarded as one of the best starting pitchers entering last year, while some questioned his low strikeout percentage in comparison to other aces. Many people questioned how Manoah, a famously slow worker, would be affected by the newly implemented pitch clock.
Of course, 2023 was a complete disaster. Manoah couldn’t find his flow, whether it was due to regression or having to adjust to the pitch clock. He was relegated twice, the first time to the Florida Complex League, where he was hammered by the New York Yankees’ rookie affiliate in his debut. In September, the right-hander got multiple injections to alleviate shoulder pain and inflammation. He started the treatment despite the lack of structural damage.
Manoah and the Blue Jays disagreed on how he was handled last season, but the two sides reconciled, and the hefty 26-year-old was scheduled to join the Opening Day rotation. He came up to spring training after dropping weight during the winter. However, he experienced shoulder pain and began the season on the injured list.
Manoah threw 18 rehab innings for Triple-A Buffalo, compiling a 6.50 ERA and 1.67 WHIP, but with an encouraging 26 strikeouts. However, he walked seven and gave up four home runs throughout that time.
Manoah made his first start for the Blue Jays in 2024 on May 5. The Washington Nationals burned him up, allowing six earned runs on seven hits in four innings.
A week later, Manoah stymied a strong Minnesota Twins lineup, allowing three runs (but none earned) on four hits. He struck out six while providing only one free pass. Is this enough to say Manoah has turned the corner?
His pitch mix and usage resemble those of 2022: four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, and changeup. However, the velocity on his four-seamer and sinker has increased slightly, which is positive, especially given the potential for more strikeouts.
If Manoah’s belongings return, command and control will be the key. Manoah’s strike percentage was only 56.5% in his first start of the season, but it increased to 70.5% in his most recent game.
Is this enough to erase two years of disappointment? No, not even close. However, Manoah should be back on the fantasy radar. Maintain velocity and aim for a strike percentage of roughly 65%. If Manoah can achieve both, outcomes should follow.
On Sunday, Manoah (5.5% rostered in ESPN leagues) is ranked sixth overall among potential starts and the top heating option. The high ranking reflects his early success, however the low rostership is due to his difficulties last season and this year. Manoah and the Toronto Blue Jays complete a home series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
In head-to-head leagues, deployment is based on requirements. In other forms, my preference is to wait at least one more outing and keep an eye on strikeouts. The bright element is that Manoah has at least entered the chat.
What else you should know for Sunday:
• Chicago Cubs SP Jameson Taillon (21.8% rostered) ranks slightly below Manoah. Taillon had a 1.13 ERA and.88 after four starts, three of which came at home in Wrigley Field. The Atlanta Braves pounded him the last time out, scoring seven runs (just two earned) on seven hits in four innings. On Sunday, Taillon will face the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have the league’s second least productive lineup while fanning the fifth most righties, making Taillon one of the ledger’s top spot starters.
• Sean Manaea, a southpaw for the New York Mets, has made two strong starts in May. He’s in a good position to keep the run going with a road game at South Beach against the Miami Marlins. With a lefty on the mound, the host offense has the second lowest wOBA in Major League Baseball.
• JP Sears has been fortunate in that his ERA is 3.96, despite the fact that the projected level is nearly a run higher. A low .The primary causes are 238 BABIP and 77.4% left on the base mark. Despite the impending ratio earnings correction, Sears will be in action on Sunday when the Oakland Athletics finish their series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The host offense is the tenth least productive against lefties.
Starting pitcher rankings for Sunday
Reliever report
Check out the current Closer Chart, which will be updated every morning, for the most up-to-date information on each team’s bullpen hierarchy, including which pitchers may be fatigued and who may be the most likely suspects to pilfer a save or pick up a surprise hold in their place.
Hitting Report
Plan ahead in fantasy baseball with our Forecaster estimates. Every day, we will present an updated preview of the next ten days for each team, forecasting the matchup quality for hitters (both overall and by handedness) and base stealers.
