The Baltimore Orioles are on a roll, exhibiting a level of offensive prowess that has fans buzzing with excitement and opponents scrambling for answers. The Orioles have lit up the scoreboard, tallying at least seven runs in three of their last four games. This scoring surge has been led by standout performances from key players, most notably outfielder Anthony Santander and second baseman Jackson Holliday.
Santander's Star Shines Bright
Anthony Santander is proving to be a crucial asset for Baltimore. In a recent victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, Santander smashed two home runs, adding to his already impressive season statistics. Santander now boasts 32 home runs and 75 RBIs, solidifying his role as a powerhouse in the Orioles' lineup.
Holliday's Impactful Return
Jackson Holliday's return from Triple-A Norfolk has been nothing short of spectacular. The second baseman has hit four home runs since rejoining the Orioles, with three of those homers coming in a series against the Blue Jays. Holliday's ability to contribute significantly right off the bat highlights his readiness to compete at the highest level.
Challenges for Pitchers
On the mound, Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman continues to face difficulties. With a record of 9-8 and an ERA of 4.56, Gausman has struggled to find consistency. Similarly, Jordan Montgomery of the Diamondbacks has hit a rough patch. With a record of 7-5 and a high ERA of 6.37, Montgomery hasn't been able to pitch past the fifth inning in his last four starts. These struggles underline the challenges pitchers face in maintaining form over the grueling MLB season.
DFS Picks and Performance
Fantasy sports enthusiasts have been keenly following McClure's proprietary projection model, which simulates each game 10,000 times. On Wednesday, McClure identified Jesse Winker as one of his top MLB Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) picks. Winker delivered a stellar performance, going 3-for-5 with an RBI, and returning 12.5 points on FanDuel and 11 points on DraftKings.
For Thursday’s pick, McClure spotlighted Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm. Priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,300 on FanDuel, Bohm has been leading Philadelphia's lineup with 128 hits this season. As of Thursday, Bohm is riding a nine-game hitting streak and has a team-high 78 RBIs in 2024.
Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge was also highlighted, with DFS prices set at $5,400 on DraftKings and $3,900 on FanDuel for Thursday. Judge has been in exceptional form, reaching base four times in the Yankees' 5-2 victory over the Angels on Wednesday. Judge has drawn five intentional walks since Saturday, batting .431 over his past 20 games, and has reached base multiple times in 10 of his last 11 games. Impressively, Judge leads the MLB with 41 home runs this season.
Pitching Woes for the Angels
Angels starter Tyler Anderson has struggled in recent outings, posting a 0-2 record with a 4.18 ERA in his last four starts since July 6. The Angels will be looking for Anderson to turn things around and provide more stability on the mound as the season progresses.
As the season continues to unfold, both individual performances and team dynamics will play critical roles in shaping the playoff picture. Whether it's the Orioles' offensive might, the challenges faced by pitchers like Gausman and Montgomery, or the standout contributions of DFS picks, each game is a testament to the ever-evolving drama of Major League Baseball.