The Baltimore Orioles have recently showcased an impressive offensive display, scoring at least seven runs in three of their last four games. This surge in offense is in part due to the standout performances of outfielder Anthony Santander, who continues to emerge as a key player for the team.
Santander’s power was on full display during a victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, where he hit two home runs. The slugger now boasts an impressive tally of 32 home runs and 75 RBIs for the season, establishing himself as a critical contributor to the Orioles' lineup.
Rising Stars in the Infield
Another significant contributor to Baltimore’s recent success is second baseman Jackson Holliday. Since his return from Triple-A Norfolk, Holliday has hit four home runs, with a notable performance against the Blue Jays where he launched three out of the park. His power surge has added a much-needed boost to the Orioles' offensive efforts.
Blue Jays Pitching Struggles
While the Orioles thrive, the Toronto Blue Jays face challenges, particularly with their pitching. Starter Kevin Gausman’s record stands at 9-8 with a 4.56 ERA, reflecting inconsistent performances on the mound. In contrast, Jordan Montgomery, now with the Diamondbacks, has struggled even more, holding a 7-5 record and a 6.37 ERA. Montgomery's inability to make it past five innings in his last four starts has been a concerning trend.
McClure’s Projections Pay Off
In the world of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), McClure’s proprietary projection model continues to hit the mark. Recently, McClure identified Jesse Winker as one of his top MLB DFS picks for Wednesday, a decision that paid off handsomely. Winker went 3-for-5 with an RBI, returning 12.5 points on FanDuel and 11 points on DraftKings.
As of Thursday, McClure turned his spotlight to 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. His consistent performance includes a nine-game hitting streak and a team-high 78 RBIs in 2024, making him a solid pick for DFS participants.
Aaron Judge Leading the Yankees
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge remains a dominant force, reflected in his pricing at $5,400 on DraftKings and $3,900 on FanDuel for Thursday. Judge’s recent game performance included reaching base four times in a 5-2 victory over the Angels. This consistent ability to get on base has been evident, as Judge has drawn five intentional walks since Saturday and is batting .431 over his past 20 games.
Judge has reached base multiple times in 10 of his last 11 games and leads the MLB with an astounding 41 home runs this season, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier power hitters.
Angels’ Pitching Woes
On the opposite side, the Los Angeles Angels have encountered difficulties with their starting pitchers. Tyler Anderson, for example, has posted a 0-2 record with a 4.18 ERA in his last four starts since July 6. The Angels will need better performances from their rotation if they hope to stay competitive.
As the MLB season progresses, these individual performances and team dynamics will continue to shape the playoff picture. With consistent power hitters and standout pitchers, both the Orioles and Yankees are setting a standard for excellence that fans and analysts alike will be watching closely.