Twin Bombs From Raleigh But Twins Still Rally

Seattle Mariners catcher slash slugger slash AL home run leader slash heart throb Cal Raleigh added two more tanks to his total Friday night with a three-run bomb in the first inning to make him the first catcher in history to have 20 or more home runs before June 1. Well, that’s really something, isn’t it! Maybe I shouldn’t have punted on catcher? But wait, he wasn’t done there, the Big Dumper took a big number two deep in the eighth inning for his 21st homer of the year, along with five RBI on the night. He’s on pace for 60 homers and a 10+ fWAR, which would both be records for a catcher. If this holds, he’d be the first catcher with 50 homers in ever. In ever, internet friends and stalkers! And that 1.004 OPS? Sweet sassy molassy! Can we swoon for a sec? Yes, swooon. Very good! Despite Cal’s superherodom, Seattle’s Raleigh could not stop the Twins rally of their own. Willi Castro willed his own legacy game going 2-for-3 with home runs in the seventh and ninth inning, Trevor Larnach was 4-for-6 with his eighth home run and the game tying single in the ninth inning, Carlos Correa hit the go-ahead home run in the 10th inning, his sixth, and the Twinks never looked back. M’s can blame Andres Munoz, who allowed four hits and three earned runs en route to blowing his first save of the season. I suppose he was due for some regression. It was a game full of impressive rallys or Raleighs, and while the comeback puts a damper on the Big Dumper’s big day it’s safe to say Cal’s headed for a very special season the likes of which we’ve not seen from the catcher position since prime Buster Posey or Sal Perez. We’re living history! When can we start the MVP chatter? Raleigh’s not just the best catcher in the game; he’s one of the most elite hitters in the sport, folks! Big Dumper for two!

Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:

Framber Valdez – 9.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, BB, 9 K, 5th win. We’ve got a Framber Alert in Houston, several bats have reportedly gone missing! Swinging and missing, to be precise. He gave up a leadoff home run to Jose Caballero, and that’s when he got mad. He sent down the next 27 of the 30 batters he faced, and the Rays could only hit dinky ground balls off him. Valdez is top five in ground ball rate this season, and this start proved how effective it can be. He was lucky to get the win, though, heading into the ninth with the score tied, but Yainer Diaz saved his day and got him the big dub.

Yainer Diaz – 2-for-4, HR (7). His second bomb is as many days, and this one was even better as it was of the walk-off variety. One of the best varieties you can get. After being unrosterable in April he’s slashing .295/.343/.484 in May with five home runs! So many good catchers to roster this year, aren’t you glad you drafted him so high?

Ryan Pepiot – 6.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, BB, 4 K. Put a little Pepiot in my stepiot! Ryan has had an impressive string of five straight quality starts in May and gets another prime matchup with the Rangers next week. Nine of the ten homers he’s allowed on the year have come at home, but it hasn’t really mattered, so take that with a grain of salt, or Pepiot!

Jose Caballero – 1-for-3, HR (2) as he led off. He was a BUY, he plays every position, he’s batting over .250, and has eight steals over the past two weeks. If that’s not appealing to you, you have to lower your standards a bit.

Jake Magnum – 0-for-3. So this is the guy they sent my beloved Chandler Simpson down for? D’oh!

Andrew Abbott – 7.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, BB, 8 K, 5th win. The win moves him to 5-0, and he lowers his ERA to 1.51 in the process. Yes, really! Speaking of ground balls, he has a scary high fly ball rate and scary low ground ball rate, but I ain’t hating. You keep doing you, King.

TJ Friedl – 2-for-3, HR (4), SB (9). That’s seven straight multi-hit games for TJF and TGIF cause he homered Friday. He’s batting .520 with a homer and a steal, and seven runs in the past week. That’ll play!

Jake Fraley – 1-for-3, HR (4), 2 RBI. Kevin can’t be in charge of telling you when everyone is coming off the IL, just top 50 or so players, right? I mean, I get the guy is bad at his job, but you can’t count on him for everything.

Zach Eflin – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, BB, 6 K, 4th win. Best Eflin start of the year! It was also the easiest match up he’s received to date. Not saying the two are correlated! But he does get another decent matchup next week in Seattle.

DL Hall – 3.0 IP, 0 hits, BB, 4 K, and Quinn Priester 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER. The Brewers basically shut down the mighty Phillies using just two pitchers, and D.L.H. could very well be the best opener in all of baseball. None of this is very helpful for fantasy, but it does remind me the Brewers know exactly what they’re doing with their pitchers, even if I’m upset they sent Logan Henderson down.

Christian Yelich – 3-for-5, 2 HR (12), 4 RBI. How do you make a Christian Yelich? Keep talking about his mom, I guess? Yelich’s second multi- home run game OF THE WEEK after not having one all of last year. Here’s the first and the second. Which did you prefer? The first for me, I love them oppo tacos. He’s got five home runs and 12 RBI over his past seven games. The .220/.305/.416 is meh, but his 28 RBI is more than Shohei.

Jeffrey Springs – 2.0 IP, 6 hits, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 4th L. His 4.72 ERA is top five in the league among qualified starters. That’s top five in the bad way.

Chris Bassitt – 5.0 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 5th win.  Regression fairies are sick of the Knicks. They think they show Timothee Chalamet too much, would like to see more Taylor Swift, and they will destroy your ratios.  This is Bassitt’s second win after giving up 5+ ER, and he sees his ERA jump to 3.80. Better lucky than good!

Ernie Clement – 4-for-5, 2 runs, HR (3). A little Burt told me his partner Ernie is worth a look with seven hits in two days and two tanks, including this beaut! He wasn’t a BUY, but Grey said only, “because one can only take so much Ernie Clement talk, but he’s currently lost the L and won’t have you wearing cement shoes to the bottom of your fantasy league.” And that’s me quoting Grey!

Addison Barger – 1-for-3, 3 runs, HR (3). Jays scored 11 runs on 15 hits, including this shot. Only Shohei has a higher average exit velocity than Addison. Is that more than you Barger’d for?

Tyler Soderstrom – 1-for-2, HR (11). His first home run since May 14th, and I was beginning to get nervous for a second that my waiver wire darling was fading. Hopefully, this is the start of another hot streak.

Lawrence Butler – 2-for-4, SB (9). The Butler is serving up a .400+ average over the past week with a home run and a steal. I think part of the reason my offense is struggling so much so far is that I own Butler everywhere, and he hasn’t quite lived up to what he delivered in the final two months of 2024. Patience! It’s coming.

Jose Soriano – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 4th win versus Luis Ortiz 6.0 IP, 7 hits, ER, 2 BB, 5 K. No disrespect to Jose or Luis but if you showed me pictures of both of them side by side there’s zero chance I would know who’s who, but on Friday night Jose was the winner.

Jorge Soler – 2-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI. You know summer is here when Soler power arrives. Grey told you to BUY, and we are willing a hot streak into existence. Will harder!

David Peterson – 5.2 IP, 5 hits, ER, BB, 5 K, 4th win. StreamONator loved this start and rightfully so, Peterson and his 2.69 ERA have been almost as good as the Rockies have been bad. He hasn’t given up more than 3 runs in a start all year! He gets a scary match up with the Dodgers in LA next week, who he handled last week. Can this streak continue!? I don’t know, but I could see considering the prospect of maybe thinking about mulling over the possibility of contemplating whether or not I should review the option of potentially picking him up. I still don’t know for sure, though!

Francisco Lindor – 3-for-4, 3 runs, 2 HR (12). Lindo was all the offense for the Mets Friday nights with twin ding dong,s including a lead off homer that got the party started. More impressively, he homered from each side of the plate. Even more impressively was this snag that saved two runs in the third! The man can do it all! Make him captain already!

Kyle Harrison – 5.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1st win. The fastball looked terrific, and this was easily Kyle’s best start of the year, registering 14 swings and misses on the night. He gets a much tougher test versus the Padres next week, and until he shows me he can go deeper into games, I’ll just have to watch his clips on twitter. But I am watching him!

Camilo Doval – 1.1 IP, BB, 2 K, SV (6). His first save since April 24th, and he hasn’t allowed a run since April 7th. Tell me again why Ryan Walker was the closer for so long?

Grant Holmes – 5.2 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, BB, 9 K, 4th L. The nine strikeouts are nice, and he’s looked good in four straight outings now, but I want no part of that Sneks start next week. You feel me, Holmes?

Lucas Giolito – 4.2 IP, 5 hits, ER, 2 BB, 3 K. Mr. Manager Cora pulled him in the fourth so he wouldn’t have to face Matt Olson, who has historically crushed him. So he doesn’t get the win, but he does get a revenge game against the Angels next week. I could see it, just not on my team.

Abraham Toro – 3-for-4, run, RBI. BUY. Toro strong like bull slashing .294/.294/.549. He’s also got three homers in the past seven games and plays first base, which no one on this Red Sox team seems to want to do.

Trevor Story – 1-for-4, HR (7), slashing .131/.191/.164. He also struck out three times. It was his first home run since May 10th. If I were Mr. Manager for the Red Sox I’d make Story play first if the GM wouldn’t let me DFA him. First base could be like timeout, if you’re not hitting, you gotta do it. Thems the rules. Problem solved.

Jack Leiter – 5.2 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 4th win. Leiter has the prestigious honor of being my first lede of 2025, and all things considered, that was a pretty OK recommendation I made that one time!

Marcus Semien – 4-for-4, 3 runs, HR (4), 3 RBI. Right, but we need to apply the lime because I’m not going to sacrifice my perfect lawn just because we needed somewhere to bury the body, and–wait, Semien moved! He’s alive!

Sam Haggerty – 3-for-4, 3 runs, 3 RBI. Scored 11 runs (ELEVEN) with 15 hits as Haggerty led off. The speed is nice but you gotta think they could have someone better leading off?

Wyatt Langford – 1-for-4, HR (11). Like this guy, for example, who can do this and steal. Just when I think things are clicking for Wyatt, he goes 4-for-25. The power and speed have been there, though, he’s close to putting it all together this time! At least I really hope so!

Riley Greene – 1-for-5, HR (13). He’s top five in the AL in RBI, which I don’t think anyone expected. If dude can cut down on strikeouts, he could be among the league’s best. He also hit this gorgeous 430 footer. We call that a compliment sandwich!

Spencer Torkelson – 2-for-5, HR (14), 2 RBI. He should be good for 25 home runs as Detroit wins their fifth in a row. Hey, I just texted you to call me, can you call me I have to tell you something. Great, thanks for calling, I know this is obvious, but I wanted to tell you in person, “The Tigers are a wagon, ya’ll!”

Dillon Dingler – 3-for-3, HR (5), 3 RBI, slashing .303/.329/.465. The Dillon Dingler ding dong dinger!  There may be better catchers out there, but none of them have names that are nearly as fun to say as Dingler.

Bobby Witt Jr. – 1-for-5, HR (6). BWJ with an absolute shotski, 450 footer in the falls! This is one instance where you should go chasing waterfalls. It was his first bomb since May 7th, and while he provides value elsewhere (20 steals), the power has to be there if he’s going to be considered a top three fantasy pick. Hit harder, Bobby!

Casey Mize – 3.1 IP, 8 hits, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Smize struggled in this one, but the Tigers gave him plenty of run support so he could chill a bit. He should fair better at the Shite Sox next week.

Seth Lugo – 3.1 IP, 5 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. Like Mize, except Lugo was shaking off the rust in his return from the IL, and the Tigers is no cake walk matchup. I expect better next week in St Louis.

Nick Pivetta – 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 6th win. His ERA actually went up to 2.74 with this start. If you take out the start at Coors, Pivetta’s been elite in May, with three straight quality starts. If you’d allow me to rant for a second that my Boston Red Sox can’t find a reliable starter, but they let Nathan Eovaldi and Nick Pivetta walk, both of whom are thriving elsewhere, and why is this happening to me?

Jake Irvin – 5.0 IP, 10 hits, 6 ER, BB, 0 K, 4th win. Love that 11 base runners, 6 earned runs win. Well earned, Jake!

James Wood – 1-for-4, HR (16). James got wood all over this one, and we all got wood watching it. That’s four homers, 10 RBI, and 2 steals in the past week for J-Dubs, and he’s top five on the fantasy player rater. Wood you believe that? I’m on board! No pain, no grain!

Josh Bell – 2-for-4, HR (9), 3 RBI. Was that enough wood puns in the last blurb, or do we need more? Birch, please!

Robert Hassell III – 2-for-5, 3 RBI. After an 0-for-12 stretch, he’s now hit safely in three straight. He’s striking out a lot and not walking at all, which is troublesome, but he still has a higher batting average than Dylan Crews.

Zebby Matthews – 7.0 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER, BB, 7 K. ROUGH first inning for the Zebbster where he gave up four runs but calmed down after that to lead all Friday pitches in whiffs with 15, which led to 7 Ks. I really like that he went seven innings, too. If someone’s fading, I’m buying, even with a scary start in Sacramento’s baby ballpark next week.

Bryan Woo – 6.2 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, BB, 3 K. Speaking of babies, I always felt the M’s babied Woo in his usage but he’s pitched six or more innings in all of 11 of his outings next year, so maybe babying is the way to go. Call him Bryan Goo Woo Ga Ga.

Paul Goldschmidt – 1-for-5, HR (6). Austin Wells also homered (9). Tony Gonsolin (6.0 IP, 6 hits, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 3rd win) gave up 4 home runs and still managed to snag the victory. It’s good to be a Dodger.

Max Fried – 5.0 IP, 8 hits, 6 ER, 3 K, 1st L. ERA ballooned to 1.82. Regression fairies hate that Tom Cruise does his own stunts. They think it’s unnecessary risk taking for one of Hollywood’s most beloved movie stars, and they will destroy your ratios.

Aaron Judge – 2-or-5, HR (19), slashing .392/.486/.750. See ya later beisbol! OK, the slash is decent and the 19 home runs is totally fine, but you’ve now fallen three behind the big dog, and you’re not even leading in your league anymore, and I don’t know, the whole thing just seems kind of embarrassing to me. I’m honestly embarrassed for him.

Trent Grisham – 2-for-5, HR (13), 2 RBI. Mr. Manager Boone never met a lead off home run he didn’t love. Can you imagine if Judge led off!?

Alex Vesia – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, SV (2). Tanner Scott got an out in the eighth, and Vesia handled the ninth. Will Vesia gets saves going forward. Is Alexis Diaz worth the add, or will Tanner Scott reclaim his gig? Find out next week on “As The Bullpen Burns Your Ratios.”

Shohei Ohtani – 2-for-5, 2 HR (22). Loyal readers (hi mom!) know I like to save the best for last, and I’ve had a tremendous streak of my own ending these blurbs with Brohei Brotani of late. Perhaps it’s because he’s the best? It’s also fitting I’m bookending this post with the AL and NL home runs leaders, neither of which is Aaron Judge. Shohei’s first bomb came in the first inning, which was definitely an anything you can do, I can do better shot aimed at Judge, who also homered in the first. His second came in the 5th with the Dodgers down three. The 15 homers in May are the second most lead off homers in a month of all time, just in case you care. Two solo shots? Well, he can’t do it all himself, people! Can the guy get a little help please? Hmm, maybe there is a reason Judge doesn’t lead off. There are at least 162 times a year Ohtani will come to bat with no one on base. Maybe fix that, Mr. Manager Roberts? Ribbies aside, the second homer gave Shohei his 61st run scored of the year, which is the most runs scored for any player before June 1. I see your RBIs, Judgey, and raise you the most runs scored in three months ever. Top that! This Ohtani/Judge race is one of the best things happening in sports. You love to see it, and I think we’re in for a historic summer! 150 runs is in reach! Make it happen, MLB!

Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!