Latest news with #AddisonBarger
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Addison Barger's two-run homer (16)
Addison Barger hammers a two-run home run to right field, scoring Joey Loperfido and cutting the deficit to 9-3 in the 9th inning
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
When Addison Barger hits a changeup, Blue Jays star homers 13% of the time
Who knew that Addison Barger was the changeup crusher? The Toronto Blue Jays' breakout lefty hitter has mashed against all sorts of offerings this season, but he's had an absurd campaign against changeups. The latest moment came Tuesday afternoon when Barger got a changeup from Charlie Morton and blasted a two-run home run. After Barger rounded the bases, Sportsnet play-by-play man Dan Shulman shared a stat that was hard to believe. Barger has had 54 at bats this season end with a changeup. Seven of those have resulted in homers, a 13% rate. It seemed too good to be true, but Barger's Baseball Savant page confirms the data as Shulman presented it. MORE: Corbin Carroll is unmatched in MLB history Barger has five singles and two doubles this season off changeups (technically splitters and forkballs would fall into this classification, too), but the seven homers show that's not necessarily a pitch you want to throw to the Blue Jays slugger. Hitting changeups is a skill requiring a bat that stays through the zone a long time, and a lower half that hangs back just long enough to adjust to the offspeed pitch. Barger clearly has that skill down, and he showed it again on Tuesday afternoon. MORE MLB NEWS: Dodgers sign Missouri football's QB to contract Blue Jays make Toronto history not achieved since 1992 World Series team Emmanuel Clase goes from trade target to concerning Guardians story Orioles' catcher used a Happy Gilmore swing to hit a home run There's a sad truth to Aaron Judge's injury for Yankees Edwin Diaz is MLB's best pitcher since learning his legs were different lengths
CTV News
28-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
MLB-leading Toronto Blue Jays will be buyers at Thursday's trade deadline
Toronto Blue Jays' Addison Barger (47) celebrates a solo home run with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (right) against the New York Yankees during fifth inning MLB baseball action, in Toronto on Thursday, July 3, 2025. The Toronto Blue Jays are the best team in baseball with a 63-43 record heading into Monday night's game in Baltimore against the Orioles. According to that gives Toronto a 97.3 per cent chance of making the post-season and an 8.6 per cent shot at winning the World Series. Major League Baseball's trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. ET and, with the Blue Jays in a great position to win the American League East, they are expected to be buyers as they try to gear up for a deep post-season run. Here are five things to consider heading into the deadline: PAST PRECEDENT Some of the best teams in Blue Jays' history took shape at (or in one case, slightly after) the trade deadline. Mookie Wilson (1989), David Cone (1992), Rickey Henderson (1993), Edwin Encarnacion (2009) and David Price (2015) all had various degrees of success in Toronto after joining the team via trade midseason. Notably, Cone — who was dealt by the New York Mets to Toronto in August after the non-waiver trading deadline — was instrumental in the Blue Jays 1992 post-season run, pitching four games in the playoffs. He earned no decisions in Games 2 and 6 of Toronto's first World Series championship. Henderson struggled after breaking his hand early on in his tenure in Toronto but was on base when Joe Carter hit his walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series. ARMS RACE Although the rotation's core of Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman have been reliable for most of the year, the Blue Jays' starting pitchers have a collective 4.39 earned-run average, 24th in all of MLB. Eric Lauer — who signed a minor-league deal in December after a season in Korea — has been a pleasant surprise but surefire Hall of Famer Max Scherzer has struggled as inflammation in his right thumb has been a persistent problem. Alek Manoah is building up to return to Toronto's major league roster in August, but if he or Scherzer have a setback, the Blue Jays would value an extra pitcher capable of starting. Possible targets: Sandy Alcantara has told the Miami Marlins that he'd like to be traded and media reports say Toronto is a possible destination. He has muddled to a 5-9 record with a 6.66 ERA so far this season. Media reports also say that the Athletics, temporarily playing in Sacramento, Calif., will be looking to trade some of their veteran starters like lefties JP Sears (4.98 ERA), Jeffrey Springs (4.13 ERA) and righties Osvaldo Bido (5.86 ERA) and Luis Severino (4.95 ERA). SWEET RELIEF Toronto's bullpen has been a strength all season, with a collective 3.66 ERA, seventh best in MLB. The Blue Jays' relievers have a 29-14 win-loss record through Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Tigers in Detroit. Still, bullpen depth is a must-have for any long post-season run and there are still some gaps, like Chad Green. The veteran right-hander has been used sparingly this season as he has struggled to a 4.85 ERA. Potential targets: Pete Fairbanks, the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays the past three seasons, has a 2.84 ERA and 17 saves over 38 innings and has a reasonable US$3.67 million contract this season with a club option for 2026. Felix Bautista has 19 saves and a 2.60 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles this year but as he's on a two-year deal worth $2 million, he'd get the Blue Jays a lot of bang for their buck. SANTAN-DON'T Switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander, along with Scherzer, was one of the Blue Jays' biggest off-season acquisitions when he signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract on Jan. 20. He's been a disappointment, however, with a .179 batting average, six home runs and 18 RBIs over 50 games before Toronto put him on the injured list on May 30 with left shoulder inflammation. He was then transferred to the 60-day IL on July 4. When he will return and what he can contribute are two unknowns, so another reliable bat could be an asset. Possible targets: St. Louis Cardinals slugger Nolan Arenado could be available but he comes with a hefty price tag: He has two years and $42 million remaining on his contract beyond this season, earning $27 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027. Arizona Diamondbacks power hitter Eugenio Suarez would also add some pop to Toronto's lineup — he already has 36 home runs this year — and will become a free agent this winter. MINOR THREAT Any trade the Blue Jays make will likely involve one of their prospects. Toronto general manager Ross Atkins has spent the past couple of years restocking the organization's minor-league system, but it will still be a fine line to walk trying to win now but also save for the future. Shortstop Arjun Nimmala is considered the top prospect in the Blue Jays' organization, currently playing for the single-A Vancouver Canadians. It's unlikely that the 19-year-old would be traded as he will be Bo Bichette's replacement if the former all-star gets traded or decides to sign elsewhere when his contract expires this off-season. According to MLB, Toronto's next highest-ranked prospects are all pitchers: right-hander Trey Yesavage (AA), lefty Ricky Tiedemann (AAA), southpaw Johnny King (A) and righty Khal Stephen (AA). This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025. John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 Fantasy Baseball: Top 5 waiver wire pickups for Week 18
The post 2025 Fantasy Baseball: Top 5 waiver wire pickups for Week 18 appeared first on ClutchPoints. The fantasy baseball regular season is winding down, making the waiver wire even more important. Plus, the MLB trade deadline will change the fantasy baseball landscape, with some contenders getting better. The playoffs are right around the corner, and you need the best possible team to make the dance. We've got you covered with the Week 18 waiver wire pickups. Each of these players is claimed in fewer than half of ESPN fantasy baseball leagues. That, however, could change quickly with the trade deadline approaching. You may have missed the boat with Ryan McMahon and Josh Naylor before they landed with playoff teams. But some of these guys are getting launched into pennant races in both leagues. Which players should you pick up for the week? Top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for Week 18 Addison Barger, Toronto 3B/OF (Rostered: 31.4%) The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the hottest teams in baseball after their recent series win over the New York Yankees. Barger has been a big reason why. In the 23 games before the All-Star Break, he had an .875 OPS with six homers and 18 RBI, helping Toronto pick up 15 wins. That has continued after the break with an .829 OPS and seven RBI in nine games. Barger also gives your fantasy baseball team some positional versatility, which is always important. Even if the Blue Jays make a big trade before the deadline, Barger will still find his way into the lineup. They are going to be in a division race for the rest of the season, making their hottest hand a player to pick up in fantasy. David Bednar, Pittsburgh RP (Rostered: 35.6%) The Pittsburgh Pirates will almost certainly sell off pieces at the MLB trade deadline, and closer David Bednar should be one of them. He has had a great season, with a 2.19 ERA and 16 saves in 41 appearances. If he gets dealt to a contender, fantasy baseball managers will flock to the waiver wire to scoop him up. If you do it now, it could help you win your league. Bednar has been connected to just about every division leader and Wild Card contender ahead of July 31. Every team needs bullpen help, and Bednar should be one of the best ones available. Picking him up now helps your team get saves and maybe holds, depending on where he goes, for the stretch run. Drake Baldwin, Atlanta C (Rostered: 10.7%) The Atlanta Braves will be selling at the MLB trade deadline thanks to a dreadful start to the season. Despite reports that catcher Sean Murphy is off the table, anything can change in the final minutes. Right now, rookie catcher Drake Baldwin is not playing every day. One good offer from a contender could change that. Pick him up in fantasy baseball, and it could work out as a league-winning move. Even if the Braves do not trade Murphy, Baldwin could help your team down the stretch. The rookie has an .857 OPS and 15 RBI in July. With Atlanta out of the playoff hunt, they should be playing the rookie more as the season winds down. Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees SP (Rostered: 6.3%) In two MLB starts, Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler has been solid. He has allowed five runs in 10.1 innings, working out of trouble on multiple occasions in a big game against the Blue Jays. He could be traded for a veteran starter at the deadline, giving him even more run with a worse team. Or, he could make two starts for the Yankees this week against the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins. Either way, he is a solid fantasy baseball pickup. Once this week is over, it is every manager's choice what to do with Schlittler. You can dump him for next week's streamer, or you can keep him around for the stretch run. At 24 years old, he's a great choice as a keeper and could be in your rotation for years to come. Mickey Moniak, Colorado OF (Rostered: 6.4%) Among players still on the Colorado Rockies, Mickey Moniak is one of the few worth picking up in fantasy baseball. He was cut by the Angels and signed with the Rockies this offseason and has been solid. He has a career-high .273 batting average and .870 OPS. Moniak will also set his career high in RBI in the next few games. If the Rockies are committed to the teardown, Moniak could be on the way out. And if not, he should get a ton of at-bats moving forward. The former number one overall pick is not going to win your league. But he could help you get through an injury or just a tough time with your fantasy baseball outfield.
Edmonton Journal
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays mow down the Tigers in Motown with stunning proficiency
Addison Barger got the Aaron Judge treatment on Thursday night in Detroit. Article content With a runner at third and first base open in the sixth inning of a 1-1 game, the host Detroit Tigers elected to issue an intentional walk to the lefty Barger and play the percentages against right-handed Ernie Clement. Article content Article content The veteran Blue Jays infielder promptly went deep for a three-run blast off Tigers righty Reese Olson and the floodgates had officially opened. Article content Article content Joey Loperfido then made it back-to-back homers, en route to an 11-4 victory over the AL Central leaders. Article content Article content One inning later, Barger showed why intentionally walking him wasn't a bad idea. The Jays third baseman lashed a two-RBI triple off lefty reliever Dietrich Enns that rolled to the wall in deep right-centre at Comerica Park. Article content Barger was one many to step up, which has been the Blue Jays way as they make their way to the top of baseball's pecking order. With the win, the Jays improved their record to 61-42, which now just happens to be the best in the American League following Houston's loss to the visiting Athletics on Thursday. The 61 wins are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the most in the majors and they padded their lead atop the East Division to 4.5 games over the idle New York Yankees. Article content Following are three takeaways from a night the Jays clubbed three home runs (Nathan Lukes added a two-run shot in the eighth) and scored nine runs combined in the sixth and seventh innings to turn it into a romp. Article content Article content 1. Efficiency on the hill Article content Lefty Eric Lauer was at his efficient best for the Jays, going eight innings and allowing only five hits, including a first-inning home run to Jahmai Jones. Article content He was dominant after that however, highlighted by a fifth inning in which he required only four pitches to record the three outs. Article content Lauer didn't walk a batter in improving his record to 6-2 and lowering his ERA to 2.61. Article content On a muggy night in Motown, he was lifted after 97 pitches for Chad Green, who after not pitching against the Yankees earlier in the week, showed his rust by giving up three runs in the bottom of the ninth. Article content 2. An ode to Ozzy Article content Nice touch by Tigers starter Olson when he made his appearance to the strains of Paranoid, one of Black Sabbath's epic metal ballads. Article content Thursday marked Detroit's first home game since the all-star break and two days following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal and Black Sabbath's front man.
