Pittsburgh Pirates

Jack Suwinski helped the Pirates edge out the Brewers 8-6.

Fantasy Impact: Suwinski went 1-for-4 with a home run, one run scored, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. Despite the home run adding a much-needed boost to his team's victory, Suwinski's season has been less than stellar, batting just .178 through 41 games. His power numbers are modest, with only three homers to his name. Fantasy managers should view this performance as a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season. Suwinski remains a risky play in most formats, primarily useful in deeper leagues or as a potential differential in daily fantasy when the matchup is right.

Bryan Reynolds went 5-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, one run scored, and two RBI in the Pirates' 8-6 victory over the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: This performance was a significant highlight in what has been a somewhat average season for Reynolds, boosting his batting average and demonstrating his potential for high-impact games. His ability to drive in runs and score, coupled with a solid display of power, offers a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers looking for consistent production.

David Bednar delivered a flawless performance, securing a save as the Pirates edged out the Brewers 8-6.

Fantasy Impact: In his outing, Bednar threw 17 pitches, allowed no hits or walks, and struck out one batter. Despite this solid appearance, Bednar's season has been a rollercoaster with an inflated 8.44 ERA and a WHIP of 1.44, which are hardly inspiring for fantasy managers. His high strikeout rate of 11.3 K/9 continues to be a silver lining, suggesting he has the ability to dominate when he's on his game.

Mitch Keller delivered a strong performance, scattering eight hits over six scoreless innings, striking out seven without issuing a walk, as the Pirates edged out the Brewers 8-6 on Monday.

Fantasy Impact: This outing was a refreshing display of control and efficiency from Keller, who has had a somewhat erratic season with a 3.93 ERA and 1.33 WHIP coming into the game. His ability to avoid walks and keep the Brewers from scoring helped improve his season ERA and WHIP, showcasing his potential as a reliable fantasy starter. Given his solid strikeout rate and improving command, Keller's fantasy stock is trending upward, making him a viable option for fantasy managers in need of pitching stability.

Oneil Cruz went 1-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored in the Pirates' 5-4 loss to the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: His solo blast contributed to his season tally, bringing his home run count to seven and RBI total to 17. Despite the power display, Cruz's high strikeout rate and low walk rate continue to be areas of concern for fantasy managers. His .265 batting average and .323 wOBA are decent, but the lack of consistent contact and on-base skills cap his overall fantasy ceiling. Owners should value him for his power potential, but temper expectations given his current profile.

Connor Joe went 2-for-4 in the Pirates' 5-4 loss to the Cubs, delivering a home run, a double, two runs scored, and two RBI.

Fantasy Impact: This performance underscores Joe's solid season, as he continues to maintain a .292 batting average with consistent power and run production. His ability to contribute across multiple categories, evidenced by his five homers and 22 runs scored in 35 games, makes him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups. While his strikeout rate remains a concern, his wOBA of .372 indicates effective offensive production, suggesting he should remain a valuable asset on fantasy rosters, especially in formats that reward on-base and slugging percentages.

Paul Skenes had a rough outing in the high-scoring game against the Pirates, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over four innings.

Fantasy Impact: Despite his ability to rack up strikeouts, Skenes's overall effectiveness was hampered by his inability to limit baserunners in his debut. The highly touted top prospect will look to utilize his overpowering repertoire at the top of the Pittsburgh rotation as the season continues.

Yasmani Grandal went 2-for-4 in the Pirates' thrilling 10-9 win over the Cubs, delivering three RBI and scoring twice, including a home run.

Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a significant uptick for Grandal, who has struggled to find his rhythm early in the season. With a modest .235 batting average over five games, his impactful game could hint at a turning point. Fantasy managers should note his potential for power, as evidenced by his home run and multi-RBI game. However, his low walk rate (.056) and BABIP (.214) suggest that consistency might still be an issue. Grandal remains a risky play but could be a valuable asset in leagues that reward power from the catcher position.

Michael A. Taylor contributed significantly in the Pirates' tight 10-9 win over the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: Taylor went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. This performance, which included his first homer of the season, offers a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers who might have been discouraged by his modest .234 batting average and high strikeout rate (38 strikeouts in 94 at-bats). While his overall season stats don't scream 'must-start,' games like this show that Taylor can provide value in deeper leagues or as a streaming option when the matchup is right. His power-speed combination, albeit limited, should keep him on the radar in formats that reward home runs and stolen bases.

Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-4 in the Pirates' 10-9 win over the Cubs with a home run, two runs scored, one RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.

Fantasy Impact: This performance might offer a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers who have been enduring McCutchen's underwhelming .187 batting average this season. His power stroke, evidenced by his fourth homer of the year, still flashes occasionally, suggesting he can contribute in power categories. However, his high strikeout rate and low BABIP indicate potential ongoing challenges in batting average. Managers should consider McCutchen a risky play, best suited for deeper leagues where occasional power outbursts justify his lineup spot.

The Pirates have recalled Alika Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Williams will head to the active roster after Ke’Bryan Hayes was placed on the injured list. Williams is currently hitting .239 with two RBI in 15 games this season.

The Pirates have designated Roansy Contreras for assignment. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Contreras was designated for assignment to create room for Paul Skenes. He will head to the waiver wire.

Ke'Bryan Hayes was placed on the 10-day IL with a back injury. (Source: Kevin Gorman on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Hayes has been out of action since Tuesday and will now head to the injured list. Alika Williams was recalled from Triple-A to take Hayes’ spot on the roster.

Jared Jones took the mound for the Pirates on Friday, enduring a tough outing in a 7-2 loss to the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings. Despite this performance, Jones's season has been quite strong, boasting a 2.68 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP over eight starts. His 10.7 K/9 and 8.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio highlight his ability to dominate batters, though his BABIP of .239 suggests some luck may be involved. Fantasy managers should keep faith in Jones, as his underlying metrics indicate potential for continued success, even if this game wasn't his sharpest.

Martin Perez struggled to contain the Angels, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out five over five innings in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: This performance slightly tarnished his otherwise solid season stats, nudging his ERA up to 3.60 and WHIP to 1.40. Despite not walking any batters, the volume of hits he allowed suggests that he might be finding too much of the strike zone. His season-long indicators, like a 3.52 FIP and a high .338 BABIP, hint that he's been somewhat unlucky, which could mean potential improvement. However, fantasy managers should be cautious, as his moderate strikeout rate of 7.2 K/9 limits his upside in categories that reward strikeouts.

Jason Delay (knee) caught a bullpen session Wednesday. (Source: Andrew Destin on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: This is the first reported instance of Delay catching a bullpen since undergoing surgery to repair his meniscus. He still has no set timetable for a return.

Joey Bart is back in the Pirates lineup on Wednesday against the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: Bart is back behind the plate and hitting No. 8 in the lineup. He has collected three home runs and driven in eight runs so far this season.

Edward Olivares is not in the Pirates lineup on Wednesday against the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: Olivares collected one of just three hits on Tuesday for Pittsburgh in a 9-0 loss. Connor Joe gets the start in right field on Wednesday.

Rowdy Tellez is in the Pirates lineup on Wednesday against the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: Tellez is starting at first base and hitting No. 5 in the lineup. He is hitting just .209 so far this season with one home run.

Jared Triolo went 0-for-2 in the Pirates' 4-1 victory over the Angels, but he managed to swipe a base and draw a walk.

Fantasy Impact: Despite not contributing to the scoreboard directly, Triolo's ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities with his speed remains a small positive in an otherwise lackluster performance. His season batting average sits at a modest .221, and with only minimal power and RBI production, his fantasy relevance is largely dependent on leagues that value stolen bases and walks. His current form suggests limited upside, making him a fringe option in mixed leagues at best.