Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Brewers at Pirates

Milwaukee Brewers (11-13) at Pittsburgh Pirates (5-17)

Saturday, August 22nd, 4:05 PM EDT

Projected Starters

RHP Josh Lindblom (1-0, 6.62 ERA) vs LHP Derek Holland (0-1, 7.36 ERA)

Game Preview

The Pirates and the Brewers have both been struggling this season and, unless a dramatic turnaround occurs, neither team looks with a big chance to reach the postseason. The Pirates won Friday, however, so they should have decent confidence – even if they've won just five games all season long. The pitching matchup does not offer many enticing alternatives, although Lindblom might be the best choice. Aside from the fact he faces a weaker lineup and that the Brewers can offer him decent support offensively, it's worth mentioning he has struck out at least seven batters in each of his first three August starts.

Injuries

Milwaukee Brewers

Ray Black - 60-Day IL - Shoulder

8/13 12:53 PM EST - Black (shoulder) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Thursday. Black has been sidelined all season with a strained right rotator cuff, and he won't be eligible to return until September following this move. The right-hander will likely fill a middle-relief role if he returns this season.

Lorenzo Cain - Out - Opt Out

8/2 4:04 PM EST - The Brewers placed Cain (personal) on the restricted list Saturday. Cain's addition to the restricted list was a formality after he informed the team Saturday that he would opt out of the 2020 season. The Brewers are expected to proceed with Ben Gamel as their primary center fielder for the remainder of the campaign.

Justin Grimm - 10-Day IL - Finger

8/13 12:57 PM EST - Grimm was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a callous laceration on his right index finger. Grimm suffered the injury during Wednesday's loss to the Twins and will miss at least 10 days as a result. Angel Perdomo was added to the roster in a corresponding move and should take Grimm's spot in the bullpen for the time being.

Nathan Kirby - Day-To-Day - Neck

3/7 8:20 AM EST - Kirby (neck/rib) is throwing live batting practice sessions, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Kirby missed all of the 2019 season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery and then fracturing a rib, but he has been able to get up on the mound this spring. Injuries have been the name of the game for Kirby, who has appeared in just 32 minor-league games since being selected 40th overall in 2015. In an effort to keep him healthy, the Brewers will use Kirby exclusively as a reliever moving forward.

Corey Knebel - 10-Day IL - Hamstring

8/20 2:18 PM EST - Knebel was placed on the injured list Thursday with a right hamstring strain. Manager Craig Counsell noted that Knebel -- who has struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery -- has been trying to work through some mechanical issues on the mound, per Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and the skipper believes that might have led to his hamstring injury. It's unclear how long the issue will keep Knebel sidelined, though he'll be eligible to return at the end of the month if he proves ready. Mark Mathias was recalled from the team's satellite camp to take Knebel's place on the roster.

Caden Lemons - Out - Hip

8/21 6:47 PM EST - Lemons underwent right hip surgery earlier in August and will be out for the rest of the season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. Lemons never saw game action in 2019 but is expected to be ready to go come spring training. The 20-year-old has a 4.26 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB through his first 13 games in rookie ball since being drafted 46th overall in the 2017 draft..

Shelby Miller - Out - Opt Out

8/3 1:52 PM EST - Miller opted out of the 2020 season Monday. Miller didn't make the Brewers' Opening Day roster and was working at the team's alternate training site in Appleton. However, he'll elect to sit out the remainder of the season in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The 29-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Brewers during the offseason but should be ready to compete for a role with a major-league pitching staff ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Freddy Zamora - Out - Knee

6/11 2:56 PM EST - The Brewers have selected Zamora (knee) with the 53rd overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft. One of the best defensive shortstops in the class, Zamora has a well-rounded skill set, but he didn't play collegiately in 2020 after tearing his ACL. He hit .300 with an 11.3 percent walk rate and 9.3 percent strikeout rate at Miami, and he went from one home run as a freshman to six home runs as a sophomore. Zamora also put his above-average speed to work, going 33-for-40 (82.5 percent) on stolen-base attempts over 104 games. It's unclear if he will have the same burst and athleticism when he returns to action. If he maxes out, he could be an everyday shortstop that hits 15-20 home runs and steals 15-20 bases while making enough contact to hit around .270.

Noah Zavolas - Out - Undisclosed

8/15 1:02 PM EST - Zavolas was placed on the injured list for High-A Carolina retroactive to Aug. 14. It's not clear what landed Zavolas on the injured list, but he has not pitched in a week, and will miss more time due to his injury. Zavolas is throwing well in his first season in the Milwaukee organization, going 6-5 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 102:23 K:BB in 133 innings over 22 starts.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Chris Archer - 60-Day IL - Shoulder

8/6 12:02 PM EST - Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Archer (shoulder) remains at his offseason home in California and is focusing on regaining his range of motion and strength, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. The Pirates will continue to check in with Archer periodically over the next two months while he recovers from season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome, but he'll likely be on his own in the rehab process come November, when Pittsburgh will almost certainly decline his $11 million team option for 2021. Even if his recovery from surgery proceeds as anticipated, the two-time All-Star will likely have to settle for a low-cost, one- or two-year deal after posting a 5.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 2019.

Nick Burdi - 60-Day IL - Elbow

8/12 10:41 AM EST - Burdi (elbow) won't need surgery for now and will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection instead, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Burdi picked up his first career save this year but lasted just three appearances before his frustratingly frequent injury problems resurfaced. While it's certainly a positive that he's avoided surgery, his latest issue is nevertheless serious enough that he's already been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Whether or not he's at full strength to being the 2021 campaign remains to be seen.

Kyle Crick - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/19 2:00 PM EST - Crick (shoulder) threw live batting practice, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. This is a step in the right direction for Crick, who has been sidelined all month with a strained right shoulder. The right-hander is scheduled to throw another live BP session later in the week before being reassessed.

Phillip Evans - 60-Day IL - Jaw

8/19 1:53 PM EST - Evans will undergo surgery to repair his broken jaw, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Evans landed on the 45-day injured list earlier in the month after sustaining a broken jaw and a concussion in a collision with teammate Gregory Polanco. While it was originally thought that he wouldn't require surgery, it turns out the 27-year-old will need a wire put in his jaw. Evans is eligible to return at the end of September, but the Pirates are preparing as though he'll miss the remainder of the season.

Michael Feliz - 60-Day IL - Forearm

8/6 11:45 AM EST - The Pirates ruled Feliz (forearm) out for the season after transferring him to the 45-day injured list Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Pittsburgh has lost two key pieces of the bullpen for the remainder of the season in recent days, as Nick Burdi (elbow) was also shut down for good after moving to the 45-day IL on Wednesday. The Pirates diagnosed Feliz with a strained right forearm, an injury that is often a precursor to Tommy John surgery. With the team having yet to announce that any surgery will be in the cards for Feliz, he'll presumably treat the injury through rest and rehab with the hope of being back to full health for spring training in 2021.

Clay Holmes - 60-Day IL - Forearm

8/11 3:55 PM EST - Holmes (forearm) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Tuesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Holmes has been sidelined since the end of July with a right forearm strain. The team wasn't initially anticipating a very long absence, but the issue is evidently more serious than they thought. The 27-year-old will be eligible to return late in the 2020 campaign, but it wouldn't be surprising if the team shut him down for the remainder of the season so he can fully recover. Right-hander Nick Tropeano was claimed off waivers and optioned to the alternate training site to take Holmes' spot on the 40-man roster.

Keone Kela - Day-To-Day - Forearm

8/21 7:16 PM EST - Kela exited Friday's game against the Brewers with forearm tightness, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports. Kela came on to pitch the ninth inning Friday, but he only made it through five pitches before exiting with a trainer. Manager Derek Shelton said after the game that he was being "overly cautious," and that he didn't give Kela the option of whether or not to stay in the game. If the right-hander is forced to miss any additional time, Richard Rodriguez could get some save chances.

Mitch Keller - 10-Day IL - Oblique

8/19 1:47 PM EST - Keller (oblique) has played catch off flat ground as is expected to throw off a mound next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Keller left early with an oblique issue in just his second start of the year. While it's certainly a positive that he's progressing in the right direction, his next time throwing off a mound will be his first in over three weeks, so he'll presumably need multiple sessions before being returning from the injured list.

Kevin Kramer - 60-Day IL - Hip

6/29 1:02 PM EST - The Pirates placed Kramer (hip) on the 10-day injured list Monday and then transferred him to the 60-day IL. He underwent hip surgery in March that will sideline him for 4-to-6 months, so it's possible he won't play at all this season. Kramer was set to compete for a bench role under normal circumstances.

Travis MacGregor - Day-To-Day - Elbow

4/4 8:17 AM EST - MacGregor underwent Tommy John surgery last September and will miss the entire 2019 season, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports. A 6-foot-3, 180-pound projectable righty, MacGregor wasn't really on the dynasty-league radar, but he could have gotten himself there with a healthy, productive season at High-A. Instead, he will be on the shelf all season and may not even be healthy in time to pitch in winter ball. He will likely head back to Low-A to open the 2020 season to knock off rust before an assignment to High-A.

Luke Maile - 60-Day IL - Finger

7/23 11:43 AM EST - The Pirates placed Maile (finger) on the 60-day injured list Thursday. Maile was ruled out for 10-to-12 weeks after undergoing surgery July 17 to repair a fractured index finger on his throwing hand, so the transaction comes as little surprise. The Pirates will proceed with Jacob Stallings and John Ryan Murphy as their two catchers on the Opening Day roster with Maile sidelined.

James Marvel - Out - Forearm

8/19 2:05 PM EST - Marvel is dealing with a strained right forearm, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. Marvel apparently suffered the injury a couple of weeks ago. While the severity of the issue is not yet known, forearm injuries can often be the precursor to a significant surgery.

Joe Musgrove - 10-Day IL - Triceps

8/19 2:02 PM EST - Musgrove (triceps) is making good progress and is expected to throw off a mound soon, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. Musgrove hasn't pitched in over two weeks, first with a sore ankle and then with triceps inflammation. While the latest reports about his progress are quite positive, it remains unclear exactly when he'll return from the injured list.

Hector Noesi - Out - Opt Out

7/8 6:18 PM EST - Manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Noesi has opted out of the 2020 season due to family reasons, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. The right-hander struggled over 27.2 innings in Miami last season with an 8.46 ERA, but he nonetheless earned a spot in Pittsburgh's 60-man player pool. Noesi will instead sit out the 2020 campaign for the benefit of his family.

Pablo Reyes - Suspension - Suspension

2/19 2:10 PM EST - Reyes was dealt an 80-game suspension without pay Wednesday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Reyes was not invited to spring training after being outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on January 16. The 26-year-old struggled to produce offensively for the Pirates in 2019, slashing .203/.274/.322 with 39 runs scored and 36 RBI throughout 157 plate appearances.

Yacksel Rios - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/18 3:22 PM EST - Rios was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to Aug. 15, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. Rios hasn't seen game action since Aug. 8, so it's unclear when or how he sustained the injury. Nick Mears was recalled from the alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Edgar Santana - Suspension - Suspension

6/30 9:17 AM EST - The Pirates placed Santana (suspension) on the restricted list Sunday. Pittsburgh made the move shortly after it was announced Sunday that Santana had received an 80-game suspension following his positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenon. The transaction opens up an extra spot on the 40-man roster and spells an official end to the right-hander's season, as he won't be an option with the Pirates only playing 60 games in 2020. He'll serve out the final 20 games of his suspension at the start of the 2021 season.

Jameson Taillon - 60-Day IL - Elbow

6/30 9:24 AM EST - Taillon (elbow), who will not pitch in the majors in 2020, will attend camp in Pittsburgh as part of his rehabilitation, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports. He'll take the spot of Edgar Santana, who was suspended for 80 games due to PED usage. The move will allow Taillon to continue working with the medical staff in Pittsburgh. In an effort to better maintain his health following a second Tommy John surgery, the righty has made several mechanical adjustments. He's shortened his arm action in his throwing motion and is keeping the ball closer to his body, moves intended to put less stress on his arm and elbow.

Felipe Vazquez - Out - Personal

11/19 1:11 PM EST - Florida prosecutors filed 21 new charges against Vazquez on Tuesday, Renatta Signorini and Rich Cholodofsky of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report. Police seized an iPhone and a MacBook Pro they say belonged to Vazquez, and a search of those devices led to the additional charges; 10 counts of child pornography, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor and a single charge of corruption of minors. Vazquez was originally arrested in September for engaging in sexual activity with a minor and was subsequently placed on the restricted list by MLB. He is being held without bail.

Pirates Expected Lineup

SP - Derek Holland

1. Adam Frazier

2. Kevin Newman

3. Josh Bell

4. Colin Moran

5. Bryan Reynolds

6. Gregory Polanco

7. Erik Gonzalez

8. Jarrod Dyson

9. Jacob Stallings

Brewers Expected Lineup

SP - Josh Lindblom

1. Ryan Braun

2. Christian Yelich

3. Keston Hiura

4. Jedd Gyorko

5. Avisail Garcia

6. Manny Pina

7. Justin Smoak

8. Luis Urias

9. Orlando Arcia

Top Picks From Each Team

Christian Yelich, Brewers: Yelich has been a contender for the MVP Award in each of the last two seasons, and the slugging outfielder. He only hits a meager .091 against Holland in his career, but he has been trending in the right direction and has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 contests, with three home runs during that stretch.

Bryan Reynolds, Pirates: Reynolds is one of the top prospects in the Pirates system but has looked struggled this season, hitting just .205 with a .685 OPS. That said, he went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI, and three runs scored in Friday's contest against Milwaukee, and he might be trending in the right direction in a promising matchup.

Captaincy Options

1. Christian Yelich
2. Keston Hiura
3. Bryan Reynolds
4. Josh Lindblom

Dream11 Team

P – Josh Lindblom

C – Manny Pina

IF – Keston Hiura (VC)

IF – Josh Bell

IF – Kevin Newman

OF – Ryan Braun

OF – Gregory Polanco

OF – Christian Yelich (C)

OF – Bryan Reynolds

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.