San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado was one of the best hitters in baseball in July, when he slashed .371/.442/.742 with eight home runs, nine doubles, 25 RBI and 24 runs. However, he's been struggling significantly at the plate since the calendar turned to August. He had a .234/.278/.355 slash line with just three home runs in August. So far, September has been the same story for him as he's hit .268/.348/.415 over his first 11 games of the month. Machado has been making great hard contact all year. His 119.6 mph max exit velocity leads the league and he ranks in the 93rd percentile in hard-hit rate (52.3%). He's a streaky player and he still has time to muster one more hot streak before the season's done.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado helped the team defeat the Los Angeles Angels 5-0 on Friday. He went 2-for-5 with a run scored in the game. The veteran has been struggling at the plate in August. He had gone just 1-for-15 over his previous four games before Friday. Over the month as a whole, he's slashed .213/.257/.298 with just four extra-base hits (two home runs, two doubles). Fantasy managers will have to live with Machado's streaky ways. He was on fire in July, when he slashed .371/.442/.742 with eight home runs. Hopefully another hot streak is coming soon.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado went deep Friday night, hitting his 22nd home run of the season off of Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Matt Moore. The two-run long ball was Machado's only hit in five at-bats for the game. Machado has been in a bit of a slow stretch over his last 15 games, slashing .210/.234/.323 with two home runs including Friday's shot. Still, fantasy managers have to be pleased with his .842 OPS, 74 runs, 82 RBI, and nine steals on the season, and they'll be hoping for more of the same going forward.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has been struggling at the plate so far in August. Over 15 games this month, he's slashing .233/.270/.317 with just three extra-base hits (one home run, two doubles) to go along with four RBI and nine runs. He has 15 strikeouts and only three walks in August. Machado had his best month of the year in July, posting an absurd 1.184 OPS while blasting eight home runs. He has extremely promising underlying metrics on the season. He ranks in the 96th percentile in both average exit velocity (93.4 mph) and hard-hit rate (53.4%). He's notoriously a streaky hitter, so this recent cold stretch isn't too surprising. Fantasy managers should expect to see another hot streak from Machado soon.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who went 2-for-4 with a home run on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, is continuing his stellar season in August. The 29-year-old All-Star is slashing .379/.419/.724 over his last seven games. On the year, Machado is batting .286 with 21 homers, 77 RBI and 70 runs scored with nine stolen bases, rewarding fantasy managers and making him a potential MVP candidate in the National League. The Padres face Arizona left-hander Madison Bumgarner on Sunday.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Machado was the only semblance of offense for the Friars in a 9-4 blowout loss. The 29-year-old continues his blistering hot streak, totalling a 1.174 OPS in July with eight homers. Overall, he carries a sturdy .283/.359/.524 slash with 20 dingers, nine steals and 139 runs-plus-RBI. Pocketing his seventh season with 20-plus homers, the Padres will need Machado to continue his offensive tirade to make the playoffs in a competitive NL West. Fantasy managers need not worry about his spot in starting lineups.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado collected two knocks Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics, including a three-run home run. Machado capped a five-run fifth inning with an opposite-field blast off A's reliever Yusmeiro Petit, his 18th of the season. Since the calendar flipped to June, Machado has been scalding the baseball, boasting a .325 average with 12 homers, 36 runs and 40 RBI. The extended run has carried his season slash to .278/.356/.506 with 132 runs-plus-RBI and nine steals over 396 plate appearances to complement the round-trippers. His reputation as one of baseball and fantasy's most reliable players is being confirmed once again in 2021.

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Riley hit a grand slam and a two-run homer to set a career high with six RBIs, powering the Atlanta Braves to a 12-5 rout of the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Ozzie Albies and Abraham Almonte also had two-run homers for the Braves, who have won two of the first three in a five-game series as they chase the first-place Mets in the NL East. Dansby Swanson delivered a two-run double in the first inning to get Atlanta started. Charlie Morton (10-3) allowed three runs and five hits with five strikeouts over five innings. Mets spot starter Jerad Eickhoff (0-2) gave up 10 runs on seven hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings. Jeff McNeil and Brandon Drury each hit a two-run homer for the Mets after they trailed 10-1 in the fourth. GIANTS 2, DODGERS 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Buster Posey scored the tiebreaking run on a throwing error by first baseman Cody Bellinger in the eighth inning, and San Francisco beat Los Angeles, increasing its lead over the Dodgers in the NL West to... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: ___ HERE WE GO AGAIN The Dodgers and Giants are back at it, renewing their long-standing rivalry in San Francisco with left-hander Julio Urias (12-3, 3.63 ERA) on the mound for Los Angeles against Logan Webb (4-3, 3.54) in the opener of a three-game series. San Francisco took three of four at Dodger Stadium last week and leads the NL West by two games over the defending World Series champions. TAMPA HEAT After losing three of four in Boston last weekend, the New York Yankees play another AL East rival on the road when they begin a critical three-game series at Tampa Bay. New York (51-47) is facing some important decisions with Friday’s trade deadline looming, and owner Hal Steinbrenner, who lives in the area, likely will be in attendance at Tropicana Field. Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka took another step toward returning from the COVID-19 injured list by taking batting practice Monday at Steinbrenner... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors Tuesday: ___ HERE WE GO AGAIN The Dodgers and Giants are back at it, renewing their long rivalry in San Francisco with left-hander Julio Urias (12-3, 3.63 ERA) on the mound for Los Angeles against Logan Webb (4-3, 3.54) in the opener of a three-game series. San Francisco took three of four at Dodger Stadium last week and leads the NL West by two games over the defending World Series champions. TAMPA HEAT After losing three of four in Boston last weekend, the New York Yankees play another AL East rival on the road when they begin a critical three-game series at Tampa Bay. New York (51-47) is facing some important decisions with Friday’s trade deadline looming, and owner Hal Steinbrenner, who lives in the area, likely will be in attendance at Tropicana Field. Yankees All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Kyle Higashioka took another step toward returning from the COVID-19 injured list by taking batting practice Monday at Steinbrenner Field... [More]

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to the playoff-contending San Diego Padres for three minor leaguers. Frazier was the National League starter in the All-Star Game this month. He leads the majors with 125 hits and is batting .324. He'll join a potent Padres infield that includes Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer. Pittsburgh is receiving infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-hander Michell Miliano in the swap. Pittsburgh is sending $1,403,575 to the Padres in the deal, accounting for most of the remaining $1,572,043 in Frazier's $4.3 million salary. The MLB trade deadline is this Friday. The Padres are 58-44 and third in the NL West, and hold a cushion for the second wild-card spot. The Pirates have the second-worst record in the NL. Frazier was pulled in the eighth inning as part of a double switch in Sunday's 6-1 loss at San Francisco. Marcano is San Diego’s No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old... [More]

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to the playoff-contending San Diego Padres for three minor leaguers. Frazier was the National League starter in the All-Star Game this month. He leads the majors with 125 hits and is batting .324. He'll join a potent Padres infield that includes Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer. Pittsburgh is receiving infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-hander Michell Miliano in the swap. Pittsburgh is sending approximately $1.4 million to the Padres in the deal. The MLB trade deadline is this Friday. The Padres are 58-44 and third in the NL West, and hold a cushion for the second wild-card spot. The Pirates have the second-worst record in the NL. Frazier was pulled in the eighth inning as part of a double switch in Sunday's 6-1 loss at San Francisco. Marcano is San Diego’s No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old shortstop made his big league debut this year, hitting .182 in 44 at-bats with the Padres. He was sent down to Triple-A El Paso in early June. He’s hit .272 with six home runs and 26 RBIs in 44 games for El Paso this year. Suwinski, a 15th-round draft pick by the Padres in 2016, has hit .269 with 15 homers and 37 RBIs for Double-A San Antonio this season. The 21-year-old Miliano has made 22 relief appearances this year with two Class A teams, going 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the majors today: ___ FRAZIER TO FRIARS An already impressive Padres infield is about to get even better with the addition of All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier. Pittsburgh has agreed to trade Frazier San Diego for three minor leaguers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. The trade is pending physicals. Pittsburgh is sending approximately $1.4 million to the Padres in the deal. Frazier was the National League starter in the All-Star Game this month. He leads the majors with 125 hits and is batting .324. He’ll join a potent Padres infield that includes Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer. Pittsburgh is receiving infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-hander Michell Miliano in the swap. The Padres are 58-44 and third in the NL West, and hold a cushion for the second wild-card spot. The Pirates have... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Held hitless into the eighth inning by Domingo Germán and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs and stormed past the New York Yankees 5-4 Sunday. Verdugo opened the eighth with a long double for Boston’s first hit. Later, Kiké Hernández slid home headfirst on Xander Bogaerts’ sacrifice fly with the go-ahead run to cap the rally. The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games against the Yankees and reclaimed first place in the AL East, a game ahead of Tampa Bay. New York fell nine games behind Boston. Boston trailed 4-0 when Verdugo doubled to deep right, and Germán was lifted after the hit. Jonathan Loaisiga (7-4) relieved, and Boston broke loose with four straight hits. Hunter Renfroe had an RBI double, Christian Vázquez singled home a run and Hernández followed with an RBI double, cutting it to 4-3. Zack Britton relieved and pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki’s groundout plated the tying run. Hernández hustled hard and beat right fielder... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Held hitless into the eighth inning by Domingo Germán and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs and stormed past the New York Yankees 5-4 Sunday. Verdugo opened the eighth with a long double for Boston’s first hit. Later, Kiké Hernández slid home headfirst on Xander Bogaerts’ sacrifice fly with the go-ahead run to cap the rally. The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games against the Yankees and reclaimed first place in the AL East, a game ahead of Tampa Bay. New York fell nine games behind Boston. Boston trailed 4-0 when Verdugo doubled to deep right, and Germán was lifted after the hit. Jonathan Loaisiga (7-4) relieved, and Boston broke loose with four straight hits. Hunter Renfroe had an RBI double, Christian Vázquez singled home a run and Hernández followed with an RBI double, cutting it to 4-3. Zack Britton relieved and pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki’s groundout plated the tying run. Hernández hustled hard and beat right fielder... [More]

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to trade All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to the playoff-contending San Diego Padres for three minor leaguers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the deal had not been announced. The trade is pending physicals. Pittsburgh is sending approximately $1.4 million to the Padres in the deal. Frazier was the National League starter in the All-Star Game this month. He leads the majors with 125 hits and is batting .324. He'll join a potent Padres infield that includes Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer. Pittsburgh is receiving infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and right-hander Michell Miliano in the swap. The MLB trade deadline is this Friday. The Padres are 58-44 and third in the NL West, and hold a cushion for the second wild-card spot. The Pirates have the second-worst record in the NL. Frazier was pulled in the eighth inning as part of... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota. Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base. Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double. Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save. The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch. Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup. Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota. Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base. Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double. Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save. The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch. Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup. Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota. Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base. Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double. Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save. The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch. Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup. Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Austin Meadows hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to cap Tampa Bay’s comeback in a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night, hours after the Rays acquired slugger Nelson Cruz from Minnesota. Meadows’ one-out liner off Bryan Shaw (3-4) brought home Randy Arozarena, who began the 10th at second base. Down 4-2 in the ninth, the Rays rallied to tie it against closer James Karinchak on a leadoff homer by Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe’s two-out RBI double. Pete Fairbanks (3-3) pitched the ninth and Diego Castillo struck out Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley with the potential tying run at third in the 10th for his 14th save. The Rays announced their acquisition of Cruz just before the first pitch. Needing a big bat for the playoff push, Tampa Bay got a potent one from the disappointing Twins. Cruz has 436 career homers, and his presence alone will re-shape Tampa Bay’s lineup. Indians starter Cal Quantrill allowed just one run in six strong innings before turning it... [More]