MLB DFS Core Plays: August 19 (Main)

Mangum gave Tampa Bay a commanding two-run lead in the 11th inning with a run-scoring infield single to cap off an impressive four-hit performance. Mangum gave Tampa Bay a two-run lead in the 11th inning with a run-scoring infield single to cap off an impressive four-hit performance. He kicked off the scoring back in the fourth inning with a run-scoring single and delivered the proverbial knockout blow in extra-innings to close out a back-and-forth slugfest at Fenway Park that took nearly four hours to resolve. The unheralded 29-year-old outfielder holds a respectable .701 OPS with one homer and 10 steals through 30 games this season in his first taste of the big leagues.

It was an eventful first night in the big leagues for baseball’s consensus top prospect. Anthony flew out to left field in his first at-bat before scalding a 111.2 mph line drive his next time up, which ricocheted off Rays starter Shane Baz and was still somehow converted into an out. He committed a costly fifth-inning error in right field when Yandy Díaz’s grounder went under his glove, which led directly to a run crossing the plate on the play. He struck out looking in the sixth inning against lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger before drawing a walk in the seventh. He had a chance to be the hero for Boston in the ninth inning when he came to the plate with the potential tying runs in scoring position but wound up grounding out to shortstop, picking up his first career RBI in the process.

Seymour received the call to protect a one-run lead in his major-league debut during the 10th inning of Monday’s series opener at Fenway Park after closer Pete Fairbanks blew a save in the previous frame. The 26-year-old lefty struck out Carlos Narváez and got Jarren Duran to fly out before intentionally walking Rafael Devers. He should’ve gotten out of the frame, but first baseman Jonathan Aranda committed a fielding error that allowed the tying run to cross the plate. He came back out to guard a two-run advantage in the ensuing frame and managed to get through the frame unscathed. He would offer some intrigue for fantasy purposes in a starting role, but the Rays have opted to have him pitch out of the bullpen for now.

Fairbanks came on in the eighth inning of a one-run ballgame to strike out Jarren Duran on six pitches to end the frame. He trotted back out for the ninth after Tampa Bay’s offense tacked on an insurance run and immediately got into trouble by issuing a leadoff walk to Rafael Devers and coughing up a double to Abraham Toro. A two-out single by Kristian Campbell brought home the tying run before he finally managed to end the 24-pitch frame. It was his second blow save of the season in 14 opportunities.

Baz carried a shutout bid into the fifth inning before Boston finally broke through, tacking on a pair of runs in the ensuing frame as well. He finished with five strikeouts and issued three walks. He generated 13 swinging strikes and notched a solid 33 percent CSW. The 25-year-old former top prospect has struggled to keep the ball in the yard this season, which makes it notable that this was his first outing since April 25 that he didn’t cough up a round-tripper. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts since May 13. He’ll bring a respectable 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 65/26 K/BB ratio across 70 2/3 innings (13 starts) into a road matchup on Sunday against the Mets at Citi Field.

Bello turned in his longest outing of the season but still wound up being saddled with a loss after reliever Brennan Bernardino allowed an inherited runner to cross the plate following his departure. He struck out four and only issued one walk. The 26-year-old righty lacks the strikeout upside to make a significant fantasy impact, but he’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts this season. He’ll bring a respectable 3.96 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 37/25 K/BB ratio across 52 1/3 innings into a home outing on Sunday against the Yankees.