IF YOU READ ONLY ONE THING…

The Angels offense continues to roll after scoring in each of the first five innings on Sunday en route to defeating the Rangers 12-6. The Angels were led by Albert Pujols and his AL-leading 25^th home run. Kole Calhoun also had a home run in the game and drove in four runs. The Angels capped off an impressive offensive weekend in Texas scoring 33 runs over the three game series. With Pujols’ recent return to his Cardinals’ form, the top of the Angels lineup will continue to be an expensive but formidable option in daily fantasy as we move into the dog days of summer.

JUST AS WE EXPECTED…

Cole Hamels continues to be the lone bright spot for the struggling Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels went seven innings on Sunday while not surrendering a run or a walk in the outing. Hamels left the game with the score knotted at 0-0. The tie was not broken until the tenth inning and Hamels once again did not get a win in a game that he should have. Hamels now has a 1.13 WHIP on the season and will continue as a top daily option every time out. As the trade deadline approaches, every start could be Hamels’ last in a Phillies uniform, which could drastically alter his fantasy value. The asking price is likely to be high for the southpaw, but if he moves, he could be a difference maker as division races heat up across baseball.

Hanley Ramirez has quickly quieted the doubters in Boston as he belted his 18^th home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Red Sox defeated the Astros 5-4. Ramirez’s two run homer put the Red Sox on top as they trailed 4-3 going into the seventh. Ramirez now has five home runs in his last ten games. Even though he will continue to be a defensive liability as long as the Red Sox trot him out in left field, the Red Sox cannot afford to have him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.

BUT WE DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING…

J.D. Martinez is on an incredible hot streak right now as he has hit 10 home runs in the span of 47 at-bats. Martinez added his 23^rd home run of the season in a 10-5 loss to the Blue Jays. Martinez’s numbers over the past 19 games are outstanding as he has 13 home runs and 29 RBIs. With Miguel Cabrera going on the disabled list for the first time in his career, Martinez will be relied upon heavily in the Tigers’ offense. It will be interesting to see if Martinez’s production tapers off without the protection of Cabrera over the next six weeks or so.

THE REST OF THE DETAILS

SAVE CHANCES

–Roberto Osuna, TOR (3)

–Mark Melancon, PIT (27)

–Koji Uehara, BOS (19)

–Kevin Siegrist, STL (4)

–Jason Motte, CHC (4)

–Fernando Rodney, SEA (16)

–John Axford, COL (14)

INJURIES

–Carlos Gomez remained out of the lineup Sunday with a left wrist contusion and is considered day-to-day.

–Stephen Strasburg was placed on the DL Sunday after leaving Saturday’s start early with a left oblique strain.

–Carlos Frias was placed on the 15-day DL with lower back tightness.

–Adrian Gonzalez left Sunday’s game early with a bruised right wrist after being hit by a pitch.

–Josh Hamilton remained out of the lineup today and is considered day-to-day with general soreness.

–Steven Souza left the game early after an injury to his right pinky finger but should be back in the lineup early this week.

–Jaime Garcia was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Cardinals.

RUMORS & TRANSACTIONS

-Orioles activated 2B Jonathan Schoop from the disabled list after he was placed on the DL earlier this season with a sprained PCL.

-The Pirates claimed Travis Ishikawa off waiver from the Giants.