Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has had a rough time at the plate this past week. In Friday's game against the Cleveland Indians, Bogaerts went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Over four games this week, he has gone 1-for-17 with two walks and five strikeouts. The 28-year-old is in the midst of one of the best years of his career. Over 120 games, he's slashing .299/.368/.506 with 20 home runs, five stolen bases, 69 RBI and 76 runs. He ranks in the 91st percentile of the league in max exit velocity (113.6 mph). Look for him to shake off this brief slump soon.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts homered for the second consecutive day Friday night, knocking his 20th long ball of the year against the Texas Rangers. He went 2-for-4 with two RBI in the game. Bogaerts now has hits in 10 of his last 12 games, with five of those being multi-hit affairs. He's hearing up at just the right time for fantasy managers pushing to make the playoffs.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts hit his 19th home run of the season Wednesday night, and opposite-field fly ball that may have benefited from the short right-field porch in Yankee Stadium. It was his only hit in three at-bats, and he also added a walk. The home run came off starter Andrew Heaney. After a slower July, Bogaerts is slashing .293/.391/.500 in August with three homers, 12 RBI, and 12 runs scored. He's a must in fantasy lineups, even with the Red Sox offense scuffling a bit.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts reached in all four plate appearances Saturday, going 3-for-3 with a double and a hit-by-pitch. He drove in two runs and scored two more. Bogaerts has been showing signs at the plate of late, with a .393/.452/.679 slash line in 28 at-bats over the last week. After getting hit on the hand, it would not be surprising to see Boagerts get a day off Sunday, but it did not appear to be serious. With the Boston offense picking up on the whole, Bogaerts is in position to continue delivering first-round production for the rest of the year.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts managed just one hit on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, but he made it count with a solo home run, his 18th of the season. He came close to homering in two of his other at-bats, with 755 feet worth of fly-outs, though they don't count in the box score. It's a good sign for fantasy managers that Bogaerts is driving the ball again after only two home runs in his previous 23 games.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts had the only home run in a 20-8 blowout win over the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night. He went 2-for-4 with the three-run home run, a double, two walks, four RBI, and three runs scored. In stuffing the stat sheet, Bogaerts broke out of a mini-slump, with just his second extra-base hit and first home run of August, his 17th on the year. With an .889 OPS, 17 homers, and five steals for the season, Bogaerts is the top fantasy shortstop option not named Turner or Tatis Jr.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-5 against the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday with two runs scored. Bogaerts has just six hits in 27 at-bats in August, and he's struggled to a .241/.320/.380 with three home runs in his last 30 games and 120 plate appearances. Even so, Bogaerts remains a top fantasy option at shortstop with his .874 OPS, 16 homers, 65 runs, and 56 RBI in 389 at-bats on the year.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two walks against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday. The homer was his 16th of the year, and was his first since July 11. It's also only his third since June 15, when his power production began to slow. Despite not living up to early-season heights, he still is a tip-top fantasy asset with an .896 OPS, 55 RBI, 62 runs, and five steals on the season. He's bound to be selected in the first two rounds of 2022 fantasy drafts.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts scored two of Boston's three runs against the Tampa Bay Rays Friday, going 2-for-5 with two singles. Bogaerts has not enjoyed a very strong July, slashing just .227/.294/.373 with two home runs in 75 at-bats. His OPS has slipped to .884, the lowest it's been since April 13. In fact, the whole offense has sputtered of late, but fantasy managers should have confidence that Bogaerts is in excellent position to bounce back, and he remains a top option.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (wrist) is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays. Bogaerts was held out of Monday's lineup with a wrist issue, and was not in the lineup Tuesday prior to the postponement of that game. Manager Alex Cora said on Tuesday that the injury was nothing serious and that he expected Bogaerts to return to the lineup on Wednesday. It's possible that Bogaerts will get the start in Game 2 of this doubleheader, but managers should keep an eye out for further updates on his condition. In the meantime, Kike Hernandez is getting the start at shortstop again and will lead off against Toronto.

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]

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]

A look at what’s happening around the majors today: START IT UP The second half begins with one game when Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and the AL East-leading Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium. Left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez (6-5, 5.52 ERA) starts for Boston, which holds a 1 1/2-game edge over Tampa Bay. New York and Toronto are eight games behind the Red Sox. J.D. Martinez and the Red Sox have wrecked the Yankees lately, going 6-0 against their longtime rivals this season and outscoring them 36-17 in those matchups. The Yankees, who haven’t announced their rotation for this three-game series, face Boston eight times in their first 10 games coming out of the All-Star break. The stretch could decide whether New York is a buyer or seller heading into the July 30 trade deadline. TRADE WINDS The clock is ticking -- two weeks for contenders to make deals before the deadline. Need some home runs? Nelson Cruz keeps connecting at age 41, hitting 18 this year while batting .304 for Minnesota. The Target... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Across the globe, everybody is watching Shohei Ohtani in awe and intrigue. Major League Baseball can only love the attention from around the world surrounding the Angels' two-way star and the spotlight he's brought to the sport. Can Ohtani keep this up? An encore to a sensational first half? He leads the majors with 33 home runs and has shown no signs of slowing down or slumping — and should soon have a healthy Mike Trout back in the lineup with him. Pitchers across the big leagues are doing their part so far, too. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season, matching the mark for most in one year during the modern era. The record of eight was set in 1884, the first season overhand pitching was allowed. Will Jacob deGrom, Walker Buehler and Gerrit Cole join the list soon? And will the uproar over sticky substances tamp down? Manager Torey Lovullo and the Arizona Diamondbacks are eager for a fresh start, determined to forget that record 24-game... [More]

A look at what’s happening around the majors on Thursday: START IT UP The second half begins with one game when Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and the AL East-leading Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium. Left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez (6-5, 5.52 ERA) starts for Boston, which holds a 1 1/2-game edge over Tampa Bay. New York and Toronto are eight games behind the Red Sox. J.D. Martinez and the Red Sox have wrecked the Yankees lately, going 6-0 against their longtime rivals this season and outscoring them 36-17 in those matchups. The Yankees, who haven’t announced their rotation for this three-game series, face Boston eight times in their first 10 games coming out of the All-Star break. The stretch could decide whether New York is a buyer or seller heading into the July 30 trade deadline. TRADE WINDS The clock is ticking -- two weeks for contenders to make deals before the deadline. Need some home runs? Nelson Cruz keeps connecting at age 41, hitting 18 this year while batting .304 for Minnesota.... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Across the globe, everybody is watching Shohei Ohtani in awe and intrigue. Major League Baseball can only love the attention from around the world surrounding the Angels' two-way star and the spotlight he's brought to the sport. Can Ohtani keep this up? An encore to a sensational first half? He leads the majors with 33 home runs and has shown no signs of slowing down or slumping — and should soon have a healthy Mike Trout back in the lineup with him. Pitchers across the big leagues are doing their part so far, too. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season, matching the mark for most in one year during the modern era. The record of eight was set in 1884, the first season overhand pitching was allowed. Will Jacob deGrom, Walker Buehler and Gerrit Cole join the list soon? And will the uproar over sticky substances tamp down? Manager Torey Lovullo and the Arizona Diamondbacks are eager for a fresh start, determined to forget that record 24-game... [More]