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Asdrubal Cabrera 1B | CIN
Mets' Asdrubal Cabrera: Clubs three-run homer against Padres
Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs to help the Mets to a 5-1 victory over the Padres on Friday.
After going 0-for-6 in his return to action coming off a sore hamstring Thursday, Cabrera got back on track with an explosive effort that brought his average up to .333 and his OPS to .970 through 93 at-bats. Consider him fully healthy and good to go moving forward.
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Joey Votto 1B | TOR
Reds' Joey Votto: Homers for fourth straight game
Votto went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs in the Reds' 15-9 win over the Twins on Friday.
Votto seems intent on showing his slow start to the season is a thing of the past, as his fifth-inning long ball off Tyler Duffey marked his fourth straight game with a homer after going the first 21 games of the season without one. The 34-year-old is now slashing .280/.393/.430 and he looks fully primed to resume his status as one of the best hitters in baseball.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt: Doubles twice in three-hit effort
Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a run scored in the Diamondbacks' 8-2 win over the Phillies on Thursday.
Goldschmidt is now up to seven doubles and 13 extra-base hits on the season, placing him fifth in the National League in the latter category. Since April 10, Goldschmidt has slashed .385/.467/.769 with four home runs, two steals, eight RBI and 14 runs, more than atoning for his 4-to-34 start to the season.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Braves' Freddie Freeman: Bangs out three doubles in Thursday's win
Freeman went 3-for-4 with a walk, three doubles and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Reds.
The first baseman has been raking over the last week, hitting .400 (12-for-30) with seven extra-base hits (five doubles, two homers), five RBI and six runs. Despite the buzz being generated by Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies, Freeman remains the heart of the Braves' offense, and with additional support from the youngsters he could be headed for a career year.
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Asdrubal Cabrera 1B | CIN
Mets' Asdrubal Cabrera: In Thursday's lineup
Cabrera (hamstring) will play second base and bat third against the Cardinals on Thursday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.
Cabrera was held out of Wednesday's game due to a sore right hamstring but doesn't appear to be dealing with any lingering effects as he's back in the starting nine for the series finale in St. Louis. Through 21 games, Cabrera is hitting .349/.391/.590 with four home runs and 12 RBI.
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Alex Blandino 1B | SF
Reds' Alex Blandino: Should see role decline with Suarez back
Blandino will make his first MLB start at second base and bat eighth Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville on April 9, Blandino has received all nine of his starts at third base, settling in as the primary option at the position while Eugenio Suarez (hand) was on the disabled list. With Suarez having made tremendous progress in his recovery and gaining clearance to come off the disabled list and return to the lineup Thursday, Blandino will no longer be in store for regular reps at the hot corner, but he'll stick in the starting nine thanks to his ability to play elsewhere in the infield. It's worth noting, however, that Blandino's inclusion in the lineup over the lefty-hitting Scooter Gennett likely has more to do with the fact that a southpaw (Sean Newcomb) is starting for the Braves. Expect Blandino to ride the pine more frequently and act as a utility man so long as he sticks around with the big club.
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Joey Votto 1B | TOR
Reds' Joey Votto: Launches second homer Wednesday
Votto went 2-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Braves.
After a slow start to the season, Votto's now gone yard in back-to-back games while driving in at least one run in four straight and reaching base in 10 straight. His .256/.363/.337 slash line is still well below his usual standards, but now that he seems to be getting into a groove at the plate, his numbers should rise quickly.
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Asdrubal Cabrera 1B | CIN
Mets' Asdrubal Cabrera: Dealing with hamstring soreness
Cabrera is sitting out of Wednesday's game due to a sore right hamstring, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
It initially seemed like a routine night off for the veteran infielder, but manager Mickey Callaway clarified that an injury is actually in play. No MRI has been scheduled as of yet. Wilmer Flores will fill in for him at second for the evening.
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Asdrubal Cabrera 1B | CIN
Mets' Asdrubal Cabrera: Day off Wednesday
Cabrera is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
The day off is just Cabrera's second of the season. He's on a tear to start the season, hitting .349/.391/.590 through 92 plate appearances. Wilmer Flores will get the start at second base in his place.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt: Steals first base of season
Goldschmidt went 1-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in the Diamondbacks' 8-4 win over the Phillies on Tuesday.
Goldschmidt has long been one of the more prolific base stealers among first basemen, but he's unexpectedly seen his involvement in the run game decline so far this season, despite getting on base at a .417 clip. The stolen base was Goldschmidt's first of the season -- and also his first attempt -- through the Diamondbacks' 22 games. If his current pace holds, Goldschmidt would finish with just seven steals over a 162-game schedule, marking his lowest total of any full season of his career and an 11-steal decline from 2017.