Fantasy News

• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Coughs up lead

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  McGough (0-3) was charged with the loss in Monday's game against the Rockies. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. McGough entered to start the sixth inning and walked the first batter, who came around to score the tying run. He was out of the game by the time Joe Mantiply allowed two inherited runners to score, which saddled McGough with a third loss in his last three outings. McGough has a 6.35 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 5.2 innings thus far in 2024.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Takes loss in extras

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  McGough (0-1) was tagged with the loss in Wednesday's extra-innings game against the Yankees. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out one over one inning. McGough, pitching on back-to-back days, entered the top of the 11th inning and gave up a pair of runs then was part of an unusual situation in the bottom of the frame. Previous tactical maneuvers and an injury to Geraldo Perdomo (knee) resulted in McGough striking out with two outs and the bases loaded. It was the reliever's first career plate appearance.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Projected for bullpen

  Rotowire Mar 3, 2024

  McGough is projected for one of eight bullpen spots on Arizona's Opening Day roster, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. McGough was an important piece of the bullpen to start the 2023 season and was a regular at the end of games, but it all fell apart in the second half, when he posted an 8.63 ERA over 23 appearances. Once Paul Sewald was acquired at the trade deadline, McGough didn't sniff a ninth-inning save opportunity. After a scoreless inning Saturday, McGough has given up two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over two Cactus League appearances.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Starting nightcap

  Rotowire Aug 19, 2023

  McGough will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against San Diego, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. Saturday will mark the first start of McGough's major-league career. He's put up a 4.76 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside a 69:24 K:BB through 56.2 innings on the season and will likely remain in the game for an inning or two before handing it off to the bullpen.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Converts ninth save

  Rotowire Aug 1, 2023

  McGough struck out two without putting a runner on base to earn the save in Monday's 4-3 win over the Giants in 11 innings. McGough uncorked a wild pitch that moved the initial runner to third base, but that was his only mistake. The save was his ninth of the year and his second in a row, but McGough's chances to close are likely to dry up following Arizona's trade for Paul Sewald. McGough has a 4.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB with 13 holds and four blown saves over 52.1 innings -- he should be able to maintain a setup role, and his strikeout upside could keep him on the fantasy radar in NL-only formats.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Picks up save Saturday

  Rotowire Jul 30, 2023

  McGough earned a save against Seattle on Saturday, striking out the only batter he faced to close out the contest. Kevin Ginkel -- who had picked up each of Arizona's previous three saves -- was deployed in the eighth inning Saturday and was pulled with one out in the ninth despite retiring all four batters he faced. Arizona then turned to Andrew Chafin to close things out, but he allowed two of three hitters he saw to reach base, giving McGough the opportunity to close things out. The right-hander faced a tough test in Julio Rodriguez but managed to strike him out on the eighth pitch of the at-bat. This was a nice outing for McGough after he had allowed 11 runs over his previous 4.2 frames, but while there remains a closer committee of sorts in Arizona, Ginkel remains the favorite for saves and the best Diamondbacks reliever to roster from a fantasy perspective.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Rough stretch continues

  Rotowire Jul 27, 2023

  McGough allowed four runs on four hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to St. Louis. McGough hung a couple of splitters that turned into a pair of two-run home runs in the eighth inning. The Diamondbacks' offense showed life, coming back from a pair of small deficits during the game, but did not have enough to overcome what McGough left them. The outing was the fifth in the reliever's last six that he's allowed runs. The right-hander owns a 16.50 ERA during that span. McGough is one of several important bullpen arms that have contributed to Arizona's slide this month -- five wins, 14 losses since July 2.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Walks two in save

  Rotowire Jul 2, 2023

  McGough walked two batters and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Angels. This was McGough's first appearance since his three-run meltdown in a blown save versus the Rays. He's allowed multiple baserunners in three straight outings, though he was able to navigate trouble Saturday. The 33-year-old is up to seven saves, 12 holds and four blown saves with a 2.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB through 43 innings this season.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Melts down Wednesday

  Rotowire Jun 29, 2023

  McGough (0-6) took the loss and a blown save Wednesday versus the Rays, allowing three runs on four hits with one strikeout in one inning. McGough gave up three straight singles and a two-out double, allowing the Rays to rally for a 3-2 lead. Over his previous 15 appearances, McGough had allowed just one unearned run over 19 innings with a 27:6 K:BB, so this looks to simply be a bump in the road. The right-hander's up to four blown saves this year, but he also has six saves and 12 holds with a 3.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB over 42 innings. He's mostly been an effective late-inning option, providing stability in Arizona's bullpen, which ranks 21st in the majors with a 4.14 ERA from relievers.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Notches two-out save

  Rotowire Jun 22, 2023

  McGough earned his fifth save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Nationals by retiring both batters he faced. He struck out one. The right-hander picked up a two-out save Wednesday in Milwaukee and was called upon again Thursday after fellow reliever Joe Mantiply was unable to maintain Arizona's four-run advantage. McGough now has saves in each of his past three appearances, and he hasn't given up an earned run in his past 21 frames. Miguel Castro and Andrew Chafin lead the Diamondbacks with seven and eight saves, respectively, but McGough appears to have become the preferred option in the closing committee.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Dazzles in two-inning save

  Rotowire Jun 22, 2023

  McGough picked up the save Wednesday against Milwaukee. He struck out four over two perfect innings. McGough tallied two perfect innings Wednesday to collect his fourth save of the season while striking out four of the six batters he faced. The save was his third in the last 10 days as McGough extended his streak without an earned run to 20.1 innings (15 appearances). Though Miguel Castro and Andrew Chafin (ankle) still remain in the mix for closing duties, McGough has proven to be one of the Diamondbacks' top arms out of the bullpen and could be emerging as the preferred ninth-inning option.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Picks up second save

  Rotowire Jun 11, 2023

  McGough recorded the save in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Tigers, recording a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. McGough entered in relief of Andrew Chafin with runners on the corners and one out. The right-hander struck out Javier Baez before inducing a game-ending groundout from Nick Maton. The 33-year-old McGough has been spotless of late -- he's now gone 11.1 innings without allowing a run, allowing just two hits while striking out 17 in that span. His ERA is down to 2.97 with a 0.87 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB through 33.1 innings this season. With Miguel Castro struggling a bit of late, McGough could be in the mix for more closing opportunities in Arizona.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Settling in as setup arm

  Rotowire Jun 5, 2023

  McGough struck out one over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 8-5 loss to Atlanta. McGough did his job in the eighth inning, but closer Miguel Castro let it slip away in the ninth. McGough faltered early in the season, but he's righted himself and back pitching in high-leverage spots. On May 6, the right-hander was 0-3 with three blown saves and a 5.87 ERA over 15.1 innings. In the same number of innings since then, McGough sports a 0.59 ERA with 20 strikeouts with just five hits allowed.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Saddled with loss

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2023

  McGough (0-2) allowed two runs on three hits over a third of an inning, picking up the loss to Miami on Saturday. McGough came out of an impressive spring training as a late-inning relief option, but the right-hander's uneven regular-season performance may take him out of consideration for save chances. His appearance in the seventh inning Saturday after the Diamondbacks had taken the lead ended up being his second blown save in three opportunities. McGough's allowed five runs on six hits, including three home runs, and three walks over 4.2 innings.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Back from paternity leave

  Rotowire Apr 12, 2023

  The Diamondbacks reinstated McGough (personal) from the paternity list Wednesday. McGough missed Tuesday's loss to the Brewers while welcoming a new member of his family, but the 33-year-old will be available for Wednesday's series finale. Arizona optioned Carlos Vargas to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Goes on paternity leave

  Rotowire Apr 11, 2023

  Arizona placed McGough on the paternity leave list Tuesday. McGough has been excused from the Diamondbacks as he welcomes a new member of his growing family. The 33-year-old reliever holds an 8.10 ERA through 3.1 innings of work this season. Jose Ruiz, acquired from the White Sox on Sunday, will join the Arizona bullpen in his place.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Blows saves, takes loss

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2023

  McGough (0-1) was tagged with Monday's loss after allowing two runs on two hits without retiring a batter in a 5-4 loss to the Padres. McGough, looking to earn a second save in as many games, served up back-to-back home runs to David Dahl and Ha-Seong Kim, turning a potential comeback win into a crushing walkoff loss. "You just try to keep level-headed, come back to work tomorrow," he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The scene was a throwback to 2022 when the Diamondbacks were walked off 11 times and suffered 41 relief losses, both tied for most in the majors. McGough has been through this rodeo before -- as a high-leverage reliever in Japan -- and knows how to bounce back.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Scuttles save opportunity

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2023

  McGough walked two batters over a third of an inning and earned his first hold in Friday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers. McGough, who entered with a runner on and two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, walked the first batter he faced before getting Miguel Rojas on a loud lineout to short. The right-hander was brought back out for the ninth but was removed after walking the first batter. In all, McGough threw just four of 13 pitches for strikes. He had a strong spring training, which earned him a shot at being the primary closer among a committee of relievers, but McGough scuttled his first chance. Andrew Chafin finished off the Dodgers for the save.

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• Diamondbacks' Scott McGough: Continues scoreless run

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2023

  McGough allowed one walk and struck out three over a scoreless fifth inning in Wednesday's spring game against Texas. Wednesday's base on balls is the lone blemish for McGough, who has yet to allow a run or hit over four Cactus League innings. "He has the ability to mix his pitches and throw them all for strikes. And the ability to understand when he needs a swing and miss moment and when he needs to bury a pitch," manager Torey Lovullo told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 33-year-old right-hander pitched the last four seasons in Japan, serving as the closer for the Yakult Swallows. The Diamondbacks signed him to compete for a role in late-game situations, and McGough has shown himself capable.

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