Daily Fantasy Baseball News and Notes I First Pitch Podcast 4/17/26

The First Pitch Podcast delivers a sharp, fast-paced breakdown of a sparse but impactful baseball day on April 16, 2026, highlighting Mike Trout’s return to form as the top hitter of the day—back with a home run, three walks, and a blistering OPS over 1.000. The episode celebrates Trout’s resurgence as a game-changer, calling him 'the fish man' and urging fantasy managers to acquire him immediately. On the pitching side, Parker Messick earns the pitcher of the day honors with a near-no-hitter: eight scoreless innings, nine strikeouts, and 112 pitches, despite a late two-run bump. The show also spotlights Chase Dollinger’s surprising effectiveness as a delayed starter for the Rockies—14 whiffs, 35 CSW%, and a no-earned-run outing despite not starting—making him a sneaky asset in points leagues with a starts cap. The reliever segment is chaotic, with multiple blown saves, including Lucas Erceg and Anthony Dominguez, while Mason Miller continues his dominant stretch with a 76% K rate and sixth save of the season. The episode closes with a preview of key matchups, headlined by the marquee Jacob deGrom vs. Logan Gilbert showdown in Seattle, billed as the game of the day.