Thursday's slate gave us everything: A pitcher going eight innings in a blowout, the Cubs extending to NINE straight wins, a closer race that just got fascinating, and a Yankees injury that reshapes the outfield landscape overnight. Let's start with the Cubs. Shota Imanaga: Six innings, one run, ten strikeouts. Chicago beat Cincinnati 8-3 and extended their win streak to nine games. Their record is now 27-12 — best in the National League. Imanaga has been the engine of this entire run. His numbers are backed by legitimate process: 2.40 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 2.74 xERA. That FIP-to-xERA relationship tells you this is real, not luck. His K-to-BB ratio is 3.7-to-1. His sweeper generates a 40%+ whiff rate. His split-finger induces a 44% chase rate. Yes, his hard-hit rate allowed is elevated at 52.5% — that's the flag to monitor. But for now, he's a top-12 starter in every format. If you passed on him early because of modest velocity, his pitch mix and command are telling a different story. Pay ace price to acquire him now. Now the Yankees news. Jasson Dominguez is headed to the IL with a low-grade sprain of his left AC joint. He made a tremendous over-the-wall catch in the first inning and paid for it. Boone said "a few weeks" — but AC joint sprains have a way of lingering. If you have Dominguez, hold him — he's not a sell-low candidate. But plug in a short-term streamer for the next 2-3 weeks. Watch how Boone fills his spot — there could be streamer value in whoever slides into that role. The Yankees offense is still humming. Cody Bellinger had three hits including a triple. Trent Grisham had three hits, three RBIs, and a stolen base. Yes, he's batting .182 — but he's making hard contact, posting a chase rate well below league average, and hitting the ball the other way. Put him on your watch list in 15+ team formats. Now the closer situation — and this is fascinating. Riley O'Brien picked up his 11th save for St. Louis, tying him with Mason Miller for the MLB lead. On Mason Miller's own bobblehead night at Petco Park. O'Brien is absolutely real: 2.00 ERA, locked role in St. Louis with a team that has won 22 games. He's a top-5 closer in every format. Check your waiver wire — that window may be closing. Cade Smith notched his 10th save for Cleveland. Quietly accumulating saves on one of the better teams in the AL Central. Set-it-and-forget-it closer option. Tampa Bay remains a committee approach. Cole Sulser closed it out Thursday, but the Rays are still using a committee. Not yet a reliable fantasy asset for any one name. Other highlights: • Sal Stewart: 10th HR, 22 years old, 17.6% barrel rate, K-rate dropped from 25.9% to 18.1%. Long-term buy, not sell-high. • J.T. Ginn: Eight innings, one run, eight strikeouts on 96 pitches. 25-year-old put himself on streaming radar. Watch next start. • Andrew Painter accountability: Eight earned runs in 3.2 innings. ERA now 6.89. Velocity down, slider lost 2 inches of break. Not viable in any format right now. Sell the name-brand value while it exists. • Jordan Walker: Hitting .309, quietly excellent May, 2-for-4 Thursday. Worth owning in most formats. Three takeaways: 1. Imanaga and the Cubs aren't slowing down. 27-12, nine straight wins. He's the ace and you should be paying ace price. 2. Yankees survived Dominguez injury but monitor how Boone fills his spot. Bellinger and Grisham are hitting. 3. Phillies need to decide on Painter. If he keeps surrendering crooked numbers, he's draining wins from a playoff team. Sell while name value still exists. AARON JOLLY MLB Daily Dynasty May 8, 2026 Keywords: Shota Imanaga, Cubs 9 wins, Jasson Dominguez IL, Yankees injury, Riley O'Brien, Mason Miller, 11 saves, fantasy baseball, waiver wire, add now, Sal Stewart, J.T. Ginn, Andrew Painter, Jordan Walker
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May 9 202610 min