Ambulance Chasers, Week 17: A New Rendon(ition)

July 26, 2015 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 11 Comments

The home stretch is upon is us! Head-to-head leagues are juggling for playoff positioning, roto leagues are battled for 0.5 points in WHIP every single day and the rebuild is on for others. Oh, those are just my leagues. As we close in on the final eight weeks of the season an injury at this point — or a stud pitcher or slugger coming back — can tip the scales in many a fantasy leagues.

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See all of today’s starting lineups

#	MLB Starting Lineups For Mon 5/12
	ARI \| ATL \| BOS \| CHC \| CLE \| COL \| DET \| HOU \| KC \| LAA \| MIA \| MIL \| NYM \| NYY \| PHI \| PIT \| SD \| SEA \| SF \| STL \| TEX \| WSH \| ATH \| BAL \| CHW \| CIN \| LAD \| MIN \| OAK \| TB \| TOR

DraftKings: Papa Greinke Says Game On!

July 26, 2015 | DraftKings | 6 Comments

by: Geoff

Much like the classic street hockey scene in Wayne's World, Zack Greinke called time on his 43 2/3 inning scoreless streak to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. Congrats Zack, being a Dad is a gift and I commend you for putting everything aside to be there. But now that the important stuff is out of the way allow me to be the first to say "GAME ON". What better gift for Zack to return to than a date with the anemic Mets offense. It's like an extremely early Father's day gift for Mr. Greinke. Only less like socks and more like an increased opportunity to extend that scoreless streak to 50+ innings. Now don't get me wrong, even the Mets could score a run or two. Believe it or not, they've scored some before even as recently as yesterday. They don't call them Amazing for nothing! But lets consider Mr. Greinke's streak shall we? 43 2/3rds scoreless (one Mike Trout ASG tater notwithstanding), 42 strikeouts, 4 walks and just 19 hits. That's sex watching Scarface! Why? Because that's gangster! In what equates to nearly 5 full games Greinke has a nearly 2/1 strikeout to baserunner ratio. That's Nintendo RBI baseball Nolan Ryan good. That's Lance Armstrong with one ball on PED's good. That's $45 ribeye medium rare good. It's good, really really good. I can't promise the new pops keeps the Mets off the board today but I can tell you this..... Versus RHP the boys from Queens are 29th in weighted on base average and OPS. So there's no better opponent to face outside of the Old Timers lineup they call the Phillies. Sure he costs $13,000 but the matchup and form couldn't be better. New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 10 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.

Minor Accomplishments: Up Goes Frazier!

July 26, 2015 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 83 Comments

by: Mike

Many famous gingers have helped make me the man I am today. Lion-O from Thundercats, Jessica Rabbit, and the fat kid from The Sandlot immediately come to mind. Then there have been a few nightmares featuring this guy. But now that prospects are my focus, my new bro with the orange fro is Clint Frazier. Frazier got some hype as a stud fantasy prospect when he was drafted 5th overall by the Indians in 2013, but when he didn't completely murder A-ball pitchers last year he may have lulled us to sleep. After a roller coaster first half, Frazier is killing it again in July - hitting .486 with three homers and three steals in his last ten games alone. He now has 11 homers, 23 doubles, and 12 steals on the year despite a really poor June where he hit .216/.337/.364. Bradley Zimmer recently leap-frogged Frazier to Double-A, but keep in mind Zimmer is also two years older than him. Practice patience with Frazier if you own shares and you'll be rewarded. He's more Lion-O than Carrot Top...trust me. Here's what else is happening around the minor leagues...

Two Start Pitchers, Week 17: Pickle-Ball

July 25, 2015 | Two Start Fantasy Starters | 36 Comments

by: Geoff

In the vast world of fast food, food, and fine dinning, you'll find your pick of the garnishes to the delight your tastebuds. Some will be salty and some will be sweet, but only a pickle can be some of each. No where on earth such a veggie exists, you'll it eat on burgers, and sausage, and fish. I run to the store to share some with friends, that here is the place where this story book ends. Or maybe begins as I took out my sack and I shared with my kins, cause I'm the pickleman mack. I gave one to Grey, Smokey, and Jay, I gave one to Tehol but he put it away. No, no silly Beddict keep that out of your rectum, these pickles are delicious I demand you respect them. Dan Pants said here, here as he munched on a gherkin, but Tehol didn't hear he was too busy twerkin. Magoo and J-Foh enjoyed their half sours, as Jack waxed poetic about hating Joe Mauers. All was well in Razzland oh sweet pickled cucumber, it's Two start pitchers, week I forget the number. So big changes this week to the two start post, and I think the you'll agree it's for the better. I ramble less and instead provide you with a wide range of stats to justify my rankings. That's better right? Hopefully I don't leave you with a burning feeling like that girl in your dorm that had Daddy issues. Oh yeah and pickles! BTW when you're done here go read soccer, it's good I swear!

Too Hot To Randal

July 25, 2015 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 75 Comments

by: Dan Pants

Cardinals outfielder [player]Randal Grichuk[/player] continued to hit all the baseballs last night chipping in two hits and a two-run home run to help beat the Braves. Randy! Randy! Randy! Randy has been quite randy indeed lately, he's now homered in back to back games and he's hitting .346 with six runs, four home runs, ten RBI and a stolen base in the past week. Yes! More please! He's slashing .283/.333/.566 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI on the year, and the .900 OPS ain't too shabby either. But it's the 11 homers in 219 at-bats that raises my eyebrow, Dwayne Johnson. That's a 25-30 homer hitter over a full season, folks! If we take a peep at the next level stats we can see Randy and his .375 BABIP may be getting a bit lucky. Let's not even talk about 30.8 K% and 5.8 BB% because they are downright awful. And sure Stephen Piscotty could threaten to steal some of Grichuk's ABs down the line. However, the fact is Grichuk is hitting hot fire right now and is still under 50% owned in most leagues, a number that will undoubtedly grow over the next few hours as the legend of his four homer week spreads throughout the land. Time to Buy-chuk, Grichuk! I'd add him in all leagues while he's still hitting everything he sees into the bleachers. Randy! Randy! Randy! Here's what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:

DraftKings: Don’t Hate, Participate!

July 25, 2015 | DraftKings |

by: Bigfoot Paul

I can't tell you how many times I've passed on a DFS player because of my own bias opinion. As much as I suggest to others not to do this, I find that I just can't help myself. Remember when your parents used to tell you, do as I say and not as I do? Well, just call me The Bigfoot Father, or how about Bigfoot Daddy, and do as I say and not as I do. I know DFS is also about having fun and playing the players you like. I'm not saying stack Yankees if you're a Red Sox fan, but accept the fact that the players you dislike are valuable assets in your lineup. The same can be said for players that I really like. Try not to play all Phillies' players just because Schmitty is your all-time favorite player and you've been watching them since you were a kid. So keep reading, and check out a few of my favorite unfavorites for today. New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 10 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.

This Week in Razz…, Week 16

July 25, 2015 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 8 Comments

by: Jay

With the All-Star break now a distant memory... which I guess doesn't make much sense, seeing as how it just happened roughly a week ago. Well, it could make a lot of sense if I have a terrible memory, which certainly could be the case. Because alcohol. The lesson here? Idiom's are just as dangerous as alcohol consumption. And also having terrible recall. What were we talking about again? Regardless, we have now entered into full trade season pandemonium, PANDEMONIUM I TELL YA! Conor Gillaspie never saw it coming folks. Never. Saw. It. Coming. Scott Kazmir might have though, but I can't confirm this. I also can confirm that if you are lagging in the standings, there is still some time left to inject something into your roster. I'd prefer it not be illegal substances, but rather try brainstorming some crazy trade ideas and go for it. In all redraft leagues, you should be going all in right now, and hey, if those wild roster changes don't work, at least you gave it your best effort and didn't go out quietly. And then you can do those illegal substances. And then play some fantasy football! Wait, what were we talking about again?

Yogi Buy Loves To Pick Nick

July 24, 2015 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 568 Comments

by: Grey

What do numbers call their father? Data. Thank you, Highlights. You taught me so much with the juxtaposition of Goofus and Gallant, and you've entertained me for thirty years. One copy, that is well worn, sits on the back of my toilet as my salvation, especially when Cougs forgets to restock the toilet paper. Why am I thinking about data right now? Because I just spent two hours (more like ten minutes) looking for something. I was trying to find what a hitter does after hitting the longest home run of their career, then sorting by guys that do it before their 24th birthday. Alas, I couldn't find anything. Elias Sports Bureau probably knows but they're a bunch of baseball nerds. We're fantasy nerds. Huge difference, we have imaginary friends cooler than their real friends! My hypothesis I was aiming for is if a guy, who was once a well-regarded prospect is called up at a very young age, it might take a bit of time for them to acclimate themselves. Then, once they were comfortable, they'd show power, hit the longest home run of their career and take off from there. At this point, it's just conjecture, but it makes reasonable sense in a case study of one. So, who was this well-regarded prospect that just hit the longest home run of his career this week? Nick Castellanos. My Spidey sense says Castellanos might finally be breaking out. Breaking out from what, you're likely thinking. Well, not from chocolate. From being a schmohawk. Plus, my Spidey sense is strong since this is on the web. Like Castellanos's relatives throw glasses into the fireplace, he was thrown into the fire at an insanely young age, and is only 23 years old now. It's a little early for 2016 sleepers, but Castellanos was a guy that was pegged as someone that could hit for a solid average with some power. I'm intrigued, y'all! In keepers, I could see going after him now for next year, and just grabbing him in redraft mixed leagues. Castellanos you later! Thanks again, Highlights! Anyway, here's some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:

Points Leagues: What’s a Votto with You

July 24, 2015 | Points Leagues | 4 Comments

by: malamoney

Since returning from the All-Star break, no hitter has scored more points than [player]Joey Votto[/player]. Votto-D2 (for you Star Wars geeks) has 10 hits, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 8 walks and a stolen base to give him 39 points over 7 games. On the season he now has 265 points which puts him in the top ten first basemen, where he has quite the company. He's currently on pace for 30 ding dongs, 10 stolen bases and a .300 batting average. But what I really hope is that he has a son name Otto.

DraftKings: Funny, Most Brewers Like Things Corbin-ated

July 24, 2015 | DraftKings | 11 Comments

by: Sky

Since I opened with an odd title, I figure I might as well open with an awkward fun fact! Carbonation in your beer comes from yeast digesting sugar. Think about that for a minute...or better yet, think about what happens after you consume a bean burrito and go swimming. Do you get the general gist, colonel confused? Yeah, I'm just gonna leave that dangling out there. Ponder on ponderers whilst I move on to talking some Patrick Corbin. This will be Corbin's 4th start of the year as he's coming back from Tommy John surgery and so far it's been 'baseball' successful, 'fantasy baseball' so-so and 'daily fantasy' blech. I know, I totally just sold you on him. But the key to this suggestion really comes back to Brewers and their bats and how they seem to have holes in them when facing a left-handed pitcher. For the year, the Brewers have an 81 wRC+ and a healthy 20% K rate on the year against southpaws. Given his surgery, I'm not going to push him for cash but for your tourney lineups, he makes a lot of sense. There's potential for 6 innings and perhaps 5 or 6 Ks to go along with minimal damage on the basepaths and the scoreboard. Given its a Coors night, that along with his pricetag of just $5,900 could go a long way in helping your LUs. So crack a cold one and put Corbin in your lineups tonight. Just remember that beer carbonation is actually just yeast farts. Sorry, it had to be said but you know beer is tasty and you DGAF. So enjoy those 'bubbles' and I'll carry on with my steaming hot takes for this Friday DK slate... New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 10 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.

By George, Astros Amass Scott

July 24, 2015 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 374 Comments

by: Grey

A NASA engineer who plays fantasy, "Houston, we've Scott a pitcher!" Then he tries to high-five another NASA engineer, but their 180 IQs can't figure out a hand slap. A gay man in the Bay Area who plays fantasy, "I see a run on Minute Maid mimosas thanks to the Kaztro!" Then he tries to high-five his friend and it becomes patty cake. A Real Housewife of Houston sees that Scott Kazmir was traded to the Astros and gets on the phone with her husband, "You want me to hide our oil futures in which bank account again?" Okay, that had nothing to do with Kazmir. For the past three months, I've been saying to trade Kazmir in July and guess who reads Razzball. Yo, Beane, I'm on a treadmill as I write this -- simpatico, my brother! Crap, I just hit 'Begin Workout.' How do I shut this off? I just wanted to stand on the treadmill! So, Kazmir takes his 2.38 ERA to Houston and I can kinda understand it from the Astros' perspective. If they get ten starts from him instead of Feldman, then it's a score since they traded low-level prospects. Kazmir is from Houston so he'll be able to play in front of family and friends, which is great if this were Little League and needed a ride home. He has only 15 1/3 IP in The Juice Box, so his numbers there are irrelevant. O.co is a -co park like Petco or Metco and stands for Overstock(ed on foul territory), but Minute Maid isn't exactly Coors. Keuchel, McHugh, McCullers and Velasquez have done fine there, and I think this is a fairly lateral move out of the wishbone offense. What?! Grey must be reading JayWrong's fantasy football rankings. The only thing that really stops Kazmir from performing is his health, which is almost definitely going to fail him. Damn, I should've been a doctor. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Bear or Bull: Is Matt Kemp Finished?

July 23, 2015 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 63 Comments

by: Big Magoo

Professionally speaking, 2015 has not been a good year for Matt Kemp. Actually, Kemp's woes might have started last December when his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, agreed to trade him to division rival and current team, the San Diego Padres. Is there a bigger slap in the face in professional sports than when a team decides to move a player within it's own division? The Dodgers even kicked in $32 million in cash in order to complete the transaction. Not only did the Dodgers seem unconcerned about having to face Kemp on a regular basis in the near future, but they paid down a significant portion of his salary to make it happen. It's like breaking up with a long-time girlfriend while treating her like a one night stand. "Yeah, I have this thing to do right now, so I'll have to ask you to leave. Here's some cab fare for you on the way out. Have a nice life." That's just cold!