Argh, Cole The Pirate Has Spurry

August 29, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 345 Comments

Gerrit Cole has an injured arm, possibly elbow spurs. I love this scenario: a pitcher throws like garbage for weeks then the team announces he's hurt. Love, love, love. This is my favorite. Five innings, five runs, but it's likely nothing, just a bad start. Cut to five weeks later of terrible starts. "Oh, yeah, he's got a torn tendon/elbow spur/missing forearm due to lost baggage. Oops! We should've sent him to a doctor six starts ago. Our bad!" Here's what I said after his last start, "I don’t know what’s going on with Cole, but I’d guess injury or dead arm." And that's me quoting me! How is it that I can guess there's a problem but a major league team can't figure shizz out? That should never be possible. I couldn't even pass Bio 101, and a MLB team has a staff of doctors. Seriously, how does this happen? I want answers! Anyway, here's what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

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See all of today’s starting lineups

#	MLB Starting Lineups For Tue 8/26
	ARI \| ATH \| ATL \| BAL \| BOS \| CHC \| CHW \| CIN \| CLE \| COL \| DET \| HOU \| KC \| LAA \| LAD \| MIA \| MIL \| MIN \| NYM \| NYY \| PHI \| PIT \| SD \| SEA \| SF \| STL \| TB \| TEX \| TOR \| WSH \| OAK

Bear or Bull: The Miller’s Tale

August 28, 2016 | Uncategorized | 18 Comments

by: Big Magoo

Prior to the 2016 season, Brad Miller had been viewed as something of a tweener - an average defensive shortstop at best whose offensive potential never quite translated into consistent production at the MLB level. The Seattle Mariners finally grew tired of Miller's inconsistency and lack of improvement and traded him away in a six player deal to the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason. For the first few months of the season, Miller looked like the same player that he was during the majority of his stint in Seattle, producing a .241/.288/.459 batting line with 35 runs, 14 homers, 32 RBI, and 4 steals in the first half (312 plate appearances). Since the All-Star Break, Miller has looked like a completely different player, producing a .305/.385/.656 line with 24 runs, 11 homers, 30 RBI, and 2 steals in just 148 plate appearances. So what in the world is going on here? Has Miller finally reached his offensive potential or has it merely been a strong month and a half for him? Let's take a look at Miller's profile to determine if his recent surge is just a blip in the radar or a sign of things to come. Here are a few thoughts and observations:

DraftKings: Don’t Ivan Worry, It’s Nova for Shova.

August 28, 2016 | DraftKings | 2 Comments

by: Mike Honcho

First and foremost, I'd like to thank all of the loyal readers out there in the Kingdom of Razz. I'd also like to apologize, kinda. You see, what I'm about to do makes me feel dirty. There's no way I would've considered this earlier in the season. Ultimately, the time has come. I'm suggesting Ivan Nova for your DFS pleasure this afternoon. I need a shower. Hopefully he'll pitch well enough that I won't end up crying in the shower. That's another story for another blog. Anyway, here's the thing.....He's facing the Brewers and they're extremely generous when it comes to swings and misses. Milwaukee leads the majors with a 25.2% strikeout rate and over the last 7 days that number jumps to 27.2%. That's certainly not optimal if you find yourself rooting for the home team. For today, that's music to our prospective daily fantasy ears. Their .316 wOBA lands them right in the middle of the pack and the .156 ISO they've produced thus far shouldn't scare you away either. As far as Nova is concerned, he's never had issues with his control as his 1.91 BB/9 suggests - so he shouldn't stuff the bases with potential landmines. In fact, ever since the trade from the Yankees, he's held opponents to nine runs over 25 1/3 innings and produced a 3-0 record in his four starts. To his credit, Nova is doing a fantastic job keeping the ball on the ground, producing a 2.25 GB/FB ratio which to be honest has played a big part in his remarkable turn around since being dealt to the Pirates. So there you have it amigos, take advantage of his $8,000 price tag, put on your Sunday chaps and jump on the back of my Hog - We're left lane cruising to Nova Nova land. Here's a look at my favorite suggestions for today's action: New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well reserve your spot in the 25 Team Razzball Exclusive League set to run Monday August 29th to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. Wanna know what the best part is about signing up with us? The free subscription for the rest of the season to our DFSBot, that’s what! For details on the how to, please visit our Razzball Subscriptions page.

2016 MLB Draftees Update: Part Two, Ever Been To Pulaski?

August 28, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 36 Comments

by: Geoff

I was going to open this post with my favorite Future quote, but then I remembered that I don't know what Future is saying ever. That's okay, I just like humming along to the words anyway. Seriously, I think that's Future's appeal, you can hum to the words! Brave new world, ladies and gents! So why are we here? I know why I'm here, you should figure that out on your own. In the meantime read along, as I follow up my post from this past Wednesday updating y'all on the performances of the players taken in the first round of this year's MLB draft. On Wednesday I'll round out the series, with my later round draft sleepers. I'll try and figure out what Future is saying between now and then. Today we'll look at picks 17-34, and touch on a handful of players I like from the Competitive Balance Round. I mean I could have done the whole draft, but I don't have time to write 2,000,000 words. I'm too busy watching minor league baseball, and trying to figure out what Future is saying.

Two-Start Pitchers, Week 22: A Hill to Die On

August 27, 2016 | Two Start Fantasy Starters | 26 Comments

by: M@

Rest easy, Dodgertown, it looks like your savior lefty has returned to the mound after bated breath. And after his triumphant return in the west he'll be coming over the mountains to the east climbing hills a mile high. It's part Gandalf coming from the east on the fifth day, mixed with a splash of Malibu Rocky (think 'Malibu Ken'...but with Sly Stallone's growl) and a heaping of Clayton Kershaw. But wait (gasp!)...it's not. There's no Kershaw to be had! In his stead we see a genius front office deadline move come to fruition as none other than Rich Hill took the mound against the Giants this past week and slayed them in route to a 1-0 win. Blisters be damned! Now, Rich Hill's no slouch; hasn't been for a few years now. In fact, his numbers trump those above him in our two-start pitchers rankings this week, but both perception and name value may leave Hill a little underwhelming in the eyes of players. How mistaken you'd be if you fall on that side of the line. Let's examine a little closer, and give a few words as to why my confidence is heavyweight strong for Hill in Week 22.

Points Leagues, Riding The Hot Hand

August 27, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues | 15 Comments

by: malamoney

If you're still focused on fantasy baseball, pat yourself on the back for either making it into the playoffs or at least being in the playoff hunt. Here's an interesting, and possibly false, stat. I started the season with thirty-one followers. I am currently down to eighteen. Seventeen of those eighteen have put themselves into a playoff position by reading my posts. The one follower that is not is my wife. She doesn't even play fantasy baseball, she just reads my posts every week to make sure I am actually writing a post when she asks me to do something and I tell I can't because I have to write an article. Ok, so I don't really know how many followers I had or still have, or how many have actually benefited from my guidance, but I do know this. One hundred percent of my readers that are in the playoffs are actually in the playoffs. They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time.

You Betts Believe It

August 27, 2016 | Uncategorized | 28 Comments

by: Dan Pants

[player]Mookie Betts[/player] was 5-for-5 and drove in two runs Friday night. It was the first five-hit game of his career and the number of pets in New England being named Mookie is climbing quicker than his batting average. Let me gush about Betts for a minute, even though it might be tough because I know Xander is reading. (Do not worry, you are still my number 1, Awesome-X.) Mookie is slashing .320/.360/.557 with 28 homers, 93 RBI, 21 steals, and 99 runs scored. He is the only reason I am winning anything fantasy baseball this year and he is an early favorite for AL MVP. I tell all my real life friends, who are definitely all real life humans and not people I just made up for the purposes of the post, that Mookie Betts is my spirit animal. However, I was recently told I can't say this because I'm not Native American and if you ain't Native you can't have spirit animals. That's their thing. Quit trying to take their thing. Well, I just did San Pedro cactus and tripped out in the desert last weekend, does that mean I'm a real native now or nah? At the very least I'd hold it makes me much more spiritual. In the past two weeks, Betts is hitting .387 with 12 runs scored, 5 homers, 18 RBI and 3 steals. If those numbers don't bring you existential enlightenment, I'm not sure a psychedelic cactus or a sweat lodge will either. He's hitting close to .400 in August as he attempts to carry the Sawx to the promised land aka the postseason. In addition, since moving from lead off to clean up over the past week and a half he's only gotten better, slashing .400/.455/.550 with two jacks and 8 RBI. I love Mookie Betts more than I could ever love a human baby. I think I am feeling more spiritual already. Here's what else happened in fantasy baseball Friday night: Want to take on Razzball writers and contributors in the great game of Fantasy Football? For Prizes? OH MY GOD YES. Where do you sign up? Great question! (Even though you didn’t technically ask. I mean, you might have, but I couldn’t hear you…) You can join here!

DraftKings: A Starter Against the Rockies? But of Coors!

August 27, 2016 | DraftKings | 6 Comments

by: Sky

It's not much of a secret, of course; or at least, it's not an undocumented fact: the Rockies away from Coors can be a bore with the bats. Wanna know an undocumented fact? Harambe might be a more long lasting meme than Crying Jordan when all is said and done. I don't know how I feel about that, honestly, but #DicksOutForHarambe needs to go. NOW. Or at least, the pics preceding do...because gross. But more to the point, the Rockies and the road are the antithesis of Forrest and Jenny. Ice cream and cyanide? Gingers and souls? Jose Canseco and Grey? All important things to factor here as really, Rockies are generally trashy Mctrashersons on the road, holding down the 6th worst wRC+ while K'ing the 4th most at 23.6%. And with that, we turn to our key bold faced name for the intro: A.J. Cole. Cole's season debut wasn't spectacular, but definitely useful as he K'd 8 Orioles over 7 IP. He finished just short of 20 points and that was without a win and in Camden Yards. You intrigued yet? Mmm-hmm, thought so. Throw in the fact he's only $6,300 and for once, it's alright to get a Cole in your stocking so let's roll. Here's my I'm still pretending summer will last forever taeks for this Saturday DK slate... New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well reserve your spot in the 25 Team Razzball Exclusive League set to run Monday August 29th to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. Wanna know what the best part is about signing up with us? The free subscription for the rest of the season to our DFSBot, that’s what! For details on the how to, please visit our Razzball Subscriptions page.

Bullpen Report: Hector Holding Down Philly

August 27, 2016 | Closers, Middle Relievers | 24 Comments

by: Smokey

If history teaches us anything about fantasy baseball, it's that the proof is in the pudding. If history actually teaches us anything, it's that Brad Pitt killed Hektor. See what I did there, I pulled the ole okie doke. It's a favorable trick passed down through the years of dudes who vape and like to talk about how a dime won't even buy a nickle anymore. Those first few sentences are brought to you by filth and non-sense, because life isn't fitting if there isn't filthy or nonsensical. So onto Holds, which about six actual readers, and one of the female variety still get all excited about. The title says it all this week for the lede, Hector Neris has been carried in most formats all year because he brings some fantasy goodness to the table. As a handcuff, there's no way he can do it for the whole year, even with Jeanmar, or the fact that he has sexy enough reliever numbers, 11-plus K-rate, under 3 ERA. I could go on and on and bore the crap out of you, but let's just put it this way: he has 27 Holds behind a closer that has 34 saves for a surprise bullpen asset in the Phillies. So in the last two weeks with the Phil's getting there fair share of victories he has been an augmenter to your hold total notching a league high 5 holds. He is a key cog down the stretch for not only the Phils , but for your fantasy team regardless of format. So go take a look, just in case the late year shuffle has thrown him by the wayside. After you do that follow the bottom for some Holds, set-up and other relief goodies...

He’s A Mean Buy, Mr. Grichuk

August 26, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 286 Comments

by: Grey

In my preseason Randal Grichuk sleeper post (hey, they're not all Delino DeShields sleepers, which is to say God awful vs. just merely bad), I said, "How much Grichuk can Grichuk chuck if Grichuk strikes out 30% of the time? Now, I’m no gypsy; I’m just a boy, standing in front of a girl that was born in a manger in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Let’s look at some comp hitters, shall we? Not to answer, but to keep reading. Last year, Grichuk struck out 31% of the time after striking out 23% of the time in Triple-A. His minor league strike out rate makes me think he’ll be closer to a 27-28% strikeout guy. Brandon Moss is also around a 27-28% strikeout guy, which Grichuk should be. Grichuk won’t walk as much as Moss, but, okay, they’re close enough for me. Grichuk is a young Moss. I shall call him Pete Moss." And that's me quoting me! Maybe old fools die hard with a vengeance while Samuel Jackson screams at them, but Grichuk was just some bad luck with his BABIP away from being exactly what I thought he'd be. His strikeout rate is 27.8% (vs. Moss' 30%), and he's only 25 years old. I'm still jazzed on Grichuk like Coltrane with a needle in my vein. Of course, none of this matters if he didn't hit a bunch of homers this week, and was available in about 75% of leagues. Plant Pete Moss on your team and watch the growth! Anyway, here's some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:

Here Comes Randal, He’s A(n OPS) Berserker!

August 26, 2016 | OPS Leagues | 2 Comments

by: Phil B.

Well I fought the off mayonnaise malaise, survived and I’m back! Large, in charge, and ready to finish off the 2016 season on a high note. There’s still five weeks left in the season and it’s slim pickings out there but consider some of these guys and they’ll take you to the promised land like Moses (topical!). So let’s dive right in. Looking at the last two weeks OPS it’s time to get back on the Randal Grichuk train. Choo-choo! Grichuk was a popular sleeper going into the season after finishing last season on a high note; he’s had an up-and-down first full season in the majors as he’s been sent down a couple times. The Cardinals need his help if they want to make the playoffs; his ownership has sunk to only 27% in Yahoo and 22% in ESPN. Since being recalled from AAA he has five homers, 11 RBIs and an OPS of 1.205! That’s good! Not so good? He's walked once. Ah well, you can’t walk them all, or something like that. He’s gets Oakland at home then travels to Milwaukee and the Reds; loving those matchups for the week ahead. I’ve added him where I can and expect some power, no walks (obviously) and a decent OPS to finish out the season.

DraftKings: Don’t Have A Cow, Man!

August 26, 2016 | DraftKings |

by: Gern Blanston

There are 15 games on today's slate. That means there are 30 starting pitchers to choose from. Well... Don't have a cow, Man! Just pick Big Bart. Bartolo Colon has a 2.25 ERA in four starts this month, with a 15:4 strikeout to walk ratio. Tonight, the Phillies are in town and have not done well vs Colon this season. In three games, the Phillies only had a .206 BA and a .588 OPS, with a 15:3 strikeout to walk ratio. In 267 career inning pitching in Citi Field, opposing hitters have only managed a .715 OPS off Colon. Right handed pitchers should be happy when they get to face the Phillies, who have a 21.8% strikeout rate and a 84 wRC+. Ay Caramba, that's bad! The Phillies will be eating Big Bart's shorts by the end of this game. And with that, here are the rest of my Friday DFS picks... New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well reserve your spot in the 25 Team Razzball Exclusive League set to run Monday August 29th to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. Wanna know what the best part is about signing up with us? The free subscription for the rest of the season to our DFSBot, that’s what! For details on the how to, please visit our Razzball Subscriptions page.