"Due for a bounce-back season," is a phrase which fantasy owners can use to dig themselves cavernous holes prior to their fantasy teams even producing an inning of stats. It primes the mind for reliance on success without any statistical, or even tangible, evidence. If you were an owner who carried that mindset into the start of the 2017 season, I'm fairly confident shipping away Pirate, Andrew McCutchen, in a deal - pun intended - after a wretched month, was the move made by the majority of disgruntled owners.
Monthly Archives: June 2017
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FantasyDraft: Ain’t No Party Like A McCarthy Party
June 25, 2017 | DFS, FantasyDraft | 2 Commentsby: FredWord
It’s Sunday morning and somebody must make some tough decisions at the pitcher position today. I’m not overly thrilled with the pitching matchups today and struggled to piece together my favorites. DFSBot is showing some love to sir Brandon McCarthy who has been pitching extremely well over the past few weeks. He gets a difficult matchup against the Rockies though this game is being played in LA. The Rockies home/road split confirms that the Rockies bats are not intimidating when they are away from Coors. McCarthy is nothing but a safe play to score 20+ points. He won’t get you many K’s but he’ll limit the hits and walks and should walk away with the win. McCarthy makes for the best starter in double ups today due to his consistency at home. His price is also a modest $15,000.
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Notoriously unpredictable, pitching prospects are amongst the most difficult of commodities to remain patient with. Our opinions and values, at least on a general consensus level, fluctuate frequently on pitchers, major leagues or minors, based on recent performance. So, what better way to celebrate our recency blinders than to discuss the top breakout hurlers of the first half in the minor leagues. Some of these guys have some pedigree, others came into the year a little more obscure, but all are worthy of our attention, and perhaps an add in the right format. The road to major league stardom is often not a straight line, and while I have no data behind this, it feels like a breakout by a pitcher is a little more telling of long term success. The reason I say this is, more often than not, these breakouts are derived from a tweak or change to mechanics, grips, or other small developments. No two players develop the same, and while Top 100 lists are great, they don't do a very good job of projecting future value between Lucas Giolito and Jacob Faria. That's not to say we don't nail one every so often, but the majors these days are a different ball world. So sit back and enjoy it while I breakout heads, ribs, $100 bills...(3).
I wish I knew more about Street Fighter so I could come up with better Ryu puns or references. My knowledge of SF (do people abbreviate it like that?) ends at knowing it was fighting video game I had growing up that wasn’t as good as Mortal Kombat (hot take alert). And for the record, yes, I know Hyun-Jin Ryu pronounces his name differently. Give me a break, and go with it.
Hey Batter³ Contest, Week 13: Re-Encarnacion
June 24, 2017 | Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues | 36 Commentsby: malamoney
I'm not a religious person. I just don't have time for all of that nonsense. If you think it makes you a better person, good for you, but keep it out of my personal space. Although I would like to point out that if you need religion to make you a good person, then you most likely are not a good person. But enough about fairy tales. Let's talk about something even less exciting. Death. Actually let's not because I don't want to bum any of you out. This is supposed to be a fantasy baseball blog and so far I've all I've done is shit on religion and mention dying. Let's see if I can tie it all together somehow. In April, fantasy baseball owners could have easily left [player]Edwin Encarnacion[/player] for dead. He barely had a pulse. He had four home runs, nine RBIs and a .200 batting average. [player]Scooter Gennett[/player] topped that in a single game! In May, Encarnacion began to show some signs of life. He finished the month with six homers, thirteen RBIs and a .263 average. While that's much better than April, it sounds like a weekend for [player]Aaron Judge[/player]. At least with respect to the home runs and RBIs. However, so far in June Edwin has seven knocks, 18 ribbies and is batting .344. One might say he has been re-Encarnacion-ated! In week 11 the artist formerly known as E5, but now more commonly referred to as E3, lead all batters with 45 points. He did so by hitting four homers and driving in ten. He topped his entire April in a single week.
Washington rookie outfielder [player]Brian Goodwin[/player] played the unsung hero Friday night on a team with many heroes going 3-for-4 and mashing two home runs, including a game-tying solo shot in the seventh inning. If there's one thing Brian Goodwin's good for it's winning. Obvious and bad pun is obvious and bad. Regardless, Brian also set the stage for the...good win, with a single in the 10th that moved a runner to third and let Bryce Harper do what he does. I'm trying to tell you this doode is clutch, and if he continues to be clutch batting second between Trea Turner and Bryce Harper, he should definitely be on your radar and in Dusty Baker's daily lineup. Can you imagine being sandwiched between Trea and Bryce? Mmm. Oh, I'm all flustered now. I need a few minutes. Goodwin is slashing .265/.326/.578 with six homers and 15 RBI in 32 games this year, and has been stuck in a platoon for the majority of the season. With Jayson Werth hobbled, Goodwin has been given more opportunity lately to shine and he's done that with a monster month, slashing .288/.358/.678 with three doubles, six homers and 12 RBI in June. Yes, please! That .678 SLG% is especially powerful. See what I did there? Do you want a nerdy stat--how about his .313 ISO. Does that blow your mind? Because considering the sample size it probably shouldn't, but sure is fun to look at. The risk with Goodwin is he could be a batting average killer (he hit just .208 in May), but he certainly seems to be seeing the ball well lately hitting .289 with 5 homers in the past week. Goodwin is available everywhere, is batting second in one of the best line ups in baseball, and is one of the hottest little potatoes around. If you need an outfielder with some pop and some upside Brian could be a good add and a good win for your team.
Here's what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
I think you’ll agree (because Would I Lie To You?) that it’s been an up-and-down couple of weeks for us Saturday FanDuel devotees when it comes to pitchers. But I’m pleased to report that this week, we’re swimming in them (so to speak). Yes, you could, of course, play Clayton Kershaw, but TBH I’m leery of starting anyone against the Rockies right now, and ClayKer does have his worst ERA at home (that’s 3.11, mind you, but still), and given he costs $12,300, I’m going to steer clear and look to some other, more affordable pitching options. And there are a few, as you shall see. My very favorite is Robbie Ray: yes, his start today takes place in the somewhat terrifying Chase (The Ball Across The) Field in Arizona, but it’s versus the Phillies, who hit .233 against lefties and now have the least wins in the entirety of MLB. (Sorry to remind you of that, Phillies Fans.) Let’s check out some more options after the jump.
New to FanDuel? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!
There’s no time for small talk this week, because Ralph Lifshitz and I set out to break the record for most prospects talked about in a single podcast episode. Here are just a few of the names we discuss: Julio Urias (recorded before news broke of his season ending shoulder surgery), Patrick Weigel, Lewis Brinson, Brendan Rodgers, Rafael Devers, Gleyber Torres, Nick Senzel, Shed Long, Michael Chavis, Yordan Alvarez, Bo Bichette, Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Colton Welker, Logan Allen, Nick Neidert, Tyler Mahle, Joey Lucchesi, Jordan Humphreys, Estevan Florial, Taylor Trammell, Brett Cumberland, Tyler Wells, Randy Arrozarena, Jordan Luplow, Luis Escobar, Zack Littell, Zac Gallen, Beau Burrows, Nabil Crismatt, Jesus Sanchez, Khalil Lee, Monte Harrison, Mario Feliciano, Josh Ockimey, and many more. Also, on this week’s episode of Real Husbands of the Crab Army, El Presidente Lifshitz begins to fear a military coup is afoot. It’s the latest edition of the Razzball Fantasy Baseball Prospect Podcast.
Get On Your Mobile And Buymingham Some Montgomery
June 23, 2017 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 474 Commentsby: Grey
I had this lede in my back pocket. In the fantasy baseball writing world, it's called 'the early lede.' It's a form of sandbagging. You know everyone wanted Mike Montgomery in the preseason, but his rotation spot wasn't confirmed. So, in March, you write a Mike Montgomery Buy lede like you're filling in a Mad Libs. You say how he's been great/solid/surprisingly awful but will come around. You can't believe the Cubs took this long/moved this fast with him. His rotation spot was all but guaranteed once (pitcher's name) got injured. That (same pitcher's name) wasn't good anyway and now Montgomery is here to stay for the season/the month/this next start. So far this year, he has a 61% ground ball rate, which would be the 3rd best in the majors if he qualified, and has a 8.6% swinging strike rate, which would be around the top 40. Those two numbers give the promise that his strikeout and walk rate aren't giving yet. His 2.26 ERA is a bit of a fairy tale in unicorn clothes, but there's still enough to be encouraged by. You better get him/have to get him/maybe should get him! This could be the pickup of the year/maybe a streamer and you better act fast/moderately quick/sometime while you're still drawing breath. Anyway, here's some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:
Closer Report: Andrew Miller, Death Of A Savesman
June 23, 2017 | Closers, Middle Relievers | 18 Commentsby: Smokey
In a full-on Willy Loman-type starring role, Andrew Miller now takes over the most responsible role in the Tribe's bullpen. I beg to differ that he is taking over the most important role, and can argue that he has seen more high-leverage situations and save situations than his sort of disposed closer, Cody Allen... The only thing leading him to not be the most important factor in that pen was the stat of the save. Listen, Tito beats to the sound of his own drum and Arnold, nor Willis are going to tell him how to handle his bullpen. It is a luxury to have two top-10 overall relievers at his disposal and to use them how he sees fit. Miller, is by definition, the closer to save his arm for the future. But what we don't realize is that if a save happens sooner than the 9th inning, Miller is going to be called on just like his original role. Confused? Yeah, it is kinda like saying: "Go look for the save in the corner of a circular room." For ownership, this changes zero. Miller is and was owned as he should be in every league imaginable. Cody Allen is also owned and shouldn't be dropped as he becomes the closer cuff in waiting, and is far superior to any RP on the waiver wire. So hold on tight! A month from now, when Miller has 5 saves and Allen has 3, not much stat wise will be lost, but by the end of the year when Allen has 32 and Miller 12, that is when we can look back on this and laugh and say "I shaved my eyebrows for this?" Stay tuned kids, more closer and bullpen-y type goodness are on the way...
OPS Leaguers Unite! Starring Joey Tribbiani as Dr. Xander Bogaerts
June 23, 2017 | OPS Leagues | 4 Commentsby: Phil B.
I asked my wife to help me think of a title using the name Xander Bogaerts and she said his name sounds like a character that Joey would play on Friends and I agree, that's pretty apt. Xander is one of my favorite Bogaerts, even if he spells it a bit differently than the others. First there's badass Humphrey; Casablanca owns, still holds up today, still is eminently quotable, and if you disagree you haven't watched it (so go do so, right after you finish reading this post).
The answer: this pitcher has a swinging strike rate of 12.1% on the year, which is just .1% less than the likely chalk play of the night, Stephen Strasburg. Oh, oh I know, it's Alex Wood! That is incorrect...the answer is 'Who is Alex Wood?' I'm sorry, but we cannot accept as your answer needs to be in the form of a question. Suck it, Trebek! That's you and I playing Jeopardy together which is a WHOLE lot better than playing Lambs with me, I can assure you. Lets get this over by saying that Alex Wood being good is by no means a secret but on a slate like tonight when there are some massive lines in favor of some stud home pitchers, Alex has got me thinking he's gonna bring the sexy for a little bit cheaper than the other massive arms on the slate. He's by no means a bargain at 9.5 K, but him finishing the night with a better line than the three above him in price wouldn't be much of a shock to my system. Alex is my cash game swerve off of the likely Stras vs Chris Archer debate and I'm obviously willing to roll with him in a few GPPs. But now that we're done with that, let's get down to this; here's my returning champion worth negative $5,300 dollars taeks for this Friday FD slate...
New to FanDuel? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!
