Yordan And Astros Wound Rays And Pour Morton’s Into It

August 28, 2019 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 306 Comments

[brid autoplay="true" video="455325" player="10951" title="2019 Razzball Fantasy Football Draft Kit Keepers"] Before Charlie Morton (4 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 3.11) threw one pitch yesterday, the Astros greeted him with a highlight reel of some of Morton's greatest Astros moments. Like the clip of him burning his Pirates jersey. And the clip of him pitching relatively solid for about 150 IP, then hitting a wall and never getting through a whole season. There wasn't a dry eye in the stadium, especially on the Rays' bench. I told you to sell Morton last month because he can't ever complete a season. Any hoo! Morton seems headed for a 3-minute bread beep as he becomes toast, but this is about how the Astros hit multiple balls into orbit, which is also the name of their mascot's scooch hole. Yordan Alvarez (3-for-5, 3 runs, 4 RBIs, hitting .329) hit his 20th and 21st homer in *hand-clapping emoji* 60 *hand-clapping emoji* games. Actually, stop and hand-clap emoji for a few minutes he's such a thing of beauty. In total sincerity, if you haven't seen him hit, go watch a clip. I see him hit homers and I'm puzzled, asking myself, "How does he not hit more homers?" And he hits a lot of homers! That's how gorgeous his swing and ease-to-pop appears. For 2020, I'm going to fight with myself to not put him in the top 20, and I might lose. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

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See all of today’s starting lineups

#	MLB Starting Lineups For Thu 5/15
	ATH \| ATL \| BAL \| CHW \| CIN \| HOU \| LAD \| MIN \| TB \| TEX \| TOR \| WSH \| ARI \| BOS \| CHC \| CLE \| COL \| DET \| KC \| LAA \| MIA \| MIL \| NYM \| NYY \| OAK \| PHI \| PIT \| SD \| SEA \| SF \| STL

One Man’s Trash: Brock Has Been a Hurricane. Can We Nuke It?

by: Son

President Trump recently asked if we could nuke hurricanes. That question is normally reserved for: Sharknado 10 script meetings or when one is high as a kite watching the Weather Channel. But did you know that the idea was first mentioned back in 1959 at the Second Plowshare Symposium? By actual, well-respected scientists? Hey, I'm not a Trump guy, but I respect the out-of-the-box thinking, and I kind of get it. I mental masturbate about what I'd do if I won the lottery. Thank goodness, though, that we live in an anayltical world, in which scenarios can be debunked with numbers. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration states that the energy needed to modify a hurricane "doesn't seem promising." "A fully developed hurrican releases the equivalent of a 10-megaton nuclear bomb exploding every 20 minutes." For perspective, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was over 600 times smaller, so around 2,000 of those would need to be dropped every hour. As Science Alert stated, "we would need to add more than half a billion tons of air....A nuke couldn't do that." Which brings me to Brock Burke of the Texas Rangers. Burke has been a hurricane since being called up on August 20th, annihilating both the Angels and White Sox. As a result, he's been the most added player in ESPN leagues over the past week (30.2% - increase of 29.9%). Since we know that nukes cannot stop a hurricane, let's see if the numbers illuminate anything.

RCL Update: The Week That Was, Week 21, 2019

August 27, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Our Leagues, Razzball Commenter Leagues | 8 Comments

by: MattTruss

As the air starts to turn a bit cooler, the calendar flips to September and a large group of fantasy baseballers turn their attention to fantasy football. There are only five weeks left in the fantasy baseball season but what an important five weeks they are. As the rest of your league checks out to go play the fantasy sport that requires only one day per week of roster setting (or as I like to refer to it, chess vs. checkers) the true competitors remain to grind it out for Razzball Commenter League glory. Right now only 1 RCL Point separates the top teams in the Master Standings, so we should be in for a heck of a finish. This week, we’ll take a look at the year long RCL records and what teams have a shot at setting new ones. Does your team have a shot at the RCL record books? Find out this and more in the week that was, week 21:

FanDuel: Rhys Lightning

August 27, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel |

by: TroyKlauder

Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins ($3,900) has been phenomenal against left-handed pitching this year, as he's posted a 158 wRC+ and a walk rate (25.0%) significantly higher than his strikeout rate (18.4%). Hoskins gets another chance to feast on a southpaw tonight against Steven Brault, who has outperformed his 4.23 FIP and 5.03 SIERA. The majority of Hoskins' homers have come at home in a hitter's park in Philadelphia, so this is an ideal opportunity for him to break out of his recent cold streak. His new spot batting leadoff is certainly unconventional, but it's awesome for daily contests, as an extra plate appearance can make a big difference. And if the Phillies lineup has a big performance, he's a virtual lock for production atop the order. With so much going for him, Hoskins can easily finish as tonight's top first basemen, if not one of the top scoring hitters overall. 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!

A’s Getting Down With Oaktown Brown

August 27, 2019 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 164 Comments

by: Grey

[brid autoplay="true" video="455325" player="10951" title="2019 Razzball Fantasy Football Draft Kit Keepers"] Stephen Piscotty was IL'd -- why? Don't ask, he doesn't know. Nick Martini was DFA'd. See ya round like an olive! And, in their place, the A's called up Seth Brown (2-for-6, 2 runs, 1 RBI), their power-hitting prospect, who had 37 HRs in Triple-A. Baseball is so effed prospects are hitting 37 homers in the minors and everyone's like, "Whatevs, Tommy La Stella hit 17 homers in 25 at-bats." Tommy La Stella ruined everything for everyone! I hate you, Tommy La Stella! The Prospectonator doesn't love Brown, Prospect Mike hasn't had much to say on him, and I don't know how much he'll play, but I guess he's fine in AL-Only leagues for now, and mixed leagues, if you need power. The A's said, "(Brown is) Brandon Moss 2.0." Then call him, Re-Peat Moss. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Top 100 Starting Pitchers, Week 22: Only a Gibson is Good Enough

August 26, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Top 100 Starting Pitchers | 24 Comments

by: Donkey Teeth

Not your Grandfather’s Top 100 Starting Pitchers… As you may or may not know, Fantasy Master Lothario traveled to the Big Apple this past week. What you definitely don't know, is why the Champion of Razzball made the cross country trek to the city that never sleeps: Grandpa-Donk's 92nd birthday festivities. That's right, Grey Albright and Gramps-Donk are the closest of friends. Have you ever seen Grey and Sweaty Jimmy in the same room? Didn't think so... As Grey stepped forward to kiss the hoof and present the ageless-donk with a priceless phallic statue specially commissioned by this season's Blown Away glass blowing contestant Annette Sheppard, Gramps leaned in and whispered the name "Kyle Gibson" into Sweaty Jimmy, I mean Grey's ear. "The same Kyle Gibson who just gave up 4 runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings against Detroit last week?", Grey thought to himself. But he knew better than to question the most respected donkey in all the land. It's the time of season where everyone outside of the top 20-25 starting pitchers become expendable in shallower leagues. Gibson will be an ideal streaming target in those leagues as he again faces the Tigers in Detroit on Friday; Streamonator loves this match up just as much as the grand old donk. I wouldn't be excited to start Gibson for his following three starts in Boston, at home against the Nationals, and in Cleveland, but they aren't the worst match ups. Then his last two juicy match ups will come against the Royals and Tigers once again. Don't doubt the death defying donkey's advice, stream or stash Gibson for this final month.

SAGNOF: Calm Before The Storm

August 26, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, SAGNOF |

by: Roto-Wan

We're on the precipice of September call ups so don't go wild this week. There are a few usable options that are likely available to you, however. Squeeze what you can out of them during this calm before the September storm.

FanDuel: In the Gray Space

August 26, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel |

by: wander34

The Cincinnati Reds’ Sonny Gray ($11,300) is clearly the best starting pitcher on tonight’s FanDuel slate. And it's not even close. He has a slate low 2.92 ERA, as well as the best strikeout rate (29.2%) of any scheduled starting pitchers for Monday. And now he draws a Miami offense that is putrid, particularly against right-handed pitching. The fish have a .125 ISO and a .285 wOBA against right-handers in 2019. The only knock against Gray may be the marked up price tag that FanDuel has applied. 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!

Jo-Ram Has A Bro-Ham

August 26, 2019 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 273 Comments

by: Grey

[brid autoplay="true" video="454428" player="10951" title="FantasyBaseball2019BuySellHold21"] America's greatest Indian was Sitting Bull. Maybe Pocahontas. Possibly Bob Feller. I'd accept Apu even. But on the list of great Indians, Jose Ramirez and the service he provided this year does not go unnoticed because I am here noticing it. First, he did awful to make me look like a genius for telling you to avoid him in drafts, then he did well after I told you to buy him in June. Jo-Ram did what others thought impossible: made me look brilliant. Stop throwing roses at my feet, I'm allergic. Now, Jo-Ram's gone for the year with a hamate bone injury. If he's anything like Matt Olson, he'll return in October and hit 35 homers in ten games. Glory be. He's droppable in redraft leagues though, and Yu Chang will replace him. He was David Bowie's favorite player. Time may Chang Yu, but Yu can't Chang time. Prospect Mike just gave you a Yu Chang fantasy, and I didn't run out to grab him, but, in deep enough leagues, I could see it. Prospect Mike did mention Aristides Aquino in relation to Chang, and I had to Chang my underwear. Anyway, here's what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

Fantasy Baseball Streamers, Week 21: Ride the Wave

August 25, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Streamers | 9 Comments

by: The Real Joey Bart

Brendan McKay has been taking a big crap on my last two articles and I’m learning that it’s hard to trust these kids. While they may have the spectacular minor league numbers, I want to see some production at this level before recommending them as streamers. That’s why everyone in this article will be prior streamers, as I really want to get back on track for you guys. With that in mind, let’s start with one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball.

FanDuel: Yes To Nola

August 25, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel |

by: NichFields

With an 11-game Main Slate on FanDuel this afternoon we should have plenty of options from which to choose, yet one play stands out above the others. His name is Aaron. Aaron Nola, SP: $10,700. King of the wild frontier. As good as he has been and can be, Nola as our top play today is far more about his opponent than him. Nola goes for the Phillies in Miami today, against the historically bad Marlins lineup. We usually want to start any pitcher facing the Marlins because, as hitters, the Marlins are a unique combination of bad this game has not seen in a very long time. They strike often. They do not walk often. They do not hit for power. They do not like green eggs and ham. All told, they are a dream matchup for opposing pitchers. Today is no exception with a far better than average Nola on the mound. We want to take full advantage of this ideal matchup. I will personally have Nola in about half of my lineups, knowing full well it means giving up exposure to the more expensive stacks today. I’ll take my chances. May the winds blow your hit balls out and keep your pitched balls in. Best of luck today, and keep reading below for additional picks of the day. 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!

Prospect News: PowerFul Chang

August 25, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 10 Comments

by: Mike

The minor league season is winding down and so is my time here at Razzball. Indians prospect Yu Chang (3-for-5) blasted a pair of homers Friday night - his eighth and ninth dingers on the season. It's been a disappointing year for Chang, mainly because he has above average power and yet hasn't taken advantage of the homer happy Triple-A environment. You're probably asking why I'm leading with him. Here's why - prospect fatigue. Chances are a guy in your dynasty league is sick of Chang and is willing to sell him at a discount - believing he won't amount to anything but a Quad-A type. But Chang is just two years removed from a 24-homer, 11-steal season at Double-A and his plate discipline is in line with his other MiLB years. Chang is now 24, and that's another reason owners might be ready to give up. I'd be willing to take a flyer on him at the right price and hope I run into another Aquino or something even remotely similar. Here's what else is happening around the minor leagues...