Hey, let me ask you something, are we shipping Roger Maris Jr. and Aaron Judge‘s mom? What? Why are you booing me? Okay, serious-serious question, how many changes of clothes does Roger Maris Jr. have with him in Toronto? Okay, serious-serious-serious question, isn’t Roger Maris Jr. actually just Roger Maris but with an asterisk? Stop throwing tomatoes at me! I can’t use all my Roger Maris Jr. material anywhere else. So, Aaron Judge (1-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) hit 61, becoming, what, the seventh most prolific home run hitter in a season? Honestly, when you really stop to think about what Barry Bonds did, it’s truly remarkable. I don’t care if he was sticking Babe Ruth’s DNA in his butt and Ted Williams’s DNA in his male sack, it’s freakin’ impressive! Aaron Judge? Also, incredibly impressive. I’m not going to lie, when I hear stuff like, “He becomes the first player to have 130 runs and 130 RBIs in the same season since 2007,” and how he’s almost 20 homers higher than anyone else in the majors, I get extreme FOMO for any teams of mine that don’t have him. His 60/20/.315 with 130/130 might be the best fantasy season any of us witness. Or at least until Barry Bonds returns at the age of 58 with Hack Wilson’s DNA in his arm, Ruth’s in his butt and Williams’s in his sack. Let’s go! Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Gerrit Cole – 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 3.51, as he ties Ron Guidry for most Ks in a season by a Yanks starter (248). All those great pitchers was surprised that no one had more Ks than that in a season for the Yanks, but then you remember it wasn’t that long ago great pitchers would have like a 6 K/9.

Tyler Glasnow – 3 IP, 1 ER, as he was activated from the IL, making it back from Tommy John surgery. In honor of his return, let’s remember Glasnow is a huge rap fan, and he has a tattoo on the inside of his lip that reads “No Juice” for a Lil Boosie song.

If Glasnow ever passes out from dehydration, the first person on the scene to revive him is gonna be so confused. “Quick, get him something to drink…Wait, uh, does this have any fruit juice in it? Do you have cola? He can’t have juice!” As for Glasnow for fantasy? Meh, let’s see how he looks in the playoffs. Hopefully good!

Gabriel Arias – 1-for-3 and his 1st homer. Saw him homer and I let out a small, “Damn.” It was impressive. Itch went over him in the top 50 shortstop prospects. For this year, maybe you catch lightning in a bottle.

Triston McKenzie – 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 2.99. You wanna get a giggle out of someone? Show McKenzie to someone who doesn’t know baseball. I showed Cougs yesterday, and she was like, “He’s your weight and eight inches taller?” Actually, that was the point when I stopped talking to her for the night. Not cool, Cougs!

Ramon Urias – Hit the IL with a knee sprain. He should be available in the 2nd round of the playoffs if the Orioles advance. I’m kidding, but they gave it a good run.

Dean Kremer – 5 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 3.17. *door flies open* Kremer! Dot dot dot. Was better than I expected in Fenway. Streamonator doesn’t love his next, but I don’t mind it.

Alex Verdugo – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 11th homer, and 2nd homer in five games. Might be heating up a little, or might be trying to prove he has more power than Acuña this year.

Rich Hill – 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA at 4.41. At 42 years of age, he’s only the 6th pitcher to get 9+ Ks and allow zero runs. He’s the first who looks like he just walked into a kid’s room to yell, “Shut off that noise!”

Daniel Lynch – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 4.96. He won’t be a 2023 sleeper, per se, but I could see Daniel Lynch being an interesting pick around 500+ overall in draft and hold leagues.

MJ Melendez – 1-for-3 and his 18th homer, hitting .218. People are not going to give Michael Jackson Melendez as much helium as he’s going to deserve next year, and I’m all about it. By the by, Michael Jackson Melendez just sounds like me listing high-profile celebrity trials.

Matt Olson – 2-for-3 and his 30th homer. It much be cool for Matt Olson to only have to be good once every three weeks. Just lamping for 65 ABs, then hits a home run, and then coasts again for three weeks.

Josiah Gray – 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 5.02. Two Ks embarrasses yo’self and my name. Go to bed!

Andrew Knizner – 2-for-4 and his 4th homer, and 2nd homer in the last two games. If you drop your catcher for Knizner now, I raise my glass to you. You are committed, and I love you.

Jose Quintana – 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 2.99. An under-3 ERA for this guy. You must be Jo-Quin.

Brandon Woodruff – 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 3.05. Next year, who’s drafted first: Burnes or Woodruff? It might seem obvious to you, but I don’t think it is.

Justin Verlander – 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 1.80. After the season ends, I will recap each position, but I’ll give you a sneak peek: A ton of guys were draftable after the top guys were gone who provided insane value. Verlander guy-bossed the starters like King Shizz of Shinola.

Zac Gallen – 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 2.46. What I said for Verlander? Same. Gallen was drafted so late and what insane value! It’s crazy how good your team could’ve been, even if you showed up like an hour late for your draft.

Logan O’Hoppe – 1-for-3 as he made his debut for the Angels. He was the piece the Halos acquired for Marsh, and I went over him yesterday, so use your scrolly finger to go over there. My main takeaway is unless he’s hitting, there’s no time left to try him.

Mike Trout – 1-for-4 and his 38th homer. Was thinking about a young Medieval boy holding up a fish saying, “Master, baited him,” and I’m going to move on to another blurb now.

Taylor Ward – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 22nd homer, and first homer since April. Kidding. Kinda.

Joe Musgrove – 5 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.03 vs. Julio Urias – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 2.17. 1st Half Cy Young vs. Runner-up to the Actual Cy Young.

Charlie Blackmon – Out for the year with a torn meniscus. Hopefully he’s ready to start the 2023 season, because the Rockies want him protecting Kris Bryant for many years to come.

Bryan De La Cruz – 3-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 12th homer. If there was going to be a Buy/Sell this Friday, De La Cruz might be the lede. He’s been as hot schmotato-y as anyone. Oh, yeah, no more Buy/Sells for the year. Everyone is a Buy and Sell. Drop anyone who is cold, and grab anyone who is hot, and Streamonator everyone.

Jesus Luzardo – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 3.53 vs. Taijuan Walker – 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.59. This matchup was billed as, “Jesus/Walker and in their bio it says ‘They/hymn.'”

Eduardo Escobar – 3-for-5, 5 RBIs and his 20th homer. I have Escobar in a few leagues, and I’ve been mostly happy with him, but thought he had more homers. Maybe that’s why those teams aren’t doing so well. Escobar, you freakin’ mirage!

Johnny Cueto – 5 2/3 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 3.39. It would’ve been too much for him to stay good for the most important part of the season. Just, ya know, two more decent starts, but nah. Like my fantasy teams are Jason LaRue and Cueto is ruining them.

Christopher Morel – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 16th homer, and 2nd homer in as many games. What I said for Bryan De La Cruz? Same goes for Morel. He’s a schmotato and would’ve been on short list to get featured.

Hayden Wesneski – 5 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 2.33. I gave Hayden a meh in the comments yesterday, and someone said I should give him another look. I will in the offseason. I will look at everyone. Even Jose Berrios, that bastard. For now, Streamonator hates Hayden, and I couldn’t bring myself to suggest him, unless you’re desperate, which I’m sure some of you are.

Manuel Rodriguez – 2/3 IP, 0 ER, ERA at 2.84, and his 4th save, and has supplanted Brandon Hughes as Cubs’ closer. What I think is going on is Hughes is a lefty and Manuel is a by-the-book righty.

Aaron Nola – 6 IP, 4 ER, 5 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.36. I hope the Phils and other low-end playoffs teams make noise in October, but there does seem to be a clear delineation between the top tier playoffs teams and some of these other ones.

Oneil Cruz – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs, hitting .231. When Oneil Cruz is at bat, the outfield shift should be that they turn their back to the infield and wait to see where the ball hits off the fence.

Bryse Wilson – 8 IP, 0 ER, 3 hits, 1 walk, 6 Ks, ERA at 5.53. Fun fact! Bryse Wilson is triplicate Brian Wilson.

Chase De Jong – 1 IP, 3 ER, ERA at 2.61. Came in to close what was an incredible game from Bryse Wilson, and De Jong got Chase’d.

Kyle Farmer – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 14th homer. Wonder if Farmer wears overalls under his uni. Hmm, then they’d be underalls.

Jake Fraley – 1-for-4 and his 11th homer. Not sure if you’ve seen the kids now type “fr” for “for real.” Well, baseball writers have a similar expression, F raley.

Luis Cessa – 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 4.76. This Reds/Pirates game must’ve been a fun game to go out to the park to see. Just imagine two MLB teams playing just for you.

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p@tr1ck
5 months ago

My opponent in 10 team H2H dropped Tyler Anderson (col) and McKenzie (KCR) after their starts. Shouldn’t I pick them up for free for their starts next week? Either he is playing chess against my checkers or he doesn’t know that finals goes into Wednesday. Feels like free money to me. Although streamonator is low on Tyler last start.

Cohen
Cohen
5 months ago

Please pick 2
Luis Garcia vs Tampa
Severino vs Balt
Peralta vs Miami
All at home

Justin Ralph
Justin Ralph
5 months ago

CJ Abrams or Grissom next year? It looks like CJ may be starting to figure things out.

Justin Ralph
Justin Ralph
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Thanks!

Justin Ralph
Justin Ralph
5 months ago

I know you are saying not to trust Carrasco (and I don’t want to) but would you start him against WAS? The Robot likes him, but he liked his last start too. Its a limited moves league and I only have three moves left. I think I have to hold him and then stream after this start. Thoughts?

Smitty
5 months ago

Judge and Verlander! So many stayed away, got lucky on both.

bossmanjunior333
bossmanjunior333
5 months ago

With only 4 moves left this week, would you try to hold one of those moves to pick up Grayson Rodriguez on the last day in a keeper? Only teams competing right now can make moves and Rodriguez is sitting on the wire. Picking him up now would make him a $1 player this season and very cheap next year as well as keeper costs are a combination of previous price paid and auction calculator projected price. Projections always seem to undervalue players with no service time, for example they had J-Rod at $1 heading into this season. Other pitchers I have to keep at good prices are McClanahan, Alcantara, Manoah, Wright, and May.

VinWins
VinWins
5 months ago

I don’t know if Rudy changed the methodology or what, but the ordering of the Best 100 Starts is different today than yesterday.

OLD

1 Spencer Strider Sep 1 COL
2 Clayton Kershaw Apr 13 @MIN
3 Cristian Javier Jun 25 @NYY
4 Kyle Bradish Sep 22 HOU
5 Shohei Ohtani Jun 22 KC
6 Jordan Montgomery Aug 22 @CHC
7 Cristian Javier Jul 1 LAA
8 Walker Buehler Apr 25 @ARI
9 Dylan Cease May 2 LAA
10 Kevin Gausman Aug 2 @TB

NEW

1 Spencer Strider Sep 1 COL
2 Clayton Kershaw Apr 13 @MIN
3 Cristian Javier Jun 25 @NYY
4 Kyle Bradish Sep 22 HOU
5 Jordan Montgomery Aug 22 @CHC
6 Shohei Ohtani Jun 22 KC
7 Walker Buehler Apr 25 @ARI
8 Dylan Cease May 2 LAA
9 Kevin Gausman Aug 2 @TB
10 Sandy Alcantara Jul 5 LAA

VinWins
VinWins
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

It seems more than that:

OLD

5 Shohei Ohtani Jun 22 $190.2
6 Jordan Montgomery Aug 22 $187.8

NEW

5 Jordan Montgomery Aug 22 $166
6 Shohei Ohtani Jun 22 $165.3

Another example:

Tyler Anderson (May 23) was 97th at $149.5 and
now is 90th at $132.1.

VinWins
VinWins
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

I guess that means there was nothing wrong.

VinWins
VinWins
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

OK, I refreshed a few more times and now it looks like it is more in line with yesterday.

VinWins
VinWins
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Obviously, I have no idea how it works, so that might be a reasonable explanation.

Huffin Gas
Huffin Gas
5 months ago

Very early thoughts on some SPs you might be all in on next year? Singer has helped me greatly in the second half. I also like H Greene.

Coolwhip
5 months ago

Trout is absolutely going to fool around and hit 40 HR lol

Coolwhip
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Yes 40 in 120

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
5 months ago

Please pick 6 of the following starts:

Springs @ Cle (Quantrill) 8.6
Ryan @ Det (Hutchinson) 27.7
JoMo vs. Pit (Oviedo) 32.7
Lodolo @ ChC (Sampson) 30.4
Snell vs. CWS (Lynn) 22.7
Ray vs. Oak (Krap) 47.9
Ober @ Det (Wentz) 16.3
Kirby vs. Det (Manning) 47
HGreene vs. ChC (Wesneski) 31
Cobb vs. Ari (Henry) 27.5
Grove vs. Col (Freeland) 12.9
Civale vs. KC (Bubic) 12.7
Kelly @ SF (Junis) 6.8

Wins and ratios are the concern. Thanks in advance for the advice.

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Ray is on Monday. I hadn’t realized the M’s were so close to clinching, but won’t they be jockeying to get their series played at home? Also I think the Padres won’t have clinched by Sunday, so Snell became more of an option.

Yaz Mantle
Yaz Mantle
Reply to  Fred Garvin MP
5 months ago

every site has Ray on Sunday, oct. 2.

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Yaz Mantle
5 months ago

You’re right. Thanks for the correction.

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

I’m guessing the M’s want to avoid Cleveland. So they press on instead of resting on their laurels. Thanks for all the food for thought. I like those Reds starts, but wins are super sketchy with that offense and their middle relievers.

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Yup. In this starts limit league, I’m rolling heaney out today vs. the padres because he’s following the opener.
Solid move or is this a Joe Maddon type move where I’m being too clever and engaging in something that could backfire?

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Gotta love fantasy baseball. I have a solid thought process. I know I have a solid thought process. Yet, things go sideways a lot, leaving me to ask questions to which I already know the answers to a mustached lothario in order to quell my neuroses.

c762062790
c762062790
5 months ago

Drop Eloy (@SD vs Min) for De La Cruz (@Mil vs Atl) ?

bossmanjunior333
bossmanjunior333
5 months ago

14 team keeper in last week of h2h playoffs. With the playoffs ending in the next 4 days, it makes sense to start dropping players you have no intention of keeping next year for another streamer, reliever or bat, right? For example Musgrove just pitched last night and won’t pitch again this week obviously. He was a $23 player this season and extremely likely not one of my 6 keepers next season where I have players like Tatis, J-Rod, Jung, McClanahan, Alcantara, Manoah, Melendez, Semien, Mullins, Wright, Pena, May, etc all keepable for much cheaper. Always feels weird to drop a big name like that.

toolshed
toolshed
5 months ago

S. Marte fractured his middle finger on his throwing hand on 9/6. The Mets initially said he wouldn’t require an IL stint. He was placed on the IL on 9/10. Fast forward three weeks and now they are saying that they are “hopeful” that he will return by the post season.

anchorman-will.gif
Cubby
Cubby
5 months ago

On your last pod, you said that position scarcity is a myth. I disagree, and was wondering if you could clarify why. I won’t make this into a discussion back and forth, because I’m sure you know the other side of the argument. Rather, I just wanted to hear your thoughts on it if I could. Please and thanks.

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Absolutely. Grab raw numbers in drafts first. Then backfill positions late. Don’t be a catcher nerd.

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Especially if you sacrificed 15 SB’s to get some. In the first couple of years I played fantasy baseball, I did the position scarcity thing. Not great.

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

Definitely. It’s amazing how many widely read fantasy outlets, looking at you ESPN, have persisted with this fallacy.

Cubby
Cubby
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

I 100% agree with that and draft accordingly. I do try to pick and choose the positions where there are depth issues and use players closer to the top of that ranking as my CI/MI if possible. The important part is to not overreach to get there.

Schmohawks Bob
Schmohawks Bob
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

So you don’t think it was an advantage to have Mike Piazza when we was hitting .320 with 45 Hrs and 140 RBIs over an outfielder with similar stats. I felt it was better to have Piazza and another outfielder over the best outfielder and the second best catcher.

Ante GALIC
Ante GALIC
5 months ago

Grey!!

Awesome!!

a. Started Wesneski but dropped him for Heasely. Agree with SON on Wesneski’s next start.

b. Styx for president. We have the same body shape. I’ll be his vice.

c. George Carlin quote of the day for September 23, 2022

‘Political correctness is America’s newest form of intolerance, and it is especially pernicious because it comes disguised as tolerance. It presents itself as fairness, yet attempts to restrict and control people’s language with strict codes and rigid rules. I’m not sure that’s the way to fight discrimination. I’m not sure silencing people or forcing them to alter their speech is the best method for solving problems that go much deeper than speech.’

From When will Jesus bring the pork chops? (2004)

Cheers,
Ante

Show Me the Money
Show Me the Money
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

One of the better Carlin quotes and so applicable today. Twitter,Facebook and the FBI should take note.

Honey Badger
Honey Badger
5 months ago

Grey, thinking of getting greasy today,

E-Rod and Jon Gray greasy. They worth a stream or am I just asking for trouble ?

Honey Badger
Honey Badger
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

E-Rod is home vs the Royals, Jon Gray is @ Seattle

scoboticus
scoboticus
5 months ago

Can I get a shout out for Michael Lorenzen last night?

Will
Will
5 months ago

Woodruff’s last four starts: 10Ks, 11Ks, 10Ks, 11Ks. Means his next start will be 11Ks, right? Lol.

Keepers for next season, pick three from this list: B Woodruff, J Urias, C Javier, B Snell, T Gonsolin. Thanks

Bbboaton
Bbboaton
5 months ago

Grey,

Might Edward Olivares be a hugely undervalued sleeper in 2023?

i don't want to brag but i have IBS
i don't want to brag but i have IBS
Reply to  Bbboaton
5 months ago

probably very undervalued, as he was in deep dynasties this year (he entered year over prospect limits barely, and was dropped by some as he couldn’t be stashed, but has done nothing (limited time last year) but be pretty good)

toolshed
toolshed
5 months ago

The White Sox as we know have been a huge disappointment. They’ve reached an all time low. They flat out quit going back to last week when they were swept by CLE. Next series they were swept by DET. Now they are on the verge of getting swept by MIN. Even Elvis has left the building. He was one of the hottest hitters on the planet while they had faint signs of life left. He has gone 0 for his last 17 or 3 for his last 26. I wouldn’t start anyone on that team ROS. That includes pitchers like Cease and Lynn.

Eli Man Penguin Boy
Eli Man Penguin Boy
Reply to  toolshed
5 months ago

utterly hilarious and every reporter should quote back andrus’ not long ago quote that “CLE would choke as we approach taking the division from them”, as almost immediately after he said that however close they might’ve been when he said it WSOX tanked really hard. now 2 under .500 for a team that previous to larussa being hired sure looked like a playoff lock.

isn’t quite as bad as in football if/when mayfield loses his starting job on a bad team (it’ll be his 2nd thrown off roster in a very short time) before d.jones does, mayfield very famously made fun of “that guy” having had the NYG trade up to like 10th or so overall to take d.jones, i believe the year after mayfield was a top 3 or so drafted guy. he did this at the draft, and it’s rare for somebody to be that level of an asshole such to openly make fun of where somebody at same position was drafted, as clearly he was soooo much better. but if you are going to make statements like that, you really better be right about them. the level between asshole and complete idiot asshole so rarely matchup this much.

Eli Man Penguin Boy
Eli Man Penguin Boy
Reply to  Eli Man Penguin Boy
5 months ago

i’m sorry, 3 under .500, in late sept.

toolshed
toolshed
Reply to  Eli Man Penguin Boy
5 months ago

Yeah the White Sox may not win another game this year. It’s that bad. It’s hard to believe that the other team in Chicago could mathematically finish with the same number of wins.

MEHfield is a WR1 killer.

toolshed
toolshed
Reply to  Grey
5 months ago

I know. It was fun while it lasted.

Yaz Mantle
Yaz Mantle
5 months ago

Grey, you say to go all in on the streamonator. I’m in the finals (h2h-12 teamer)–it’s a fierce battle. I have always relied on the streamonator, but the streamonator has done me wrong this playoffs: it destroyed me with its extremely confident pick of Carlos Carrasco on Tuesday for instance. or stripling’s first start last week. there have been many other times this playoff season. SO… having expressed my doubts of the streamonator (who you say we should rely on at this point) would you confidently start the below pitchers… And which would u definitely NOT start going forward? thank you, as always for your time and answers!:

Eduardo Rodriguez at 21.6 v. kc?
Eric Lauer at 12.2 v. Miami?
Alex Cobb at 27.5 v. AZ?
Domingo German at 12.5 v. Baltimore?
Reid Detmers at 17.6 v. texas?
Michael Grove at 12.9 v. Colorado?
Aaron Civale at 11.7 v. kc?
Bailey Ober at 16.3 @detroit?
Carlos carrasco at 36.8 v. Washington