“Hey, Stream-o-Nator, I have a surprise for you.” The Stream-o-Nator backs up slightly, unsure of what I’m going to do to its tender robot heart. The Stream-o-Nator was born in a scrapyard run by Steven Avery’s family. Not the Making a Murderer guy, the ex-Braves pitcher. The story of how it got separated from its family is similar to Sophie’s Choice, but sadder and involves more heavy metal. Suffice it to say, the Stream-o-Nator is longing for any connection, electrical or otherwise. This brings us to yesterday’s matchup and why I sought the Stream-o-Nator. Gently approaching the 8-foot robot, “It’s a good surprise. I wanna be your friend.” The Stream-o-Nator swoons, playing Just The Two Of Us on its chest-implanted boombox. Perhaps my friendship is simply what have you done for me lately, but Andrew Heaney was enough for me to be bothered with late-night phone calls when the robot is feeling blue Raspberry Pi. Heaney went 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 12 Ks, lowering his ERA to 3.98. (Reynaldo Lopez wasn’t bad either — 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 4.22). For this year, due to how few starts are left, I’m looking at the Stream-o-Nator for every start, and it loves Heaney for his next start. “I’m here for you robot pal. C’mon, high-five me!” Stream-o-Nator’s arm falls off and it sighs. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Jose Abreu – Will return today from the DL after he had his testicular torsion repaired. Or if a mechanic is reading, he needed repairs done to his balls’ bearings.
Gregory Polanco – Done for the remainder of the season with a bone bruise. He sustained the injury when he was doing a Triple Lindy into 2nd base without first putting his hand under his armpit, making fart noises.
Ivan Nova – 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA at 4.17. Guess who streamed him? This guy with two thumbs digging out his thong wedgie! Stream-o-Nator hates his next start though, so I’m dropping him (as soon as I untangle my thumbs).
Adam Plutko – 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 5.35. Plutko sounds like a sex act that would make you grimace at its sight, much like this start.
Francisco Lindor – 2-for-5 and his 34th homer, hitting .285. Yes, I have ulterior motives to root for this, but imagine Lindor gets 40 homers. People weren’t sure he could hit 25+ again! I’m cackling like a mothereffing hyena.
Sean Reid-Foley – 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 6.86. The future is bright for the Jays. Dot dot dot. If Vlad Jr. can pitch too.
Justin Smoak – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 24th homer. I love you, Rowdy Tellez and hugs to your family and muah, chef’s kiss, all that, but I really need Smoak to play.
Thomas Pannone – 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 4.13. His fastball is 88 MPH and his K/9 is 5.7. I just vomited onto the floor and my undigested corn spelled out, “Not good.”
Eduardo Rodriguez – 3 1/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.64. Tom Cruise couldn’t even do a vacant-eyed laugh at that, Ed-Rod. Assuming he’s healthy, the Stream-o-Nator loves his next start and I see no reason to not start him.
J.D. Martinez – 1-for-4, 4 RBIs and his 40th homer. Just Dong It because Nike needs an NG.
Charlie Morton – 5 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 3.15. Better start vs the Sawx than I would’ve expected from him right off the DL, and threw more (pitches), but a 5 IP, 2 ER isn’t exactly Nolan Ryan giving Robin Ventura’s wife a Plutko and making Robin watch.
Marwin Gonzalez – 1-for-4 and his 15th homer. Maybe it just feels this way, but every time he homers I look at his stats and he’s done nothing in the previous week.
Carlos Gomez – 1-for-4 and his 9th homer. I had a joke setup I was gonna do that went something like this, “You know how they say (fill-in activity) kills brain cells, well, every time the Rays play Carlos Gomez it kills a bit of this organization’s brain cells.” So, I Googled “what kills brain cells,” and the first thing listed in Quora is “a gunshot to the head.” Technically, I cannot argue with that.
Mallex Smith – 3-for-4, 2 runs and his 31st steal, hitting .307. Any guesses how high Mallex is for outfielders on the Player Rater? Around 35 and as valuable as Jose Martinez.
Brandon Lowe – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 4th homer in 73 ABs. That’s a 28-homer pace in 500 ABs. Mr Prorater throws open the door, “If you don’t share a lobster dinner, every third person will say, ‘You’re so shellfish.'” Is that even prorating, Mr. Prorater? “Yes.”
Joey Votto – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 11th homer. Scooter Gennett almost hit half that many in one game! Jokes aside, where does Votto get drafted next year? Top 75? Top 100? You know ESPN and Yahoo are going to be way higher on him than me. I’m ready to pull the pin and be done with him for good.
Matt Harvey – 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 4.87. I’m having my mother-in-law sew me a throw pillow for me to scream into every time someone asks next year about drafting Matt Harvey. *sing-songy* Thank you, Mother Cougs.
Austin Hedges – 1-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 12th homer. Exhibit A why I didn’t pick up Francisco Mejia in any leagues.
Luis Urias – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 2nd homer. The only question is if I own Urias in all leagues in 2019 or almost all leagues. You haven’t seen anything until Grey gets excited for a middle infielder. He goes full Gyorko. And into third person.
Eric Hosmer – 2-for-5, 2 runs and his 16th homer, and 3rd in as many games. Podcaster Ralph and I talk about Hosmer (and Votto) on the next podcast, and, let me just say, because we talked about them, they homered. You’re welcome.
Felix Hernandez – 4 IP, 1 ER, ERA at 5.46, and left early with hamstring tightness. Will be interesting to see if he can reinvent himself at some point like CC and Verlander, because F-her’s been F-Him for a while now.
Aaron Judge – On track for mid-week BP. I don’t know how many of you watch my videos, but my My Bookie call in this week’s video feels pretty can’t lose.
Clay Buchholz – 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks. He’s thrown 98 1/3 IP, so the sample size is no longer small — that’s what you wish she said! — and guess what his ERA is. Nah, homey, you’re way high. Still high. Lower! Forget it, his ERA is 2.01. As his teammate Greinke would say, zoinks!
Robbie Ray – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners (4 BBs), 6 Ks, ERA at 4.18. If I would’ve started him, it would’ve been a complete game shart.
Brad Boxberger – 1/3 IP, 3 ER, ERA at 4.41. He’s going through one of those stretches where he looks like he’s going to blow the game as he enters the game. Try Brad Ziegler! I keed. Kinda — keenda? Ziegler might see a save or two, but I’d guess Bradley is next in line, unless the Diamondbacks want to blow off the playoffs. Also, Hirano has a 1.91 ERA, but he hasn’t been tried as the closer once all year. Are we sure the Diamondbacks realize a lower ERA is better?
Touki Toussaint – 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners (5 BBs), 5 Ks, ERA at 3.31. I love everything about this kid, and I bet he’s a top 20 starter within two years, but this is 2018 (sorry to shock you), and I’m using the Stream-o-Nator for The Toukster. Word up.
Ronald Acuna Jr. – 2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and a slam (25) and legs (14), hitting .293. Tildaddy says it’s time to move off the couch so he can watch TV!
Johan Camargo – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 18th homer, and 3rd homer in the last four games. Camargo’s a hot schmotato, and there were some chicken around Wade Boggs would be in heat.
Christin Stewart – 0-for-1 pinch-hitting, as he was called up by the Tigers. Prospector Ralph said, “The king of the three outcome bats, Stewart has 30 home run hitter written all over him, but that might be his penchant for tattoos. He’s a muscle-bound slugger with advanced approach, and the ability to barrel balls consistently. He’s done a good job of curbing his strikeout rate and fighting the urge to be overly pull happy. This is its own tier, it’s called, “I’m not Steven Moya, I swear! I’m also not Grey, thankfully.” Damn, yo! Stewart is almost assuredly going to get a rookie outlook post from me this offseason, but for this year it’s a needs thing. Do you needs power upside?
Jack Flaherty – 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 2.92. Shut him down, you turdmakers!
Carlos Martinez – 1 IP, 0 ER and his 2nd save. I wonder if a young man in a life preserver went to The Shildt Head’s house late one night, and played a tape recording of Darth Vader’s voice saying, “Carlos Martinez is your closer destiny.” I own Jordan Hicks in a couple of leagues, but I could see dropping him at some point this week if I need room and C-Mart gets one more save.
Walker Buehler – 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.09. Shut him down, you diaper lickers!
Kyle Freeland – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 2.91, ERA in Coors at 2.21. I’m streaming on the reg (I’m a millennial!), but I have held Freeland in two mixed leagues for over two months.
Nolan Arenado – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 32nd homer. My shoulder has been bothering me so I spent $450/month for health insurance and just spent another $22,000 on an MRI, but before I have someone look at the results, I’m going to put my chart haphazardly on this window sill–NOOOOO!!! Torenado!!! The irony because I think Arenado’s shoulder is hindering him too. Hopefully it can hold up for another few weeks, but I can’t say I’m not concerned for next year. Shoulder injuries quickly sideline hitters’ careers.
Charlie Blackmon – 3-for-4, 3 runs and his 25th and 26th homer, and three homers in two games. I was down on Chazz Noir this preseason compared to others, and he’s not exactly erasing all my concerns.
Enrique Hernandez – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 20th homer. I don’t want to you sob into your pumpkin spice latte so I won’t list all the guys who have less homers than Kike who should have more.
Justin Turner – 4-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 13th homer. Coors where everyone is as good as Bruce Springsteen singing One Headlight.
Trevor Cahill – 2 2/3 IP, 3 ER, ERA at 3.77. I hope someone was standing outside the A’s clubhouse yesterday when the players exited, screaming, “Do you know what your home ERA was entering today’s game?! Huh, Cahill?!”
Rhys Hoskins – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 30th homer, and his 3rd straight game with a homer. Praise to Rhysus! Now please put a blessing on Torenado’s shoulder. I need a windstorm!
Carlos Santana – 1-for-4 and his 23rd homer, and third homer this week. Oye como yay!
Michael Conforto – 2-for-5, 4 RBIs and his 23rd homer, and his 2nd homer in as many games, and his 4th homer in the last week, and just got bumped up 25 spots in next year’s drafts. Now stop, please!
Jeff McNeil – 3-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, hitting .340 and hitting near-.400 in the last week. Hot schmotato alert!
Noah Syndergaard – 6 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 17 baserunners (!), 4 Ks, ERA at 3.44. He left after taking a line drive off his rib cage, which was the nicest thing that could’ve happened to him since he was up to 109 pitches and 17 baserunners. No one is talking about what a weak sauce 2nd half he’s having, and then suddenly next year, when he struggles in April, people will be like, “Whoa, that came out of nowhere.” No, it’s not.
Jacob deGrom – Was scratched due to inclement weather. Sounds like a reason a stripper looks for other work. “I just couldn’t make it rain enough.”
Madison Bumgarner – 6 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.30. Everyone will be higher on Bumgarner next year than me.
Jonathan Schoop – 1-for-4, 5 RBIs and his 21st homer, hitting .238 (hitting .217 on the Brewers). Going into Sunday’s game, he was in the bottom ten for Hard Contact this year (27.4%). Real quick shorthand: A guy who relies on homers for fantasy value does not want to be in a weak contact crapfecta with guys like Scott Kingery, Jose Iglesias and Mallex Smith.
Jimmy Nelson – Won’t be back in 2018. If only I had a DeLorean to go back to March to give a self-satisfied laugh at everyone drafting him because they had a DL spot to spare. Sure, I could go back to March and do more productive things, but a cup of smug fills the soul.
Gio Gonzalez – 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 4.40. He just needed a change of scenery! Dot dot dot. Which is what a Fox Sports announcer would say. Reality, he was facing a terrible hitting team. “Brett Gardner’s jawline looks sculpted by Rodin.” That’s also what one specific Fox Sports announcer would say. By the way, if Brett Gardner’s head had a baby with Andrelton Simmons, you’d have an alien from Mars Attacks!
Ervin Santana – Won’t pitch again this year. The Twins hold a $14 million option for him next year, so he has no chance of being back with them, but, before you worry he might be out of baseball, he had PRP treatments. Do I hear a reunion with the Angels?!
Willians Astudillo – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 3rd homer. He looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Leonardo, Donatello, Astudillo and Raphael?
Jorge Lopez – 8 IP, 1 ER, 1 hit, 1 walk, 4 Ks, ERA at 4.40, and carried a perfect game into the 9th inning on Saturday. Some things you need to know about him. Whenever he hears the Aflac duck, he screams, and tears up; he’s from the Bronx, and was a Fly Girl on In Living Color. *intern whispers in my ear* J. Lo, yes, that’s who I’m talking about. Not Jorge Lopez? Hmm… Okay, Lopez has 94 MPH fastball, has four pitches, adding a slider this year, and is throwing a ton of breaking stuff. His command vacillates between mid-3 and low-4 BB/9 and doesn’t have the Ks to assuage those concerns. Saturday appears to be a career game, until we see more. Though, now that he’s dating A-Rod maybe he’s figured out things. Damn, wrong J. Lo again.
Adalberto Mondesi – 1-for-4 and his 7th homer. I’m loving his new home run trot. After he homers, he screams, “No, you have daddy issues!” As for fantasy, it’s goofy how few leagues he’s owned in. And not goofy good, like when your girl puts her long hair over her lip so it looks like she has a mustache. But goofy bad like when she does that during sex.
Some rotation shuffles in the last 24 hours. 12 team head to head points, weekly lock.
Wheeler – 1 start (MIA)
or
Junis – 2 starts (CWS, MIN)
@TheConsigliere: Junis
Ugh I am that guy who is pissed at Cahill for ruining his home start streak! But I don’t think he heard me from my apartment in San Diego…
@Turd Fergusons: How loud did you yell?
Playoff time! Head to head points league:
Is Didi ok to start this week ([email protected] and 3 home vs TOR) or is there too much uncertainty as he works his way back from injury? Boone said they want to ease him back in. PlayI Gleyber at SS this week?
Also, I need 3 OFs this week::
Soto ([email protected], 1 vs CHC, [email protected])
Conforto (4 vs MIA, 3 @ BOS)
J Upton (3 vs TEX, 4 vs SEA)
Bellinger ([email protected], [email protected])
Thanks
@Yolo: I’d start Didi… Not Bellinger (though think his matchups are wrong)
Grey!!
Excellent piece, man! Bob Woodward was left speechless and even mentions you tonight (saw an advanced screener) on Colbert! J/k, man! But it would be weird if he did, right? Must see TV or TVO tonight.
a. Still in first despite Norris’ implosion!
b. Dropped Norris for Cave.
c. Streamed Matz and Shoemaker.
d. Signed up Knebel for fun after he got the 4 out save last night. Don’t need saves because I’m 20 saves away from 4th and 6th place can’t catch me. He could hurt my ERA (5th but close to 4th and 6th came calling) and take me down a bit in WHIP (2nd all year). Do you think he resumes as the closer or was Jeffress tired? They do need to keep winning to stay alive and could really benefit from beating the Cubs, even taking 2/3 would be useful. Anyone out there in the heartland who has seen him since he came back up? Is he back to what he was?
e. Are you starting both Happ at Minnesota v. Gibson and Verlander @ Detroit v. Liriano tonight? I’m leaning yes, yes because I need wins, wins.
f. Mark Twain quote of the day for September 10
Fame is a vapor; popularity an accident; the only earthly certainty is oblivion.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante Galic: Kinda surprised he didn’t mention me A. Nice! B. Makes sense…sense…sense… See, you’re in on Cave now D. Jeffress was tired, seems to be closer E. Yes F. Wow, deep
2 start pitchers this week – MIkolas (vs PIT, vs LAD) or Godley (@COL, @HOU)?
Pick up Voit for Jesus Aguilar this week?
@Vic the Brick: Mikolas — Yes
-some dude named marwin couldn’t have done much in the last week, he missed 6 or so games in a row.
– RIGHT the day i was about to drop hedges in the 4 or so leagues i have him in, he triples, then HR’s in back to back days with back to back starts, after being BN’d 2 days in a row. my guess is mejia isn’t that good of a catcher (i think ralph had mentioned this a while back as well on one of his podcasts), since clearly they would want his hitting otherwise.
– 14 teamer where i got VERY lucky and my last week opp is in 14th place and didn’t have enough pitchers (he didn’t set his lineup anyway) to secure league mins for innings, so i won ALL the pitching categories and got 2nd (a bye) by half a game. i didn’t hit nor pitch well last week. but now i have 7 moves to get ready for next monday. you can tell my pitching staff is weak (wacha/darvish/otani all lost from being quite good earlier, or in darvish’s case drafted at least to be good). i can also see if this puig being benched garbage continues and replace if so and not worry about using a move on it.
SP: heaney, V2, pivetta, bieber, valdez, rodon the monster
RP (room for 4, but romo/gsellman can fit into SP slots):leclerc, soylent greene, gsellman, romo, hildy
NA (1) luzardo.
so V2 has been ugly, and his awesome this week matchup i can’t use anyway (vs MIA), but his next 2 that i would be able to use (@ATL and @ COL) are straight up shitty. also desclafani hasn’t been good (he was my last streamer when i ran out of moves last week). rodon the monster’s starts next week are also bad (@ CLE and then vs CLE, ends season @ MIN)
here’s some early next week starts i could nab, clearly i drop at least V2 and desclafani, but maybe rodon too.
suarez @ SD the 18th (8.1), ends year @ STL, vs LAD
pena @ OAK the 18th (2), ends year vs @HOU, vs OAK
both of pena/suarez have good starts this week as well, so some risk somebody else might add then hold if they go well.
-chen vs CIN the 20th (SON has it wrong due to postponement, but vs CIN would be a good one), ends year @ WAS, @ PIT (so if he’s an add he’d be the steam spot DURING next week)
-stratton @ SD the 19th (then vs SD later)
the other possibles aren’t great, j.lopez, vargas, lauer (but bad matchup next week), j-zimm
2.
these hitters: OBP over AVG, hits and total bases added.
C hedges
1B rizzo
2B odor
SS machado
3B chapman
OF (3) rosario, yelich, whit (2B/1B)
util (2) franmil, schebler
BN rowdy (just dropped puig for him, if puig does better he’s very likely obtainable) mancini (1B/OF)
drop mancini (or anybody) right now for any of: kiermaier, munoz (all the infield could backup chapman and machado, who have none), lowe?
@Stupid Sexy Glanders: True..true… Suarez and Chen 2. Rowdy for Munoz
TI have Tyler White – cut him for Nomar Mazarra?
@Norm Ginsberg: Sure
Yeah I’m done with Boxberger. Would you take anyone of these over him?
Minter
Gsellman
Fry
@CaptainKnauer: or Dominguez
@CaptainKnauer: Any of them… Minter
Just missed out on 1st place in the regular season by a half game thanks to my teams lack of power in the 2nd half, but I’ll still take the first round bye that 2nd gets me. Thinking this year and next year with my moves this week. Who do you like better as a keeper next year Corey Seager in the 12th or Ozzie Albies in the 14th (Albies 2nd half has me thinking hes not worth keeping and a potential drop to keep starting Villar). We can only keep 4 and my other keepers are Soto (12th), E. Rosario (13th), and Flaherty (21st).
@Sean: Wow, drop Albies because of a slump? He’s only 21 I’m sure he’ll have better overall seasons ahead.
@Fungazi 2.0: I have no problems dropping a guy if he’s going to cost me a chance at a championship. i still have other good keepers for next year, which lead me to the seager/albies keeper questions. why carry an extra bench bat i might not use when the spot could be used for a streamer? in all honesty who would i bench for albies from this lineup of villar, machado, treat urner, betts, marte, soto, rendon, e rosario?
@Sean: Albies
@Grey: thanks, currently have 2 bench bats and wanted to dwindle it down to 1 or none spots to have extra pitching. will have to see who is hot between voit and wil myers by the end of the week and make my decision then.
Gotcha
Keeping one closer on the bench…just in case. Should I keep Norris or Yates?
@The Skrimmer: Norris being removed from the role answered my question for me…
@The Skrimmer: Yates
Hey Grey. Semifinals week and some pitching questions. It’s H2H category. My pitching staff is not the same team that got me here as I’m basically without Sale this week and Severino has been struggling. I traded for Kershaw before the deadline.
So in addition to Sale and Sevy, I have Kershaw, Freeland, Derek Rodriguez, Minor, Barria, and LeBlanc. I just picked up the last two yesterday. So question is about today’s starts and an add/drop for later in the week.
Do I pitch both of Barria and Minor who face off against each other or just Barria? Risk getting a Loss (bit also a win). Thoughts on starting Derek Rodriguez at home vs Atlanta. Other question – would you add Wade Miley for his second start at home vs Pittsburg at the end of the week, dropping Barria (who gets Seattle at home) or one of my two bench bats – Voit or T. White who I will be swapping for matchups this week.
Thanks as always.
@G:
I can also add Junis who is available over Miley for his second start against Minnesota.
@G: Junis over Miley
@G: Start Barria, Dereck — Yes, lose a bat maybe, what’s Barria’s 2nd start this week (does he have one)?
@Grey:
Barria goes against Seattle at home.
So to be clear, don’t think I should also start Minor, right, only Barria?
Would you add Junis for Barria whose second startvis at seattle, or one of Voit or Tyler White? Thanks as always and for helping my team get this far
Only Barria — vs. Seattle at home sounds fine… Junis sounds good too
@Grey:
Thanks again
No problem
With this week and next only left for playoffs are we dropping Sale in refracts?
@Jbone: Seems like he might only pitch a couple innings over next few weeks
Bounced from the first round of the playoffs……Happy to have been able to make it that far.
My sincere thanks to Grey’s work, as well all writers who contribute to razball. I think I can speak on behalf of all readers when I say, thank you for your dedication, which helps everyone who visits this site. I feel you all aren’t thanked enough. Keep up the top-notch work!
@Mike: Sorry you didn’t win, thanks!
Great work Grey! Thank you…
16 team H2H weekly points league (2nd. week of playoffs)
I need to start 5 SP and 3 RP (SP/RP)
Who should I roll with for this week?
Bieber @ TB;
Holland Vs ATL;
Lynn Vs TOR;
Rodon @ KC;
Tanaka Vs TOR;
Vargas Vs MIA, @ BOS;
T. Anderson @ SF;
SP/RP Buehler @ STL;
SP/RP Glasnow Vs CLE;
SP/RP Alcantara @ NYM;
SP/RP Valdez @ DET;
RP Strop 3x Vs MIL, 1x VS WAS, 3x Vs CIN;
RP Treinen 3x @ BAL, 3x @ TB;
RP Hicks 3x Vs PIT, 4x Vs LAD;
Thanks in advance!
@RicoSuave: Last three RPs, Holland, Rodon, Tanaka, Bieber, Lynn
Hey Grey,
16 team H2H weekly points league…
1B Ryan Zimmerman 3x @ PHI, 1x Vs CHC, 3 @ ATL or
1B Jose Abreu 3x @KC, 3x @BAL or
1B O’Hearn 3x Vs CHW, 4x Vs MIN.
Thanks again!
@RicoSuave: Abreu
AL Only Playoffs!
Start Robbbie Ray @Hou or Thor @BOS
We are forced to start 4 SP and I’ve got Strasburg, 2 Star Alex Wood, and Carlos Martinez who is only SP elgible in there,
Bucholz is on my bench because @COL scares me.
@Kingslayer: um make that NL Only*
@Kingslayer: Thor
@Grey: I think I’m going to go against your advice. I know, I know… Why did I even ask? I guess I’m a dummy! I just think Thor is hurt after those 12 Base runners….
17!
It’s a close call, I don’t hate you for it
@Grey: Ugh this is torture… Fantasy world series maximum pressure. Considering starting Thor over Strasburg, who I have lovingly nicknamed Trasbburg this year….
[email protected] or [email protected] hmmm
Trashburg
Crazy to think Acuna could be in serious NL MVP contention if Atlanta had added him to the roster out of spring training, like they should have.
His numbers are right there with Story, Baez, Yelich etc
and he’s a 20 yr old rookie…..
He’s taught me that independence comes with responsibility, and he’s allowing me to learn that the hard way
Remember to love your Tildaddy and don’t ever take him for granted
@Slappy Jack: Very sweet comment, amen!
Loved the write-up Grey and hope you had a good weekend!
Last minute lineup calls in my H2H 5×5 semi-final. Need top 3 hitter plays for this week regardless of position. Hitteron and match-ups below:
Hoskins (23.7) 6 games (WAS, WAS, WAS, MIA, MIA, MIA)
Carpenter (12.2) 7 games (Pit, Pit, Pit, Lad, Lad, Lad, Lad)
Ohtani (10.4) 7 games (Tex, Tex, Tex, Sea, Sea, Sea, Sea)
Villar (23.2) 6 games (Oak, Oak, Oak, CWS, CWS, CWS)
Ohtani is a wild card with his injury but he’s been so hot at the plate and ranked #1 in my league over the last 7 days and #4 overall over the last 14 days.
Thanks!
LG
@Matthew Macdonald: Thanks! Not Villar
Are you starting German Marquez tonight? Not a good matchup in Coors, but he’s been running hot!
@Slam: Yes, have to
Who would you own – Urias or Merrifield? 8 team std
Thanks!
@Jumponit: Merrifield
Hey Grey,
10 team h2h points league i have
archer, bumgarner, flaherty, nola, wood, paxton, strasburg.
drop flaherty for Heaney?
who would you start this week paxton has dodgers, strasburg philly, archer milwalkee, bumgarner colorado
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Sure, Heaney — If Bum’s home, I’d start all of them
@Grey:
Yes: Bum is at home
i guess i’ll go Nola, Wood, Bumgarner, archer, heaney
I’m thinking of strasburg but he has arrietta or nola in philly due to the rainout plus he really only had one good week the decisions always get harder playoff time.
I hear ya, Strasburg in Philly sounds better than Archer in MIL
FWIWerth
@Grey:
Good point Phils don’t score much……my luck it will be day Kaplar has a blind squirrel moment and one of his wacky lineups works!
HA, yup
AL Only H2H 5×5
Start Mike Zunino or Taylor Ward at C?
Its world series week. Save me Grey!
@Kingslayer: Zunino
Better bet for 2019: Honeywell or Smyly?
@M: Neither…Honeywell
Hey Grey,
I love me some Mondesi as well! But with so many teams abandoned, it’s pretty easy to see why his ownership numbers are down.
Anyways!
In a 12-tm H2H OBP/QS league, I’m deciding on my five keepers for next year. Round value next to name.
My locks:
Nola (6th)
Acuna (7th)
Eugenio (13th)
Trying to pick two from the following:
Mondesi (23rd)
Rizzo (1st)
Cruz (3rd)
Kiermaier (9th)
K.Davis (2nd)
Morton (14th)
Ryu (23rd)
G.Polanco (6th)
Thoughts?
@The JoGarza: Would be Morton and Mondesi for me.
@The JoGarza: True…true… Mondesi, Morton
Grey –
Two weekly H2H questions:
1. Correa’s killing me – do I sit him in a UT slot for either Mazara, Renfroe, or Franmil?
2. I need QS, do I take two starts from Alex Wood @CIN, @STL or one start from Taillon @STL?
Have a great week!
@Sano Chance in Hell: 1. Renfroe 2. Wood
Am I crazy for starting Wainwright? Thanks
@tom: Yes
Any chance you start Kyle Gibson at home vs. Yankees tonight? It is the semi-final matchup in a league with QS instead of Wins. Would be crossing my fingers for one of Gibson’s classic 7 IP 3 ER starts — I missed what the dictionary term was determined for this.
@TrickRey: Didn’t love any of the terms, nothing made it in the dictionary… Sure, start Gibson, hope for a 6 IP, 3 ER, squeezed out win
@Grey: Or rather squeezed out QS
Drop one for Jose Abreu – Ian Desmond, Joey Wendle, Greg Allen. Standard 5×5 category league H2H
@Jeremy Sausage: Needs? Allen
14 Team H2H auction redraft league. 6×6: Runs, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OPS and K’s, QS, ERA, WHIP, Saves+Holds, K/9.
I have $6 FAAB left and have been alternating winning/losing week’s for the past month and a half but thankfully now have a BYE week. Outside of Week 1 when everyone is tied, this team has not been out of 1st place a single week. This obviously means nothing if I don’t win it all.
1) drop any pitchers for Corey Knebel, Scott Oberg, Ty Buttrey?
2) drop Ian Desmond for Ryan O’Hearn, Matt Davidson, Wil Myers, Robinson Cano, or Niko Goodrum?
3) drop Willy Adames for Jason Kipnis, Robinson Cano, Niko Goodrum, or Adam Frazier?
4) drop Ramon Laureano or Aaron Hicks for Kevin Kiermaier?
5) drop Miles Mikolas to stream next week? He’s been bad recently but has has SF at home in STL next week. So I guess I answered my own question..
5) hold Wei-Yin Chen next week? He’s been good recently and has the Reds at home in MIA. He will then be @WAS the final week of the season so I could drop him there. So I guess I answered my own question..
6) Matthew Boyd is a Must Start? He’s been great and has MIN at home and @MIN the last 2 weeks of the season.
7) Folty is a Must Start? he is vs STL, vs PHI, @PHI the last 2 weeks.
C: Kurt Suzuki
1B: Ian Desmond
2B: Willy Adames
3B: Matt Chapman
SS: Francisco Lindor
OF: Mike Trout
OF: Mitch Haniger
OF: Aaron Hicks
UTL: Ramon Laureano
P: Max Scherzer
P: Keon Kela
P: Jesse Biddle
P: Craig Stammen
P: Jose Castillo
SP: Wei-Yin Chen
SP: Matthew Boyd
BH: Clayton Kershaw
BH: Mike Foltynewicz
BH: Miles Mikolas
BH: Blake Snell
DL: Michael Wacha
8) Thank you for everything this year. The fantasy baseball season is the most grueling of the fantasy sports and I really owe you a lot more than the $0.000001 you get for my page view. I’ve only won my money league once back in 2013 (the year Goldy, Darvish, Iwakukuma broke out) so I’m really praying hard I can finally take home my 2nd championship. Anything can happen the next 3 weeks.
@Savoy Special: 1. Nah 2. Desmond in Coors, I’d hold for now 3. Goodrum 4. Meh 5. Yes 6. Yes 7. Yes 8. Hoping you can pull it off!
Didnt stream o nator love cahill over the weekend? He went 2.2 with 6 walks 1 k and 3 earned.
@Wally Pipp: Are you saying Stream-o-nator isn’t right 100% of the time?
@Cram It: no of course not, it isn’t you
@Wally Pipp: Yeah, and Trout goes 0-for-4 on some days
@Cram It: @Grey: well sure but a pitcher goes once a week, so this was like a 1-24 from a hitter lol.
@Wally Pipp: https://razzball.com/ombotsman/ It tells you how accurate Stream-o-Nator is, unlike literally every other site that just tells you to do things and there’s no accountability
@Grey: just saying since the lead was stream o nator and it whiffed huge on cahill yesterday.
cahill is done i wouldn’t go near him rest of the year.
These things happen, but if you started Heaney and Cahill, it wasn’t a bad 9 IP
Need to add a bat for big playoff week-Beltre, McNeil, Kiermaier, Yuli Gurriel or Wendle.
Could you rank
Thank you
@lwomack58: Beltre’s been hot
Can I cut Correa and add anybody else? He looks like hell and is hitting like .160 since he got back with 2 extra base hits. This is like Miguel cabrera with his back injury last year. Beltre has been hot. Didn’t see him in your right up. Would you cut correa for him? I need an infielder. Thanks
@Bob: Yes, cut Correa for Beltre
C.Mart or Will Smith as RP for next 3 weeks? Thanks again for your help as I made it to the playoffs with your fantasy advice!
@smegma: C-Mart
New thing we need a term for – when you’re in a keeper league and a team doesn’t put a guy on the DL but announces he won’t play for the rest of the season, thus costing you a roster spot. Looking your way Gregory Polanco.
I’m proposing DL on the Down Low.
@Gonzo_The_Great: Good area for a term, not sure if that’s the one
Framber Valdez is RP elgible and pitching @DET this week
Would you trust him in AL ONLY fantasy world series?
Other options are Jace Fry who almost blew my ALDS game for me and Brad Peacock.
@Kingslayer: I’d start him
In my neighborhood here in Baltimore, we had Hampdenfest on Saturday…your typical yearly street festival with bands and vendors. However, unique to this gathering is the Toilet Bowl race. In this race, my friends and I competed. And we are your 2018 Toilet Bowl Race champions of the world. I wish I could share pictures…
@Cram It: HA! Congrats, does this mean you now go pro or remain an amateur?
@Grey: I haven’t looked into it yet, but I do not believe there is a professional toilet bowl race circuit. Although we did get sponsored and were supplied with free beer.
Sounds like you’re already in the pro bowl and don’t know it
@Cram It: Congratulations, Cram. Proud of you. Representin!
@zombie: Thanks Zomb!
Do you trust Marco Gonzalez returning from the DL and facing the Padres? Should I start him over Archer @MIL and Fulner @CLE
@Kingslayer: I wouldn’t start any of those guys if I had better options, but Archer, I guess
@Grey: It’s AL Only so unfortunately I don’t.
Archer just gets lit up way too much. @MIL scares.me. ugh.
Thanks for sharing my worry with me tho… I think I’m going to just hope the Padres can’t hit and roll with Marco…. He had a pretty good yesterday until his last few starts where he was injured
@Grey: It’s AL Only so unfortunately I don’t.
Archer just gets lit up way too much. @MIL scares.me. ugh.
Thanks for sharing my worry with me tho… I think I’m going to just hope the Padres can’t hit and roll with Marco…. He had a pretty good yesterday until his last few starts where he was injured @Kingslayer:
Pretty good year*
Meh, okay
Gotcha
@Grey:
Would you prefer the returning Bret Anderson @BAL over the aforementioned Archer/Fulmer/Marco
I’m starting to talk myself into it haha
Nope
@Grey: I respect that haha
Well, I just saw Marco is on a pitch count.
So Archer @MIL it is.
*Holds nose and presses Set Lineup*
Ha
Hi there, I can only start two of these guys, and not sure which ones:
Flaherty vs. LAD
Buehler @ STL
Matz vs. MIA
Musgrove @ STL
Thanks!
@asdfasdf: Actually, sorry, I just heard the CMart news so I’ll start him too, so I can only start one of those guys. Thanks
@asdfasdf: Matz
Would you start Greinke @COL in coors tomorrow? Need QS to win this year, not many GS left
@Wilson: It’s not good, depends what not many GS left means
@Grey:
And I also need to lower down my WHIP/ERA to win this year..
Cahill hurt me yesterday ..
Greinke started in Coors once this year, 5.2 innings, 3ER, AVG .308 !!
Anyway, seems better not start.. ?
Doesn’t seem worth it
The second week of my playoff matchup is about to start and I have a slim lead in WHIP (.910 to .977) and am trailing in ERA by just over a run (3.538 to 2.455). I have a comfortable lead in Ks (76 to 45) and Ws (5 to 2) and anticipate taking SVs, too. Holds, like usual, will probably be a toss up.
I’m looking to add another two-start SP to my lineup. I know none of these names are great, but who would you start out of Godley, Quintana, Newcomb, and Musgrove? Another option I’d have is to start Sale who is going to be on a pitches thrown/IP count but, given his matchups, shouldn’t kill my ratios. Do I play it safe and start him instead?
On the hitting side, do I activate Abreu and put him at my U spot? This would mean taking Conforto, who has been swinging a hot bat, out of my lineup. Feel like I should wait a week and see how Abreu looks and how often the ChiSox use him.
@RoarOf84:I don’t know the matchups for the SPs, I’d look them up before making any decisions — Conforto’s too hot to bench
@Grey:
Godley – at COL, at HOU
Quintana – home for MIL, home for CIN
Newcomb – at SF, home for WAS
Musgrove – at StL, at MIL
Sale – home for TOR, home for NYM
@RoarOf84: Ugh, tough call, Quintana
@Grey:
Given the other matchups, would I be off my rocker to just start Sale and call it a day? I know that he won’t qualify for a W in either start but he should definitely help my ratios and, hopefully, Ks with matchups against TOR and NYM.
I guess if you don’t have better matchups
So the other day you pointed out how the big box sites’ writers ditch baseball for football so early. This morning I was poking around my Yahoo baseball H2H league as the playoffs start, and you know when their last baseball post was?…Aug. 24!
@Steve Stevenson: Yup!
Cmart was officially named closer.
Is Jordan Hicks still worth starting or would you start Kenta Maeda instead?
@jon428: I’d start Maeda
Title round of my playoff in my H2H points league and I need a pitcher recommendation. The matchup runs two full weeks. I’m trying to tell myself that I’m not crazy by starting Marquez vs a few other options:
Marquez ARI (Godley) @SF (Bumgarner) @ARI (?)
Other options:
Taillon @STL (Gomber) KC (Lopez)
Buehler @STL (Flaherty) COL (Freeland)
Flaherty LAD (Buehler) @ATL (Sanchez)
Gausman WAS (Scherzer) STL (Gant)
The chances Buehler and Flaherty get skipped are too high and all my options seem to have fairly bad matchups other than Taillon but Marquez has been on such a run lately that I feel like I have to go for it. At least he only has the one game in Coors. Thoughts?
@Wudaben: German seems like way to go, he has been great, even in Coors, I know it feels crazy
stacked team problems!!! should i start votto or bellinger… obp league. bellinger has the better schedule
thx man!
@Shitwolf: Votto
First things first, thank you FML and staff for another great season of tools and advice and another #1 seed in the playoffs.
Semi final round of playoffs this week 10 team h2h redraft league. My SP has been pretty brutal since losing Bauer and Cmart so I’ve shifted my strategy to winning whip, ERA, and Saves. Not punting wins and K’s but other teams in the playoffs have ridiculous SP compared to mine since they drafted them early.
In this league there is only 13 IP minimum for the week and 4 add/drops per week.
C- Yadi
1- Freeman
2- Camargo
3- Rendon
SS- Trea Turner
MI- Machado
CI- Andujar
Of- Acuna
OF- bellinger
Of- Peralta
U- ohtani
BN- Chapman
BN-Mallex Smith
BN- Tyler White
Sp- Junis
Sp- Alex Wood
RP- Jansen
RP- Vasquez
P- Le Clerc
P- Osuna
P- Jeffress
P- Stripling
BN- Flaherty
BN- Gausman
I don’t normally carry 3 bench bats but it’s just how things have worked out the last couple weeks, Turner stopped running so much so Malex Smith has been picking up the slack for me, Freeman hasn’t been providing much of anything so Chapman and Ohtani have been picking up the slack for him. Most weeks I win all 5 hitting cats and 3 pitching categories. Guy I’m playing this week has Scherzer, verlander, Morton, Fiers, Ray, Marquez, Freeland, Chacin, etc. but his hitting and RP are weak as hell.
Any potential movers you see here buddy or fellow razz ball faithful?
I’m on the fence about starting junis today and possibly wrecking my ratios on day one.
Intriguing names on the wire are
Conforto
Donaldson
Mondesi
Mazara
Kipnis
Heaney
Musgrove
John Gant
Thanks for everything and good luck!
@Ozzie Smith: Thanks! I’d start Junis — I wouldn’t waste a move on a bat at this point
Well, Grey, I think I’ll be rolling out “weigh in” Wei-Yin and chunky Gelato this week and cross my fingers in my NFBC. I’m first in ERA and second in WHIP. I need to preserve my 3rd place in K’s and 2nd in W’s. One would think going against KC and Bal (LG) and NYM (WC) will be favorable. Streamonator is low on Chen vs. Mets though (???!!!). It’s not real fond of Gelato either.
@Dave D: I wouldn’t go near Giolito… I’m seeing Chen vs. Phils in Philly, is he starting vs. Mets?
I was seeing Thurs 9/13 vs. Mets earlier but perhaps he is Friday. Maybe I’ll revert instead to my vulture, Yonny Chirinos, who got me two wins in non “starts” last week. He seems more stable.
Gioloto is a work in progress…. like Glasnow.
Yeah, totally
hey Grey,
thanks for carrying me to playoffs once again. this week is first week of playoffs and i definitely need some fine-tuning as i’m starting off in 3rd.
1) drop who for Abreu coming off DL? guessing Hicks? anyone else i could lose?
2) was also thinking of adding Mallex Smith for SB … drop who for him if any?
3) drop any pitcher for Knebel? or just use the streamer slot?
C Perez
1B Aguilar
2B DJ
3B Freeman
SS Bregman
OFSoto
OF Hicks
OF Scooter
Util Andujar
Util Odor
BN Bryant
BN Pollock
DL Abreu
SP D Rodriguez
SP
RP Kimbrel
RP Alvarado
P Yates
P Hildenberger
P Wood
P Beuhler
BN Hill
BN Morton
BN Gausman
Thanks again
@vee: 1. I’d leave him in my DL or Jesus 2. Pollock 3. Not sure why you want Knebel
I’d like to nominate this one for article title of the year…hat tip to Rudy.
@Mike: Haha, yes! It is one of the better ones this year
Morning, Grey….and happy Monday (is that even possible with the effort my Bills gave yesterday? Good gravy…).
Onto more pressing things for the playoffs — H-2-H mixed, 5×5 plus BB and doubles. Looking to grab a 2B eligible guy and was wondering how you’d rank these dudes.
Goodrum, Mondesi, C.Taylor, Adames, Kipnis, Fletcher
Thanks….have a good one!!
@sk: Mondesi, Goodrum
@Grey: Thanks. Would you drop B.Dozier and/or A.Frazier for either of these two/both?
Over both
Hey Grey,
You starting Giolito @KC today? H2H with QS.
And as we enter the playoffs, where almost everyone is droppable, I have some keeper questions for you. My league’s keeper rules for drafted players are that you can keep anyone you drafted except for those in the first round but it will cost you one prior round pick in next year’s draft (you drafted Giancarlo in the second round, you can keep him and lose your first round pick next year). For free agent pickups you can only keep one, and it’ll cost your 25th round pick next year.
For my free agent pickup, I think it’s a no-brainer to keep Andujar (who will be my 25th round pick next year) – don’t really need your feedback on that one, but feel free to concur!
As for my drafted players, do you think:
Eugenio Suarez is worth a 14th round pick next year?
Carrasco is worth a 3rd round pick next year?
Robbie Ray is worth a 4th round pick next year?
Corbin is worth a 15th round pick next year?
Thanks!
@Eric: I don’t trust Giolito anywhere — yes, Andujar — Eugenio, Corbin, that order
Just checked the monkey and apparently C-Mart is confirmed as the closer ROS
@William Hung: It happened this morning, I believe
Dynasty league and need to make room to call up C-Stew. Who do I cut loose? Tapia, Jake Bauers, Orlando Arcia, T Shaw, Schoop, R Zimmerman?
@Bandura: Any of the first 3? Who do you need? Prolly lose Arcia
Would you drop A. Hicks for Voit? Need the better player right now. Hicks is hitting .190 over past 7 games-Voit is hitting .321 over 7 games.
Thank you
@lwomack58: Nah
In the finals this week and all my pitching either sucks or has bad matchups. Would you start Wood today @CIN, SON had him at like $10 when I last checked.
@Crime Dog: I would (hehe)
@Grey: what is the hehe?? Is that a disclaimer??
Nothing, cause of Wood
@Grey: haha..God I’m so slow today
Haha
Touki is stuck in my NA slot and I need to activate/or drop him.
*Takes deep breath*
I was thinking drop Boxberger and Touki today. Add Valdez for his start tomorrow. Then drop Valdez for Raisel Iglesias who is available. Then after Striplings start Wednesday, drop him and use that slot as a streaming slot. Potentially re-adding Touki for his next start Saturday even as well.
What do you think?
@Junkmastah: Makes sense
@Grey: My 1st round bye could not have come at a better time – my pitching is in shambles! I do not have 1 pitcher I can rely on to provide me a solid start… here are my guys as of today, with 4 more moves for the week to shore up my pitching for next week’s matchup:
SP- Severino, Heaney, Archer, Corbin, Gausman, Bauer
RP- Treinen, C-Mart, Knebel, Minter, Fry and Boxberger
Fry & Boxberger are obvious drops, especially if Box really gets pulled from the closer role. I can replace them with both Hildenberger & Tommy Hunter respectively. I already used 2 moves this week to get C-Mart and Knebel (I think he’s back and should help with ERA/WHIP & K/9)
On the batting side of things, it looks like my roll of the dice for Dozier has not worked out. I guess I can give it till the end of the week before deciding what to do (obvious pickup will be Adalberto). On the plus side – Abreu’s nutsack is healed and expected to come back today!
Good luck to all the other teams in the playoffs!
@William Hung: Mondesi over Dozier now… Do you really need all of these mediocre closers? Hildenberger and Knebel, sure, if you do, otherwise, not sure why…
@Grey: Guarantees that I win SVs and limit my exposure from taking on too many L’s. Also prevents other teams from getting SVs.
My league has a weekly requirement to pitch at least 25 innings & counts Ls for pitchers – so in the playoffs I’ve found a lot of success with going RP heavy which gets me around 10-12 IPs during the week and then I try to go with best available matchups for the other 13 with my starters – that typically helps me take the Losses, SVs, ERA, WHIP, and K/9 categories. Wins and Ks are a roll of the dice at that point.
Ah, okay, then Hildenberger and Knebel
Would you drop Elvis Andrus for Joey Wendle?
@prey879: Nope
I’m watching it all slip away…. But I can still likely hold on to 2nd in my league. I’ve got some room to move on Wins and QS.
Going to drop Mejia.. who would you recommend for the stretch run from below (first, second choice)? thanks!
J Lopez
Hill
Cobb
Gant
Musgrove
Touki
Shoemaker
@Dante:
Add Valdez to that list…
@Dante: I’d look at their matchups
HELP! I’m in 2nd place in my Roto keeper, so every start is crucial.
Pick 1;
Berrios (@KC)
Keuchel (vsAZ)
Bieber (@TB)
VV (vsMIA)
@Fogimon: Berrios
One more for you… H2H points league. Matchup runs 2 weeks and I need to start 2 of these options:
Alex Wood: @CIN (Reed) @STL (Wainwright) SD (Lauer)
Hyun-Jin Ryu: @CIN (Castillo) @STL (Mikolas) SD (Kennedy)
Jameson Taillon: @STL (Gomber) KC (Lopez)
Currently have Wood & Ryu in there. Would you do the same?
@wudaben: Not Taillon
@Grey: why not taillon? SON loves him and he has two favorable match-ups. really…not starting him?
He needs 3 starts from each pitcher
Grey,
I need your help with this week lineup.
Would you sit Sale and pick up a two start pitcher?
Voit or Carpenter or Votto at 1B this week.
J. Turner over Arenado?
Thank you.
@NH: Votto — Arenado
H/H points you play Mazara, Gallo, C Taylor
Mazara
Also stuck in a battle for Batting Average, HR, and Runs;
Pick 2;
McNeil (4vMIA, [email protected]) – 6 righties, 1 lefty
Villar (3vOAK, 3vChW) – 6 righties
Odor ([email protected], [email protected]) – 4 righties, 2 lefties
Shaw ([email protected], [email protected]) – 4 righties, 2 lefties
Pick 3;
Calhoun (3vTEX, 4vSEA) – 5 righties, 2 lefties
Pollock ([email protected], [email protected]) – 5 righties, 2 lefties
Mancini (3vOAK, 3vChW) – 6 righties
Aguilar ([email protected], [email protected]) – 4 righties, 2 lefties
@Fogimon: asked again below in a different way
Thanks to Tildaddy and rainouts
barley won my points league playoff game
For championship ( weekly ) would you drop Hicks or aguilar for white ?
Has Jesus done anything recently?
@Grey:
Not much!
How about Tyler White? Because everyone is asking about him
@Grey:
He Slowed down a bit. I hate weekly leagues!
Thats why I asked you hahah
Haha, I hate them too! (Not really)
Ozark is awesome 2nd season (still watching)
@Grey:
Ok I watch that one next.
Yes sir!
Dodgers dicking around with Wood (hehe) is driving me NUTS! (double hehe)
He is projected 2 starts just about every week, and then mid week the Dodgers push him back to Monday or Tuesday on 7 days rest. Its Maddoning without the Maddon!!
Haha — Solid point on Wood
Back from an extended vacay… I know you missed me. Or not. I know I missed yous guys and the eye candy goodness of these daily write ups!
My on again/off again relationship with Smoak is on the rocks. I’ve dropped/added him probably the most this year across my teams. And now he’s done me dirty again! I’ve throw all of his belongings in the fireplace and they’re up in Smoak! Week 2 in the playoffs are set to begin without him. Welcome to the team Tyler White and don’t mess with the virtual clubhouse ju-ju in the championship push!
I’ve got Josh Donaldson potentially coming off the DL tomorrow. Is it worth dropping Maikel Franco or Eduardo Escobar to activate him?
C – Yadier
1B – White
2B – Whitfield
3B – Franco
SS – Trea
OF – Acuna, Just Dong, J-Up
Util – Ohtani, Escobar
Where the hell did you go?!
Maikel
@Grey: Camped with the family for 12 days in the Finger Lakes area of NY. Hit up Niagara Falls and a bunch of other waterfalls/hiking trails out that way too. Loved getting in the woods, fishing, huge fires, swimming in creeks, and otherwise getting my beard on!
Awesome! You didn’t hit Cooperstown?
@Grey: Not this trip. I have a few littles that wouldn’t be a good fit with Daddy’s pilgrimage. Maybe in a few years when the boys will be able to appreciate it. I did unknowingly drive through Williamsport during Little League Championship weekend. That was interesting if not frustrating.
Keirmaeir or beltre? Which one do I add? Both have been hot. 6×6, obp and total bases included. Thanks
Beltre
H2h-points playoffs. Need a replacement for Polanco
O’Hearn
Laureano
Adam Frazier
Kiermaier
Kiermaier
For today buddy pick 2 to get me off to a hot start this week!
Tyler White @ Det (Loriano)
Ohtani vs. Tex (Minor)
Freeman @ SF (D. Rodriguez)
Not White
It looks like C-Mart and Knebel might be the closers down the stretch for these teams? Agree? Are they worth adding over any of Osuna,Yates,Minter or Hader? It’s a keeper league and all are at $10 except C-Mart who is at $29. Thanks.
C-Mart was named closer this morning, over Minter
Hey Grey,
Great stuff as always!
I feel like it’s all come down to this: H2H playoffs! It’s the Final Countdown! I’m annoying coworkers with my loop of Europe’s classic, that or my weekend sweatpants I forgot to change out of before coming to work…I’VE BEEN GOING CRAZY OVER THESE MEDIOCRE STARTER OFFERINGS! Help me out please, pick TWO:
Flaherty home vs Dodgers (+$11.5)
Vargas home vs Marlins, @ Red Sox (-$14.7 total)
Gomber home vs Pirates (+$5.4)
Porcello home vs Mets (+$10.0)
I’m tempted to start the dbl of Vargas, yet so very afraid. And the possibility of Porcello or Flaherty being skipped also scares me.
And for a bats question, whom do you prefer (pick 2):
T White: (3 vs Az, 3 @ Det) or Voit: (3 @ Min, 3 vs Tor)
Mazara: (3 @ LAA, 3 @ SD) or Muncy: (3 @ Cin, 4 @ StL)
Thanks for all you do, Grey, Rudy, and all!
Cheers,
K
HA!
Gomber, Porcello
Voit, Muncy
Thanks!
@Grey: It’s AL Only so unfortunately I don’t.
Archer just gets lit up way too much. @MIL scares.me. ugh.
Thanks for sharing my worry with me tho… I think I’m going to just hope the Padres can’t hit and roll with Marco…. He had a pretty good yesterday until his last few starts where he was injured @Kingslayer:
Pretty good year*
Gotcha
Would you start Sale this week? I know he has two starts but it sounds like he will pitch 2-3 innings in both starts.
I have LeBlanc vs. SD on Wed on the bench and I also have Kimbrel on the bench as well.
Sale’s only throwing 3 IP per start, I wouldn’t start him if I had better options — LeBlanc sounds decent
Got Jose Abreu coming off the DL today and need to make room. Who should I drop:
Desmond
Renfroe
CarGo
Tyler White
CarGo
Drop 1;
Calhoun, Mancini, Pollock, Aguilar
Kole
1 week to save your season, if you hit below .230 you die. If you hit 3 HRs, you can raise from the dead.
McNeil, Odor, or Shaw
Odor
Giles @BOS and @NYY this week. Could be disastrous, is it worth chasing the saves to absolutely kill ratios with him?
Worth it if you need saves
Grey,
My fantasy playoffs start today and I only have one move left. My pitching has been my weak spot all year while my hitting has been pretty good. So which one guy would you drop and who would you pickup? Jakob Junis, Gio Gonzalez, Mike Minor, Nick Pivetta, Steve Matz, Sonny Gray or Wade Miley
Andujar, Muncy, or DeJong (those are my bench hitters)
Rest of my team is:
C-Contreras
1b-Abreu
2b- Cabrera
3b- Suarez
Ss-Turner
OF- Yelich, Trout, Acuna
Utl- Hoskins, Pham
I’d look at matchups, I think Junis has good ones, no idea of others — DeJong
Thanks!
No problem
Grey, only 12 starts left , tryin to be real careful streaming
Right now i have Musgrove starting at Cards. Can u please rank top 3 of these streamers and would Musgrove be a go tomorrow?
Suarez at home vs Atl
Hendricks at home vs Mil
Castillo at home vs Dodgers
Valdez at Det
Holland at home vs Atl
Leblanc at home vs SD
SON likes the starts
Also thanks for Heaney yesterday and all the help in general
Musgrove seems fine… LeBlanc, Holland, Suarez
@Grey: thank you
No problem
Preciate all the Hosmer Juju you and Ralph sent his way. Glad I stuck with him instead of dropping for Framil. Yo da man Grey! Your advice is sweeter than the love Clint Eastwood provides to all of his kids (both real and estranged)
Oddly enough, Eastwood hangs west wood
@Grey: Clint, such a hipster, always trying to be smartfully ironic in everything he says and does
He longs to look as cool as Maddon
2 quick ones for you – semi’s and no mo’ P/U’s available.
> Catcher = Hundley or Mejia ??
> 3rd = Bryant (not sure how I feel) or McNeil (what you said above) ??
Thanks Grey!
Mejia == Bryant
@Grey: Thank you sir!
No problem
Whats good Grey,
Have had great pitching all year but not ideal match ups this week.
Nola vs Wash
Snell VS CLE
Strasburg @PHI
Corbin @COL
Would you pickup Junis to use tonight to potentially avoid having to use Corbin @Col on Wednesday?
Regardless, would you start Corbin in Coors?
Yes, Junis over Corbin — Would use Corbin if I had to
I’m just here to rave about f’ing Ronald Acuna Jr. who pretty much won me a nailbiter H2H championship with his day yesterday after all my cubs and nats got rained out. I won 6-4 by 1 HR and 1 SB. He’s freaking 20 years old wow! besos!
You too Grey, I didn’t draft a pitcher until rd 10 and took Trea Turner and Machado 1 – 2. Finished top 3 in all offensive cats and first in steals. That’s 7 out of 10 years in this league and my coworkers truly have legit hate for me at this pt, it’s the best!
I’ll send you a boba soon but it will really be a daiquiri cheers dude
Nice! That’s awesome, congrats!
Knebel looks to have righted the ship. Would you drop Boxberger for him? I have lost faith in Boxberger heading into the playoffs.
Sure
H2H-points league playoffs…W=7, QS=5, L=-5, etc
Who to start?
Godley @COL, @HOU
Pivetta vsWAS
Streamonator hates Godley, but since it’s H2H, do I have a choice? My opponent has 9 starts, Godley would give 7
Pivetta
@Grey: weekly roto. need to start one of the following hitters and pitchers this week. who do you like?
anibal sanchez – @ sf
rodon – @ kc
________________________________
tim anderson – 3 @ kc, 3 @ bal
calhoun – 3 vs tex, 4 vs sea
laureano – 3 @ bal, 3 @ tb
Thanks!
Rodon <-- wouldn't say like tho Anderson
In an attempt to maximize usage this week, which batter would you pick up over Renfroe who only plays 5 times this week? Or would you hold?
Kipnis
Goodrum
Schebler
A. Rosario
@CaptainKnauer: or Brandon Lowe
Schebler, depends on needs
Oh cool I started my playoff prom and Abreu shows up… I am all out of love Im so lost without you i picked up tyler white and he has been so tight… what do I do with or without you Mr Abreu!
h2h avg and ops who should be my 1st Dance?
Has White been that good recently?
@Grey:
hes been solid i think… Just wasnt sure what to expect from Abreu coming back from DL over whats been steady production..
so I guess i should just start my studdmuffin?
No idea what to expect from Abreu
@Grey:
ya me either I think ill keep him on DL for now cuz i just looked and mr tyler was the 18th ranked player over the last 30 days in my league.. who knew! I like the matchup vs detroit too
Ha, gotcha
Btw, Looks like a possible category 5 hurricane will strike somewhere between Georgia and North Carolina this Friday/Sat and there are home games in the ATL and BAL. Lots of rain outs possible this weekend on East Coast. It will likely impact NE on late Saturday/Sunday. It may be worth taking note in for some players/teams. Just sayin.
Good call, Weatherman Dave!
Monday Madness, Grey! How many chips are you still vying for? Still 6, I hope!
I booted VV and Eflin from my team after they’re yuck starts against the Mets – they both have Miami this week, but I hope I made the right decision.
A. Here are my start options – I need 8 of these, so your advice on who you wouldn’t start would be much appreciated. If Stripling starts, there would be 10 here, so I guess identifying 2 to sit . would be helpful. Speaking of Stripling, if he starts, how deep into the game could he even go? Among the others, I’m a bit wary of Gray since he’s been pretty meh lately. Junis had two blah starts against the CHW in August. I feel like I get burned when I start pitchers @ CIN, so a bit worried about Ryu and Stripling there. OK, I’m getting carried away.
Junis vs CHW and vs MIN
Morton vs ARI
Gray vs ARI
Marquez vs ARI and @SF
Clevinger vs DET
Ryu @CIN
Holland vs ATL
Stripling @ CIN (possibility)
B. Pitchers on the waiver wire who I could add include the following. Should I try to exchange any of the starts above for these ones here:
R. Lopez @BAL
Matz vs MIA
Pena vs TEX
Gomber vs PIT
D. Turning to my bats, are there any of these guys who you’d cut bait on given it’s time to win, now or never:
Jansen, T. White, Merrifield, Arenado, Bregman, Trout, Cain, Marte, Cruz, Peralta
Doesn’t seem like there are any obvious drops, but perhaps I could improve on someone like Marte. Options on the waiver wire include:
Piscotty, Suzuki (would be over Jansen obviously), McNeil, Camargo, Villar, Kipnis, etc. – there are bunch of hot schmotatos out there.
Thanks!
No Stripling, Gray B. Matz over Ryu D. Suzuki over Jansen, Piscotty over White, this last move is not necessary tho
@Grey: Thanks for all the suggestions.
A+B. So perhaps I drop Stripling straight up for Matz? I’m guessing you’d rather have Ryu than Stripling without knowing their matchups for next week. Or I could drop a different pitcher.
D. Gotcha on Suzuki. I gotta roll with White though since I don’t have another 1B.
Drop Stripling for Matz
What are your thoughts on Pivetta for the rest of the season? Streamer caliber?
Thanks. With your guidance and some luck I just snuck into the playoffs in my most competitive H2H.
Streamer
points league this week : Villar or McNeil? And Mancini or Olson?
And for this week i need to pick 2 : Heaney (v. SEA), Morton (v. ARI), Bieber (@TB), and Holland (v. ATL).
thanks you’re the best.
Villar – Mancini — Morton, Heaney — all of these SPs are decent tho
@Grey:
thank you and agreed. stream Rosario (4 v. MIA; 3 @ BOS) over a slumping Segura (2 v. SD; 4 @ LAA)?
Yeah, sure on Amed
Made the finals for the second year in a row in my twelve-teamer! Thanks for all the wisdom, Grey!
Buchholz and Stripling just got dropped by a team that was fighting to make the finals. You all-in on them for the championship round??
Is Donaldson worth a stash? Supposedly, getting the call-up tomorrow, and he’s been mashing in the minors.
Nice! I’d go all-in on Buchholz, don’t know on Stripling, might only pitch a few IP
Sure, Donaldson’s worth a shot if he plays
Knebel over Minter?
Pivetta or Musgrove ROS? Thanks
I have no idea if Knebel is the closer and Minter is the closer — Musgrove
Dahl on the road all next week vs dodgers and Arizona I have 4 bench bats and no catcher he’s a drop right?
This week I have a bye
Dahl on road isn’t accurate
Or do you mean next Monday, not today?
Sorry, was confused… Yes, can drop him on road
Adam Frazier or C.Taylor?
Frazier
Just lost Hicks.. my closers are now: Leclerc, Seranthony? Hader?… not good.
Pick up Steckenrider, Gsellman or Holland, obv need saves and those that won’t kill my ratios. Seranthony’s solid but if he’s not getting saves is he a drop as well?
With Abreu coming back only guys to drop in order to pick them up are: Kiermier, White, Shoemaker, Aguilar or Grandal (and go w/o a catcher).
What would you do in my place Grey? Thanks man. In week to of semi-final and only have 2 saves so far.
Steckenrider and Gsellman, keep Leclerc… Kiermaier…
Hi Grey. Do you like Glasnow at Indians or Alcantra vs Mets this week? Thanks.
Neither
Should I give up on Bellinger and Dozier? Moose, White, Shaw, Brandon Lowe, Lourdes Gurriel available.
Lowe over Dozier
@Grey: Or Willy Adames?
I’d try Lowe
Hedges or T ward?
Hedges
Would you play franmil, Brandon Lowe’s, or Ramon L (A’s guy) over bellinger going forward? Over Eddie Rosario?
I wouldn’t
Please Rank ROS: Brantley, K. Bryant, Bellinger, B. Lowe, D. Murphy
Bryant, Murphy, Bellinger, Brantley
sup G. Sit Gibson tonight vs NYY at home?
sad that Ozark season is over. Great stuff.
pick up F Mejia for the hell of it? would drop Lucroy.
I’m still watching Ozark, it’s great so far tho — Start Gibson — I wouldn’t own Lucroy in any league
I need to thank the Mets for pushing DeGrom back into a 2 start week for me in my h2h playoffs.
Haha, you might be the only one
Drop which 2?
Puig, Kiermier, Brantley, Peralta, Pollock
@Steve: please add Mondesi into that group, top 3 of:
Puig, Brantley, Peralta, Pollock, Mondesi, Kiermier
Obp league
Thanks
@Steve: also, any insight into why Roberts has been sitting Puig? He hate power and speed combos with excellent defense? That’s my guess.
Yeah, it’s infuriating and I hope Roberts gets fired
Brantley, Peralta, Mondesi
Puig, Kiermaier
@Grey: sagnof for this week. box, hirano or robertson? gracias!
Robertson
hey man is it wrong to think Mondesi over dj? sorry for so many questions today im feeling inquisative
Not wrong
Cards just announced CMart as their closer. Currently, rostering LeClerc, Jeffress, and Will Smith. Would you prefer CMart to any of them?
C-Mart over Smith
Is it safe to drop Ohtani (pitcher) at this point? There’s no way they’ll be stupid enough to pitch him through needing TJ, right?
Yes, drop
Hey Grey,
12 Team H2H Points
which two start pitcher do you like this week
Ryu @CIN, @ATL or Quintana vMIL, vCIN?
Thanks!
Quintana
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox, Yankees, and to a lesser extent, the Astros are calling foul on the Indians acquisition of Josh Donaldson.
Come on!
Here’s a Cleveland Indians blogger succinctly summing up my feelings about this:
“The Red Sox, Yankees, and Astros are named in Rosenthal’s piece as having contacted Major League Baseball to let them know with big ‘ole grumpy faces just how angry they are that the Indians traded for the same player they were going after. The same Astros and Yankees that had no issues grabbing up domestic abusers to give them an edge in the playoffs suddenly have an issue with the morality of another team’s acquisitions.”
Cleveland has continued to punch above its weight for a while now. They’re a small market team making a lot of smart moves on a tightly budgeted, uneven playing field. Credit to them.
I’m biased, but I really really hope the Tribe sticks it to these big market teams come October and gets the AL pennant, and with any luck, a long awaited World Series win.
Indians have to be near favorites right now with their pitching, or close to even with Astros… Yanks can’t hang with Indians, and Sawx are missing a lot if Sale is hurt — as for Donaldson, he’s garbage
@Grey: But our bullpen is dog shit…. :((
I know, but Will Smith hasn’t gotten a save since Will Smith had a hit movie
Afternoon Grey
H2H weekly need 1 from:
Semien 3 @ Bal 3 @ TB
Bellinger @ Cin 4 vs Stl
Torres 3 @ Min 3 vs Tor
Semien
Actually, Gleyber
@Grey: Nice Save!
Haha
Hey Grey
Fantasy H2H playoffs. I have 5 moves per week. I grabbed Barria yesterday for his 2 start week vs TEX vs SEA. But streamonator likes the start tonight a lot more. Would you burn one of your 5 moves to drop Barria to grab S.Bieber for his start tomorrow vs TB? Streamonator loves it.
Barrias home for both, right? I’d hold him
Hey Grey! Hope you’re well.
SON’s in the negative (-7) on Trevor Williams @ STL vs Wainright. Would you start or drop Williams? I picked him up for the juicy matchup against MIA yesterday, which of course got postponed to a tougher matchup today. You know Trevor better than most. What say you, Master Lothario…?
Thanks a lot!
Good morning!
I’m starting Williams, I have no choice, it’s not a good start
@Grey: Haha! I had to stop myself from saying Good morning!
You’ve given me great advice yet flummoxed me at the same time. I now have to decide if I have the stones to start him. Nut check time, as the kids say. You know what… screw it, I’ll start him. He’s only given up 4 earned runs since July 11. I’ll take a chance. Thanks again!
Yeah, might be worth it, it’s just Marlins to Cards is scary change
@Grey: I’m hoping Wainwright gets destroyed. That is highly possible, and would help a lot.
Me too!
@Grey: I’m very happy I chickened out at the very last minute and dropped T-Will. I had a bad feeling about it. I was really kicking myself when it was 4-0 Pirates in the third, but now I can relax.
The new thing I’m mad about is it looks like the rain has pushed Matz out of his Miami cakewalk right into a matchup with Boston. Along with Trevor, that’s the second pitcher of mine who got pushed off a juicy Miami start for a much tougher matchup. It’s almost as if rain just doesn’t give a damn about sports.
@GrassyKnollRedding: Fingers crossed they keep Matz on track for Thursday vs Miami…
Seth Lugo or Brad Peacock for holds ROS?
Thanks!
Peacock
Mondesi or Albies, redraft 5×5
I know…it’s Albies, I feel like he went through a slump like this last season the turned it on the final two weeks. He’s not been very good lately though and Ina redraft it’s an easier drop. Just worried it’s come back to bite in the next round.
Thanks
Albies, I know, I hear ya
Grey, which streamer u like more?
Musgrove at Cards or
Bieber at Tampa
Musgrove
I finished 20 games up in our H2H league only to have my hopes dashed in the first hour of the week….Kluber and Wood. There is a joke in here but not in the laughing mood. Gotta be Kluber’s shortest start of his career. Wood was a shaky start but the bot thought he was much better than D Rod so I rolled the dice. Whine, cry, piss and moan. On to football. Been fun chatting. All the best.
That sucks, good luck!
So now Dozier decides to get a hit
I know, ha
Looking to pick up Jeff McNeil. Would drop either dozier or Ian Desmond. What are your thoughts on who to drop?
Dozier