Yesterday, Carlos Carrasco went 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA at 3.41, as the Indians won their 162nd game, and four-thousandth in a row. Hayzeus Cristo, who wants some of the Indians right now? Who? Or, more appropriately with the Indians, how? They’re fired up like their relatives just got a bad case of the pox and they’re all out of peace to put in their pipe. Am I right? Or am I just borderline racist?! You tell me, Redskins fans! By the way, you know your team name is racist when you can substitute in Redskins and it makes sense, i.e., “The Cleveland Redskins won last night, oh, I’m sorry, I mean Indians.”
Can’t wait for the movie about the Indians’ winning streak that omits Carrasco and Kluber.
— Razzball (@Razzball) September 12, 2017
Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Bradley Zimmer – Out for the season after breaking his hand sliding into 1st base. As my Little League coach once said to me, “Never slide into first, and is your mom single?”
Jason Kipnis – When he returns from his hamstring injury, he will see time in center field. If I may read between the lines, this is saying the Indians are winning without him, they like Yandy Diaz (2-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI) and they’re hoping Kipnis hurts himself again. This was overheard in the clubhouse, “Not sure of Kipnis’ mobility when he returns, so it’s prolly best to play him at–” “The most demanding position. Got it, thanks!”
Jose Ramirez – 1-for-1, 3 RBIs and his 26th homer, but left after being hit on the forearm. Not cool, Detroit, if you’re throwing at guys who are headed to the playoffs. Lebron’s gonna sic his hairline after you.
Michael Fulmer – Will undergo elbow surgery because he went to see Dr. James Andrews. If he would’ve been seen by one of Dr. Freeze’s associates, he might’ve been able to rehab. The Tigers are saying Fulmer should be fine for Spring Training; they’re also saying the Tigers won’t be competitive for four years.
Myles Jaye – 3 2/3 IP, 7 ER. Okay, not good, but Jaye was kick ass in The Crying Game and you can never take that from us!
Yolmer Sanchez – 2-for-5, 3 runs, and hitting near-.350 in the last week with two homers. You in March, “Psyched I got Cano for my H2H playoffs.” You now, “Yolmer over Cano? Just tell me to pull the trigger, man!” Yolmer isn’t anything special, but does appear to be a hot schmotato.
Yoan Moncada – 3-for-6, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, hitting .197, and a homer three games ago. Hakuna Moncada, which is Hawaiian for, “I’d still worry about his contact issues, but maybe his bat is heating up.”
Adam Engel – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and a slam (6) and legs (7). Engel was one of the greatest I’ve ever seen in the squared-circle–Sorry, I was reading a Kurt Angle fan site. Adam Engel has great speed for SAGNOF, but not a whole lot else.
Jose Abreu – 4-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBIs, hitting .306, and having one of the best three-game stretches in baseball this season. Right now, dude is on it like a red underlined 100.
Reynaldo Lopez – 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 1 K, ERA at 4.76. Pitching is a landmine that even Princess Di wouldn’t cross.
Jason Hammel – 3 1/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 4.91. Not to defend the Stream-o-Nator, because Hammel burned a lot of us yesterday, but he got singled to death like a Forensic Files about a stripper.
Danny Duffy – Threw a simulated game. The Royals might take it easy with Duffy in the final weeks. Maybe baby him for the playoffs, because nowadays every team makes the playoffs except the Padres.
Jarrod Dyson – Will have sports hernia surgery. Dyson had but one request, he didn’t want Taillon’s doctor.
Brandon Moss – 2-for-3 and his 20th homer, and 2nd homer in as many games. I saw he homered on Sunday, but didn’t mention it, because he’s a platoon guy. Now, I’m thinking maybe schmotato.
Mark Trumbo – 1-for-4 and his 23rd homer, hitting .240. Coming into this game he had two hits in 20 at-bats, and 1 home run. So, yes, two homers in the last week for him, but Trumbo’s bat speed is like he’s swinging a sledgehammer. And not cool like Dave Parker in an on-deck circle.
Ryan Goins – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs, and his 7th homer. I was thisclose to giving him a batty call, but I was like, “He sucks, and his name is so close to Groins.” Stupid, prudish, sexy AF Grey!
Teoscar Hernandez – 2-for-4, 1 run, hitting .321. Yesterday, I called him a hot schmotato. Today, I’m saying same same.
Dominic Leone – 1 IP, 0 ER and the save. On Sunday, Luis Santos got a save. In other words, the Jays are just as surprised as you when they have a lead in the ninth and have no clearcut plan while Osuna’s struggling.
Richard Urena – 1-for-4, 1 RBI as he hit leadoff. He’s a Jays rookie call-up who had five homers and hit .247 in Double-A in 551 plate appearances. Also, don’t call him Dick Urethra.
Andrew Heaney – Dealing with a shoulder impingement. Angels said he’s questionable for his next start. I’m guessing they’re using the Tinder definition of questionable, which means ‘no chance in hell.’
Alex Meyer – Will undergo labrum surgery on his shoulder, and it’s the same shoulder he’s had problems with for years. Better watch out, Mets, the Angels’ trainers are gaining on you.
Mitch Haniger – 3-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 12th homer. Whew, happy to see that since I told about hundred people in the comments yesterday to grab Haniger. Here’s hoping for a huge week, unless you didn’t listen to me, then screw Haniger!
Kyle Seager – 1-for-4 and his 23rd homer. He’s tacking some garbage time homers onto his stat-line that looked terrible in August. Though, since 1977, it’s been garbage time for the Mariners. Harsh!
Willie Calhoun – Called up by the Rangers. Halle Berry Lujah! Now, he only needs to fight seven guys for playing time. That’s almost as bad to think about as Ted Cruz pleasuring himself. Calhoun’s been covered on this site about six-bajillion times. If you click his name, you’ll be magically transported to his most recent articles and earn me .00000000001 of a cent. I kinda love him, and he’s on my early 2018 Rookie of the Year sexpots. For now, he needs playing time, which I’m not sure he has.
Cole Hamels – 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 4.05. Hamels has quietly become just another pitcher. Shame isn’t it? Not a shame, a product, as Treach from Naughty by Nature would say.
Delino DeShields – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 5th homer. Last preseason, I said Delino had ten homer power. I just didn’t mention it would be in 297 career games.
Brandon Woodruff – 5 IP, 6 ER, ERA up to 3.14. The Regression Fairies can eat a D! Ugh, now was not the time to be regressing to the mean. Should’ve known better to trust a guy whose last name sounds like dogwood. Apparently, his bark is worse than his bite.
Steven Brault – 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 4.38. I have a funny/not funny story about Brault. I asked Halp at the All-Star break to give me one pitcher to grab in an NL-Only league. A pitcher who would be up and in the rotation in the 2nd half. Of course, Brault was his suggestion. Yeah, I dropped Brault last week. Facepalm. By the way, the podcast had technical difficulties. We’re recording today for tomorrow. Thank you for your patience, said the doctor.
Andrew McCutchen – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 24th homer, hitting .275. Also, in this game, Starling Marte (1-for-5, 2 RBIs) and his 6th homer. What does this mean? They were just waiting for you to drop them.
Nolan Arenado – 2-for-4, 4 RBIs and his 33rd homer. Hey, honey, I got rid of all our pens, and replaced them with feather quills. NOOOOOO!!! Torenado!!!
Zack Greinke – 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 2.99. Jake Barrett ended up blowing Greinke’s win, which is why Greinke just lost Murray Chass’ Cy Young vote.
Clint Frazier – Activated from the DL. Zimmer and Clint Frazier came to the majors at the same time. Then Zimmer gets injured the same time Frazier returns. I don’t know, Frazier and Zimmer seem to be synced in some weird way, like girls in a dormitory.
Todd Frazier – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 24th homer, hitting .210. This is not earth-shattering information, but it’s not easy to hit .210. Frazier and Odor are just making it look easy.
Greg Bird – Out with back tightness. If Greg had a Native American name, it would be Wounded Bird.
CC Sabathia – 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, ERA at 3.85 vs. Jake Odorizzi – 3 2/3 IP, 1 ER (4 unearned), 6 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 4.52. That was like a ticker tease and ticker shock combined in one game. CC’s owners, “Yes, he got the win…Wait a minute, wha’ happened?” Odorizzi’s owners, “Oh, no, he got rocked…Wait, huh?”
Ryan Vogelsong – Announced his retirement. Elton John released a new version of ‘Your Song’ for the occasion. “My gift is my Vogelsong, and this one’s for you…And you can tell everybody this is your Vogelsong…It may be quite simply me repeating the name Vogelsong, but now he’s done…I hope you don’t mind! I hope you don’t mind!”
Hey grey,
So im in my H2H keeper league playoffs. Trying to decide how to play this next week or two pitcher wise.
Starting tonight I have Gibson vs SD, Ed Rod vs OAK and Cole @MLW. I have taken the decision to sit Richards vs HOU. Hope that is the right move.
Now trying to decide on the rest of the week/next week.
1.Drop Gibson for C.Anderson who clears waivers tomorrow. Unfortunately since they moved him up a couple of days, I wouldn’t get anything from him for this week. But would be a 2 start option for next week.
2.Drop Gibson for Lamet. Would have him for his start at MIN tomorrow but not sure that Id start him there. Would you start him? Would have him for 2 starts next week.
3.Drop Gibson for a backup bat (T.Anderson, J.Polanco or E.Escobar)
4.Hold Gibson for his sunday start and hope that Lamet/Anderson are still available Sunday(doubtful)
Would they be Lamet starts at home next week? What are Anderson’s starts next week?
@Grey:
Lamet would be at home vs PHI/COL
C.Anderson would be @PIT vs CHC
@Grey:
the Minnesota start tomorrow could be scary. But the next two look good.
@Dubjay:
I know that you are busy writing up the day in baseball but what do you think? Lamets starts look better. Would you
Start him against the Twins tomorrow? Have to decide in the next 45 mins?
YoYo
Need some sagnof advice in my bye week without punting too many counting stats because I’m rostering Delino… Who you taking of T. Anderson, Yolmer, Albies, or…..back to the old Peraza well? (‘Member waay back when 2015 Grey answered a daily Emilio Bonifacio question, peraza has the 2017 Emily Boneface award)
Totally insane finish to my big $ h2h regular season, had literally my worst week all season and needed the second place team to bomb Sunday nite. 2nd place team lost batting average in his last at bat on Sunday night by 0.0015 (NO kidding)!!
Thanks for all you do.
Anderson — Ha! Totally Boneface award…. That’s insane about the batting average, holy crap!
Wednesday lunch or no good?
Yeah, you gotta come to me and Uber back, cool?
@Grey: You’re cheating on me! Where you gonna go?
Jealous!
I can’t even eat right now…. I took him to Sugarfish (the sushi place) the other day
@Grey: Nice! That place was so good. Sprinkles afterwards, obviously.
I can’t eat sugar right now!
@Grey: I’m fine with that. That’s all I’ve been doing. Name the place and time.
Sweet! Let’s do Zankou at Fairfax/Sunset at 12:30? Make sure you have right one, there’s a few of them (unless you have a type of food you want)
@Grey: Cool. I’m in. Fantastic story to tell haha.
@Grey: Mediterranean chicken place right?
Yeah, exactly, see ya tomorrow!
Grey,
I’m looking to stream the last few weeks, but I can also pick up Andrew Miller to stabilize the ratios. Would you drop any of the following for Miller and/or extra streaming options:
Yu, Wood, Lester, Weaver, Quintana
Weaver, Wood or Lester, but I’d look at their matchups
Considering keepers for next year. National League Only
Is this the right order for preference or would you elevate anyone on the list
Glasnow
Urena
Ryu
McCarty
That order looks fine
Thinking about picking up Carlos Gonzales and giving up either Palanco or Buxton. Three games coming in Coors not to mention Chase Field the next 2 games. Thoughts?
Polanco
Thanks Grey!!!
start gerrit cole @ MIL today? SON is pretty meh about it
I’m not
holy crap i don’t often notice baseball money lines anymore, but GOODNIGHT the CLE vs DET is up to -470 in some spots. opened at -391 so it’s not all public money here.
I don’t even know what baseball lines mean
Starting leake @ Texas and Glasnow @mil
?? H2h
Neither, but Glasnow first
Hey Grey
12 Team H2H Categories
Rest of season
1. CarGo or M. Olson
2. J. Turner, Lamb, Shaw
Thanks!
1. CarGo 2. Shaw
Is Pham a safe play this week? I have Jose Martinez on the bench (also w/ OF eligibility) to replace him. H2H points.
Yeah, sounds fine
@Jerry: supposedly just eye drop issue, not a big recurrence of his eye condition getting worse. they gave him eye drops that burned his eyes. they borrowed eye doctors i guess from the mess is easy assumption as to how that happened.
6 moves left on season, didn’t grab franco yesterday as he was off. a guy i had played, he’s the drop. we thinking big willie calhoun gets enough playing time to add him or franco? 20 teamer 1st round playoffs this is for the one bench bat spot, OPS, slugging, total bases, hits.
Nah, I’d go Maikel
1. bader’s moved down in lineup, him or rosario in OPS?
2. 12 team OBP, hits, and total bases today only. gotta bench 2:
doctor castellanos @ kluber -16.7 (but he’s been hot for a while now)
story @ walker 2.4 (hot for a few days, but all against good pitchers)
odor vs marco gonz (who’s awful) 18.7, but hasn’t been good with the knee thing.
3. AL only. OBP, total bases. delmonico or teoscar? cool name there too, either way you go,
TE oscar
TEO scar
i’d go with TEO scar, sounds scary. “damn dude, what kind of scar is that”, ” a TEO scar”
1. Amed 2. Odor, Story 3. Teoscar — TEO Scar!
@Grey: sorry, e.rosario, but i gotta think if amed rosario is over bader so is eddie.
Yeah
Grey,
It appears Beltre got actived from the DL? He’s got 3 left v SEA and then 3 @ LAA. weekly league. Should I start him over Cano 4 @ TEX, 3 @ HOU or Reynolds 3 v SD, 4 @ ARI? Or keep him on the bench. I need AVG and HR
Thanks
Bench for now
I survived the hurricane! Still no power though :(
Speaking of power, only 6 moves left in my h2h OBP league, would you drop Gallo (apparently has a sore wrist but might not miss any time) for Matt Olson?
Glad to hear it! Yes, go Olson
Free Willie! Big Willie Action! Etc, and so on.
Gettin’ Willie wit it!
@Grey: Just letting you know I’m enjoying the bye week having finished IN FIRST PLACE in the regular season for the ol’ H2H.
Did I mention I did it having drafted Miggy, Story and Odor in the first three rounds?
Not too shabby!
Nicasio or Maurer or Treinen for saves ROS?
Maurer
@Grey:
Thanks , then Nicasio or Treinen for saves?
Nicasio
Had to really try hard not to laugh at the Jarrod Dyson blurb in class
Excellent stuff this year in Razzball start to finish
Thanks!
oops. Thought he was throwing against Cleveland tonight.
I don’t comment much, but when I do, I make sure it’s uninformed and doesn’t add anything constructive to the conversation.
HA!
Start 2 Grey
MATaylor vs ATL (Teheran)
ODB vs MIA (Peters)
Odor vs SEA (Gonzalez)
Devers vs OAK (Manaea)
Taylor, Devers
Sooo, completely stupid to send Bundy out tonight? I need a gem from him and he was on a roll until that last outing.
Thanks Grey!
Not a safe start
Hey Grey,
Still rolling near the top (or 2n d week of play offs) in all three of my leagues, though only likely to win one. So thanks for everything so far!
15 team 5x 5 OBP roto:
Odor dropped to the wire today: I don’t ‘need’ him as have Trea at 2B and am worried about Odor in OBP format. But could do with more runs, HR and SB in that order.
Would you take him over any of Howie Kendrick as MI. Or over I Desmond, J Martinez, E Rosario if I moved Kendrick to OF. Or over R Healy at UT..
Or just leave him on the wire…!
Thanks!
No problem! Leave him out there
@Grey: Blimey, how the mighty have fallen!
But thanks!
Ha, no problem
16 team league roto dynasty with max 7 man minors spots. OPS, hits, total bases, steals % added for hitters, K/9, K/BB, holds, QS, net saves added for pitchers
C zunino
1B r-zimm (yep it’s come to benching miggy outright, one of the few places where i’m mad at myself for trusting the raters over freemand with miggy in the draft, yuck)
2B jose ram (3B/LF)
SS semien
3B longo (man back in may or earlier somebody tried trading me longo for his mostsuckass, wow, stupid me)
CI hanram
MI solarte party (2B/SS/3B)
LF mancini (1B)
CF kiermaier
RF mookie (at 11th overall, still happy bout that one)
OF jd mart (loved this draft discount from injury too)
OF brocktune (LF/RF)
util (2) a-jax (CF/LF/RF), mini donkey (1B)
BN miggy
DL d.travis (5 DL spots)
NA (2) mcmahon/c.stewart (LF DET, fairly high ranked by ralph)
SP (5 starting slots, 1750 max innings) cueto (OVER stanton, yuck, needed a #1 SP at the time), morton, hamels, peacock, lamet, a.wood, stephenson (streamer)
RP (6 max slots) neris, kimbrel, yates, knebel, baez, rivero (did well drafting 5/6 of this)
DL mccarthy, rodon the monster
somebody got bored with bader again (i had him earlier), use how much FAAB out of 100 on him over i suppose a-jax (i’m winning the league fairly easily here)
minors list:
fisher (awful end to season, will probably have to call up hopefully not this year again)
meadows CF
a.reyes
i.diaz MI MIL (was high ranked by ralph in march, lower now, he’s a candidate to be dropped for prospect draft next year)
k.lewis LF
z.collins C
fedde
$7 over A-Jax….
Would you swap Nimmo for Moss?
If you can platoon him, Moss doesn’t play every day
Hey Grey et al,
Trying to decide which pitchers to start tonight in the first round of my playoffs. I picked up G.Richards for the week but Im kind of worried about what he will do tonight. If he pitches a similar stat line to his game last week, Id be fine with it. But the Astros are scary. I have 4 SPs on the docket tonight so this will be a make or break night.
Cole @MLW
Gibson vs SD
Ed Rod vs OAK
G.Richards vs HOU
Should I just throw caution to the wind and start em all? Or sit 1.
@jasen james:
I should also mention thats its H2H
I’d sit Richards
@Grey:
Would you play him later in the week vs TEX then? Or does it depend on how he looks tonight? It may have been a waste of a pickup. Im only allowed 5/week in the playoffs.
Also would you play Gibson vs TOR on Sunday?
I’d see how he looked tonight, he didn’t look good last time out…I mean, he looked okay, but only 3 1/3 IP? Bleh… I wouldn’t mess with Gibson vs. TOR
@Grey: Thanks, I was going to ask the same questions since he’s my DL stash, and was debating who to drop….no one for now!
No problem
As a Giant’s fan, I especially like the Vogey reference….he definitely helped us win a couple championships, so well-deserved, and one year he was clearly the best fifth starter in baseball.
So much for Woodruff for the playoffs. I am thinking of gambling on Garrett Richards? Thoughts? Ugh
Yeah, agreed on Vogelsong…. How about that game starting at 11 PM PST last night? I wouldn’t mess with Richards, but sometimes you gotta do things in the playoffs
Like Leake in Tex tomorrow? If so, drop: J Martinez, Franco or Calhoun for him? He has a 3.99 xFIP on the season and a 2.77 ERA in Sept. Need a QS
Thanks
I don’t like Leake…
@Grey: 12 team mixed weekly roto, would you start stephenson tonight @ stl. could use his two starts as i need k’s and wins. alternative would be to start peacock @ laa.
I wouldn’t
@Grey: thanks. also, for sagnof, nicasio over lyons or parker?
Over Lyons
Eduardo Escobar vs. Travis Wood
Yolmer at KC Gaviglio
Moncada at KC Gaviglio
Pedroia vs. Manaea
Rbi’s are the concern. Please help me sort through this bin of mediocrity by picking one.
Ugh…Moncada
@Grey: You said it mister. Thanks for the input, and the Zimmer blurb was real quality.
Ha, thanks!
Jaime Garcia has burnt me all year. Would you pick him up for tomorrow’s start at Tampa?
@Jonathan Levin: Sure. See my note above. it’s a favorable matchup for him.
Haha, I wouldn’t go out of my way to get burnt again
But as CGS said above, the matchup’s not terrible
Just dropped Moustakas, now wish I had sought your input first. Oh well
I’m sure it’ll be fine
Lol
Am I crazy to stream Gibson at home against Padres tonight?
Opponent has Carassco for two starts and my “aces” of archer, darvish and wood all seem like huge question marks. Kinda feel like Gibson is as good a waiver wire game as I’ll find this week…
Not crazy
@Mike: Crazy like a fox.
Would you stream
M. Mont vs Mets & Lugo-SON +1.9 or
Newcomb vs Mets & Montero-SON +6.1 or
Montero @ATL-SON -11
Thank you
@lwomack58: I’d try Montgomery, obviously after his last start it’s dangerous
Whats the word to describe the feeling when your favorite team is losing, but you have the opposing team’s guys on your fantasy squad? I’m a Royals fan, and it was an embarrassing beating last night by the white sox, but Avisail and Yolmer were killing it for my roto team. Very weird feeling.
@dhouse42: We used to call it f**king your step sister
@Grey: Ha!!
Hey Grey,
Thanks again to you and Razzball for all the great reads and feedback. In my semifinals this week.
Wanted your thoughts on dropping Pham. He’s my only bench bat. Was gonna drop him or Gibson for Michael Taylor who has been hot. Gibson goes against SD today and has a matchup against Toronto on sunday.
@G: I had to cut him loose in my H2H league. I couldn’t afford to screw around with him, but probably depends a lot on how much you need the SP or bench bat. if it’s for a bat, I would try to hold until Thursday and then add someone who is playing on Thursday.
@G: Pham for Taylor works for me
@G: But agree with the monkey, depends if you need a bat or arm
@Grey:
Thanks. How you fee about Gibsons start against Toronto later in the week?
Not great, G
Mornin’ Grey. Woodruff really set me back in a h2h points league playoff matchup.
Not a catastrophic set back, but a burned start with only 10 left for this week.
Ive got Eduardo Rodriguez at home vs. OAK, and Kyle Gibson at hom vs. SD. Start both, one, or neither?
@Marty Jannetty Was Set Up: Start both
@Grey: Thanks Grey!
Would you start Haniger today (@ TEX vs. Gonzalez) over Domingo Santana (home vs Pit/Cole), Ian Happ (home vs NYM/Gsellman), puig (road vs. SF/Cueto) or Jose Martinez (home vs CIN/stephenson)?
Do we know who’s starting? Maybe Happ won’t start
@Grey: Not yet, if Happs, or anyone is sitting I’ll make a decision. Hanigers been hot lately, so depending on a few factors Ill plug him in
Yeah all things equal I’d go Haniger
Pick two players to own next year in a dynasty league:
Jerad Eickhoff, Michael Pineda, Drew Smyly, Tyson Ross, Marco Estrada, Jose Bautista, Adrian Gonzalez, Maikel Franco, CJ Cron
@Scott: Franco, ehhhh
@Scott: Agree with dhouse… Maikel then nothing, guess Pineda
No questions, just posting in solidarity against football!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Illegitimi non carborundum!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Yeah, eff football!
@Grey: yeah. We are football AF! Am I doing that right?
No, I think it’s AF football!
Maybe it’s AP, Associated Press?
@Grey: I think that’s right. I always get those two mixed up. do you think AP writers say they are AP AF?
HA!
Oh, and yes
@Grey: HAHAH! I think the proper verbiage is that we’re throwing shade at football
Shade them!
Yo, I got my umbrella!
@Grey: That’s my whole issue. Shouldn’t “shading”be a good thing?
ME: Hey, it’s so sunny out, I wish I had some shade so I wasn’t so hot.
BENEVOLENT STRANGER: Oh, here’s my umbrella, I’ll throw you some shade!
Haha, exactly… Since when is shade bad? Do we all want melanoma?
Keep up the good work Grey! 12 team, H2H, 6X6 keeper…In playoffs, trying to win division. Several pitchers on DL and I might have to drop Price. Which SP would you rather have next year…Price or Archer?
@happyharry1958: Thanks! Archer
Grey, I’m in H2H playoffs… and things are looking scary with my pitching. I’ve got Alex Wood ($2.5 SON start @WSH), McCullers ($4.5 @LAA), not to mention Darvish and Lester (gulp). Do I start Wood and McCullers?
In their place I’d probably start Boyd ($6.9 vs. CWS) and Morton ($6.3 vs. HOU)… what say you, an ardent Wood sceptic?
@Brett Myrick: Morton pitches for HOU. He will be facing Seattle.
@Curious George Springer: Yea, sorry had it reversed on my sheet, thanks.
@Brett Myrick: Happens to me all the time. I just wanted to clarify so Grey had the right info when he comes on to opine.
@Brett Myrick: I’d go Wood, McCullers, hope Nats bench regulars after clinching
Great stuff as always. Your dedication in the face of a 10% audience (playoffs and Football do that) is admirable.
H2H, first round of the playoffs,
Tied on W, -4 Ks, ahead on ERA (4.8 to5.8) & WHIP (1.3 to 1.6)
Who to start today?
Snell, Gibson, or Walker?
(Opponent grabbed Bundy – I just couldn’t pull that trigger)
My Pref is Gibson vs SD, but high R predicted. Snell v NYY, Bombers could kill him (and me), and Colorado has been too good lately. One last detail, tomorrow he has Lester, Archer, and Darvish, so maybe I focus on hitting…
@Roger Anderson: He also grabbed Pivetta, so, it looks like I need to go for low ERA and WHIP (I lead in the matchup 7-3-2) If I lose Ks and Ws I still win the match assuming I can hold or gain elsewhere.
So, using the logic of everyone’s favorite Sicilian – Vizzini – clearly, I must choose Walker. ERA of 1.31 over last 30 days.
@Roger Anderson: Is that Taijuan Walker? I don’t think I would trust him in AZ against COL if that’s his matchup.
@Curious George Springer: I have a lot f IP, and so does he. He would need 2 perfect games to catch me, unless I have a major fall, like Woodruff yesterday. That can’t happen twice can it?
Thanks for your advice. Best of luck in your matchups.
@Roger Anderson: I don’t know how big your base of innings is, but if you’ve logged a decent number of innings, I think you can safely deploy Gibson or Snell. Snell has a better shot at getting the strikeouts you need, but Gibson is probably safer from a ratio perspective.
@Roger Anderson: Thanks! Gibson, but I don’t trust any of them….
@Grey: These are the days that try a manager’s soul. Despite all the sound advice I am going with Gibson and Walker – YOLO!
And thanks for a fun year. I subscribed so that I could make the best use of Razzball and I won the regular season. Now we hold on to see if I can take the cake!
Good luck!
Hey all — I need a little consult on who to start in a H2H playoff matchup. categories are R, HR, RBI, SB, OBP, and SLG.
I need to pick two of these guys (and one has to be a catcher)
Posey @SF v. Kershaw (LHP) — Posey has a pretty significant platoon split (he’s got a 1.091 OPS v. LHPs), but bad park and Kershaw is obviously not just any lefty. Posey is hot right now (1.002 OPS over the L7), but he hasn’t homered in a month (literally, zero homers in the last month).
Zunino @TEX v. Gonzalez (RHP)– Good park, and a weak starter. Zunino got sort of hot last week, but has cooled off more recently. Seems like a decent bet to pop a homer given the matchup and ballpark.
Castellanos @CLE v. Kluber (RHP) — Ugh. Castellanos has been hot lately as well (1.107 OPS over the L7 and 3 homers over the last two weeks), but he doesn’t hit RHPs nearly as well as LHPs (.722 OPS vs RHPs; .952 v LHPs).
Nimmo @CHC v. Quintana (LHP) — Also has been hot lately (1.210 OPS over the L7), but he’s got a pretty massive platoon split, with a .585 OPS v. LHPs and a .875 OPS against RHPs. Quintana isn’t Kershaw or Kluber, but Nimmo isn’t Posey (or Castellanos, even).
Aside from Posey, who is pretty even, each of these guys has a better OPS at home than on the road. In the case of Zunino and Nimmo, though, I don’t think I trust that here because they’re going to be playing in pretty favorable parks today.
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to give the pertinent information.
Bottom line — I need to start one of the catchers and then one of the remaining three. Anyone have thoughts?
@Curious George Springer: Castellanos, Posey, no easy answers obviously
@Grey: thanks! Zunino over Nimmo (in case someone else isn’t starting today). Thanks!
Sure
Pick 2 to start today
T. Hernandez vs BAL
Duda vs NYY
Moss vs CWS
J. Martinez vs CIN
@Wilson: Teoscar, Duda
I have a SP cap in my points league (10 per week, and I’m in a 2-week playoff round). I have 2 SP spots left to fill this round given my roster. Of the following 4, which 2 would you start (all available or on my team)? Looking for least risk/highest reward combo:
Kyle Gibson vs San Diego (T Wood) – Tuesday
Ervin Santana vs San Diego (Lamet) – Wednesday
Lance McCullers at LA Angels (Skaggs) – Wednesday
Jose Berrios vs Toronto (B Anderson) – Thursday
@ctrengove: Ervin, Berrios
@Grey:
….Berrios might have just been taken off waivers. So who would you pick between Gibson and McCullers?
Gibson vs. Padres
@Grey:
Thanks, Grey. My gut was Ervin and either Berrios or Gibson. Given that Berrios was just taken, it looks like you, me, and fate agreed.
Nice!
Hey Grey,
H2H 10-team cat. keeper (keep12) balanced stats (R,H,HR,RBI,SB,BB,AVG, OPS,XBH / W,CG,SV,K,GIDP,ERA,WHIP,QS) – 5 moves left, (max 3 moves per week – so ill use 2-3 this week, 3 next week)
I had messaged you yesterday and you told me to hold. But with Wellington possibly hurt, do I drop him and pick up another catcher, drop him for a bat that I can sub in, or hold ?
Waiver:
Hit –,Jose Reyes (good matchups CHC, ATL), M. Reynolds, R. Chirinos, M. Haniger, J. Martinez, I. Kinsler, M Trumbo, Carlos Gonzales, T. Beckham, N. Castellanos, K. Morales, M Olsen, J. Polanco, T. Mancini, M. Taylor, Desheilds
PIT – H-Jin Ryu, Glasnow, S. Manaea, B. Peacock, Jose Urena, Mike Leake, Doug Fister
My Team:
C – Beef Castillo
1B – Paul Goldschmidt
2B – Brian Dozier
3B – Nolan Arenado
SS – Xander Bogearts
Mi – Trea Turner
CI – Justin Turner
LF – Christian Yelich
CF – Charlie Blackmon
RF – Lorenzo Cain
Util- Ryan Braun
BN –Justin Smoak
Sp – Carlos Carrasco
SP – Gerrit Cole
SP – Justin Verlander
RP – Aroldis Chapman
Rp – Greg Holland
P- Edwin Diaz
P – Wade Davis
BN- Garret Richards
BN – Masahiro Tanaka
BN –T. Bauer
BN –Jose Quintana
BN – Alex Wood
DL – James Paxton
thanks in advance
@MarV: Lose Beef, go with Chirinos
Coming down to the wire. thanks for all the advice this year. Two more for you today (5×5 league, weekly lineups):
1) Please rank top three from the following for SP slots:
Skaggs vHOU (-$1.7), vCLE ($3.3) – 2 starts, decent pitcher, but tough opponents
Mahle @STL (-$2.6), vSTL ($1.1) – meh
Flaherty vCIN ($3.3), maybe another start @CIN, but not on SON.
Hill @WAS (-$1.3) – Highly ranked in this site’s top 100 starters, but SON doesn’t like this one.
Faria vBOS (-$3.0) – fresh off the DL, avoid?
Ryu maybe @WAS, but nothing on SON.
2) Please rank top three for RP slots (I am locked in on saves, so …)
Duffy – Not yet on SON, but might return against CLE this weekend.
Stratton vARI (-$1.5)
Bridwell vTEX (-$1.7)
Stephenson vPIT (-$10.0)
T. Williams @CIN (-$10.5)
Farmer @CLE (-$21.2), vOAK (-$3.1)
Colome/Green, Bearclaw – these guys are too risky, keep one or more true RPs
Thanks again.
@Five-On-One: Ryu is getting skipped this week.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: yeah – Ryu’s last start was on the 5th. If he only skips one start, next one would be over the weekend at Washington. If he skips two starts then, whatever, I don’t care any more.
@Five-On-One: 1. Flaherty, Hill, Mahle, these are not good 2. These are terrible… Bridwell, Wiliams
@Grey: Yes, I know not good options. I am also using Kershaw ($37.5), Verlander ($15.3), Archer ($26.5), Cole ($19.6) and Glasnow ($7.0), and looking to fill out the bottom half of my staff for this week, including finding guys who are now starting that qualify as a RP. League requires at least 3 RPs. Thanks again for all the advice this year.
Gotcha
Oh, and no problem
@Grey: Do you prefer Brault over Williams?
Not really, but coin flip I guess
Willie has been free’d!!! Now, let him play some second base and left field the final few weeks!
@James T Kirk: Agreed
Starting Jaime Garcia vs rays?
@Bobby: yes. Rays best hitters dot hit LHPs well. Metco isn’t as much a pitcher’s park as Tropicana, but it’s good. Rays strike out a lot.
@Curious George Springer: don’t, not dot. doh!
@Bobby: Sounds okay
R, RBI, SB are dead heats at this point. Which OF should I start tonight?
Happ vs Gsellman
Upton vs Verlander
Taylor vs Teheran
Upton obviously is best hitter, but hasn’t been great in the last week and has the worst matchup. Taylor is the worst hitter, but has been crazy hot and has a great matchup, especially in the SB department. Thanks Grey!
@Armchair QB: Taylor
Grey!
Great write-up! Didn’t get a chance to follow any of the games until your fantastic write-up!
a. But, but, but…you missed Nicky D going 1/5 with a 1 run and 1 RBI!!! I thought you liked it when guys get counting stats without doing anything else. Just kidding, man! If you were to report on every single player who played last night you’d be called ‘Box Score Grey’.
b. Started Woodruff last night. I feel just like I felt when I started Montero last Monday! Deja vu all over again! Ugh!
c. Random Rambo quote of the day
John Rambo Quote of the day for April 21-23 and 24
Lester (at base camp): ‘Listen, Will. You sure picked one hell of a guy to mess around with! Just came over the teletype a few minutes ago. John Rambo is a Vietnam vet. He’s a Green Beret, Congressional Medal of Honor! Guy’s a war hero!’
Sheriff: ‘Jesus, that freak?! I knew there was something about that guy!’
Lester (at base camp): ‘I double checked it, Will. What do you want me to do?’
Sheriff: ‘I want you to do what I told you to do, goddamn it! Get that chopper back here now! Out.’
April 24
Mitch: ‘Green Beret! War hero! – That’s great! That’s just great!’
Sheriff: ‘- Shut your mouth! What the hell’s the matter with you guys? He’s one man…wounded!’
Mitch: ‘Those Green Berets…they’re real bad asses. Why don’t you let the State Police handle this?’
Sheriff: ‘Look. Look at him…look at him! That’s Art Gault, boy! He and I were friends when your momma was still wiping your nose! Now he’s dead. He’s dead! Because of that psycho out there! Now you listen boy, you listen to me good: I’m gonna get that son of a bitch… and I’m gonna pin that Congressional Medal of Honor to his liver! And I’m gonna do it, with you, or without you! We’re closin’ in, the scent’s getting stronger. All right, keep your eyes open!’
[You should play this scene over U2’s With or without you for your wife and see if she still likes the song afterwards.]
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante Galic: Feel your pain on Woodruff – after skating through regular season + getting the bye week, that’s how I started my semifinal H2H matchup. GAH!
@Ante Galic: A. Ha B. I know, that was painful C. Nice!
I’m in my buy week making moves for the playoffs. Feeling good about winning my first league in 10 years of fantasy sports and now I’m knocking on wood harder than Pai Mei.
What do you think about about to dropping bogaerts and Shaw for haniger and Michael Taylor. How about dropping Ryu for Glasnow?
Thanks for all the help and laughs this year!
@Gregory Bosley: Haha — I’d lose Xander for Haniger at the end of the bye week, I’d hold for now
@Gregory Bosley: That’s if Haniger is still hot by then
Somebody dropped Archer in my H2H league. I am going to pick him up off of waivers.
Curious if you feel confident in him for his start on Wednesday vs the Yankees at CitiField?
Also, would you drop for Justin Turner or Jake Lamb? Hate to drop either but neither have been very productive in the second half. I had picked up Happ and Nick Williams last week to start over both guys.
I wish I could drop Polanco but he is my only SS and there isn’t anything better to pick up.
@Michael DePinto: I don’t feel confident in Archer… Lamb’s been less productive
Thank you very much. Can’t believe I dropped a guy with 27 homers and 97 RBI’s but he hasn’t done much of anything the past month and a half. I don’t think he has homered in three weeks and he is non-competitive vs. LHPs.
Same thing happened last year so next year I guess it would be smart to draft him and trade him around July 15th.
Yeah, I hear ya…