Yesterday was the first day of autumn; this demands a poem. I call this, “Naked Prince Fielder Has The Definition Of Melted Tootsie Rolls.” The passing of summer; it’s a total bummer. Word, word, word; man, I’ve gotten dumber. Michael Brantley was da bomb; Napoli’s mom has got it going on. Jose Abreu would’ve been a sweet draft pick; Frank Thomas sued him for copyright infringement. Kershaw’s FIP is 1.87 on all hitters; Sonny Gray’s got selective dyslexia, using my teams for his personal shitter. Everything will be okay in this final week; Avisail Garcia is on a streak! Garcia went deep twice yesterday for his 6th and 7th homers. If he’s out there, of course you grab him. I’d prefer to talk about Avisail Garcia for 2015 fantasy baseball. He was a preseason sleeper this year, and he will be again in fifteen-after-twenty because he missed five months this year with an injury. Yes, he looks like Miggy, but he doesn’t act like Miggy. He’s a 20/20 type guy without killing you on average. In this injury-plagued year, his stats don’t look exactly as he has in the past, but that’s probably due to shutting it down in April and starting it up in August. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years we look back at this year and see how it didn’t portend anything. Unless he really did learn how to take a walk, as he’s shown this year. Though, I kinda doubt it. I expect he’s a line drive machine, 17-20 homer and 15-steal guy with a solid-enough average. Think what you were expecting from Brantley, rather than what you ended up with. Now smoke a spliff! Oh, wait, I stopped rhyming about ten lines ago. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Marcus Semien – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer. I look forward to the day Semien wins a game with a walk-off homer and his players greet him with a whipped cream pie, only it’s not whipped cream.
Ryan Zimmerman – 2-for-3, 1 RBI as he was activated from the DL on Saturday, then sat out on Sunday. If you’re banking on Zimmerman to save your season, Mr. Potter’s just been named your bank’s president and you’re trapped in a city where everyone sounds like Jimmy Stewart.
Stephen Strasburg – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 5 Ks. The good news is his ERA is down to 3.23. The bad news is there’s no pitchers with an ERA over 3.23. The encouraging news is the bad news was an exaggeration. The less hopeful news is he probably won’t throw anywhere near a full game his next time out. The old news is he’s still terrific. The new news is you sound like a stutterer.
Rafael Soriano – 1 IP, 1 ER and the save. Storen had thrown the previous two days, so this was prolly just a break for him. Plus, Rafael Sorry-yo still looked like the corpse of his former self.
Marcell Ozuna – Left yesterday’s game with an ankle sprain and is likely done for the season. OZUNA’s doctor orders rest. OZUNA need to put foot up on ottoman. Ozuna need to find man named Otto.
Mike Minor – Left Saturday’s game with shoulder discomfort. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s had shoulder issues for longer than just this weekend. He missed the first month with shoulder tendinitis and hasn’t looked right the entire season. Maybe this offseason the Braves will look at whether injuries to Beachy, Medlen, Venters and Minor have anything to do with Fredi Gonzalez throwing guys way past the point of exhaustion and other questionable moves. “Hey, Fredi, glad you could come in today for your performance review. Let’s start with B.J. batting leadoff for a month.” “I’ve brought dozens of studies that show I was right leading off with B.J.” “Those aren’t studies, those are Penthouse Letters.”
Jason Heyward – Has been out since Wednesday and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s done for the season. The Braves clubhouse just got a little more somber. Not because it’s anything serious with Heyward, but now the players can’t meet the Heyward, B.J. lineup card with ‘Heywood Jablowme.’
Ervin Santana – 5 IP, 5 ER. If Ervin’s magic, it’s as done by the clown in Capturing the Friedmans.
Jacob deGrom – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 10 Ks. I just went over my deGrom fantasy last week. Nothing’s changed, except the darkening of the yellow in your pit stains.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI. Who’s Huis?! Kirk Nieuwenhuis!
Curtis Granderson – 2-for-3, 3 runs, hitting near-.350 in the last week with a homer on Saturday. We all know how I feel about Grandy in the big picture, but there’s a week’s worth of games left, so the big picture’s out the window like your leftovers if you’re Armenian.
Dallas Keuchel – 8 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA down to 2.93 as the Astros shut him down for the year. According to our Player Rater (and common sense), if you owned Keuchel and Collin McHugh (6 IP, 3 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 2.73), you were better off than with Yu Darvish and Scott Kazmir.
Jake Marisnick – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 3rd homer, his 2nd in as many games and has 4 steals in the last ten games. I grabbed him already in one league because he’s a certified hot schmotato.
Alex Presley – 3-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBIs and his 5th steal while hitting his 6th homer on Saturday. Astros don’t play him every day, but if you have room to platoon Presley on your fantasy team, I’d give him a shot. Just like he put a shot into his TV.
Jonathan Villar – 2-for-3 and his 17th steal. Where did this young brother go? Has he been playing all year? Not to answer but to ruminate. Villar has two steals in his last two games, so if you’re desperate for SAGNOF, go for it.
Hisashi Iwakuma – 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER. Watching him the last few games is like watching Apollo vs. Drago and McClendon is just holding the stupid towel. Throw the towel in, Lloyd! I said I wouldn’t own Iwakuma anymore after his last start, but then people asked me about him yesterday, so *raspberries lips* whatever. Do what you want, I’m gonna take a spritz.
Michael Saunders – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 7th homer. Hey, it’s the poor man’s Michael Brantley. I will call him, Michael Constipatedly
Carlos Beltran – Season is likely over. Backdate this to April.
Masahiro Tanaka – 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 4 Ks as he was activated from the DL to see if he should’ve just stayed on the DL. This was one of the wackiest decisions recently. The Yanks essentially activated Tanaka just to see if he was injured. So, what did him throwing 5 1/3 IP prove? In summation, I don’t know. I guess he was healthy, but I’ll still be downgrading him next year.
Brian McCann – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs and two homers (21, 22). Not bad for a change, I’ll call him Brian Obama!
Brett Gardner – 2-for-5, 2 runs and his 17th homer. He’s been less than wonderful since he’s returned from his abdomen injury, but now has back-to-back games with hits, so, if he was dropped, I’d look at grabbing him back up.
Derek Jeter – 2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI and his 10th steal. This was the last game of the next to last series for Jeter in Yankee Stadium or so said every media outlet.
Jose Reyes – 3-for-4, 2 runs and two steals (29, 30). This is merely speculation by me, but I could see the Yankees getting Reyes to replace Jeter. Or maybe Rollins. The Yanks need an over-the-hill All-Star shortstop and the market is scarce. Can Trammel still hit?
Corey Kluber – 8 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 14 Ks, ERA at 2.53. “DiscussKluberion.” “No, Siri, I want a discussion around Kluber. Ugh, forget it.” “Sorry, I don’t know where to get Ughfor.” Has there been any other starter this year that seems to up his ability to please from game to game? It’s like, “Well, that was awesome, can’t get any better,” then — bam, it’s better! Corey, you’re silly, let’s make love.
Jose Ramirez – 2-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBIs. Been pretty yawnstipating over the last week, but if you’re desperate, I’d prefer take a chance on a guy that just had multiple hits, then not.
Vance Worley – 8 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks, lowering his ERA down to 2.93. The Vanimal has a sub-3 ERA?! Lower the mound! Or have pitchers throw from 2nd base! Or make it clearer that after hitters are tested a second time they can then do steroids! And if they are being told, have the testing agent wink more histrionically! Worley gets the anemic Reds next time out and the Stream-o-Nator is pretty meh on it, but I could see starting him there.
Wily Peralta – 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA down to 3.62. Since his K-rate is under 7, 3.62 is overstating how good he’s been. Then again 16 wins does help his value. Trying to pin him down, and, well, guess that’s why he’s so Wily. Stream-o-Nator loves his last start, and, while I don’t usually like him, I’d give him a whirl there.
Nick Markakis – Has been sitting out because his shoulder is sore and the O’s locked up the division. Adam Jones also sat yesterday due to the playoffs around the corner. Not your H2H playoffs, the players don’t care about those. Any the hoo! I look forward to the Orioles being eliminated in the first round, then going all the way next year after they replace Showalter with Torre.
Miguel Gonzalez – 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners, 7 Ks. *turns to the mirror* You’re handsome, but that was not your best stream.
David Lough – 2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI and his 3rd start in the last week. With the O’s resting their regulars, it could give Lough man on the totem pole some starts. He’s not much more than SAGNOF, but if your league is deep and you’re struggling to find ABs, go for it.
Delmon Young – 2-for-4 and his 2nd steal. The hypnotherapy work done on Delmon to brainwash him into thinking each base is a powdered donut has paid off nicely.
Mookie Betts – 2-for-5 and his 5th homer and the caught stealing for the busted dine and dash on the slam & legs. “Ow, that doesn’t fit!” That’s the round hole being force-fed a square peg.
Rusney Castillo – 1-for-4 and his 1st steal. “I think I’m going to skip Mike Trout and take with my first pick…Rusney Castillo!” That’s a Son of Sam Horn insanely jazzed for Rusney next year. Prepare yourself to not draft Rusney as he almost certainly will be overrated.
Jurickson Profar – Shut down with shoulder soreness. He hurt his shoulder tagging in on a Ron Washington threesome. Infidelity will ruin the very fabric of our lives, or at least admitting to it.
Alex Rios – Shut down for the season. Now all that is left for him to do is: get ignored by me in all drafts next year and then have a huge bounce back. Rios, I look forward to you pissing me off next year in new and different ways.
Ryan Rua – 1-for-4 and his 1st homer, after having a four-hit night on Friday. Will have to wait until next year for Rua to face Ryu as the world folds in on itself, but you don’t have wait that long to grab Rua. Rua hot? Oh, hell’s yeah.
Michael Cuddyer – 1-for-4 and his 10th homer. If I were Cuddyer, I’d take a 50% pay cut and play again for the Rockies with a shizzton of incentives. That would probably make too much sense for everyone involved.
Wilin Rosario – 2-for-3, 3 runs. Where was this in April? May? June? The month that comes after June that I can’t remember and the month after that?!
Drew Stubbs – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI and… cut! Okay, put all the sandbags in the U-Haul and wrap up your Rockies hitters, they’re on the road the rest of the year.
Mark Trumbo – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 10th and 11th homer. Trumbo should’ve had those homers by the end of April. *falling asleep, wavy lines* April 30th and Trumbo just hit his 10th and 11th homers and I just moved into first in all my leagues. *shoots up in bed* Oh, damn, it was a dream. Back in 8th place. Sad Trumbo.
Scott Kazmir – 5 1/3 IP, 6 ER. Well, you were the one that sold your soul for a full season of Kazmir. Should’ve taken the abridged ace season.
Josh Donaldson – 3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and his 28th homer. Solid season. Amazing season when you consider only ten players have 30 homers. There’s only two NL hitters with 30 homers! Hahahahaha *breathe, Grey, breathe* Oh, man, lost it there for a second.
A.J. Burnett – 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER. When he decided not to retire, did he mean not retire hitters?
Luis Valbuena – 2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, hitting over .300 in the last week, and has multiple hits in three of his last four games. Yeah, I don’t know either, but if he’s hot, then that’s all you need to know.
Matt Kemp – 4-for-5, 4 RBIs and his 23rd homer, hitting .286 on the year and now has 4 homers in the last eight games. Doesn’t it seem like he missed some time due to injury? He played the whole year. Doesn’t it also seem like he had a disappointing year? Well, relative him, I guess it has been, but relative to other players, he’s a top 15 outfielder on our Player Rater. Granted with the dearth of offense, that puts him around other guys like Werth, Cespedes and Chris Carter (!).
Yasiel Puig – 2-for-5, 4 runs and his 10th steal. It’s nice to pile on stats at the end of the season when so many people that drafted you have already been eliminated. Very, very nice. A Puig is a player that don’t fly straight.
Juan Uribe – 2-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, hitting near-.400 in the last week. He got ramped up in Coors earlier in the week, and kept it going through Wrigley. If you’re deciding between Valbuena and Uribe, I feel for you, even though you’re the one in the dark grasping at straws.
Norichika Aoki – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and had two hits on Friday too. I told you to grab this hot schmotato on Friday, and I maintain his schmotatoness.
Rick Porcello – 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, ERA up to 3.31. Stream-o-Nator hated yesterday’s start, but loves his next one, getting the tingles in a silly place. And I crinkle my nose wherever Porcello goes, I always know, he’s just so, I don’t know, there ya go.
Ian Kinsler – 1-for-4 and his 16th homer, and his 2nd homer in the last three games. Get hot for the last week and I won’t draft you next year, but I also won’t have any hard feelings. You have my promise.
Tyson Ross – Will miss his next start, which basically shuts him down for the season. Will be interesting to see where he’s drafted next year after having a 2.81 ERA and a K per inning this year. I’m guessing he’ll still come at a discount since most fantasy baseballers (<–my mom’s term!) have a blind spot for all things Padres when they should only ignore their hitters. Those that don’t ignore their hitters run the risk of being labeled a Gyorko.
Todd Frazier – 1-for-3, 2 runs and his 27th homer. He’s swinging my projected stats with his bat. One time. Strumming my pain with his counting stats. Two times.
Jay Bruce – 3-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 17th and 18th homers. Maybe Bruce finally asked for help from Frazier. If Bruce hits 12 homers this week, we’ll be cool. If he hits one thru 11 homers this week, I’m sending him a turd in a box to symbolize the turd he was in the batter’s box all year. He doesn’t deserve such poetic symbolism, but I will be the bigger man.
Joey Votto – His return this season seems doubtful. Votto said, “I was hoping to get in there and take a base on balls, but I’m not pain free. You need to be 100% to not swing the bat. The worst thing you can do is be in there, when you’re not at your best, and hold on a pitch off the outside corner.”
Should I start Pineda against the O’s? I’m in the championship game and I don’t want to put myself in the hole if he’s going to give up 3 or 4 runs. I feel more confident starting him in his next start against the Rays.
@TheMuppetManiac: When’s the Rays start? Next year? I’d sit him vs. O’s…
Great stuff grey. I usually read this right when I wake up but decided to read it tonight after poppin some ambient due to some insomnia. I have to say… I like it this way too boss. Thank you for your help again this season. 7 days away from locking it up for the 3rd year in a row despite that piece of shit Bryce Harper.
@Robby bobby: Thanks! Congrats!
@Robby bobby: Yea, congrats on winning your 8-team league!
@3 years my buttox: are you the guy he’s gonna beat?
Kahuna!!!
1. Many thanks to the whole team at Razzball.com. In my previous two seasons, I had made it to the playoffs in both but was eliminated in the semis in both. This despite winning in points in both seasons in both leagues. Somehow I was missing something. So coming into this year, rummaging through fantasyrundown.com, I found this site!!! My father used to say that for every 3 compliments you dole you should give one negative comment. That said, I cannot find anything negative to say about this place. Really a haven for those who want the best.
2. Many thanks again. Now no mental angst for this off-season will ensue. Won both leagues I was in the finals in on advice gained on this site – specifically Cashner for his 2-start and Dickerson/Cuddyer. There was a plethora of others like McHugh, Fiers, Shoemaker, and Liriano (to some extent) and of course the many others throughout the season.
3. I also lost a league in the semis because I could not replace my points cash cows (Tanaka, CarGo and Tulo), but that’s another story.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: 1. Thanks for the kind words! You’ve been a good addition to the comments this year! 2. Very nice, congrats! 3. Ha
@Grey: ty, grey! good luck to all this week, especially my boy Phil.
Cheers,
Ante
You too!
@Ante GALIC: i think your father’s rule about compliments should probably apply to prospective women.
Yo Grey, won my league last night. Second title in the last 3 years! And could have never done it without your help and advice. Thank you man. I REALLY need the money right now. Keep up the good work. See you next year
@CharlesInCharge: Fantasy baseball helps pay the bills!
@CharlesInCharge: No problem, congrats!
Grey !!!
Last year in 4 leagues
1st, two 2nds and a fourth
This year
6 leagues
2 misses
5-5 tie in the semis he wins by points
And
3 FINALS!!!
SO. My opponentS have a ton of 2 start SP this week.
I has SOLID SP but not Many 2 starters.
I am streaming in various championship leagues the next 2 days:
Henderson Alvarez @ PHI
Josh Collmenter @ MIN
CJ Wilson @ OAK
Gray @ LAA
MCcCarthy @ BAL
Who do and don’t you like?
Would you stream De La Rosa @ SD? And Odirizzi @ BOS?
Thanks for all the help!!!
@Tarman Got Him: I wouldn’t go near Wilson, Gray, Collmenter, unless it was dire… Wouldn’t stream Odorizzi either
The worst part about Kazmir’s week was the A’s shuffling their rotation to give Kazmir two starts after lineups locked on Monday. It was a slow motion train wreck, with no way of avoiding it.
Second worst was losing a two start week from Samardzija due to said shuffle.
@Shoop Da Whoop: Yikes, yeah, that sucked….
Let’s start with B.J. batting leadoff for a month.” “I’ve brought dozens of studies that show I was right leading off with B.J.” “Those aren’t studies, those are Penthouse Letters.”
Hahaha. Jay Bruce finally woke out of his year long coma yesterday, lets hope he can help me finish 3rd in my playoffs at least!
@Swfcdan: Thanks! Good luck!
Thanks for the great reading Grey!
Would you run with Solarte or Flores for the week? I dropped Ellsbury.. too soon?
@harry: No problem…. Flores…Not too soon, Ells seems out for the year
” The Yanks need an over-the-hill All-Star shortstop and the market is scarce.”
Spit my coffee and you owe me a shirt. The good news is you and Rudy get a raise next year. I have 12 teams…I’m in the Championship games in 10 of them…H2H. 10 of 12 for 1st place. That’s prettay good and I owe it all to this site.
I have one worry…what is up with the Hate on Collmenter this evening by SON? It hates him so bad I’m thinking of benching him. But it is the Twins and he has pitched well…?
@Head Down: Ha, thanks! Twins aren’t terrible at home
Through some absurd miracle, I’m in the championship game for my H2H league. (THANKS GREY!)
Need to swap out Lagares. Best options are:
1) Marisnick
2) De Aza
3) Arcia
4) Aoki
5) Coghlan
@Gonzo_The_Great: Nice! Aoki
roto NL only. best 2 of these
Gee @ WAS
Jerome vs ATL
Fausto vs COL
Buchannon @ MIA
SON says Fausto and Jerome. should be able to just fit in innings doing 2 of them.
@Montezuma’s Revenge… right now: Gee, Jerome
Haha good shiz….good luck this week Grey
@ty: Thanks, you too!
Grey… Thanks for all the advise and info. I won my league! My wallet thanks you!
@FisterTilShesLohse: Congrats!
De aza, marisnik, Garcia
Which two?
On the finals as a 6 seed. Thanks for all the responses.
@Jay: Not De Aza
I streamed M Gone vs. CIN. Then I stupidly sat him @ BOS as I only had spot for him (6 shutout innings, but ended on a whimper, left with the bases loaded, 1 out, and Hunter bailed him out. He got a W) or Sonny vs. CHW that day (O’Flaherty BS cost him a W). In the back of my head I was like oh damn I’ve seen this happen before. Sure enough, next two times out ERA is 4.50+.
I can’t see myself pitching him @ TOR next game. It looks like he’s not starting in the ALDS so BAL will probably let him pitch a full game, but I cannot trust him with ERA or WHIP vs. those Canadian birds.
Between Avisail and Pearce, they’ve made up for what I thought was impossible, Stanton’s missing production.
@papasmurf: Yeah, agreed, seems doubtful
finals. 12 team h2h. 8 adds per week. OPS/net steals/K’s. already have today’s streamer set up from last week’s pickups. drop any of
uribe or vargas (CI guys, or util, and vargas back ups rizzo) for any of hosmer/rua/morrison?
2. drop de aza for avisail/marisnick? Tron has de aza about tied with avisail for ROW value.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: actually could drop uribe and vargas for 1 from each group, and play wilmer at CI or MI in case of off days, and be able to play both guys that were picked up at OF and util.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: Tron hates uribe and i’m sure he’ll get off days this week, of course so might de aza, but Tron likes him comparatively.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: Vargas for Rua… Yes, Avisail
FACT OF THE DAY:
Polar Bears can smell a Seal from 20 miles away.
(I can taste a couple of championships from 7 days away)
@JeF With 1 F: Nice, F! I hope that’s what I’m smelling too(the championship, not the seal). Though it could be my pitching running on fumes that’s creating the odor….
@JeF With 1 F: Seal the deal!
@JeF With 1 F: Heidi Klum’s ex? That’s odd
@Grey: Ha Ha yea the marks on his face are scratch and sniff
You know how that works? Cheese falls into the cracks, and gets moldy in there and starts to smell when pressure is applied
@Grey: Nasty..no wonder heidi left his stinky ass
Yeah, TMZ broke the cheese story
@Grey: That was a reach bro, nice effort though
Thanks! Haha
would you drop Uribe, Pollock, Soler or Lind for any of the following:
Marisnick, Aoki, Vargas, Arcia, Cain, Rua, Bruce or Rusney?
daily, SLG and OBP H2H league, I only have 5 waiver additions this week so I’m picking up 1 or 2 batters MAX. Thanks!!
@Maxi: Pollock for Bruce
@Grey: Thanks, Bruce was on my team til about 1 month ago, hoping that he does something similar to Señor Garcia’s performance over the last 2 weeks….waiting for avisail to blow up is what put me in the championship>
mil gracias
No problem
Your advice gave me Choo Segura Bruce. Three strikeroos! Last place in my div. Next year is opposite-of-Razzball year! Chicken salad, on rye, untoasted … and a cup of tea.
@Jimbo Jones: Sorry about that
@Grey: It’s ok. I had fun anyway. You gave me a boost with JD Mart. You warned me about Segura… but a SS does not a team make. It’s on me.
No worries
@Jimbo Jones: You have to take the bad with the good!
In one league I went Longoria, Bruce, Rios, Myers in rounds 2-5. Not pretty! But other Razzball favorites (Kluber, Brantley, Rizzo) helped me crawl into first place despite my early draft misfortune.
@Jimbo Jones: Baseball player Projections/rankings are constantly changing throughout the season, grey and everyone else give you the best advise with the information they have at that time….its always subject to change and if you hung on to these guys too long its your fault, nobody else’s. What you failed to mention is the replacement options that Grey gave you throughout the season for guys like this, but its up to you to move on from them.
I got your back Boo.
I won my championship for the second year in a row. Funny, I’ve been reading your column for two years now. Hmmmm. Thanks for all of the advice and responding to every question.
@sniff test: No problem, congrats!
Drop red hot Rosario (on the road now) for W. Ramos?
Only start two closers Tues—Casilla, Melancon,K Rod, Rosenthal, which one?
@Johnny Podres: I mean which two?
@Johnny Podres: Hold Rosario… Melancon, Casilla
I’m head to head with a guy who’s loaded with relievers and only starting pitching is Chris Sale @ Det and vs KC, Teheran vs Pit and Alex Wood vs Pit and @ Phi..
Meanwhile I’ve got Peavy @ LAD and vs SD, Shoemaker if he plays, Carrasco vs KC and vs TB, deGrom vs Hou, Fiers @ Cin and vs ChC and Fister vs Mia…
We have 5 and 6 moves available this week.. but I’m not sure how to handle this guy with so few starters.. should I be even more selective with my starts? Ventura is available @ Cle tomorrow too..
Thanks as always!
@mike: You should make sure you win Ks and Wins, and pray for ratios
So I’ve been starting J.Bruce all season only to have him be the last guy on my team to play on the final day of the season. (Championship ended last night). My opponent has Y.Molina, M.Holliday, and T.Frazier. Tied in OPS. and the season is doing down to the final game. J.Bruce wins it for me. I draft J.Bruce in all leagues next season! Came through when needed him most. Whoop!
@Kutty: Ha, nice!
Hi Grey, will you start Price vs CWS Carroll tomorrow? (This year: 1L , 6IP , 6ER , AVG .321)
Thanks.
@Wilson: Yup
All 5 of my teams made the playoffs (even tho I drafted prince fielder in the 1st rd ) this year and 2 are playing for the championship this week! Thanx for the help!
@meizy: No problem, good luck!
Thanks for a great season.
I nearly had a heart attack when I saw Jay Bruce’s line from my bench last night. Fortunately after some deep breaths and simple arithmetic I was able to conclude that his night would not have gotten me to the finals. It was almost the best (worst) screw you ever from him after he wasted my bench spot all year.
@Matty: Damn
It’s me vs. Pops in the Finals for all the marbles (well, an additional $175 to the winner). Which I obviously hope is me. Not because I want to win – which I do. But because the dude is a retired judge and he ain’t broke. I’m trying to raise a family here, dammit. I could use the money!
Anyway… Again, this is a 9 move limit league. I haven’t used any yet, and have Liriano, Carrasco, and Holland throwing today. I’m going to hold off on dumping a pitcher until tonight to see what these guys do. I also have a dead Ozuna, worthless Xander, and injured Pearce on my roster. Ozuna goes first, dump him for Avisail?
Thanks for the help, I’ll be on your ass like a fly on shit these next few days. Have I told you… Lately… That I love you? I mean, uh, keep this site rolling.
8 Team H2H – H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBPS, W, QS, SV, KS, KS/9, ERA, WHIP
***I’m also in the finals in my 16 team league
@Wilsonian: Roger Maris-nick is also available. Grab him for his schmotato-ness, too – or over Avisail?
@Wilsonian: Ha, good luck! Lose Ozuna for Avisail
@Grey: thanks! Move #1 down the drain. Avisail is on board for a title push.
Sweet!
Pick 3 please for the final week of h2h playoffs in an OPS league…
Avisail, Harper, A Gordon, R Rua, W Flores, R Zimmerman, A Pollock
@Al: Avisail, Gordon, Harper
Thanks, Grey…great minds think alike! If I win this whole thing, I’m definitely buying you a daiquiri!
No problem
Whom do you expect to rank more highly in 2015, Rubby De La Rosa or Ender Inciarte?
@Ender’s Game: Neither… Rubby
@Grey: Yeah, I agree neither is a great option. It’s a really deep league, though, so pickings are slim.
@Ender’s Game: you are named after the guy
Last week of the season (5×5) and its still close in all offensive cats (except avg). I have 2 spots undecided: 1 OF and 1 DH from:
Ellsbury and his busted hammy
Bourn
R Castillo and his 1-4ness
Byrd
Kennys (7 games but scheduled to face Scherzer and Price this week)
Thanks dude.
@L-Boogie: Bourn, Vargas
Big thanks for helping me reach the championship for a second straight year! Gotta say though, I really miss the Razzball podcast intro song. That was a gem.
@Eric R: Ha, no problem
@Eric R: Aaaaaand the song is stuck in my head now.
/shakes fist
Pick two schmotatos to start in my OF today, i need steals in the worst way
Aoki (vs Carrasco)
Marisnick (vs Holland)
De Aza (vs Pineda)
@Todd: Not De Aza
GREY!!
Welp. Here we are.
Finals week. Going for broke with a pitching staff that is really stumbling to the finish line. There was nothing on waivers I was only able to grab Jorge De La Rosa for his start agains the Padres. Not even sure I want to run him out there but here are my choices:
Assuming Tyson Ross is done(it’s a weekly lock so I think I have to to be safe.):
I have two back end spots to fill and three pitchers to choose from. Not great choices:
Iwakuma vs. LAA(does he even make this start? Is he hiding an injury? What happened to my sweet little Dashi?? SON likes it, but I don’t think SON has seen him pitch lately)
Odorizzi @ BOS(Looks like he got pushed back and would have been a two-start week, where I would have started him, but now it’s one start I think. I know I said I’d start him in Fenway if I made the finals, but jeesh)
De La Rosa @ SD(As much as I hate to say it, I think I have to run him out there. I just picked him up a few days ago for this, and SON like it enough)
Hitting I have much to choose from, and I would love to get your thoughts. A few days ago I reacquired Marisnick cuz hot damn he’s been hitting. But I don’t think I have a spot to start him in unless you feel differently. I’ll list options below. The other decision I have to make is Lind vs. Vargas for 1B. Last week I chose Lind and Vargas got hot again. I’m leaning Kenny2 but what say you?
For Marisnick, I would need to start him over one of the following OFs. Now I could use the steals to be sure, but I don’t know if it’s worth it:
Cespedes(been sitting every couple days, but he’s still hitting)
Puig(not sitting him, he’s making up for lost time)
Pence(cold lately, but he’s the gangly manbird)
Bruce(would have sat him for sure, but 2 HRs yesterday of course to make it hard. Why not?)
Soler(He sat yesterday and came out early the day before but I haven’t heard of any injury to him. have you?)
So that’s it, my mustachioed comrade. We are doing a 70/30 split and boy oh boy would I love to grab the 70. Either way it’s been a great year. Thanks for the laughs.
P.
@Phil of the Future: You should look into next year’s Razz-Raffle, where 10 lucky winners are chosen for Grey to personally log into and manage their team for the whole season. There is a limit to one team per winner, but it’s really helpful for big money leagues. I think it starts 3rd week of February.
@Kid A: Very funny.
@Phil of the Future: Not Iwakuma… Vargas over Lind…. Marisnick over Soler
@Grey: Thanks, homey. Hard to believe this is the last week of fantasy baseball for the year. Sucks, don’t it?
Yeah, big time
So I just found out the Padres are giving Tyson Ross 4 starts this week to make up for the ones he missed. I gotta get him in my lineup now, right?
Ha!
Well if I had any drink in my hand while reading the Semien entry (no giggling), my monitor would have been ruined.
That being said, made the finals in both leagues as I held off the streamers.
Paxton @Tor? Is that a yay or nay? Mariners NEED a win…
@Randy BoBandy: Thanks… No on Paxton
Last week of the two week championship round. H2h Rotocategories 6×6 standard categories plus K’s for hitters and QS Need some help with some lineup decision. I am winning big right now Every Category is still really close. Below is my status by category. + mean I lead by. – means what I am behind by. THanks!
Current Standings
R RBI SB HR AVG K
+8 +7 +2 +1 +.018 +3
W QS K SV ERA Whip
+2 0 +16 +2 +1.317 -.010
Positions I am questioning
C-Mauer or Santanna
3b-Rendon or Freese
OF Need 3 out of
Adam Jones
Steve Pearce
Carlos Gomez
Danny Santanna
Mookie Betts
Jake Marisnick
Avisail Garcia
Pitching
He is rolling out
P-Greinke
P-Cueto
P-Price
P-Mchugh
P-Paxton
RP-Chapman
RP-Carrasco
I am rolling out
P-Kluber
P-Liriano
P-Bumgardner
P-Sale
P-Holland
RP-Robertson
RP-Fiers
B-Scherzer
B-Holland
B-Zimmerman
@Bob: Santana, Rendon, Jones, Gomez, Avisail
In championship this week. Ive got some hitters like Ian desmond and Adam Jones who i am sure wont play full week. I have 3 moves and i am seriously considering using all 3 tonight to get Jake Marisnick drop Kole Calhoun, pick up Aoki drop span, pick up freddy galvis drop jordy mercer.
Im supposed to have 5 two start picthers. Madbum, Price, Alverez, Odorizzi, Ventura and i realize a couple of those guys might not go twice.
WHat do you think?
@These Ho’s ain’t Loyal: Marisnick over Calhoun is fine, wouldn’t do the other moves… I’d save them for injury fill-ins or SP streams
@Grey: Thanks! Couldnt have made it here without your help!
No problem
Grey et/al.-
Just wanted to say thanks for all your help this year. Won the title last night in my big league! Couldn’t have done it without the daily recaps, stream-o-nator, hittertron… and to a much lesser extent the podcast. Haha. Thanks again.
@Pine Tar Incident: No problem, congrats!
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK! I really owe it to you guys, *sheds tear, You Da Real MVP’s..
Trying to line my pitching up for the week, I have the following guys rostered, I also have Taijuan Walker & Tyson Ross who I plan on dropping for streamers.
Liriano 9/22 @ATL, 9/27 @CIN
Pineda 9/22 vs BAL, 9/28 @BOS
Gio 9/24 vs NYM
Wheeler 9/25 vs WAS
Hutchison 9/26 vs BAL
Ryu hopefully gets a start this weekend vs COL
Potential Streamers with their SON $values
Erlin 9/23 COL, 9/28 @SF
Nuno 9/24 @MIN $10.9
Despaigne 9/24 COL $9.2
Stroman 9/26 BAL N/A
Pick two out of the above streamers or possibly 4 if you think any of them are better than Pineda in Fenway or Wheeler in WAS
Already dropping Taijuan & Ross for two of the above, should any of my other rostered SP’s be dropped for a streamer. SON is meh on Pineda’s start tonight and doesn’t like his 2nd start in Fenway. SON doesn’t want to fuck with Wheeler in Was either. So I could drop them for 2 more of the above streamers. What do you think?
I’m thinking Erlin for the start against COL in Petco & Nuno @MIN.
Last time Despaigne faced the Rockies at home, he threw 7 innings, with 8Ks & 2 walks while not giving up a run. Lastly, Stroman vs BAL in Toronto. He did get touched by them last time out but perhaps they will be in rest mode.
@Bob-O: Fairly confusing… So you can start Erlin for only one start? Nuno, Despaigne if locked…. If not locked, Erlin and Nuno… None are great
I’m beginning to get that sinking feeling again in my 12 team roto league. Ran out of innings last week and the guy behind me’s coming like a bat outta hell to tie me today. By Thursday I’ll likely be down to just catcher hitting stats too so I may wind up losing yet another roto title in the final days of the season after leading most of the year. Few years, back, I lost it in the final month. Two years ago, I lost it in the final 48hrs.
The good news, I guess, is that I’ve made the championship as a newbie in my 8 team h2h pts league and the guy I’m facing’s decimated by injuries at the bats and living off SP streaming so assuming my free swingers keep last week up (Joey Bats, Puig, Bruce, Altuve) I may win that league. Ce la vie.
@Clint: Hopefully you can hold out
Battling it out for 5th place in the final week of the season. Just like I drew it up. I don’t want to blame it all on 9/11, but it certainly didn’t help.
Thanks to all the Razzball writers for another fun year. If you need me, I’ll just be clicking refresh on the homepage for five months until Grey’s 2015 rankings come out.
@Corey: Ha, sorry you didn’t do better
Thanks so much for the site. Great help this year! I am in the championship game and I need 3 of Kennys Vargas, Bruce, Marisnick, Pearce, and Soler. Also Baez or Segura? Thanks so much!
@Clark: No problem, Kennys Vargas, Bruce, Marisnick, Segura
Who would you rather have for 2015- Choo or Avisail?
@Zach: Avisail
Yo Grey,
Finished off another championship in my main work league for the 4th year out of 6. It’s h2h but I had 98 of 100 roto pts!
So, I have throw Trout & McCutchen back (single tear). Next year, I can keep only two of these players in their associated round, what do you think?
5 – Chris Sale
6 – Jose Abreau
7. Anthony Rizzo
16. Josh Harrison
16. Jorge Soler
17. Anthony Rendon
22. Dee Gordon
Thanks to Razzball for another entertaining year, great tools, and for answering so many questions.
@Duke: Rendon, Rizzo, no problem
I lost my matchup 6-5-1 and missed out on the championship because of a 0.023 differential in WHIP: 1.028 to 1.005. What a cruel cruel game this can be….. I win WHIP and make the championship if 1 of the follow 3 things don’t happen.
1) Jason Hammel and his wife get pregnant a few days later.. My opponent was already out of moves but had Drew Pomeranz just sitting there on his team and he got the start on Saturday. Pomeranz: 5 innings, 3 baserunners.
2) The Yankees don’t activate Tanaka for a BS start yesterday against Toronto. Tanaka: 5.1 innings, 5 baserunners.
3) I do the tactically right move by benching Jason Vargas against the Tigers at home. I was also out of moves and I thought I could steal one. I thought “what was the worst that could happen?” If I bench Vargas, 1 and 2 don’t even matter and I win WHIP. Jason Vargas: 3 innings, 9 baserunners.
My team deserved a better fate than this. It could have been a winner.
14 team H2H redraft auction league
C Dioner Navarro
1B Lucas Duda
2B Neil Walker
3B Todd Frazier
SS Erick Aybar
OF Jose Bautista
OF Michael Brantley
OF Corey Dickerson
UTL Luis Valbuena
Jon Lester
Cole Hamels
Jose Quintana
Derek Holland
Carlos Carrasco
Kevin Gausman
Edinson Volquez
Jason Vargas
Francisco Rodriguez
Zach Britton
Cody Allen
Roll the credits…
@Great Bambino: Damn, that sucks… It’s the frustration of H2H
@Grey: I am so bummed you have no idea. I’ve never worked so hard on my team: 93 moves, 9 trades, 4 vetoed trades..
Other managers laughed at me for believing in Frazier and Duda. To give you further idea, way back in May, I traded Freddie Freeman for Michael Brantley and Mauer. I got a lot of flack for trading Freeman away (you even said Freeman side). But my Freeman for Brantley trade might have been my most favorite trade that I’ve ever pulled off just because of how fun it was to own Brantley and because of how many ppl thought I was dumb for doing so.
But anyway, point is, with the help of Razzball (and a couple other fantasy sites), I had a brilliant season. So thanks Grey. You guys here at Razzball really are invaluable sources of fantasy advice.
I just wish I didn’t waste it all because I thought that I could get away with Jason Vargas @home vs the Tigers..
No problem, thanks for the kind words! Effin’ Vargas…
Posted this late last night.
great projections on Albert
you – 90/30/104/.277/4
actual – 87/27/101/.275/ 5
BTW, I’m a great mood today because the eve of steveNZ has passed and pre-Christmas is upon us.
@J-FOH: It’s SteveMas morning! Pujols’s projections were easy if he stayed healthy which he did… Huge track record to cull from
@Grey: well damn me for trying to make you look good. Which you do.
So good!
@Grey: Your confidence overwhelms me
Like a warm blankie, I hope
@Grey: considering the difference in our stature it’s more like a wash cloth
HA! I will dab your brow now
@Grey: ooh, that is warm. Is that cashmere?
Nope, felt
@Grey: I figured you as a velvet man
Velveeta
@Grey: great when it’s HOT, sucks when it’s NOT!
Ha, yup
Playing for it all this week! Thanks to Grey and everyone at Razzball (as well as many commenters) for all the advice and insight this season. Can’t find a better place to start your morning reading. Next season will be here before we know it. Good luck to everyone still in it this week!
@Bill: Good luck to you!
Pick 2 keepers 12 tm h2h Arenado for a 20th Rizzo 9th rd Kluber 21st ?
@Shizz-o-nator: Rizzo side
I’m going to the ship, waah? I’m going to the ship! I’m going to the ship!!! THIS ONE’S FOR YOU G-BABY!!!!
We made it! Onto the final round of a very tenuous season, it all comes down to this. I have a quick question about the Chicago White Sox bullpen.. Someone dropped Petrika. Putnam isn’t available. But I can grab Petrika just for the opportunity. Is it worth throwing away Dellin Betances at this point for the upside of a SV or two down the stretch? Betances has Orioles all week and then two games against Boston to close it out. Should I hold or make the move?
Thanks so much again for sharing your smokey thoughts about baseball and puns with us always :)
Collin McHugh a good grab as well? I feel just to make sure the other guy doesn’t have the chance to take him. He is pitching against a very very good deGrom on Saturday, but hes actually going against a very very weak Mets lineup (besides Daniel Murphy!).
Guess I “two-parted” ya.
@Jayrod Ceol: Nice, good luck! I’d go Betances… McHugh’s worth a grab
6×6 (OPS & QS), 6 moves for the week, using 2 on bats.
My team currently has 13 starts scheduled, averaging about $15 on SON, though I expect to lose at least Bum’s second start. I also have Storen and W. Davis at RP. My opponent has 13 starts, averaging about $7, and will most likely use his remaining 5 moves to stream for counting stats (he grabbed Lobstein this morning). He has Rosenthal and Nathan at RP.
Planning to use at least one move now for a RP as I’m hoping to lock down SV and ratios, and only stream later in the week if I need to since the available SP are slim (best per SON for the week is Nuno @MIN $10.9). Grab Rondon (3vSTL, [email protected]), K-Rod ([email protected], 3vCHC), Benoit (3vCOL, [email protected]) or Mujica (3vTB, 3vNYY)?
SON seems to like Hutchison vBAL ($13.2) and Vogelsong vSD (10.9). Would you hold them for these starts, drop one for a 2nd RP now, and/or drop W Davis for a closer?
@Steve Stevenson: Mujica… Drop Davis
Another damning stat on Bruce. He’s had one month over .230 AVG since August ’13.
UGLY…
@Swfcdan: Ouch
12-tm H2H cat.
With Pearce in my util and no bench bats, should I drop one of my pitchers to grab an extra bench/Pearce replacement while he is hurt ?
My low end pitchers – Teheran, Petit, Fiers,
Waiver – Cuddyer, Aoki, Granderson, Freese, Crawford, Bogaerts, Hosmer,
@John: Aoki lose Fiers
Grey,
Made it to championship week – props you and Razzball for all your help this year. So, now I have an issue. Loaded with Nats pitchers (Stras, Zimm, Roark & Storen) – I’m a homer, what can I say. It’s been great, but now that they’ve clinched, I assume that they will go easy this week (which is fine, I want to see a World Series here in DC). However, what’s a fantasy owner trying to scratch out a championship to do? I assume that if they win some games and there are save opportunities, Storen is still the man (just not more than a couple in a row). Roark is slated to start twice. Am I going to get anything out of these guys or do I need to look elsewhere (e.g., Vargus, Alvarez)? Thanks.
Congrats! I wouldn’t trust Stras and Zimm to throw more than 5 IP
I know rotation get wonky this time of year, but anyone know if McCarthy has 2 starts this week? SON lists him as 2, but ESPN, CBS, etc have him down for one.
Thanks
I’d guess one and TBD
@Grey: That being said would you start McCarthy for his one start vs Os (SON 12.3) and a potential 2nd @ Bos (4.0) or Shoemaker for his longshot 1 start @ M’s?
Given my ERA and WHIP race I also wouldn’t be completely upset if I started Shoemaker and he didn’t start. I just can’t have either one getting a beat down.
McCarthy
12 tm weekly lineup roto league, and have some potential pts to gain in hr, rbi, and sb.
who would you BENCH out of these 4?
werth 6 games
gardner 7 games
betts 6 games
kendrick 6 games
Kendrick
Q1: Would you put Tanaka in your weekly lineup? Supposed to start Saturday @Bos.
Q2: Which struggling closer: Rosenthal (3 @Chc + 3 @Ari) or Street (3 @Oak + 3 @Sea)?
Thanks!
1. Don’t know your options, I guess 2. Rosenthal
@Grey: It would be Tanaka in place of the other closer — but I need W+K more than SV, as long as it’s safe (enough) for my ratios. Does that change anything?
I’d start Tanaka then
@Grey: Coo’, thanks.
No problem
Thanks for a great season Grey! Running away with my 2 roto leagues, but the biggest accomplishment of my entire fantasy baseballer career was the worst to first comback in my H2H league (which also had the highest buy in).
When I drafted my team (pre-Razzball nation) my roster was made up of : Matt Wieters, Prince Fielder (not your fault, didn’t know about Razzball when I drafted), Robinson Cano, Evan Longoria, Andrelton Simmons, Domonic Brown, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, Josh Reddick, Jed Lowrie, Greinke, Darvish, Pineda, Masterson, Bucholz, Shields, Shelby Miller, David Robertson, Grilli, Valverde and a few other scrubs on the bench.
Thanks to you, Rudy, and the rest of the team I made a ton of trades and waiver adds/drops around June and have been streaming like a baller the rest of the way. Team is in the champshionship with a 200point lead comprised of : Carlos Santana, Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano, Longoria, Andrew McCuthcen, Corey Dickerson, Jorge Soler, Hanley Ramirez, Wilmer Flores, De Aza, Rosario, DeGrom, Jordan Zimmerman, Fernando Rodney, and a whoooooole lotta streamers and RP’s.
Thanks for being an ultimate bro, have a few daiquiries on me!
Very nice, congrats! Worst to first is the best way to do it…
@Grey: I prefer to just lead the whole way…its less stressful
Yeah, a nice comeback win gets the loins going though
@Grey: Ha agreed…you wouldnt want to see me when my loins get going…it gets crazy!
My gotchies are on fire! That’s what I say.
@Grey: Ha Ha!
@Marty Jannetty_Was Set Up:
Also been riding Arenado until he got sick, Duda/Lind streaming pre-Bautista eligibility at 1B, and have owned Alacantara, Kole Calhoun, and a bunch of other hot schmotatoes the whole season. Again, thanks for an amazing run! *Cues Ice Cube Bow Down*.
Ha, very nice!
Does Pearce help me at all this week or should I just keep Loney in?
Loney
In a H2H championship, I’d like to add a reliever. Relevant stats are SV, K, ERA, WHIP, K/BB.
Who do you like from Giles, Aaron Sanchez, Fields, Andrew Miller, Tony Watson, Adam Warren?
Giles
Championship week! Thanks again Grey for all your advice all year!
Who gets dropped for any of the following: Aoki, A. García, Rosario, J. Baez… Giles, Putnam?
I’m thinking Rosario for d’Arnaud, Aoki or Garcia for Pollock? Paxton is probably droppable too… for Giles? Cut Vargas for anyone?
12 Team Standard H2H
(1) C: d’Arnaud
(1) 1B: Bautista
(1) 2B: D. Gordon
(1) SS: Bogaerts
(1) 3B: Seager
(3) OF: Ad. Jones, A. Gordon, Myers
(2) UT: K. Vargas, Gyorko
Bench: (Pollock)
(2) SP: Bumgarner, Kluber
(2) RP: K-Rod, McGee
(4) P: Mujica, Betances, Cobb, A. Wood
Bench: (Stroman, Paxton, Fiers, Carasco)
(1) DL: H. Bailey
Bench Total: (5)
Baez, Rosario for d’Arnaud is fine, Avisail for Pollock, for Giles, sure
@Grey: Okay so Rosario for d’Arnaud , Avisail for Pollock, but did you mean pickup Giles for Paxton and pickup Baez for Vargas?
Giles for Paxton
Add Colon (@ WAS, vs HOU), Stults (vs COL), and/or Vogelsong (vs SD) over Gausman (@ NYY), Despaigne (vs COL) and/or Odorizzi (@ BOS)? H2H championship, relevant stats are K, ERA, WHIP, K/BB, QS. I have 5 moves left.
Thanks!
Vogel over Odorizzi
Colon over Gausman
Russ Martin or Jason Castro for this week? Relevant stats are R, HR, RBI, SB, OBP, SLG.
Martin
I lost OZUNA! for this final week but have no fear WET TAIL! is here…hes getting moist again and im going to ride his stinky ass to the promise land.
Ha, nice!
H2H championship week. Would you add Alcantara, Odor, Miller or Mercer over Infante? Relevant stats are R, HR, RBI, SB, OBP, SLG.
Also could go with Galvis, Jose Ramirez, Rutledge or Flores…
Arismendy…
I have limited moves left only 6 left.
I grabbed some two start guys for the week, but i’m doubtful they will pitch both (have Sale, Roark, Holland). Could spend the last couple of moves on streamers, but my offense is really lite on Thursday so I’d like to use a move or two for a bat if needed.
that being said Both Neftali and Cishek are available. of the two which one? would still gie me 5 moves left, one i could save for a bat and still have 4 left for streamers.
pitchers = Sale, Scherzer, lester, JZ, roark, holland, wood. robertson, casilla
Cishek
If Joey Votto has a pH of 14, the Javy Baez’s pH is 1…shout out to all the hydrogen fans in the house!
Keepin’ it balanced, all day, every day
Drop one guy: Hosmer, Frazier, Longoria, Dickerson, Leonys Martin, Alex Rios, Jay Bruce. OBP + SLG league.
(Actually it can’t be Frazier, sorry)
Rios
with keuchel out (fuck), should i slot in aaron sanchez or tazawa for the last week? ERA is basically the only category at play for me – neck and neck with other top team and a 3rd. there’s a team on my ass in Wins too. no other categories will matter for my final point result…
sanchez been better on season but sept peripherals dont look so hot. OTOH he’s been much better at home (both guys are at home this week) and toronto has 7 games vs boston’s 6, so slightly more edge on having chance to impact ERA with innings.
expecting response to be what’s the diff, flip a coin…
– king of wisfhul overthinking, and long-winded questions
Sanchez
@Grey: Cheers. And thanks to you and Razzball staff for years of advice and entertainment… I’m calling it quits on roto after this week. For the foreseeable future at least.
No problem…
Sooo…Mookie Betts. Kind of liking him as a 2B steal next year in ESPN.
He’s currently at:
165ABs 29R 5HR 6SB .285 AVG .799OPS – and some people think he’s underachieved.
I know “projecting a full season” is stupid with partial stats but let’s do it anyway.
Take the numbers above multiplied by 3 so that we can have him near 500Abs.
For this year that would mean 495ABs 87Runs 15HRs 18SB
That would put him 6th in Runs Scored, 6th in Home Runs and 6th in Stolen Bases this year at second base. That’s with most of the guys in front of him in each category having around 550-600ABS.
As an outfielder he’d be a nice piece. But at second base? A year older? The dude might be a steal next year.
Or not.
@Moronymous Lohse: And 27 Ks to 18BB in 165 ABS aint too shabby either.
@Moronymous Lohse: Sorry – ignore all.
He won’t reach the 20 games needed to qualify for second next year.
But you promised!
Yeah, at 2nd base could be a nice surprise… Top 5 potential
@Grey: Hate how ESPN does their qualification for position. Sorry to waste the space and time, Grey.
@Moronymous Lohse: doesn’t he qualify at SS even having never played it, (or is that only in Yahoo, it might be)
@Moronymous Lohse: I expect to own Betts next year now that he has 2B and SS to choose from. Unless yahoo ranks him too high.
Pick two of three for this week…Pollock, Granderson, Duda
Not Pollock
@Grey: Do you like Pollock next year…hes sitting out there and its a dynasty league so im going with Wet Tail and Grandy this week but im thinking if i dont need grandy by sunday to dump him for Pollock on the last day so i have him next year.
Yeah, I’d make that move in a dynasty… Pollock’s a nice grab for long-term
@Grey: Thanks
No problem, F
Mixed 5×5 non-keeper. Need runs, AVG, RBI. I have Zobrist, Odor and Flores in my 2B/SS/MI spots.
Available as free agents are: Wong, Rua, Amarista
Would you take any of the FAs over what I already have?
Wong over Odor
6×6 (OPS & QS), have 6 moves for the week. Dropping Rutledge and Stubbs, need 2 bats (at least one of which must be OF):
OF:
L. Martin (7G, HT $17.5)
Avisail (7G, 9.1)
Gardner (7G, 8.9)
Bruce (6G, 5.8)
Marisnick (6G, 4.2)
Other:
McCann (C/1B, 7G, 13.8)
Hosmer (1B, 7G, 7.2)
Jeter (SS, 7G, 4.5, and maybe some grooved FBs)
Kennys (1B, 7G, 3.5)
Rosario (C, -1.8)
FWIW, my C, 1B and SS are Mesoraco, Ortiz and Baez.
Overall my team speed is weak (McCutchen, Crawford and Baez are the only ones who might get me a bag; opponent has B. Hamilton and nobody else), but I’ve also been trying to replace Mi Giancarlo’s power for the last couple weeks, esp. with the addition of OPS.
Martin, Gardner
@Grey: weekly roto, need HR and avg. who to start:
1B) Rizzo – 3 vs stl, 3 @ mil OR
Kennys – 3 vs ari, 4 @ det
DH) Rizzo/Vargas (whoever doesnt start at 1b) OR
Arcia – 3 vs ari, 4 @ det OR
Dickerson – 3 @ sd, 3 @ lad
Thanks.
Kennys, Dickerson
@Grey: weekly roto, need ks and wins, who do you like better?
paxton – @ tor, vs laa
lynn – @ ari
teheran – vs pit
thanks.
Teheran
Thank you Grey from the bottom of my bottom. I accidentally your draft rankings right before the 2013 draft. Stayed around for the daily reads and haven’t left. Last night capped off my 2nd consecutive 12 team H2H championship. Regular season finishes were 1st and 2nd respectively after 9th and 10th the previous pre-razzball 2 years. I only play in this 1 long standing league.
The ridiculous volume of your work is impressive enough, and I love the humor, but to top it off you’re the most skilled player rating artisan in your craft. Well done and thank you again for what you do.
Thanks for the kind words!
Hi Grey,
In the ‘ship!! I was going to drop Ackley this week, but now with Pearce injured, reconsidering. Would you drop Ackley or Pearce, and would you rather add Aoki or Avisail? I’m in a crazy 9×8 league with singles, doubles, triples, OBP as categories – so I’m leaning toward Aoki, but want your opinion.
Thanks!
Pearce for Aoki
Hey Grey, thanks in advance
I need QS, W, WHIP and a little era. I was thinking of just starting Henderson Alvarez over Petit since Petit has sucked against SD and is facing Cashner but Alvarez has been hurt.
Alvarez does have two starts and I could mess with my RP to get him on the last day but that start is against at WAS, who could be benching their good guys, and his whip sucks.
Padres are 23rd in Offense this month and Phillies 29th.
What would you do man? Thanks
Start Petit
Just wanna keep with the theme, of saying thanks for helping me to 5th in my roto and 3rd/4th in my H2H league this year…..hey can’t win em all!
Money leagues are much tougher than other leagues when there’s decent coin involved, almost everyone is a savvy owner. Got some nice keepers for next year in both though so should be stronger!
No problem, get you the win next year!
Marcus Semien – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer. I look forward to the day Semien wins a game with a walk-off homer and his players greet him with a whipped cream pie, only it’s not whipped cream.
Oh man…haha. I fear for future blurbs if this guy becomes good and gets regular mentions on here!
Hehe
Aoki or garcia?
Avisail
Petit over Holland right? Probably will run out of innings before his second start
Yup
Any problems with starting Duffy tonight @ Clev?
I wouldn’t
Made it to the finals in 2 out of 3 leagues, just not the money league (bah!). Time to separate the real men from the slightly less lucky men! Thanks for your help Grey.
Ha, no problem
Fellow razzballers,
I’ve been booted from championship contention and am now looking to the future regarding keepers.
Keep one of the following in 12 team H2H category league (W, L, Era, WHIP, K, CG):
Alex Cobb (5th round)
Jacob deGrom (25th round)
Matt Shoemaker (25th round)
Thanks for the guidance.
deGrom
1 week away from H2H gold! Grandal or Rosario at C?
Play Avisail Garcia over Alex Gore-don?
Also playing Aoki over Betts, agree disagree?
Rosario…. Gordon… Aoki over Betts is fine
Giles,Quack.Petricka,Quallsor Burton for saves?
Burton
Here are my M.I. options for this week, need to pick one:
Arismendy
Gyrko
Wong
Flores
Leaning towards Arismendy
Arismendy
@Grey: I love you
Right back at cha!
It’s been a fun ride, start Salazar v KC 14$ ?
Drop Rosario or Yan Gomes for Avisail?
Start him… Rosario
1 for SV this wk:
Burton (Ari, @Det – 7G)
K-Rod (@Cin, CHC)
Benoit (Col, @SF – 7G)
Rondon (StL , @Mil)
K-Rod
Hey Grey,
Trying to figure out my last few starts to win a tight race in ERA,WHIP, and QS.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Could you rank these starts? Any of them you would sit?
Thanks!
Petit, Cobb, Garza… I’d start them all
Thanks for all the help this year Grey. Wrapped up my first league championship last night. I couldn’t have done it without all the help from Razzball. Daiquiris on me when the check comes in.
Congrats!
Thanks for all your help this year Grey! H2H weekly points league championship week that favors power:
1. Drop K.Davis for A.Garcia or Aoki this week? Hitter tron likes Davis, but playing time is at issue.
2. Drop S.Pearce for Loney, Dunn, Valencia, Castellanos or Lind (also hurt). Hitter tron likes Lind the most, but injuries are relevant. Cast and Dunn are on teams in the hunt.
3. Navarro or Norris this week?
1. Avisail 2. Castellanos 3. Norris
Looks like finals opp projected to get 14 starts im projected to get 12. I like my 12 better but I could add a projected 2 more by adding two start arm. I have 1 transaction left, add a two starter or save the move for better start down the line. Not much left
Martinez HOU and A’s
Alvarez WAS and PHI
Hendricks
Buchholz TB and NYY
@John: Save the move. Lot of weird ish happens the last week.
@Steve Stevenson: Yeah here are few ind starts that i can grab if things are going as planned during week
Volquez v ATL
Miller v Cubs
Hughes v ARI
Save the move
Needed to make up 8 total bases going into last nights game to win the championship. I couldn’t flip any other categories. My opponent had Billy Hamilton, I had Frazier and Bruce.
You can send Bruce a turd in a box and I will send him a poop bag for him to dispose of it with because he sucked all year, but he won me the MFing championship on the last day of the season.
Ha, nice! Congrats!
@Grey: How did your teams work out this year?
Also do you think Taveras is worth keeping in the 16th next year? He is my only keeper eligible.
He’s worth keeping if you have no one else… My teams had tough years, Fielder on a bunch of teams didn’t help…
@Deck: What an ending. I was like that with Puig, taking him day to day but August was rough. Started hitting a bit but almost dropped for few guys I wanted and held.
Then Bam! 14R 2HR 6RBI 2SB .419BA!
@John: I feel like you stick with your big guns and win or lose with them, I didn’t feel like I had a chance at all, in fact I turned off the game and got in the car only to hear Frazier’s shot first thing when I turned the radio on
@Deck: frazier needed at least 3 bases for me to win, and he did it late!
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks to you and the rest of the razzball staff for all of the great advice I’ve received since becoming a reader last year. I won my league last year in large part because of you being high on Goldschmidt and I just repeated as champion last night! Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Very nice, congrats!
Would you pickup Garcia and drop Braun? Non-keeper league
Sure
Can’t figure out if I want to play Dannys Antana over Zobrist or Braun. Zobrist has been meh outside of a week or two stretch in August (I think it was August), and I’m not sure Braun will play most of the week.
Over Zobrist
Grey,
oh why did the Overlord have to take Shoey in the championship week!!! BTW I’m debating between Uribe & Valbuena with Arenado going down and Rutledge out of Coors.
Ha, heavens help you… I’d go Uribe, Valbuena, in that order
@Grey: Thanks, I’m limping into the finals after being and finishing #1 , just one more week boys hold it together.
You can do it!
@Grey: My buddee and I (who are battling it for the finals) are flying out to NY to watch Jeter’s Final Game and then hopping over to Boston to see my Sis and hit Fenway up for NY v Bos on Friday night. Should be epic, I have a much higher tolerance so hopefully we’ll get smashed and he’ll forget to set his on Sat or Sunday!
Ha… Awesome, enjoy!
@Grey: Last thing, March Grey did pick this team as his favorite, “I like Team 5 the best” and that’s me quoting you!
I’m a mother effin genie!
Hey Grey, championship time. I used two of my three moves already (Dropped Perkins for James Paxton and Schoemaker for Tanner Roark to get 2 more 2 start pitchers).
Need to add some speed/power. Looking at Avisail, Marisnick, Cain or De Aza.
My droppable hitters I would consider to be Dozier and Pearce (sitting tonight) or Daniel Murphy (hasnt been the same since the injury).
What do you think?
Avisail for Murphy
@Grey: Sounds good, the daiquiris will be coming when I see the payout. Win or lose you’ve helped a lot this year, as always, keep up the great work.
No problem, good luck!
6×6 (OPS), which one sits tonight?
L. Martin v Tropeano (HT $21.3)
Crawford v Peavy (15.0)
Soler v Waino (0.9)
Gardner v W. Chen (-2.5, but a 1.295 OPS in small sample–15AB)
Soler
Nolasco tonight vs. Ari (9.4) or Archer Friday at Cle (1.4)? I’d drop Archer to pick up Nolasco for the stream.
Archer
Hello Grey,
I have a long SP question for you. I am in our H2H Points League Championship (many thanks to you) and yes we are playing the last week because of an oversight by the Commissioner, but who can be picky at this point. Anyway, do I start Happ for potentially 2 “meh” starts (Seattle and Baltimore), or do I throw Porcello for one against the Twinkies or Stroman for one against the Os. Pitching is where you get all of the Points.
Thanks much Grey and many thanks for what you do.
Porcello… Good luck!
@Grey: Damn! I knew it. I kept Happ in, but was considering changing to Porcello. Oh well. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks Grey for the extremely quick response though.
Hopefully it works for you!
@Let ARoid Play!: Ah, too late. Rosters are locked. I guess I would still be interested to know what you think.
Thanks Grey.
Great year for Razzball. I appreciate what you guys do.
Question. What formats do you like the best? Is it the RCL 12 team format? Auction or snake?
Rcl format
@Grey:
I like that format with an auction draft. I was able to get your guys at a discount in both my auctions.
Gotcha
I think my boys missed out on an Allen win and a Dyson steal ’cause the stats from that suspended game didn’t count. The struggle is real.
STORY TIME!
A week ago, I was in the running for a top 3-4 league finish…
I was leading the league in ERA (leading for most of the year) at 2.8 while the second place was at 3.2…
I felt like I needed to make a big push on K’s and wins since I could potentially gain the most points there and had built enough cushion on the ERA to gamble on some guys.
They weren’t bad gambles, mind you…(Streamonator didn’t hate the matchups)
But I loaded up on all kinds of 2-start pitchers…Vogelsong, Hutchinson, etc. and started the likes of Kuma and Kazmir too. 12 starts total to be exact.
One week later….my era ballooned to 3.2 with my starters not getting a single win for the whole week.
Today, the pain continues as Paxton just got toasted for 8 runs.
I’m now 3rd in ERA.
And slid all the way down to 7th place overall.
LOL…gotta love fantasy baseball.
Damn, it’s still early!
@Grey
Hope you and a certain Kiwi have a great time at the game tonight. Make him eat a Dodger Dog!
He’s with me right now!
@Grey: make him do a maka for you!
He’s actually doing that right now!
@Grey: That’s awesome man. Give him a bro hug from me and Al Koholic.
RAZZBALL…….spanning the oceans to bring friends together!
Bro hugs all around! I just bought him a beer! I bought Steve a beer!
All day, erry day!
Can only hold one these guys this week, mejia or mcgee
McGee
Welp lost my H2H and playing consolation game…time to look at potential keepers who were dropped…
Jay Bruce is only 28 years old and has started hitting more grounders into the shift than fly balls like an aging veteran… Can he turn it around ? More specifically, Is it worth 25$ toward my salary for next year to find out? Thanks.
He’s not worth $25
Jeff Samardzija, 2013: 23.4% K, 9.01 K/9
Jeff Samardzija, 2014 Athletics: 23.0% K, 8.02 K/9
Yup
@Grey: It’s impressive that he’s both thrown more pitches in the strike zone while maintaining his swinging strike and K rates. Means lower ratios and more innings. If not a fantasy ace, he’s certainly a strong number 2.
Might come at a discount next year, too. Considering he has all of 6 wins right now.
Yeah, totally
Thanks for the answer above, one more as I move toward this dark and lonely time…
I have fortunately owned Mesoraco much of this season and will be keeping him next year for 6$ However, Rosario was dropped a few weeks ago and I picked him up this past weekend when he started hitting again and because Mesoraco is benched more than is necessary. I can now also keep Rosario for 6$ as well. Since both are benched a lot but are very productive along with some upside, would this be the one shituation where I could actually keep and use 2 catchers and it might pay off? PS…I wish Weiss would GFH.
I wouldn’t keep two catchers but I don’t know your options…
Went from 1st to worst. Looking to change it around .Already have some good keepers for next year. Anyone you see being a closer next year who isn’t one this year. Betances and Giles are already gone. Just trying to get a leg up.
Depends who’s available
@Grey<@Grey:
No guys you are high on to be a closer next year
That doesn’t sound promising