I am the Cal Ripken Jr. of fantasy baseball blurbing. I can turn a short schedule day into a full post of nonsense. But three games? What are you doing, MLB? Did you forget to schedule games? Are you stupid? I’m reminded of the 30 for 30 about the couple who used to make up the MLB schedule. They lived in like a log cabin and slept head to toe in a hammock and ate and drank MLB schedules. That was it. They subsisted on a calendar of games. But, ya know what, they made the best MLB schedules. Now, I think it’s a computer or something. Well, guess what, AI? You’re wrong! There’s still games to be played so why aren’t teams playing them? So dumb I could cry. Dumb tears! I have dumb tears in my eyes from this! Like I’m cutting a bunch of dumb onions that give you dumb tears! So, yesterday, in that jammed packed day, Dylan Crews went 1-for-4 with his 10th homer, hitting .215. I went back to see why I liked Crews coming into this year, and I received a 404 error page. Oh well! No, no, he went 13/25/.270 last year and has 40-steal speed and 30-homer power with solid contact. How close did he come to 30/40/.270 you might be asking yourself. Maybe there’s a scary ghostly apparition floating out in front of your face asking, “Hey, stupid, how close did he come?” Not close, Ghostly Apparition! Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
MacKenzie Gore – 2 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 4.17. Here was my battle with myself yesterday. “Streamonator hates him and doesn’t say he’ll have two starts.” “Okay, Grey, but what if the Streamonator is wrong?” “I am a robot, and I can hear your thoughts.” “No, robot! Get out of my head! Wait, is this like the new Alien TV show? Which is quite good.” “No, this isn’t like Alien: Earth, though it is good. I’m also just kidding, I’m not a robot in your head. I am your brain! Which is way worse!” “Nooooo!!! Wait, though, that means I have a brain. I’m taking that as a win.”
Nasim Nunez – 3-for-4, 2 runs and his 4th homer, and 2nd homer in two games. Nasim if you got ’em! Also, hot schmotato.
Ozzie Albies – Fractured his hand on swing where he fouled the ball off and I don’t believe I’ve seen that one before. I’ve seen lots of “ones” before, but not that one. He literally broken his hand swing the bat, and fouling a ball straight back. Honestly, this feels like him doing us a solid. We now don’t even have to contemplate drafting him next year. He breaks his hand swinging the bat! Albies managed to get injured for next year before this year was over!
Ronald Acuña Jr. – 1-for-2, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 19th homer. Playing Tildaddy says the season’s over!
Chris Sale – 5 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 2.63. Here’s one guy who I don’t think I’ve ever drafted and I don’t think I will next year either. Future Hall of Famers? That’s the kind of player Grey hates!
Michael Harris II – 3-for-5, 1 run, 3 RBIs and his 17th, 18th, and 19th steal. II with III? What is this the Back to the Future sequel release schedule? (A very new reference!)
Charlie Morton – Signed with the Braves to retire as a Brave. He was nicknamed Ground Chuck because all he did was throw ground balls. Then he didn’t, and the nickname made no sense. But they kept using it, like how Pudge Rodriguez stopped doing steroids and started looking like he was mainlining Ozempic and became skinny. Here’s to you, Ground Chuck, you should’ve adopted Chazz FacePalminteri as a nickname.
Xander Bogaerts – Could be activated for Tuesday’s game. He still sucks. Eat Arby’s!
Jose Iglesias – 2-for-3, 2 runs and his 2nd homer, hitting .228. Ugh, Mets could’ve really used that production this year!
Nick Pivetta – 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 2.87. Pivetta’s going to end the year with an ERA under 3. After 17 years of promise, he finally did it. He didn’t just do it for himself! No! He did it for all pitchers who out-pitched their ERA for years and never put it together. He did it for Ricky Nolasco. He did it for Michael Pineda! He did it for Chris Archer! Yes, even him!
Freddy Peralta – 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 2.68, and 3rd straight season with 200+ strikeouts. He was the ace of the Brewers and the ace of Monday night’s short schedule. What does he win? Runner-up to Paul Skenes and Cristopher Sanchez for the NL Cy Young!
Adley Rutschman – Activated from the IL. Don’t search for Adley’s home run in Norfolk. Looks like he gives zero Norfolks to training and swinging a bat. You don’t want to see it. The more I say to ignore it, the more you want to see it, huh? Well, suit yourself!
Jordan Walker – 0-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI and his 9th steal, hitting .217. He only has five homers. He has nine steals and five homers! He is 275 pounds of muscle and has five homers!
Michael McGreevy – 5 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 4.35. Fun fact! Michael McGreevy was also the star of The Brothers McMullen.
Ivan Herrera – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 18th homer, 2nd homer in two games, and two homers since he announced he needed surgery. Should’ve announced he needed surgery in April and hit 162 homers.
Rafael Devers – 1-for-3 and his 33rd homer, hitting .252, 2nd homer in three games. I didn’t mention it yesterday, but ESPN had Devers’s average on Sunday listed as .233, and I keep saying it on today’s podcast. They have since corrected it, but it’s not me that’s wrong when you hear me say it (after my very long story on the pod about making focaccia — you can see pics at our Instagram! I am incredible with social media.)
Justin Verlander – 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 3.88. Don’t worry, he’ll be back next year. Imagine being a multimillionaire and married to Kate Upton and wanting to play baseball? Bro is crackers.
Heliot Ramos – 2-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 19th homer. That was a leadoff homer in the 1st, and it was all the offense the Giants needed. No, they didn’t win, but they didn’t need more offense since they lost. Lose by one run or ten, who cares.
OMG – I just saw a nasty highlight…David Fry took a 99MPH pitch from Skubal to the face as he squared to bunt…carted off. Awful.
Yeah, nasty stuff
Praying Fry’s ok…Skubal was obviously very distraught. Hopefully Tarik can shake this off, given the tailspin the Tigers are in. I’m not cheering for either the Indians or Tigers – but wow – how do you lose such a lead in a month?!
Yeah, the whole episode was bad
Who to add for finals to replace albies? 5×5 h2h. Luis Garcia jr, Xander bogarts, brooks lee, Austin Martin, Kody Clemens, blaze alexander, Carson Williams, Brett baty, Otto kemp
Lee
Nasim Nunez feels like Willie Mays Hayes in Major League II – when he declares he’s now a power hitter. Guy has 9 career HRs and a .645 OPS in 1500 ABs in the minors.
Hahaha
Hey grey and everyone who maybe can help. Who would be your top few choices in order – thanks!
Kolek @ LAA
Rasmussen @bal
Lodolo vs pit
Warren vs chw
Messick vs det
Lodolo, Warren, Rasmussen
Thank you
No problem
1. Four adds left. Would you use any to stream Bryce Miller and/or Waldrep tonight?
2. Top 2-3 this week from among Baldwin, Burleson, Keaschall, Pages, Profar, Tork Steer
1. I don’t know what your rest of th eweek options are like, but these are not ideal
2. Pages, Steer
Giolito at Tor. Start or sit in 12 team roto?
Seems fine
Hi Grey,
Re: 10 Team Yahoo Points
1. Would you start or sit Taylor Wells vs TBR at home?
2. How confident are you in starting him?
3. Would you start or sit Framber Valdez at A’s?
4. How confident are you in starting Valdez?
Thank you.
1. Start 2. it’s fine 3. yes, sit
Thank you!!
No problem
Oh Great One,
Thank you, I actually listened and did not pick up McGroovey, but I’m back for more of your almost always correct advise. Oh, just to mention how my day has started, I had almost real authentic Mexican food from Taco Bell for breakfast:). LFG, Baby!!!
A) Are any of, Pfaadt, Waldrep or Kremer a possible stream for today?
B) Can I add Elder for his last start?
C) There is no C.
D) Calzone, Wood, or Bush for the W?
Thank you, thank you, and thank you, I did read an actual comment, to paraphrase, “have fun during your offseason.” I’d second that but I’m too selfish, keep giving us the goods……
CCC
Taco Bell for breakfast? Are you in your 20’s? I’d be dead by 2PM if I ate that for bfast
A. who are they facing?
B. I guess I don’t know their matchups
D. I don’t know who these players are lol…Calzone? are you saying Canzone? Bush? George? i think your taco bell’s playing tricks on you
I’m old, from the 1900’s:), stomach is growling soooooooo….
Sorry: Waldrep vs Nats
Kremer vs Rays
Pfaadt vs Dogers
Elder (tomorrow) vs Nats
Really sorry, Calzone is Canzone (not thinking about Taco Bell) or James Wood, or Michael Busch (Not the other Bush) for utility for the rest of the week???
That almost real authentic Mexican food is affecting my finger typing:).
Thank you, I am sorry for the confusion.
CCC
HAHA
Kremer and Waldrep seem fine, that order…I’d go Kremer
I’d go Busch
haha, No problem
Oh, and Elder seems fine there, about same as Waldrep…Not ideal, but if you need it
Hope you’re eating healthy, I still need your mind running at elite fantasy baseball end of season knowledge capacity.
Edward Cabrera starts today vs the Phil’s, then might have a second start vs the Mets, our cats for SP’s,(W’s, K’s, ERA and WHIP), would he be a better option than Kremer?
Thank you, going to get some boneless buffalo wings for lunch…..
CCC
I’m trying! I don’t trust EdCab at all
Perfect, thank you, almost got lured in by Yahoo’s, “27 year old strike out artist….”
Haha No problem
You’re spot on about the schedule. How about those random off days during the week not on a Monday or thursday? There’s been off days on Fri and even on a Saturday. And what is with all of the day games on Wednesday, when did that become a thing?
Ha, yeah, it is dumb. I don’t get it, the off days on Fri or Sat are really nutty
Grey I finished in 9th this year. Thanks for all the advice!!
(Kidding obviously) appreciate you and your team and all the hard work you/they put in every year. There is no better fantasy baseball recap site with this kind of coverage and info. Keep up the great work and looking forward to offseason coverage.
Appreciate you!
Jumping in to say thanks for another great year Grey! As normal I will give you no credit for my successes and blame you for all of my failures. And that isn’t just about fantasy!
Appreciate you!
Another fun Mike McGreevy fact…he was the dbag pitcher in Little Big League that showed up manager Billy Haywood and Coach Mac [though spelled McGrevey].
Haha, yup! Same guy! A long IMDB page that guy
One of my all time favorite baseball movie quotes from that film…
Joey: You should start Wegman…he always beats the Rangers.
Billy: He always beats everybody…that’s why he’s 3-7.
Haha, a classic
One more SP question for this last week. Can you rank:
Weathers @PHI (nothing to play for)
Cavalli vCHW
SSmith @NYY (and maybe @WAS on last day)
That order
As the season comes to a (merciful) end, just wanted to say thanks to Grey, Rudy, and the Razzball crew for all the help this season. I say it every year, but no other fantasy ‘pert is out there recapping every day (shoutout to DanPants and MarmosDad for holding it down on the weekends) and answering every question in the comments. I ended up out of the money this year, but y’all kept me afloat when I had no business being competitive. Appreciate all the laughs and the great advice. Here’s to an offseason of cougars and Mai Tais
Thanks, Pops! Appreciate it! Sorry you came up short
No worries! Just wasn’t my year. Congrats to those bringing home trophies this week. We all know it’s a grind to do this for six months, enjoy that glory and $$
Appreciate you!
Thanks Pops! Appreciate the call-out! Happy (very) early Father’s Day, too!
Pops – I always enjoy reading your posts. Are you a true Pirates fan…or…just a fan of Stargell? If you’re the former, my condolences – the “Lumber Company” they are sadly not.
I am, sadly, a Pirates fan, born and raised. It’s been a depressing couple of decades, lol. Nutting should be charged with a felony for what he’s done to that franchise and its fans
I have 48 innings to work with this week. Can’t go too much over that or else I forfeit winnings. We have a strict policy. Looking for efficient innings in a points league. Should I start:
Skubal at Cleveland
Waldrep vs Washington
Skubal I say yes, but I worry about starting Waldrep against a team he just faced.
I have Kirby, Woo, Sproat, Yamamoto, and Seymour coming up this week too, plus six relievers.
Yes to all 3
Thanks for all of your help this year. These messages and the SON have been life savers.
No problem!
12 team, 5×5 roto. I can’t afford a blow up to ERA/WHIP, but could also use a W.
Would you start either of these guys?
Singer seems fine
Hitters:
1) I am using: Steer, S Stewart, Ramos, C Walker, Seiya.
Available are Doyle, BrooksLee, Blain Crim, Christian Moore, Beavers, Triolo, Canzone, Volpe (among others)
Make any changes for the last week?
2) At C, I have HGoodman and BNaylor. Available are Basallo, Carter Jenson Jowy Bart.
Make any changes for the last week?
Thanks again.
1. Seiya for beavers 2. Nah
SPs:
T Wells vTB
Messick vDET
Cavalli vCHW
YGomez @WAS
Please rank.
Thank you.
You did
Hey all!
A question for Grey (or anyone else that might have heard anything).
I’m in the hunt for the AL title so this one might matter.
Has anyone heard news about Corey Seager returning this week?
I have one UT spot for either him, Cam Smith, Davis Schneider, or Carter Jensen and I don’t want to get hosed with a zero if Texas pulls the plug on him after our moves deadline. I’m leaning Jensen if Seager is toast.
Thanks!
I wouldn’t trust Seager to return and immediately start hitting and play every game…Jensen’s been the hottest of those
tl;dr, start Jensen — and good luck Marmos!
That’s what I was thinking too. I just know if I start Seager they’ll announce he’s done and headed home 20 minutes after the lineup locks.
Appreciate it! Thank you!
Seager will return today, play 3 innings, leave early and announce he’s done for the season
Promise he’ll play 3 innings?? I’ll pick him up.
Haha
MarmosDad – don’t know if you saw the update…Bochy confirms that Seager is done for the year.
Damn, didn’t even get 3 innings
Give him another 1.5 seasons…he’ll hit that mark.
Almost there!
Man. Just brutal. Thanks Zod!
I moved Jensen out for Seager before the first game started tonight. Figured it was the right move and that you guys were right too.
Appreciate the heads up! Thanks again.
First game of championship week, Atlanta beats Washington 11-5, and Matt Olson goes 0/6. Such a ticker tease.
Olson, Abrams, Adames, and Chourio combined for 0/21. And Verlander gets blown up by the Cardinals. I can’t wait for this season to be over.
Yeah, brutal
The Hamilton of our generation spitting a full blog out on a short schedule day like that!
If you’re not reading about Nasim Nunez on September 23rd do you even Razzball?
HAHA, real ones know about Nasim!
Hey Grey! You made those three games worth of highlights feel like five or six!! Oh, and Danny Salazar texted – he wants to be fifth man in the rotation from Pivetta’s blurb.
Hahaha
morning, grey! thanks for your help this season and enduring me writing out “question in a 14 team h2h qs/ops league…” an untold number of times. i won my h2h championship over the weekend. third chip in five years, and yet i still manage to do things like—trigger warning—drop nick kurtz for alejandro kirk. i think i should be the subject of a war crimes tribunal for this violent action, just like i am still under investigation for trading spencer strider in his rookie season for a then-injured zack wheeler. may god have mercy on my soul.
Haha, that’s awesome! Congrats!
Sale & McGreevy each gave up 5 ER in 5 IP and got a win! I’m saying this as a supporter of wins as a category. Maybe just because I’m a contrarian, or maybe because luck is all I got, but I think it’s perfectly fine.
Verlander @ St Louis was the start I was most confident in this week. I’m sure one of the starts I’m most scared of will counter that dud. Things always even out.
I like old school 5×5 the best, including wins
Acuña was on base 5 times. You’d think he could have stolen 1 base.
Acuna’s legs=Royce Lewis’ legs
Haha…I wish Acuna’s legs = Josh Naylor’s
Sigh that’s the problem
Grey!!!
Awesome!!!
a. Down to my last 11 IP. Have a dilemma.
Which group of these starters do you like more for their potential to get W and not to blow my ERA/WHIP ratios?
September 24
Wells at home Rays (Baz)
Tong at the Cubs (Boyd)
Snell at Arizona (Ryne Nelson)
September 26
Rogers at the Yankees (Rodon)
McLean at Miami (Alcantara)
September 27
Chandler at Atlanta (Strider)
Early at home versus Detroit (undecided)
Yesavage at home versus Tampa Bay (undecided)
My plan was to start one from the September 24 group to take me to 1395 or 1396. Then blow over on September 26 or 27. Actually, Bieber’s start got pushed to September 25 making the dilemma happen. Otherwise I’d have just gone over on September 24.
b. Rodney Dangerfield quote of the day for September 23, 2025
My wife’s father moved in, he’s got an electronic pacemaker. Every time he sneezes the garage door opens. No respect!
– No respect (1980)
Cheers,
Ante
I’d go Wells, then all of 27, good luck!
Well that Albies injury is the same hand/wrist that he hurt last year. Kind of weird what’s happening in hotlanta. Albies breaks his hand swinging. Schwellenbach breaks his elbow throwing. They may want to check the water there.
No water in Atlanta, only Coca-Cola
The month of Sept has been pretty ugly for Michael Harris excluding tonight. I was right about him. He may have changed his hand placement when he had that 2 month hot streak, but did not change his approach. He is still up there hacking away and doesn’t walk. Babip will drive his good months.
Yeah, he’s not proving me wrong either