Washington Nationals fifth starter slash long reliever slash wait, really, that guy?–Erick Fedde was awesome Friday night as he limited the New York Mets to just two hits (seven base runners) in seven innings pitched. He struck out seven and had 31 called strikes plus whiffs, which baseball nerds tell me is pretty good. I’m Fedde up with these crazy pitching lines, ya’ll! I thought the bans were supposed to solve this, and I don’t know what to make of this guy. Erick hasn’t given up a run since a start at home versus the Phillies May 11. Since then, he’s pitched 20 scoreless innings with 17/6 K/BB. The start was Fedde’s third QS of the year and he’s lowered his ERA to a respectable 3.33 during the scoreless stretch! Also, I need a hip hop historian to tell me if I used “Wap” right here. Fetty Wap is a rapper and that’s different than Cardi B’s WAP, right? Back to Erick! More impressive than Fedde’s streak, Washington has allowed just seven runs in the past eight games, and need I remind you Max and Stras are hurt? Pretty neat until you notice that they allowed 42 runs in the eight games before that. Regardless! Someone needs to check these baseballs for spider tack! Da sticky stuff. For real though, it was admittedly a slowish fantasy day, and I didn’t want to write about Adam Duvall again, so Fedde gets the lede! His first in ever! Enjoy it, Erick, because this is likely to be a one time deal. As the aforementioned Max and Stras are out, Erick has gotten an extended look in the rotation and so far so good. He’s had some favorable matchups this month so I wouldn’t rush out to grab him, but he could be a worthwhile streamer in the right matchups. However, and I’m being 100% candid here and this could be the ethanol talking, he could pitch another 20 scoreless innings and Fedde would still scare the heck out of me. It’s got to be the baseballs, right!?
Here’s what else I saw Friday night in fantasy baseball:
Adam Duvall – 3-for-4, Grand Slam, 2 HR (14), 6 RBI. Ladies and gentlemen your almost lede! On second thought, I should have gone with him, because who am I kidding ain’t no way I’m getting anyone to pick up Erick Fedde. Power-wise, Adam’s been Duvall that and a bag of chips. Takis even! Spicy! And despite that .215 average, he’s hitting .333 in the past week with three bombs and a steal! He drove in six with two swings last night, folks and he’s third in his league with 48 RBI, behind only (strangely) another Marlin, Jesus Aguilar, and Tatis. Thems tasty comps!
Robbie Ray – 4.1 IP, 6 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Blue Jays versus Orioles? This game was for the birds!
Cedric Mullins – 3-for-4, 2 HR (11), 4 RBI. So we gonna make Ceddy Wap (all-in on this nick this week) an All Star? Vote or die! Mullins is currently 10th among AL OFers, but most of the guys ahead of him are hurt, and in 3-4 more weeks even more will be, so we should be able to get Cedric in for his first Smash Mouth moment. Hey now, you’re almost an all star! Remember last year when Smash Mouth threw that COVID concert? Imagine getting rona for going to a Smash Mouth concert.
Ronald Acuña Jr – 0-for-1, 2 ruñs, 2 BB, SB (15). Eveñ wheñ Alt-164 goes hitless in a game he’s still providing value. Mmhm. Doñ’t think I forgot it’s Father’s Day this weekeñd, Tildaddy! Any tie you want, just keep those Sbs and HRs coming!
Ozzie Albies – 3-for-5, HR (10), 3 RBI. Ñame a more iconic second baseman playing today. I’ll wait.
William Contreras – 2-for-3, HR (7). Slashing .243/.315/.468 with 7 hams since his call up. First d’Arnaud now Willy. Remind me to draft the Braves catcher next year, no matter who it is.
Max Fried – 7.0 IP, 2 hits, ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 4th win. After being bad for the first month (8.44 ERA in April), Fried has been great since returning from the IL. He was testing you! And you passed! He gets the Mess next as your reward! You’re welcome!
Carlos Martinez – 3.0 IP, 8 hits, 8 ER, 4 BB, 3 K. C-Mart…more like K-Mart. Yeesh. Wait. That doesn’t work because he hardly strikes anyone out anymore. Umm, more like ER-Mart. Better. Still kind of bad though. But honestly this is the Cardinals, don’t they have some younger, better, more hot-ter, shot-ter prospect in the minors that could start over Carlos? I’d rather own Erick Fedde.
James Kaprielian – 5.2, 3 hits, 3 ER, BB, 7 K, 4th win, 2.84 ERA. Can’t believe he’s got four wins since I almost wrote a lede about him that one time three weeks ago. Maybe if I had you’d have picked him up? My bad!
Jameson Taillon – 4.2 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, BB, 5 K. Chances are more likely that Tailion is owned in your league than Kaprielian. But the sad part is this was one of Jameson’s best starts of the season.
DJ LeMahieu – 1-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI. Rougned Odor also homered. I almost forgot Odor was on the Yankees without his epic beard. No wonder they stink.
Matt Olson – 1-for-5, HR (19). You know what I miss about the the old Razzball? No, not the lack of ads. Although there are literally ads under ads. I’ve Xed out of a banner ad to find ads under them, which seems like a bold advertising strategy. But no! I miss the Donkeys. Adam Dunn and Mark Reynolds. Ian Stewart even! And now we have a great Donkey on staff, don’t get me wrong, sure, but none to write about. Sadness. And as much as I love him and want him to be one, Olson not quite donkeyish enough. He’s too good. Oh well, I’ll keep looking.
Joey Lucchesi– 5.1 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Here’s what I said about Lil’ Joey last week, “Not even the sweet, fragrant allure of Lil’ Joey Lucchesi of the Mozzarella di parma Luchessis could get me to add him while he’s on the Mets. The Sargento Provolone cousins and even the Belgioioso Parmigiano-Reggiano family were on hand to see Joey start but I need to see more before I fuggedabout his past two years.” Well, folks, I flip flop quicker than a Reef factory and I’m a simp for Lucchesi’s Lucheesey. He’s got a 1.19 ERA and 24/6 K/BB in his past five outings. Mets aren’t letting him go very deep in games but if he survives his start versus Atlanta next week I’m all in!
Bryan Reynolds – 2-for-4, HR (11). OK. Now we’re talking REAL baseball! A 10-11 slugfest where none of the pitchers are even worth mentioning (sorry, Chad Kuhl :/). This is what real baseball looks like, boomers. Nope, definitely no spider tack here, Mr. Commissioner. If I were you I’d go check in Houston.
Gregory Polanco – 1-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, SB (7). 7 and 7 for GP. Of course, its a highball!
Cesar Hernandez – 3-for-5, HR (11), 5 RBI. If I were Tito, and I’m not but man how cool would it be if I was–I could just like, call Pedro and Manny and Papi and ask how their families are and stuff. That’d be tight. Oh, I’d also manage the Cleveland Baseball Team. And I would lead Amed Rosaio off and bat Cesar second, because JoRam hates being a Rosario sandwich, and I’m a players coach.
Carlos Rodon – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, ER, 3 BB, 8 K. Exhibit A) The Ace I drafted. Blake Snell, 2-3, 5.72 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 85/37 K/BB. Exhibit B) The Ace I picked up week three. Carlos Rodon, 6-2, 1.83 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 105/20 K/BB. I’m never drafting a pitcher before the 8th round again.
Luis Garcia – 7.0 IP, 7 hits, ER, 2 BB, 8 K. Luis has had a ROUGH stretch of opponents: Dodgers, Boston, Toronto, Twins and White Sox and has handled them all like it ain’t no thang, allowing just 6 runs in that stretch over 30.1 IP and 33/7 K/BB. Yes, Mr. Commissioner. This is the one to check right here. This guy. Check his hat, too.
Salvador Perez – 2-for-4, HR (18). Cause Sally says so!
Adalberto Mondesi – 1-for-3, HR (4), 3 RBI. 464 footer. Bertie is slashing .344/.364/.813 with four bangs in just nine games. When he’s not mashing dingers, he’s on the IL. I’ve never seen anything like it. He needs like zero recovery time. He might miss four months, but he could win your league in just one.
Rafael Devers – 1-for-4, HR (17). Speaking of winning your league, “Hi Raffy!” Just saying, hey. Love ya, buddy.
Nick Pivetta – 5.0 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. I know it’s the unpopular opinion fantasy-wise but I love me some Nick Pivetta. It’s the Ks! And yes, maybe he’s most likely to get lit up any day now but he’s also most likely to start a benches-clearing brawl. He’s like the Joe Kelly-type we needed.
Zach Davies – 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. I streamed Davies back in early April and he basically burned me so hard I forgot that he existed. I’m sorry if you streamed him but hopefully you learned your lesson like me and never will again.
Joc Pederson – 2-for-4, 2 HR (11). Roc N’ Joc! How is Pederson still available in so many leagues? He’s got 6 bombs in the past two weeks, that’s like one every other day, people. Do you not like home runs?
Jose Berrios – 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, BB, 6 K, 7th win, ERA at 3.56. As far as drafting Aces goes, you could have done a lot worse. Berrios has been solid. I’m looking at you, Snell. I’m looking at you with the meanest of mugs.
Adolis Garcia – 1-for-5, HR (17). The jack was his first in almost a month, but he’s got a five game hitting streak and is hitting .292 in the past week. I still believe in you, Adolis! Take me there!
Trevor Larnach – 1-for-4, 2 runs, HR (4), 3 K. I’m mentioning the rook because he was batting third for the Twinkies last night for some reason. He’s also batting .300 in the past week! Ahh, who am I kidding, when’s Buxton coming back!? We neeeed you.
Corbin Burnes – 5.1 IP, 8 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K at Coors. Corb’s has scuffled a bit over his past two starts, and while some regression is to be expected, the fact that it was against two of the league’s worst offenses (Colorado and Pittsburgh) is a tad concerning. The Regression Fairies know you’re waiting till the weekend to watch Loki episode two–they will fill your Facebook feed with spoilers and destroy your ratios. Let’s chalk this one up to Coors and move on.
Anthony Senzatela – 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, 4 K. I’ve been waiting a few months now for the opportunity to tell you this guy has pitched Anthony Senza-tionally, but it hasn’t happened yet. Came so close last night though!
Luis Urias – 2-for-2, 2 runs, HR (8). BUY. The slam & legs! Of course, the slam & legs at Coors is served with the coldest beer imaginable, rocky mountain cold, a silver bullet, and a trip on the love train. It won’t be the tastiest beer you ever drank but we’ll be damned if it’s not the coldest!
Brendan Rodgers – 2-for-4, run, RBI. BUY. Another buy! That, my friends, is a goocher! B-Rodge has three bombs and is hitting .361 in the past two weeks. He also plays in Coors which is a good thing if you like baseball flying out of ballparks.
CJ Cron – 2-for-5, walk-off RBI single. Cron Air with a game-winner. Nick Cage approves. That’s high praise!
Trevor Bauer – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, 7th win. Hard to believe Trev’s start last week (6.1 IP, 11 base runners, 4 ER, 8 K) was probably his weakest outing of the year. I’d take that from an Erick Fedde erry day and twice on Tuesday! I hate how good he is and how good he knows he is. Damn Cy Young pitchers and their confidence in themselves. Why can’t Snell be more like you?
Caleb Smith – 6.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K. Nope. I gave you a shot last week and you made a fool out of me! Add to the fact that Arizona may never win another game, and I’m ignoring this gem versus the Dodgers and asking you to do the same.
Johnny Cueto – 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, 5 K, 5th win. Any Giants starter is fair game for streaming at this point.
Jake McGee – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, SV (14). So I guess Taylor Rogers isn’t the closer anymore. Thankfully, I just grabbed him and dropped McGee. If you need me I’m going to take a relaxing bath with my favorite toaster.
Odubel Herrera – 1-for-4, HR (5). Andrew McCutchen was 2-for-4, HR (12). Odubel has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games started and the Phillies offense is starting to heat up. If you’re as desperate for outfielders as I am for positive feedback he’s worth a look.
Yusei Kikuchi – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 4th win. “Lisa Loeb Razzball” turns up way more search results than you could ever believe. As for Yusei, his 3.46 ERA and 1.04 WHIP are one of the lone bright spots on a Mariners team filled with dark, dark days. I think when they need to decide on his 2022 option, Seattle will be begging him to “Stay.”
JP Crawford – 2-for-4, run and Ty France – 3-for-4, 2 runs. BUYs. When we’re looking at multiple C-Attle hitters as possible buys you know times are as desperate as “The Great Crumble” but someone has to fill those line up cards, Big Man. JP is batting close to .400 over the past week and France is hitting .444 with 2 shots and 6 RBI. Well, when you put it that way it doesn’t seem so bad.
Luis Torrens – 2-for-4, 2 RBI. Because I know you guys like catchers AND bonus Mariners to buy…I present you, Luis Torrens.
Wil Myers – 3-for-4, 2 HR (8). Member when I said Myers and Hosmer would be more valuable than Tatis. Lol. Yeaaah, I’m a big idiot sometimes.
Chris Paddack – 5.0 IP, 6 hits, 2 ER, BB, 11 K, 5th win. Now THAT is why I held you for three months while you continuously disappointed me, looked hurt, was hurt, then was back and was okay I guess but still fairly disappointing. It all led up to this pretty-okayish start! We’re looking at a more confusing timeline for Paddack than episode 2 of Loki, but perhaps we’ve finally found the right variant?
Alex Cobb – 5.2 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. As soon as I recommend you grab Cobb he’s going to blow up so I’m just going to leave this pitching line right here and you do you! Shh!
Justin Upton – 3-for-4, 3 runs, RBI. Anaheim has scored 69 (nice) runs over the past 10 games and they’re 7-3 in that stretch. When Trout gets back could this team actually be a contender? Hmm maybe not, but they might score 10+ runs a game.
Taylor Ward – 3-for-4, run, 3 RBI. BUY. Jared Walsh also homered (17). Ward is hitting third for the Angels, that’s right, behind that one guy, and is also batting close to .400 over the past week. Whether Jo Adell gets the call or not, Ward looks to be the warm body in the interim and the Angels will continue to score runs (see above) as long as they still have that one guy who hits everything into the seats.
Shohei Ohtani – 2-for-5, 2 HR (21), 3 RBI. Yeah, this is that one guy I was talking about. He is good at hitting baseballs far. And at throwing baseballs hard. He also redesigned his own kitchen, landscaped his entire rose garden, shot six under par on his last day off, choreographed all his niece’s Tiktok dances and coded an app that tracks his launch angles. He’s very talented.
Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
