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[brid autoplay=”true” video=”1354218″ player=”13959″ title=”2023 Razzball BUY SELL HOLD for Fantasy Baseball Week 16″ duration=”209″ description=”undefined” uploaddate=”2023-07-12″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/9233/snapshot/1354218_th_64af374ac8f22_1689204554.jpg” image=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/9233/snapshot/1354218_sd_64af374ac8f22_1689204554.jpg” contenturl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/9233/sd/1354218.mp4″ width=”480″ height=”270″]

Welcome back from the break! Now let’s get that money! And by “money” I mean an ulcer from starting Lance Lynn for every one of his terrible starts and benching him for all his good starts. We’re gonna be so rich with that “money.” One guy who is absolutely going to be “money” in scare quotes is Grayson Rodriguez, who was recalled to start on Monday vs. the Dodgers. Orioles weighing calling up Grayson vs. the Marlins this past weekend or the Dodgers, “Hmm, death by one cut seems much nicer than by a thousand.” Of course, I’d pick Grayson back up! Do you not know me at all? Still seems prone to command issues, but his 1.96 ERA in Triple-A is a big ol’ whiff (by hitters) of what could be. He might be an ace for the final two months. Might also be “money,” and that’s not money money. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

Kyle Bradish – 7 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.05. Bradish or Gerrit Cole? Okay, but what if it’s not that far apart?

Anthony Santander – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 17th homer, hitting .275. As mentioned on Friday in my Buy/Sell, Santander had a huge 2nd half last year, and now has three homers in the last week.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand – Being called up, I’m told, but could hell have frozen over already? That would be kind of a big deal. Well, I guess we’re gonna have to take the news’ “word” for it. So, I gave you a Christian Encarnacion-Strand fantasy already. It was about two months ago, but the sentiment remains: He’s got huge power in a great (American) park. Itch just put him in his top 25 fantasy baseball prospects. CES is a grab everywhere.

Kevin Gausman – Missed his start with side discomfort. Jays said no IL necessary, which means an IL will be necessary. I’m like a medical dictionary, but for baseball.

Jordan Romano – Wasn’t used in a save situation on Saturday or Sunday, and left the All-Star Game with back stiffness. Erik Swanson (1/3 IP, 0 ER, 2nd save) could be a smart handcuff. By the by, Romano’s resemblance to Lil Dicky here is uncanny:

Scott McGough – 1/3 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 3.78. Tighten your shorts, because it’s time again for Chafin. (Or Miguel Castro.)

Alex Cobb – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 2.82. Pirates turned to peg boys when they got Cobb. No treasure there; it’s booty. I sound like a newspaper columnist in the 1850s.

Endy Rodriguez – Was called up. It’s the beginningy. Not the Endy of the road? Meh, will work on it. So, how good can Endy Rodriguez be? Have you heard he was traded away by the Mets? I’ve had him stashed in an NL-Only league all year. Goodbye, Austin Hedges; hello, guy who can hit it to the hedges. That the Pirates didn’t have Endy break camp, and instead went with a guy named Delay was a little too on the nose. Here’s what Itch said, “If you put the switch-hitting Rodriguez behind the plate and in the middle of that lineup, the whole team looks about 50 percent better. The athletic 6′ 0”, 170 lb former Mets farmhand played a fair bit of outfield in 2022 but looks smooth behind the plate. His bat is racing his glove to the majors, and the presence of number one pick Henry Davis complicates the issue further, but it might help them both to share the workload and kick over to DH or left field on off-days. Rodriguez is a better baseball athlete than Davis and a more versatile defender, so he might find himself in the ideal fantasy catcher spot, escaping the rigors of daily dish duty while finding his way into the lineup much more than the average backstop. In short, he is ready. Grey’s also short, and I’d like to kick him.” That’s really not nice. This year Endy went 6/4/.268 in Triple-A, but had an injury, which put him back a little early on. He’s fine now, and I’d grab Endy in most leagues if you’re hurting at catcher.

Liover Peguero – Also called up by the Pirates, and now I’m wondering where he’s playing, when I expect Oneil Cruz back in August. Please. Peguero is not Spanish for peg boy. He’s a power/speed threat. Pirates be drafting for fantasy, huh? He has 20/20 appeal, and had 13/21/.260 in 76 games in the minors this year (69 in AA, 7 in AAA). He also has great contact, and might be better than Endy if he plays. I’m intrigued, y’all!

Quinn Priester – Pirates also called him up as the Pirates realized this past weekend they have a minor leagues. Here’s what Itch has said, “The 18th overall pick in 2019, Priester exorcized some FIP demons in 2022, lowering his 2021 mark of 4.08 at High-A to 3.23 this year in Double-A. The stuff is good, especially the dynamite curve and sharp-edged cutter, but the fastball shape is not ideal. He may have to learn to pitch around it a bit. Even with the solid year at Double-A (2.87 ERA in 75.1 innings), he allowed a 1.19 WHIP, which is still good. It’s just not what we want from a fantasy stud facing minor league hitters, and that’s pretty much my takeaway here as it has been since I was downplaying the pandemic hype that sent Priester soaring up some lists. Pitching prospects come and go, and I’m much more likely to let them go than spend much to get a big-named one, and stay preoccupied with beating up Grey.” C’mon! Priester seems like a streamer outside of NL-Only leagues, until we see more.

Johan Oviedo – 7 IP, 1 ER, 1 hit, 3 walks, 10 Ks, ERA at 4.53. That 4.53 ERA is showing up as a bit unlucky too! He’s neutrally a. Wait for it. 4.52 ERA guy! Wow! This was a great start, but I wouldn’t even Streamonator him outside of deep leagues.

Blake Snell – 5 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 2.71. No fantasy ‘pert has ever done an about face like me on Snell from hating to liking since (fill-in any player’s name who left the Mets).

Taijuan Walker – 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 4.00. Had a 1.50 ERA in June with 36 IP, but July’s been less kind. Not quite at needs Streamonator‘s approval, but edging towards that.

Bryson Stott – 2-for-5 and his 8th homer. He’s hitting .335-ish since June 2nd. *pucker lips*

Kyle Schwarber – 1-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 25th homer, and 3rd straight game with a homer. May it be June in July!

Xander Bogaerts – 1-for-4 and his 11th homer. *putting the air conditioning at 52 degrees so Bogaerts thinks it’s April*

Ha-Seong Kim – 2-for-6, 2 runs and his 11th homer, and six homers in the last month, hitting .320-ish in that time. Kim is Him!

James Paxton – 3 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 3.51. Liked Paxton more when he was injured.

Kutter Crawford – 6 IP, 0 ER, 1 hit, 4 walks, 9 Ks, ERA at 3.74. Just brushed up on Kutter’s skill set. He does this manuever where he taps a guy at the front of the line on the shoulder and steps in front of him–Wait, wrong research. Kutter looks more than usable for most mixed leagues — 9 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, bit too many homers allowed. Yesterday, was bad control, but usually he’s fine in that department. Looks solid, if a bit unremarkable.

Masataka Yoshida – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 6 RBIs and his 11th homer, hitting .317. If he fails to get 20 homers this year, he’s not going to move up much in drafts next year, which is fine with me. Happy to take him around 120th overall.

Rafael Devers – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 23rd homer. The oppo taco he hit had no business going out, but it counts, as they* say. *Counters.

Marcus Stroman – 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 2.88. This Cubs/Red Sox game was a sell-out. Roughly twelve-hundred fans and the rest of the stands filled with scouts and execs from other teams.

Justin Steele – 6 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 2.96. Let us be, Regression Fairies.

Mike Moustakas – 1-for-4, and his 8th homer. Mostsuckass!

Shohei Ohtani – 1-for-4, 2 runs and his 34th homer. Imagine the shock when he’s on another team and realizes that when he does something good his team doesn’t have to lose.

Cristian Javier – 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 4.39. So lousy that Javier stinks now. This is bumming me out.

Chas McCormick – 3-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 10th and 11th homer, and three homers in two games. Hot schmotato alert!

Alex Bregman – 4-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 13th homer. Also, in this game, Kyle Tucker went 4-for-5, 2 RBIs with his 14th homer. Hats off to the Angels’ relievers!

Tyler Glasnow – 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.78. Go over Glasnow in the video at the top of the page with some Oppenheimer deleted scenes.

Zach Eflin – 3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.59. *burning candles that are labeled “Helps ward off Regression Fairies”*

Francisco Mejia – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer, and 2nd homer in two days. Hot schmotato alert, supposin’, but he’s not the Rays’ starting catcher.

Isaac Paredes – 1-for-4 and his 17th homner, and 2nd homer in the last two Sundays. Hot schmotato or just wants to separate himself from God.

Alec Marsh – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 11 Ks, ERA at 5.40. He had a 1.58 WHIP in Double-A this year, which made me cackle, shake my head then say, “Gosh golly.” Of course, he had a 11:1 K:BB start vs. the Rays, because: Baseball, you’re drunk, go home.

Brady Singer – 8 IP, 4 ER, 7 hits, zero walks, 4 Ks, ERA at 5.70. All the runs came in the 8th inning when the Royals’ manager went to the bathroom, and did a number two while Singer did the same on the mound. Pull a guy before he gets hit? Crazy strategy that would be!

MJ Melendez – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 7th homer, hitting .211. Michel Jordan Melendez hitting for same average as Michael Jordan in Triple-A.

Bobby Witt Jr. – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 16th homer, 2nd homer in as many games, hitting .259. About to have a 20/20 half so he’s drafted in the top 10 again next year.

Michael Toglia – 1-for-5 and his 1st homer. He was recalled on Friday, and I tried to grab him in NL-Only leagues, and nowhere else for now.

C.J. Cron – 1-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 9th homer. That’s two homers in two days for Curtis Jackson. Do the Rockies play the rest of the season in Coors? Asking for my fantasy team.

Nolan Jones – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 7th homer. Quick, Bud Black, get him out of the lineup!

Gerrit Cole – 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 hits, one walk, 11 Ks, ERA at 2.78. Cole vs. Rox, a diamond.

Josh Donaldson – Hit the IL with a calf strain. Finally, good news for the Yankees. Oswald Peraza was called up, and I like him (12/11/.261 in 45 Triple-A games), but I’m not sure the Yankees like him enough to use him every day.

Michael Lorenzen – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners (5 BBs), 7 Ks, ERA at 3.75. You pick up a guy who throws five BBs in a game and you will shoot out your eye out, kid.

Reese Olson – 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.96. Streamonator hates his next one, but I’ll be honest, I’m kinda intrigued. There’s no way this turns out well for me.

Bryce Miller – 5 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 3.66, as he was activated from the IL. Love his command (1.8 BB/9) and will be uncomfortably excited about him next year.

Cal Raleigh – 1-for-3 and his 12th homer. And the 12th time someone thought they had good seats in the front row at a Mariners’ game and thought, “That homer was obstructed by a giant ass.”

Freddy Peralta – 6 IP, 0 ER, 1 hit, 2 walks, 6 Ks, ERA at 4.41. Watched the majority of this start, and he looked like the old FreddyKBB. It’s one start, but I was very encouraged, if you wanted to buy low.

Christian Yelich – 3-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 13th homer, and 2nd homer in as many games. Guy who grabbed Yelich around pick 100 in the preseason, we call him, Finding-God Yelich.

Jake Fraley – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 12th homer, hitting .270, as he hit third for the suddenly terrible Reds, but I’m not betting against them in that park in the summer heat.

Pablo Lopez – 5 2/3IP, 7 ER, ERA at 4.24. Going vs. the A’s and turning to A’ss. Send Nodas. Seriously, Pab-Lo is still one of the biggest Buy Lows. Clearly, this is only going to make that easier if you have the pants grapes.

Alex Kirilloff – 2-for-4, 4 RBIs and his 5th homer, hitting .272. Finally making good on his promise! *intern whispers into ear* I see. So, hearing one homer every six weeks is not making good on promise.

JP Sears – 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 hits, zero walks, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.99. Streamed him yesterday because Streamonator kinda liked it, and I was in a “what the heck” kind of mood.

Paul Goldschmidt – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 16th homer. Au Shizz!

Nolan Gorman – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and a home run. Guess how many homers he has. Go ahead! Here’s a hint, people are asking to drop him, but never asking to drop Goldschmidt. Any guesses? He has 18. Oh, sure, Goldschmidt has better counting stats, right? Gorman has more RBIs.

Keibert Ruiz – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and a slam (10) and legs (1). A catcher with a slam and legs? Like Keibert’s brother, Q-Bert would say, “?!*#@*&%!%@”

Hunter Harvey – Hit the IL with a forearm soreness, after his velo was down almost 3 MPH. Nothing to see here! Just your run-of-the-mill OH CRAP. Grab Kyle Finnegan if you need saves.

Spencer Strider – 6 IP, 5 ER, 8 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 3.66. I’m sorry, it is legitimately hilariously one of, if not the best, pitcher in baseball gets rocked by one of the worst teams, at home! No pitchers are safe.

Kolby Allard – 1 2/3 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 6.57. The lesson is be lessin’ your Allard use.

Jake Burger – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 21st homer, and his 2nd homer in two games. Burger casually moseying up to a 35-homer season.

Luis Robert Jr. – 4-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 27th homer. You know where I put Louie Bobby in my top 100 for the 2nd half, but where’s he going to be ranked next preseason? Now it’s time to ask that question. Top 10?

Gavin Williams – 5 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners (4 BBs), 4 Ks, ERA at 3.94. This was a particularly tough matchup in Texas, so props to not getting completely trounced. We don’t like trouncings. With that said, I’d double check Streamonator for Gavin before leaving him in my lineup.

Shane Bieber – Hit the IL with elbow inflammation. Oh, that ol’ nugget. Less a gold nugget and more a turd nugget. Imagining you hearing about Bieber’s elbow inflammation and thinking, “Is that a gold nugget or turd nugget? Ugh, I have to wait until Monday to find out from Grey.” It’s why I’m here. Clearly, this is awful news, and I’d project him for less than 40 IP the rest of the way.

Steven Kwan – 4-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 3rd homer. Nearly made Kwan a sell last Friday, but figured he couldn’t get anything in a trade. Would’ve made sense if I said Sell, because that would’ve gave me nearly a perfect Sell record for guys who homered this weekend with Bryce, Kwan, and Semien going dong.

Tanner Bibee – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 3.32. I regret to inform myself I might’ve moved on from Bibee too soon. Ugh, yup, premature rosterbation, speaking of which…

Marcus Semien – 1-for-2, 3 runs and his 12th homer. Semien dotting the seats.

Andrew Heaney – 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 4.43. Whenever Heaney pitches well, I side-eye his start, wondering what his ulterior motives are. Does he want me to start him next time out so he can throw 3 IP, and 5 ER? That bastard!

Aroldis Chapman – 1 IP, 0 ER, ERA at 2.10, and his 3rd save on Saturday, as Will Smith worked the 7th inning, then Will Smith (1 IP, 0 ER, ERA at 2.83) got his 16th save on Sunday. Uh-oh, that’s almost as bad for Will Smith as Hancock. Know why they called it Hancock? Because when they saw a rough cut they made a jerking off motion. Give that movie four of four Semiens. Any hoo! Aroldis could get the next save or Smith. Don’t think it’s clear yet, but this bodes better for Chapman than it does for Smith. Bochy said he’ll play matchups, which is kinda hilarious because they’re both lefties. If only Bochy’s head was slightly bigger for smart stuff, but then he wouldn’t be able to get it through door frames.