Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, began yesterday, and Brad Ausmus, the Tigers manager who doesn’t believe in a manger, started atoning for his mistakes, by sending the Tigers closer, Bruce Rondon, home due to a lack of effort.  This sends an interesting message.  I’d guess, with a motorized scooter and knee-bypass surgery, Victor Martinez still wouldn’t be at 100% effort.  Kyle Lobstein and Randy Wolf wouldn’t be at 100% effort with a pitching machine standing next to them as they mimed throwing.  Shoot, I don’t know if Miggy was at 100% effort even in his Triple Crown season.  Also, what does this say about Ausmus?  That he’s managing a team in last place, but he’s coaching at 100% effort?  Wouldn’t he be better off pretending he was at, say, 60% effort?  How about this, “I sent Rondon home because he was at 40% effort.  I lead by example around here, and I demand everyone give 50 to 55% effort, as I do.  What?  You thought I was at 100% effort and we’re in last place?  Please!”  Alex Wilson is the likely replacement closer, maybe Neftali Feliz also sees some saves, but he blew one last night.  Then, in Kansas City, Greg Holland let the entire organization off easy by saying he had a tight elbow and is done for the year.  This saves everyone from calling for Wade Davis to close while berating and belittling Holland worse than a tourist who doesn’t smoke pot and hates windmills.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Daniel Norris – 5 IP, 0 ER, 0 baserunners, 4 Ks.  Yes, he was lifted during a perfect game.  You know why?  Cause he was only at 97%!  Him being pulled with a perfect game is a better illustration of why I wouldn’t own him this year than any I could give you.  Plus, I can’t draw worth a shizz.

Jose Quintana – 7 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks.  This is funny (not funny).  His ERA this year is 3.38 in 197 1/3 IP.  His ERA in four years and 727 IP is 3.49.  Yet, he’s still not owned in your league.  Will be like that next year too.

Omar Infante – Has a Grade 1 oblique strain.  From WebMD, “A Grade 1 strain occasionally pees itself and needs to take a nap around midday.”

Felix Hernandez – Expects to make his next start.  Here’s hoping he doesn’t hurt his elbow further.  Paid for by the campaign to get Felix Hernandez overdrafted next year.

Hisashi Iwakuma – 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 3.67.  On my Facebook timeline, I have a picture of Hisashi plus a bowl of dashi and then two Slurpee cups but I’ve scribbled out the “ee” in each with MS Paint.  I’ve changed my wifi password to “slurpSLURP!”  When I talk in the first person from now on, I will say, “I dot dot dot wakuma.”  On the reallies, is it me or has Hisashi had two amazing starts this year and then a bunch of bleh?

Robinson Cano – 2-for-4, 4 RBIs and his 18th and 19th homers.  If he ends the year with 19 homers, I bet he’ll be drafted three rounds later than if he finishes the year with 20.  I have no way to prove this, so I’m right, of course.

Jesus Montero – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer.  My sixth sense says I see dead-to-me prospects.

Brad Miller – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer.  Do I smell a 2016 sleeper?  Greek chorus, “NOOOOOO!”

Kyle Seager – 1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 25th homer, hitting .276.  Is there a more underrated player?  Yeah, prolly, but Seager is one, as well.

Pablo Sandoval – Remained out of the lineup on Tuesday.  He was dealing with a fever over the weekend.  For the record, that was the only time this year he got hot.

Travis Shaw – 3-for-3, 2 RBIs, hitting near-.400 in the last week.  Hot schmotato alert!

Mikie Mahtook – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 5th homer.  Recently, I was surprised to find out that not a lot of people know Mikie Mahtook is included in a New Jersey nursery rhyme like “Sally sells seashells.”  It goes, “Mikie Mahtook took my token to Hoboken to see Carlo’s cannoli cookies, but they were eaten by JWoww and Snookie.”

Matt Moore – 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 7 Ks.  Now with back-to-back solid starts, but goes to Toronto next and I wouldn’t touch him with a nine-foot pole that has twelve one-inch straws attached to its end.

Adam Jones – Out yesterday due to back spasms.  Just go to City Hall and have them change your name to Spasm Jones.

Ubaldo Jimenez – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners (5 BBs), 5 Ks.  Fun fact!  Ubaldo is also the name of the least successful barber in Spain.

Gio Gonzalez – 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 3.94.  Go back and look at my blurb on Quintana, then come back and look at Gonzalez’s ERA.  Yup.

Jacob deGrom – Likely to return on Sunday.  I have a new idea on how to solve the Mets rotation problems.  They’re already paying Bobby Bonilla a million dollars this year, so just have him start a few games.

Logan Verrett – 5 IP, 4 ER vs. the Braves.  It takes some bad luck to give up that many runs to the Braves, but, unless you’re in a Benjamin Netanyahu league with xFIP, it doesn’t matter.

David Wright – 2-for-4 and his 4th homer.  He also notched his 12th RBI.  I’m gonna guess every fantasy baseball ‘pert who did projections went over on Wright’s projections and missed out on the Showcase Showdown.

Hector Olivera – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer.  He was also a big winner at the Emmys with Frances McDormand’s searing portrayal of Hector Olivera Kitteridge.

Jace Peterson – 1-for-3 and his 6th homer.  He’s looked like Nadir Bupkis for the last few weeks, so this could be the start of something, but for now I’d just watch him like a cyclops with a monocle.

Matthew Wisler – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks.  Wisler’s a streamer, but, on a more general note, someone should research if offense goes up in August and steadily cools down in September.  It feels that way, and, anecdotally, it would make sense.  Teams are still fighting in August, then they call up rookies in September and throw in the towel like Rocky should’ve for Apollo.

Carlos Beltran – 2-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 17th homer.  You can’t wait until Fox spends ten minutes of their playoff broadcast talking about how great Beltran is.  You know you can’t.  As for now, he has two homers in the past four games, but hitting just over .200 in the past week, so there’s that.

Greg Bird – 2-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 10th homer.  No, I have no idea why you haven’t picked him up, either.  Afraid of success like your mom says?  Maybe.

Luis Severino – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 3 Ks .  Hopefully, you gambled on him and knew when to hold him as he pitched in (Kenny) Rogers Centre.  The Stream-o-Nator loves his next start, and I agree.

Kevin Pillar – 3-for-3 and a slam (11) and a double helping of legs (21, 22).  Here’s a guy that people are gonna look at his 2015 stats and think, “A cheap Pollock in the last rounds?  That sounds racist and I like it!”  Then they’ll get to April 15th and be like, “Why did I draft Pillar?”

Dioner Navarro – 1-for-5 and his 5th homer, his 2nd game in a row with a homer.  For Navarro, it’s now becoming a regular Ritual de lo Habitual!  Dioner doesn’t play every day, but obviously he’s hot if you can platoon him.

Michael Brantley – Left yesterday’s game with a shoulder injury.  The Indians are saying all the right things, he’s day-to-day, he’ll be fine, call us the Cleveland Native Americans, but at this time of the year, anything can cause guys to be shut down.

Robbie Ray – 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks.  Would’ve been a nice stream if you had the trouser apples.  Stream-o-Nator hates his next start, but it’s in Petco and I have to question the all-knowing robot on that one.

Paul Goldschmidt – 2-for-4 and his 30th homer.  Au Shizz!

A.J. Pollock – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 18th homer.  Pollock’s really helping you *pinkie to mouth* Polish up that championship trophy!

Brandon Drury – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 1st homer.  He also had three hits the game before, so he could be starting to heat up.  Plus, when you say his last name, you sound drunk.

Nick Ahmed – 1-for-3, 1 run and two hits on Monday night.  #IstandwithNickahmed

Danny Salazar – 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks.  Not bad, but this was against the Twins and I wanted golden goose eggs like Veruca Salt.

Ervin Santana – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks.  I streamed him in one league where I have a huge lead, which also happens to be the RCL where I’m beating J-FoH, Sky, Rudy, JayWrong, JB, Prospect Mike, Tehol and a host of others (like five others).  *blows on knuckles, rubs knuckles on shirt, realizes I had tomato sauce on my knuckles*  Damn!

Glen Perkins – 1 IP, 0 ER and a perfect eighth inning in a save situation.  I’m sure at some point Perkins will get the closer job back, but, for now, obviously, interjection, it’s still Jepsen’s job, as he recorded his 13th save.

Aaron Hicks – 2-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI.  I love the smell of schmotatoes in the morning.

Carlos Gomez – Still has no timetable to return.  His Siri said, “I have iCal open, Carlos, just tell me which day you’re thinking.”

Chris Carter – 1-for-3 and his 20th homer, hitting .187.  That’s also the police radio code for his dead batting average.

Marwin Gonzalez – 1-for-2 and his 11th homer.  Fun fact!  Marwin was supposed to be Marvin, but the maternity ward nurse made a typo.

Lance McCullers – 7 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 9 Ks and 111 pitches.  Stream-o-Nator hates his next start, but in Safeco it doesn’t scare me.  Maybe because safe is in the name.

Albert Pujols – 2-for-4 and his 36th homer.  The guy who bet five dollars that Pujols retired with no fanfare in August owes someone a Lincoln.

Jay Bruce – 1-for-4 and his 25th homer.  Extremely iffy season, but at least he’s riding one of those patented hot streaks when it matters.  Surfboard.  Surfboard.

John Lackey – 7 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 2.74.  The Kyle Seager of pitchers?

Tyson Ross – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 11 Ks, ERA at 3.17.  Considering how much you hated him from time to time this year, I’d say you should be pretty happy with his end results.

Cory Spangenberg – 2-for-3 and his 4th homer and 2nd homer in two games.  Doesn’t Cory Spangenberg sound like it would be a celebrity’s real name?  Cory Spangenberg, or as his fans know him, Dr. Phil, could be starting to heat up.  Worth grabbing if desperate or if a fan of Dr. Phil.

Brandon Belt – Will visit a concussion specialist today.  Hopefully, it’s not on an island with Dr. Morneau.

Aramis Ramirez – Left yesterday’s game with groin tightness.  At his age, that sounds like a positive.

Wilin Rosario – 2-for-3 and his 6th homer.  I streamed him for this game (though I dropped Navarro who also homered).  How did Unkie Grey know to stream Wilin?  I’m a witch.  And he was playing in Coors.

Nolan Arenado – Did a faceplant and left the game with a possible concussion.  I just had a twenty-minute cry.  Okay, okay, I’m back.  Initial concussion tests showed no concussion, but we need a prayer octagon.  Immediately!   I’m a wreck!

Jonathan Lucroy – Won’t catch again in 2015.  His offseason job in Pike Place Market is also in jeopardy.

Jake Arrieta – 9 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 11 Ks, ERA at 1.88 and his 20th victory.  Nothing to say on Arrieta for fantasy; you know him.  But on a real world note, can he squeeze out the Cy Young?  Or is it Greinke’s already?

Mitch Moreland – 3-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 23rd homer, and his 4th homer in the last eight days.  Yes, you should grab him for power.  Yes, as in now.

Barry Zito – Will start Saturday vs. Tim Hudson.  Also, Mark Mulder will be on hand before the game to honor the “Big Three.”  The producers of Moneyball are putting the celebration together.  They’re calling it, “Deleted Scenes.”

Tom Koehler – 5 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners, 5 Ks vs. the Phils. That is the new blech.

Miguel Rojas – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 1st major league homer.  He’s also hitting near-.450 in the last week.  No, it won’t last long, but there’s not long left.

Darin Ruf – 1-for-5 and his 9th homer.  I wonder if Erik Kratz walks around the clubhouse singing, “I rock rough and tough with Darin Ruf!”  Deep Thoughts with Grey Albright.

Cody Asche – 3-for-4, 3 runs and his 10th and 11th homer.  Now has four homers in his last ten games.  Do I smell a 2016 sleeper?!  Suddenly, a foot of God steps down, smushing me.

Maikel Franco – Doubtful to return this season.  Halleberrylujah!

Ryan Howard – Also, unlikely to return.  Fredberrylujah!

273 Comments
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FrankGrimes
FrankGrimes
7 years ago

Guess it my fault taking Kubler chance
but FUCK YOU Familia!

Chicken Dinner
Chicken Dinner
7 years ago

I’m going to love how late I get Yelich next year.

AlphaaQ
AlphaaQ
7 years ago

starting matz vs cinncy with confidence?

John
John
7 years ago

Grey, in a roto keeper league, how would you rank these guys?

Scherzer
Bumgarner
Tulo
Rendon
Blackmon
Carlos Gonzalez
Carrasco
Harper
Bryant

Also, if you were able to keep up to 5 players, would you go for the best batters or would you include some pitching (mad max or bumgarner or both)

John
John
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey:

Gracias amigo

Running Frog
Running Frog
7 years ago

This site is the best. It really is. I have spent the season living in China, and Razzball has kept me feeling like I am in touch with baseball even though I have literally not seen a single game.

Open question to all (but especially the gurus):

How many serious leagues are you in each season? And how many of those are full redraft vs keepers?

I’m in two “serious” leagues this year. But I also do 5 or 6 free ESPN leagues each year, mostly as research and to test offbeat strategies. I win 70% of those leagues, because let’s be honest, you’re playing against 6 or 7 tombstones in every one of them. Guys join ten leagues in April and are only active in 2 or 3 by July, giving up on every team that isn’t winning.

How many “serious” leagues are you guys in?

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  Running Frog
7 years ago

@Running Frog: I can max out at 3 or 4, you should play RCL’s for fun next year

griff
griff
7 years ago

I’m assuming it is fairly safe to ditch Braun at this point, correct?

SF
SF
7 years ago

Would you stream Corbin @ LA or Conley @ PHI?

Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Reply to  SF
7 years ago

@SF: conley is vs PHI, not @, even better.

SF
SF
Reply to  Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
7 years ago

@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: So true. Thanks!

Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
7 years ago

playoff time, one win and it’s money time, 2 wins and it’s bigger money time. i have all of these starts left with a decent lead in ERA and whip, 17 lead in K’s and have a bigger bullpen, 3-0 in wins, 0-1 in losses.
smyly @ BOS
fatolo vs ATL
stroman vs NYY
peavy @ SD
matz @ CIN
thor @ CIN
hammel vs PIT
liriano @ CUBS
price vs TB

OPP has
porcello vs TB
bumgarner @ SD
gallardo @ HOU
carrasco @ KC
ERV @ DET (for some reason he benched ERV yesterday, it was great)
Gio vs PHI
With all of that, bench smyly (or maybe peavy, but @ SD seems great) or not?

Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Reply to  Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
7 years ago

@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: same league, gotta bench one of
pham vs finnegan
conforto vs williamses P
burns vs colby
canha vs colby
Pham is probably too crazy hot to bench, but i need steals and runs the most.

2. could drop burns for inciarte if his injury curtails his steals.

Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: play ender over conforto?

Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Reply to  Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
7 years ago

@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: woah, i thought today was greinke vs ARI, now it’s frias and chips. gotta go not bench david peralta.

Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Aubrey Plaza's Pillow
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: he’s in today, looking to bench somebody to get a lead in steals. could’ve been pham, but way too hot there, maybe canha.

Corey
Corey
7 years ago

In a 12-team redraft league chasing steals and runs… is it time to cut loose Freddie Freeman and Adam Jones and stream hitters w/ + matchups?

Love you, Gray!

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
7 years ago

Good old Yogi.

It’s never happened before, and it hasn’t happened since.

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Can’t be many players (if any) who were as well-known as he was by non-baseball people.

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
Reply to  SteveNZ
7 years ago

@SteveNZ: Ruth maybe…

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: I remember going to a Angel game when he was managing or coaching with the yankees and he went out to talk to the pitcher and the stadium exploding with cheers in the middle of a game. I’ve never seen anything like that before or since.

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Who homered for you?

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Hey – me too!

It’s the FCL though, where my team is crappy so I’m not going to gloat too much about it.

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: So I see. Very nice.

I’m currently third in Original Recipe, but can’t make up much ground I don’t think.

royce! has managed to take enough time out from changing diapers to have a 7.5 point lead over Kid A with me another 6.5 back…

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Just checked his team. Harper, Carpenter, Cespedes, Abreu, Cano. Keuchel, Arrieta.

About all you need to know, right there.

ebudz
ebudz
7 years ago

H2H Points:
Pitcher Scoring: WIN (+3), LOSS (-3), IP (+3), K (+1), BB (-1), SAVE (+3), ER (-2), HIT (-1), NH (+10) PF (+15)

Darn I have 5 pitchers going today but only 4 spots so who is the better start between:

Porcello vs. TB (-1.0)
Peavy @SD (-3.9)

Also are these guys worth starting tomorrow in my championship?

C. Anderson vs. HOU (3.1)
Corbin @LAD (0.8)

Whirlaway
Whirlaway
7 years ago

Hey Grey, great read!

Best MI option for the next week or so?

coughlan (vs MIL, @CIN)
Lowrie (vs TEX @SEA)
gyorko (vs SF, vs ARI)
eugenio suarez (vs NYM, @WAS)
ketel marte (@LAA, vs HOU)
eddie rosario (CLE, @DET)

Take care

stumanji
stumanji
7 years ago

Are we streaming Miley vs TB tomorrow? 8 moves left for championship week (through next sun). Categories are innings pitched, Ks, QS, ERA, WHIP.

Matt
Matt
7 years ago

Hey Grey, do I want Pagan or Canha in dynasty?

Thank you

The People's Strudel
The People's Strudel
7 years ago

Grey,

Great call on Pham recently. Dude has been filling up the stat sheet for me quite nicely. With Alexi seeming to be mired in a slump, which SS do you recommend for the next week and half?

Jedd Gyorko
Jed Lowrie (love me some Jed’s I guess)
Jose Ramirez

Thanks, as always brudda!

Slimbo
Slimbo
7 years ago

Hey grey

In a redraft points league would you drop Corey Dickerson for Pham or Bird?

Thanks

Stickball Al
Stickball Al
7 years ago

We need Paulie to do a article on Yogi Berra who passed away yesterday. One of the greatest all time “Baseballers” and characters of all time. Also a Jersey guy !!! 10 World series championship rings. One for each finger. He’s the Godfather of Baseball ( My nickname for him). Most underrated player of all time. We need to honor “YOGI” “Can we agree to not disagree on this” !!! One of his Yogism’s Cust kaying…

Nitro
Nitro
7 years ago

CC vs Whitesox or T Walker vs LA Angels this week?

Thanks, Shana Tova

J-FOH
J-FOH
7 years ago

Thanks for listing me first in the people you are beating.

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: that’s what I want to hear. tehol, he gets trout and machado and it equates to bupkis? Remind me never to have him handle a sure thing like handing off to win the super bowl. Didn’t someone else get goldy and Donaldson? Who were my first two picks again. Miggy and springer? Yeah I’m a dumbass on draft day and yes this is me talking smack. I’m feisty today. Had to take the truck in for electrical issues. I’m more pissed than a tigers fan over the last 8 weeks.

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: his name rhymes with buy.

Tehol also has kemp bryant and McCann…cust kayin

Am I the only one who knows my opponents? If you don’t know them how do you expect to beat them…unless you have a perfect draft that doesn’t get injured.

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: I try peeping on yours but it was too much roster envy for me to handle.

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: now I know how you felt when you took a leak next to Randy Johnson

I could of given you a better run for your money but I didn’t

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

Im always better in the later rounds.Next year I might team up with Magoo or Magoo and Oaktown to do an NFBC.

Dropping ziegler the day before he took over still haunts me…wait it wouldn’t of mattered

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

we are doing the weekly faab leagues

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

14?

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

9?

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

my drafting should be better this coming year since Ill be doing off season content and keeping my head in the game.

For a little shameless self promotion, I have 153 out of 160 points in the RazzNasty league with Mike. Straight clean sweep of the hitting cats!

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

Injuries suck but you can over come them, or at least lessen them in certain formats if you put in the hard work. Like I said in that link I sent you, I play for pride and I never go down without a fight

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

I hear you on that but the NFBC format you play is such an exercise in depth knowledge and predicting how organizations will handle call ups and injuries. The Sox had Holt this year, who as a utility guy can play all over and not force the hand as much as others to call up a prospect. Some teams have just flat out bad benches and can be great opportunities to get a good call up guy. Then you have some that are just poor in every way possible. At least that is how I see it as an outsider. I dont see why they do it that way, its almost as luck oriented as H2H, but at least in H2H you can be average all year and win it all if you make the right plays at the end…kinda like real baseball…blahball

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

Thats funny, the only of those three I wanted to own this year was wheeler. With Sunday Santana that is a total luck play but damn it feels good to be a lucky gangsta

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

I had an irrational fear of the Shark staying in the AL and going to a hitters park. Either way, better luck next year

Teddy Heater
Reply to  J-FOH
7 years ago

@J-FOH: I shot you a response, but it wasn’t until the morning and I doubt you saw it;

Thanks Buddee!! Better late than never. I was waiting for you to comment so I could tell you TY for kicking my ass in football this week and THANK YOU for suggesting me to Sky. I really enjoyed writing this up, I ran out of gas after MI, but now I know how to pace myself. I’ll tell you what, it makes me really appreciate what everyone does day in and day out! I was telling SKy I placed on both lineups last night, if that Was game doesn’t get rained out I’ve got lots of fifty dolla bill!! I wasn’t feeling the Golden Archer yesterday, but EJ dealt, too bad I rostered Gio instead. I’m over these effin rain outs, II came in 3rd for an Angels contest on Friday, Hicks and Dozier got rained out in Min. I’m swearing off any games with 20% rain. Viva EL SOL!

J-FOH
J-FOH
Reply to  Teddy Heater
7 years ago

@Teddy Heater: glad you enjoyed writing and I’m glad I beat you too. I’ll look at your idp tram and throw some suggestions for you. I’ve been too busy to even pay attention to my own outside of fixing my auto draft.

It’s a grind to do these writeups. I do two a week and it gets easier the more you do it. I can do creepers in my sleep at this point. Like sky told me when I started. The hardest thing is showing up every week and doing your job but I love what I do so it rarely feels like work. The top 100 was the most tedious thing I’ve done and I never suggest anyone to take that on but it was still fun at times. Now I’m just rambling. Need more coffee

Donthc
Donthc
7 years ago

Pham vs finny or inciarte vs Greinke

Jay_0321
Jay_0321
7 years ago

Greyskull!

I have two moves left and need some W’s and QS without killing my ratios too much. Any idea on who I should grab from the wire? Porcello, Colon, Medlen, CC, Hughes, Fiers, Hendricks, Peavy, Conley. There is a LOT of SP on the wire…..

I am starting Lynn and Smyly today.

Sky
Sky
7 years ago

If only I had been around talking fantasy when Randy Wolf was good. I would’ve referred to him as ‘The Horny Lobo’.

Sky
Sky
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

So you got the willies while thinking of Rebecca getting the willy is what you’re saying

SteveNZ
SteveNZ
Reply to  Sky
7 years ago

@Sky: You should have been here the day he hit a home run.

Wolfman Jack!

Sky
Sky
Reply to  SteveNZ
7 years ago

Excellent, haha

JJ
JJ
7 years ago

Hey Grey,

who do you like best of these streamers this week
Thurs
W.MILEY vs TB
J.COSART vs PHI
C.ANDERSON @ MIN
K.GIBSON vs CLE

Friday
R.DE LA ROSA @ SD
A.HEANEY vs SEA(might be Sat?)
R.HILL vs BAL

Sat
B.HAND vs ATL
K.GAUSMAN @ BOS
T.HUDSON @ OAK(b.zito)
J.NIESE @ CIN
J.LAMB vs NYM
K. MEDLEN vs CIN

Sun
J.CHACIN @ SD
U.JIMENEZ @ BOS

Thanks

JJ
JJ
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey:
Sorry to be annoying but If you could only take one each day…

JJ
JJ
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey:
Thanks Grey

Fusa
Fusa
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: which one of those 4?

Fusa
Fusa
7 years ago

Cron vs fiers
Khris Davis vs Hendricks
Upton vs peavy
Pham vs finnegan
Jones vs sherzer
Which two sit

LadyScorpio
LadyScorpio
7 years ago

Hey Grey,

Great daily note as always! You forgot to mention that Happ won his start vs COL. Maybe someone else in the comments thread mentioned it. He got 8Ks, 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP & 8.00 K/BB. I started him in both of my leagues. Helped me pitching wise, but both my offenses had a SLOW night at the office. Still in 1st place in 1 league, behind 1st by 1 point in the other. STILL pushing to finish 1st in both!!

Thanks for your time and advice! Both are GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
LadyScorpio
(1 of 5 female Razzball readers and proud of it!!!)

Limit
Limit
7 years ago

You think arenado sits today?
Move rendon to third start deshields vs dubront at second.
And put cron vs fiers at util

If I do that I can’t reinsert arenado if he plays since I’m starting cron

Eric
Eric
7 years ago

Hey Grey,

I have one more pickup left for the week – gotta make it count. Need some pitching stats. (6×6, QS)

I’m liking Jarred Cosart at home vs Phillies – sweet matchup, plus he’s going against Alec Asher, who’s gotten rocked in each of his four starts this year. What do you think?

Or would you rather any of these this week?
CC vs. ChiSox
Erasmo @Bos
Cody Anderson @Min

Thanks!

Corey
Corey
7 years ago

Two teams in my H2H league who stopped setting their lineups months ago made it into the playoffs. One of them is in the semi-finals.

I keep trying to think of new rules to institute for next year to stop this from happening… Because it’s not fair to the other teams… Because it desecrates the integrity of the game…

…But mostly, I just don’t want to acknowledge that fantasy baseball can be easily won by someone who pretty much forgot he was even in a league while I’m out here Razzballing every day.

Corey
Corey
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: I agree – that will have to be instituted next year. A shame you can’t do anything about the offense, though.

FKA Ralph
FKA Ralph
Reply to  Corey
7 years ago

@Corey: kick them out of the league. It is supposed to be fun, and if they don’t have fun playing they shouldn’t be in a league.

NoOneWhoMatters
NoOneWhoMatters
7 years ago

Experimental results yesterday (started 8 pitchers, most of them streamers, because I was only six innings away from the cap, and I wanted to get the most out of Arrieta’s final start of the year):

48.1 IP, 46 K, 3.54 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 1 W, 0 SV

I’m still up by 14 W and 31 SV, so I’m not too worried about those numbers. The strikeouts, however, matter. This league is going down to the wire.

That’s our science experiment for the week!

Derek
Derek
7 years ago

I just grabbed Stroman on the wire…I currently plan to keep Sonny Gray as my keeper SP. Would you rather have Gray, Stroman and Trout as my keepers or Gray, Trout and A.Rizzo?

Wilsonian
Wilsonian
Reply to  Derek
7 years ago

@Derek: Rizzo, without question.

EA
EA
7 years ago

Really trying to figure out what to do with Harvey. I’m in the first week of my 2 week championship matchup. Think he will get another start?

EA
EA
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Hm… Stroman is really the only other option that would be a QS guy. Leake or Ervin, Maybe?

CMUTimmah
CMUTimmah
7 years ago

Am I the only one who thinks Arrieta has made more than “just a case” for the NL CY?

20 wins (1st), 1.88 ERA (2nd), 4 CGs, 3 SOs, and a no hitter! Hasn’t missed a quality start since MAY!

Pretty nice resume, arguably as good as Greinke’s. Both on winning teams… I’m too lazy to see if Greinke has hit the showers with the lead as many times as Arrieta, but I know since May Arrieta has only left the game without holding the lead 2 times in 18 starts…

Good question: Today, if you had to pick one of these two pitchers to pitch game 7 of the world series, who do you take? Greinke might get my nod because of experience, but if we removed that, Arrieta is the hotter pitcher going at least 8 innings in each of his last 5 starts allowing a total of 2 earned runs… tough call.

John
John
7 years ago

I have Calhoun and Dickerson in my OF for this week h2h semis. Calhoun been bit cold still productive, angels have thur off and everyday counts but i like the random pop he has, i need power. Dickerson at home but tomo faces a lefty and has been benched every other day or so!! Should I dump 1 or both these guys for OF that play thur and maybe little hotter?

Choo faces bassitt then top 3 HOU arms and 2 are lefties….uggh
D Peralta getting warm again go figure faces kershaw then plays at petco
Calhoun faces PHI this weekend
J Harrison pitt been roling play in colorado thur then faces lester arrietta not sure he starts?
Conforto?? cooled a bit but good month in CIN all weekend bats bit deep in order INTERESTING
Pagan maybe not so much power but hotttplays in OAK all weekend uggh
Dickerson, at home big but may not start each day and will face grienke i believe
Melky at yankee stadium all rest of week that could be INTERESTING also kinda meh LOL
Alex rios, getting warmed up faces indians and some tough pitching this weekend
Mahtook in the rogers centre HMMM

After doing these notes looks like i should probably keep Calhoun but up for any ideas? Should i swap one out for Dickerson and who top 1-2 choices

CMUTimmah
CMUTimmah
Reply to  John
7 years ago

@John: I think you have to start Calhoun against Philly pitching… but it’s a tough call.

At this stage in the game, I go with talent and don’t over think matchup… but that might not be your mindset.

John
John
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: I’m going with Calhoun but what about Dickerson?? Hold or go w one above. Conforto is the one facing Phillies if that was the confusion?? Need one more bat?

Fred Garvin MP
Fred Garvin MP
Reply to  John
7 years ago

@John: Calhoun does not face the Phillies in the remaining games, if that factors into your decision.

John
John
Reply to  Fred Garvin MP
7 years ago

@Fred Garvin MP: Geez i messed that one up still smae diff tho, conforto has CIN all weekend @CIN!! S still liking that or other idea is Melky warming up at yankee stadium?

Pine Tar Incident
Pine Tar Incident
7 years ago

Ugh, fighting to the death in the championship week in my H2H. A few injury questions:

Britton is day-to-day with a strained lat. Roster is too tight to have him and O’Day. Bump him for O’Day with 5 days left in the “season”

Also, I won’t know if Arenado is starting when the rosters freeze today. Think they will give him a day with the concussion? Can slide Sano in there and then put someone else at utility.

Pine Tar Incident
Pine Tar Incident
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Thanks! And thanks for the original Arenado advice, he’s been prettaaaay prettaay prettaaay good this year.

Fever Dog
Fever Dog
7 years ago

10-team, h2h, 5×5

sp-kershaw, c mart, Alex wood, gio, Kennedy, syndergaard, DeScalafini, smyly, Fiers

Rp-Britton, melancon, Pomeranz

Hey Grey,

Is Pomeranz okay to drop for streaming purposes? I have three or four more starts this week than my opponent so I might not even need to stream. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Fever Dog
Fever Dog
Reply to  Fever Dog
7 years ago

@Fever Dog: Also just found out about Britton. Drop him for O’Day or should I just fuck the saves in the mouth and stream SPs. I only have four moves lest for this championship week.

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

Wow, even with expanded rosters, KC is going to run out of schmoes to put in instead of Dyson.

Tracy
Tracy
7 years ago

Thanks for another great season of advice. I am battling for the championship in my 10 team H2H league. I need three streamers who have the best chance of getting a QS without hurting the ratios too much. Here are my choices [with opponent and SON]:

CC Sabathia-CHA 9.3
RA Dickey-TB -2.7
Shoemaker-SEA 3.2
Lamb-NYM 1.2
Medlan-CLE -4.1
Warren-CHA -2.0
[email protected] -7.4

I could also use a power bat for the rest of the week; who do you like best among Mahtook, Pham, Bird and Moustakes for R, HR and RBI’s?

Thanks again, and good luck to all of your teams.

Tracy
Tracy
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Thanks. Any thoughts on the batters?

Teddy Heater
7 years ago

BFF,
1. Arrieta is unreal. Tip of the cap for being on him and Nado. This feels like 2013 when I had Crush and Mad Max. Needless to say I mopped the floor with everyone and with a little luck I’ll finish out this year on top!

2. RIP the LATE GREAT YOGI BERRA!!!

Old School Brother
Old School Brother
Reply to  Teddy Heater
7 years ago

@Teddy Heater: RIP Yogi

Meizy
Meizy
7 years ago

Is Tyson Ross pitching on Sunday or next Tuesday? If he’s not pitching Sunday I will dump him for a streamer….Thanx

Wilsonian
Wilsonian
7 years ago

Drop any of Werth, Myers, Longoria for Moreland, Pillar, Domingo?

8 Team H2H – H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBPS

j-mo
j-mo
7 years ago

Please rank my batty call options for tomorrow:

Polanco v. Bettis (@COL)
Bogarts v. Erasmo
Shaw v. Erasmo
Pham v. Jungman

Randy Bobandy
Randy Bobandy
7 years ago

Not panic time yet as we’re only 2 days into the week (hitters doing nothing thus far, 1-27 last night) but, have to be selective with my starters.

Stroman vs NYY? I’m thinking bench, but will go with Kluber @Min as he owns them this season (1.38 ERA in 26 IP)

Evgeni Eckhart
Evgeni Eckhart
7 years ago

Good to hear you’re not afraid of Safeco, Ventura’s starting today for my team then!

Still battling with 1 of:
Bradley Jr vs. Smyly (-$1.4)
Beltran @ Stroman ($8.0)
Byrd @ Cashner ($-13.6)

I guess it’s Beltran.

Evgeni Eckhart
Evgeni Eckhart
Reply to  Grey
7 years ago

@Grey: Merci beaucoup

Matt
Matt
7 years ago

yo grey.
do I start Lance Lynn today vs the Redlegs.
hes been struggling of late but hes pitching against the stinking reds. whats your take

Chad
Chad
7 years ago

Should I hold Carlos Gomez for next week in a H2H league or cut bait to stream another SP?(Sabathia, Doubront, Heaney avail). I am streaming Harrison and Choo in his place while he sits.

CMUTimmah
CMUTimmah
Reply to  Chad
7 years ago

@Chad: Cut bait… he hasn’t been that good when he played… why hold the roster spot?

bird?
bird?
7 years ago

Thanks for all ur hard work all season and for providing awesome tools for us!

Kinda tired of watching CDick sit so much. Could use some popin OPS H2H league for the stretch run. Bird or Moreland or Phamily? Thanks!

Matty
Matty
7 years ago

Thanks for the great season so far.
Nothing against your football content, but I miss this in the offseason.
Who do you like better for H2H playoffs; Piscotty or Bird?

Mike
Mike
7 years ago

Grey! thanks for the write up.

Which streamer would you pick up for today? I’ve already got Hendricks going against the Brewers, and now i’m trying to decide between Lynn (who i’ve owned all year and got burned by thrice now), Cashner vs SF and Conley against the Phillies.

thanks!

Clyde Prompto
Clyde Prompto
7 years ago

Come on now, nobody is monstrous enough to not smoke pot AND hate windmills.

Elliot
Elliot
7 years ago

What do you think about Conley vs PHI today? He was electric his last time out and this is the Phillies here.

Old School Brother
Old School Brother
Reply to  Elliot
7 years ago

@Elliot: I’m streaming him and I also made managerial decisions that got me to the world series twice, so I think I know what I’m talkin bout here. Stream away

Hack-E
Hack-E
7 years ago

Hendricks vs MIL (17.4). Scale of 1-10, how confident are you tonight? In my H2H championship and I’m very nervous about WHIP/ERA but a WIN would be big

I know you’ve mentioned Hendricks’ decent peripherals through the season but he seems to be blahh lately

Thanks, only in the ship bc of your help

Ante GALIC
Ante GALIC
7 years ago

Grey!

Good work. You get my two thumbs up.

a. Saw that Adam Jones was being fined 35k. At first I says for what? Sucking, underperforming or having a balky (still haven’t used Balky’s hallowed name on my resume)? Seems a bit small for that. Then I saw it was for Pacman Jones for that helmet violation. Another douchy Adam Jones

WThothot
WThothot
7 years ago

If one had big enough fish waffles to start Happ @ Colorado last night, should one hold him for St. Louis next Monday?

10 starts left, currently holding 5 SPs:
T. Ross vs. Ari, @ LAD
Carrasco @KC, vs. Min
Salazar @KC, vs. Boston
Colon vs. ATL, @ Phily
Happ vs. STL

Should I replace/subsidize any of these starts with streamers?

Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado
7 years ago

Down to the last two transactions I can make in the H2H Finals! Giddy up! Which 2 ya got Grey? I agree with you the streamonator is missing on Ray in Petco.

Rich Hill v. BAL
Ray @ SD
C Anderson @ MIN
Paxton @ KC
Gausman @ BOS

And keep that prayer octagon rolling for me!!

Chuckles Tiddlesworth
Chuckles Tiddlesworth
Reply to  Nolan Arenado
7 years ago

Hey Nolan, big fan of your work. I picked up Ray for his two-start week … and read this morning that ARZ’s going to a six-man rotation. So, no start @SD.

Manley Ramirez
Manley Ramirez
7 years ago

Worth grabbing if desperate or if a fan of Dr. Phil –> aren’t these one in the same?