I wonder if Jake Smolinski had a sister that put out in high school. I could’ve swore I hooked up with an Eva Smolinski after her friend Dawn rejected me. Were my Cavariccis cuffed a little too high for you, Dawn? My B.U.M. Equipment sweatshirt too faded? I still hate you! Well, enough about me! *smacks self* Get a grip, man! Smolinski is hitting .408, and crushing pink cookies in a plastic bag since his call up, going 4-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI yesterday. The Rangers are like a prisoner with a life sentence (no offense to some of our readers; I believe you’re innocent!). Rangers have nothing but time on their hands to play their guys. Is Smolinski anything but a hot schmotato? God, no, but no one is this late in the year. I’d grab him if you need a hot bat, and who doesn’t? Dawn apparently! Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Ron Washington – Announced that he resigned from the Rangers due to his infidelity to his wife. It’s not infidelity if you’re selling your body for drugs. Everyone knows that.
Rougned Odor – 2-for-5, 1 run. Smolinski and Odor sound like they go together like pees and poops. Hey, Odor, Smellinski you later!
Ryan Rua – 2-for-4, 1 RBI. Fun fact! Rua drives baristas crazy at Starbucks when he’s spelling his name by adding an ellipsis. “R-U-A…WHAT?! I quit!” That’s a barista losing it.
Sonny Gray – 5 IP, 4 ER, ERA up to 3.28. Around this time last year, the A’s team anthem was Doing the Bernie. This year it’s Self-Destruction by the Stop the Violence Movement. Best supergroup ever? Tight race between them and The West Coast Rap All-Stars. My boy, Sonny, is obviously limping to the finish line and I’d drop him even if he gets a potentially resting Angels club next time out.
Shane Greene – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks and really looking forward to Rosh Hashanah! Oh, wait, that’s Shawn Green. Unless Shane converted for the jokes. Stream-o-Nator doesn’t love Greene’s next start and I could go either way on it, since the O’s might be in playoff-mode, which is to say not playing.
Derek Jeter – 2-for-4 and his 4th homer. Know why a 40-year-old guy who has four homers has started every day even though he hasn’t been good in years? Re2pect. R-E-Two-P-E-C-T!
R.A. Dickey – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 3 Ks. His ERA is down to 3.82, which would’ve been awesome in 1998, but now that’s like a 5.40 ERA. You suck, Dickey!
Jose Bautista – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 33rd homer. I projected him for 35 homers, so I’m pretty much right again. Handsome and smart? Double threat, Grey. Now lick your finger, touch yourself and listen for the sizzle. Sorry, I’ve been taking these positive thinking courses at the University of Phoenix.
Anthony Rizzo – Missed another game yesterday. Lowercase yay. Glad I put him in my weekly league lineup!
Tsuyoshi Wada – 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA down to 3.22. I’d say I’m so excited about Wada for next year, but I ain’t no Pointer Sister and I’m not that excited. He’s rounding into a Kuroda clone, which is not raycess at all. I mean, he’s safe, but a tad boring. Like an Asian in the sack. Now that is raycess!
Jorge Soler – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, hitting .368. Puig who?! Don’t even say it, Random Italicized Voice. What? I’m busy trying to make heads or tails of The Honorable Woman finale.
Zack Greinke – 5 IP, 4 ER, 10 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA up to 2.76 vs. the Cubs. Weird game to trip him up, and even weirder game to be happening in September. Nice scheduling, MLB, way to pit non-division rivals at each other. Almost as brilliant as the Oakland/Philly series that’s happening this weekend. Nap Lajoie’s Ghost is pounding his bizarrely small glove in anticipation!
Yasiel Puig – 3-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI. Coming on a bit as of late, but, and I’m going off memory here, didn’t he have as many counting stats as he has this year as he had in two months last year?
Juan Uribe – 2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI. Uribe says, “I don’t need no stinkin’ Coors!” I think you mean a skunked beer.
Rusney Castillo – Sat out yesterday, because the Red Sox want to ease him in. He’s not a new pair of shoes or really even a rookie. He’s 27 years old, just play him!
Daniel Nava – 2-for-4. I threw him in the Buy column that’s coming later today, with so many caveats, you’d think I was chewing on Gobstoppers like a baller! Not enough people end sentences with ‘like a baller.’ Just a general observation about society.
Starling Marte – 2-for-4, and his 13th homer. I’m gonna be all in on this schmohawk next year, thinking he can shoot up to a 2nd rounder for 2016. I make hitter rankings, my fans they can’t wait, they write me letters, tell me I’m great.
Gerrit Cole – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA down to 3.85. I’m sure he’ll turn it on at some point in his career, but, from what I’ve seen so far, I’m kinda um-yeah-whatever on him. His next start is decent per the Stream-o-Nator so I would hold him, if I had him.
Danny Salazar – 7 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA down to 4.02. Well, at this point, feel free to keep your ERA over 4 for the season. We don’t need any lookie-loos getting their peepers on Salazar next year.
Michael Bourn – 1-for-5. Briefly had an inside the park home run in the ninth, but according to someone on Twitter the ball got stuck in the wall pudding, and Bourn was called back out for a ground rule double. I’m guessing that person meant wall padding, not pudding, but it’s strange times we live in.
Jose Ramirez – 3-for-6, 2 runs. Somebody’s a .500 hitter (if every game went 13 innings, you messed up, Doubleday).
Jake Marisnick – 2-for-4, 1 RBI and his 11th steal, and 5 steals in the last eleven games. If you need SAGNOF, get to it, young prematurely bald man.
Chad Qualls – 2/3 IP, 0 ER and the blown save. I don’t know, I have Josh Fields tossing the ball to the bullpen catcher on my fantasy team, waiting to get in the game.
Ender Inciarte – 2-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBIs. That’s why I held him for a week? Eff it in the coolie, he’s got three more games in Coors. Let’s see three cherries, slot machine!
Addison Reed – 2/3 IP, 2 ER, and his 6th blown save, moving his record to 1-7 and his ERA to 4.40. Still not as bad as Joe Nathan! Though, he has an outside chance of getting there. Just a wee bit more sucking — that’s what she said never! Huh? Reed should be replaced, but there’s not even anyone worthwhile to replace him and the Diamondbacks don’t see enough saves to make it relevant. Saves ain’t got no face, but Reed’s wearing a Shrek mask with mashed potatoes on his head and looks fugly as hell.
Jordan Pacheco – 2-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBIs. Damn, almost grabbed him for the batty call, but nope. Close but no cigar, as anyone who’s ever stood within five feet of Monica Lewinsky has said for the last 15 years. *Lewinsky steps on an elevator* Frat Guy, “Close but no cigar.” Him and his buddies giggle. She sighs.
Michael Cuddyer – 3-for-5, 3 runs and his 8th homer. He has four homers each at home and on the road, so the splits aren’t killing him. They’re just tearing his hamstrings.
Wilin Rosario – 4-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 12th homer. His bat is starting to heat up, hitting near-.450 in the last week with two homers in the last three games. Just think how long ago his bat would’ve heated up if Weiss didn’t bench him every other game for three months.
Nolan Arenado – Could miss the rest of the season with pneumonia. I’m almost 100% sure Tulo or CarGo was the carrier of the virus. If you jack-hammered under Coors Field, how deep do you have to go before you hit a Native American graveyard? I bet you Larry Walker could find a corpse under there.
Charlie Culberson – 2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI as he started at 3rd base. This drunk– Excuse me, Ynoa, should be starting. but we know Weiss turns his nose up on ‘should.’
Alexi Amarista – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 5th homer, and 2nd in the last three games. Uh-oh, Amarista’s hot! Yes, that’s how bad the Padres are. When you sincerely say one of their hitters is hot, it sounds sarcastic. Try it with someone else, uh-oh, Michael Brantley is hot! Doesn’t sound sarcastic. Now try this, uh-oh, Tommy Medica is hot! See?
Will Venable – 1-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 7th homer. If he can go 15/15 in the last 11 games, he won’t be a bust after all!
Robbie Erlin – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 4 Ks. Am I the only one that wants to put an apostrophe on the end of his last name?
Kyle Lohse – 7 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA down to 3.71. Solid performance as the Brewers fight for a .500 record. Yeah, the playoffs aren’t happening. Gotta set your eyes on realistic goals. The Stream-o-Nator loves Lohse’s next start, and I could see starting him there, definitely worth the gamble.
Shelby Miller – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA down to 3.68. How many of you saw that this game went into extra innings and naturally assumed Rosenthal blew the lead? Oh, don’t lie, y’all did.
Brad Hand – 5 IP, 5 ER. Never again will we have Hand and Dickey throwing so many times on the same day like we did this season, and not one interleague matchup. The Yanks vs. Mets was nice, Selig, but the novelty has worn off, as a nation of easily amused people, we demand a Hand/Dickey matchup.
Gio Gonzalez – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA down to 3.74. Fun (not fun) with ESPN ownership numbers! Gio’s owned in 95% of leagues, Collin McHugh and his 2.66 ERA is owned in 61% of leagues.
Anthony Rendon – 2-for-5, 2 runs and his 16th steal as the regulars returned to the Nats lineup. No one appeared hungover from their clinching celebration. That reminds me of loose stool the day after I drink. Maybe TMI, maybe not. Hard to say.
Taijuan Walker – He gets the Astros today and a lot of sites are saying that he’s a good start. Walker’s thrown 3 1/3 IP since September 1st. How many innings can he throw today? Maybe 6? Likely 5? Possibly 4? I like Taijuan, and not just because his mother’s name is Momjeans, but because his stuff is tremendous, but I’m not risking my fantasy teams on a guy that hasn’t been good all year and hasn’t thrown a full game in weeks.
Logan Morrison – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 9th homer. He’s hitting .500 in the last week, but isn’t playing every day (or as ESPN has on their player notes, “Morrison has lost some at-bats lately to callup Justin Smoke.” Someone’s writing their player notes on an iPhone and victim of the autocorrect. Morrison’s worth grabbing for a hot bat, if you can platoon him.
Felix Hernandez – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 11 Ks. vs. the Angels B Squad, which I believe is a bunch of Clarences. Someone ring a bell.
Josh Hamilton – Shoulder soreness and is having trouble taking deep breaths. Doesn’t sound like he’s going to be participating in any simulated games with Ryan Zimmerman while in the pool.
Jered Weaver – Scratched from Thursday’s start due to Wednesday night’s celebration. It’s taking a lot longer to get the natural sheen look on his mullet after being doused in champagne. Member when celebrations in baseball meant something? Yeah, Selig’s ruined that too. Now teams celebrate clinching the division, winning the wild card, winning the 2nd round of the playoffs whatever that’s called, winning the pennant, winning each game of the World Series and the release of ESPN’s Nudie Issue.
Sonny Gray sucks donkey dick.
@Dominican Power: Ha ha…i agree
@JeF With 1 F: I’ll 3rd that!
@Dominican Power: sophmore campaigns are always tough. He was solid for a good portion of the year. I would still own him next year.
@J-FOH: But he’s so little.
@Dominican Power: Yeah, lousy game yesterday, a 3.28 ERA on the year, isn’t awful…
Did Mookie Betts value for next year just go thru the roof as he’ll have 2B/OF Eligibility.
@Cheffe: All Betts are off…sorry Grey I know thats your line.
@Cheffe: what format. I think in ESPN he needs 20 or 25 starts to get eligibilityfor next year. Is he there yet?
@Cheffe: Average fantasy baseballer doesn’t care about Betts…
@Cheffe: For ESPN he needs 20. For Yahoo he needs 10. Betts has 5, which might qualify for some pay leagues with non-standard settings, but he won’t be MI eligible in most leagues next year (unless he plays a few more games there this year, of course).
@2000 Brain Cells ago: Standard Yahoo uses 5 starts or 10 appearances.
@2000 Brain Cells ago: Has 2B in yahoo currently.
@MooseOutFront:
5 Starts to have 2B on Yahoo next year…
Grey!!
Great stuff. A few comments.
1. Question? Did the MIA Marlins win their game last night? Speak to the HAND!!! Boy, they really fell out of the wildcard race in a hurry since Big Boy Giancarlo’s departure. To think they were 150/1 to win the WS.
2. The Ms are now 20/1 to win the WS, down from 50/1 pre-season. Is it possible to cash in your bet at a reduced rate like 10 cents on the dollar? Just sayin’.
3. Best bet ever? The Angels for the WS. They were 20/1 and are now 5/1 to win. Los doyers are second at 11/2 but I think the pitching will subdue the bats. Let’s see. Greinke better get his act together and Puig is looking rusty or something. Got to get the lineup into playoff mode, Donnie Baseball. It’d be a gr8 series…LAA v. LAD.
4. The biggest failure is of course the Spanks who were 10/1 and are now 100/1 followed closely by the RedSux (14/1) and Rangers (16/1) both eliminated.
5. Lastly, how bad are the Asstros? Not gr8 but they are still 6.5 games AHEAD of the 1969 Rangers. That would be an incredible feat for them, although don’t look now but it was a comfortable 10-game lead only a week ago.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: 1. Ha, yup 2. I would if I could 3. Not sure the Angels were that bad of odds in January, don’t remember… Doesn’t sound right, 20/1 seems high 4. Yeah, Rudy had me bet on the Rangers for him 5. Yup
That was supposed to be a ‘Razz’ bet on the Rangers :)
@Rudy Gamble: you mean like Razz poker (inverse 7 card stud, worst hand is best, ace counts as lowest card, straights don’t exist i.e. ace to 5 lowball (Kansas city lowball)
yup
I in the money 2 years in a row with the Royals. Last year the line was 81 games, and this year was 83 1/2. Looks likes I will be having some Country Breakfast.
@P_Swayze on a Horse: Giddy up!
@P_Swayze on a Horse: Nice!
hey Gray when you mentioned “Nap Lajoie’s Ghost is pounding his bizarrely small glove in anticipation!” didn’t you mean Wee Willie Keeler’s wee little….or did they use little leather mittens back in the gay ’90’s.aita’90s is that when they had the original AIDS epidemic?? Hey no hating here…just saying…I just waned to thank you guys for a GREAT baseball season. I am 7 points up in my NL only 9 team keeper league…with only 2 players left from my original team. (B Crawdaddy & J Upton)….,I survive Henderson being demoted to 2nd fiddle, J Fernandez blowing out his elbow, Segura blowing chunks, Venable not just blowing chunks but spewing them, Shelby Miller walking the world, Marco Estrada pitching like it was FUNGO practice, Haren pitching like a bum, & a plethora of other obstacles….but here it is with like 10 games to go & I am about to win My 1st championship in 14 years & I JUST WANTED TO SAY YOU GUYS ROCK.
@Rabbiyidkid: Nice …Congrats
@Rabbiyidkid: This is the stuff that keeps Grey going, folks. That, and puppies….
@Phil of the Future: That, and the daiquiris. Free is free. But you can’t get direct valuable advice and answerers to most every question asked on a daily basis like this anywhere else. VIVA LA RAZZA!!! (I’m not Hispanic. So if that didn’t make any sense, I’m sorry.)
@Rabbiyidkid: Ha… No problem, nicely done!
Possible streamers tomorrow: Pomeranz v. Phi; Cosart v. Was; House @ Min. Any? Thanks
@JAL: I took House in our finals for my last move of the season. Good luck!
@Streaming Leake: I grabbed House too. Looked good lately, has been good against MIN this year as well.
@JAL: Pomeranz, House, Cosart
@TC: Took Pomeranz. Hoping he/they are hungry. Good luck to all!
@JAL: I wouldn’t start House.
@JAL: House
I need some sweet, sweet SAGNOF for the new few days. Who do I grab?
I would drop Chris Young, NYY
My options:
Jordan Schafer
Nori Aoki
Lorenzo Cain
Jake Marisnick
Thanks for the help this season Grey!
@Elliot:
Oh, I also considered Jimmy Paredes.
@Elliot: Schafer or Cain for SAGNOF. Personal preference is Schafer.
@Elliot: Aoki
Derk Jeter, Dickey Whacker.
@Streaming Leake: Ha
Love the old skool gear/LL Cool J references in this jawn!
@Rob: Thanks!
Derek Jeter hasn’t been good in “years”? 2012 was only 2 years ago and he led the league in hits, and he didn’t play (much) last year. So really he has had 1 bad year. while on the field…Just saying….
@Lee: He sucks…Just sayin
@JeF With 1 F: 8th on the all time career WAR list.. 2 years removed from a 216 hit season. Jef,you’re missing more than an F.
@Ron Swanson’s Stache: He still sucks
@Lee: Oh, boy! Here come the Yankees! Raise the Confederate flag!
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: just giving credit where credit is due. I’m not a Yankees fan. I’m a baseball fan.
@Ron Swanson’s Stache: He Sucks
@Lee: That’s actually 2 bad years
@Lee: is 2 years not “years”? watching him play now even though he has no reason to be started (even over the likes of solarte when he was on NYY) certainly makes it seem longer than 2 years.
@goodfold2: also in all star game, when waino mentioned serving up a pitch, there had to be at least some level of truth in it, OR waino was simply embarrassed by a hitter as bad as jeter now is hitting him so hard. either way it’s entirely indicative of how bad he is now.
Hello Grey,
Like you, I like a lot Arenado, but is he good enough to merit keeper status in a 3 keeper league. My options are:
Stanton, Freeman, Rizzo, Arenado, and Kluber.
I am almost certain to retain the first 3 mentioned players, but please advice your input.
thanks
@Chris: Stanton, Rizzo and Arenado are the keepers there
@JeF With 1 F: Agree with F
@Chris: Agree with others
@Grey: Agree with Grey
Agree with F
@Grey: I believe in us
For a keeper league (talking long-term here), would you prefer Rendon or Freeman? I’m considering making a deal before waiting until February and the other manager inflates the value of his player ten-fold.
@Fish: I think you gotta go Rendon. As much as I love Freddie.
@Fish: Definitely Rendon
@Fish: Rendon
Bite your tongue. Prince Fielder nudies are worth every drop of celebratory champaign.
@Matty: Only not spraying champagne
Those ESPN leagues must be on auto pilot.
Managers and their biases and favorites. Instead of trying out Fields for, say, next year, HOU sticks with Qualls. Weiss benched Dickerson again, against Nuno(?). May sit vs. Miley on Sunday then… WTF.
If you’re COL, wouldn’t you wanna see Dickerson in their more vs. lefties since he should be part of their future? Or maybe he isn’t, and Cuddyer is…
@papasmurf: If Dickerson isn’t a part of their future they are officially braindead from the high altitude.
I agree they should be giving him ABs against lefties but why do something that makes sense?
@papasmurf: Dickerson got 1 AB and guess what happened. He got a hit. “Peanut Man” should not be a manager in MLB.
@papasmurf: Yeah, Weiss is an idiot
FACT OF THE DAY:
You transfer more germs shaking hands than kissing….and my boss thinks its weird that i kiss him hello every morning…hes the weirdo.
@JeF With 1 F: Ha! Nice one.
What about bumping and grinding? Is that a relatively low germ-transfer greeting?
@Phil of the Future: If you didn’t pay for it, it is
@JeF With 1 F: Haha
A Joe Walsh reference!
@William: Yup
@Grey: Beat to the punch by William! I was going to say something snappy like “Lucky you’re sane after all you’ve been through, everybody say’s you’re cool (he’s cool!)… it must be tough to handle this fortune and fame, everybody’s so different, you haven’t changed!”
As a side note, maybe you should have a daily contest for whomever can catch the hidden movie or song reference first in the comments. Not sure what the prizes can be. Autographed moustache poster? Free Draft Kings entry? Shout outs in the podcast, with a grand prize drawing among all the winners during the year for a personal appearance at a birthday party (or fantasy baseball draft as a co-drafter).
I’m in if I get Grey by my side at my fantasy baseball draft!!! (with Rudy on my other side to keep my team from getting too crazy with mini-donkeys)
Haha… I like that idea!
But what if there’s more than one reference
@Grey: then for someone to win, they have to get ALL the references in one post. could make for some long posts… ;)
Ha, yeah true
I win that contest, hands down. Batting 1.000 this year in the category of obscure Grey pop culture references
Morning, Grey!
Any thoughts on Jason Hammel’s start against PHI today? SoN likes it ($12.3), but I am a little shy as I’ve been getting burned in my attempts to stream all season long (as I mentioned in a recent, whiny, bitchy comment) and I don’t know what the hell is going on with Oakland in general.
Love yas!!
@SportiveTricks: It ain’t happening. Hammel threw a few innings last night and is taking the weekend off for his kid’s birth.
@Steve Stevenson:
Ahhhhhh. Thanks for setting me straight, Steve! Now Grey doesn’t have to deal with my daft question, but I need to go back to the SoN…..
This time of year is confusing.
@SportiveTricks:
Now I am looking to tomorrow, I actually like TJ House to get a W ($6.2), Petit ($14.4) in Petco, although it’s against Cashner, and I’m somewhat intrigued by Pomeranz ($12.2).
Thoughts please, Grey? I’m right on the (pretend) money line in my league and I am scared to do anything without your approval.
Love yas!
@SportiveTricks: If you’re just chasing a W, I’d go House, Petit, Pomeranz. For overall value I’d put Petit first. Pomeranz hasn’t pitched in almost 3 weeks–doubt he goes more than 5IP.
@Steve Stevenson:
Thanks, Steve. Yeah, there are points to be had if I can pull out some wins down the stretch, but I have middling roto points with ERA and WHIP too. Thinking I’ll go with House and Petit.
@SportiveTricks: @SportiveTricks: I wouldn’t start House.
psst… (In a low whisper) It’s Gray not Grey.
@Baezaworldseries: *In a loud Roar* ITS GREY NOT GRAY!!!
@JeF With 1 F:
Whatever, dede. I mean, dude.
@SportiveTricks: Petit, House, in that order
@Grey:
Thanks man!!!
Imagine my surprise in seeing LaTroy Hawkins pitch a seemingly useless inning, then come away with a W. Victory, I dub thee Gilmore. HA on the one cheek, and, sure enough, PPY right on the other.
@Basement Artie: Ha, nice
H2H championship, can’t afford any blowups. Starting Gausman vs BOS today? How about Stroman @ NYY tomorrow?
@Magnitude: I’m starting both but S.O.N. does not agree with me.
@JeF With 1 F: I thought Stroman was in trouble?
@sniff test: yea actually I think your right
@sniff test: He filed an appeal so he may pitch, but if he drops the appeal he’ll be pushed back a few days
@Magnitude: @SportiveTricks: If you can’t afford a blow up. I would not start any rookie pitcher.
@Magnitude: Stroman road record is 3-4 6.00 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, that seem like a good idea to you?
@Magnitude: Depends on your situation, I’d start Gausman if I needed to
Grey, I can smell the champagne. Need 2 streamers in my 10-team NL to either use myself or block my opponent. How would you rank them?
Sat – Dubront (vs LA)
Sun – Matzek (vs AZ and not showing on SON), Miley (at COL), Eovaldi (vs Wash)
I’m leaning towards Matzek and Miley and at least upping my odds for a win as they face each other. Eovaldi killed me on Tuesday and hasn’t been consistent for months now. Not loving Dubront vs LA. Who are your top 2? Thanks!
@Annie’s Boobs: stay away from guys pitching in Colorado, doubront is probably your best option but I don’t like any of them
@jef with 1 f: If you had to start two, Eovaldi and some other not mentioned pitcher.
@Annie’s Boobs: Dubront, Eovaldi… None are good
2nd Rd Playoffs in H2H, a win and I go to the championship round. Tight matchup, my opponent has been throwing a shit load of starts for this matchup so I’m not expecting to win the counting stats but I need to win the ratios. I’m currently leading era, whip, & losses (era 2.802 vs 3.479, whip 0.962 vs 1.141, & Losses 2 vs 3 ) but I still need 4 2/3 IP to meet the min IP requirement.
My opponent has the following starters left to go:
Lackey vs CIN, Cosart vs Wash, Iwakuma @Hou, A. Simon @StL, Ervin Santana vs NYM
Do I throw one of the following starters or hope that I can rely on my RP to meet the requirement (RP are listed below as well)? If I choose the starters, which one should I roll with?
Potential Starts
Zack Wheeler @ATL 9/19
Taijuan Walker @Hou 9/19
Drew Hutchison @NYY 9/21
Relievers
Dellin Betances RP
Drew Storen RP
Francisco Rodriguez RP
Greg Holland RP
@RBG: I don’t think you can count on your RP to get you 4.2 IP, though they might. Of the 3SP you listed, Wheeler’s probably your best bet–the Barves have been Barving, Walker’s a risk to your WHIP with his BBs, and Hutchison @NYY is the most volatile–he could give you 7 scoreless with 10Ks, or totally blow up in your face. So I think your options are:
1. Grab Wheeler and hope his last start was an aberration.
2. Hold off for now, see where you stand Sunday morning, and grab the best available starter if you still need innings or you’ve been passed in WHIP or ERA.
I actually lean toward #2. Even if the Sunday SP get picked over and guys like Hutchison and Karns are gone, a desperation play like Guthrie vDET or Tepesch v a possible LAA JV squad will probably be there and do fine for your purposes.
@RBG: Throw wheeler
@RBG: If it’s a daily, I would hit the WW for the best RPs who are not closers. They are more likely to get in games. Then, on Sunday do what you gotta to get to the minimum.
In a semi weekly, you start Wheeler.
@Baezaworldseries:
Thanks guys, its a daily but I’ve also reached my transactions limit for the week.
Going to throw Wheeler out there tonight and hope for the best.
@RBG: Agree with others
Heading into the last three days of my H2H championship with a 7-3 lead. Runs and Avg are close enough to worry about, but I own the tiebreaker so if I win strikeouts I win it all. Right now I have a 22 strikeout lead, but will only get to start 3 more pitchers vs his 5. I’ve got Scherzer and McHugh, but need one more that won’t risk my ERA lead (2.592 vs 3.430) or Whip lead (0.998 vs 1.111). I’ve consulted SON and I think my best options are:
Hellickson vs CWS
Pomeranz vs PHI
House @ MIN
Who do I go with (if anyone)? And do you think I have a shot at holding onto SO/ERA/Whip with him having Koehler, Petit, Kazmir, Young, Wacha left to pitch? (FYI, i’ve got 5 closers to his 4.)
@Slowmez: I would not start any of those guys and ride your RPs to the gold.
@Slowmez: Agree with Baez
Stream-O-Nator, I’m putting my tiny hands in yours. Please save my season. Jesus, take the wheel.
@SmellTheGlove: Ha!
Rosario worth adding for Molina? H2h, he’s away all next week but in Coors the next 3 days. Up 3 Hrs and 2 RBI’s. I have 3 moves left this week and 5 next week if I make the finals so should I hold and stream or add him?
Also steam options are Hellickson and Archer vs CHA, Minor vs NYN, Vogelsong at SD and Morton at CHN. How would u rank them?
@baseball: Forget Rosario… Morton, Archer, Vogel
@baseball: morton went back to worley
Do you like Gausman at home vs. BOS today? SON no likey but this ain’t your little brother’s SOX.
@sniff test: Not crazy about it, but would start him if I needed it
need some h2h advice, tied in hrss and sb’s:
how do you guys rank the following schmotatoes for the sat/sun games?
leonys vs @ laa: weaver/rasmus
de aza vs bos de la rosa/kelly
eaton vs @ tb: archer/karns
pollock vs @col: butler/bergman
i’ve been running with eaton/pollock so far. looks like its time to cut arenado. would you suggest any of them over braun/heyward as well?
also, anyone else afraid that weiss is going to sit dickerson vs miley on sunday after sitting him vs nuno? seriously how does he still have his job?
thanks for the entertaining reads on the daily, keep it up!
@Millenball: Pollack, DAza, and Martin.
@Millenball: No problem… Pollock, Leonys… Yeah, Dickerson could sit because Weiss is a moron
re: your Marte blurb…I was at the Eagles concert last night and Joe Walsh changed the lyric to “they write me emails, tell me I’m great”. He’s so current haha!
@Buddo Chezuski: HA!
6×6 (OPS & QS) H2H, down 7-4 overall but competitive in 4/6 hitting cats and 6/6 pitching. Pitching-wise, I’m up 1W, 2QS, 26K and 1SV, and down 0.11 ERA and 0.21 WHIP.
My opponent has 7 mostly good starts left–Kershaw @CHC, Lester vPHI, Walker @HOU and Koehler vWAS today, and Cashner vSF, Scherzer @KC and Keuchel vSEA tomorrow–along with 1 roster move that he’ll likely use for another start. He has Britton, Doolittle and Perkins as RP.
I have 3, maybe 4 starts left (depending on whether Roark gets one)–Petit @SD, House @MIN, deGrom @ATL and maybe Roark @MIA–and 2 roster moves. I have Storen and W. Davis as RP.
Would you grab any of the following right now with one of my 2 moves, or wait to see how my matchup looks after my opponent’s 4 starts tonight? I expect most of these guys to be gone by tomorrow morning.
Friday–Locke vMIL (Gallardo) – SON 6.7 (0.55QS/0.38W); Despaigne vSF (Hudson) – 4.0 (0.53/0.36); Peacock vSEA – -0.9 (0.49/0.36, but I like him all right)
Saturday–Wacha vCIN (Leake) – 21.2 (0.68/0.40, but coming off injury); Pomeranz vPHI (Williams) – 12.2 (0.58/0.41, but I don’t see how he goes 6 not having pitched in almost 3 weeks)
Sunday–Karns vCWS (Danks) – 9.0 (0.56/0.40); Vogelsong @SD (Kennedy) – 7.5 (0.56/0.35); Hutchison @NYY (Tanaka) – 4.0 (0.52/0.34)
Could also zag and grab Giles, K-Rod or Rondon for SV/ratios.
@Steve Stevenson: Karns gone already, to a team that’s out of it and playing for 5th. Incidentally the same guy who dropped Lester, allowing my opp to claim him off waivers. I don’t know why I play in this league.
@Steve Stevenson: I’d grab K-Rod and hold on those SPs for now
Is Philly Mike on today? I have a keeper question. 12 team 13 keeper h2h points league. No restrictions.
Gausman or Shoemaker? Or.. I can drop Kennedy and keep both.
Thanks for any/all advice.
@Baezaworldseries: Drop Kennedy
agree with JeF
Need some power bats for the stretch, I’m tied with another team in HR, and the guy in front of us has only 1 more, so looking to squeeze out the extra point and a half. Any names that would be kicking around on the wire I should look at? Already scooped up guys like Soler, Flores, Vargas, but looking for more.
@Steve D.: Who is on the wire? Isn’t Pooholes day to day? look for Cron.
@Steve D.: No idea who’s on your waivers
My pitching categories are too close for comfort (standard yahoo head-to-head).
I’m winning ERA 1.53 to 1.98 and WHIP 0.70 to 0.94, my numbers are through 53 IP.
Opponent has Kershaw @Chc, Lester v Phi, Gallardo @Pit, and Verlander @KC tonight.
My question after all of this rambling, should I bench Fister tonight? He’s been meh in September and they’ve clinched. Seeing as ERA is the tie-breaker, I might play bench my starters and punt K’s. Should also add that I’m leading wins 5-1. If all 4 of the mentioned put up zeroes and get wins, I’m done with fantasy baseball!
@Randy BoBandy: If he is actually starting Verlander, then I would bench anyone. Just my opinion.
@Randy BoBandy: Quick question or comment, In my Yahoo Standard H2H tie breaker goes to regular season record vs that opponent and then to ERA?
@Teddy Heater:
I thought Yahoo was ERA first? I could be wrong…
@Randy BoBandy: You don’t need to start anyone if you don’t need Ks
It’s championship week:
Should I drop Heyward (thumb) and pick up Pollock or Leonys?? I’m sure Heyward will be ok long term but that doesn’t help me this week. What do you think?
@Eddie: Pollack
@Eddie: Yup, Pollock
what’s up Grey… not only is the platinum league on Cbssports bullshit cause it off a $1000 dollar purse the winner only gets $600, with no 2nd place prize pocketing $400 dollars, but also you get taxed on the $600.. Isn’t that some bullshit!! ?? It’s robbery!! Anyway not to jinx myself but I’m up by 237 points so I’m really hoping bad luck don’t kick in.. Lol
@Frank White: Yeah, no idea why anyone plays those leagues
Who would know.. I mean I didn’t read the fine print but the assumption was there.. idk fuck
4th OF for the weekend…Harper @ MIA or Crawford @ CHC? Thanks!
@Jason: Harper
So it’s Friday and I’m up 7-6 in my semi-final matchup. We’re pretty much even on just about every stat, so a good day could have a huge swing for either side. The worst hitting players on my team are Ozuna and Crawford and Murphy (presently, not over the course of the season). I have two moves left for the week. I can dump any of them for the following (if I dump Murphy, it has to be a 2nd baseman):
Aoki
Revere
Plouffe
Schafer
Flores
Amarista
8 Team H2H – H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBPS
For what it’s worth, I’m tied in HRs, one RBI down, 2 hits down, and 2 steals down.
@Wilsonian: I’d go Revere and Plouffe
@Wilsonian: Aoki over Crawford
Ha re Rosenthal. On that note, Grey, how much has Trevor’s star faded? Would you rather keep him or Gausman for next year and beyond?
@Eng: @Jason: Gausman. In any format. Not close.
@Eng: I wasn’t really a fan of Rosenthal coming into this year…… I’d keep Gausman
@Grey: Thank you Grey and Baez. Much appreciated input, I was leaning that way and this confirms it injuries not withstanding. Thanks and already looking to next year with Arenado the centerpiece of my keeper team.
Who do you think is more likely to be active tonight: Heyward or Lagares?
@Magnitude: Heyward
Grey,
What kind of numbers are you expecting from Gray next year?
Also, Soler vs. Kershaw is a definite sit, right?
@The JoGarza:Always start Soler.
Gray’s preseason rankings will be 52% accurate. But he will help you turn your season around if you read every day. Oh yeah! If he says he really likes a MI, look the other way.
JK Gray(kind of)! love ya
So I’m in a bit of a quandary I’m winning in my H2H semi, but I really need a hot bat. It’s a 12 team keeper, you get 6 guys in the round you drafted him and he has to be rostered when the season ends. In regards to value who’s the odd man out (I know you typically want to keep bats, I already have Rizzo in 8th & Abreu in the 10th)
Teheran 9th
Gray 12th
Arenado 15th (killing me, but I can’t let him go being he’s a 15th round pick right)
Polanco 24th
Shoemaker 25th
@Teddy Heater: That is a good problem to have. Nice value. I would say Gray. Only because he’s like 5’6″ 155 pounds.
@Teddy Heater: Gray can be lost
@Grey: I know that was tough for you, being his Pop and all.
Ha, yup
Grey,
Championship week batty calls on Rosario, Ramirez and Betts went 8-15, 3 runs, 1 hr, 4 rbi and 1 steal yesterday! Yes!
Betts or Bogearts as SS today vs Gausman? Tron says Betts
Is Giles officially the closer while Papelbon is out?
@Snacks13: Betts…Yes, Giles
Go with Tron.
2. Not according to Ryne.
6×6 (OPS) H2H, I have 4 guys for 3 slots today. Only 2 roster moves left, which I need to use for pitching, so this is it for options. Tied in R, down 1HR, .032 AVG and .003 OPS. RBI and SB probably out of reach. Pick 3:
1. Soler v Kershaw (HT -5.0, but at least he’s in the lineup this afternoon)
2. Crawford @ E. Jackson (6.8, in the lineup)
3. Stubbs v Anderson (22.2, but only about a 50-50 shot at best that he starts against a righty tonight b/c Weiss = derp)
4. Rutledge v Anderson (13.9)
@Steve Stevenson: 1 2 4
@Steve Stevenson: Sit Stubbs if he sits
@Grey: well yeah, problem is soler and crawford go at 2:20, stubbs at 8:40. Won’t know till it’s too late.
Bench Stubbs and assume Weiss is an idiot
Drop Kinsler for Pearce for a UTIL spot the rest of the way?
Stick with Mesoraco at C or swap him out for Russell Martin?
@Just Make Pitch:
1.yes
2.Martin
@Just Make Pitch: Sure on Kinsler, can go to Martin
Hi Grey , thanks for your daily updates as always.
Pick 2 best starters in a W & QS league each day.
9/21
Lynn vs CIN ASimon(R) $20.1
Iwakuma vs HOU CMcHugh(R) $17.7
Santana vs NYM JdeGrom(R) $15.8
Kennedy vs SF RVogelsong(R) $15
Haren vs CHN JTurner(R) $10.3
9/22
Ryu vs SF JPeavy(R) $16
Carrasco vsKC DDuffy(L) $12.2
Holland vs HOU NTropeano(R) $11.9
Liriano vs ATL AHarang(R) $10.9
Nolasco vs ARI JCollmenter(R) $9.4
9/24
Hughes vs ARI VNuno(L) $17.1
Gonzalez vs NYM DGee(R) $15.7
Lackey vs CHN KHendricks(R) $15
Lohse vs CIN DCorcino(R) $9.8
Cobb vs BOS CBuchholz(R) $7.1
Thanks.
@Wilson: No problem, Lynn, Ervin… Carrasco, Liriano… Hughes, Lohse
In h2h OBP each category championship. Choose between:
Calhoun LHB vTex (Bonilla RHP)
Rizzo LHB vLAD (Kershaw LHP)
Wrigley game time weather: Gentle breeze (8mph) blowing out to left. 62 degrees
@Tom: Rizzo if he starts
@Grey: Your the man! I was a little surprised at your answer given that the best LHP in MLB going against Rizzo, but guess what I found after seeing your answer — Rizzo is hitting LHP better than RHP!! I’ve had him all year and didn’t know that. How do you keep all of this stuff in your head?
Ha, no problem…
Better keeper for next year, Betts or Polanco?
@JW: Polanco
It looks like Marco Gonzales got shafted on his start for a couple of injury options. Lackey and his dead arm and Wacha and his wonky shoulder. This blows. With 3 days until the head to head championship is over, I was planning on this start chasing W and needing Ks. Is it viable to keep him just in case because the alternatives aren’t that great. Gausman today or Morton on Sunday vs. MIL or Burnett @ Oak on Sunday.
@sniff test: I’d go Morton
@Grey: Morton scratched on Sunday and Worley will be starting.
important decision here.
MY OF and HT $ values for today
De Aza 29.6
Stubbs 22.2
Inciarte 13.6
J Upton 9.9
Puig 8.8
so bench both Puig and Upton?? Not confident that stubbs will start.
Bench Stubbs if he doesn’t start, and Ender
@Grey: ok cool. What i wouldn’t give for Puig to get smokin hot…
Upton got me to the playoffs but has disappeared since, not a great time to go all BJ on us.
I forgot that one of these guys is in my Util spot so just need to bench one, currently its ender but could swap out if stubbs gets the pine express tonight
I hear ya
Dear Uncle Grey,
Semifinals are rolling along and I am probable(by my count 80-90%) to get to the finals. I am very tingly.
I wanted to get your thoughts on something. It looks like the other scary team(besides mine) is going to the finals as well. I was considering offering the guy a split of the finals pot. He and I already split the best regular season pot and there would be a couple thousand dollar swing for the winner and loser next week. I haven’t fully researched the matchups yet to be sure but he has enough players to make it tough on me.
Should I even be considering this? Do you have a policy on this kind of thing? Is this heresy?
If it was a smaller money league I wouldn’t care, but I’m curious as to what you would do. Anyone else feel free to share your opinion.
P.S. What’s your alarm code again? I’m outside and I forgot. Also, your new sofa looks amazing!
I’d just split the pot 60/40 now and try to get the 60… The Rerun Dance, using number pad is alarm code…
@Grey: The Rerun Dance! Amazing. I was doing the Truffle Shuffle and wondering why the door wasn’t opening.
Yeah, wrong dance, c’mon, doode!
@Grey: sheesh,there are no steps to the truffle shuffle. PF is not a great criminal.
you should go Icky shuffle, no one will think that a baseball man like yourself would ever use a football dance.
Don’t want others to mime masturbating in front of my building
@Grey: it is a classy neighborhood.
@Phil of the Future: Get your balls out of your wifes purse and go beat his ass!!!
His balls are actually in his fanny pack…. In my big money league, pots are split… I think they’re split in most… You take 60% so there’s incentive to win, but you should get something for making it that far
@Grey: It would pain me greatly to split pot with someone else…..Oh wait are we talking about money??
Haha
@Grey: First of all, it’s a survival pack. Not a fanny pack.
Secondly, I like this idea. I will propose this to him over the weekend when I’m sure of results. Just as long as you can personally guarantee me victory next week, okay?
Could even go 70/30, but 2nd place should get something in a big money league… You’re playing to win, the money is just to show your wife the last six months were worth something…
@Grey: Well said, my friend.
@Grey: I thought that’s what going down on them was for?
Ha!
@JeF With 1 F: When a grown man who gets bent on Long Island Iced Teas tells you something, you probably shouldn’t listen.
@Kid A: Wait i like long island iced teas
@JeF With 1 F: You’re a sharp marble.
@Kid A: HA!
@Kid A: As are you
@JeF With 1 F: hehe
@JeF With 1 F:
Ahhhhh the old rubber and glue defense.
Well played.
You are a master tactician.
@Kid A: recognize son
@Phil of the Future: so yo’re playing to split the pot…I don’t get it?
@J-FOH: I’m in the Semis now, should be in the finals next week. I’m talking about splitting the finals pot instead of getting much less money to lose the finals or much more money to win.
@Phil of the Future: your boyfriend just gave you permission to split it…show him who wears the pants
@JeF With 1 F: F your his boyfriend, too don’t ever forget it.
I would love to go for the whole enchilada, but it’s too much cash to mess around with and as I have said before I’m not a rich man. I had to sell my pokemon collection just to buy my entry fee into the league.
I’m gonna go 60/40 and prepare to destroy….
@Phil of the Future: I get splitting pots among places, but unless I read it wrong, you want to cut a deal so you both walk away with something instead of one getting it all?
@J-FOH: . In the H2H finals the loser does get something, but IMO it’s disproportionate to what the winner gets so I was proposing just splitting it 50/50. But then Grey suggested 60/40 and now in retrospect that seems obvious. So that’s what I’m planning on once I’m sure we are both in it.
@Phil of the Future: gotcha, seems weird to me but I have never played H2H for money. I figure you would go at it all or nothing
@J-FOH: In my younger years no doubt I would have.
@Phil of the Future: I refuse to grow up
@J-FOH: I think that’s admirable. I still think farts are funny if it helps….
@Phil of the Future: they have their function
@Grey: @Phil of the Future: wow, that’s a big money league. nice job even being there to make this decision. like in poker and FF this is entirely common, basically this is exactly where you don’t want to use yr “balls” to make decisions, as losing a few thousand dollars simply to show how much confidence you have feels like shit later, and forever for your pocket book. chop off (50/50) a certain % of the pot, and play for the rest. discuss with yr opp how much that % should be. i do this in all my fantasy FF SB’s. sometimes it’s obvious either you or your opponent is a good size favorite, and if you both agree which side is that favorite, often the favorite gets larger than 50/50 of the chopped off part of the pot. In rarer instances your opp thinks his team is an underdog when you don’t think so, in those instances you can get some free money.
Three more days until we see Steve.
Steve minus 3!
@J-FOH: Im jealous…he seems like a good guy…and you get to hear his accent which means you will read his posts with his accent from now on
@J-FOH: Have you figured out yet that New Zealand and Australia are two different countries?
@Kid A: getting there, everything south of me is either Mexico or Brazil and everything North is Canada. I need an 80 proof bottle of perspective.
Don’t lie, everything south is San Diego and north is San Francisco
@Grey: LA: The New York of the West Coast
Where’s New York?
It’s a make believe place you can’t actually get to. You’d sail off the edge of the flat Earth you’re on trying to find it
You’re just mad because everyone doesn’t smell of patchouli here
I’ll put up with it since there’s no TMZ here
Haha
@Sky: Eugene: The Burning Man of the PNW
Arizona Bay, my friend.
@Sky: bill hicks! You win *bows*
Bill Hicks always wins. So does Tool
@Sky: thats why you’re a tool
And you’re a Puscifer
@Sky: Ok, I had to look that up. I thought it was a portmanteau combining pussy and lucifer. no it’s another band of your golden god.
Sounds like someone’s projecting. I don’t swoon over lead singers, just bands.
@Sky: dont get testy over the Maynard coincidences
Just a generality I hate. Most people can’t name one other band member of a band they say they ‘love’. Rubs me the wrong way. ‘Oooh, I love Bono!’ Yeah, that’s U2…
@Sky: amen to that. Tv persona make people miss talent behind the band. First album was great.
@Grey: I don’t recognize that. Those frisco people might as well be from a different planet, which is far different than that planet that Sky lives on in Oregon.
@J-FOH:
You’re such a SF hater lol
Don’t say Frisco makes you sound ignant
@frankgrimes: I say Frisco out of disrespect, don’t confuse that with ignorance
Do you trust Lackey today?
I’m in a super tight ERA Race.
Washington lost all respect not cuz of what he did
cuz every playa knows deny deny deny fool!
And deny some more!
@frankgrimes: I don’t know what you’re talking about
Oh yeah…I saw the Louis game and thought Rosie blew it for sure…a sigh of relief, such as one post loose stool when I saw he pitched a clean inning..ahhh…
Ha
Uh oh, here comes a flock of wah-wahs…..
Haha
Should I drop Sal Perez for Wilin Rosario?
@TOGMAN: H2H – OPS
Sure
Would you play Rutledge vs. ARI (Anderson) over Soler vs. Kershaw?
Yup
@Grey: oops
Walt Weiss – Walter White.
And the Rockies are his experimental Meth lab.
Ha
What are your thoughts on Jose Quintana as a stream against Tamps Bay. I am trying to get into the final in the playoffs and could use a SO and ERA boost. Thanks!!
I’m streaming him
Archer $13.6 vs CWS
or House $6.3 @ MIN ( who I see you recommended a couple times earlier.)
Archer
House pitching for sure? I don’t want to waste a roster move on him. CBS says he’s being skipped.
No idea, sorry
@Grey: Thanks do you like Morton or Pomeranz as a streamer?
Morton
@Sad Keanu: nobody else is saying that of the big sites.
What the hell sky. I get a DK email for fantasy soccer. Thats insulting. Pick the one guy who scores the goal. Worst spam ever… I bet ralph is all over it
one of these.
gausman vs BOS
santiago vs TEX
locke vs MIL
pomeranz vs PHI
karns vs WSOX
Gausman
@Grey: so any plans for the off season? do you just go into hibernation?
I do recaps, then rookies, then sleepers… An article every day… Same deelio…
The Grey life:
Ha, that’s me!
@Grey: I have always referred to you as fresh!
Guaranteed
@Grey: the godfather….impressive.
Bam!
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@Grey: who do you like at 3b for next week with nolan sidelined? prob need avg most.
xander (2.6) – 3 vs tb, 3 vs nyy
flores (-8.4) – 3 @ was, 3 vs hou
amarista (-11.6) – 3 @ cle, 4 @ cws
smolinski (NA) – 3 vs hou, 4 vs oak
plouffe (7.4) – 3 vs ari, 4 @ det
uribe (-8.2) – 3 vs sf, 3 vs col
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