Before the season, I took my Brandon Woodruff expectations out behind the barn, administered them their Last Rites, then I put them down. Went inside and gathered Ma and Baby Jethro and told them there won’t be anymore Brandon Woodruff expectations around these parts anymore. Baby Jethro cried in my arms and Ma said, “Brandon Woodruff’s expectations had another good year in them, why you’d kill them?” And I patted her on her head, real patronizing-like, and she said, “Don’t patronize me,” and I told her I wasn’t. But Ma was right again. Yesterday, Brandon Woodruff went 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 hits, zero walks, 8 Ks, as he touched 96 MPH on his fastball. So, that’s shocking. He came back from a major surgery that was as rare as it was lacking positive results. As the sign on a brothel says, therein lies the rub. There weren’t a lot of positive outcomes from this shoulder surgery, but there weren’t a lot of outcomes, period. Yesterday, he showed his pinpoint command he always possessed, but rejuvenated stuff that I didn’t think we’d see again. Incredibly impressed and I’d be in everywhere. Guess I have to go dig up those expectations and breathe some new life into them. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Rhys Hoskins – Hit the IL with a thumb sprain. So, that’s where thumbkin is.
Jackson Chourio – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 15th homer, Jack-Chou, God bless you!
Edward Cabrera – 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.33. His ERA since April is, like, under 2. And his next start will be for the…Dodgers? Mets? Cubs?
Heriberto Hernandez – 2-for-3 and his 3rd homer. Fun fact! His social media bio says Him/Heriberto.
Clarke Schmidt – Will undergo Tommy John surgery. Taking a magic marker to every car with the appropriate bumper sticker and changing it to Schmidt Happens.
Carlos Rodon – 5 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 3.30. The best is gonna be on July 30th when the Yankees are like, “We feel good with the team we have. We don’t need to add anyone at the deadline.”
Jeimer Candelario – Signed with the Yanks. Oh, I take it back! Now, the Yankees are ready for the playoffs!
Aaron Judge – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 33rd homer. Making the perfect baseball player, so I’m taking Aaron Judge’s arms, Cal Raleigh’s ass and Elly’s legs, and–crap, a gust of wind just tipped him over. Little help here!
Austin Wells – 2-f0r-4, 2 RBIs and his 13th homer, as he hits 8th. Making a note to myself to tell people excited next March about (player) hitting leadoff in March that Wells hit leadoff on Opening Day and exactly one more time. And he homered one of those times and it made no difference.
Frankie Montas – 5 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 hits, zero walks, 2 Ks, ERA at 6.14. Streamonator hates his next one, and I hope he’s okay, because I have to start him in one league. Yes, this is about me!
Michael Busch – 2-for-3, 1 run, and 4 homers this weekend. Listen to this kick in the grapes, I traded for Busch last week, and the trade didn’t go through until today. All those sweet homers? Not on my team! The other guy had a Shock & Awe’s worth of bombs voyage.
Seiya Suzuki – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 25th homer, hitting .263 and his MLB-leading 77th RBIs. Sure glad I only rostered him in leagues last year. Well played!
Matthew Boyd – 5 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA at 2.52. I know he bounced a bit before clicking, but, holy crap, he’s 34 years old. Kershaw’s only three years older than him.
Ranger Suarez – 5 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunner, 6 Ks, ERA at 1.99. “He was pulled at 80 pitches, because he was at 6 Ks, and his prop bet was at 6.5.” That’s Luis L. Ortiz guest-blogging for us.
Wyatt Langford – 0-for-3 as he was activated from the IL. Kevin from ESPN’s “Get Him In Your Lineup” Department said, “Had a fireworks mishap this weekend and I burned the area directly around my butthole. I’m okay, but I can’t sit down.”
Matt Chapman – 0-for-5 as he was activated from the IL. Kevin from ESPN’s “Get Him In Your Lineup” Department said, “If there’s a 20-count box of Chapstick that shows up at the front desk, that’s mine. Also related to the fireworks mishap.”
Hayden Birdsong – 5 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners (5 BBs), 6 Ks, ERA at 4.11. Sorry, five walks in five innings is “making Birdsong out of bird crap.”
Willy Adames – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 11th homer, hitting .226. “That’s a Willy dong!” Thankfully, that wasn’t what the kid pointed and screamed when Free Willy soared over him.
Tyler Soderstrom – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 15th homer. Soder pop!
Jacob Lopez – 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 4.26. I would start the guy with eight Ks in just over four innings who is a hard-luck loser, while the other guy walks five and gets away scot-free.
Luis Severino – 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 5.30. His pitching was affected by a sandwich board he was wearing that read, “Please trade for me.”
Joe Boyle – 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 7 Ks, as he was recalled to act as a Bulk Guy behind Drew Rasmussen (2 IP, 1 ER, ERA at 2.82) who no longer throws more than two innings as the Rays conserve his innings, which I’m sure is going to work out great next year when he hasn’t thrown a full start in 18 months. So, drop Rasmussen and pick up Boyle. But first, a word on Boyle. He had 73 IP in Triple-A with a 1.85 ERA and I don’t know why he was in Triple-A. He’s 25 years old. Trade him to a team that needs pitching or something. Teams are dumb, my goodness. Boyle has no command, so he’s a bit risky, but he could have a 11+ K/9 this year. Should be rostered in most leagues.
Byron Buxton – 2-for-5, 2 runs and a slam (20) and legs (16). Buxton getting that forever-promised, always-elusive 25/25 season at 31 is a hat tip to William Goldman’s no one knows anything.
Harrison Bader – 1-for-2, 3 RBIs and his 10th homer, and 3rd homer in three games, and is clearly a hot schmotato, but Baldelli also refuses to start him every day, so Sunday’s homer was a pinch-hit jobber.
Mickey Moniak – 3-for-4, 3 RBIs and a slam (13) and legs (5), hitting .257. Perfect timing as I celebrate MidDependence Weekend.
Michael Toglia – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer. Went to look at what he did this past week on one of the teams where I have him, and it was good enough where I decided not to drop him. Ringing endorsement!
Riley Greene – 1-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 22nd homer, hitting .286. Saw the Tigers/Guards were in a 1-1 tie in the 10th, clicked off the game for five minutes, clicked back and the Tigers were up by, like, six. Bad day to quit barbiturates and roster Cade Smith.
Tarik Skubal – 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 hits, zero walks, 10 Ks, ERA at 2.02. Currently working on the top 100 for the 2nd half that’ll come out next week (and this Friday on Patreon) and Skubal’s prolly gonna sneak in.
Casey Mize – 7 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 2.63 vs. Logan Allen – 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 4.07. This matchup was billed as, “Both Guards and Tigers seemed incapable of scoring a run this weekend until extras.”
Gavin Williams – 6 IP, 0 ER, 1 hit, 3 BBs, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.61. He has a 5.1 BB/9. Over 3 is a concern. Over 4 is scary and possibly droppable, though can be offset by a ton of strikeouts. Again, Gavin’s is over 5! And he’s only at a 8.8 K/9.
Lane Thomas – Hit the IL with plantar fasciitis, which hurts to have almost as much to spell. Yes, think of me.
Teoscar Hernandez – Undergoing imaging on his foot after fouling a ball off it. Let’s join in a prayer hexagon that this is nothing serious.
Emmet Sheehan – 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 2.00, as he was recalled. Here’s what I said last time he was called up in June, “Bluntly, he looks electric. He has hideous command prior to Tommy John surgery, and that usually affects a pitcher’s command in a negative way at first, so, yeah, I didn’t rush out to add Sheehan anywhere, but I can see it now. He looks just flat-out dominant.” And that’s me quoting me! Can’t believe I said “Bluntly, he looks electric,” and didn’t start calling him Vape. Losing it, Grey, losing it! I still like Sheehan a lot, but I do think there’s risk here.
Christian Walker – 1-for-5 and his 12th homer, 2nd homer this weekend, and, apparently, he’d be a 50-homer hitter if he called Dodger Stadium home, even though the Crawford Boxes in The Radish Box are right there!
Jose Altuve – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 16th homer, 4th homer this weekend. Astros were in their throwback uniforms this weekend, way back to 2017. Wink, wink.
Yainer Diaz – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 12th homer, and 2nd homer in two games. Hey, in that Titanic song, was Celine Dion singing, “Yainer and far?”
Paul Skenes – 5 IP, 0 ER, 5 hits, zero walks, 10 Ks, ERA at 1.94. You can almost hear the ovation now for when Skenes returns to Pittsburgh as a 39-year-old, after 10 years with the Yankees.
George Kirby – 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 hits, zero walks, 9 Ks, ERA at 4.22. Get your hands inside the Buy Low window, it’s gonna close abruptly.
Randy Arozarena – 1-for-3 and his 14th homer, hitting .249, 2nd homer in three games and 4th homer this week, and 6th homer dating back to June 30th, and 7th homer dating back to June 10th, okay, it’s not impressive anymore.
Austin Hays – 1-for-3 and his 8th homer, 2nd homer in a week. Incredibly, there wasn’t an IL stint between those homers.
Chase Burns – 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners (4 BBs), 7 Ks, ERA at 8.10. Really showcases the uniqueness of Skenes’s rookie year. It is very hard for a starter to get the call up and, well, answer the call. I’d give Burns another start on my fantasy team, but likely on my bench in most mixed leagues.
Zack Wheeler – 9 IP, 1 ER, 1 hit, 0 walks, 12 Ks, ERA at 2.17. Just imagined if the Mets held Wheeler and deGrom and this must be what it’s like for Mr. Met seeing Mrs. Met stepping out of the shower and getting into the loving arms of the Phanatic.
Gary Sanchez – Hit the IL with a knee sprain. Well, the O’s can’t refuse to bring up Samuel Basallo now. There’s just no way. He’s 20 years old with a .920 OPS in Triple-A with 16 homers in 57 games. That’s the kind of life they need pumped into their team dynamic for the 2nd half–Forget it, they brought up Alex Jackson, the journeyman who never was.
Jackson Holliday – 4-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 11th homer. I’m beginning to ramp up my enthusiasm for him in 2026. Prepare for lots of Roman Holliday puns with him and Anthony.
Trevor Rogers – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 1.57. Gave you a Trevor Rogers fantasy about two weeks ago, and there I said to add him in shallower mixed leagues. Nothing’s changed but the date.
Sean Murphy – 2-for-4 and his 13th homer, and just missed a 2nd homer, also had another homer a few days ago. Currently blowing away Ozzie Albies on the Player Rater. Though, that is mostly because Ozzie quit baseball to join the circus, because he’s a freakin’ clown.
Grant Holmes – 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.44. Said last time he pitched there were very few leagues where he shouldn’t be rostered. He’s been solid, including Looking Unkempt, if that’s a category in your league.
Pavin Smith – Hit the IL with an oblique strain. Bummer for the fantasy baseballer who picked up in April and fell into a coma. Though, they might have bigger worries right now.
Corbin Carroll – 0-for-4 as he was activated from the IL. He spent a minimum amount of time on the IL with a wrist fracture. Homeboy’s got Predator blood. Love the dedication to making Yordan look like a Big Baby who should have a bib and pacifier, but I almost worry this is too fast. I know, I seem ungrateful like I can’t ever be happy, but this feels like something where we look back in September and say, “Yeah, Corbin shouldn’t have returned so fast.”
Ryne Nelson – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.39. Underlying stats look like he’s a solid back-end starter for a deeper mixed league, that is overperforming his stats a bit with the ERA. Mostly just a 4 ERA guy that is getting lucky this year, after being unlucky with a 4.24 ERA last year. Balances, the universe does, Yoda.
Michael Wacha – 4 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 3.83. Unlike teammate Lugo, Wacha is not matchup-proof, and Streamonator hates his next one too.
Bobby Witt Jr. – 1-for-4 and his 12th homer. Hasn’t even really got going yet, and he’s still hovering around a top 20 overall season, i.e., I don’t want to hear you b’ing and m’ing about him!
Salvador Perez – 1-for-3 and his 10th homer. He should Jeff Gillooly Cal Raleigh to save his home run record for a catcher.
Michael Lorenzen – 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 4.61. This was only in 82 pitches, likely because Matt Quatraro, the ugliest manager in baseball as voted on by players and fans, thought, “Holy crap, this guy’s pitches are as ugly as my face, I need to get him out while he’s still good.” I’m guessing here.
Andres Gimenez – Hit the IL with an ankle sprain. Bad news for the Jays and his owners. Good news for the Jays’ equipment manager because his replacement is Jimenez.
Bo Bichette – 1-for-3, 2 runs and his 12th homer, as he hit cleanup, which I was going to comment on, but he’s more capable of cleanup than Vlad Jr. Maybe Springer has more of a claim, but can’t hate him hitting 2nd, and the rest of the Jays’ lineup is incredibly meh for a team that just took over the lead in the AL East. They have Straw hitting 7th and multiple guys who could be scarecrows, who stand in the batter’s box just to get the pitchers to throw strikes.
Mike Trout – 1-for-4 and his 14th homer, hitting .231. Sell! No, seriously.
Shinnosuke Ogasawara – 2 2/3 IP, 4 ER as he made his MLB debut. Here’s what I said this preseason, “Signed with the Nats out of Japan. Saw one site say he profiled similarly to Shota Imanaga, and I was like, “Welp, gonna have to rank him somewhere in the top 50 starters,” then I looked at his stats last year in Japan — 144 1/3 IP, 82 Ks — and I got mad for that other site wasting my time. Number one rule of fantasy analyst’ing is A) Make up words. B) Don’t waste people’s time. C) There’s no C. I remember reading a book about then-Rockets’ GM, Daryl Morey, and he told his scouts if you compare one player to another player, you can’t compare him to another player of the same race. Shinnosuke is as similar to Shota as I am to Leo DiCaprio. He was not ranked in the top 120 starters for me.” And that’s me quoting me!
Ceddanne Rafaela – 3-for-4, 2 runs and his 11th homer, hitting .264, 2nd homer in two games. Continues to hit 9th for some unknown reason, but seems like a hot schmotato.
Trevor Story – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 14th homer, 2nd homer in three games, 3rd homer in a week, currently hitting over .500 in July and that’s after a great June (5 HRs, 4 SBs, 23 RBIs, .286). Zombinos chomp on pitchers’ brain custard and must avoid stiffness, except in their outstretched arms.
Masataka Yoshida – Red Sox said he will return before the All-Star break. Wonder how many games he plays with the Red Sox before they trade for literally anything. If they got *that* for Devers, they’re about to get cash considerations for Yoshida, and the cash is gonna be whatever is in the owner’s wallet where he’s going at the time of the transaction. Should be on live TV like a game show. “We’re here with the Mariners owner and he’s about to open his wallet to see what the Red Sox got for Yoshida…Ooh, $47 dollars! Not bad, I’m sure John Henry could use that!”
What do you think of Jacob Wilson? Is it time to drop him?
Is Bibee just a streamer? I really dont want him on my team anymore….
Reynolds, J Dominguez, McNeil or Otto?
Wow – Miller to the IL for a forearm strain. How many elbows does it take to save a DBags game!
Ugh, Giolito or Flaherty ROS?
Dress “Ugh”…and save yourself some pain.
Seriously
G;
6×6 dynasty roto: OBP
Thoughts on this deal… J Chourio, M Garcia, L Peña for EDLC and R Waldschmidt
Thank you
Doyle seems to be putting it together a bit. Drop any of Profar, Ramos, Reynolds, or the hot Story for him or Hold? As far as needs I could use some help with ave, OPS, and lower Ks.
Profar
Thanks! Hope you had a great July 4th weekend!
Not quite what I was hoping for from Yamamoto in his first start on my team. Andrew Vaughn? Jesus.
Ha, I know
SteveNZ, I hear ya brother. 0.2 innings and 3ER was not on the Bingo card tonight. Story outperforming 1st rounders…Peralta outperforming Yamamoto…[Bill Murray Ghostbusters voice] Human sacrifice…dogs & cats living together…mass hysteria!
Can’t believe I’m asking- O.Cruz or Willi ROS?
Cruz
Dude has Bellinger’s Syndrome.
I think he’s trying to play himself off the Pirates with his piss-poor all-around play. Somebody should tell him the Lou-Bob method of S-U-C-K-I-N-G is not the way to accomplish this.
12 team dynasty… My team is tied in 5th right now, decent but not ready to hang with the top few teams. Would you try and shop Aroldis Chapman or Robert Suarez? How do these possible offers look?
1. Ramos 2. DeLauter 3. Gunnar
3, 1, 2
I pIcked up Daysbel, I think he’s the guy if they move Raisel and why wouldn’t they move Raisel?
They should move him to the minors
Heh
Dynasty league…would you trade away Machado + R Ray for Hunter Brown? Too much? Not gonna win it this year
Too Much
Raffy is hot enough to knock Duran out of the lineup… and now, I’m waiting for the sound of thunder.
Ha
Boyle is the Yarb!! in the ancestral home of the yarb!!
HAHA
Darvish or Sheehan over Ryne Nelson?
Sheehan
Would you take Woo for Teoscar?
I have Teo, Adell, Ward, Nimmo, Yelich, PCA for OF eligible players in a 5 OF league. Belli also OF eligible but I have him at 1B. .
I’d want more, but I guess if you’re stacked
Please pick the one u prefer?
Warren home vs Seattle
Soriano home vs Texas
Peterson at Orioles
Bello home vs Rockies
N.Martinez home vs Miami
Bello
Great title! Brings back good memories. Yu or Singer? Thanks.
Singer
Please rank – Hoerner; Brandon Lowe; Semien?
Lowe
If there’s a Get Well Soon card going around for BLow, I’d like to sign it.
He’s gonna hurt himself on the card
Please rank – Hoerner; Lowe; Semien?
no idea who lowe is…Semien
Who would you start out of this groups?
Peterson @ Bal
Olson v. TB
Littell @ Det
Jacob Lopez v. Tor
Olson
Which bat from this group ROS: Profar, Barger, Bichette?
Bo
who do you like turang or Semien with these matchups….been riding Turang all season but he has a day off and Semien is hot lately. usually if switch he will go cold
Brice Turang
Yamamoto (R)
C. Kershaw (L) 0.000, 3AB
D. May (R)
off on wednesday
TBA
M. Parker (L)
TBA
Marcus Semien 2B
Y Kikuchi (L) 0.222, 2 HR, 36AB
J. Soriano (R)0.286, 7AB
K. Hendricks (R) 0.500, 2 HR, 8AB
J. Kochanowicz (R) 0.400, 10AB
L. McCullers (R) 0.368, 19AB
F. Valdez (L) 0.242, 2 HR, 33AB
R. Gusto (R)
Semien
thanks!
No problem
Keep Max Muncy in 12 team OBP league, weekly lineups or drop for any of theses schmotatos…Wilmer Flores, Nolan Gorman, H Kim (LAD), J Polanco, J India, R.Laurano, J. Mangum. Top 3 Schmotatos since I need to put in multiple free agent bids.
Who is Max Muncy? None of these guys are good, if you want to try Laureano, go for it
Grey,
I’m sorry if many people have already asked and I haven’t seen, but does Albies turn it around or time to move on? My worst fantasy player on OF by far this year. The problem is that 2nd is so shallow in my leagues.
1) in one league, looking at B Stott, W Castro, L Garcia Jr, J Caballero, J Polanco, C Durbin, or Z McKinstry as options instead. Any of those an upgrade?
2) in the other, looking at B Stott, J Polanco, C Durbin, or Z McKinstry as options instead. Any of those better as well?
Thanks!
You can move on…1/2 I’d go to Durbin
Hey @Grey, trying to figure out what’s to low of a return on Gunnar. Would you trade Gunnar/Luzardo (or Flaherty or Abbott) for Riley/Kirby?
Sounds fine, I’d want Gunnar
Getting greedy, but one more question… Start Tanner Scott for 6 games @MIL and SF or Ronny Henriquez for 7 games, 4 @Cincy and 3@BALT. Need to start 2 closers and already picked Jeff Hoffman for 6 games @CWS and @OAK
Ronny
Hey Grey: 12 team roto with QS. Start any of Gausman @ OAK, Eury @ Cincy and Balt, Roup at home v Phil and LAD? If so, would you replace any of these starts, Luzardo @SF, Nelson@LAA, Olson v TB, Rocker @ LAA, Logan Webb v LAD?
I wouldn’t start Nelson or Rocker…Start Roupp and Eury
Hail to the Grey!
With Woodruff’s return to the mound, I’ll need to make a move (eventually? Looked good against Miami and should probably do similar with WAS, but wish he started against tougher competition).
I get too attached to the guys I own:
Cease
Eovaldi
Abbott
Rodon
Ranger
Misi
Burns
A-Is there an obvious drop to make room for Woodruff?
Or
B-Hold off and see how things go for a couple more starts?
D-If “B”, who would have been the drop?
Thanks as usual!
A. Burns…I wouldn’t hold him and Misi…or lose Misi…tho, I’d lose Burns 1st
Thanks!
No problem
Here’s something crazy:
A – 261 Ave, 57 R, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 14 SB
B – 271, 45, 10, 29, 10
C – 247, 53, 11, 43, 15
D – 257, 41, 14, 54, 5
E – 252, 44, 14, 53, 14
Lindor, Gunner, JulRod, Teo, and, wait for it, Story.
Haha, ouch
Now I don’t feel so bad dumping Ozuna for Story last night – jeebus. He’s outperforming Gunnar and JRod…to quote Marisa Tomei when she finds out Peter is Spider-Man…what the f**k!?
HAHA
Hey @Grey, would you trade Trout for either Oneil Cruz or Langford? H2H cats redraft league
Langford or Cruz, that order
Cruz sitting yet again versus a southpaw. So sick. I traded away Ward and Abbott for him a few weeks back. Pirates are dumb. Play him or trade him. Fantasy is great.
Pirates are indeed dumb
Is there a glossary term for players who are being held hostage by cheap ass teams that will never sniff the playoffs?
Haha, not sure you can check the glossary
When he gets traded we’re going to find out that the Pirates charged him per hour for hitting instruction or using the batting cage or something extremely silly like that.
@Grey: weekly roto. sagnof, who do you like? fwiw, finnegan’s last save was june 6th.
finnegan – 3 @ stl, 3 @ mil
s miller – 4 @ sd, 3 @ laa
thanks!
Miller
I can’t communicate to you how stumped I am over Gunnar’s season. His BABIP is .344….how are we supposed to expect that he’ll progress when he’s already getting that lucky..
Would you trade him for either Betts or Carroll in a points league?
Just hitting everything into the dirt…I’d take Corbin
Hi Grey,
Top four for 2nd half? Straight roto.
Roupp
Ed rod
Bello
Walter
Lauer
Sheehan
Ryne nelson
Mc cullers
Peterson
Rogers, t
Thanks!
Peterson, Rogers
Is Chris Sanchez for Bichette a good trade, would shift Cruz to my outfield making it Cruz, Woods, lBurton, with Ramos, Ward, Cam smith for Util/bench. My rotation would be okay after with Skubal, H. brown, kikuchi, baz, Pfaadt holding it down till King, Greene, Arrighetti come back.
It’s a 14 team Yahoo h2h points, no negative for batters striking out. I need 2nd base more than anything, I have bogarts but the offer intrigues me lol
Sounds fair, Sanchez is higher but you do what you have to
Yeah that was my thought as well, is there a name you’d rather get in return or would it just make more sense to stay put with Cruz at ss and use the outfield rotation I have. Been trying to move ward and buxton but no one in my league buys it yet with them lol
Cruz is above Bichette too…Um SS in the Sanchez range? It would be Bichette…Maybe buy low on Seager?
Thanks grey
No problem
What’s up Grey?
Weird situation in that my closers have actually been mostly good – hard to know who to go with each week. Which two of these closers would you start this week?
Pagan (7, MIA, COL)
Vest (6, TB, SEA)
Suarez (7, ARI, PHI)
Not Vest
Hey Grey, which 3B would you go with this week?
Vientos (6, @BAL, @KC)
McMahon (6, @BOS, @CIN)
Vientos
Hey Grey,
Risky week for me. I’m in first, my ratios are pretty solid, but not great in Ws or Ks. I’ve got lots of either 2-start weeks or good matchups, which is giving me struggles. Which three to SIT this week?
Bibee (@HOU, @CHW)
Eovaldi (@LAA, @HOU)
Lugo (PIT)
G. Williams (CHW)
Flaherty (TB, SEA)
EdCab (@BAL)
Mize (no next start listed? WTF?)
B. Walter (CLE)
streamonator has Mize listed not sure what you mean…Sit Walter, EdCab and Bibee
Should have checked that. A bit surprised you chose Bibee to sit over Flaherty, but I’m assuming it’s in part because Flaherty’s two starts are in DET and he gets more Ks?
2 starts at home is better, not like I love Flaherty tho if you prefer Bibee
More long term than matchup :jacob lopez or walter (hou). ??
Is priester a drop when cortez returns ??
Thanks Grey
Walter
Yes, likely on Priester
@Grey: in same weekly roto league. in a league where i need sbs, who would you start between these guys?
cam smith – 3 vs cle, 3 vs tex
t freeman (assuming hes playing/healthy) – 3 @ bos, 3 @ cin
h ramos – 3 vs phi 3 vs lad
thanks!
Freeman clearly if you need SBs…he is not the best one here tho, Ramos is
@Grey: weekly roto. who do you like at 1b?
kurtz – 3 vs atl, 3 vs tor
pasquantino – 3 vs pit, 3 vs nym
c walker – 3 vs cle, 3 vs tex
thanks!
Kurtz
Howdy & Happy National Dive Bar Day! Pretty sure my basement doubles as a dive bar, so I’ll be observing intently.
Anyway, sonavabench… & drop with Gavin Williams! and only 3BBs yesterday too!
While that start seems to be the outlier, would you drop anyone (full roster below) to re-add him or leave him out there to screw someone else’s roster up?
And if you don’t recommend picking him back up, would you cut anyone to make an improvement anywhere else (better SP, CI)
6×6 (OPS/QS)
C: William Contreras
1B: Goldy
2B: K. Marte
3B: Bohm
SS: Corey Seager
IF: Gleybar
OF: Soto, Tatis, Happ
UTL: Heliot Ramos, Willy Adames
BN: Cowser
SP: Flaherty, Kirby, Reese Olson, Misiorowski, Ohtani, Warren, Shane Baz, Taj Bradley, Chase Burns, Eury, Emmet Sheehan
RP: Duran, Hoffman, Bednar
IL (3 slots):, King, Schwellenbach, Tylor Megill
Some FA’s below:
SP’s:
1B/3B’s:
Thanks as always (and apologies for the long comment)!
Ha, nice! I don’t mind Boyle, but don’t see anyone to drop…And Goldy’s pretty meh but it’s not like waivers are much better..Goldy and Sheets are about even
Grey- hope you have a great week!
Two questions for you-
Warren or Rogers, 10tm QS league with innings per start as a H2H cat?
Closer carousel- have Shelby Miller but Vest, Henriquez and Bednar are available. Robot favors Miller this week. Hold or make a change?
Thank you!
Rogers
Hold
12 team redraft .. h/h points
Gots to drop one both are on my bench
Friedl or Volpe
Volpe
Looking to stream Singer for his 2 start week. Need to drop 1 or hold. Playing the last place team who has 2 AAA players in the lineup.
Neto (have Betts)
Cam Smith ( have Rooker or Betts)
Bednar
Champan (Hicks got save last night)
Boyle
Thanks
Who is Champan?
Shoe salesman by day, superhero by night.
Champan Atthebit…love that guy.
Haha
Haha I didnt proof read. I am referring to Aroldis Chapman. Sorry for the confusion.
Drop Boyle if you want to stream someone
Buxton finally has his career year after I gave up on him. Figures.
Ha yup
Oh, don’t you worry, Will…there’s PLENTY of time for him to miss a month+ with a hamstring issue.
ESPN Points, this week only, please rank top 3:
Matt Boyd @NYY
Chase Burns vs Colo
Sean Burke vs Tor, Vs Cle (2 starts)
Cecconi @ Hou
Soroka @ StL
Thanks
Boyd, Burns, Soroka
Teoscar or Rafaela in 12 tm obp ros?
Teoscar
Is it closer than expected or do you still have top 60 expectations for Teo? Seems like he’s right in line with your original projections.
I do, but I haven’t heard yet on his foot injury
Which of these three would you take?
Kershaw,Lauer,or Yu?
Meh I’d prolly try Yu
Hello.. happy Monday… who do we prefer out of these two for the r.o.s ….Boyle or Senga ?
Someone offered me Dustin May and Boyle for my Senga? Yay or hold
Senga
Senga
Rocker, Verlander or Walter ROS? H2H points
Walter
is it time to move on from Marcel Ozuna in 10 team mixed league?
Yes
Hi Grey,
Can’t believe we’re already at the All-Star break! Thanks for your help all the way – in the hunt thanks to you and the Razzball team.
A. How would you rank these starts – which are the top 4?
Lauer @CHW
Walter vs CLE
Olson vs TB
Boyd @NYY
EdCab @BAL
Sheehan @SF
B. How do you feel about keeping Schwellenbach for next year? I would be able to keep him at a good value but obviously he’d be using up one of my 2 IL spots. Wondering if I should just drop him and be done with it.
Thanks!
A. Olson, Walter, Boyd, EdCab B. Meh, I’d hold if I could
Hey Grey!
Please choose 2
Rodon vs Cubs
Abbott vs Marlins
Woodruff vs Nationals
Woo @ Yankees
Thanks in advance!
RICE
Abbott, Woodruff
Thanks! Another one please…
Woodruff vs Nationals
Or
Robbie Ray vs Phillies
Ray
Did we ever settle on a term for the late inning home runs that don’t mean anything? I vaguely remember something like “Beating a dead meatball”, but my memory is horrible.
https://razzball.com/fantasy-baseball-terms/#Ho-Hum_Dinger
There’s an actual GLOSSARY?? Thanks for this gift.
Haha
Drop Schwellenbach. H2H Point league.Choices for pickup are R Nelson, Bibee, Darvish, Bello,
thoughts? Is he coming back or too late to be useful.
I’d try Yu
1. ECab, Kershaw, Ryne, Rogers….streamers in a 12 teamer or does one seem worthy of a spot on the team?
2. I roster Burns as well. Hold or swap?
1. Rogers seems pretty good 2. Hold
In a 10t h2h cat. league would you drop Happ for C. Walker, L. Garcia, J. Lowe or A. Garcia. Needs are r, hr and rbi’s.
Also is Ozuna in the drop zone. Hang on to him until trade deadline? Right now he’s a bench bat in several 12t h2h cat leagues.
Thanks
No
Can lose Ozuna
ROS, are you taking Jo Adell or Colton Cowser?
Adell
Grey thanks in advance for the advice would you trade Judge and Sandy Alcantra for Jackson Churio and Wyatt Langford in a 6×6 dynasty roto league? Also thought about throwing in Harper from my end if I could get him to throw in Soto. Thoughts?
No
Grey
Are you starting Roupp at home vs Phi??
Yes
Drafted Seiya each of the last three years. This year I was out. I’m really good at this.
ROS, O’Hearn or Steer?
I traded Seiya away for Teoscar. Sharing this to make you feel better.
Haha, I hear that…Steer
Hey Hey Hey, Grey!!!
Whatcha think about stating Cameron tonight v PIT? Robot no-likey (-9.7), but he’s been real good against weaker offenses, only really getting roughed up by Yanks and Dodgers.
Lurveyas!!!
Seems ok, lurves
I am completed.
LFG!
In a roto dynasty 6×6 league would you trade judge and alcantra for Langford and Jackson Churio?
No
Hey Grey,
20 team h2h cat dynasty
Joe Boyle, Shane Smith, Emmett Sheehan.
Keep 1
Thank you!!
Sheehan
Keep Shane Smith or Joe Boyle?
Boyle
Gracias!!
No problemo
What to do with Austin Riley? In the 32 games since June 1st, he has a 30% K rate, with at least 1K in 27 of those games (our league penalizes batter K’s). Though he’s currently the 10th ranked 3B YTD, he is the 30th ranked 3B since June 1st. Is it time to move on? Alternatives: Arenado, Chapman, Noelvi, Shaw, Westburg
Meh, those options aren’t great, maybe if Chapman or West start hitting but
….but meh
Thanks, Grey. Gonna hold Riley and hope to stop holding my nose.
Yup
I saw an article on CBS sports recently that pointed out that his first half production is very similar to what it was the past few years, and they weren’t concerned because he has always been better in the second half. I own him, too and am worried, but just FYI…
Gotcha
Oh great Grey,
ROS pts league:
Gore or Ryan at SP
Story or Perdomo at SS
Ryan
Story
Gm Grey! “As the sign on a brothel says, therein lies the rub.” this alone was worth the read. are you starting brandon ttis week?
i was thinking baz,kelly,kirby,, ranger and brandon with these mathups
SP Shane Baz SP • TB R @DET 1-0, 8.44, 5 IP @BOS 3-0, 2.96, 24 IP
SP Merrill Kelly SP • ARI R @SD 9-5, 3.57, 93 IP @LAA 0-0, 5.40, 5 IP
SP George Kirby SP • SEA R @DET 1-4, 7.54, 22 IP
SP Ranger Suarez SP • PHI L @SD 3-0, 2.03, 31 IP
SP Brandon Woodruff SP • MIL WAS 4-0, 0.96, 37 IP
SP Cade Horton SP • CHC R @MIN
SP Nick Lodolo SP • CIN L MIA 2-1, 2.82, 22 IP
SP Jacob Lopez RP,SP • ATH L TOR 1-0, 0 S, 8.44 (5 IP) v
Thanks! Baz and Kelly’s matchups stink, but can’t bench 2 start starters so yes: baz,kelly,kirby,, ranger and brandon
yes its not like i have an ace on the bench horton and lodolo do not really move the needlee
Yup
Grey I’m in a pickle. Who would rather own rest of season. Boyd, trevor rogers, Abbott, zach gallen? Concerned with boyd staying healthy havn’t reaching 100 innings since 2019. Also maybe Abbott hitting an innings limit he pitched 138 last year, and 163 year before between minors and majors. We know its a long fantasy season when pitchers start dropping like flies during playoffs
Boyd
Who would you drop out of those pitchers?
Gallen
Good Morning Grey!
For the second half, would you prefer Kurtz or Rice at 1B. I’m torn…
Kurtz
Please put them in order of preference: ( This year only)
Chace Burns, Jacob Misiorowski, Emmet Sheehan, Joe Boyle?
Misi, Sheehan, Boyle, could change after every start
I guess you don’t like Burns? Should I look to drop him?
I like him, could be 1st on that list by next week
Need an OF. Best available are Mullins, Laureano, and Jake Meyers. For my league settings (Hits and Walks included in 7×7 scoring), who do you like out of those three? Hittertron likes Mullins for the upcoming week.
Mullins
Crochet/Bohm or James Wood/Ian Happ
Wood
God 3B is bleak. Noelvi Marte, Zach McKinstry or etc – McMahon, Norby, Dylan Moore, ATH Muncy?
McKinstry
The more I draft and then trade for hitters, I worse my team hits. Past five weeks: weekly batting average has not been over .244 which kinda hurts in a H2H league. Power has not been there either. Please take a look at my roster below. To me it looks solid but perhaps for 2023. In what world does Suzuki have twice as many RBI as JoRam?
Good news: pitching has been lights out so in third place in 12 teamer. Color me concerned but not in panic mode – yet.
A Ramirez
Vlad, JoRam, Machado
Lindor, B Lowe, Story for now on a batty call
Tucker, Teoscar, O Cruz, Bux, Donovan
Util N Lowe
Wheeler, Crochet, Yamamoto, Ranger, ECab, Bibee, Misi, Streamer spot (Bello v Rocks Tues)
Bautista, Vest, Ronny
IL – Ivan
WW- B Reynolds, Cowser, Otto, Sheehan, Boyle, Ryne.
1. Reynolds hit the wire. Doubt I will get him given my waiver position but will try. Who goes? N Lowe, Story (on a batty call given his schedule and results) or maybe Bibee? With Teoscar and B Lowe banged up I may need bats.
2. I love Ivan especially in our league which has ten hitting cats. For a catcher to hit that well is obviously huge. But if Teo and/or Lowe hits the IL do I drop him and roll with A Ramirez?
3. If Bibee blows tonight, do I just cut him?
4. If Bibee is sharp tonight, do I hold or try to trade? Not sure what the market is for a 4-9 guy.
5. Appreciate an assessment of my squad. On paper, only one team has better stats and even that is close but I am where I am. 15 games out of first and 12 out of second place.
Appreciate the guidance.
No problem
Not sure what the plan is with rasmussen. They’re in a race. Are they coasting into AS break and will they use him more in 2nd half? Not sure.
So do i drop Rasmussen and/or Chase for any of these guys: noah cameron, boyle, eury perez, Trevor Rogers, sheehan? 6×6 with qs. Thanks
Think he’s maxed, Rogers
Looks like they will piggyback Boyle off of Ras for a few starts (what a few is to TB, we will see)
Ha, yup
What would Dusty Baker do?
Jokes aside, they did say at the time that he ruined Wood and Prior, but this seems stupid going the other way, no?
Haha, run a guy out there for 140 pitches
@Grey: weekly roto. Need to start two of the following. Who do you like?
Bello – vs col, vs tb
N Martinez – vs Mia, vs col
Ed Cab – @ bal
Rodon – vs chc
Thanks!
Martinez, Rodon
Trade looking at next year only. Pick a side:
A. Munoz and Holliday for Strider
Munoz, it’s fair, depends on needs
Drop Rasmussen for Boyle or Nick Martinez’s 2-start week (MIA, COL)?
Martinez
Morning Grey,
This seems a strange question to ask, but would you start Chase Burns (COL) or Brandon Walter (CLE) this week? Both are at home.
Thanks!
Burns
Need a catcher thanks to Herrera and Sanchez hitting the IL.
Who would you take? Ben Rice, Austin Wells, Sean Murphy, Carson Kelly, Victor Caratini or Shea Langeliers?
Murphy, Rice
You starting flaherty vs the mariners and peralta vs the dodgers tonight ?
Yes
Shallow 10 team H2H categories league with TB as 6th category. Top two out of Langford, Barger, Kurtz, and Roman. Thanks!
Wyatt, Kurtz
Oh great Grey,
I can only start one:
Ryan PIT
Strider @Ath
Ryan
Thanks Grey. I can also start the following this week but I’m a bit more confident just going with Ryan’s one start. What do you think?
Ryan PIT
Pepiot @Det; @Bos
Singer MIA; COL
Soriano TX; AZ
Eury @Cin; @Bal
Ryan
Morning G!
I know we are coming up on the ASB which historically is when we shed the underperformers. That said, as an eternal optimist (read FOMO enjoyer), I still hold some hope for both of these guys.
Ozuna – underperforming XBA by 30 pts. Still hitting the ball hard, but has looked lost as of late
Edman – more concerned about the injuries he seems to have every two weeks – ankle, foot / pinky toe and underperforming XBA by the 40 pts
What are you doing with these two?
Thanks!
-IANASM
Ozuna is hurt, lose him…Edman seems ok
I handed Ozuna his final check and walking papers last night. Tough to drive a baseball with a hip tear. PS – somebody tell the Braves that they’re only 2.5 games ahead of the Nationals, and lost their top 2 starters. As Jim Cramer would say: “Sell! Sell! Sell!”
Haha yup
It needs to happen. Who did you end up replacing him with?
As the kids say in Yiddish…drek. I had Ozuna in the UTIL spot in a H2H and swapped in Trevor Story. Not in a million years would I have envisioned making said move, but Ozuna has done nothing over the past month+. Story seems to have found his 2021-22 “passable” stroke, so keep the counting stats coming.
Haha, does seem implausible if this were March
Hey Grey –
Points League Reliever quandary.
[7 points per save, 1point per K….]
Who’s the odd man out?
M.Miller, S.Miller, Vest, Duran
Thanks
Shelby
Thank you!
No problem
Hey good people! Are we starting the Misiorowski this week against the dodgers?
Other options to consider … S.Burke vs Toronto and Cleveland at home in a 2 start week
Other option is the recently very effective T.Rogers in a juicy matchup against his old marlins team ?
Or is it the Mis, all the time , everytime, cause he is that dude.
Tia
Rogers seems fine
Nope
Grey, is it ok to drop Bubba Chandler (NO NA SPOT) for either Sheehan, Trevor Rogers, Boyle / either of the 3?
Also how would you rank Bichette, Cam Smith and Cam Simpson? 5×5 OBP
Thanks!
Yes, Rogers
Bichette, Smith
Drop Rasmussen for Boyle? Or Eury? Or hold?
Eury
Thinking out loud.. not fantasy
Can trading Spencer Jones bring back a SPer from the Marlins
Yup
Is Drew Rasmussen a sell or drop now that the Rays have already begun chipping away at his innings? My fear is that this is Crochet of last year where his second half value is zero.
I’m asking same Q for my team… Probably will hold until after ASB and see if Rays decide to get him back to longer starts in the second half. But if they don’t, think he’s a drop – given other SPs still available in my league (e.g., EdCab, Olson).
Grey does mention this in the Joe Boyle blurb above.
Can try to sell him, he’s not throwing any more than a couple of innings
Rest of Season-
Christian Walker or Yainer Diaz?
Thanks!
Walker
Hays cost Wheeler the top spot on the 100 Best Fantasy Starts list with that home run. Zack is back to 4 entries after having one knocked off in the last week. Three other pitchers earned their way into the top 100 on the weekend, including Lorenzen’s first appearance. Michael had identical numbers against Boston on May 9, but was saddled with a No Decision and missed out.
03 Zack Wheeler Jul 6 vs CIN
13 George Kirby Jun 8 @LAA
20 Luis Castillo Jul 5 vs PIT
45 Zack Wheeler Apr 2 vs COL
46 Zack Wheeler Jun 30 vs SD
52 Michael Lorenzen Jul 6 @ARI
87 George Kirby Jul 6 vs PIT
94 Luis Castillo May 19 @CHW
97 Zack Wheeler Apr 18 vs MIA
Wow, Wheeler is having some kind of season, overshadowed it seems by Skubal
Speaking of Skubal…Vin, curious to know where yesterday’s performance slotted in the top 100? I know he didn’t get the win or complete the game, but 10Ks, 0.00 ERA and 0.43 WHIP had to have gotten him in the top 20, no?
Grey!!!!
Awesome!!
Rodney Dangerfield quote of the day for July 7, 2025
Hard work? Listen, Sherlock. While you were up here tucked away working on your ethics I was out there busting my hump in the real world. And the reason guys like you gotta a place to teach is because guys like me donate buildings.
From Back to School
Cheers,
Ante
Where does he come up with these gems?!?!?1?!
Thanks!
Back to School…classic. Love Downey Jr. with his mirror and horn at the diving match.
Langford’s stats from last night are missing.
Hey you seem like a top notch stats wizard. What’s the most consecutive batter PA without taking a walk? Not including mostly bench/PH type players or pitcher batting.
I might be a notch or 2 below the top. Can’t swear that this is the answer, but Mariano Duncan did not draw a walk in his final 103 PA of 1994 or in his first 220 PA of 1995. So, 323 might be the answer.
Ha, that’s crazy
Thank you! That’s what my search led to also. Michael Harris II is at 154, so he still has some work to do but I believe in him.
Oops
fixed
Hey hey Mr. Grey,
Quick one: current matchup is July 7-20 because of ASB, so being wise with my five adds is always…wise
I was perusing who was getting added most on Sunday and saw Darvish up there and saw I had IL space
I used my one add so far to pick him up, stashed in IL slot
Question- should I drop a one start name, like Soroka to activate, or just hold to wait and see?
Yu gets ARI and PHI for his two starts, I’m not sure I saw him on the Cookie Shop list and I don’t want to miss unexpected return upside
10 teams, head to head, points league
Sure, lose Soroka for him
Hope you had a good Fourth.
Is it plain old crazy to:
(1) In a Wins roto league, based on Rays innings limitations, drop Rasmussen for either Boyle (who stands to get decisions in the short-term) or Soriano (the best available wire SP in my 12t format)?
(2) Drop Luzardo for either Boyle or Soriano (I lead the league in strikeouts and third in Wins, but middle of the pack in ERA/WHIP.
(3) Drop Xavier for Ceddanne? (Playing Simpson full-time since his recall; at present, I lead the league in steals.)
Many thanks as always —
Thanks, Grey.
No problem
Lame title
Yeah, I’ve been a Razzball diehard for over a decade, and I get Grey is being cute, but it’s simply not funny. Get ready for the cult to downvote you. They get trigged easily.
Every once in a while the line is crossed between clever and poor taste. Doesn’t really bother me too much because I know Grey and Rudy despise the MAGA neanderthals. I do agree with you regarding the cult. Rather pathetic and I suppose it’s just the price to be paid for an entertaining and informative morning read.
Fuck yeah !! I could care less too, and that’s great to know. I don’t get offended. I’m old school, but I don’t support hate groups. With that being said, it isn’t in poor taste. Grey and Co. are the best, funny, and I love Razzball, but hey, we can voice our opinions right? Freedom of speech or something.
Freedom of speech, of course. But when you refuse to even acknowledge there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed then you’re not all that different from the MAGA neanderthals (who surround themselves with sycophants, bootlickers and easily triggered cultists).
It could be said that name calling crosses a line as well. Guess it depends on whom the target is.
Eeeerrrrrrermmmeeerrrrggeeeerrrrddd muh politics.
So, complaining about the title is not being triggered, but down voting the complaint is?
Haha, gotcha !!
Wow, offended and vocal over nothing. How surprising.
Rules for the, not for me. Hypocrite.
It’s all good – still love you, Rudy!
Grey and Rudy used this tongue-in-cheek. Check out the Razzball Bluesky / twitter account for their feelings on this. Grey is a quality follow on there.
Somebody’s got a case of the Mondays
Rudy does the titles, blame him!