I went into the Mike Foltynewicz vs. Red Sox in Fenway matchup a spry, jovial young rascal. The mischievous imp of Chinese food, the rapscallion. Then Mike Faultywirewitz went 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners (3 BBs), 7 Ks, ERA at 2.55, and I aged forty years. “I was told just the painting of me is supposed to age.” That’s me trying to get a refund for my Dorian Grey Albright portrait. The time Finkynewhitch was on the mound was like the three-year span when I lost my fortune investing in Beanie Babies compressed into two hours. He just loses all semblance of the strike zone out of completely nowhere. It’s like, “We’re cruising….so cruising…And now I’m throwing five feet outside the strike zone.” With that said, it’s hard not to be encouraged — his velocity is up to 96 MPH; his K/9 is up to 10.4; he’s got the best xFIP of his career, and his team should provide run support. He’s also in his third full year when I like to look for starter breakouts. The only drawback is his command is a mess. As long as you watch him pitch with cucumbers on your eyes to combat the wrinkles, you’ll be fine. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Sean Newcomb – 3 IP, 3 ER, ERA at 2.75. This was a tough start at Fenway. Sean will overcomb.
Mike Soroka – Will begin a rehab later this week. In the biz, we call this a Mike check.
Ronald Acuna – Left yesterday’s game after going 175 MPH through first base, calling himself safe and twisting his leg. The replay of Acuña hurting himself while calling himself safe shows why umpires make safe and out calls while standing still. Since Acuña walked off the field on his power, I’m assuming he will be fine. Leave the safe calls to the professionals.
Tyler Flowers – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer, hitting .286. The home run came off Sale and went over the Green Monster, who I’m told is named Wally and is racist.
Drew Pomeranz – 3 1/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 6.75. You are a flawed specimen. Goodbye, Pomeranz. I said that in my most evil voice.
Mookie Betts – Scratched with side tightness. Nooooooooooooo… *takes a few breaths* …oooooooooooooo… *sobs for a few minutes* …oooooooooooo… *forgets why I’m sobbing, checks email, sees an email from my bookie, reminds me of Mookie, sobs again* ….ooooooooo!!!!
Chris Sale – 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 2.76. You’d think Sale would be able to handle the Braves’ tomahawk better considering his dexterity with scissors.
Andrew Miller – Returned to the DL with knee inflammation. He’s battled knee problems for years, and you have to wonder if the Indians are the right team for a wounded knee.
Trevor Bauer – 7 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 baserunners, 13 Ks, ERA at 2.61 vs. Gerrit Cole – 7 IP, 3 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 2.05. According to Bauer, Gerrit said Bauer has no future in baseball back when they were teammates in college. I wanna believe Cole said this, but it likely never happened and Bauer is using it to fuel some kind of massive grudge that only he is holding. Like I wanna believe every ex-girlfriend thinks I’ll never amount to anything, and it keeps me fighting every day. I’ll show you, Stacey Pawlowski!
Yonder Alonso – 2-for-6, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 11th homer, hitting .234. His homer tied the game at 9-9 in the 11th as Alonso proved no one gets one over Yonder! YODEL-AY-EE-OOOO!
Evan Gattis – 2-for-6, 3 RBIs and his 5th and 6th homer, hitting .230. Sure, CBS ranked him top 20 overall in the preseason, but he does have catcher eligibility!
Jose Altuve – 4-for-6, 1 run, 2 RBIs, hitting .330, and back-to-back four-hit games. If might were height, Altuve wouldn’t need a phone book to drive.
Ken Giles – 0 IP, 3 ER, and an epic Kazaam, raising his ERA to 5.06. Hopefully, he doesn’t beat himself up too badly.
Lance McCullers – 4 1/3 IP, 7 ER, ERA at 3.98 vs. Carlos Carrasco 5 2/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA also at 3.98. Neither of these two pitchers seem Mediterranean, but they are both giant PITAs.
Jordan Lyles – 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.83. ‘Member way back, like, all the way back to about ten days ago when everyone was saying Lyles was a brand new pitcher due to one start in Petco? What are they saying about him after two mediocre road starts? Could he have been a Hodgepadre as always assumed? It’s kind of incredible how some people can break down the angle of a guy’s breaking ball, the change in a guy’s arm angle or an array of other things, but can’t tell the difference between one start vs. a month of starts vs. a season of starts.
Phil Hughes – Acquired by the Padres. Well, that’s it for the NL pennant. Call it a day every other NL team, you’re not going to be able to compete with that. Sorry, good try out there. When Homer Bailey becomes available in 2021, you will have another opportunity, but until then you’re playing for 2nd.
Clayton Kershaw – Will return on Thursday. For the starter hoarders and those saying Ron Washington is a coke snorter. Sorry, listening to too much Pusha T.
Walker Buehler – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 2.20. Not trying to evoke the Ma Anand Sheela of Dodgers starters, but Kershaw wasn’t nearly as good as Buehler in his rookie year.
Cody Bellinger – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 8th homer, hitting .237. What a snooze this young brother’s been. Yo, Cody, get your shizz together! Final warning!
Bryce Harper – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 16th homer, hitting .232. Yes, I saw his home run. It was a moon shot as they said on a Hollywood stage with Neil Armstrong, but, damn, I’m glad I have Harper in an OBP league. Woof on that average.
Anthony Rendon – 2-for-3 and his 5th homer, hitting .267. We’re overdue for him to have one of his insane months. It’s gonna happen in June. Did I just reverse jinx him or reverse reverse jinx him or reverse reverse reverse jinx him?
Ryan McMahon – 1-for-4 as he was recalled to play 2nd base. Was surprised to see people in my NL-Only leagues still holding McMahon, guess they thought more highly of him than I did. Not saying there won’t be some value here — Coors, dur — but LeMahieu will return at some point, and the Rockies have shown no willingness to play rookies ever. It’s remarkable that Arenado isn’t still backing up Vinny Casilla.
Nolan Arenado – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer, hitting .324. I found these treasury bonds from 1954 in my attic. I’m just going to carelessly leave them by this open window—NOOOO!!! Torenado!!!
Carlos Gonzalez – 4-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 5th homer. Also, in this game, Ian Desmond ( 1-for-3, 2 RBIs) hit his 9th homer and David Dahl (1-for-5) hit his 3rd homer. When I was younger, I had a Matt McConaughey from Dazed & Confused-type friend who used to tell me how he loved when the weather warmed up so girls would wear less clothes. I feel as pervy as him but about the weather warming in Coors.
Alex Reyes – Will debut on Wednesday, which makes me so horny. So, that’s why it’s called hump day!
Jack Flaherty – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 2.15. Where does Flaherty go once Reyes and C-Mart are back? Haven’t a clue. I will say the Cards are a weird organization. They have no problem promoting rookies, but that never means they’re going to play them. It took Pham and Jo-Ma until they were 29 years old to see regular playing time.
Greg Holland – Hit the Disgraceful List, though, in his case, this was just showing mercy to a character we once admired. Greg Holland was basically Theon Greyjoy last year, then he was captured by Ramsay Bolton this year, and WHIP’d and lost his ability to command his balls. Greg Holland, you’ve been placed on the Reek List.
Felipe Vazquez – His third blown save in the last three save chances and he left with forearm tightness. For a pitcher, there is no other tightness. Tightness in the chest would be better. Since Vazquez will likely be DL’d for 18 months (not fully joking), we have to pick up a replacement. Richard Rodriguez would be the smart choice; Michael Feliz would be an interesting choice; Edgar Santana would be the obvious choice. The shot-in-the-dark-because-who-knows-what-C**nt-will-do choice? Kyle Crick.
Jason Hammel – 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 5.23. 5+ K/9 pitcher + team who strikes out 45% of the time = Ky Young. Damn, so close! My math’s a little off there, but you get picture.
Jesus Aguilar – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 9th homer, and 87th homer this week, hitting .325. I told you to grab him in Friday’s Buy. Now you have to start examining everything you did this weekend that you thought was more important. You really needed to spend time with your friends and family at a BBQ? I think we both know the answer to that.
Asdrubal Cabrera – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 8th homer, hitting .316. *holds up American Express card* “Asdrubal, because as anyone else is not enough.” That’s Asdrubal rehearsing in his mirror for a nonexistent commercial endorsement.
Aaron Nola – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 2.27. The Marla Gibbs line! Like that’s more arbitrary than the Wandy Line. So, when do we consider Nola a top 5 starter? Not to answer, but to ruminate.
J.A. Happ – 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.84. Granted, I don’t read what other ‘perts write, but it feels like I’m the only talking about what Happ is doing this year. What the haps on Happ, people? You’d be hard to find someone pitching as well as him, peripherals-wise.
Curtis Granderson – 2-for-5 and his 4th homer, hitting .242 (.381 OBP). He’s done nothing in the past week, but Grandy has been known to get scorching hot for a week or two spell — S-C-H-M-O-T-A-T-O.
Ryan Tepera – 1 IP, 0 ER and his 2nd save, and two saves this weekend. Looks like the Blue Jays are going with panko to cover their closer role.
Daniel Mengden – 9 IP, 0 ER, 2 baserunners (zero walks), 5 Ks, ERA at 2.85. At the beginning of last week, Rudy grabbed Mengden. Because he’s some kind of wizard? Rudy was going off the Stream-o-Nator, which he created, so maybe he is a wizard. Guess that explains the purple robe too. Mengden’s next start? More of the same goodness.
Frankie Montas – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks in his 1st start. Look at Frankie Montas showing Bryan Cranston he’s not the only one to find success after Malcolm in the Middle. Montas is a converted middle reliever/child actor, who throws damn hard (97 MPH), and the Stream-o-Nator doesn’t hate his next start.
Clay Buchholz – 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 1.64. He is chum for the Regression Fairies.
Jean Segura – Was kicked in his melon on Saturday and now he might be dealing with a concussion. Damn, I didn’t mean to curse him with my Friday Sell. Sometimes I don’t even know my own power. Though, when I try to lift anything that weighs more than fifteen pounds, I do seem to know my own power.
Mike Leake – 8 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 4.93 vs. Jose Berrios – 7 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.67. This matchup was billed as, “What do get when the Kool-Aid Man needs first aid? Berrios/Leake, oh yeah!”
Jeimer Candelario – 0-for-3 and homered twice on Saturday, hitting .272. If he was dropped while he was on the DL, I could see getting back in on him. Fantasy value this year, Jeimer > Miggy? True or false? Seems crazy to say true, or crazy like a fox? Think before answering, young prematurely balding man, a lot is riding on this answer that we can’t verify.
Matt Davidson – Sounds headed to the DL with back issues. Back issues of Men’s Health, to be exact. Filling in for him was Jose Rondon (1-for-4 and his 3rd homer), and his third homer this week. Rondon is a hot schmotato as long as Davidson stays sidelined.
Anthony Banda – 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 3.95, as he ‘started’ Saturday’s game in the 2nd inning. Too bad the RCLs moved away from a Games Started limit this year, would add a whole new wrinkle into the equation trying to guess who will be the 2nd inning man for the Rays.
Kevin Gausman – 2 2/3 IP, 7 ER, ERA at 4.31. Hey, Gausman, why not just run over my grandmother, then keep reversing your truck nuts over her lips, so it looks like her newly dead body is teabagging your truck? It would be a lot quicker to get me to hate you!
Sonny Gray – 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 5.98. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay on my team anymore. Guys and five girls, we can’t carry a starter who has a 6 ERA through two months of starts.
Masahiro Tanaka – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 4.62. Tanaka strikes Ohtani out twice is the highlight from this game, according to ESPN. So raycess. Why don’t they point out every time a Dominican pitcher strikes out a Dominican hitter? *black guy meme pointing at his head* I’m so woke.
Andrelton Simmons – 2-for-4 and his 4th homer, hitting .332. One year he hits for power, one year no power; one year he hits for average, one year no average. Yo, Andrelton, pick a lane wth your UFO!
Garrett Richards – 2 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 hits, 5 walks, 3 Ks, ERA at 3.67. Try to put that start behind you, and focus on how much Stream-o-Nator likes his next start, i.e., from f**k us to focus.
Albert Almora – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, hitting .326, hitting over .400 in the last week. Hot schmotato alert!
Yu Darvish – Hit the DL with triceps tightness. Why does it feel like they’ve been trying to figure out what’s wrong with Darvish since last year? Pitchers do have a bit of a Catch 22 to deal with when injured. You wanna see a doctor, but if they recommend you to Dr. James Andrews, then you’re done and will lose vital parts of your arm.
Jose Quintana – 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 4.78. Sometimes my dog, Ted, goes out and does two poops, and, like any proud father would be, I celebrate him by calling Teddy Two Poops. This weekend, he went on one walk and did three poops! That’s right, a new world record, Teddy Three Poops! I mean, who does three poops in today’s day and age? Who?! Then Quintana went out and did four poops. Always the competitor this Quintana.
Hunter Pence – Giants are talking about releasing The Gangly Manbird. This comes after Pence reworked his swing to use more launch angle and less “getting a running start while flapping.”
What’s up with Ralph’s boy, Rhys Hoskins? Buy low?
You giving up on Bellinger?
Did you see CarGo’s bomb? 461 ft
Have you seen the movie Patti Cakes? I was pleasantly surprised by it. You watch Westworld?
Went to century City Eataly and they had this devilishly handsome man with a magnificent mustache in their shoplifter section, looked very familiar…
@Top 20 Gattis in Full Effect: Buy low, not for Cody — Patti Cakes was awesome, surprised no one saw it… Why didn’t you vouch for me in the shoplifting section? You know that’s not me, usually!
Hi Grey, in a points league how would you rank Nimmo, Franchy, and Duvall? I have to drop one of them
@asdfasdf: Reverse order
Hey Grey!
Please rank: Aguilar, Soto, Beltre (this is for my bench, so the fact that Beltre’s on the DL for now doesn’t really matter to me). Thanks!
@Raf: Soto, Aguilar
12-team, h2h:
1) ROS, which 2 Sp’s would you drop first?
grienke/arrieta/gio/buehler/nola/caleb smith/cahill/ed-rod/happ
2)i have plenty of power, but you can never have enough — rank best pick-ups off waiver wire, ROS: Duvall/ Matt Chapman/Teoscar
thank you!
@Seth Swirsky: 1. Ed-Rod, Smith 2. Chapman, Teoscar
Grey!
Great write-up. So nice of Ted to poop so often.
a. Nice wild, wild country reference. Been watching Safe s01e01 and Manhunt:Unabomber s01e01! Both are solid.
b. In first again but only just at 85.5. Mind you on May 1 I was in 9th at 55.5 so there is hope for all of you.
c. Mark Twain quote for May 28
A baby born with a billion dollars – where is the personal merit in that? A baby born with nothing – where is the personal demerit in that? The one is fawned upon, admired, worshiped by sycophants, the other is neglected and despised – where is the sense in it?
That’s a billion dollars in 1857 which would be all the money in the world 2018 money!!!
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante Galic: He’s a good boy, Ante. A. How is Safe? Heard mixed things B. Nice! C. So true, Twain
@Grey: Grey!
Safe is good. Just watched episode 1. The constant thread about the main character that I have read practically everywhere (rotten tomatoes, wikipedia, IMDB, etc) is that his British accent is weird or cannot be localized. But if you can get passed that trivial piece of information, it has intrigue, a love interest (I think they call it going for a quick shag in the UK, if I’m not mistaken) and teens being teens. I guess it’s kind of like Big Little Lies, UK style.
Question? Start JV tonight @NYY? He’s facing Domingo German.
I got pummeled this weekend in ERA and WHIP by McCullers and Gausman (actually dropped him after his start, can stand the gas, man!), so why not take another hit!
In pitching, I’m fourth with 38 points.
9th in W – 25, 1 W away from a 3-way tie in 6th (26), only 1 W ahead of 10th (24)
tied for 9th in IP – 406.2, 8th is 412.1 IP, 11th is 406.1
6th in Ks – 453, 5th with 470 and 7th at 452
Saves – 4th with 36, 3rd is 44 and 5th is 35
ERA – 6th with 3.50, 5th is 3.26 and 7th is 3.57
WHIP – 2nd with 1.129, 1st is 1.051 and 3rd is 1.135
Cheers,
Ante
Oh, I don’t care about accents if that’s the problem… Gotta start JV everywhere… You should watch Fauda, on Netflix…
@Grey: Grey!
Thanks, man! Will look it up.
The name for Safe comes from the idea that one is ‘safe’ in a gated community but the fact is we are not safe if the contents of that community is not good. This feeling comes up almost immediately from the start of the show.
Best, Ante
No spoilers, Ante!
@Grey: Safe is really good about half way through the season. Michael C Hall always picks quality mini-series.
Nice, will have to check it out!
I picked up all four of Quintana’s poops. Cost me a friggin’ point. Why am I laughing so hard?
Would you drop Tanaka for Heaney or F. Romero? Asking for a friend.
@Phil: Haha… I’d hold Tanaka
I’ve been having a affair with some RP-SP’s lately. Cahill, Stripling, and Musgrove. If I take 2 out of 3 who would you drop ? Any opinion on Plucko from the Indians ?
@Stickball Al: Stripling — Went over Plutko last time he pitched
Good morning!! I have Zunino as my C but Gattis is on the wire. Shall I make the switch to Gattis and drop Zunino? Thanks!
@NJJN: Meh
Hi Grey, if Acuna is NOT ok , who would u pick up in a points league with no bench:
Soto
Meadows
Cron
Cervelli
Villanueava
Thx
@Eric: Soto
@Eric: or go on the DL10…………
Thanks for the great write-up Grey!
16 team H2H weekly points league…
who should I play in my one of my RP slots…
Buehler @ COL or Jose Alvarado 4 games @ OAK and 3 games @ SEA
Thanks again!
@RicoSuave: Alvarado
16-team 5×5 league. Mancini or Margot ROS?
@phennore: Mancini
Happy Memorial Day!
Please rank the following 4 SP for dynasty purposes:
Jack Flaherty, Manaea, Wacha, Fernando Romero.
Thanks!
@Chud: Wacha, Manaea, Flaherty
Great stuff Grey and on a holiday no less!
Quick question, can Gausman and Bundy ever have great starts in the same week or does one have to suck ass when the other dominates? Asking for friend of a friend’s brother
@Max Freeze: Haha, uncanny like that, right?
@Grey: Yup, owning both would be like playing the lottery. The kind where your chance of winning is 1 in 1000000000
Haha
In a 10 team head to head keeper league – Heaney is available. Do I drop lamb or odor to grab him? Neither guy plays and both are sitting on my bench
c ramos
1b votto
2b merrifield
3b rendon
ss bogaerts
of jd, cain, gallo
util – encarcion, bregman
bench – m. olson, inciarte, soto, schoop, lamb, odor, haniger
Thanks!
@Last One Out of Liberty City: Olson
I got in a trade Bauer for my Corbin. I usually don’t swap SP for SP, but since Corbin has been a sell for a while, I thought it was the right call.
Only question is, fair or good for me?
@Joe Di Banger: Good for you
Hey Grey! still angling for SBs… drop Odor or Buxton (both on bench for now) for Jankowski? gracias hermano.
@Tigres: Meh, don’t love it
Would you trade rendon for berrios and Castillo in head to head 12 man league
C Barnhart
1b Encarnacion
2b Escobar
3b Suarez
Ss Correa
If rendon
Of Betts, Bryant, Soto , upton
Util Devers , Domingo
Bench buxton, Matt Adams, goodrum
Dl cespesdes, d. Murphy
Sp gio, degrom, t. Williams, bauer, McCullers, pivetta, newcomb, wacha, Duffy, king ham
Rp Hughes, a. Bradley
Dl Cueto
@Peter Rabbit: Nope
So much for Free Willie Calhoun. He gets benched for not running out a grounder last night in his only at bat in Round Rock. I can see the Rangers moving him before the trade deadline. If there is not a place for him in the current dumpster fire of a Texas line up there probably won’t be…
@Uno Mas Cerveza: He’s literally better than 8 of 9 guys in their lineup
@Grey: Is Bartolo the other one?
Bartolo is always the other one, in every scenario
Add Mac Williams or Candelario?
Cather question (puke): add Barnhart, Flowers, or Alfaro?
Thank you in advance
@Worm Hole: Mac in Coors…Tucker
Thanks Gray for the sterling article today! So I own Felipe Vazquez bday TYker O’Neill. Which RP should I pick up for overall value in a saves/ no holds league: Richard Rodriguez, Edgar SAntana, Tepera, Dominguez, Shane Greene, Brach or Bradley? And for immediate OF help please pick 2 among O’Neill, Williamson, Kepler, Nimmo, Santana or Thanks!
@Tony C: Tepera…Domingo, Nimmo
Standard roto, weekly league. Who do you like for this week?
Odor, Conforto, or Puig?
@Big Ticket: Puig
Who wins in a 15 team keeper league that counts OPS and has incredibly thin WW pitching (laptop 100 pitchers are gone).
Mazara for Jon Gray and Paul Dejong?
Bonus question: is Dejong even a keeper someone should want to control?
Thanks!
@Jay: Mazara
12tm H2H redraft, I’m sitting top 3
Trade offer: My Just Dong / Tim Anderson for his Asdrubal Cabrera and Trout… take it?
@Gotime: Trout
@Grey: If I can, take Chris Taylor instead of Cabrera?
Sure
Drop either Gausman or Godley for Cahill in 5×5 QS league?
@Sano Chance in Hell:
Note: this is largely to stabilize ratios as I have a ton of boom or bust guys, just not sure if Cahill’s floor justifies losing the ceiling of Gausman or Godley
@Sano Chance in Hell: Gausman
Was offered Blackmon for my MadBum & Chris Taylor.
My SP is solid- should I pull the trigger ?
@TeddyBB: Works for me
Which two of these OF should I sit this week?
Buxton (7, CLE, @KC)
Conforto (8, CHC, @ATL)
Happ (7, @PIT, @NYM)
DeShields (7, @SEA, @LAA)
Kepler (7, CLE, @KC)
The Dentist can be dropped for sure. The occasional base hit is even rarer than the occasional base hit.
Oops….sorry the occasional base hit is even rarer than the occasional stolen base.
@Milarky: DeShields, Happ
Go with Dustin Fowler (TB, @KC) or Scott Kingery (@LAD,, @SF) this week?
@Skeezix: Fowler
Hi Grey!
Another great Daily Notes article for the books!! Thanks so much for the advice that you gave me on my roster. As of this writing, my team has moved up from 9th to 7th. It’s onwards and upwards from here! Meanwhile, I ditched Caleb Smith per your advice and added Kemp. I couldn’t bring myself to part with Conforto. I just have a hunch that he’s gonna right the ship, Plus, he’s 1 of my keepers and he managed to have a good weekend, so I think he’s turning things around. Now, I have to make room for Alex Reyes, whom I actually drafted. SO GLAD that he’s finally being called up!! Wish the Rangers would bring Calhoun up already!
Thanks again for your advice and for ALL that you do!!!
You’re the BEST!!!
LadyScorpio
@LadyScorpio
Oh, and Happy Memorial Day!!!
@LadyScorpio: Thanks! Have a good holiday!
Great write up…..
Looks like Marte is back with a vengance who should i sit to get him back in the line up….12 team h2h league.
Gleyber Torres, Bellinger, Kris Bryant, Juan Soto…..
I was thinking sit Bellinger but Torres was out yesterday and probable with a Knee.
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Soto
Happy holiday grey
1 Is Candelario an upgrade over Olson?
2 is almora an upgrade over Soto?
3 drop Vlad Jr for either?
4 Can we get a prayer hexagon for acuna?
Thanks man!
Have a hot D(og) on me! Ha ha
@Murph: Happy holiday, Murph! 1. Yes 2. Nah 3. Nope 4. Please!
Thanks!
Foreseeable future. Bud Norris, keone, Tepera, Oh, Greene, vizcaino, or Nate jones ?
@EZ: Norris
@Grey: over Felipe Vasquez?
Yes
@Grey: thanks. Lowrie or odor?
Odor
@Grey: thank you grey
No problem
In a weekly AL-Only league……
Swap Mookie Betts for Zack Cozart for fear the Mookie is going to end up on the DL and give me noting?
Cozart Matchups:
M. Boyd (L) M. Fulmer (R) M. Fiers (R)
.417, 12AB F. Liriano (L)
.192, 1 HR, 26AB B. Colon (R)
.375, 8AB C. Hamels (L)
.333, 18AB D. Fister (R)
.444, 9AB
@Kingslayer: Nah
It’s almost June so hopefully Buxton remembers how to hit. It’s a deep league, so dropping him has been tempting.
Would you drop him for Aguilar, Bird, Moreland? I’m good on steals and just need some pop.
@Alex: Aguilar
Got offered Solarte and Matt Adams for Mikolas. Pass on that right?
SPs are Kershaw, Bauer, Mikolas, Flaherty, Castillo, Pivetta, Wacha, Cahill
I’m just not sure either of these guys move the needle much for me
@Sdub: Mikolas side
Happy Memorial Day, Grey!
You rock the party that rocks the body.
Also, ROS rank, please: Happ, Taillon, Mengden, Gaviglio.(That’s Player Rater’s order, but also the opposite of what I find sexy.)
Love yas!
@sportivetricks: Aw thanks! You too! You ranked them, maybe Mengden over Taillon, but close for now
Good morning and happy memorial day, Grey. The Vinny Casilla line killed me–and it’s so true!
Tanaka, Weaver, Junis, Heaney, Mengden and C Smith are all sitting on the wire. Is one an automatic pick-up? And how would you rank them in RCL?
Thanks a lot!
@GrassyKnollRedding: Thanks! You too! Tanaka, streamers
Ros please rank, OBP instead of avg
Andujar
Bird
Gattis
@Frank the Tank: Andujar, Gattis
Thoughts on
Carlos Carrasco
for
John Flaherty
Keeper league
@kyle: Carrasco side, even if Jack
@Grey: hahaha, that’s even more of a steal if it was John Flaherty, Jacks dad.
Haha
Grey,
Which one to drop: Puig, Haniger, Meadows, or Desmond?
Thanks!
@200 Proof: None?
Add Nimmo, Span, Hicks, Brian Anderson, or Healy over Mancini? 5×5 scoring
@Jon: or over Billy Hamilton
Lots to choose from for 2-starters this week. Can you help me pick two of the following to SIT?
Mikolas (PIT)
Severino (HOU)
Tanaka (@BAL)
Wacha (PIT, @MIL)
Weaver (PIT, @MIL)
Newcomb (WAS)
Snell (@OAK, @SEA)
Snell, Newcomb
Not easy choices
Good morning!
Currently in first after a strong week. 6×6 (OBP, SLG) league, weekly. Been running with a patched together outfield at the bottom (Judge, Cain, Pillar, Nimmo, Tyler O’Neill) with K Davis on the DL. Not much on the waiver wire, but would you replace any of the ones I have for this week (Davis scheduled to come back) with Parra (7 games in Coors), Pirela, Preston Tucker (with Acuna probably out), or Tony Kemp? or should I just put Davis in, hoping he’ll have a good half a week, and drop one of the guys I have?
Thanks,
Jeff
Parra over Pillar
@Grey: Thanks!
No problem
Jankowski or DeShields ROS?
Jank
Activating Reyes on Wed and need to drop someone
Trevor Williams
Byron Buxton
Trevor Cahill
Luke Weaver
Ross Stripling
Stripling
Cron (7, @OAK, @SEA) has really slowed down over the past week. Use him in my UTIL spot, or put in Deshields (7, @SEA, @LAA) or Happ (7, @PIT, @NYM)?
Cron
Ok with dropping Polanco for Peralta?
Meh
Howdy Grey, bundy in a 2start this week or Buehler @ COL? Thx!!
No idea where Bundy is starting
@Grey: home for both vs wash and vs nyy
Try Bundy
Buehler @COL or Bundy vs WASH and vs NYY? Thx
@RV: oops thx ??
np
@RV: @RV: oops thx ??
np
Bundy
Happy Monday, Grey. Could you help me figure out who to sit from these starts (if you could name 2-4, that would be awesome!):
Wacha (@Mil and Pit)
Morton (@NYY and Bos)
Gibson (@KC and Cle)
Clevinger (CWS and @Min)
Quintana (@NYM)
So many of my pitchers with two-starts this week. Thanks!
Quintana, Wacha, Gibson
Grey,
5×5 keeper 12 team…who do you like going forward SPs?
R. Lopez
T. Ross
Hellickson
F Romero
Junis
Teheran
Thank you
These are streamers, Junis, Lopez
Hello Grey,
Great stuff. Your story about Ted reminded me of what some folks up here in NE call Dustin Pedroia – Dusty 2 Bags. Yeah, I would rather be called 2 Poops! HA! And I laughed at (and loved) the Gausman write up. That was awesome, especially since I suffered with that bag of shite for so long.
Ok, finally dropped L. Weaver in our Yahoo 12 Team H2H League because I had too many players. Rest of the staff is Tanaka, Bauer, Snell, Pivetta, Heaney, Flaherty, Corbin, and Bundy. Kinda tough call, but then again, not a very good pitching staff. Did I make a mistake?
Thanks much Grey and have a nice holiday.
Haha, thanks! Bundy scares me, but his peripherals are better than Weaver, and Flaherty might be out of the rotation when C-Mart returns… It’s fine tho
In light of this unknown injury to Acuna would u start him or meadows this week? Weekly h2h 5×5. Braves play 8 w acuna sitting today, meadows and pirates play 7 with meadows batting 2nd today but in a rotation? Thx!
Meadows
Yo Grey! A memorial Memorial Day to you (people who say, “happy Memorial Day!” are why we’re a nation at constant war. Whoah, hot take!)
Anyhoo! I have Reyes coming in and I don’t like the way Trevor Williams is trending (and his lack of k’s). seems like Williams is the odd man out of these guys, yeah?
Castillo, Odorizzi, Folty, Pivetta, Flaherty (I plan to bounce Flaherty in and out of my NA spot cuz I’m kinky like that).
Haha, too hot! Sure, lose Williams
Wow. Felipe Vasquez says he feels better and expects to be available Tuesday. The Pirates are going to “monitor him closely.” WTF? Are they seriously not going to give him an MRI? Doesn’t this sound exactly like the ten days Middleton spent resting before coming back and needing TJ? Much like MLB has an automatic concussion protocol, there should be an automatic MRI mandate anytime a guy clutches his forearm in pain. Hope they don’t wreck this poor guy’s arm.
PS: Any chance dropping a slumping DeShields winds up biting me in the ass and he steals 40 bases for a competing manager? Or is he a comfortable drop given how lost he is?
PPS: Thanks!
Yeah, teams are dumb, of course, Vazquez is done… I doubt it on Delino, been waiting for that for 3 years
10 team H2H points league
Got offered:
My Paxton and Dickerson for his Lindor and Flaherty
Lindor would slot into a Utility spot, already have Trea at ss. I’m currently tied for first and not necessarily need to make a move, but concerned about Paxton dropping off later in the season.
Lindor side
Ian Desmond or M. Franco?
Thanks!
Desmond
Felipe V has got to sit right? Jones or Alvarado? And I had asked about my Benny for Goldy and you said sure – never did it and now Betts has an booboo and Benny is really needed. Should I still do that and start Soto and Puig? Or which one if either for Betts this week? Let me set the record straight I value your word more than most any but was and hesitant on that trade (full dyno w no dough or yrs)… thanks as always for your thought. Cheers!
Yes, sit Vazquez… Jones…. You’re asking what now about Benny? Should you not trade him away bc Betts is hurt?
@Grey: kind of ??? Ha! Betts may be fine and Benny is a guy I like so that’s on me to decide I know but should of just asked – sit Betts for Puig or Soto this week?
I’d start Betts, he could be back by tomorrow, hopefully
@Chad: btw thanks on RP and it’s a big week! Wk 10 already damn!
No problem
@Grey: weekly roto. Are you starting Acuna this week? My other options would be Chris Taylor (4 vs phi, 3 @ col) or Tim Anderson (3 @ cle, 3 vs mil)?
Thanks.
Start Anderson
Add Nimmo, Span, Hicks, Brian Anderson, or Healy over Mancini, Choo, or Billy Hamilton? 5×5 scoring
Thanks!
Nimmo over Choo
@Grey: also, weekly roto, need to start one of the following:
Pivetta – @ sf
Gibson – @ kc, vs cle
Ed Rod – vs tor.
Who do you like?
Pivetta
so drop vasquez? I dunno wtf they are doing with him with no DL stint.
Meh, I’d wait another day for him
@Grey: waiver wire deadline 7 pm! S+H league.
Haha, well, I guess if Holds too, you can lose him… So quick to lose Felipe!
@Grey:@Grey: maybe I am being too impatient. But he’s blown 3 saves in a row. Hurts his elbow on the last one. And now they are going to just ignore that all?I did this at the beginning of the year when he blew a save his first appearance. Think I should just chill?
I’d chill for a few days and see how he looks, maybe it really wasn’t anything… Of course, I think he’s likely done
@Grey: I’m dumping him for fuck’s sake. You just pushed me over the edge.
No! Haha, I meant to push the other way!
Hey Grey- impossible SP choices this week. Are we trusting McCullers hosting BOS? It’s down to him or Weaver (@MIL, PIT) as my last SP.
Thanks!
I’d go McCullers
Hello, Grey. Who do you like more in standard roto dynasty, Nimmo or Bader?
Nimmo
Thank you!
No problem
Grey, can you rank the following as roto keepers:
Alex Reyes
Buehler
Pivetta
Flaherty
Thanks for all you do!
You did
Hey Grey
What do i do with G.Polanco
11 yeam league
do i drop for
Guzman , Nimmo, or Tony Kemp
Thanks
Meh, I’d hold
Need an Acuna replacement
Almora
mac Williamson
Grandy
What about gorkys? The 3 in Coors have any appeal?
Mac
I have a logjam at CI…..Freeman, Eugenio, Seager, Vlad and Santana. Would you do any or all of these deals?
1. Peralta and Seager for Upton
2. Peralta and Vlad for Upton
3. Peralta and Santana for Upton
MadBum coming off DL…need to create a spot hence the 2-1.
1 and 3
How’s your outlook on Ray and Kepler ROS? Was offered either of the two deals below in a dynasty league. Should I pull trigger or hold?
Deal A: Robbie Ray for Luis Robert and Dylan Cease
Deal B: Robbie Ray and Max Kepler for Luis Robert, Dylan Cease and Colton Weller
I’d ask Ralph
Polanco benched today. Meadows in right. The handwriting is on the wall for the big right fielder.
I hope so
Rosario vs. junis or Puig vs. Velasquez ? Leaning Puig but VV k’s a lot
Rosario
@Grey: would you play Puig over ozuna vs. suter?
Nope
What’s good Grey? Happy Memorial Day. My 12-team, H2H, keeper-league squad is riding dirty. Like 44 games above .500 dirty. Not worried about too much except my outfield. I have Pollock injured and made a minor move over the weekend (i.e., I traded O’Neill for Peralta, Nimmo, and Robertson). Anythehoo…my current outfield is Puig, Herrera, Peralta, Pillar, Nimmo, and Happ. It’s an OBP/SLG league and the best options out there are Parra, Heredia (fulltime PT now with Gordon moving to 2B), Pinder, Teoscar, and Franchy. Make any moves on the waiver wire or stand? Have a good one.
Happy Memorial Day! Meh, I’d prolly ride or die with the crew, but could see Teoscar over Happ
@Grey: You like Donald Glover at all? I’ve been watching “Atlanta” and it’s a quality show. Also, you should check out the video for his (Childish Gambino) newest single “This is America”.
Yeah, I love the Dong Lover… I haven’t watched this season of Atlanta yet, but have it on my DVR to watch, and you know I’ve watched his video a couple dozen times
@Grey: He’s a talented guy. Very funny on SNL a couple weeks ago as well.
Yeah, was a solid show, or first 30 minutes… When was the last ‘after news’ sketch that was good?
@Grey: Good point. It usually goes down hill from there on SNL.
Brocktune has an after-new sketch feel
@Grey: Lonely Island Part Deux
Ha, good call
@Slimcompoop: As I mentioned above, I got some time to mess around with the DL. Are any of these hurt outfielders potentially helpful down the road? Cordero, Souza, Zimmer, or Kiermaier?
I was just debating Souza in one deeper league, but didn’t bother with him…. Maybe Kiermaier….But none really jump out…
@Grey: You know you’re the man, but you the man. Thanks.
Ha, No problem
@Grey: Keeper league question…I have Kluber and don’t need to give him up by any means, but I think I could get Mazara, Snell, and Robbie Ray (DL) back from him. What do you think?
For all three? Sounds decent if not playing for this year
Got an open spot. Would you add stripling or tallion? Qs league. Thx
Taillon
here is a ffollow up
earlier you said hold polanco
How about
Dropping Dustin Fowler for
either
Mac Williams, Nimo, or Guzman
Thanks Grey
Nimmo, depends on needs
@Grey:
needs ar SB’s and RBI’s
In a standard 5×5 season-long redraft roto league.
C Perez
1B Freeman
2B Merrfield
3B Arenado
SS Correa
OF Trout, Springer, Judge, Rosario
UTIL Abreu, Bregman
BENCH Gordon (DL)
SP Kluber, Severino, Strasburg, Bauer, Syndergard, Paxton, Kershaw (DL)
Would you trade Kershaw for either Rizzo, Blackmon or Benintendi to put in place of Bregman in the UTIL spot for more power and run production than Bregman can provide?
Yes, any of them, Rizzo, Blackmon, Benny, that order
Grey quick question and thanks. 10 team standard 5×5 50 transactions max.
Pick up Tanaka,
drop Chase Anderson or Zac Godley.
Which one to drop, or should I hold?
Anderson
@Grey: You the man
No problem
In a standard 5×5 (R, HR, RBI , SB, AVG) season-long roto league.
C Perez
1B Freeman
2B Merrifield
3B Arenado
SS Correa
OF Trout, Springer, Judge, Rosario
UTIL Abreu, Bregman
BENCH Gordon (DL)
SP Severino, Kluber, Paxton, Stras, Thor, Bauer, Kershaw (DL)
Would you trade Kershaw for either Rizzo, Blackmon or Benintendi to put in place of Bregman in the UTIL spot for more power and run production?
Didn’t you just ask this?
Yes, sorry. It was a duplicate. It looked like my first one didn’t go through when I clicked Post.
While I have your attention, the other team owner agreed to trade Rizzo for my Kershaw and even throw in Rendon. Would you drop Bregman for Rendon?
Also, of these closers what order do you like them…Morrow, Vazquez, Knebel?
I’d want Rendon — Morrow, Knebel
So trade Vazquez for Morrow?
Sure
Folty for Chapman in 16-team, OPS keeper? Folty is prob my 4th best SP behind Sale, Nola, and Happ.
Matt? Him, it’s fair
@Grey: sorry. Yea. Matt.
Grey,
I just Lost Acuna to the DL, and I need a replacement. My choices are:
Billy Hamilton
Brock Holt
Gorkys Hernandez
Daniel Palka
Who should I get? Or is there someone I am not thinking of?
Hamilton
Of course Gausman has truck nuts.
Would you drop Chase Anderson or Gausman to activate Reyes?
The rest of the starters in a 12 team h2h redraft are Tanaka, Buehler, Pivetta, Manaea, Snell, Clevinger, and Wacha, so I think Gaus and Chase are the options. I followed your drafting advice and am now cursed with difficulty in deciding who to let loose.
@Matty: I suppose Part B of the question is whether you’d lose the other one for Folty.
Lose other for Folty, yes
He teabagged my dead grandmother! — Anderson and Gausman are both droppable, would lose Anderson first
Conforto and Buehler a good deal to give up to get Cruz?
I’d take Cruz
@Grey: Thanks! Have a great Memorial Day!
You too!
Hi Grey. Acuna’s stint vacates a helpful spot for a pitcher. (Trying to find ANY upside?) Do you feel that VV or Kingham or stupid Smardzja would have the best chance to return immediate and ROS value? Thanks for working on the holiday for us razzers. You’re the goods.
Don’t celebrate Acuna’s injury! Kingham
Hey Grey, great stuff as always! 12 team, H2H, 6X6. You think it’s time to consider trading Paxton? What power hitters should I target? Thanks
Thanks! Maybe top 15 OF? Beintendi range? Cruz straight power….
Richard Rodriguez: When save speculation goes horribly wrong. In my defense it never occurred to me that he’d be used in the 9th inning while down 5-0. Ugh.
Haha, ugh
Hey Grey!
Who do you like better ROS, Gausman or Cahill?
Lost my week thanks to Gausman’s turd yesterday, would love to cut him.
Cahill
Bird or Miguel Andujar ROS?
Andujar
Can I feel safe dropping Weaver on 12 teamers?
Yup
@Grey 12 team, 5×5 roto
SON likes Duffy tomorrow v. MIN ($11.1) – would you stream?
No way
Drop Hector Neris?
Nah
Grey,
Got a Goldy counter in my 15 team keep 11
Give SMarte Odubel Smoak LeMahieu
Get
Goldy Reddick Pillar Peralta Lamb
Like it for you… Marte = Goldy, Smoak> any of other guys, ODB> better too
That Greg Holland/Game of Thrones joke as A++
Ha, thanks!
drop quintana for stripling and/or musgrove?
I hate to do that
Lost Hanley to DFA (and honestly he was sucking lately anyway). Right now I have Mancini at 1b.
Do like any of Desmond, Bird (which I think you are a hard pass on from reading), Moran, Ronald Guzman, or Braun over Mancini?
I know, pickings are slim.
Desmond
@fletch f. fletch: Thank you for the advice.
No problem
Grey,
Which one of these is least valuable the rest of the way (or right now)? Need to package one in a trade: Puig, Haniger, Meadows, or Desmond
Thanks!
Meadows
With Hanley out, how do you feel about Moreland? Hitting 3rd in that lineup—maybe 5th with Mookie back. Do you like him over Matt Chapman or Meadows? Start him over Sano until he starts hitting? Did Sano go to a buffet when on the DL? He looks more out of shape than before—or is it just television?
Over Meadows, but apples/oranges — over Sano until Sano hits, sure
I recall we were recently celebrating being smarter than the average Joe with Gausman and Mancini on our rosters. How quickly things change. Can I assume we are both eating crow in 12 teamera and cutting their sorry sacks?
Yeah, you can lose them…Watch out for Bundy!
@Grey: ha! Belly laughed there!
Hehe
Happy Memorial Day!
Just lost Acuna to the DL and have Betts day-to-day, so I need to drop a pitcher for a hitter in a 10 team h2h OBP league. Position doesn’t really matter.
Pitcher to drop: Skaggs, Fulmer, Godley, Newcomb
Hitter to pick up: Carpenter, Cron, Aguilar, A Jones, Happ, Soto, Choo
Right now I’m thinking Skaggs for Carpenter.
Thanks!
You too! Skaggs — Aguilar
Hi Grey,
I was offered Moncada for Guerrero Jr. I could slot him over Peraza at 2B this year. But it is a 3 year keeper league so am I giving up too much for the next two years? Will Guerrero be significantly better than Moncada over the next 3 years?
Thanks
Hold
16 team h2h with OPS and hits added. 6 keepers with no round costs
C chirinos
1B goldy (K)
2B gone varnish (SS)
SS nunez (still getting playing time even with pedroia back, 3B/OF/2B)
3B torenado (K)
OF (3) soler, puig, gallo (1B/3B)
util (2) jankowksi, choo
BN segura (sounds back soon though)
DL thames, pollock
NA (1) senzel
drop jankowski (do like his steals though, but SD’s offense doesn’t supply many counting stats, he’s started every game but one at leadoff since the 18th and he has NO runs and 1 RBI in that time, 3 steals though) for any of nimmo, guzman, gorkys (in COL for another couple), muncy, palka. 7 day rater likes palka here.
Yes, Nimmo
@jason batteiger: pollock/segura even with the aging, seem to be 2 more of the keepers here. thor and somebody else the last.
@jason batteiger: same league as above, has holds added. have:
DL raise the church
fry, alvarado, boxy, archie, kelly, lyons. drop fry for which of: c.martin (has the 8th again over leclerc, leclerc also out there), cingrani, the putting challenge (OAK, 8th inning, great stats too)
Cingrani
I posted this yesterday and got an opinion but given its a major trade i would like your opinion as well. Ive been offered bregman,devers,albies for stanton and correa. Do i go with albies or stay with correa ? Keeper league. Thanks
Stanton side
I accepted a trade of my JD Martinez and Tim Anderson for Asdrubal and Trout in a redraft 12tm H2H. Team looks like this
1- Rizzo
2- Albies
3- Freeman
SS- Cabrera
OF- Trout
OF- Benintendi
OF- Eddie Rosario
Util Rendon
Util Ozuna
Bench Moncada and Vlad JR
Carrasco Bauer Pivetta Wood Newcomb Folty Reyes Castillo and 3 closers
I’m 1st in 4 hitting cats 2nd in avg and 4th/5th in pitching cats, (even though this is a weekly H2H league)
Im in 2nd, stay put for now or trade away a bat / SP for a SS upgrade? Obviously depends on league.
And thanks for still responding to comments on a holiday!
Meh, depends on what but prolly hold for now
My Jon Gray for his Charlie Morton in a 16-tm QS dynasty league?
Sure
Drop Mancini for Villanueva or Choo? Thanks!
Villanueva
Thoughts on Ozuna, Devers and Hoskins?
All three have been dreadful. Ozuna and Devers are #368 and #286 on the season. Hoskins is #892 over the last 30 days. (Standard O cats + OBP) How much rope should each be given? I assume Hoskins deserves the most rope since he started the season off strong before imploding.
A lot more rope for all three, Devers least amount of rope
Need to drop a pitcher-
Cahill, Flaherty, Ross, Mengden or Wood
Who would be the drop
Thanks
Just got offered a trade.. Trout for Kris Bryant and Marcel Ozuna.. I have trout should I accept?
Should I drop Junis for wacha?
Should I drop Andrew Miller for Richard Rodriguez or fry, or any of Pitts relievers?
Should I drop Gyorko for villar, they are just a bench bat or fill in… I need rbi most but I’m losing faith that Gyorko will move down in the lineup.
Would you drop Godley for T Ross, C Smith, Cahill, Velasquez, or Kingham …or hold?
Please rank…
1) Domingo, Soto, Schwarber
2) Desmond, Braun, Zimmerman
Thanks in advance.
Jansen, Wade Davis or Treinen ROS for saves and ratios?
Thanks for another great write-up. That picture of Acuña is gnarly.
5×5 cat league
OF are Betts, Stanton, Cruz, Herrera, Braun, Soler
Should Soler be dropped for Villanueva or Candelario (could use backup 3B for now, also have Vlad Jr on ice tho… splooge)
Offered Synderg and Britton for my Gallo and Herrera. Which side u like?
————————————————-
Also I get 6 pickups a week… in that format do u value streamers more or a deep stable of closers…. atm I have Jensen, Brach, Herrera along w fresh scoops Hughes, Alvarado, and Tepera. (Melancon on DL but who knows there)
Starters are Grienke, Paxton, Archer, and Heany.
So again the question is basically what’s ur strategy as far as plug and play starters vs streamers vs deep pens when cats are ERA WHIP Ks Wins and Saves?
@Iceberg693:
To clarify trade offer is for my O. Herrera* sorry
Hey Grey,
Would you pickup Dahl over Tyler O’Neill in RCL? Might STL just never let TO play enough to have value? Only other drop is Jank but like his SBs. Either a drop for Dahl? Thanks!