These last two weeks have been a bumpy ride in many bullpens. We’ve had COVID issues, regular old injuries and wear down, and some long-awaited blow-ups. We’re into the final month of the slog that has been a return to 162 games. If you’ve made it this far you probably feel like a bomber returning from The Battle Of Berlin with more than a few holes. There are likely to be continued opportunities for new faces in the saves chase every day. Straighten up and fly right!
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FanDuel: Ho-Lay Mahle
September 4, 2021 | 2021 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel | 2 Commentsby: MattTruss
Congratulations, you made it to the weekend. This time next week, the NFL will have kicked off and the MLB will be an afterthought to all but the most hardcore of MLB DFS degenerates. So, let’s enjoy the final weekend of pools filled with fish before they all start throwing their money at NFL contests. We’re going to kick this weekend off with some Tyler Mahle ($9,600). Mahle gets to take on the terrible Tigers, they of the bottom ten team OPS and top five in team strikeouts. Mahle, meanwhile, has been incredibly useful rocking a 10.6 K/9 and a 3.64 ERA. The Reds shouldn’t have any trouble knocking Matthew Boyd around to get Mahle a win either. I’ll be locking Mahle into a good portion of lineups tonight and hoping to make some cash before contests start shrinking.
New to FanDuel? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!
Please, blog, may I have some more?
Can Jesus Save Your Fantasy Season?
September 4, 2021 | Daily Notes, September's Daily Notes | 17 Commentsby: Dan Pants
Marlins first-year phenom Jesus Sanchez continued to work miracles this week as he went 2-for-3 Friday night with two runs scored and his seventh home run, a 3-run blast, his third hit to the heavens in the past week! Hashtag blessed. Speaking of miracles, I had a bit of a holy experience this week when I witnessed a Razzball cameo on SportsCenter Monday night. I immediately pinged Grey to inform him that we had, in fact, “made it,” and that he should expect the cash to start rolling in any day now. That’s right all, none other than ESPN’s own Wonder Boy, Jeff Passan, name-dropped Razzball in a segment, likely referencing this tweet and how hilarious RBs commentary on the whole Mets Boo-az situation was. How do I react to the news that not only is Jeff Passan an avid fantasy baseballer (which also presents some interesting collusion questions?), but he has very likely (not-at-all-likely) read my posts and is scouting me to be his next intern? Well, I’m not going to let the fame go to my head yet, but I did buy Kanye’s $4000 red Donda jacket with the check I assume is in the mail. If you’re reading Mr. Passan, ignore all the past jabs at ESPN, you are clearly the smartest analyst there (besides Woj, of course). But back to Sanchez! The rookie outfielder is batting .357 in the past week with the aforementioned three jacks and eight ribbies. Grey told you to BUY! The power is real and if he can cut down on the Ks he might find his way into a 2022 sleeper post. You hear that, Jeff? Be on the lookout for some 2022 gems and keep the shout-outs coming! Sanchez struggled mightily after returning from the COVID list in August, but it appears over the past few days he’s finally getting his timing down. He could be worth a hail-mary hope and a prayer add that the power binge continues and Jesus could save your fantasy season.
Here’s what else I saw Friday night in fantasy baseball:
Please, blog, may I have some more?
Ambulance Chasers: Lost A Pair Of Sox
September 4, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Injury Report | 6 Commentsby: JKJ
Howdy, Razzfolks!
We’ve made it September. Playoffs are either within arm’s reach or already happening for you, so any injury news is extra walking-on-eggshells-y. Apologies in advance if my report this week brings ill omens for your team(s) and makes you want to headbutt your screen.
I’m on vacation, sort of (in a wedding later today!), so this is a somewhat abbreviated list.
Please, blog, may I have some more?
Them Crooked Save Vultures Are Back On Tour
September 3, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 138 Commentsby: Grey
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(NOTE: THIS POST WAS RELEASED EARLY THIS WEEK ON OUR PATREON. IT’S $10/MONTH OR $13/MONTH WITH AN EXTRA WEEKLY PODCAST.)
This is The Save Vulture Dance. Sing it like it’s The Electric Slide.
[spoken word intro]
The save vulture is a scavenger bird. They see weakness in others’ misfortune. A closer goes down or struggles or gets traded and the save vulture swoops in and gnaws on the closer’s handcuff. And if you don’t give up, or give in, you may just be okay…OKAY!
[lyrics]
Snap, snap, Giovanny Gallegos, Genesis Cabrera, Alex Reyes, claw, claw, save.
Save vultures aren’t reproducin’ cuz they’re uze overweight guys,
Preferin’ to watch sports highlights than listen to the girl they’re datin’. Sighs.
Snap, snap, Joe Barlow, Spencer Patton, claw, claw, save.
The save vulture’s claws are orange from Cheetos dust,
The orange reminds them of all that Orioles’ fuss.
Snap, snap, Cole Sulser, Tyler Wells, No One Because The O’s Won’t Win, claw, claw, save.
Teams that flipped their closers for prospects at the trading deadline and are now losin’,
They still haven’t figured out who’s closin’.
Snap, snap, Paul Sewald, Drew Steckenrider, Kyle Finnegan, Dylan Floro…*huff, huff, out of breath* …keep on going!…Anthony Bender, David Bednar, Carlos Estevez, Chris Stratton, Codi Heuer, Rowan Wick, claw, claw, save.
Guys who have just sucked and teams needed to look elsewhere,
Desperate, you look like Walter White in his underwear,
Snap, snap, Emmanuel Clase, Adam Ottavino, Johnny Lasagna, Andrew Chafin, Sergio Romo, claw, claw, save.
[spoken word outro]
Now ya know, if you need saves in the final month. [sax plays us out] Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaves. Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:
Points Leagues: We’re Talking Playoffs?
September 3, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues | 2 Commentsby: Butters
If you’re still reading I think it’s safe to assume that you have a playoff spot either locked up or on the line this week. And to that I say congrats. You’ve made it this far, not it’s time to take it home and hoist that championship trophy. So how do you win in the playoffs? Well, you’ve been winning in order to make the playoff in the first place so keep doing what you’ve been doing, it’s clearly working.
Start your studs
You hear this a lot with fantasy football, but it applies here as well. You want your best guys in your lineup. Obviously. But what it really means is don’t get too cute it. Could the guy you just snagged off the wire outscore fantasy god Shohei Ohtani? Yes, it could happen, but the odds are heavily in favor of the Sho.
Max out your starts
Whatever limit your league has on starts, smash it. Otherwise you’re just leaving points on the table. Take advantage of Streamonator to find your plug and play guys. I seriously can’t recommend it enough and it’s been responsible for more than a few of my wins. You can’t replace a true ace but you can approximate their points by rolling out a streaming pitcher every day if your league allows it.
Please, blog, may I have some more?
FanDuel: Certified Lover Pete
September 3, 2021 | 2021 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel |by: TroyKlauder
Pete Alonso ($3,500) is batting .319 over the last two weeks and gets a strong matchup tonight against Nationals lefty Sean Nolin, who has a 6.57 ERA. Alonso has a 144 wRC+ against left-handed pitching this year, and he is part of a strong Mets stack that includes Francisco Lindor ($3,300) and Javier Baez ($3,400). These Mets hitters are very affordable and a great way to differentiate from the rest of the field, who will surely be playing lots of hitters in the Braves-Rockies game, so they should be a priority target in GPP tournaments.
New to FanDuel? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!
Please, blog, may I have some more? Keller On A Cellar Dweller Proves Not A Bad Fella
September 3, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 139 Commentsby: Grey
*throwing cards like in that INXS video* Queller, Stellar, Old Yeller, Bookseller, that kid on ESPN’s Spelling Bee whose name I can’t spell is a good speller, hey, wanna check out my wine cellar, Papa Smurf is a mushroom dweller, love to be a fart smeller, love to be a fart smeller, love to be a fart smeller, wasn’t Winnie Cooper’s real name Danica Something-Keller, if you’re on the east coast you’re riding in an upside down umbreller, Mitch Keller, Mitch Keller, Mitch Keller!
Damn, don’t mess with me when I’m doing an INXS freestyle. So, Mitch Keller went 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at *trying not to chuckle* 6.23. His peripherals: 8.8 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, 4.53 FIP. His .373 BABIP is insane, but when you’re in the bottom 2% in the league with exit velocity, and xBA, then you’re going to give up a ton of hits. How’d it go all wrong? Two years ago, he had a 2.76 xERA and now it’s 5.95. The slider and curve used to be a smoke show. Now they’re getting rocked. In 2019, his curve saw a 35.3% strikeout rate with 72.2% ground balls. This year, it’s 12.5% and 36.8%. Um, yikes. Yesterday, he was locating his breaking ball, and that’s the difference. For Mitch Keller to have a great 2022, it’s the same as real estate for the mafia: location, location, location and breaking balls. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Playoffs have arrived, and if you are like me, the anxiety of making the wrong move is paralytic. With that knowledge, trust in the fact that I have only steered you wrong on occasion. Taking that a step further, at least I took us in a different direction that led to a fun destination. This destination is the land of; Drop your bums and take advantage of the matchups.
Yes, the idea of playing matchups has been my season-long approach, but it has even more impact during these do-or-die scenarios. When it comes to Week 1 of the playoffs, there are a couple of interesting scenarios to focus on.
8-Game Schedule: Baltimore & Toronto play a doubleheader on Saturday.
5-Game Schedule: Arizona & San Diego-Fringe players can be eliminated from these two team
Interleague DH gains-Milwaukee & Arizona
Interleague DH losers-New York Yankees, Texas, Detroit, and Los Angeles Angels
So who are we adding for Week 1 of the Playoffs?
Please, blog, may I have some more? Fanduel: The Way the Cookie Crumbles
September 2, 2021 | 2021 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel |by: Butters
Hey hey, party people, we’ve got an exciting slate of action as teams fight for playoff position. Fantasy wise we’ve some guys at great prices, especially on the mound. One of the best options is Carlos Carrasco, SP: $6,800 – What if I told you that today’s number one pitcher was available for basically nothing? Cookie projects to be right up there with the top dogs but for a whole lot less. His price probably has something to do with the 6.94 ERA and I can see why that might put some of you off. However, he has strung together a couple of good starts, which is encouraging. Also encouraging is his match-up today. You can’t beat the value.
New to FanDuel? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!
Please, blog, may I have some more? The Hunt For No October with Joe Ryan
September 2, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 138 Commentsby: Grey
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In a deep Scottish accent, the Twins’ Triple-A manager said, “You’re comin’ up tae join th’ club, Joe Ryan. Ur ye excited?”
Joe Ryan paused, then asked, “What are you saying?”
“Aam Sean Connery an’ aam daein’ a Scottish accent. Ur ye excited, certainly, Jack Ryan?”
He scratched his head, then, “Huh? Oh. My name’s Joe Ryan.”
So, Joe Ryan was called up to start on Wednesday, and I settled in to watch. He was one of the pieces the Rays sent to the Twins for Nelson Cruz. Since the Rays sent him away, I expect he’ll spontaneously combust during his next start or suddenly lose command of his pitches and return in 2022 as a middle infielder in Rookie Ball. If that doesn’t happen, we should all be super interested. I’m intrigued, y’all! Yesterday, Joe Ryan went 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks, and looked much better those numbers. Outside of one inning in the 3rd when he ran up against the red-hot Schwingdel, he looked like every great command pitcher, who can also induce strikeouts. Prospect Itch said of Ryan, “I have high hopes for Joe Ryan, another dynasty trade target if you can get a decent price. His 30+ K-BB percentage across three levels in 2019 was pretty loud, but some of the clamor might’ve died down since Ryan was kept under training site wraps for all of 2020. His best trait is a true-spin four-seamer he can command across the zone, and that’s a great base from which to build an arsenal in today’s game. Tampa’s coaches have praised Ryan for his aptitude for new pitches and approaches, particularly his feel for spin. I get giddy just thinking about him and punching Grey.” Okay, not cool! Ryan continued to carve up hitters in Triple-A this year while maintaining elite command. This is potentially as good a prospect arm call-up as we’re getting the rest of the year. I added him in a few deeper leagues. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Please, blog, may I have some more?
Prospect News: Keibert Ruiz Unlocks His Future, Joe Ryan Brings Joy
September 1, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 13 Commentsby: The Itch
Anyone getting called up for some September playing time is part of the Opening Day picture for 2022. The only real incentive to promote a player now is that it’ll be the same difference, service-time-wise, as breaking camp with that player on the roster. So although some call-ups this week seem on the surface like they’re too little too late for our fantasy purposes, they’re right on time to get us fired up about drafting these prospects as rookies in 2022 redraft leagues.
Enter Keibert Ruiz, the primary return for Washington in the trade that sent Trea Turner and Max Scherzer to the World Champion Dodgers.
Please, blog, may I have some more?
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