The past two weeks have been a return to normality after the trade deadline craziness. Now we’re back to orange on the panic scale, where we’ve learned to live in both fantasy and reality of late. August can be a time that arms start to feel the miles of three-quarters of a baseball season. If you’re still in the hunt and grinding saves a well-timed stash a week early can pay immense dividends. Who’s FAAB isn’t running thin, after all?
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Call it a Ponzi scheme, getting flimflammed, or good ole bamboozled. All are terms that describe getting taken advantage of. I can tell you for one, that there is no “guarantee” to prevent this from happening to you, but there are precautions that you can take to greatly reduce the chances. Yes, it is pretty obvious that you shouldn’t send money to a Nigerian prince, or fall prey to the oddly thick-accented “IRS” agent willing to help you out of your upcoming lawsuit by sending him $200 in Chuck-E-Cheese giftcards. People are looking to get ahead every day, and it is no different to fantasy baseballers (<–Grey's mom's term). I am here to remind you, albeit 19 weeks too late, that signing up for Razzball's endless list of fantasy tools is the surefire way to avoid getting hoodwinked. Don't get me wrong, you can get your resources from anywhere you want, and if you like finishing 3rd or worse, keep doing just that. Simply click this link, and finish the season strong!
So without further ado, here is Week 20's Head to Head heroes with no chicanery!
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They say the best indicator of future results are past results. Past results tell us that when Justin Upton (OF: $2,600) gets hot he turns into a fantasy stud. Well, he’s gone yard in back-to-back games so we could be looking at some serious heat. This is not the time to forget about him or a match-up to run from. Dive right back into those flames for a great price.
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!
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Freddie Brings His Brand Of Cycle-Ogical Terror To Miami
August 19, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 178 Commentsby: Grey
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“The 1994 classic, Blank Check, is possibly the best film ever, better than those Godfather films. Did you know they aren’t even about the perils of being a Godfather? Like what gift do I give my godson for his fifth birthday? Or what happens when my god daughter’s mother is hitting on me? Anyway, Blank Check is a ten out of ten, better than Dunston Checks In. The only drawback I can see is I thought Blank Check was initially about what the Braves will be offering Freddie Freeman this offseason.” Sorry! I was just typing up my IMDB Blank Check review. Yesterday, Freddie Freeman acquired his 2nd career cycle, going 4-for-5, 4 runs, 2 RBIs and his 27th homer, as he hits .301. His Ks, walks, BABIP, HardHit%, HR/FB% and spread of balls to his pull side vs. opposite way are all in line with previous–Okay, is he a robot? Thought we were starting to see the beginning of the end when he was struggling with his average in the early months, but that was fraught for naught. I’m sure we’ll see more cycles in the future for Freeman if he ever gets that Braves’ blank check. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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Cincinnati SS Jose Barrero returned to the majors this week after an impressive 40 games at each AA and AAA. He’s the club’s best defense shortstop, but I’d be a little surprised if he gets the gig right away. Kyle Farmer has played well enough to make Barrero a utility player for the stretch run, and that might be the perfect spot for him considering the struggles Barrero encountered when forced into an everyday role in 2020. Even so, he’ll likely be the first man off the bench most nights, and Farmer is a capable utility player in his own right, so Barrero could carve out a significant role if starts out hot. His season line in those 80 MiLB games across two levels: .303/.378/.532 with 17 HR and 15 SB. That’ll do, Jose.
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Bear or Bull: Lewis Brinson, the Banana in the Tailpipe
August 18, 2021 | Bear or Bull | 2 Commentsby: Son
Lewis Brinson has tantalized and terrorized us since he was selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. The defensive potential in centerfield was always viewed as a plus while the hit tool was questionable at best. It was the potential power ceiling that made us go goo goo ga ga. Every time we bought in, though, Fantasy Eddie shuffled to the back of the car and put the banana in the tailpipe. Left for dead many of years on the fantasy streets, Brinson has resurrected and been added in 40% of ESPN leagues. Are we going to fall for the banana in the tailpipe? Or is Fantasy Eddie nowhere to be found?
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When I was asked to take over these rest of season rankings columns, I accepted and really didn’t think it would be all that tough of an assignment. But looking back, this was a tough job. Trying to keep in mind a long-term outlook and not just focus on what a player did over the last week was pretty tough and truth be told, I missed a decent amount. For example, I bet I could 25 shots at naming the player that rated 17th among third basemen for the year and you’d never pull the name “Josh Harrison” from your butt. The dude has seven homers and seven steals with just 84 combined runs and RBIs and yet those numbers are good enough to be among the top 25 third basemen. That’s wild. Or how about that despite Isiah Kiner-Falefa stealing just one base since July 1st, he’s still ranked as the 13th best third baseman for the year. With the knowledge that we have now, the proof is in the pudding that riding the hot hand and being willing to play fringy players over struggling big names is a viable strategy. It’s certainly one that I’m going to be more open to in my daily leagues heading into next year. Let’s take a look at this week’s list and we’ll talk about some movers.
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We should have a full slate of 10 games tonight as the weather shouldn’t play a factor. There’s a nice blend of up-and-coming aces in Freddy Peralta, Shohei Ohtani, and Jack Flaherty along with the old guard of Lance Lynn, Charlie Morton, and Zack Greinke. There is also plenty of mediocre pitching to attack as well. Sheerly from a fan of the game, this might be one of the best slates to watch of the year. Let’s build a winning lineup and sit back and soak it up. After all, we’re only 6 weeks away from the postseason.
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? Logan Webb Pitching Like Wolverine Meets Spider-Man
August 18, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 188 Commentsby: Grey
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I had the worst intro to a post in my head and because of OCD and other complicated factors I kinda have to do it now. The worst intro ever to any post ever written: It’s time we talked about (insert subject). Hey, Awkward Intro Sentence, how about you just talk about the subject and stop talking about how it’s time we talk about it! This…this whole talking about a terrible intro for an extended period of time? It’s much worse! I’ve worsened the worst! Luckily, we’re going from worsening of the worst to one of the best of the last three months. So, it’s time we talk about (side-eye) Logan Webb. On one breaking pitch to Jonathan Villar, it was like, “Bye-bye for now, you’re no longer needed.” Speaking of breaking:
Logan Webb’s pitches are breaking bad I’m so sorry how do I delete this pic.twitter.com/LMFgp0PWxP
— Razzball (@Razzball) August 18, 2021
Yesterday, Logan Webb went 7 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 2.92, and he has the 2nd best ERA in the major leagues in the last three months (1.64). Only pitcher’s ERA that is better since May is Jacob deGrom. He’s only allowed 17 earned runs since May 1st! That’s 64 IP, and 11 starts. The thing about his ERA too, it’s not all smoke and mirrors. He’s a 9.5 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 guy, which isn’t quite an ace, but it’s not far off from a fantasy three with two leanings, i.e., May not be Breaking Bad-level good, but he’s definitely a bad man who is breaking good. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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I first wrote about Cade Cavalli in March of 2020. It was my second-ever article at Razzball, in which I was ranking college prospects 11-25 for dynasty leaguers to target leading up to the 2020 MLB Draft. Equipped with a projectible frame at 6-foot-4 and 225 lbs., I ranked Cavalli at No. 13, sandwiched between Heston Kjerstad and Daniel Cabrera. At the time, Cavalli was coming off a COVID-shortened 2020 junior season where he pitched to a 4.18 ERA with a .281 BAA in 23.2 non-conference innings. That created some pause in industry circles, as Cavalli had a 6.75 ERA/.269 BAA as a freshman in 2018 — so there was really just one season of bottom-line success to go off of (2019: 5-3, 12 GS, 60.1 IP, 3.28 ERA, .238 BAA, 8.8 K/9, 5.2 BB/9). But even in that lone, successful 2019 campaign, the walks stood out as a concern, and there was reason to believe that Cavalli might be one of those pitchers who struggles to produce consistently despite having all of the tools to excel. Enter 2021. Now we have more to build off of. MiLB results. Information to pair with Cavalli’s college track record that might unveil more of the shadowy picture. And what we’re beginning to see is the makings of an elite prospect; an arm capable of commanding one of the top-two spots atop a major league rotation. Could Cavalli unseat former Chicago Bears quarterback Cade McNown as having the best athletic career of any Cade in sports history? I’ll dive into that today and as a bonus, I’ll reveal why an East Coast native such as myself once dressed up as McNown for Halloween as a child.
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Fantasy Baseball Podcast: Tyler Gilbert 2022 First Round Pick, Or Nah?
August 17, 2021 | All Podcasts, Razzball Podcast |by: Geoff
Is Tyler Gilbert good? Will anyone remember his name in 6 years? Did Grey break Joe Musgrove? Did Geoff watch Chris Sale’s return? Did Geoff sidetrack us into Sean Manaea conversation to praise him just as he was giving up seven runs? Is there an easier way to make Century Eggs? These are many of the questions we answer this week on the Razzball Podcast. We also talk Edward Cabrera, Lewis Brinson, Hoy Jun Park, and Jose Miranda. It’s the Razzball podcast, now with more ums and uhs.
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Rolling In The Deep: A Frank Look At The Waiver Wire
August 17, 2021 | Rolling In The Deep | 10 Commentsby: Laura Holt
The season grinds on, and if your teams look like most of mine, the injury situation keeps getting worse before it gets better. Here’s to hoping you are still in the thick of things in at least one deep league; let’s do our RITD thing and look at some names that may be of interest to those of us in NL-only, AL-only, and other deep leagues.
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