Grey

Austin Powers: The Riley Who Four-Bagged Me

May 24, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 585 Comments

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Maybe I’m just a guy that puts feety pajamas on over his head. Maybe I walk into a Subway and ask a sandwich artist, “Do you smell onions?” Maybe I stare at people playing Jenga and try to move the pieces with telekinesis. Maybe I pronounce the D in Django. Maybe I call diner waitresses “Sweetheart” and old guys “Sonny.” Maybe I could be wrong, but Austin Riley (2-for-4, 5 RBIs and his 8th and 9th homer, hitting .320) feels like he’s headed to be a top 25 player drafted next year. In December of last year, I wrote an Austin Riley sleeper. I have hand eyes like in Pan’s Labyrinth, and those hands are pressed up against Statcast. I said in that sleeper that Riley was a guy who could be drafted after 250 and have top 50 overall value. It was December and I wrote that in November, so while I was very fortune tellery to foresee Austin Riley, his ADP was 202th overall in NFBC, not 250. Still huge value if the top 50 value comes to fruition. As I mentioned last week, he flattened his swing a lot, becoming more of a .280 hitter, than the .240 one he was coming into the year. The only question mark now is with a flatter swing, can he still homer? This week’s six homers does a good job of saying flatter does not make the ironing bored. Pun…and a miss! Anyway, here’s what I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

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See all of today’s starting lineups

# MLB Starting Lineups For Mon 8/4
ARI | ATL | BAL | BOS | CHC | CIN | CLE | COL | DET | HOU | KC | LAA | LAD | MIA | MIL | MIN | NYM | NYY | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | STL | TB | TEX | TOR | ATH | CHW | OAK | SEA | WSH
Richie Tauriello

2021 Fantasy Baseball: Two Start Pitchers Week 9 (5/24-5/30)

May 23, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers, Two Start Starters | 5 Comments

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Another week and yet again, another No-Hitter. This time courtesy of the veteran Corey Kluber. No-Hitters have somewhat lost their novelty this season for me because of the vast amount of them in such a short period of time. Also, a fun stat, if you face either the Mariners, the Indians, or the Rangers you have just under a 5% chance of throwing a No-Hitter. We’ve never seen anything like this, so all we can do is embrace it and that is the plan. The last few weeks I have picked a stud pitcher to throw one and seeing how that’s not really the trend, we’re going to switch it up and the pick this week is…Yusei Kikuchi. We’ll get to him later on.

Other Noteworthy news, Jacob DeGrom is set to return Tuesday lining him up for a 2 start week. Kenta Maeda was placed on the IL with an Abductor Strain. Chris Sale has started a throwing program and is pitching off a mound which is good news to hear. Noah Syndergaard’s Rehab Assignment in AAA is beginning this week, so if he’s still on the waiver wire he’s somebody to monitor closely. And lastly, Scott Kazmir pitched last week for the Giants for the first time in over 5 years! What an unlikely thing to say, but who doesn’t love a good comeback story. That’s the news, and there’s a bevy of must-start pitchers this week so let’s begin!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Jakkers

Top 25 Fantasy Second Basemen for 2021 – Week 8

May 23, 2021 | Top 50 Middle Infielders | 14 Comments

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At the start of the season, I was certain Ozzie Albies was the top fantasy second basemen, followed closely by DJ LeMahieu. I was so smart to rank them there and I knew it. Filling out my top five were Whit Merrfield, Keston Hiura, and Brandon Lowe all ranked in my Top 5.

I wish I could say I was spot on about all five players. But if there is one thing that I should have learned in my lifetime, it is that what I am certain about in baseball is not always the way things turn out.

My initial Top 5 currently has only one player still there. Thanks, Merrifield, for living up to expectations so far. The rest of you, ugh. Albies, LeMahieu, and Lowe all struggled out of the gates but have since shown signs of life at the plate. And if you are an owner of Hiura, I’m sorry. I hope you enjoyed the two-run homer he hit for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds the other day. So outside of Merrifield, my Top 5 was completely wrong.

So who is now in the Top 5 and fills out the rest of the rankings? Has Albies done enough to crack the Top 10? Has LeMehieu or Lowe? Let’s find out.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
The Real Joey Bart

Fantasy Baseball Streamers, Week 9: Ride the Wave

May 23, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Streamers, Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers | 7 Comments

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All five streamers performed admirably last week! That’s been the case throughout the year, though, and I’m ready to keep riding the wave here. With that said, the one-start streamers are much more trustworthy than the two-start guys this week, so don’t be afraid to ride those pitchers harder this week. Haha, that sounds funny, but you know what I mean.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
MikeJacob711

FanDuel: In Defense Of

May 23, 2021 | 2020 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel | 2 Comments

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Hello again my fellow degens. Welcome back to our Sunday installment of MLB DFS. I finally lost count as to which number this is. It could just be my brain trying to erase these articles from my memory due t0 less then stellar performance as of late. This article is going to be a bit of a look back and then of course some plays to make for todays slate. I want people to feel confident that they are getting quality plays when they come here. Even though I had a good week personally 2 of my last 3 Sunday touts have mostly missed the mark. If you have wagered on the teams in our Lines in Vegas section you feel different because I have been close to a stone cold lock with regards to bets. Unfortunately for me, if not so much for you, this is primarily a DFS article. Before we get into the WHO, I want to talk about the HOW.

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 Itch

Top 100 Prospect Discussion Prep: Perspective is Everything 

May 23, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 60 Comments

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A wave of excitement ran through the baseball community like Bo Jackson bursting for the corner and up the sideline. Our collective breaths were held hostage once again by the state of Florida (why is it always Florida?) as we waited for our Wanderwall to save our batting averages. 

Turns out we got Taylor Walls, much to the surprise of nobody who’s followed Tampa for two seconds but certainly to the chagrin of baseball fans everywhere. 

But maybe Walls’ll be the one that saves us. Cause after all . . . 

He’s good at baseball.

He’s no Vidal Wandersoon, but he’s fine for anyone looking to save some coin, and let’s face it, our fantasy teams are in Tampa’s boat on that front. Everyone loves a price break in fantasy. We probably wouldn’t tap and sap our very souls to get it, but that’s life in the so-it-goes era of Major League fuckery. 

Sorry for the detour. I’m putting work into the Top 100 Update and wanted to open the floor to discussion. In this space, I’ll air out some thoughts kicking around as I build the list and invite your thoughts on the season so far. The more minds the better, is my general approach to all things thought and perspective.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Jeremy Brewer

Top 100 Hitters: Best Shape of His Life

May 22, 2021 | Top 100 Hitters | 33 Comments

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This offseason reports were aplenty of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting into the best shape of his life and the monster season he would unleash on the league.  This is such a common story, that we often dismiss the notion that results could follow.  For Vladdy Jr. himself, we also had concerns with his notably high groundball rate driving down the opportunities to put the ball over the fence and ultimately driving in runs.  Well, early this season we are seeing the ball hit harder than last year with more flyballs and a bit of luck.  That is the perfect recipe for success and a jump into the top 10 of the rest of season top 100 hitters.  It is scary to think that Vlad is only 22 and may be only touching the surface of his potential.

There is a lot of movement this week as some hitters have not turned it around after early-season struggles such as Cavan Biggio or Francisco Lindor.  Alternatively, there are guys like Mitch Haniger that bring joy to the rankings watching the comeback stories early in the 2021 season.  Time to get into the most recent rendition of the Top 100 hitter rankings for 2021 fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Dan Pants

Rays Infielders are Adames a Dozen

May 22, 2021 | Daily Notes | 41 Comments

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The Tampa Bay Rays got the baseball world buzzing Friday afternoon when they shipped former top prospect Willy Adames to the Milwaukee Brewers along with RHP Trevor Richards for a couple middle relievers I’ve never heard of, Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen. I’m partly lying for the laughs, I am aware of Feyereisen, he’s been solid (3.26 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 20/11 K/BB), and if there’s one thing we all know Kevin Cash needs, it’s more weapons out of the bullpen. But I’ve already spent WAY too much time covering these relievers, and I can assure you they are not the reason this trade sent beisbol twitter into a frenzy. The trade of Adames (.197/.254/.371, 5 HR, 15 RBI) opens up a spot for a new starting shortstop in St. P and the Rays have a bit of a premium at the position including two highly-touted mega-uber super-prospects, Vidal Brujan and Wander Franco, the latter being the consensus top prospect in all of baseball. Grey told you to BUY Vidal this weekend, and that advice was pre-trade, mind you! Clearly, Grey is a witch, but it remains to be seen if it’s of the sexy “Scarlet” variety. Vidal Brujan has 40-steal speed which, *Pro Tip* can help your fantasy team, but Wander is the name the Tampa fans (all 300 of them) are clamoring for. Enter the guy she told you not to worry about, Taylor Walls, who despite our deepest desires, is in fact the infielder that the Rays chose to call up this weekend to replace Adames. *Audible Sigh* No need to sigh so loudly just yet, frand, Walls has got his balls to it and he was slashing .327/.468/.490 with two homers, 10 RBI and two steals before the call up. Manager Cash suggested Walls will see plenty of time at shortstop along with Joey Wendle and could be worth a look for that speed alone, at least until one of the younger, sexier prospects arrives. Taylor had 10 homers and 28 steals between A/AA in 2019–and that is not nothing! Regardless, here’s hoping Brandon Lowe (2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 HR (9), 3 RBI) is next on the trading block. The Rays are so stacked at middle infielder maybe I’m delusional if I think I’m seeing Wander before August. But perhaps an injury? That would do it! What light through Wander a hamate bone breaks? If only they had the Mets training staff. Let’s make it happen!

Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
everywhereblair

Fanduel: Tight Pants On!

May 22, 2021 | DFS, Fanduel | 5 Comments

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What is up degenerati? It’s cha-boi Blair out here on Saturday, which is my day of aggressive projection and fronting for the Vegas hustler crowd. [holds garlic martini] You fellas check out that Andy Williams tribute show yet? [dips hand in dish of peanuts] Check me outside of the betting window, and let’s get some comps together after we lose our stimmy money to the fair and honest workers at the good company Fanduel. Check my high-T picks after the signup offer!

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?
Grey

Buy Vidal So Soon

May 21, 2021 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 569 Comments

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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.)

“If you don’t look good, I don’t look good,” said famed hairstylist Vidal Sassoon, as he was trying to get his son, Bob, to take off denim overalls and put on something else. Affronted, Bob Sassoon later took on his father’s hair empire, literally head-on, when Bob started manufacturing baby wigs. “When they emerge from the womb, they should look da bomb,” said Bob Sassoon, managing to make that awkward bomb/womb rhyme. Unfortunately, his baby wig business went belly up after two months with loses totaling twelve million dollars. The story, thankfully, doesn’t end there for the Sassoons. A disgraced Bob changed his last name to Brujan, and named his firstborn son, Vidal, vowing now to capture the hair dye/shampoo market. Again, much to Bob’s chagrin, Vidal Brujan became a baseball player, not a hair stylist, and Bob again disowned a Vidal right before he was about to become wildly successful. Any hoo! Here’s what Prospect Itch has said about Brujan previously, “It’s rare enough for a 40-steal player to enter our game. Even rarer to find one who hits enough to earn himself regular playing time. Rarer still to find one who speaks five languages. I mention this last piece because language learning requires the same determination needed for the grind of baseball. You’re going to make mistakes. Might look like an idiot. Might often feel dumb. But you have to keep putting yourself out there. And as long as you stay positive and focus on the long term, you can improve a little bit every day. In 2014, Tampa signed Brujan out of the Dominican Republic for $15,000. He was illiterate at the time. Now: five languages. Grey can’t speak one.” Tough but fair, tee bee aitch. Brujan is on the 40-man roster and coming our way very soon. He will be an immediate impact guy for fantasy in all leagues, and should be picked up now. Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Jay

Que Civale, Civale

May 21, 2021 | 2021 Fantasy Baseball | 4 Comments

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A reach if there ever was one, that is; doing a play of words on Que Sera, Sera which would have been most relevant like 500 years ago. Look man, I’m getting old but not that old. I did consider a play on The Witcher since maybe I could have threaded the needle on a Henry Cavill strategy (toss a coin to your Civale?), but it never came to fruition. Which is really gross when you think about that sentence and what exactly fruition means and how it came, but I’ll leave that to better men (and women) than myself. And if you don’t know what any of this means, I don’t either, so at least misery loves company… and since the wheels have already fallen off, something that usually doesn’t happen until at least the second paragraph of our weekly get togethers, let’s just get down to talking about Aaron Civale and his wonderful yet “measured” start and whether or not this is sustainable. And yeah, just to come full circle, I am most definitely not the man who knew too much. (Just show this to your parents, they’ll get it. They’ll have questions, but they’ll get it.)

I normally don’t cover pitchers, and it’s not that I don’t enjoy pitchers, I actually dabbled horribly in high school and college, but covering a player once-a-week, bandwidth just seems to be filled more with trending hitters and analyzing that half of fantasy baseball. Don’t hate the playa, hate the game man. But in terms of fitting themes and trends that synergize (corporate jargon achievement unlocked!), I think Civale kinda begs some attention and I need some more pitchers for the imaginary quota I just proclaimed.

Please, blog, may I have some more?