Well, the All Star break may not be until next week, but we’re already more than halfway through the season, folks, as just about all MLB teams played their 81st game earlier this week. As we look over the season’s first half from a fantasy perspective, it’s clear that some suggestions for deep-league pickups have been more successful than others. Let’s focus on the positive: starting with the NL this week, let’s take a look at a few of our own Deep League Fantasy All Stars, guys who were mentioned in this column earlier in the season and weren’t even drafted in most leagues. Each of these players has managed to achieve at least some degree of mixed-league relevance, and we’ll look at them with an eye towards the hope that they can continue to provide value in slightly shallower leagues over the second half of 2019.
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FanDuel: What Can Merrill Do For You?
June 28, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel |by: Richardo
Welcome back to the weekend DFSers! We have another massive 14-game slate on FanDuel, with everyone playing except for the Yankees and Red Sox, who are shipping off to London. Pitching is a little on the light side today, with Jacob deGrom and his tough match-up with the Braves being the most expensive pitcher on the slate at $11,500. There are some really awesome hitting match-ups today, so I’m more likely to pay down a little at pitcher in order to fit in the big bats. That’s why I’m locking in Merrill Kelly ($8,600) as my starting pitcher. In five starts since a rough start in Coors on May 28th, Kelly has gone 34.1 innings pitched, while allowing just nine runs and striking out 32. More importantly, Merrill Kelly faces the Giants, who have the fourth-worst wRC+ against right-handed pitching for the season. In addition, this game will be played in Oracle Park, giving Kelly a park upgrade as well. Let’s take a look at what paying down at pitcher on FanDuel can get us.
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?[brid autoplay=”true” video=”432555″ player=”10951″ title=”Fantasy Baseball 2019 Mailbag Week 14″]
Yesterday, the Pirates exploded for five homers, touching up Brad Peacock (3 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 4.13). Maybe the Pirates would’ve let up more if his name was Brad Parrot. Kevin Newman led the way once again, going 3-for-5, 2 RBIs with his 4th homer, and 2nd homer in as many games. Of course, he will be in this afternoon’s Buy column. Didn’t need Newman to star in the show off the Peacock, but fantasy owners should still be saying, “Hello, Newman.” Then, Starling Marte (2-for-5, 3 runs) got a slam (12) and legs (12), as he plays his OCD for laughs, as one can do in the decade of the 90s. Then, Jacob Stallings, subject of Permanent Midnight and staff writer on ALF, got into the action, going 3-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs with his 1st homer. Then, Corey Dickerson (1-for-4, 2 RBIs) hit his 2nd homer, and had his 2nd big game in a row. Previously, Co-Dick was famous for what Siamese Twins filled out on a medical report, but maybe we should be “Stuck on You!” Finally, Josh Bell (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) hit his 22nd homer, 2nd homer in the row and Bell said, “If we’re doing this like the 90s, I saved you,” but the Pirates couldn’t be reached for comment, in hiding, wearing a puffy shirt. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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Bear or Bull: Hey Mr. DJ
June 27, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 28 Commentsby: Son
I had a buddy that used to DJ back in the day. This was a time when vinyl actually had to be spun on the turntables. A time when milk crates upon milk crates would house the entire collection. A time when amazingly awesome friends would help move all the equipment to the place of his gig. And back. Now, there’s nostalgia in the actual art of spinning records, but was all the hassle worth it? Which brings me to DJ LeMahieu of the New York Yankees. We have pleasured ourselves many of times over because he played in Colorado, but the end results did not bring us fantasy elation. He’s in New York now and has been absolutely balling. Is he worth it?
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It may have taken a while to get his feet under him but Scott Kingery, (OF: $3,500) has been a great fantasy option this year. Last season’s struggles are in the rear-view mirror. The stats really jump off the page, batting over .300 with double digit bombs and some speed. The results should continue to improve as he gets more ABs, especially Kepler keeps him in the leadoff spot. Sadly, that’s a real wild card and there’s no telling what he’ll do. Kingery has more than proven that he needs at bats and he should hopefully find himself in a prime slot while he’s raking. That makes him a solid choice.
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?
Let The Gurriel Hit You Where The Good Lourdes Split You
June 27, 2019 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 462 Commentsby: Grey
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Yesterday, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 3-for-5, 4 RBIs with his 11th and 12th homer, hitting .304. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is the greatest living hitter, and I’m not living in a hyperbolic chamber, while dining out on superlatives to describe how hot Gurriel’s been since he returned from the minors. On our 30-day Player Rater, he’s a near-top 10 hitter over the last month. His father, Yuli Gurriel, calls his son every day and asks him how he does it and LouGu Jay R is just like, “Father, I cannot explain my success with the white ball.” And Yuli’s like, “Careful with the coded language because I learned the hard way people don’t like racism. Who knew?” LouGu Jay R may simply be a hot bat, but there’s something to be said for a guy who has been hot the entire time he’s returned from the minors. Maybe this is LouGu’s floor vs. ceiling. At least one Junior is impressing on the Jays. “I got a better butt.” That’s Vlad Jr. modeling in front of a mirror for ESPN’s Nude Magazine. However, the song Vlad Jr. sings to his reflection is apt, “Gurriel, you knows it’s true.” Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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Prospect News: Wander Lust
June 26, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 36 Commentsby: Mike
Tampa prospect Wander Franco (2-for-3 with a steal) was promoted to High-A this week at the ripe old age of eighteen. If he finishes out the year there, he could start the 2020 season at Double-A and a promotion to the bigs at nineteen wouldn’t be crazy talk. There’s not much to say about Franco that hasn’t already been said. He’s the best prospect in baseball with the chance to contribute in all five (or six) offensive cats. The big news here is that the promotion makes him the youngest player in High-A by a fair amount. The next youngest players are nineteen, there are only four of them in all of High-A, and they all play for the Padres. Fun facts for your next office birthday bash. Tell Karen that no the cake is not gluten free and yes she should stop referring to her cats as her “fur babies”. Here’s what else is happening around the minor leagues…
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I don’t have any particularly insightful thoughts to put in an introductory paragraph, so let me just talk about how bonkers yesterday’s FanDuel slate was in regards to offense. The Cardinals had a Vegas Implied Total of 5 and they were the 11th highest offense on the slate. Five teams (Atlanta, Boston, New York (Yankees), Cleveland and Chicago (Cubs) all were projected by Teamonator to score 6 or more runs. A sixth team (San Diego) wasn’t too far behind at 5.96. It was truly bizarre. Well, actually, I’m not sure it’s bizarre anymore. With the summer months approaching and everything we know so far about the increased HR rates and increased offense (such as the ball or the emphasis on launch angle/exit velocity), these types of slates may become more and more common. Should make for an interesting year.
On to the picks…
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? Snell’s Like Teens Flying Spirit Airlines
June 26, 2019 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 531 Commentsby: Grey
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So, when does Brendan McKay come up to replace an Ineffective Listed Blake Snell? Ton of people asking about McKay, so I’ll go over him briefly, because I have nothing else to do but service you. I am a mere vessel for your wants and dreams. Bit like the Flowbee if you need a haircut. Prospect Mike just went over McKay in his last post. McKay is the Rays’ Ohtani. Though if hitting and pitching made Ohtani a unicorn, I’m not sure what that makes McKay. A Loch Ness Monster? Seen more often, but just as imaginary? McKay’s likely headed for a Middler role in Tampa, and maybe some at-bats. His arm excites me more than his bat, he could have a 9+ K/9 and always has insane command (2 BB/9), but Jalen White Clarence Beeks or Brendan McKay? Meh, I don’t think there’s that much of a difference. Guess McKay has more upside, and love how he sounds like what a dad would call a character on 90210 back in the 90s. Why do we even care about McKay? Have you seen Blake Snell (3 1/3 IP, 7 ER, ERA at 5.01)? If you have, send him back to replace the stunt double who is wearing his jersey. “I thought when they said ‘changeup,’ they meant a changeup from pitching well, so I started pitching like garbage.” That’s Blake Snell addressing dozens of crying Rays fans. I know no one wants to hear this right now, but Snell doesn’t appear to be pitching poorly; he’s having atrocious luck. Like if a ball is hit right at a fielder, a squirrel grabs the ball and throws it into the outfield for a double. He could be a buy low, as long as he’s not hiding an injury, real or fake. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Please, blog, may I have some more? One Man’s Trash: The Kennedy Administration
June 25, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 24 Commentsby: Son
No one is perfect. Even the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera, had a career save percentage of 89%. In addition, no one can have an approval rating of 100%. There are too many divergent perspectives, opinions, and experiences for that to be feasible. John F. Kennedy, the 35th POTUS, has the highest average approval rating (70.1%) since the Gallup Poll was created in 1935. The high mark was 83%, while he bottomed out at 56%. Donald Trump, the 45th POTUS, has a high of 46% with a low of 35%, which gives him an average of 39%, the lowest by far of any POTUS. For as much as a POS he’s been, though, he has provided value for many. Which brings me to Ian Kennedy of the Kansas City Royals, who many have sworn off from past experiences, but has been added in 7.9% of ESPN leagues over the past week. How will this Kennedy Administration end?
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Razzball Podcast: Against All Odds, B_Don Guest Hosts
June 25, 2019 | All Podcasts, Razzball Podcast | 6 Commentsby: B_Don
Grey is down to his last resort and invited B_Don to come on and guest host. The Fantasy Master Lothario makes his case for Phil Collins as the greatest musician of all time. To be fair, he does have the greatest 11 beat drum solo EVER.
After some music talk off the top, we talk about the game for the chaps across the pond, and the announcement that Vlad Jr. will be in the HR derby. Grey and B_Don both give you their thoughts on Frankie Montas for next season and talk about some of the exciting young prospects entering the game.
The guys get into a Yordan evaluation for ROS and where he fits in the rankings along with what leagues you should be targeting recent call-ups Zac Gallen, Logan Allen, Bobby Bradley, and how the Mountain Mets will screw up the Brendan Rodgers/Garrett Hampson situation this time. So, if you can hear Grey calling in the air tonight….. Oh Lord….
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Another week has passed in the Razzball Commenter Leagues and yet again, the FFBs sit atop the Master Standings. The lead shrank a bit this week, but not enough for a change at the top. As I was looking at the Master Standings and wondering how anyone was going to catch FFB I noticed that FFB has made a whopping 273 moves so far, meaning they only have 227 remaining. If my hippo math serves me correctly, there are 25 weeks this season meaning we’re just about halfway through this long haul of a season. In other words, FFB is slightly over pace in that department. For all those in the top ten that are currently looking up at FFB, we can at least hope they run out of moves by the beginning of September and we’ll have a shot at catching up then. All this move counting had me going down the rabbit hole and surprisingly, FFB is not the moves leader on the season. To find out who that honor belongs to as well as which leagues have made the most moves as a whole, jump below for the rest of the week that was week 12 in the RCLs:
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