At this point in the season, nearly all of the highly dependable closers are off the waiver wire. However, given the significant turnover at the closer position, there are still arms that pop up that can be a viable source of saves. The window to pounce on them can be small, so it is imperative to stay on top of who has been getting the save chances and react accordingly. Below I have 3 closers all less than 25% owned on ESPN. For those in deeper leagues these guys may be gone already, but they are all available in 75% or more of ESPN leagues. I have listed them in order of their value in my eyes.
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Before I get to today’s picks, let me start with one specific element of today’s FanDuel slate that I felt needed to be addressed. I wasn’t sure what to do with the Colorado Rockies @ Arizona Diamondbacks game. On its face, the game looks like a stay-away from hitters as both Jon Gray and Zach Greinke are solid enough pitchers that there will be far better matchups elsewhere. However, it is expected to be 102 degrees in Phoenix at first pitch. That is stupidly hot. More after a word from our sponsor.
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Please, blog, may I have some more?[brid autoplay=”true” video=”425798″ player=”10951″ title=”Fantasy Baseball 2019 Mailbag Week 13″]
Jordan Yamamoto (7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 0.00) is the 1st pitcher to begin a career with back-to-back outings of 7+ scoreless while allowing three or fewer hits in the modern era. The modern era meaning from 1908, not from 2017 until now when baseballs were filled with helium, which caused Party City stores to close nationwide. This is exactly what everyone expected when the Marlins called up an 89-MPH fastball that was flame-retardant. “How fast does he throw?” A scout recently said to another scout who was holding a speed gun. “I’ll tell you when the ball passes the plate.” The scout sticks chew in his mouth, scratches his sweaty armpit, then, finally, “89-ish? Maybe. I might’ve just been taking a reading of that bird that flew overhead.” This goes back to my recently prophesied conspiracy theory that I introduced the other day regarding Zack Greinke. When everyone is throwing fast, it actually keeps hitters off-balance to throw slow. The Slow Pitch Theorized Conspiracy for Hardball (SPITCH) is fully realized now that it has an acronym. If you’re willing to gamble a bit, I could see grabbing Yamamoto in any league to see if he can keep it going. This could also hurt Zac Gallen’s chances of a promotion, and I don’t know who gets bumped for Caleb Smith. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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Alright speed chasers, the summer is getting underway in earnest. Find a slice of category juice anywhere you can get it. The last of the big name rookies are up, so you’ll need to start getting creative. Make sure to target the weaker catchers with guys that get green lights.
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Week eleven saw a lot of rough team ERAs in the Razzball Commenter Leagues. In one of my leagues only one team had a weekly ERA of under 3.00. Grey had himself an epic week of ERA (more on that later) and so did many others. With all that going on I thought I’d take a look back at season’s past and see where our average team ERA ranked right now. This is the benefit of being the keeper of the RCL data for as long as I have. In 2016 the average team ERA was 3.71 and in 2017 it was 3.87. 2018 saw the move to FanTrax and the change to 1400 IP instead of 180 GS, this, along with some potentially juiced balls saw our average ERA jump to 4.03. So far this year, we’re looking at a 3.88 ERA and we haven’t even hit the hot, humid days of summer yet. For reference, during week 11 last season we had a 3.60 ERA only to finish with a 4.03. It’s going to get worse before it gets better folks. Worse, of course, is a relative term. If you love offense, this is great. You’ll see in this week’s weekly records that we’re demolishing offensive records left and right. So, don’t be down on your 3.75 ERA, just know that you’re actually slightly below average and everyone is struggling. The struggle is real folks. Now, for the rest of the week that was, week 11:
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Fantasy Baseball Podcast, Week 12: Boba Baes And Yordan Jacks
June 18, 2019 | All Podcasts, Razzball Podcast |by: Geoff
Maybe one day we will reminisce about Fantasy Master Lothario Grey Albright, his love for Boba, and how it was ultimately his undoing. That day however is not today, today we laugh at children, punch old women, and talk about Yordan Alvarez. Hey Dodgers fans, you traded him for Josh Fields… really! Anyway, it’s Week 12 of fantasy baseball and there is lots to discuss, including returning stars, injuries, Willie Calhoun, and why we kind of wish Shohei Ohtani didn’t pitch. Well, he’s not pitching now, but we mean, like ever. We answer some twitter questions on Scott Kingery and the Padres recently promoted Logan Allen. We then end the show with some waiver adds, and an embrace that lasts a little too long. This. Show. Has. It. All. It’s the latest episode of the Razzball Podcast.
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FanDuel: Kershaw Is Killing It
June 18, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel |by: Thomas Howland
Sometimes it’s better to stay away from a Dodgers Giants matchup. One of the best rivalries in baseball can create uncertain outcomes at times. Today is not one of those times. The Dodgers are on an absolute tear. They’re tied for the league lead with 48 wins. And a big part of that is a resurgent Clayton Kershaw ($10,700). Kershaw has a 2.78 ERA the last 30 days, a 2.25 ERA in June, and a 2.06 ERA against the Giants over the last three years. That includes 90 Ks over 96 innings. He’s also not walking many this year, with a 1.08 WHIP overall. Kershaw is also $1,300 cheaper than today’s top dog Justin Verlander. So use that dough for some of the no-brainer, big dollar guys in your lineup. On to the rest of today’s 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!
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I Look Upton The Sky Justin Time To See Angel Dongs
June 18, 2019 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 383 Commentsby: Grey
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”425798″ player=”10951″ title=”Fantasy Baseball 2019 Mailbag Week 13″]
On the first pitch Justin Upton (2-for-4) saw back from the IL, he slammed it into the seats for his 1st home run. Kevin from ESPN’s “Get Him In Your Lineup” Department said, “Anyone who wants to come over on Saturday, I’m doing a screening of the short film I did about O.J. Simpson and a lovable group of his former Bills teammates plotting to break into a Vegas casino to steal back his memorabilia called, O.J.’s Eleven. I play O.J. in blackface.” People have been asking about adding Justin Upton, and he’s currently owned in 70% of ESPN leagues, though Klara Bell owns 17,000 teams to help fill his virtual trophy case, and doesn’t own Upton, so, technically, Upton’s owned in 101% of leagues, but, if he’s available, I’d add him everywhere. Prior to his injury, he was a top 30 outfielder, and see no reason why he can’t do something similar from here to there. There being October. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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There are those who would call for Yordan Alvarez to be a top-50 player already. With 27 combined HRs this season and 78! 78! 78! RBI in 60 games between AAA and the big leagues — I get that. I’m just a little hesitant due to his playing time. When George Springer comes back and the rest of the Astros get healthy will he stay up? I hope so because he is crushing the ball right now — but he has minor league options left and is still only a 22-year-old kid. Age is just a number though as this kid’s potential has MVP written all over it in one of the best lineups in baseball.
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Not your Grandfather’s Top 100 Starting Pitchers…
You’re at the local grocer staring at a shelf in the cereal aisle, wishing you were watching baseball and/or Naked and Afraid. Perched next to each other on the shelf are a $4.00 box of Cocoa Puffs and a $2.00 box of Choco Spheres. Do you choose the known quantity name brand or take a gamble on those mysterious spheres at half price? It was always an easy choice for frugal old Grandpa-Donk, he didn’t build his fortune of Donkey-units by purchasing the luxury orbs of chocolate. To this day Gramps would poop himself if we ever brought home a box of Depend’s Diapers. It’s Señor Crapper’s or nothing for the old timer.
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Two Start Pitchers, Week 13:
June 17, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers | 9 Commentsby: B_Don
No Doubt Player Team Opponent 1 Opponent 2 Justin Verlander HOU @CIN @NYY Clayton Kershaw LAD SF COL Jose Berrios MIN BOS @KC Jacob deGrom NYM @ATL @CHC In the last 15 months, Justin Verlander has married Kate Upton, had a baby girl, and is leading the player rater among pitchers. It’s been a good […]
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FanDuel: Sign Up Soroka
June 17, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, DFS, Fanduel | 1 Commentby: wander34
The Atlanta Braves’ Mike Soroka enters Monday sporting a 1.92 ERA. While he’s not a strikeout pitcher, the Braves’ hurler is in a great spot to carry your FanDuel lineup to the money line. He owns a 57% ground ball rate, so he does not allow many long balls. In fact, he has a 0.26 HR/9. His strikeouts should see an uptick in this one, as the Mets strikeout in 23.2% of their at-bats against righties. New York has also demonstrated little power against right-handed pitching with a weak .167 ISO versus them. The Mets also have struggled with ground ball pitchers this season. J.D. Davis has the highest batting average among the regulars against ground ball pitchers, hitting .275 with a .870 OPS against these type of hurlers. Soroka should be in contention for SP1 on Monday.
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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