The role of a museum is to collect and preserve objects of cultural and historical importance. Often, the contents within remain relatively static over a short period. Everything can’t be great! Over time, though, things do become great and are eventually moved into a museum. Most are small enough to not cause a stir, but there are a select few times when it’s Must See TV. In October of 2012, I remember when the Space Shuttle Endeavour was transported from LAX to the California Science Center via the streets of Los Angeles. A site to behold before arriving at its final resting place. Those feelings I had back in 2012 are the same ones percolating within me now when I see Ryan Zimmerman (41.4% owned – increase of 27.8%) doing his thing. He missed close to three months due to injury, but since his return on July 20th, this is what Zimmerman has been doing: .365/.443/.731 with 4 home runs and 7 doubles in 61 plate appearances. The walk rate is 9.8% and strikeout rate is 18%. The ISO is .365! The hard hit rate is 50%!! There’s obviously going to be regression, but don’t forget that he hit 36 home runs last season and has gone yard 260 times in his career, which puts him tied for 207th all time! Zimmerman will be given occasional rest days and there’s always the chance that he gets sent to the museum sooner rather than later, but until then, you won’t find a better hitter with the combination of power and plate discipline on the waiver wire. TREASURE
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Rolling In The Deep: Will Cedric Entertain You?
August 16, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Deep Leagues | 5 Commentsby: Laura Holt
If your fantasy baseball league is anything like (most of) mine, your trade deadline has probably come and gone, and scouring the waiver wire is your only option for help and reinforcements for the rest of the season. In the deepest of leagues, said waiver wire is likely picked to the bone, especially since we’re still two weeks away from September call-ups, but press on, my friends. In a tight fantasy pennant race, you never know when a few strikeouts or a couple of runs might make a standings-changing difference at the end of the year. As usual in our deep corner of Razzball, you won’t find any fantasy monsters on today’s list, but you may find a guy who can give you that tiny handful of extra strikeouts or runs scored… or in some other way help you out in NL-only, AL-only, and other deep leagues.
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Given that I’m here to give you my cash game picks for FanDuel (with some references to GPPs where appropriate), I’m never going to tell someone not to play FanDuel on a given day. That said, when the top pitchers on a slate are Clay Buchholz, Jon Gray (facing a good Atlanta team) and Sam Gaviglio (and this might be a rain game), I’m really not sure there’s really any reason to be playing cash. If you truly believe one of those three is way ahead of the other two today, then by all means, play cash, because those are the three top pitchers and if you think one of them is way ahead of the other two, that’s your edge in cash games. If, like me, you think it’s just an RNG dart throw between those 3, then the volatility of the pitchers make the cash game viability of this slate zero. It’s still a GPP-able slate, so for you GPP players, I’d try to make the choice between those 3 based on expected ownership (fading the chalkiest of the three) – as of right now my guess is Buchholz is the chalk of the 3 but I’m not a GPP-ownership-expert and you may think it’s someone else.
On to the picks…
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Nimmo Captains Offensive Attack Against Baltimore
August 16, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 269 Commentsby: Grey
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”279068″ player=”10951″ title=”Fantasy Baseball Mailbag Week 20″]
Yesterday, the Mets exploded for 16 runs. Leading the way was Todd Frazier going 3-for-6, 2 runs, 4 RBIs with a slam (12) and legs (7). Actually, Frazier, Jose Bautista (1-for-3, 1 RBI), Jose Reyes (2-for-5, 2 runs) and Austin Jackson (2-for-4, 2 runs) are all starting to click! Wait, that’s their bones and it’s from arthritis. Shoot, my b. The true star, however, Brandon Nimmo (5-for-5, 3 runs, 3 RBIs) rose from the depths of the deep, dark water. That’s not a Finding Nemo allusion. He plays in Flushing and we know what water is associated with that. Nimms — Can we call him that? Sure, right? — is hitting near .350 in the last week, and homered a few games ago (precise!). For most part, it’s been dank Nimms but he’s no longer unDeRWaTEr aND HitTinG WeLL. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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Ambulance Chasers, Week 20: Bauer Is Stressed, Now So Am I
August 15, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Injury Report |by: Kerry Klug
As a Trevor Bauer investor this year I’m tempted to just write: &$*3$*@#& and that’s it. Since Grey was his biggest advocate before the season, I know he’d understand. Stash or Trash: Stash for now. He’s a top-3 Cy Young finalist if not for this injury and we’re waiting for more news. That dastardly Jose Abreu lined a pitch of Bauer’s ankle in their game on Saturday. A stress fracture often occurs due to repeated compressive force on a bone (often in the leg, foot or ankle.) This type of injury is common in frequent runners. Bauer’s was obviously caused by the velocity of Abreu’s line drive hitting at just the right spot. Here’s the bad news: the typical healing time for a stress fracture in your fibula is 6 weeks. However, everyone is different — some can need more time or less — it’s hard to predict really. I’m labeling Bauer a stash until we find out more. If we find out tomorrow that it isn’t a complete fracture or that he’s got that Adrian Peterson DNA he might be back sooner. Fill In: Tyler Glasnow (19.3%.) Let’s get this easy one pick up out of the way — if you’re in a league where Tyler Glasnow isn’t owned yet you need to remedy this situation. Glasnow is now back to being a starter after going from the Pirates to the Rays. He’s made three starts so far each one inning more than the last. 12 innings pitched total with 20 K’s to only 3 walks and 6 hits allowed? His next start will be his biggest test against the Red Sox. Why haven’t you hit CTRL-T yet?!
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Points Leagues: Do. Or Do Not. There Is No Treinen.
August 15, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues | 2 Commentsby: malamoney
I rarely ever talk about relief pitchers, but since I’m on vacation and my time is limited I’m writing about whatever rolls off my fingers most easily. Blake Treinen is exactly the reason I do not draft a relief pitcher in the early or even early middle rounds. Because of this I will never own Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen, and I am perfectly fine with that. Treinen’s ADP this season was the 14th round. That gives you thirteen rounds to fill the more important roster spots. If I’m being honest, I probably wouldn’t wait until the 14th round to pick a closer, but the point is that drafting closers is like navigating a mine field and using an early pick seems like a bad investment. Even the top closers are far from a guarantee. Consider Kenley Jansen. He’s having a great season and now he’s out with a heart condition. Let’s not forget about the volatility of a closer and the number of eventual closers that go completely undrafted. Look at Keone Kela until he was traded. The bottom line is that by drafting a closer early I feel you are giving up too much value at other positions.
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Fantasy Baseball Podcast: Luis Severino vs. Lucas Giolito + Ohtani
August 15, 2018 | Ditka, Razzball Podcast |by: B_Don
Hot, frisky 24 year olds gone wild on this week’s Sausage Pod! That’s right, B_Don and Donkey break down the pitching matchup of potential 2019 post hype fantasy baseball sleeper Lucas Giolito against struggling Yankees ace Luis Severino. The dudes also take a gander at the bat of mythical Japanese Babe Ruth, Shohei Ohtani. Find out what to expect from the 24 year old men down the stretch and into next year.
Then, Willy Adames, Franmil Reyes and Hunter Renfroe highlight a batch of intriguing names in the pickups segment. Oh and Justin Bour was traded to the Phillies, surprise! Keep grinding thru the dog days folks, the finish line and your immortal championship are now in sight!
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Hyun-Jin Ryu, known as “the monster,” will be making his first start back from the disabled list tonight against the Giants. He’s projected for just 9.5 points on Draft, making him an outstanding value play for what should be a stellar outing. The Giants have just a .300 wOBA versus lefties this year and play in one of the most pitcher-friendly environments in baseball. While he hasn’t pitched since May, Ryu tore it up through his first six starts, posting a 31.3% K-rate with a 3.16 FIP. There’s always some risk in starting a pitcher coming off of the DL, but the upside strongly outweighs the cost for Ryu.
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Please, blog, may I have some more? Porcello Italian Pork Sandwiches The Phillies
August 15, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 314 Commentsby: Grey
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”279068″ player=”10951″ title=”Fantasy Baseball Mailbag Week 20″]
Rick Porcello said of his catcher, Sandy Leon, “He’s the best catcher I’ve ever thrown to. Period.” It’s a shame people don’t end include other forms of punctuation when speaking. “I am the Red Sox ace. Question mark. No, I forgot about Chris Sale. Period. Actually, exclamation mark. The best Red Sox pitchers. Colon. Not Bartolo. Period. I’m going to list them. Period. Okay. Comma. Damn. Comma. I apostrophe V-E confused myself.” Yesterday, Porcello threw a sparkler — 7 IP, 2 hits, 0 walks, 1 ER, 10 Ks, ERA at 4.04, and roped a double to right, which is fun in a dog on rollerblades-type way, but is kinda irrelevant. What’s less irrelevant, Rick Porcello is pitching better this year than his Cy Young year, though with less ERA to show for it, obviously. That could change in the final six weeks if he finds his groove. Period. Ya know what, exclamation mark. Strike that, interrobang. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
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Every week of the fantasy season feels like a dog year. With every passing day, players rise, players fall, pitchers get hurt, and closers implode. This week was no different, as everything Grey and I said to you a week ago is completely meaningless. It’s a new week, a new day, new closers are imploding, callups are getting called, and we’re all waiting on the next add/drop. With all of this in mind, Mr. Albright and yours truly talk, Tyler Glasnow, trusting Kyle Freeland and the callups of Danny Jansen, Touki Toussaint, and Sean-Reid Foley. We hit on some closers to add, some schmotatos to watch, and shame Grey for laughing at serious movies. Actually I’m with him on the last part. It’s the latest episode of the Razzball Fantasy Baseball Podcast. As always, go and checkout our sponsor Rotowear.com and use our promo-code SAGNOF to get 20% off all of your purchases. It’s the latest episode of the Razzball Fantasy Baseball Podcast:
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Bear or Bull: See Willy Hit. See Willy Run. Free Willy?
August 14, 2018 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 11 Commentsby: Son
I have mixed emotions regarding zoos. It’s nice that there is a confined space where I can observe animals that I’d never be able to see outside of Youtube videos. Unfortunately, it comes at the expense of the well-being for the animals. They are not allowed to roam free in their natural habitat and do what they do. I often put myself in place of the animals. If aliens abducted me and put me in a cage, that would kind of suck. But what if they fed me and provided a La-Z-Boy, a computer, and PS4? And threw in a mate from time to time? Without having to do work? What?! Now, what if they forgot the wifi? That’d be inhumane as F. Anyways, I sometimes question whether every animal would be happy to be free from the confines of a zoo. I lean towards yes for most, but not so sure about the ones that are constantly being hunted out in the wild. That’s a stressful way to live. Anyways, being free means different things, depending on the perspective. How about in the context of Willy Adames, a player that’s owned in 7.5% of ESPN leagues but has a .405/.425/.622 slash with 4 stolen bases since August 1st? Free as in readily available to acquire? Free as in he is finally being unleashed? Or free as in you should let him go from your roster?
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RCL Update: The Week That Was, Week 19, 2018
August 14, 2018 | Our Leagues, Razzball Commenters League | 20 Commentsby: MattTruss
The trading deadline for the Razzball Commenter Leagues went out with a bang on Friday with 15 trades being completed. Remember back in the day when we used ESPN and they had that crazy noon trade deadline time? Thank goodness for FanTrax making that right! Speaking of, how are people liking the new add/drop and trade screens? I think that’s a pretty nice mid-season upgrade. Trades seemed to be down across the board this year, I wonder if the early-season trade screen (or lack thereof) contributed to that. I only counted 60 or so trades this year, but I’m sure I missed a few. By comparison, we had 232 last season. I’m hoping to make a couple changes to the RCL data next year so I don’t have to manually find all the trades, that should help our accuracy quite a bit. We didn’t have everything set up quite right with the move to FanTrax this season. No matter, the trade deadline might be gone, but don’t fret, there are still plenty of closers losing jobs and September call-ups are right around the corner. Maybe we get some Eloy Jimenez love? I’m stashing Vladdy Jr. in my 15 teamer hoping for a power surge down the stretch. Check out Ralph’s work for a handy chart. Not much has changed in a month, Jo Adell is still the man. Earlier today I took this and sorted by 2018 and 2019 to see who I should try to snag in keeper leagues and who might see some action at the end of this season. Ralph puts his blood, sweat and white Monster energy drinks into those rankings, don’t let them go wasted! Jump below for more about the trades this week and all the other happenings in the week that was, week 19:
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