Thomas Howland

Draft: No One Like Nola

August 5, 2018 | DFS, Draft |

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1939 was a great year for movies.  You’ve got Gone with the Wind, Goodbye Mr. Chips and, of course, The Wizard Of Oz.  Dorothy told us there’s no place like home, and that’s the mantra for #1 on today’s Streamonator: Aaron Nola. Nola’s home numbers are mind blowing. Get this: 8-0, 1.99 ERA, .985 WHIP. And today his victims are the sad Miami Marlins, who hit Nola to a weak .214 batting average and .512 OPS.  Others may be focused on Gerrit Cole, but he’s facing the Dodgers, who know him well and have had some success against him. Go with Nola and melt your competition like sweet little Dorothy. Now let’s look at a few more early-, middle- and late-round picks for your Draft…drafts!

New to Draft? 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 you do. It’s how we know you care!

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See all of today’s starting lineups

# MLB Starting Lineups For Wed 8/6
ARI | ATH | ATL | BAL | BOS | CHC | CHW | CIN | CLE | COL | DET | HOU | KC | LAA | LAD | MIA | MIL | MIN | NYM | NYY | PHI | PIT | SD | SEA | SF | STL | TB | TEX | TOR | WSH | OAK
Geoff

Minor League Update: Collect Calls To Commissioner Gorman

August 5, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 17 Comments

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Is it too early to update my first year player draft rankings? Because we have a battle to replace Alec Bohm at the top of the list. In one corner we have Cardinals wunderkind Nolan Gorman. A power-hitting prodigy, with Herculean raw power, and a bat so quick and compact he could turn on a hollow-point on the inside. At 18 he already has a big league body, and the pretty swing to match. St. Louis was aggressive with him, skipping the Gulf Coast League for the more advanced Appy league. The results have certainly backed that decision, through 33 games the third basemen is slashing .341/.437/.682. In yesterday’s game he connected for his 11th homer of the season, as part of a 4-for-6 performance. He’s in the midst of a 7 game hitting streak and has homers in three straight. Actually he has homers in four of his last five games, slugging two doubles on Tuesday in his homer-less game. So this leads us back to our original question; Is Gorman the number 1 pick in FYPD? The question is yes and no, for me it’s a two man battle between Gorman, and Jonathan India, more on him later. But it’s tough to argue against Gorman’s bat at the moment. If you were to say he was the best hitter in the draft, you might be right. He’s been great so far, and a promotion to the full season Midwest League could come shortly. For now consider Gorman a major mover in my forthcoming Top 500 update.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Geoff

Prospect Podcast: Promotions, Scouting Looks At Eloy Jimenez, And Others

August 4, 2018 | Prospect Podcast, Razzball Podcast | 12 Comments

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All the leagues are in full swing and the Razzball Prospect Podcast has updates on all the happenings in minor league baseball this week. With a ton of promotions by the Braves, Dodgers, and Red Sox, as well as an interesting trio of shortstops from June’s draft moving up, we touch on them all. Plus scouting looks on Eloy Jimenez, Gabriel Arias, Luis Patino, and more. We jump into our five by five highlighting ten players on our radar. Names like the Dodgers Miguel Vargas, the Reds Jonathan India, the Red Sox Bobby Dalbec, and slew of others. As always head over to Rotowear.com and use our promo-code SAGNOF to get 20% off Rotowear ‘s amazing shirts!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
MattTruss

FantasyDraft: Gasman To Set Mets Aflame

August 4, 2018 | DFS, FantasyDraft | 3 Comments

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I might be letting my Braves fan bias shine through a little here, but I’m giddy for Kevin Gausman’s first start for the Braves tonight.  How long have we been saying Gausmaun just needed to get the heck out of the AL East and out of Baltimore period?  The O’s are far from pitching savants and exchanging the Sawx and Yanks for the Marlins and Mets never hurt anyone’s value.  Gausman checks in at $16,300 on FantasyDraft tonight and I think that’s a fantastic value. Gausman has always had the K-upside which is why we’ve all been tempted by him (and let down) in the past.  I think the change of scenery will do wonders for him and I want to get on the bandwagon now before it’s full and much more expensive. Besides Gausman picking on the offense-inept Mets, let’s look at the rest of tonight’s DFS picks:

New to FantasyDraft? 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 you do.  It’s how we know you care!

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

Slick Rick Downs Yanks Quick

August 4, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 25 Comments

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Rick Porcello was masterful Friday night, turning in one of the best, most efficient, pitching performances we’ll see all season, holding the New York Yankees to just one hit (a home run) and striking out nine for a complete game win. His only hiccups were a HBP to begin the game and a solo home run to rookie 3rd baseman Miguel Andujar, after which Porcello proceeded to retire the next 21 straight batters with ease. More like Siiiiick Rick, brah *shock emoji* Or Quick Rick? IMHO (the “H” stands for handsome) this was the best start we’ve seen from a Boston pitcher all season, and that’s saying something for a team with Chris Sale on it. The former Cy Young threw first-pitch strikes to 23 batters and threw 68 strikes of the the just 86 pitches to get through this one. Veintidos, which might be the worst nickname ever, moves to 14-4 with a 3.84 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.  Most amazing for me, however, was that a Yankees/Red Sox game took just 2 hours and 15 minutes! It was the fastest Boston/NY game since May 6, 1994! So keeping in that spirit I will wrap this up quick. The last two Sox pitchers to 1-hit the mighty Yankees line up facing the minimum batters were Pedro Martinez in 1999 and Roger Clemens in 1991, and those are some pretty great names to have in your company.

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

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Yost

Getting Ahead in H2H, Week 18: These Sox Fit Just Right

August 4, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Head-to-Head Leagues |

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The MLB Trade Deadline is one of my favorite times of the year. Full of constant twitter updates and cursing your GM for not offering a better deal for the piece you wanted. Surprises happen every year, but this year we had some good ones. Like Chris Archer heading to Pittsburgh of all places. Or the Cardinals dumping Tommy Pham to the Rays. I love the Trade Deadline because I love seeing what the teams look like after the smoke clears. And then there is a whole other level of excitement to see the fantasy implications of all the moves. It is like opening a Christmas present only to find TWO gifts inside.

You know what else comes in twos? Socks. Or Sox, if it is Christmas in July. And this Christmas, the Sox coincidentally added two pieces near the deadline that fit their needs. In fact, you might even say that these Sox fit just right!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Grey

I’m Gonna Buy Miguel Just Wanted Ya Sano

August 3, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 373 Comments

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[brid autoplay=”true” video=”276120″ player=”10951″ title=”Fantasy Baseball Buy Sell Hold Week 19″]

You know that expression, “If you’re alive long enough, you will see a time when Samoans are skinny, petite men who request silver dollar-sized coconuts to cover their nipples.”  You don’t know it?  That’s because I just made it up!  You’ve been TRICK’D!  It’s my spinoff of Punk’d with your host The Amazing Johnathan.  The expression’s sentiments I just made up are accurate, however (as far as I’m concerned, and, sadly, this isn’t a democracy, and I’m the one that matters).  The expression’s root is from the actual expression, “If you live long enough, you’ll experience everything.”  This feels especially apt today because we’ve gone from wanting to own Miguel Sano, to cursing Miguel Sano, back to wanting to own him again.  What’s next?  A skinny Miguel Sano requesting smaller coconuts to cover his nipples!  Okay, maybe not immediately, but if we live long enough!  I don’t have any great hopes for Miguel Sano, but he’s owned in 30% of leagues and that seems low for even him.  There’s not a ton of guys who can hit 15 homers from now until the end of the season; Sano’s on that list.  Will it happen?  I don’t know, maybe if we live long enough.  Circular logic is your friend because it too can cover your nipples.  Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Smokey

Bullpen Report: I Wonder If I Take You Home

August 3, 2018 | Closers, Middle Relievers | 23 Comments

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Just for reference, as I was out and about, the “cult” classic by Lisa Lisa was on.  Now you can admit it or you can lie about it, but if you hear this song on in the privacy of your own aloneness, and you turn the radio up.  I’m sorry but it’s true.  If not, it is completely just me and I have some severe music intangible listening ability that is slightly off.  Where was I?  Bullpens you say, bullpens I say.  The first real bullpen post after the trade deadline is always a tough tell.  The good contending teams basically stack up the depth of their pens and make the most unique and usable reliever an after thought, or a “questionable” own in holds leagues.  I hate that this happens, because you roll along all season with a set it and forget it holds option and poof, they go to a contender and now are fourth fiddle.  And nobody remembers the fourth fiddler in the Charlie Daniels’ band.  If you do, climb out the basement and stare at the sun awhile, you two have missed each other’s company.  So if you are sitting on names that changed to a contender that are now tertiary in line for a hold, move on.  Grab a first-chair guy maybe on a lesser team, or even from that guys old team.  This time of the year, if trying to capitalize on the utmost hold capabilities, there can be no allegiances.  No saluting your past accumulation and move on.  I am adding in a chart this week that shows holds and chances for the last 30 days to lessen the load on your research ability.  After all it’s Friday, you ain’t got no job, why not stay and hang out with Smokey?

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Richardo

FanDuel: Black and Gold Archer

August 3, 2018 | DFS, Fanduel |

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First Friday after the trade deadline and we have a 14 game slate on FanDuel.  Since my head’s still spinning like my 3 year old struggling to steer the bumper cars, we’ll get through these same faces in different places together.  I’m pretty excited to see what Chris Archer can do with a fresh start in Pittsburgh.  He comes in at a very reasonable $9,000, and faces a pretty righty heavy Cardinals team (could see 6 + the pitcher), that sports a bottom-third wOBA and wRC+ vs RHP.  Let’s see what else this Friday slate brings 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?
Grey

Yankees Pen Found Guilty By A Jury Of Their Pearce

August 3, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 248 Comments

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Know why Steve Pearce went off yesterday for three homers (3-for-5, 6 RBIs and his 6th, 7th and 8th homer)?  Because he’s only owned in 3% of fantasy leagues.  That’s spiteful, Steve Pearce.  Spite is one of the seven deadliest sins.  Right after that soup the fat guy ate in Se7en.  Not to be confused with Goop, which is Paltrow’s career after she stopped being harassed by Harvey Weinstein.  Allow a gross, sweaty producer to rub his genitals against you in unwanted advances, win an Oscar.  Sleep with that guy from Coldplay, do movies with Huey Lewis.  Speaking of Coldplay, Pearce has been terrible for the last few weeks, but the Sawx have committed to Pearce in a favorable lineup spot, at least against lefties, which he’s rewarded them with solid production (hitting near-.360 vs. lefties).  He’s not quite at a Goop-level bounce back, but he is above starring with Huey Lewis and/or Chris Martin.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Geoff

Minor League Update: Eloy Meets World

August 2, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 44 Comments

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Hey world! (Hand waving emoji) Meet Eloy Jimenez, you might know who Eloy is. You might think “Ralph, he’s a top 2-3 prospect dude, we know Eloy!”. It’s true, you know Eloy, you’ve seen the production, you’ve seen me tell you Eloy for Jose Quintana was a mistake (please, lets not rehash this Cubs fans. Cool?), but what you haven’t seen, more than likely, is this big boy bang out in the flesh. I had the distinct pleasure of taking in Eloy over the weekend in Pawtucket, and man, he didn’t disappoint. Easy power, from a simple, but refined swing, breathtaking plate coverage, bat speed, and strike zone awareness. I’ve been fortunate this year to see some of the top bats in the minors since the beginning of the season. I’ve seen Vlad, more than I’ve seen my children since April, same goes for Bo Bichette, and Brendan Rodgers. Ronald Acuna, I caught in April in AAA, and in early May at Fenway. So suffice it to say, I have a good measuring stick for offensive prowess at the moment. From a hitting perspective, absent of athleticism, and other tools, only Vlad is better than Eloy in that regard. Really an impressive talent, he went 3-for-4 on Sunday, connecting for an opposite field shot in his first at bat, before knocking two singles later in the game, one to right, and the other to left. It’s really a beautiful swing, here’s a look at an open face swing on his homer in the third. Look how clean the bat path is, how quick his hands are, and how he engages his lower half. It’s beautiful.

Please, blog, may I have some more?