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2018 Fantasy Baseball Team Previews: Arizona Diamondbacks

March 31, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Team Previews | 6 Comments

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Note: The season has started, but we’ll have a couple more previews to release this weekend for your viewing pleasure!

Welcome to Razzball’s 2018 team previews. As we’ve been doing the last few months, we’ll be previewing all of the teams and talking to writers who represent those teams around the web. We want to provide the best and most in-depth fantasy projections to go along with the asking the most useful questions to those who know their teams best. We want to talk about the players in the first half of your draft and also the deep sleepers that make you log into google and start watching Midwest Single-A ball for hours. Just kidding, don’t do that, hopefully we don’t go that far…

Did you know that the Arizona Diamondbacks are putting baseballs in a humidor?…. The humidor has been the talk of the fantasy baseball community this off season. How will heavier baseballs affect Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb’s power numbers? Should we roster a plethora of Diamondback pitchers? The Diamondbacks made the playoffs last year! Arizona was a great story in a stacked division. The Diamondbacks are bringing back all of the same talent and should also feature some pretty decent bullpen arms especially if Archie Bradley works out in the closer role. The top half of this lineup is just as dangerous as any in the National League and the rotation features 5 pitchers who are capable of sub-4 ERAs. I chatted up Scott Bogman of In This League to talk about his favorite team. You can also check out the player debate book he wrote with The Welsh.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

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See all of today’s starting lineups

# MLB Starting Lineups For Sun 8/3
ARI | ATH | BAL | BOS | CHC | CHW | CLE | COL | DET | HOU | KC | LAA | LAD | MIA | MIL | MIN | NYM | NYY | PHI | PIT | SD | SEA | SF | STL | TB | TEX | TOR | WSH | ATL | CIN | OAK
Dokken

2018 Fantasy Baseball Team Previews: Baltimore Orioles

March 31, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Team Previews | 4 Comments

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Note: The season has started, but we’ll have a couple more previews to release this weekend for your viewing pleasure!

Welcome to Razzball’s 2018 team previews. As we’ve been doing the last few months, we’ll be previewing all of the teams and talking to writers who represent those teams around the web. We want to provide the best and most in-depth fantasy projections to go along with the asking the most useful questions to those who know their teams best. We want to talk about the players in the first half of your draft and also the deep sleepers that make you log into google and start watching Midwest Single-A ball for hours. Just kidding, don’t do that, hopefully we don’t go that far…

It’s been an interesting offseason for the Orioles, who (at least for the time being) have decided to hold on to superstar Manny Machado rather than dealing him prior to his walk year. They are moving him to shortstop though, perhaps to showcase his talents there and raise his value. In any case, we love the value boost he gets in fantasy. The O’s have brought in the likes of Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb to “bolster” their rotation, in addition to re-signing Chris Tillman. When those are the highlights of your offseason, you probably shouldn’t get your hopes up too high. That said, Baltimore consistently beats their projected win total, so who knows? Maybe they’ll surprise us. They’ve still got a ton of offense, although Mark Trumbo is slated to begin the year on the disabled list, and Chris Davis has been coming along slowly as well. To make sense of the rest, I got in touch with Christopher Church from Fansided’s The Baltimore Wire.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
MattTruss

FantasyDraft: MLB, Kenta See

March 31, 2018 | DFS, FantasyDraft |

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I’ve got a bone to pick with MLB.  Opening Day was awesome, but starting in the middle of the day on a Thursday when most people are working is kinda “meh”.  Why not wait one day and open your season in prime time on Friday night? With the early Thursday afternoon start at least we should expect a full slate of Friday night games, right?  Nope. Half the teams take a…much needed break? Well, Saturday is here to satiate us with a full day of baseball goodness on a day when most people have the day nonetheless. The day includes a seven game evening (Main) slate for us DFS junkies.  Pitching on that slate will be my main pitching building block, Kenta Maeda ($18,700).  Maeda has a nice price and after him the pitching really drops off.  Maeda gets a home date with San Francisco Giants. The same Giants who are blowing the dust off the mummified corpse of Derek Holland’s pitching career.  The Dodgers and Maeda are the second biggest favorites on the day (-215) and Kenta should cruise to the Win.

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 jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Geoff

Prospect Podcast: Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospects for 2018 Fantasy Baseball

March 31, 2018 | Prospect Podcast, Razzball Podcast | 59 Comments

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In the grand tradition of beating things into the ground; we here on the Razzball Prospect Podcast indulged in yet another Scott Kingery talk. Then again, this is the Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect episode, so it’s only right. I have strong opinions on Kingery, like your meme-sharing Uncle on Facebook. Only my opinion is about Scott Kingery, and nothing else. Lance and myself dig deep, touching the big names in the top ten, like Sixto Sanchez, J.P. Crawford, Jhailyn Ortiz, Adonis Medina, and many more. Finally, please make sure to support our sponsor by heading over to RotoWear.com and entering promo code “SAGNOF” for 20% off the highest quality t-shirts in the fantasy sports game. It’s the latest edition of the Razzball Fantasy Baseball Prospect Podcast:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Grey

Must Write Scott Kingery Buy Royal Decree

March 30, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 454 Comments

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Lights a candle, and shakes out the match.  The candelabra illuminates a cave.  I carefully move towards a sleeping figure, reaching down and shaking the Buy/Sell out of its slumber.  “Hey, wake up, it’s a new season.”
The Buy/Sell stretches its arm and yawns loudly.  “Is it September already?”
“No, it’s March, it’s a new baseball season.”
“Baseball, riiiiight.  The thing with the racket.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”  In quick cuts, I see the Buy/Sell’s shirt reads Buy/Sell in smears of blood.  Cowering away, I trip, only to realize I’ve fallen on the entrails of the real Buy/Sell.
“I’m the new Buy/Sell now!”  Then it laughs ghoulishly, gnashing its fangs.  So, Scott Kingery made the team.  I know, I didn’t expect it either, but good for the Phils.  They made the bold choice, and the bold are rewarded, which sounds like a 1970’s cigarette campaign.  “Winston Lights, The Bold are Rewarded.”  Lance Broz…etc. gave you his Scott Kingery fantasy before it was official Kingery would start the year with the Phils, but it looked to be headed there, which is why it’s so frustrating that I didn’t move on him quicker (Kingery not Lance.  “When you’re a fantasy baseball blogger, they just let you move on them.”).  But data shows that Kingery is still available in a ton of leagues, and is an immediate buy everywhere.  In the video, Anime Grey has some more words on Kingery.  Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Smokey

Closer Report, Week 1: Strickland Saves Giants Goat

March 30, 2018 | Closers, Middle Relievers, SAGNOF | 14 Comments

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Bullpen situations, speculations, and basic wherewithal are always a conundrum.  Much like trying to figure out the size of Bruce Bochy’s head.  Quick answer? It is bigger than normal, and not in an intelligence-type way.  It is more of a cro-magnon way.  Manager decisions aren’t always made by choice, but by no other better outcome.  Hence why we have Hunter Strickland as the interim closer for the Giants.  This is only because Melancon is injured.  Dyson is just abysmal, and Watson has that whole lefty moniker attached to him (plus he hasn’t looked spectacular either leading up to opening day).  Here’s the thing that worries me about Strickland being the guy whether it be temporary or more of a permanent basis; he has problems getting the left-handed hitters out.  Like, it’s really bad.  Just go ask Bryce Harper about that.  Lefties hit .333 last year and for his career, hit almost 50 points higher against Hunter.  Now this is sort of a normal occurrence with opposite handed hitter/pitcher splits, but not for pitchers who are uber successful in closing situations for a long period of time.  The time table for Melancon to return is spotty with arm inflammation, so he could be there for a few weeks or until he falters.  Regardless, saves are saves and he should be owned universally.  Don’t show a blind eye to Dyson or Watson though if the waiver wire show their faces, because this situation is going to be a fluid one if and when Melancon returns for most of the year.  Hunter Strickland rant over. Let’s see what other bullpen and closer news is on the docket for this week…

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Phil B.

OPS Leaguers Unite! Week 1: Crystal Ball Gazing!

March 30, 2018 | OPS Leagues | 4 Comments

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So I’m the only one who missed both the predictions post and the bold predictions post. I swear it’s not my fault, really (attn: our outstanding editor, Mr. Jay) as it’s tax season, and I’m an accountant so get ready for my predictions. Did you know that tax day is actually April 17th (not the 15th) his year? Well it is, so good for you procrastinators but crappy for me and my fellow accountants; who isn’t looking forward to working two extra 15 hour days? Me, that’s who. But I digress…we’re here to talk about fantasy baseball, not bitch about work (that’s what we have spouses and co-workers for, amirite?)

It’s a weird time right now; I’m excited for the season to start but Spring Training is over so there aren’t any stats to look at that haven’t already been looked at. The best part is that we can look back on it at the end of the season and laugh at how wrong I was. Same goes for you, dear reader. Put your predictions in the comments and we’ll look back and review at end of season. Five internet dollars for the most accurate!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
HouseofShlain

FanDuel: Picks For March 30th, 2018

March 30, 2018 | DFS, Fanduel |

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Opening Day, was it good for you too? I’m a Yankees fan so everything is awesome all the time. Let’s keep the awesome going and the champagne flowing without wasting anymore time and get to my Fanduel DFS picks for Day No. 2 of the 2018 MLB season. By the way, you may have previously seen my writing at Rotowire, Baseball Prospectus, and Fantasy Pros, if you were looking for more introduction. Now really, let’s get down on Friday like Rebecca Black told us to.

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

Opening Day And The Balls Are Juiced (So Are The Baseballs)

March 30, 2018 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 289 Comments

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For Opening Day, I woke up at the crack of dawn on the West Coast, because no one in this godforsaken country cares about the West Coast.  Once I had my coffee and vape set up for a full day of baseball, I saw the Pirates/Tigers game was postponed and thought about how they should have their seasons postponed.  “I Mahtook you for a friend of the Tooks!”  That’s Mikie Mahtook.  Finally, I opened the MLB app on my iPad to find I had forgotten my password.  Cut to two hours later, and I was ready to watch some baseball!  Then Carlos Martinez gave up multiple runs on multiple fantasy teams of mine and I was ready to nap again.  Ah, it’s good to be back!  Speaking of which, I’ll trade you Carlos Martinez for a bag of Dick Pole’s.  Doesn’t matter which bag.  Maybe the one Salvador Perez was carrying.  You know what would’ve been Sweet Baby Jesus of me?  If I benched that goofy-haired, can’t-keep-his-hands-to-himself Cardinals pitcher.  Not to worry, I had Chris Archer going later in the day.  *sees Kiermaier and Span misplay a Eduardo Nunez ball into an inside-the-parker, crawls under bed*  Fantasy baseball:  When everyday stress is just not enough.  Any hoo!  It’s good to be back, now let’s get down to business.  Matt Davidson went 3-for-4, 4 runs, 5 RBIs with his 1st, 2nd and third homer.  Someone wants to be Tuffy Rhodes.  “Not bad for five innings.”  Oh, shut up, Mark Whiten!  Do we have our first hot schmotato?!  I schmay schwe schdo!  Sounded better in my head!  Davidson won’t be in today’s Buy column, but he could’ve been.  I grabbed him in my RCL, because I’m in straight panic mode and Joe Panik is already owned!  Yes, there’s a Buy/Sell later today.  You’re welcome.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
B_Don

Vegas Baby… Vegas!

March 29, 2018 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 10 Comments

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I promise I will get back to more fantasy baseball and/or stat related information next week, but I am Korean. [Jay’s Note: A man after my own heart!] There’s only so much I can do to fight the cultural impulses that plague me, namely gambling. I would never condone illegal sports gambling; after all, it is illegal in 46 states.

So, “we’re going to Vegas tonight…You bring something nice to wear.”

As we patiently stare at our lineups hoping that they would matter, or maybe just that teams would start putting injured players on the DL to enable us to make some free pickups, let’s take a look at some of the Vegas lines for the season and see where we should be placing our money. Only so much time left before the season begins and we have to get them in under the wire. (And, you know, if you can’t come with us to pretend Vegas, place your fake money bets in the comment section below!)

Please, blog, may I have some more?