Nifty Ks Of Jon Gray

May 14, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 85 Comments

Jon Gray pitched seven innings Friday night versus the Mets, allowing just five hits, two runs, a walk and struck out eight in his first win, in well, in ever. Congrats on your first major league win, chief! It only took you nine months! How about that headline? That was a bad Fifty Shades joke. If you don’t like it I will tie you up and make you like it. Mmm. Bondage. Anyway, Jon Gray–Coors pitchers be damned! After surrendering 11 runs through his first two starts, Gray has been damned good in his past three starts, giving up just four runs and 10 hits in 20.0 innings, and his 1.15 WHIP and 36/7 K/BB are certainly impressing me mucho. I know what you’re thinking, still a Coors pitcher pitches at Coors and even in the most stream worthy of starts it makes him very hard for me hard to recommend. But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be on your radar, folks. You should be watching him closer than the latest episode of Game of Thrones, looking for secret hidden fantasy clues in the sand. You guys, I’m pretty sure the scarring on Jon Snuh’s chest spells out R+L=J! Oh em god, wait! The “J” must stand for, dot, dot, dot…Jon Gray! But Jon Gray knows nothing. He must be Targaryen!

Here’s what else happened in fantasy baseball Friday night:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

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	ARI \| ATH \| ATL \| BAL \| BOS \| CHC \| CHW \| CIN \| CLE \| COL \| DET \| HOU \| KC \| LAA \| LAD \| MIL \| MIN \| NYM \| NYY \| PHI \| PIT \| SD \| SEA \| SF \| STL \| TB \| TEX \| TOR \| WSH \| MIA \| OAK

DraftKings: Sippin’ on Coca-Nola

May 14, 2016 | DraftKings |

by: Gern Blanston

It’s 2016 and everyone is raving about their kale and quinoa diet, and if you’re drinking anything other than water you may die. But today I am here to tempt you with a tall glass of Aaron Nola. Obviously you have aces Strasberg, Arrieta, and Kluber all starting, but as I surveyed the pitching field, I noticed several bad pitchers and some decent pitchers with bad scenarios. Today is most certainly a day to pony up for pricy pitchers. I was almost going to suggest Mike Foltynewicz … that’s how bad it is out there. Nola’s price falls under 10K at $9,500. However, if he keeps pitching like he has been, that price is bound to rise. Nola has been ace-like to start the season. He has gone 7 strong in 5 out of his 7 starts, issuing 49 K and only 8 BB to the tune of a 2.54 xFIP. Only two pitchers own lower xFIP, who happen to be Kershaw and Syndergaard, so he’s in pretty good company on the xFIP front. Opposing batters haven’t been able to generate much solid contact off his pitches. Nola is 12th in average exit velocity at 86.6 among qualified starting pitchers. Nola again finds himself in the good company, as his average distance per hit is only flying 200 feet. That pegs him right in between Syndergaard (201) and Kershaw (199). Are you worried about him facing Cincy? Don’t be. The Reds are a completely different team on the road than they are at home. At home they are stroking a .733 OPS, with 98 runs (2nd), and have hit 31 HR (1st). Compared to .638 OPS, 37 runs (30th), and 5 HR (29th) on the road. It’s the weekend! Forget about your diet, sit back, and take a swig from the Coca-Nola bottle. With that, I give you the rest of my DraftKings picks…

New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well reserve your spot in the 25 Team Razzball Exclusive League set to run Monday May 16th to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Bullpen Report, Week 6 – Deep Friars Of Holds

May 14, 2016 | Closers, Middle Relievers | 56 Comments

by: Smokey

Well we weren’t talking about deep fried empanadas. We were talking about the retro-chich lads from that Navy town of San Diego… Yes, those Padres of the last place origin. The ones with 16 whole wins in their favor on the year. Sneaky Hold situations make my world go round. Which, in turn, makes me spurn to you on the recycled tip of the serving platter from a fantasy analyst. Over the last 14 games, the Padres have endured some good fortune in the reliever ranks, namely Brandon Maurer. Maurer has netted himself 7 Holds over that time, or in fantasy bullpen coverage terms here at the Razz-nation, a hold the fort(night). Maurer is the 8th inning guy and if you are in a holds league, then he is probably taken. Him of the 14-plus K-rate over the last 10 games and because they strung a few victories in a row, boom! Stats. But we all know how many holds he has in the last umpteen days… because we can all read stat lines and understand that one plus the previous amount equals today’s total. Math catch-up lesson over. The Father’s depth in the pen doesn’t just end with Brandon. Take a look deeper and we will come across not the candelstick maker, nor the baker, but the Butcher. As in Ryan Butcher. While Maurer seems to get all the decent looks in the 8th for the beloved hold, Butcher seems to latch onto him like a paramecium in heat looking for a Padres win. Averaging over a K per inning, and duly entrenched as the bridge to the bridge to Fernando Rodney (which probably really isn’t much of a bridge of at all, but just a rope with board entwined with hope aspiration and tears), so with this brief biopic on the San Diegans bullpen fellas, lets look at what else is bouncing around in the world of set-up, set-up to get beat down. I get nothing but a hold.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

When SAGNOF Hits Your Buy, That’s Villar, Ay?

May 13, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell | 764 Comments

by: Grey

Hold the Internet presses (which is just posting a silly video; that makes the internet stop)! Jonathan Villar isn’t owned in more than 50% of leagues? That feels like a personal slight against my manhood. And my manhood is already slight! Hey, Previous Sentence Grey, not cool! My bad, Next Sentence Grey, but you set yourself up! This is like a Yo Momma episode on MTV where everyone called in sick so they had one schizophrenic guy play both sides. Yo, Momma is so fat her blood type is gravy! *same guy runs to other side* Oh! Oh! Okay, well, your Momma is so dumb she drafted A.J. Pollock! Snap! *runs to the other side, but pulls hammy* Yo Momma, shoot, can we pause? My hammy’s torn. *collapses onto ground* Don’t think MTV didn’t consider the one man Yo Momma show. Insider talk, they are one of the cheapest channels. It’s no surprise all of their shows star unknowns. Okay, this is neither funny nor that illuminating. I love Villar because SAGNOF. I hear ya, prematurely balding man, what happens when Arcia is called up? Well, we don’t know when Orlando Arcia will be called up and Villar can play 3rd (since everyone is over Hill, especially Aaron) or Villar can play 2nd, and Scooter’s a platoon guy that can’t always get it out of first. Villar has 40-steal speed and should not be on waivers anywhere. *pulled hammy Yo Momma guy pokes his head up* Yo Momma is so ugly…Yeah, I can’t continue, my hammy is killing me. Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Points Leagues: Jose Can You See

May 13, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues | 26 Comments

by: malamoney

Remember when Bryce Harper was the bee’s knees. The cat’s pajamas. The top dog. A lot can happen in two weeks. As a matter of fact, Harper’s not even in the top five. With 122 points he finds himself ranked 6th, tied with David Ortiz and Daniel Murphy. Both Ortiz and Murphy are sporting a slightly higher points per plate appearance (PPPA). However, Harper’s current PPPA (0.84) is more in line with what I’d expect out of him than Ortiz and Murphy, both of whom are due to regress.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

DraftKings: Friday the 13th – Pitching is a Horror Show

May 13, 2016 | DraftKings, Fantasy Baseball DFS | 2 Comments

by: MattTruss

There is one legitimate ace going tonight and his name is Chris Sale. Sale is sharpening up his machete, Jason style, to make mincemeat of the Yankees. You don’t need me to tell you how silly good Chris Sale is though (0.775 WHIP!). He is your de facto #1 cash game option for tonight’s games. Beyond that however, things are pretty ugly. Are you going to trust Samardzija in Coors south? Perhaps Matt Harvey in Coors regular? Maybe Justin Verlander in Baltimore? Ha, of course not! Just making sure you’re paying attention. Since Sale will no doubt be heavily owned in GPPs tonight, it might be wise to throw some darts on two cheaper pitchers and load up on hitting. Choosing those two pitchers tonight is a lot like deciding which of the cabins on Crystal Lake to hide out in while a murdering psychopath is on the loose. Choose wisely or your bankroll will end up decapitated. Along those same lines, Coors will be very popular tonight as well. We know the most popular pitcher and the most popular game tonight’s hitters will come from. If you’re looking to take down a giant tournament, such as the $3 Moonshot, use that information wisely and get out of Camp Crystal Lake alive…pssst, hey you. Yeah you, is that main Friday writer Matt guy gone? You sure? I have an unreasonable fear of hippos ever since an unfortunate accident involving a pair of loose shorts and a childhood favorite board game we all know and love…I’d rather not talk about it. What I WOULD rather talk about is our new 25 man Razzball Exclusive League that’s set to run on this coming Monday, May 16th. We were doing that 10 man thing for too long and as my wife has always said, size matters. Um, I was talking about bank accounts? Hello? This will be a new thing for us and if we fill quickly, we might be able to wrangle this thing into 50, or 75 or even a 100 man league. As I always tell my wife, if you show it some love and give it some time, it will grow…geez, again, we are talking about a bank account. What’s with you? So jump in there and reserve your spot for a chance at Razz glory. Now on with the show…

New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well reserve a spot in our 25 man Razzball Exclusive League set to run Monday, May 16th. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

No Cracks In This Win Shields

May 13, 2016 | Uncategorized | 327 Comments

by: Rudy Gamble

Big Game James went into Milwaukee and clinched at least a 16 win season for the Padres. Clutch!

This was a flashback Shields start – 7 IP, 9 K, 1 BB, 0 HR. I thought the NL would extend his fantasy acehood a little longer – like it did for Jon Lester and his fried chicken and beer buddy, John Lackey – but Shields’ BB and HR rates spiked insanely last year.

The HR rate (a near league-leading 1.47 HR/9 IP) was due to regress a bit (now around 1 HR/9 IP) but his BB rate is still 3.6/9 which relegates him to streaming in shallow leagues and an Ian Kennedy-like SP4/SP5 in 15-team leagues. If he could regain his control, he has a shot at a 3rd act as a KaBoB.

So Grey handed me the roundup keys on a short slate Thursday. I’m so excited. I’m so scared. I’m so tired (I’m shocked Grey hasn’t moved to Hawaii yet so he doesn’t have to write at night). I asked him to return the favor and give me a title and all he came up with was, “Brooke Shields Is Handsome” and “The Shields Start Was RiChiklis”. Oy.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Bear or Bull: Is the Reign of King Felix Coming to an End?

May 12, 2016 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 25 Comments

by: Big Magoo

Felix Hernandez has unquestionably been one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball in recent memory. His accomplishments over his 11+ MLB seasons are astounding. Six-time All-Star. AL Cy Young Award winner (2010) and two-time runner-up (2009, 2014). Led MLB in wins (2009) and ERA (2010, 2014). Threw the first perfect game in Seattle Mariners franchise history. On April 23rd of this season, he logged his 2,163rd strikeout as a Mariner to become the franchise’s all-time leader in career strikeouts (surpassing Randy Johnson). All of this from a player who just turned 30 years old a little over a month ago. This season, he’s come roaring out of the gates once again with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP through seven starts. He looks to be steadily advancing onto the path to Cooperstown. But is he still the same dominant pitcher that he’s proven to be throughout the majority of his career?

Let’s take a look at King Felix’s profile to determine if his dominant run is likely to continue throughout the 2016 season. Here are a few observations:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Guess Who, The Fantasy Baseball Guessing Game: Round 4

May 12, 2016 | Y to Z | 39 Comments

by: malamoney

It was Professor Plum with a baseball in the visitors locker room. Clue was a pretty sweet game back in the day. I say “back in the day” because I haven’t played it in over twenty years. I guess it’s still the same game, but I just don’t play it anymore. And if I did, I probably wouldn’t admit it. This game is a bit different. However, the goal is somewhat similar. Guess the players I am about to describe. For those of you that missed out on the first three rounds you can find out how this game works by clicking here.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

2016 REL Dynasty League Update: Week 6

May 12, 2016 | Razzball Elite League | 10 Comments

by: JB Gilpin

I’m going to rename this season the “Fury” year. As in, it’s a full-blown tank for me! What a good movie… Anyway, the REL keeps trucking along with some big FAAB buys in the AL that is still being dominated by the Orange Birds. Bird of Prey! Although the pair of Sox teams are clippin’ at their talons… In the NL, it’s all Nats and Cubs with the Nats getting 20 Ks from one player last night. Yeesh. Here’s how week six went down in the 2016 REL League:

Please, blog, may I have some more?

DraftKings: Play the Ker-sure Thing

May 12, 2016 | DraftKings, Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 1 Comment

by: wheyen3

Last week I advocated a Jacob deGrom start against the Padres. I ensured all of you that playing the sure thing ace on the day was worth the price. Any of you who played him know I was wrong, as he struggled. Guess what I’m going to do this week? Advocate playing the stud again. One guy has been in a class of his own the last few years, and his name rhymes with Blayton Jershaw. There is simply no reason to leave him out of your DraftKings lineups on Thursday, as there are enough lower priced hitters to make his high price totally workable. It’ll be a lot more regrettable to leave Blayton’s twin out of your lineup than to have him in it; this choice should be the easiest one you make on Thursday. Clayton Kershaw has basically been in a league of his own the last few years. Many people will be turned off by his exorbitant price of $13,300, but you should not be. There is no better option on this slate, and he faces a Mets lineup that isn’t exactly a powerhouse and Clayton should continue to show just how good he is.

New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 10 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Showtime For Skin ‘Em Max

May 12, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 625 Comments

by: Grey

Owning Max Scherzer last night was like watching the Showtime classic, Emmanuelle, the erotic thriller starring Emmanuel Lewis as Webster Schlong and Alex Karras as George Papadopepuss. Through 6 IP, Scherzer had 13 Ks and was only 77 pitches. On the Tigers broadcast, Jimmy Leyland said, “(Scherzer) looks spent.” Who’s a better judge of that than his ex-manager? If only the Nationals had Jose Valverde to come in. But then Scherzer went out in the 7th and had a 1-2-3 inning with two Ks and it was if Shannon Tweed had appeared next to Emmanuel Lewis and this erotic thriller became more elaborate, convoluted and spectacular! Then Scherzer came out in the 8th and struck out three more guys to put his total at 18 Ks. Then, came the ninth. Now, no guy has a shorter hook than Emmanuel Lewis, but no manager has a longer hook than Dusty. Scherzer could’ve been on pitch 175 and he would’ve been out there to finish it, and finish the Tigers he did. Final line: 9 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 20 Ks. He is still giving up homers though…. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?