Yesterday’s Nationals/Phils game tested my ulcer and said, “Mmm, acidic.” Starting off the calamity, Pat Neshek went 1/3 IP, 2 ER, and the blown save, ERA at 2.08.  Okay, if you’re a closer, you have to get the job done, but — and this is a J. Lo-sized but — why the eff can’t Kapler let him start an inning in a one-run game?  He let Tommy Hunter walk the lead-off man, then Neshek came in to allow a blast to Anthony Rendon (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 17th homer).  Up next in the closerousel is…Hector Neris!  Kapler’s already ruined him once, so that gives you an idea of how long it takes for the Phillies’ closerousel to spin, about four months.  Then, Justin Miller came on to close the game for the Nationals.  But oh no, we will nearly blow!  Miller went 1/3 IP, 1 ER and was promptly pulled for…wait for it…oh, this is good…Greg Holland!  Who entered the game with a 6.09 ERA and has been so bad, he got chased out of St. Louie.  Yo, are Davey Martinez and Gabe Kapler running a lemonade stand?  Because I’m getting a real sour face.  In Washington, it’s likely Koda Glover or Ryan Madson’s turn next, but Holland’s got two lips, so he’s as good as anyone.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Max Scherzer – 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 2.22 vs. Aaron Nola – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 2.10. Â Granted, Nola’s offense is a little more ‘clicky’ right now and ODB (1-for-4 and his 21st homer) hits Scherzer well (and no one else) but next year: Â Scherzer or Nola? Â Prolly still Scherzer, but this is not far apart.
Jorge Alfaro – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 9th homer, hitting .252. Â It felt like Alfaro’s been decent for me in my 10-team NL-Only league, so I decided to look at our NL-Only Player Rater. Â Yes, we have one of those too. Â If you search by catcher, he’s been the 11th best. Â That’s pretty meh, but he cost nothing, so, yeah, still meh.
Kolten Wong – Hit the DL with a right hammy pull–sorry, I mean left, Wong hammy.
Tyler O’Neill – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 7th homer, hitting .281. Â *turns wheel away from Tyler White, passes two exits labeled “Tyler Austin” and “Tyler Skaggs,” heads back towards Tyler O’Neill* Â I’m in a Tyler roundabout.
Jack Flaherty – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 2.87. Â He’s quietly been a top 20 starter this year, and — wait, there’s more! — he’s nowhere near throwing too many innings, so he’s in no danger of being an avoid in 2019, which means — here comes the sexy part! — I might just rank him in the top 20 next year. Â His K/9 is 11 and he has the 13th best xFIP in the majors (3.33). Â Flaherty will get you everywhere!
Jose Martinez – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 16th homer. Â He reminds me of the Cardinals of the 80’s. Â Great hitter, not a ton of power. Â You could see him besides guys like Tommy Herr and Terry Pendleton. Â In honor of their manager, I will call him, Whitey Martinez. Â Hmm, that sounds weird. Â How about Whitey Martini?
Jedd Gyorko – Diagnosed with a mild groin strain. Â Gyorko’ing a little too aggressively, eh?
Aaron Judge – Still not able to swing a bat. Â Seems like a real chance you get nothing of note from Judge the rest of this year. Â He could return with a week to go at the end of the year, but only to see live pitching before the playoffs. Â Sorry, I know you guys had a good thing. Â That sorry wasn’t believable, was it? Â I’m awful at sincerity.
Aroldis Chapman – Received his 2nd PRP injection in his knee. Â Filling up that stamp card!
Miguel Andujar – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 22nd homer. Â Pretty surprised at how little heat there is on Andujar considering the year he’s having as a rookie and in NYC. Â Not only the homers, but he’s hitting .300! Â Kevin Maas has more heat and he was only good for 79 games almost thirty years ago. Â By the way, I Googled Kevin Maas to get the number of games correct and his son’s name is Christian Maas. Â Christian Maas! Â Is that at a church in Hahvud Yahd?
Aaron Hicks – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 22nd homer, hitting .251, and his 2nd homer in the last week. Â Hicks is owned in 78% of ESPN leagues, the 26th best outfielder on our Player Rater. Â Oh…*drives cross country*…kay.
Lance Lynn – 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 4.84. Â This start was vs. the White Sox and what I think we might be realizing: Â Lynn is still a near-5.00 ERA pitcher, even on the Yankees.
Eduardo Rodriguez – Will return on Saturday. Â Usually I have activersion, but less so when a guy is returning from a non-arm-related injury. Â Ed-Rod had an ankle injury and is returning to face the White Sox, i.e, you don’t have to be a scientologist to like Ed-Rod.
Brian Johnson – 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, ERA at 4.02. Â He didn’t have his best stuff last night, and his mom was one of the twins in the Doublemint Gum commercials and gum is the stuff I’d chuck at his opponent, Jose Urena (6 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 4.56) if I ever saw him on the street as I doubled my pleasure. Â See, everything is connected.
Eduardo Nunez – 2-for-5, 2 runs and his 8th homer, and has a six-game hitting streak, and hitting near-.350 in the last week, and we’re on the precipice of a hot schmotato alert. Â Hot schmotato adjacent.
J.T. Realmuto – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 17th homer, hitting .284. Â Jerry Tomato is just so rock solid. Â Dot dot dot. Â Which is what he wants you to believe when he crushes your spirit next year. Â Don’t fall for the solid catcher routine. Â A crushed Jerry Tomato just leads you into a game of ketchup.
Ender Inciarte – 4-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 9th homer. Â He was so locked in it was like this was a simulation and Ender was trying to kill Andrelton Simmons and all his alien bugger friends. Â (Ignore for a second that the book/movie was sympathetic to genocides of unfamiliar people and all that whatnot.)
Justin Smoak – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 20th homer. Â Before you think this is at all a positive update, he homered off Mr. Rogers. Â What kind of animal does that to Mr. Rogers?!
Randal Grichuk – 4-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 19th homer. Â Grichuk is the type to hit a homer with four hits and instantly become a hot schmotato. Â I will put five fake dollars on it that he hits another homer today.
Thomas Pannone – 3 1/3 IP, 7 ER, ERA at 5.52. Â Wow, T.P., that is some sh*t.
Jonathan Villar – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI and his 21st steal and 2nd in as many games, and has only been caught twice this year. Â I want Villar so badly for 2019 if he’s leading off every day for the O’s. Â Fast guy + bad team = Running because they have nothing to booze! Â Damn, so close to getting the math right! Â Did I forget to carry a one?
Tim Beckham – 1-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 9th homer. Â O’s are suddenly doing lots of damage vs. the Jays. Â Take that, alphabetical order!
Adam Jones – 4-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, hitting .284. Â Adam Jones is eating up singles like they’re pellets in a video game. Â I’m going to call him, Pacman Jones! Â I’m the first to come up with that nickname, right?
Adalberto Mondesi – 2-for-4 and his 5th homer, hitting .259. Â Can I draft him for 2019 right now? Â C’mon, someone start a league so I can grab him way too early.
Jake Junis – 9 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 4.53.  I wasn’t convinced when the Stream-o-Nator gave Junis high marks for yesterday, but then frequent commenter, Marty Janetty_Was Set Up, told me in the comments how great Junis has been vs. the Tigers, saying, “This season Junis has owned DET with a 1.60 ERA, over 22 IP, allowing a .190 BA.  Over that span vs. DET, he has 18 Ks vs. 18 Hits/Walks.  Of all the Tigers players he’s faced in his short career, Miguel Cabrera is the only one to hit him well.”  So…I started him!  Thank you, Marty Janetty_Was Set Up!
Junior Guerra – 1 1/3 IP, 6 ER, ERA up to 4.09. Â Guerra means war, and what’s war good for? Â Absolutely nothing.
Christian Yelich – 2-for-5, 5 RBIs and his 24th and 25th homer. Â Podcaster Ralph and I talk about Yelich on this week’s show that should be out today; there was a hold up yesterday; don’t shoot!
Jose Peraza – 4-for-5, 4 runs, 2 RBIs and his 9th homer, hitting .293. Â We haven’t touched on this in a while. Â Wait, why are you removing your pants? Â What are you expecting me to be touching? Â I was going to talk about my Peraza preseason sleeper. Â You were worried he was hitting ninth in the preseason, I kept pointing out he would be moved up. Â He was. Â He’s also on pace for 11/25/.290. Â You could’ve done worse at MI.
Walker Buehler – 4 IP, 2 ER, ERA at 3.02. Â Ah, the ol’ limiting a guy’s innings while still starting him. Â Yeah, that will last until about…Well, my ‘Ross Stripling is due back’ clock is showing 11:59.
Kenley Jansen – 1 IP, 2 ER, ERA at 3.09. Â How long after the season is over until we find out Jansen realized he had heart problems when he was trying to play the drums and ripped his elbow tendon? Â There is no way Jansen is right.
Jacob Nix – 8 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 0 Ks, ERA at 4.05. Â Every time I start him I’m left feeling, “Ixnay on the IxNay,” and when I don’t start him, I’m left licking my sonavabench wounds like a Latin Puig. Â The Stream-o-Nator doesn’t love his next start, and I’m not ready to go back in.
Madison Bumgarner – 7 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners (4 BBs), 5 Ks, ERA at 2.68 vs. Clay Buchholz – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 2.07. Â This matchup was billed as, “A washed-up bum shines and Bumgarner looks good too.”
Roberto Osuna – 1 IP, 1 ER, ERA at 2.84. Â Not a blown save, but tell that to my ratios, the Astros who lost an important game and Hector Rondon who threw a perfect 8th inning.
Sean Manaea – Turns out his trip to the DL was real and he has rotator cuff tendinitis and seems done for the year. Â To misquote Sinatra about 2019, “Don’t forget about Manaea. Â Don’t forget about Manaea. Â Don’t forget about Manaea, in case Manaea never comes, Semien!”
Brett Anderson – Hit the DL with Day After Terrible Start-itis. Â Or as they say in med school, -itis happens.
Matt Olson – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 24th homer. Â Allahson has been amongst the missing — he go to Mecca? Â — but he is the type who could hit ten homers in the month of September.
Michael Pineda – Done for the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Â The Fantasy Baseball Overlord took a knee to protest anyone adding Pineda to their fantasy teams.
Carlos Carrasco – 7 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 11 Ks, ERA at 3.38. Â That Cookie don’t crumble. Â Which also sounds like a line that was cut from The Jeffersons theme song.
Kyle Freeland – 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 2.90. Â Look at his ERA. Â Seriously, you’re not starting him everywhere? Â He’s even better in Coors!
Cole Hamels – 5 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA on the Cubs at 0.69. Â Nice.
Jacob deGrom – 8 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 1.68, and was the only one to knock in a run for the Mets while he was in the game. Â Give him the Cy Young and Silver Slugger!
David Wright – Unlikely to be activated this year. Â In other news, water is wet and Matt Harvey slept with David Wright’s wife.
Peter Alonso – Mets announced Alonso will not be called up this year. Â The Mets said if they called up Alonso, they’d want to play him every day and right now that’s not possible. Â Obviously, Jay Bruce needs to get at-bats. Â Or maybe they’ll think about giving Dominic Smith an opportunity then not, like they did when they signed Adrian Gonzalez. Â Could even use Todd Frazier or Wilmer Flores at 1st to avoid ever thinking about the future. Â Can Jose Reyes play 1st? Â They should try. Â The fans love him.
Jose Bautista – Traded to the Phils for cash or a player to be named later. Â Here’s how those negotiations will go: Â “Can we have Aaron Nola?” Â “How about $60?” Â “Hmm, can we have Odubel Herrera?” Â “How about $25?” Â “Okay, how about Benjamin Franklin on a hundred dollar bill drawn to look like Rhys Hoskins?” Â “That works for us.” Â This will be Bautista’s third NL East team this year. Â After the season, Bautista and Eovaldi can star in a Food Network show called, “Eats Coast.”
Grey!!
Great write-up!
a. I was gonna vent, but I’m not. Hoping that today will be better than yesterday! Have to protect myself against myself, Yes! Man vs. man, the world’s worst conflict!
b. Mark Twain quote of the day for August 29
Both marriage and death ought to be welcome: the one promises happiness, doubtless the other assures it.
@Ante Galic: Thanks! A. You using Werner Herzog quotes now? B. HA, that’s amazing
@Grey: Grey!!
Lol on Werner Herzog quotes because he is my favorite director, his movies are always really good.
There are 3 conflicts in the world. Man vs. man, man vs. environment and man vs. self! I meant to write Man vs. self but my inner self beat me up and made me write Man vs. man!
Cheers,
Ante
Werner Herzog once said life is like the Mets organization, supremely f**ked
@Grey: Grey!!
Totally!
Padres are a close second.
Cheers,
Ante
How about them Rangers! Where’s Willie Calhoun?
@Grey: Grey!
Mike Minor was a good signing for Texas. Matty Moore, OMG! His fluff ball repertoire for Globe Life Park in Arlington was not a good match. Although he was bad in SanFran last year as well. Hard to find a soft landing spot for Matty Moore. He’ll maybe land some where for a minor league invitation in 2019, but I want line up my offense against him whenever he pitches.
Cheers,
Ante
Bring up Willie Calhoun, you Rangers apologist!
Grey, in what order would you drop these guys: Cargo, Choo, Pollock, Marte, Moustakas? One will have to go when Bryant returns.
Non-keeper, 10 team, 10×10 league (h, 2b, 3b, hr, xbh, r, rbi, sb, avg, ops).
Thanks!
@phil: Cargo, Choo, Pollock
@phil: Agree with Cram
Thanks for writing, Grey!
Would you drop Kole Calhoun for Tyler White, Mancini, or Renfroe?
@Alex: No problem — Any of them, I’d try Mancini while hot
@Grey: I went with White, picked up Mancini in another league.
In a 12 team keeper league, would you hold onto White for $6? I don’t think I’m keeping any other expensive players, so I have a bit more budget to work with.
Prolly not but don’t know options
Hah, that Bautista blurb has me rolling!
Shout out to the commentor who coined the phrase “Junis neva know” yesterday!
Hittertron is telling me to start JBJ (vs. Trevor Richards), Joc Pederson (vs Mike Minor), and….Todd Frazier(vs. Mills) over Tyler O’Neil who’s home vs Trevor Willams, on a hot team, and showing out for full time playing alot. Brain says trust the robot, gut says ride the hot bat until the wheels fall off. What says the FML?
@Marty Jannetty_Was Set Up: Thanks for the tip yesterday! You see my Junis blurb? You’re a star! I’m going O’Neill over Pederson
@Grey: I saw it! Going to print it off and frame it!
Thanks again, will swap O’Neil in for Pederson and hope he gets the start.
I mean, the Cardinals have to keep him in the lineup until he slumps if they’re chasing a playoff spot…well, unless Shildt decides to go mad scientists with his lineups. There is only one, and will never again be another, Tony LaRussa!
Haha — full disclosure, I’m starting Pederson in 2 leagues so I hope he 1. plays 2. doesn’t suck
But would start O’Neill instead if I had him
Ervin or Mullins ROY and 2019? Thanks
@Steeve Nadeau: Mullins, both
I can’t wait until Madison’s last start of the season so I can drop his $55 Bum and pick up someone for 2019 I can keep and justify price wise.
@Dave Funnell: Haha
12 team league category for holds and another for saves. Need to cut a reliever. Who would you cut. Allen, Yates or Will Smith
@Brett: Allen
@Brett: Actually, changed my mind as submitting… I’d lose Smith with Holds
Please order for rest of season:
For steals: Mallex Smith, Jonathan Villar, Tim Anderson.
For everything else: Kole Calhoun, Ryan Zimmerman, Tyler White, Tyler O’Neill
Thank you
@Bobby Lobby: Anderson, Villar
O’Neill, White, Zimm
@Grey: I figured on Anderson+Villar but I’m surprised O’Neill is so high.
Glad I asked. Thanks!
No problem
Would you start CC vs CWS today in a QS ERA WHIP league? Really need these scores to win this year…thanks.
@Wilson: I am
@Wilson: Agree with Cram
Nola! ………Kaplar is maddening that whole bullpen situation is nuts .. I think ballplayers are creatures of habit and need to know thier role.
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Agreed, you can’t bring a guy in with a runner on in the 9th in a 1 run game
Re: Jose Martinez. What he reminds you of, reminds me of those baseball video games from when we were kids. Imaginary #3 hitters would have lines like 18/120/.310.
@Cram It: Totally! Haha, good call
Morning Grey,
A continuation from yesterday’s question – passed out before you replied.
I asked if you would take Freddy P. (vs PIT and @PIT) over and of these guys: Holland (vs ATL and @SD), Gibson @KC and @Det, or Eflin vs MIA and vs NYM? There’s also Junis who would be vs MIN and @PIT.
So basically, how would you rank Freddy P., Holland, Gibson, Eflin, and Junis based on those starts?
@The Shoe: Holland, Eflin, Freddy
@Grey: Thanks a ton! on Morton, think the DL stint is simply the limiting innings type or something more severe? Do you think he’ll still contribute during the fantasy playoffs?
I think he might contribute in the playoffs, but don’t have huge hopes for him
@Grey: OK, just one more for now: would you take T. White over Morales?
Yes
@Grey: I lied, one more Q! I stashed Vlad and Eloy and am wondering at what point in time would it be wise to drop them if they don’t get called up? I’ll be in the playoffs Sep 10-23. I’m not sure I’d want to wait till the 9th to make roster moves in preparation for my matchups. What would you recommend for when to cut vlad and eloy loose if need be?
10 team 3 keeper league w real shallow bench.I kept mook, aranedo, and treat urner this year…but have vlad, degrom, severino, soto and eloys out there. I wanna ditch trea for vlad or soto but torn af….whatcha think sir?
@Been: I’d want Trea
The Phillies would have a better chance if Carlos Santana came in with a guitar instead of a glove……………..nyuk nyuk
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood:
The Santana signing by the Phillies was as lame as the signing of Hosmer by the Friars.
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Haha
Looking towards Sept… who do you like for QS and Ks?
Giolito
Junis
Gomber
Ryu
Beeks
Or hold and wait for Sept call ups?
Thanks in advance,
@Citizen5: Ryu, Gomber — but what do you mean wait for Sept call-ups? Do you have limited moves?
Funny how Alonso’s running his mouth but Vlad Jr. and Eloy just play and don’t say shit.
@sturock578: Ha, yeah
@sturock578: But Alonso is right to be pissed
Hey Grey
As far as keepers go and ros playing time
which 2 would you want for the September call up and next year
Tucker. Robles, Meadows, Calhoun
thanks
@alps: Tucker, Robles
Jeff McNeil or Adam Frazier?
@Cohen: McNeil
Start D-Rod (vs. ARZ), Keuchel (vs. OAK) neither or both today? QS/Wins League. thanks !
@NowWatchMeYuuuu: Both
Hey Grey!
Who would you rather have starting at 2B?
Peraza
Villar
Cano
Thanks!
@RICE: Peraza
Grey,
12-tm H2H cat keeper (keep 12) CATS – (9) R,H,HR,RBI,SB,BB,AVG,OPS,XBH – (8) W,CG,SV,K,GIDP,ERA,WHIP,QS. LIMIT of 35 moves – no streaming
A couple Questions:
1- In first place and will get the bye next week. We’re limited on 3 moves per week and I’ve saved enough to be able to make the max moves in each week to the finals. I will have a surplus of 2 moves (that I can use this week). Out of what you see on my team and Waiver, do you see any swaps?
2- Once I hit the bye week I will most likely use my moves, out of the guys below, who are my low guys you’d have no problem subbing out to maximize my 2-start pitchers or batting help ? (can you pick up to 4 guys, and would you have any trouble dropping any of these guys moving forward ?) [ do you agree they are: Lynn, Marwin (once Upton is back), Minter and Glassnow, in that order ?]
3- Similar to above, I have Paxton coming back I believe on Sat, who would you drop to bring him in, and you starting him his first day back >?
Waiver
HIT – A. Simmons, T. Pham, J. Villar, T. Frazier, C. Gonzalez, Y. Gurriel, T. Mancini, T. O’Neill, L. Voit, J. McNeil, Melky Cabrera, K. Hernandez, S. Piscotty
PIT- J. Musgrove, M. Minor, F. Hernandez, J. Junis, I. Nova, J. Samardzija (DL), S. Gray, D. Duffy
RP- J. Jeffress, J. Familia, H. Rondon, S. Greene, P. Strop, B. Parker
My team:
C – W. Ramos
1B – P. Goldschmidt
2B – B. Dozier
3B – Eugenio Suarez
SS – T. Turner
CI – A. Rizzo
MI – X. Bogaerts
LF – C. Yelich
CF – C. Blackmon
RF – M. Haniger
Util – Marwin Gonzalez
DL – J. Upton (10-day)
SP – C. Carrasco
SP – J. Verlander
SP – N. Syndergaard
RP – W. Davis (RP)
RP – E. Diaz (RP)
P – J. Leclerc (RP)
P – R. Osuna (RP)
BN – J. Taillon
BN – W. Buehler
BN – R. Hill
BN – L. Lynn
BN – T. Glassnow
BN – A.J. Minter (RP)
DL – J. Paxton (10-day)
Thanks bud
Marv
@marv: 1. I think Junis has good matchups from previous comments, but listing starters isn’t going to help, at this point you should be looking at matchups, I do not know everyone’s future matchups by heart
2. Marwin, Lynn, Buehler, Glasnow, Hill and Minter are your bottom guys
3. Again, I don’t know who he’s facing, Lynn is last guy on your team tho and 1st drop
The Bautista negotiations blurb is too good!
Trying to choose between two unpredictable outcomes, so give it a swing.
Start Erasmo Ramirez against SD (3.5) or pick up Jesse Chavez to go along with an already rostered Steve Cishek to try to pick up the W in the suspended game the Cubs and Mets are resuming at noon CT. Tied 1-1 in top of the tenth. No one on, 0 outs, 0-2 count (because the umps can’t call a game between innings…).
For the record, I already picked up Chavez (but could drop him for Erasmo) who has a 14 k/9 in the last 30 days since he didn’t pitch yesterday. Cishek threw the two pitches in the 10th last night.
Thanks!
@jose: Thanks! You can’t pick up guys for a game that has started already, can you? If you owned them, they are already on your team for that game
@Grey: Hahaha. No you definitely can’t, but man it seemed like a genius idea. I’d imagine at least the stats from that game probably wont count for today. I still think I’ll hold on Chavez over Erasmo as he has good ratios with the Cubs and will probably get some work today since Mills is pitching the regularly scheduled game.
Also, thanks for the Peraza sleeper. I drafted him and have held with him all year. He’s been as solid of a 16th round pick as I could have hoped for. Him, Snell (even though I traded him in June), and David Peralta in the second half of my draft have really paid dividends.
Nice! No problem
who should I drop between Tyler White, Ryan Zimmerman, and Kendrys Morales? Thanks
@waffles: Morales
Grey,
I was on vacation earlier this week, but just wanted to say echo’y voice on your mail bag was hillarious, I think that was spelled right, there is coffee all over my screen.
Notes from the last few weeks;
It seems this time of year SON plays “opposite day”, when I sit them due to SON’s projection, they pitch fantastic. The streamers/starters I have pitched have given me a big shit burger killing my ratio’s softly with the middle finger. When does “opposite day” end… I hope September call-ups time. Until then, most of my starters (albeit not great ones) are riding the pine.
That being said, SON is down on both Arrieta ($2.0 vs Washington) and Alex Wood ($0.1 at Tex) today. Are you starting either of these Schmo’s today in a 5×5 yahoo! Roto league where I am above pace on a limited innings league… Biggest need is for ERA/WHIP…
Thanks for gracing us with your handsomeness and being a MEG (mother effin’ genie)
@Count de Monetballl: Thanks! I just looked at Arrieta and decided to *not* start him… Wood I’m not touching — HA, nice!
So…where’d you go for vacay?
Northern Michigan (near Traverse City). We rented a cabin out in the middle of nowhere’sville (no cell service or internet) on a lake. Lurve it up there (fishing, boating, etc.)
Where on the hand?! That sounds cool (literally), I’m so not an outdoors person
@Grey: Top of pinkie finger
HA
Actually pretty close to the base of the pinky finger…
I didn’t go many places in Michigan the one time I was there, but I think I was near the base of the pinky…I went to New Buffalo, anywhere near there?
@Count me Monetball: ahh probably too late but what lake? I use to go to a lake near the area you’re describing every summer
Who to bench today? Pick two
Morales
White
E Rosario
Eaton
Melky
Grichuk
@Wilson: Who are they facing?
@Grey:
Morales and Grichuk @BAL Cobb
White vs OAK Cahill
E Rosario @CLE plutko
Eaton @PHI Arrieta
Melky vs Min Stewart
Eaton, Melky
Hi Grey,
I have to stream today. Which one would you suggest?
Duffy vs, DET ($9)
Cobb vs TOR ($-7.5)
E. Ramirez @ SD ($3.5)
Thanks so much
@Pb&J: None, but Erasmo I guess if necessary
Excellent work as usual my friend. Just here to say that with a record of 58-73 and allowing a star in the making to just sit in the minors, the entire Mets front office should be officially fired. “We need him to work on his defense.” Well, Triple-A season ends here in a few days, how is he going to accomplish this?
Obviously your blurb in your post suggests that you agree, but can you think of ANY other reason why this is happening? It seems like a ton of teams are afraid to pull the trigger on a lot of their youngsters this year and I’m not really sure why.
@TJ: It’s a strictly $ thing with Alonso and the Mets honestly are one of the worst run teams… Somehow they are in NY and being run like they have Minnesota money, AND they think bringing in Reyes, Bruce, A-Gon, etc are good moves
Laureano or Tyler Austin?
Needs? Prolly Laureano
Grey, you complete me.
Start Freddy Peralta @ CIN ($12.8) tonight?
Also, you think I should keep trying to find ways to get Tyler White in my lineup? Or should one 0-fer scare me off with more established options on my roster (Bellinger, Hoskins).
Lurrrrrrve
I’d start him – I’d try to get White in my lineup but not over Cody or Rhys
@Grey:
Merci, monsieur!
Dorian! (Sp?)
“De rien” – is french and literal translation is “of nothing” but really means “no problem”.
Thank you, Pepe LePew! (Kidding, do appreciate it)
The TP joke made me simultaneously laugh out loud and sh*t mango habanero cilantro lime cole slaw into my Depends. Good thing I was prepared. That’s how I prepare for ready razball in the a.m.
I know it’s bad when Charlie Morton starts go unmentioned by you. It makes me reminisce fondly of the inspirational steak house posts of yesteryear. A few months back it was filet mignon when he started. Now it’s ground round. Now I only get excited when Folty starts. That makes me want to play with matches next to my voodoo doll of Arte Moreno.
Ha, thanks! Yeah, wasn’t much to say on Morton — those not great, not totally awful starts fall by wayside
Been the best team all season from start to finish, currently 19 games above 2nd place, 1st in all 5 hitting categories, and top 5 in all pitching.
Bye coming up next week but suddenly i’m sweating playoffs. The 5 guys with a * below have been part of the 7-8 dudes to carry the lineup all year but are all massively slumping at the same time. What would your level of concern be for these struggles continuing into the 2nd week of September?
Gary Sanchez
Freddie Freeman*
Whit Merrifield
Rendon
Lindor*
Mookie*
Benintendi*
Khris Davis
Rhys
Jesus Aguilar*
Bench: Vlad Jr, ELoy, Franco, Tyler White, Tyler Oneill.
I’ve been trying to stack lotto tickets and shmotatoes just in case but come playoffs obviously I want the studs in the lineup. Mainly i’m wondering if you are seeing anything from any of the * dudes that would suggest things won’t turn around soon.
Thanks man and God bless Byes.
I’d be worried about Jesus and Gary
mallex on DL. need some bench OF.
drop Cano for any of:
Mancini
Puig
Bader
Pham
Laureno
Pederson
C.Santana
Souza
Olson
O’neil
Melky
Thanks!
I’d try Mancini or O’Neill or Olson
Morning Grey!
Good read as usual, looking to jettison Sano, he’s been dragging down my team! Tried to have patience but I’m done with him.
Tyler White or O’Neil the add?
Thanks!
Thanks! O’Neill
Pick 2 ROS:
Cargo, Lowrie, A. Rosario
Not Cargo
Sorry in advance for length of post.. It’s crunch time. 5×5 OBP no avg keeper league. In 2nd place… 3.5 points behind. Was in first 2 weeks ago and my team has hit a major snag. Have been slowly falling in R, RBI, HR, OBP, ERA over past two weeks… Lots of categories still close. Trying to stop the bleeding. 6 moves left on the year. one open roster spot but sean doolittle is (allegedly) coming back soon. I currently don’t have a bench bat. Having trouble deciding whether to keep 12 pitchers and no bench bat or drop a pitcher for a bench bat… most of my offensive guys are everyday players (as D. Gordon sits today) but I suppose a bench bat could help accrue a few more counting stats. It’d likely have to be an OF eligible player if I add one. If I pick up a pitcher it’s got to have a positive effect on my ERA, but there aren’t a lot of good options. I could gain 3 points in ERA with about a 0.1 improvement. Ks, WHIP and Saves are ok right now.
1.should I hold my moves for now and wait for doolittle or pick up one of the following with my open roster slot?
Possible bench bats: W.Calhoun, Melky Cabrera, Kole Calhoun (on waivers, not sure i’d get him), Cedric Mullins, K. Morales (not sure how much I’d be able to play him), J. McNeil .
Possible pitchers (garbage?): M.Minor (tough matchups this week), Yarbrough, Gant, Gomber, Lucchesi, Junis, Beeks, Stratton, Carlos Martinez, Andrew Miller, Archie Bradley, Trivino, Givens, Steckenrider
2. would you use another move and drop any of my players for one of the players listed?
3. Sitting Heaney @HOU this week already… would you sit Pivetta vs Cubs too?
4. would you use the 6 remaining moves to stream a pitcher each week (assuming good options) or hold them all for potential callups and/or injury replacements?
Thanks Grey
C E.Gattis ($13, x, x)
C A. Romine ($5, $10, $13)
1B F. Freeman ($37, $44, $51)
2B B. Dozier ($22, $27, $33)
3B M. Carpenter ($13, $16, $20)
SS T. Story ($10, x, x)
MI R. Odor ($9, $13, $16)
CI E. Escobar ($5, $10, $13)
OF G. Stanton ($29, $35, x)
OF N. Williams ($5, $10, $13)
OF C.Bellinger ($31, $38, $45)
OF D. Gordon ($21, $25, x)
OF S. Marte ($25, $31, $38)
DH N. Cruz ($13, $16, $20)
P J. Verlander ($16, x, x)
P J. Happ ($7, $11, $14)
P M. Foltynewicz ($5, $10, $13)
P N. Pivetta ($5, $10, $13)
P A. Heaney ($5, $10, $13)
P W. Smith ($5, $10, $13)
P S. Greene ($5, $10, $13)
P J. LeClerc ($5, $10, $13)
P C. Kimbrel ($25, $31, $37)
BN H. Ryu ($1, $6, $9)
BN Z.Godley ($5, $10, $13)
BN empty
DL S. Doolittle ($10, $15, x)
DL K. Herrera ($7, $11, $14)
DL J. Nelson ($1, $6, $9)
@Molina Bros BBQ: Matz maybe a possibility?.. projected ROS matchups @SF, PHI, MIA, @PHI, @WSH, MIA.
Maybe, but matchups do help and those matchups are pretty enticing
@Molina Bros BBQ: W. Chen as well… TOR, @PIT, @NYM, WSH, CIN, @NYM
Matchups are helping, Chen I wouldn’t try tho…Matz 1st
1. Hold with those choices for now 2. I don’t mind Gomber, but these SPs are about matchups vs. being that great 3. Yes 4. Hold for now, but maybe stream if it comes down to it, lots of time left
@Grey: Thanks Grey… Looking at Heaney’s matchups ROS @HOU @TEX TEX SEA @HOU TEX it’s tempting to drop him for Matz who starts @SF on 9/1. Then I could still activate Doolittle if/when he comes back. Seems like such a brutal move because I like Heaney but it’s all about winning now. Would you do it?
Thanks again for all the help. Won this league last year on the strength of your advice… trying to go back to back but my hitters are going to have to perform for me to have a chance.
Heaney’s matchups are awful… I’d go Matz over him…No problem
Hey Grey,
So I grabbed Giles for Manaea. Looking to grab another RP. Who do you like out of Maeda(Jansen doesnt look right)and D.Robertson?
Also, with M.Ozuna back Friday, who is the drop out of Ozuna, Sano and Olson?
Robertson — Sano
I think Charlie Morton’s toast. The stuff has looked flat for a while. I’m going to stream for the last month or so. Ryu, taillon, wheeler and similar assets available. He has LAA, @Bos, Az, Sea remaining. Your thoughts?
Hahaha! As I was writing this, Morton was put on the DL.
Ha! Figures on Morton
@Grey: Yup. I’ll take a 3.14 era 1.18 whip with a boatload of k’s and wins over 150 or so innings out of a guy I got in the 22nd round any day.
Totally!
Oh no! First Bauer, now Morton. I’ll be praying for Folty tonight and must get creative about FAAB replacements in the deep 15 team league.
Time to start scraping the barrel to hold my slim league lead… and no, Grey, Trevor Williams is not available in my league.
Don’t jinx Folty!
Read report that Jansen attributes his struggles since coming off the DL to the medication he’s taking for his heart. His cardiologist told him he could get off it, which he did Sunday. Hopefully, he gets back to himself soon.
But he wasn’t good last night either
@Grey:
I hear you. But, I’m sure it takes some time for the medication to leave your system and your body to get back to ‘normal’.
That said, I’m in a pickle as a Jansen owner. I own Treinen, Kimbrel (sucks), Vazquez (is he still playing?) and Jansen. I’m ahead by one save with the owner behind me owning Diaz, Raisel and the guy from KC. Don’t want to drop Jansen and let another team pick him up, but want to see him get right before using him. Jeffress and Minter are available in my league…that’s it for closers. Hold Jansen and bench him until he gets right and ride it out with the three closers I got or pick up one of the others? I need to point out I don’t need to win the Saves category to win the league. I’m up by a very large margin overall. Just like to win as many categories as I can, because that’s what competitors do. :)
That’s fair, maybe on the medication being the issue…I don’t know, no one does…Hopefully!
Yeah, bench until you see a clean inning
@Perfect Game: #1stplaceproblems
For HR/RBI in a standard roto (redraft league) who do you prefer ROS – Tyler O’Neil (could lose playing time when Ozuna comes back in a couple days) or Tyler White?
O’Neill
@Grey:
What about between Renfroe and Tyler O’Neil for HR/RBI ROS?
Renfroe
Can you rank these keepers for the next 2 years. 260 budget
Acuna 17
Snell 3
Albies 5
Albies, Acuna
All are tremendous tho
@Grey: I know it’s a long ways away but I have the following options for next year.
Machado 34 who I have to keep as he is under contract until 2020
Benintendi 11 for 1 year or I can give a contract at a cost of 5 per year
Baez 13 for 2 years
Albies 5 for 2 years
Acuna 17 for 2 years
Snell 3 for 2 years
Would you break Machado’s contract it would cost me $19 of my 260 budget next year to do that and keep the other 5.
I think I would for those other keepers
I’ll take that Grichuk bet. Even give you 3 to 1, since it is pretty easy to bet against a homerun. I also picked him up on a few teams so I at least get something for my fake $15.
Did another 9-start thing yesterday. Now I know exactly what is meant by an unmitigated disaster.
Going with Cobb today. I figured I better stick to the sure thing.
Ha! You’re on! Cobb? Oh, Vin
Cut one in a league with categories for saves and another for holds
Box or will Smith?
Smith
Which would you prefer
Trade freeman and clevinger for kluber and altuve
Or
Trade freeman for Nola and Daniel Murphy? I’d cut seranthony
Trying to get out of freeman contract and I am crushing in hitting 40 rbi and 40 run leads and 20 hr lead
Kluber/Altuve
Dellin Betances needs to be owned in every league
Agreed
@Grey: yahoos update says something like “betances will normally get the 8th” love how its just bias writers doing updates, guy def owns robertson. dellin is 63% owned on yahoo current.
Don’t even think Yahoo does their own updates, tbh
Joe Maddon came out before this afternoon’s game and said he was going to put out a “funky” lineup, and by “funky” he meant incapable of scoring against Jason Vargas.
Joe Maddon loves to play ‘funky’ matchups when I have Vargas on my bench
Don’t ask why I own him
@Grey:Because you’re savvy and he’s been respectable in his last 4 including today in the always dangerous Wrigley. L4: 3-0 22.2 IP 1.99 ERA 1.015 WHIP and 18 K. Hopefully he’ll give you a stretch run like he had 1st half of last season. On a related note, after today’s Mets win over the Cubs, the Mets have now scored the 4th most runs in baseball since the ASB. Only Texas, Washington, St. Louis and NYY have scored more. Maybe they aren’t to easy to pick on anymore for SP streaming purposes?
Yeah, true on streaming vs. the Mets… I’ve been using Amed, Austin Jackson and Frazier in different leagues
Hi Gray, you’re the best. Stretch run question, can you rank ROS in a pts league please?
T. O’neill
Puig
K. Morales
Melky Cabrera
Matt Olson
Mancini.
And do you think Eloy Jimenez gets called up and has an impact during the fantasy playoffs (9/5-10/1) ? Or is it ok to drop him and focus more on current MLB-ers? (think I answered my own question.) Thank you!
Olson, Mancini, Olson… Sure, can lose Eloy…
@Grey:
Thanks! (did you mean O’Neill instead of the second Olson?)
Yeah, my b
That’s now 4 pretty good starts in a row for Vargas after today’s effort against the Cubs. Can we trust him down the stretch?
No way
what order for the future
Kellyy Allard Atl – SP
Stephen Gonsalves Min – SP
Sean Reid-Foley Tor – SP
Bryse Wilson Atl – SP
Wilson, Allard, Foley
I’ve asked this question before, but have been doing some research on Fangraphs and wanted to ask it again. In a standard 5×5 roto (redraft league) do I want Soto or O’Neill as one of my OF rest of season if I’m looking for HR and RBI?
Soto
.212 ISO / 20.5% K / 29% FB rate / 53.9% GB rate / 34.9% hard hit rate
O’Neill
.270 ISO / whopping 38.5% K rate / 42.6 FB rate / 42.6% hard hit rate
I just have a hard time seeing Soto putting the ball over the fence more often than O’Neill when he puts the ball on the ground so often. ..and he hasn’t hit one out in a while.
Then again, O’Neill strikes out way to much and could hurt his HR production. Also, what will his playing time look like when Ozuna comes back too.
O’Neill will lose playing time in a few days when Ozuna returns, so Soto
@Grey:
What about Renfroe?
I like him for power, not much else
Newcomb losing it here, 9 ROS moves in a H2H weekly cats. Made playoffs, next week last week of regular season fighting for 2nd bye. Do you bench for next week’s 2 start (vs Bos @ Ari) or drop him for TWilliams (2 start vs Cin and vs Mia). Also have Pivetta Archer and Eflin for drops.
Drop Newcomb for Williams
Grey,
Who would you hold ROS: Marquez, Pivetta, Taillon, or stream?
Taillon
Nimmo or T O’Neill rest of the way?
Thanks
1 Would you trade Marte freeman and clevinger for kluber altuve Castellanos?
Trying to move Freeman’s contract
Would you rather trade freeman and clevinger for Nola and Daniel Murphy?
Too much and not Murphy
@Grey: what if it was Torres freeman clevinger for Castellanos kluber altuve
Sure
Gleyber or Marte?
Marte
Whatsup Grey,
Pitching is in rough shape right now…any low-key pitchers you feel good about streaming in the coming days?
Thanks
Gomber
Nimmo or O’neill ROS?
O’Neill
@Grey:
Thanks Grey. Follow up: O’Neill or Mancini?
Mancini
@Grey:
Cheers
Hader and Giles gave me a 45.00 ERA, but Cobb brought it down to 13.50.
Ha, ouch
Hi Grey, pts league for ROS – Mikolas , Lucchesi, or Gant – thanks!