When did Busta Rhymes get so fat? Dayam!!! Dude looks like he ate the Busta Rhymes I remember that put out some great music back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I’m not much of a rap fan, but I was always a Busta fan. When he sang “Gimme Some More” who knew he was talking to the guy that was putting food on his plate. Did you hear what the talking M&M said to Busta in that unreleased M&M’s commercial? Put your hands where my eyes can see. Sorry Busta, it’s too easy. Please spend less time at the all you can eat buffets with Billy Butler and CC Sabathia and more time making dope music. I’m sure there’s a spot in the Fast and Furious 8 Soundtrack for you.
In the last seven days, only Nolan Arenado (42) has more points than Mitch Moreland. Mitch Moreland? That’s right. Over that span he has 6 home runs, 10 RBIs and 38 points. Mitch’s 0.662 points per plate appearance (PPPA) lands him right between Adam Jones (0.665) and Lorenzo Cain (0.653). Now I don’t think Moreland needs to be owned, but I felt he deserved a shout out. Gimme some more Mitch!
Anyone interested in the return of Matt Moore? I am. Last year was lost due to injury, but 2013 and 2012 were solid seasons. During those two seasons Moore had 58 starts going 28-15 while pitching 327.7 innings. With 8.75 K/9 Matt has (had) the tools to score points. His Thursday night debut was nothing to get excited about, but I’d still keep an eye on him. And if I were Matt I’d keep an eye on Busta if he was nearby.
Remember when Grady Sizemore was the shit? For those that don’t, it was during the 2005 through 2008 seasons. In 2008 Sizemore hit 33 homers and stole 38 bases, scoring 537 points. He was a keeper for me back in 2007 and 2008. Our split was heartbreaking however. I even considered attending a Grady’s Ladies meeting. Well fast forward and his career has fallen off worse than Busta Rhymes. At least he still has his good looks. Last year was the first time since 2008 that he played more than 72 games, and even then he didn’t amount to jack squat. Can you imagine if your name was actually Jack Squat. There’s got to be a few of them out there. On Monday, Sizemore made the highlights by hitting a solo home run to break up Cody Anderson‘s perfect game.
Week after week this post continues to pay little attention to pitchers. Batters are just sexier. Well, for those of you itching for some pitching… Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check.
Any idea which pitcher has the highest points per start (PPS)? The technical answer is Stephen Matz with 26, but considering he has only made one start, it’s not really fair to include him. If you guessed Max Scherzer, which I am guessing most of you did, you’d win a prize. Unfortunately I have no actual prize to give you, so this post will have to suffice. After Scherzer’s 25.267 PPS, the list reads like a who’s who list of pitchers that have been kicking ass and taking names.
Dallas Keuchel (22.471), Chris Sale (22.467), Chris Archer (21.059), Jacob deGrom (20.553), Zach Greinke (20.438), Sonny Gray (20.375) and Gerrit Cole (20.25).
But how about a few unexpected names in the top 30?
Carlos Martinez (18.333), Lance McCullers (18.111), Jason Hammel (18.067) and A.J. Burnett (17.688).
I’m not sure that Carlos Martinez is necessarily unexpected, but he certainly wasn’t a lock to appear here. Considering I drafted him in many leagues, I am pretty happy. His potential, plus RP eligibility, made him an attractive draft day option. And for those of you that own him, my next bit of advice will likely be surprising. Trade him. I just did. Well, let me clarify. If you own him in redraft leagues or leagues where you aren’t going to be able to keep him, trade him. He’s going to be on an innings limit and if you can unload him for his current value for a player that will help you the remainder of the season, that is what you call a win-win.
I’d trade Keuchel too! Maybe you can use him to get your hands on Stephen Strasburg? But don’t break ya neck trying.
In 53.3 innings, Lance McCullers has 58 strikeouts and 163 points. For those that need help with the math, that’s more than a strikeout per inning. Any time I see that in points leagues, my sun dial moves to high noon! Only Keuchel (7.39), Greinke (7.81), Michael Wacha (7.06), Burnett (7.69), Shelby Miller (7.04) and Collin McHugh (7.43) have less than 8 K/9 and are in the top 30 in points.
Strikeouts from a pitcher are a fantasy owners best friend in points leagues. From a batter, they’re your mortal enemy. Can you hear me Stephen Souza.
Keep your ear to the street when it comes to Mike Montgomery. In six starts he has pitched into at least the 6th inning in every start, averaging 7.3 IP per start. This includes back to back complete game shutouts in his last two outings. He’s only averaging 5.89 K/9, but he’s also scoring 20 points per start. You know what he sounds like to me, an extra bargaining chip to use in a trade.
In his two starts since being called up by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Andrew Heaney has looked sharp. In his small sample size he’s at 22.5 PPS and 8.31 K/9. There’s a reason he was the 9th overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft.
Will Montgomery and Andrew “the brain” Heaney keep this up. I’d have to say it’s against all odds. But it wouldn’t be an extinction level event if they did, would it?
Here ar some other pitchers of interest to me. First is Tyson Ross. His 9.87 K/9 and potential for buy-low make him stand out. I’d also try and gauge how whoever owns Jon Lester feels about him to see if I can get him at a reduced value. And lastly, Kevin Gausman has my interest peaked.
Well there you have it. I think I am done pitching. At least for now. Hopefully you found da goodness in all that mess…
