It's here!
The $100,000 Sweet Spot is up this Friday (fact!) and we're ready to have a Razzballer take da paper! If you've won one of our past 5 Play With Rudy contests, looking at you CramIt and Margaret (sorry I left out other winners, I got depressed and drank my sorrows away with a Crown & Coke in the other contests [and enough with the wasting delicious Crown with Coke - it's damn tasty OK!]), then you're looking at a $20,000 pay day if you can top the field this week. I think I just set a record of the most hyperlinks I've ever put in a paragraph...
Anywho, with the Sweet Spot taking the spotlight front and center, we've got no Razzball exclusive contest this week... But you can still play all sorts of satellites to get your Sweet Spot ticket, and I'll tweet out and shoot up a comment Friday morning with the Daily Dollar I'll be playing in on Friday Night (I'm broke as a joke!) to keep the Friday DraftKings spirit alive for those of us just plain not good enough to win that Sweet Spot ticket...
Search Results for: chacin
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Jim Johnson Saves The BS For Last
August 15, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 659 Commentsby: Grey
To misquote Lucinda Williams, "You don't have to prove your manhood to me constantly, [player]Jim Johnson[/player]." Maybe prove it once in a while. Maybe once in a blue moon with a slice of orange to tie in your uniform. Yesterday, he blew his third save in a row and his league-leading ninth. As the Orioles vie for a pennant spot, the boo birds are probably out in full force in Baltimore. Or for the big-boned fans in Baltimore, the Boog birds. If it was simply based on performance or the will of my piercing brown eyes, Johnson would be doing mop duty dressed as a pelican and every time someone made a mess they'd point to Johnson and say, "I can't clean it up, but Peli-can." The Orioles really should give him a rest and turn it over to [player]Francisco Rodriguez[/player] or [player]Tommy Hunter[/player]. For those of you hoping to vulture some sweet, sweet saves, it's not a clear cut case of Johnson about to be removed, Lorena Bobbit-style. He's built up some goodwill over the last twelve months with 51 saves last year and 39 saves now. Also, the O's are Confucius non gratis as to who is their set-up man. K-Rod, his goggles and his dyslexic dor-K lifestyle has plenty of experience, but the O's have gone to Hunter to save a few games this year. I grabbed K-Rod in one league where I'm desperate, but this is a shituation that maybe even Peli-can't handle. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Pirates Helped Lambo Make The Leap
August 13, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 248 Commentsby: Grey
Yesterday, the Pirates called up the Frozen Tundra, Andrew Lambo. The Pirates should trade Lambo to Milwaukee (Green Bay) for [player]Yovani Gallardo[/player] (arrr!). Or give Andrew a whistle and call him Coach Lambo-ardi. If you're confused by any of this, you're not alone. Rudy came up with the title and then spent twenty minutes on IM explaining it's football stuff and most people would get it. Only a real man rocks a mustache and knows what a ronde jambe is but not a Lambeau leap. (If football is your bag, there's our fantasy football section of hazarai.) Lambo's worth discussing because he has big time power -- 31 homers in the minors this year. Lambo mercy, you're so power thirsty. He used to be a top prospect in the Dodgers' farm system, but was suspended in 2010 due to taking hits from the bong, then never really got started in 2011. His playing time with the Pirates is debatable at this point -- he'll play; no, he won't, yes, he will, less filling! At worst, the Pirates should play him against all righties. He's 25 years old, so his upside is limited, but he could be like a Ryan Ludwick-type. I'd definitely take the flyer in just about any league where you need power, and especially in deep-ish keeper leagues. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see him pull a Han Solo and cement himself into the lineup. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Two-Startapalooza — Week 20
August 10, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 77 Commentsby: Scott Evans
If you're into two-start streaming, then you're likely not into six-man rotations. They suck. They push back useful, healthy starters. They dilute the two-start pool. They're maddening for H2H purposes. And six-man rotations are especially awful when quality teams turn to them. Enter the St. Louis Cardinals. Word from St. Louis is that [player]Michael Wacha[/player] will be called-up on Saturday, and that he'll remain in the rotation throughout the stretch run. Now, I'll admit I'm conflicted on this one -- as a prospect enthusiast, it's awesome to see guys like Wacha and [player]Carlos Martinez[/player] starting big league ballgames, but as a weekly league fantasy player, I loathe the six-man rotation. It's a selfish hatred, as I realize it's important for a contending team to pace out young arms like [player]Shelby Miller[/player] and [player]Lance Lynn[/player], but still... what about my H2H team, John Mozeliak? The upcoming week for the Cardinals lays out the cruddy nature of SMRs pretty clearly: [player]Adam Wainwright[/player] is scheduled to start Tuesday, which is game one of a six-game week. A typical five-man corps would have him pitching again over the weekend, but that doesn't appear to be the case in St. Louis any longer. Perhaps Wainwright will get a special exemption and always make his starts on four days rest, but that seems unlikely. Oh well. It appears I'll have to make do with just one Waino start in this HUGELY IMPORTANT WEEK. [weeps softly at desk]
As always, probable pitchers are subject to change. For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.
Indians Rushin’ The Rule Of Salazar
August 8, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 741 Commentsby: Grey
There's a new love of my life. No, it's not the Georgia girl on MasterChef, though she's all right. His name is [player]Danny Salazar[/player], and he's a sexy beast that makes me want to get all flirty and shizz. I call him K-zar. It's pronounced like czar, so it's a soft K like his touch, but that's where the softness ends. He was regularly hitting 99 MPH on the speed gun-measuring-MPH-thingie and even topped out at triple digits. Swoon. He made the Tigers looks like the Mariners until Miggy got a hold of one on his last pitch of the game -- 7 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 baserunners, 10 Ks. Doesn't matter, he gets the Twins next then the A's in Oakland. I know, what about [player]Corey Kluber[/player]? Who's going to sell energy drinks and tell all the ravey Asian kids where the after-hours party is without Kluber?! Sigh, I know. We're over him now. He's going to be out until late-September and Salazar is taking his place in the rotation. I want Salazar in every single league. Yeah, that one. Yup, that one too. Go to it, young prematurely balding man! Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Danny Ain’t Nothin’ To Farq Wit
August 5, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 806 Commentsby: Grey
[player]Danny Farquhar[/player] earned the save on Saturday and Sunday for the Mariners. The first two of his career. I guess the whole 5+ ERA didn't scare off acting manager Robby Thompson or he has no idea who he's signaling from the bullpen. I'm guessing the latter here, if latter means he's a moron. Thompson is managing while Eric Wedge recovers from a mild stroke that he suffered while trying to follow Robby Thompson home from the stadium one night. Eric Wedge, "Why are you going left with your right turn signal?! You can't make a left on red! Oh, you're going right? Then why are you signaling left?! I'm coming Elizabeth!" Lord Farquhar is the closer now, so obviously you own him, but who knows what Thompson's doing. He could signal for a ball girl next. I do look forward to when the Mariners fans get a cheering section for Farquhar together. They can dress up like giant penises and name themselves, the Farqwits. Anyway, here's what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
In what will be a wild weekend across the Majors, there will be five Interleague matchups over the weekend, throwing a wrench into a lot of Pitcher v. Batter data. Just imagine if this were last year and everyone was in Interleague at the same time minus two teams... But with even divisions of 15 these days, Interleague happens every day with this weekend amping them up to five Interleague matchups taking over ten teams. Cut to the hitters on the Padres at Yankees Stadium, "Hey, Venable, I can actually see the fences from home plate!" I generally will avoid hitters against new pitchers that are throwing well, and will tend to like pitchers more against line-ups that have never seen them.
This Friday, another RAZZBALL EXCLUSIVE CAN YOU BEAT RUDY GAMBLE contest is back, opening up a few more spots to a 40 person contest, getting you one step closer to the $100,000 Sweet Spot for a shot at a $20,000 top prize. It's the usual game, $5.00 an entry, up to two per person, and you can only get in through our exclusive link. Spots 2-10 double up, and people from last week who finished 1-11 are not invited. I can't believe I got 12th last week! I was winning for a good while there with early pitchers going, but then [player]Edwin Encarnacion[/player] went bonkers off the AAA Astros pitching. But to quote the immortal Maury Ballstein, "what do we do when we fall off the horse?"
Brewers Trade K-Rod Due To PEG Use
July 24, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 784 Commentsby: Grey
From fear that MLB would crack down on Performance-Enhancing Goggles, [player]Francisco Rodriguez[/player] was traded to the Orioles. Or was something else at work besides the Orioles wanting Dor-K to pitch the 8th, setting up [player]Jim Johnson[/player]? Here, try this. Put your arm down, now pick it up, now put it down, now move your furry eyebrows up and down. [player]Jim Henderson[/player], The Muppet Master, pulls all strings. He orchestrates all. He forces Beaker to say, "Me me me me me me me." Bit of a control freak if you ask me, but it worked out for him this time, since Henderson will be taking over the ninth inning now in Milwaukee. For those holding John Axford for saves, it could happen since he's been solid for the last two months. The Brewers could still trade Henderson or Axford. Or the Brew Crew could send out 2014 season ticket offers reading, "Braun's Back Without the Acne!" Only time will tell. As for K-Rod, in most redraft leagues that don't use middle relievers, you can lose him. This did come across the wire in Baltimore, when you trade for K-Rod, then you better watch your back. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Two-Startapalooza — Week 17
July 20, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 56 Commentsby: Scott Evans
At the time of this writing, there's a tentative trade in place, one that would send Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a few prospects, including the heavy hitting 1B/3B, Mike Olt. Olt has long been a trade candidate -- he's an MLB-ready third baseman, but he's thoroughly blocked by Adrian Beltre -- and I'm surprised he wasn't moved last season when his value was higher. Still, he's a good fit for the Cubs and he's been hitting quite well over the past month at Triple-A. The deal seems to make sense for both clubs, but this sort of tentative trade is never a sure-thing, as Cubs fans can attest. There's a decent chance that this one will be off the table by the time this post runs. And if that's the case, then Garza is scheduled for two starts next week. He's listed below along with all the others going twice.
As always, probable pitchers are subject to change. For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.
Tantracized Padres Don’t Get To Lincecum
July 15, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 573 Commentsby: Grey
The night was humid in San Diego. Some fans in the front row brought their own Chardonnay, a mix of floral and fruity notes, which could've also described the crowd's apparel. Tommy Bahama as far as the eye could see. One Padre fan stood up, three glasses of wine in, screaming to let Templeton play. Most of the fans that night were there for a picnic that was billed as 'the best picnic mom's ever packed.' One thing these picnickers never expected was to become a part of history. Whispers amongst the Padre fans began in the 1st inning. "It was going to be a long night." Not because of [player]Tim Lincecum[/player], who began his quest to throw the 700th-something no-hitter in the last ten years. Tonight would drag for these Padre fans because the picnic brie was forgotten at home. Tonight these Padre fans groaned in the first inning because when Lincecum took the mound they thought the game was being preempted for a k.d. lang concert. So, Lincecum wasn't economical in his 148-pitch no-hitter, walking 4 guys and K'ing 13. He's the first pitcher to throw more pitches in a no-hitter than he weighs. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Lincecum doesn't look bad in his peripherals this year. His K-rate and walk rate are pretty close to the numbers he put up when he had a 2.74 ERA in 2011. He didn't make the top 100 for the 2nd half that is coming tomorrow, but I considered it for a long time (about 25 seconds). The unknown right now is whether or not the 148 pitches is going to tire his arm. Obviously, he'll have the All-Star break to rest and I wouldn't be against giving Lincecum a chance on my fantasy team. Anyway, here's what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Adam’s Done Eaton The DL Scenery For Now
July 10, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 840 Commentsby: Grey
First, Erasmo returns for our rookie nookie needs, then [player]Adam Eaton[/player] is called up to see if owning rookies can be better than Viagra. They can. I asked your grandpa. What? We talk. Adam Eaton has that built in ability to...Ugh, I just started singing Invisible Touch in my head. Phil Collins, wherever you are, you've polluted my mind! I love Adam Eaton like a brother I never had and never wanted, but would hang out with if I had time between telling Mom that he was wearing her clothes and doing a runway show in the living room. Eaton has 30-ish steal speed and 10-15 homer power over the course of a full season. Well, that full season went out the window with his injury, and now there's a Native American crying because someone littered with Adam Eaton's full season. In a half a season, he could still have a huge one. A Starling Marte-type half wouldn't completely surprise me. That would be the absolute best case scenario. More likely, he'll get 4-7 homers and 12-15 steals and be primed for a huge breakout next year. I'd still grab him in every single league because he's got something you just can't trust. Something mysterious. And now I'm falling, falling for him! Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Two-Startapalooza — Week 15
July 6, 2013 | Fantasy Baseball Two Start Pitchers | 77 Commentsby: Scott Evans
Two-start hoarders, welcome back. First things first: I'm vacationing in Mexico with what, by now, is a potentially-fatal sunburn. Not to worry, though, because the cervezas at this joint are unlimited, and I'm feelin' no pain. Zero. I just arrived here yesterday, and I'll be here through next Friday. That means my esteemed Razzball colleagues will be filling in for me in the comments for my next few posts. In any case, we've got a deep list of two-start options, and plenty of good streamers this week. The usual tiered rankings are below.
NOTE: I looked ahead at the two-start landscape a few days earlier than usual this week, so this group of probable pitchers is especially subject to change. Apologies in advanced for anything I may have missed. For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.