Yesterday, Tarik Skubal (9 IP, 0 ER, 2 hits, zero walks, 13 Ks, ERA at 2.49) had one of the best starts ever fo’ reals fo’ reals fo’ reals fo’ reals…fo’ reals! FO’ REALS! As I continue to say fo’ reals in different intonations, the Fo’ Reals Police break down my door and drag me away, I’m told that I’ve become ungovernable with my fo’ reals, and the City Council meets to vote on whether they can ship me out of town because I fo’ reals’d too much, but, due to a by-law in the state constitution that says, ‘No one can be shipped out of town fo’ fo’ reals’ing too much,’ I’m allowed to stay. Before I leave the City Council meeting, I scream, “Fo’ REALS!” and I’m blindsided by a ripe tomato to my temple, knocking me out, when I wake, I ask, “Fo’ reals?” Pitchers in MLB history with a 9-inning, complete game shutout, 13 Ks and in under 100 pitches? Tarik Skubal. No one else. Skubal had a higher Game Score (96) than the number of pitches thrown (94). First time that’s happened since Adam Wainwright in 2021. Somehow, a Maddux with that many Ks feels impossible, yet here we are. We have a top 100 starts of the year list, and I doubt anyone beats him the rest of the year. Shoot, no one may beat Skubal for the next few years. He is, as they say, fo’ reals. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Marcelo Mayer – 2-for-4, 1 run, as he was called up on Saturday. When you got fruit, you juice it, amiright? Okay, and what if that fruit is a ripe I-Knowi-The-Futerry. It’s a cross between a kiwi and a cherry and it knows the future. Don’t you juice it? I do and did when I decided to predict the future on Friday with my Marcelo Mayer fantasy. How did I know Alex Bregman would be hurt? I couldn’t have known that, right? Didn’t I just say I am juicing an I-Knowi-The-Futerry? I already know what you’re going to ask in the future, they’re from Honduras and I ordered them off Temu. Why does that matter? What matters is I told you Mayer was on his way and here he is. What’s that? How come I said Bubba Chandler was coming and he’s not here yet? Oh, so you don’t think he’s ever being promoted? (In all seriousness, I asked a Pirates’ beat writer when they thought Bubba was coming up and they said early-June, so soon!) So, I’d guess Marcelo Mayer is up for as long as Bregman’s IL stint, and will stay up if he hits (or get sent back down if he doesn’t). I’d grab him in all leagues to see what he can do. Why don’t I just drink some I-Knowi-The-Futerry juice to find out how well he’ll do? I’m all out and Temu’s jacked up the prices!
Walker Buehler – 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 3.95. Due for some positive regression though, his xFIP is 3.93.
Trevor Rogers – 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, as he was called up. The already stacked O’s rotation just got stacked’ier! They knew what they were doing when they traded Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers for Rogers! Okay, I kid, but Rogers did look good and–They already sent him down? So they could keep Charlie Morton? What are they doing?
Ryan O’Hearn – 3-for-3, 2 runs and a slam (8) and legs (2). O’Hearn put the O’s on his back and screamed, “Let’s go, fellas!” as they move one game over the White Sox for the worst AL record.
Dylan Carlson – 1-for-4 and his 1st homer, hitting .133. O’s have three guys in their lineup hitting worse than .212. One of them is Adley. [raspberries lips]
Zebby Matthews – 4 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA at 7.71. Only going four innings is meh, getting nine Ks in those four innings got me rethinking. I’m like the Kombucha Girl over here with Zebby. Final decision maker for me was Streamonator, and it says Mariners, which has me holding in 15 teamers and deeper.
Bailey Ober – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 3.41. Ugh, Ober’s ERA goes under 3.50, which means he gets rocked next time out so it goes back to 3.90, and lather and repeat.
Kris Bubic – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA at 1.45. Boob-Itch or Skuboob-al to start the All-Star Game, a problem no one thought conceivable two months ago.
Matthew Liberatore – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 hits, zero walks, 4 Ks, ERA at 2.73. Since the opening week, I’ve been tooting Liberatore’s horn so much, homeboy’s gonna Metoo me.
Masyn Winn – 1-for-3, 2 runs and his 6th homer, 3rd homer in May and hit around .260 in that time, and .262 for the season, so, yeah, I don’t know. Also, sonavabenched me yesterday because I didn’t realize the Tigers were playing at, like, 8 AM my time. Ridiculous east coast bias. Or whatever coast the Tigers are on.
Nolan Arenado – Made a spectacular catch, but looked like he hurt his back significantly. Could open playing time for Gorman, who’s incredibly mid, as the kids say. Oddly enough, the kids never say “as the kids say.”
Sonny Gray – 6 IP, 3 ER, 9 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, ERA at 4.06. Don’t make me do the ERA math, removing his one terrible start.
Justin Martinez – 1 IP, 2 ER, ERA at 4.09. How many wins you think the DBags have blown just because they’re like, “Shelby Miller is our best reliever not our best closer.”
Brandon Pfaadt – 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.90. I don’t what happened to his Ks, but they are so sad. Streamonator likes his next one, and I could see it, but I’ve lost a lot of faith in him.
Jacob Wilson – 3-for-4 and his 6th homer, hitting .350. He’s a better version of Luis Arraez. Call him ArrA’s 2.0.
Gunnar Hoglund – 5 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 5.13. Good news is he’s almost exactly meeting his projections. Bad news is what his projections were.
Trea Turner – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer, hitting .310. Treat Urner’s letting the dog loose.
Jesus Luzardo – 7 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 2.15. Orioles could’ve traded for Luzardo instead of Rogers. By next year, Mike Elias is gonna be cohosting on Sirius with Jim Bowden.
Mitch Keller – 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 hits, zero walks, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.66. I got in for the two-start week, and it went so well that now I need to summon all the self-sacrifice a fantasy baseballer has in his soul to not hold Keller for another start. Please, give me the courage to move on.
Oneil Cruz – 1-for-4 and his 11th homer, hitting .236. It left the park at 122.9 MPH, the hardest-hit ball in the Statcast era. He beat out the previous record holder, O’neil Cruz, his evil Irish twin.
Logan Henderson – 5 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 1.71. Yes, you should pick him up. I keep saying that. Also, we just had the Logan Henderson fantasy by Jakkers.
Jake Irvin – 8 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.42. Ya know where he’s perfect? The league where I have him, an NL-Only league. Getting excited by him in mixed leagues is [waves hand by nose] stinky of desperation.
Kyle Finnegan – Dealing with shoulder fatigue. This is great news, I only have Finnegan in 78 of 79 leagues. I only named my firstborn, Finnegan-is-on-my-fantasy-team. I’m not invested at all! Jorge Lopez got the save on Saturday. This feels like one of those, “How badly do you want saves and not care about your ratios?” In most leagues, I ignored Lopez, but I’m not above SAGNOF if you’re desperate.
Robbie Ray – 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 hits, zero walks, 7 Ks, ERA at 2.56. He’s been great, and as careful with going wide on balls as his tailor.
David Peterson – 7 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 2.79. Imagine not loving A Man D. Peterson. Wouldn’t be me, Ronald Miller.
Pete Alonso – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer. Albombso!
Kodai Senga – 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners (4 BBs), 5 Ks, ERA at 1.46. Mets SP with a 1.50 or lower ERA through first 10 starts in a season: Jacob deGrom and Senga. Sell!
Shohei Ohtani – 1-for-4 and his 18th homer, tying the top mark in the majors. Before the game, he also threw a bullpen, touching 97 MPH. Yeah, he’s a mortal.
Landon Knack – 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, ERA at 5.22. Somehow I escaped this two-start week of Knack’s and I don’t want back in.
Andrew Abbott – 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 1.77. If I’m getting Metoo’d for Liberatore, then I’m canceled and locked up for Abbott. If you don’t have Abbott in your league, you basically have ignored everything I’ve said all year, which means you’re reading this because you just love me. Said very coyly, “Hey!”
Joc Pederson – Hit the IL with a hand fracture. Not sure why they IL’d him, nothing could hurt his hitting further.
Alejandro Osuna – 0-for-3 as he was promoted by the Rangers. Ooh, they bought billboards for him? Saw someone say that Osuna was called up because the Rangers’ offense was lackluster, then I looked at his Triple-A numbers and I chuckled. He had a line of 2/9/.279 in 154 ABs. Ha, that’ll fix them. I guess he’s fine in a deep league if you need steals.
Jake Burger – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 7th homer, three homers this week. That Burger gonna eat!
Robert Garcia – 1 IP, 1 ER, ERA at 2.45, as he got his 2nd save. Luke Jackson worked a random 6th inning and Garcia looks like the new Rangers’ closer. Or Bochy will realize Garcia’s a lefty and opt for Armstrong or Webb for no reason. As closer, it should be Garcia, but put ‘should’ in one hand and–Wait, how are we putting ‘should’ in a hand?
Miguel Vargas – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 7th homer, and six homers in May, and hitting .260-ish in that time, which is yawnstipating and that’s exactly what 3rd basemen are. On the Player Rater, Vargas is the 16th best 3rd baseman, and there’s been roughly ten good ones all year. This is also me talking through how I’ll never replace Bregman.
Oscar Colas – Signed by the Angels. I know they’re called the Angels, but do they have to claim everyone who is left for dead?
Edward Cabrera – 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 10 Ks, ERA at 4.73. Baseball is so funny (not funny). Angels look excellent, then face the Mehlins and get held by a guy who had a 5+ ERA coming into the game. In fairness, Ed-Cab has a solid month of May with a 2.54 ERA, after a 7.23 ERA in April.
Ronny Henriquez – 1 IP, 0 ER, and his 1st save, ERA at 1.78, and the Marlins have an actual good closer. Just like that. No one else in that bullpen is any good, so I’d give Henriquez all the saves. Will 2025 Marlins Manager of the Year? I don’t know, but he should.
Chris Bassitt – 4 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.38. “Regression Fairies weren’t supposed to attack him, his peripherals were good!” I scream, as no one listens.
Ryan Pepiot – 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.55. Bassitt’s peripherals are better than Pepiot! Yes, I’m being a big cry baby. Leave me alone!
Brandon Lowe – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, hitting .238, 3rd homer in four games. Is he available? Then hot schmotato alert.
Michael King – Hit the IL with shoulder inflammation. Padres’ rotation is now Pivetta and Cease and pray, and they have one of the best pitching staffs! There’s zero pitchers, guys and five girls. I don’t even know what you do with that info. I guess they recall Kyle Hart, hopefully you have better options.
Dylan Cease – 5 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 4.58. My kingdom for him to bear down and become an ace for, like, a month. It’s all I ask.
Gavin Sheets – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer, hitting .283. He’s knocking on the door of a top 10 1st baseman on the Player Rater.
Manny Machado – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 5th homer, and 2nd homer in three games. Macho, macho Machado!
Grant Holmes – 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 3.68. His long-flowing locks of tangles freaks me out. It’s too humid for that shizz, ain’t it? I keep my gorge hair styled-close and coiffed for any weather. Any hoo! Holmes has a 8.4 K/9, 4 BB/9 and close to neutral luck, i.e., he’s throwing about as good as he’s throwing. He does get a decent amount of grounders, so that helps, but also homers allowed. Again, it’s all kinda neutral. Sorta like Neutrogena, his shampoo of choice.
Spencer Schwellenbach – 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 hits, zero walks, 11 Ks, ERA at 3.42. Now that’s how you look like the first starter I drafted. That’s nice! Even Schwell.
Framber Valdez – 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.39. Member in April when I was worried that Framber didn’t look good? Yeah, that was me overreacting and he’s fine.
Colton Gordon – 5 IP, 3 ER, 7 hits, zero walks, 4 Ks, ERA at 5.52. Colt-Go is fine, but ton-don, is perfection. Sounds like a new Japanese noodle spot. Because the command is so sweet for ton-don, he’s managed to make somewhat meh stuff work. Streamonator hates his next, but I’m willing to open it up from AL-Only to 15-team mixed for him.
Christian Walker – 3-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 6th homer. Legit thought he retired, and was about to send a welfare check. Are we sure he didn’t retire and have someone else where his uniform?
Bryan Woo – 6 IP, 0 ER, 9 hits, zero walks, 5 Ks, ERA at 2.40. Woo, indeed. (He can only throw Woos or Boos, this is his lot in life.)
Colin Rea – 5 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 3.28. Regression Fairies singing, “These boots were made for walking and that’s just what they’re gonna do, these boots are gonna walk all over your ratios.”
Seiya Suzuki – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 14th homer. Seiya ball!
Miguel Amaya – Hit the IL with an oblique strain. To replace him, Cubs called up…
Reese McGuire – 2-for-5 and his 1st and 2nd homer. The 1st homer had me confused, I didn’t know how he got that jack off, but, by the 2nd homer, I knew what to expect, having seen his long-ball stroke. We don’t usually cover uniform numbers here, but McGuire is wearing number 20. Last worn by Mastrobuoni. Oh, the Cubs know what they did.
Good Morning Gray…
Hoskins or Sheets ros?
Sheets
What do you think of Adrian Houser?
“Rockies Close To Signing Orlando Arcia”
Ahhhh and then everything was fixed in the mountain kingdom.
What do you think about CJ Abrams and Zach Wheeler for Gunnar?
We get one bench bat so trying to add someone that might help down the road in case of injury or trade options. Hopefully won’t need them for a bit. Please rank top three. Ten hitting cats so more at bats and more on base the better.
Burger, B Lowe, Mayer, Clemens, Vargas.
Burger, Myers, Lowe
Poor spelling on my part. I meant Marcelo but Dane is on my stash list. So Dane over Lowe?
Picked up Devin Williams for free a few weeks ago and while numbers have been good since then I worry it could be a while until (if?) he’s the guy in the 9th again. Swap for an available Doval or hold?
Hold
Just listened to your podcast musings last week on Brenton Doyle. He’s been pretty good since then! He’s just bobbing around on the wire in the ol’ H2H (OBP 12er) and I could do with a little speed boost.
He should really be owned, right? I’d prefer to drop a hitter for him if I could, with Grisham being the most likely option – but you wouldn’t do that, would you?
The Yahoo ROS OBP Rater likes Doyle better FWIW…
He should be! I like Doyle more than Grisham
Are you seeing enough from Gavin Williams to grab in shallow leagues?
Nope
Is it too much to ask KC to make Maikel Garcia its leadoff hitter? I wish I could be a guy like the Wolf in Pulp Fiction who gets hired to fix some of the dumb stuff that certain mlb managers get wrong every day.
I’d like to start in KC and then make stops in Phoenix, Minneapolis and Tampa. The AZ and MN stops may take a while.
I know, would make too much sense
Weekly waivers -> just looking for current opinion: Drop Vientos for Norby or Mayer?
Mayer
Grey
Would you drop Will Benson for either Austin Hays or Gavin Sheets in a 10 team league
Benson has been cold for about 2 weeks. I know he is streaky but the other 2 are playing well now
Sheets
cool thanks
No problem
I’m curious (nothing more) as to why there isn’t a full slate of games on a Memorial Day?
MLB is stupid
Holiday was dropped. Drop McCain or birdsong ? Have Lowe at 2nd n Abrams n gunner SS UT spot
McLain
H2H Redraft
Sheets or Grisham ROS?
Thank you
Sheets
Gunnar is heating up. Look at his numbers for the last 7, 14 and 30 days. Finally healthy. This is the guy that was a top 10 draft pick.
I hope so!
I will likely stash one (8 keeper league). Jacob Misiorowski,Andrew Painter
(1) Which one likely to give some value this year?
(2) Which one a better keeper for 2026?
Misi
plz rank Beck, O’hearn, Sheets ros
Sheets, O’Hearn
danny palencia is a thing, man.
Venezuelan flamethrower
He’s the Thing
No run support for Crochet again.
Would you trade away Altuve and Eovaldi for Harper?
Sure
Need to drop one to get Kirby off IL. 10 team dynasty
Max meyer
Pfaadt
Bubba chandler
Trent Grisham
Chandler Simpson
Bassitt
Gallen
Zebby
Zebby
10 team 5×5 h2h drop pavin smith for Javier Baez, Brandon Lowe, Carlos Santana, Gavin sheets, Miguel Vargas?
Sheets
Looking for position backups. Who would you please pick as a backup at each position:
1B: Sheets, Hoskins, O’Hearn, Burger, Bohm
3B: Burger, Bohm, Baty
OF: Sheets, Carpenter, Pages
Thank you.
Sheets
Burger
Carp
C Goodman
1B N Lowe
2B Garcia Jr
3B M Shaw (2b,3b,SS)
SS Witt
OF PCA
OF Acuna
OF J Wood
UTIL Rooker
UTIL Abrams
BN Ramos
BN Pages
IL Westburg
NA M. Mayer (SS) should be 3b in 2 games via yahoo
SP Abbott
SP Rodon
SP Wacha
SP Z Little
SP Baz
SP R Suarez
SP Pfaadt
SP J Flaherty
RP Uceta
RP B Little
RP B King
RP T Khanle
RP Slaten
RP Cleavinger
IL B. Miller
14 team league 6×6
Sv +HLD, K/9, OBP
Who should I be dropping to activate Mayer?
I don’t love my hitting dept as my bench is all OF so maybe pull from SP?
RP is heavy in this league. Even with who I have I can lose a week
Should I be looking to improve hitting? Feel like Lowe and Garcia are my weak hitting spot’s for starters? Maybe Pages just givin the Of depth.
Can’t imagine Pages every playing for you, but I can’t picture Mayer playing for you either
Drop Grisham for Jake Burger?
Meh
… or Flores?
Flores
Blasphemy! Give Wilmer his flores…
Haha
I read (elsewhere) that Ohtani might pitch in the minors during an LAD off-day. How is that possible? Wouldn’t he have to stay in minors 15 days?
Or is the minor league period waived as part of the Ohtani DH rule change?
I don’t know
If it was you, would you keep Rice or drop him for Flores? Rice’s Statcast is glorious, but not sure about his playing time.
Flores is better if you’re playing him every day
Hey Grey,
I was thinking of trying to trade for Alonso or Vlad. I have a surplus of SS and 1B with Elly, Neto and now Mayer at short. And Naylor and Soderstrom at 1B.
Which one of Vlad or Alonso would you shoot for?
What combo would work for you?
its a keeper league so youth is highly valued
Alonso….Naylor and Mayer? Nayer?
That’s exactly the proposal I was thinking of sending. Great minds….. ?
Yup!
Hi Grey, happy Memorial Day!
Please rank: ASS, Birdsong, Kolek
Thanks!
you too!
Birdsong, ASS
Thanks again!
No problem
Narvaez or Baldwin?
Marcelo or B lowe?
Happy Memorial Day, Grey!
Drake
Marcelo
you too!
10 Team Dynasty 6×6 OBP/SLG and QS/K-BB. Imanaga and Doyle were dropped in our league. I am solid in pitching but have a lot of injuries and Doyle has never been a strong OBP player. I just traded Pfaadt for a 3rd round pick so I have an open roster spot. Based upon my roster:
1) Would you bid $5 ($40/$50 left) for Imanaga?
2) Do you prefer Doyle and what would you bid for him?
3) Are you interested in stashing Bieber instead of either one of them?
4) Would you try to sell high on L.Henderson for a 2nd/3rd round and pick up both?
C – Goodman
C – Contreras (STL)
1B – Naylor
2B – McLain
SS – Witt Jr.
3B – Machado
MI – Henderson
CI – R.Lewis
OF – Tucker
OF – Chourio
OF – JRod
OF – Wood
OF – J.Lowe
U – Ohtani
U – LuBob
B – Y.Alvarez
B – Crews
B – Trout
B – Chisholm
B – Etheridge
B – C.Smith
B – A.Ramirez
SP – Crochet
SP – Skubal
SP – Schwellenbach
SP – Ryan
SP – Ober
SP – Weathers
SP – Horton
RP – Bautista
RP – Munoz
RP – Walker
B – Gilbert
B – Ragans
B – King
B – Sasaki
B – Henderson
B – Misiorowski
B – Painter
1. yes 2. no, $3 3. no 4. selling a guy who just got demoted when Shota Imanaga is on your waivers could be what the new Mission:Impossible is about
lol – we have player who is tanking and accumulating prospects so I think he would be interested in Henderson – thanks for your help as usual!
No problem
Happy Memorial Day Grey! Who do have the most faith in ROS – Adames, Santander or McLain?
Adames
line up ? from oak jr. maybe didn’t like my answer. 2 of 3 agustin (vasquez kolek pivetta) or k campbell (patrick civale peralta) or jt keepin it realmuto (strider ass sale).
also ass sale
Haha, ASS SALE! — Agustin, Realmuto, Campbell’s been brutal for a few
thats what i said. i dropped campbell in rcl
Yeah, same
that’ll give him 3 catchers going. he also has herrera. that dude is a beast.
Problem with the choices more than anything
Happy Memorial Day, Grey hope your fantasy teams are doing well (see? I do care.)
Currently have Eugenio in points lg.
You like him over Smith, Burger, Bohm and Vargas?
Thanks, you too!
Meh, hold
O’Hearn or Miguel Vargas ROS 10 team h2h? Thanks enjoy your Memorial day!!
O’Hearn
Mookie or Acuna ROS?
Acuna
Grey how would you rank these OF for ROS. 10 team league with OPS and strikeouts.
Pages, ward, Santander, Beck, doyle,nootbar
Ward, Doyle, Pages
Sorry last one for ya!
Ranger Suarez for Tovar? This is the league where I’m low on AVG HR RBI but in theory ok with pitching. Thanks!
It’s fair, take Tovar if you need him
Great recap Grey! A couple of lineup questions and a few general value questions:
H2H 10 team weekly
1) Neto 6 games (NYY, @CLE) or Abrams 6 games (@SEA, @ARI) – hitteron loves both but CJ more
2) Willson Contreras 6 games (@BAL, @TEX) or Soderstrom 6 games (@HOU, @TOR) this week?
3) Addison Barger 7 games (@TEX, ATH) or Matt Shaw 6 games (COL, CIN) this week?
4) need top 2 arms from this list to start this week:
Hunter Greene @KC
Eovaldi TOR
Woo MIN
5) have Finnegan like you do. Who is the best pickup? Ju-Mart, Shelby, Romano, Pressly, Vest, Bednar or Ronny Henriquez
Thanks!
LG
1. CJ 2. Willson 3. Shaw 4. Greene, Eovaldi 5. Romano
Thanks Grey!
No problem
Hi Grey,
1. Would you try and. trade Baz for Abbott
2. would you offer Rice or Yelich for Abbott?
Thanks so much!!
1. yes 2. sure
Thanks!!
No problem
Drop either Santander or Yandy for Doyle or Beck?
Both
Thanks! Do you get double time for working on a holiday? Haha! Hope you have some time to relax!
No problem
Hey Grey
Are you still as high on Tyler Soderstrom as you were a few weeks ago
10 team league
Would you drop him for Sheets or Austin Hays
hold
ok will do
Enjoy the barbeque today
You too!
1. Who should I roster, Justin Martinez or Felix Bautista (10-team saves + holds)
2. George Kirby had his long awaited return to my lineup after getting 5 ER in 3.2 innings, (thankfully still on in iL when that took place) I’m assuming he was just shaking off the rust, is there anything to worrry about? idk if you’ve addressed this.
3.im assuming Romano would be preferred over whichever reliever you don’t pick in question 1? If not I could drop Romano and have both options from that question
1. Felix 2. there’s something to worry about, he missed months with an arm issue 3. sure
In regards to 2, I know he had a serious injury so that’s always a bit of a concern, but I more was asking if there were signs of him not being the same as he was before (mechanically or with his stuff) as far as you know, on a positive note I heard his velo was around the same as it was prior to his injury.
I went over him after his 1st start back https://razzball.com/player/669923/George+Kirby/
1. Hold on Wacha and Merrill Kelly or pick up Gavin Williams or drop either Wacha or Kelly?
2. Would you offer Shane Baz to get Logan Henderson?
3. Would you offer Baz plus Yelich to get Henderson?
Thanks!!
1. Hold 2. No 3. no
Thank you very much!!
No problem
Please rank Harris, Grisham, and jasson Dominguez. Thank you!!!
You did
Mahle vs. Toronto or Bibbee vs. dodgers, both at home
Mahle
MIL optioned Henderson to AAA. The optimist says it’s only for short term bullpen help. I say what are they doing? They make me sick. They have Civale, Patrick and Priester on the active roster and chose them over him. They also have some injured guys potentially returning
I know, it’s a joke
He has a 1.71 era in 4 starts. I guess we hold for a little bit to see what the plan is before he is a drop
Sure
Is there a minimum amount of time they have to keep him in AAA before he can be recalled?
10 days for position players and 15 for pitchers.I think they can do it 5 times a year.
UGH Logan Henderson sent down??? What are the Brewers doing?
Haha
Looks like the Brewers want to carry an extra reliever but at least good he can avoid the Phillies
ashby came back. he’s a little interesting too.
DL Hall is back as well. I have the feeling whoever does the worst gets demoted.
They’re not even starters, they’re long-men at best, I think
Long which way? *giggles hides behind fan*
While I agree with you, and they have announced already Ashby is in the pen; I have the feeling once again they will give DL Hall every chance to start.
Could be for trade value or to see if he can because they are going to have to dump some of these guys in the scrap heap or move once everyone is healthy.
Brewers need to do something for some bats because this team could compete with another good SP and a pair of bats in the lineup.
Henderson should be back up in a couple weeks or maybe they are being cutesy and just sending guys down and then back up for their next start?
We still need Misiorowski!
Peralta Woodruff Civale Quintana Patrick Myers Henderson Misiorowski Priester Hall (?) Gasser (back this year?)
They gotta move some of that clutter while it has value. Too bad the team is so cheap because that will limit a lot of options.
Misiorowski I am VERY excited about.
Maybe the Brewers can trade DL Hall for Mayo and Mullins.
Haha, O’s won’t ever, they’re going for the Triple-A championship
I think Mis is up on or around 6/5 – whenever the Super Two cutoff is
Lost Bregman, need a 3B replacement.
16 team, daily lineup, weekly h2h scoring, 11 offensive scoring categories including:
At Bats (AB)
Hits (H)
Runs Scored (R)
Home Runs (HR)
Runs Batted In (RBI)
Walks (BB)
Stolen Bases (SB)
Batting Average (AVG)
On Base Pct (OBP)
Slugging Pct (SLG)
Fielding Pct (FPCT)
Initially picked up Kiner-Falafael….current options available include M. Vargas, Wagaman, Andujar, Toro, Durbin, Mead, Muncy, Arias, Rengifo, Urias, Kike, Moncada, Hayes.
Keep IKF or drop for one of the other options. Keep 12 every year if it matters.
Thanks!
Vargas
Which start do u prefer?
Taj home vs Minny or
Noah Cameron home vs Cincy
Taj
Semien was dropped in my 12tm pts league. He could be cooked but would you drop Dylan Moore or Victor Scott to take a shot that he isn’t?
Scott
Vientos or Steer?
Steer
Just dropped Ryan Pressly to go on a ride on the Ronny Henriquez express. We haven’t seen a Ronny this hot since Ronnie Miller passed up the microscope… I mean telescope purchase.
HAHA
Get $15 PCA and give $10 strider and a closer?
Sure
Cam Smith or Vientos ROS?
Vientos
Baty,Norby,Castellanos,or Vientos this week. Baty’s been hot, and he’s got the White Sox and Rox at home all week. 2 LHP for the rocks, but it looks like he’s playing everyday at least while he’s hitting.
Sure, try Baty, but he’s hitting 9th which sucks
I trust that I’m not the only reader on here that gets a ton of joy from every Can’t Buy Me Love reference.
Haha
Hey Greg! Who was the Angels pitcher who had a killer change up and went around the league for a year with a tiny ERA and then next year the league caughf on to him. I remember you and magoo and i went around on him. like almost a decade ago. i recall him as an example of a thing i’ve seen over the years where guys with a + change up often have success early when the league hasn’t seen him. think noah cammeron is getting that. the babip is really low so luck but also weak contact and a surprising amount of swing and miss.
Shoemaker?
yes!
Lucky guess on my part. My cousin played with him at Eastern Michigan. When he made it to the majors it was non-stop “You know I played with that guy?” I heard a lot about him despite him being on the west coast and on the Angels.
I think he won 15 first year. Then up and down. Then demoted and back. Then took a 100mph ball to the skull and pretty much ended his time there. I think he played for some one else after the Angels but know he ended up in Japan in the end.
comments section for the win as usual
Wow, good pull
Thank ya. *takes a bow*
Haha
Hahaha, Greg doesn’t remember…Love guys who have command, can induce weak contact, sign me up…me not Greg!
Henderson or Ober ROS
Ober
Please rank top 2
M.Kelly,Warren,Pepiot,Bibee
You did
Burger or B Lowe most likely to stick in a 12 team league? H2H so not looking short term more so who can be there longer term.
Burger
Morning Grey,
Most of my SPs are rolling pretty well, but some tough matchups this week. Wondering which two to sit this week? I’m also dead last in wins, so may have to roll the dice on Williams even with one against LA. Still curious for your thoughts.
Bibee (LAD)
Sanchez (ATL)
G. Williams (LAD, LAA)
Flaherty (SF)
Zebby (@SEA)
Henderson (@PHI)
Henderson, Bibee
Thanks Grey, I forgot to mention Lugo, as I thought he still wasn’t coming back this week, but CBS suggests he may get a start this weekend, which would be home against Detroit. Would you take a chance and start him over any of:
Sanchez (ATL)
G. Williams (LAD, LAA)
Flaherty (SF)
no
Do you still believe in Soderstrom? He’s done 9/1/9/.231 his last 108 at bats. Owner willing to move him or should I not bother.
Sure
Do you like Rice or Soderstrom better? And would you trade Rice and Grisham for him? I don’t need Grisham and I need an everyday 1B that would allow me to move Belli to OF. Not sure if Rice will be an everyday player.
Soder…sure
Good morning Greg!
12T H2H Points, how would you rank these starters this week? Gotta start 4 of them…
– Rodon, Schwell, Cease, Gore, Abbott, Mize
Also, start Hoskins or Rice this week?
Thank you as always!
Greg! I don’t know anyone’s matchups — hoskins
Damn autocorrect… GREY!
– Rodon @LAA
– Schwell vBOS
– Cease vPIT
– Gore @SEA
– Abbott @CHC
– Mize @KC
Thanks again!
Cease vPIT
– Gore @SEA
schwell
rodon
mize
this is why we have the streamonator
@Grey: weekly roto. Need to start one of these guys. Who do you like?
Wacha vs det
Bibee vs lad
Zebby @ sea
M Meyer @ sd
Also, in weekly leagues, are starting Finnegan this week? My only other option is to start Liberatore @ Tex.
Thanks and Happy Memorial Day!
Wacha
Liberatore — you too!
Top 2 ROS out of Noot, Beck, and Garcia Jr?
Beck, Garcia
Was curious about B. Lowe after your post so I looked up his Statcast. Didn’t expect it to be this good, especially the xBA. Maybe he’s the 35 HR guy from a few years ago that is now playing in an hitters friendly park now and not just on a hot streak.
Won’t be playing in it much longer, but he just needs to stay healthy
That’s a big ask.
He has crushing the ball earlier and not getting hits. He has been on 30+ HR pace the past couple years. Health is the issue but his power is legit. Tied for league lead with Polanco at 10 for 2B, and I believe in Lowe a lot more than him.
The one year he had 535 he had 39 HR. He hasnt gotten over 400 any other year.
I just added him yesterday
Need to start 2 of these this week:
DMay@Cle,
Lodolo@CHC,
Baz@Hou,
Zebby@Sea.
That’s the order streamonator has them. Though I’m hesitant to start Lodolo again vs CHC after yesterday’s showing. And Zebby’s 9 Ks in 4 innings is making me feel greedy.
Zebby, May
how would you rank following ROS?:
Abbott, Lodolo, Baz
Thanks
You did
Happy Memorial Day Grey!
Great Monday write up as always!
Nootbaar or Doyle? 10 tm redraft OBP H2H. Thanks!
You too! Doyle
Please rank Neto, Doyle, and Grisham
You did
is there really no acuna blurb? oak jr was on
that first ab like it was the moon landing. hurry dad we’re gonna miss it!
Bubic > Acuna
grimey your nfbc team is kicking ass
i made an effort to get pitching this year prolly to the detriment of enough offense to win it
Says the guy with PCA
Hehe ya. It prolly would have been considered a reach if I didn’t have 15th pick in a 50 round draft and hold haha
Haha
Luisangel?
i had a hunch you’d say that
Haha
Oh great Grey,
please rank these SS for H2H pts league ROS:
Neto, Perdomo, Swanson, Wilson
Neto, Wilson
What order for these 1B eligible players ROS –
C. Walker, Tork, Burger, Sheets, Rice
I don’t own any of them and looking to trade.
Tork, Sheets, Burger
Where would you rank Flores with these guys? He was just dropped.
Sheets, Flores
1) should i keep faith with Kristian Campbell to be an elite dynasty player
2) do you like Andy pages or Miguel Vargas more in a 12 team
the kids say “six seven” and “frickin’ packet, yo.”
also my favorite t shirt of the year said “Bruh…Formerly Known As Mom”
HA
Haha
Couldn’t begin to count the amount of times i hear 6 7 from my 14 year old son and his friends daily.
Has something to so with a song and Lamelo balls height . kids are obsessed with Lamelo and saying Lebronnnnnn James.
Who’s the add in a saves/holds league out of these options?:
Trevor Rogers
Chad green
Leiter Jr
Slaten
Phil Maton
Ginkel
Jojo romero
Beeks
Uceta
Montgomery
Add Shawn Armstrong to that list as well, you can list your top 2 in order thanks!
Green, Armstrong
Hey Grey, drop Pfaadt for Warren? Thanks!
Sure
When healthy in a 12-teamer, N.Marte or A.Barger?
Marte
Closers are so frustrating! Here are my current starting 3:
Suarez (6, MIA, PIT)
Bautista (6, STL, CHW)
Pagan (6, @KC, @CHC)
Suarez and Pagan, seem good right now – would you sit Bautista this week for any of these two Tigers? Neither are getting many saves, but their numbers are very nice.
Vest (6, SF, @KC)
Kahnle (samesies)
No
10 team 5×5 h2h, 4 OF, 2 UTIL, no corner/MI
Have Albies, Edman, Bichette to fill 2B, UTIL and one bench slot. (My worst hitters)
Doyle, Sheets, B Lowe on waivers. Would you make any changes?
Lose BIchette for Doyle
Abbott or Henderson? Both have some tougher matchups coming their way.
Abbott
Hey Grey,
Do you like Chase Meidroth or Victor Scott ros?
Thanks.
Meidroth
In a vacuum, would you trade away L Henderson for:
1. Neto
2. Burger
3. Heliot
4. Friedl
Sure
Hey Grey, I have both Henderson and Zebby. I’m assuming for this week it’s Henderson over Zebby even though Henderson’s @PHI, and Zebby is @SEA?
Zebby’s matchup sounds better
Would you rather own Baty or Meidroth in a 10 team h2h categories league? I currently have Torres, Shaw, Kim, Caminero and soderstrom that I move around in my 2b,3b mi, ci positions. I also have Baty but was considering Meidroth over him. Thank you.
Meidroth
Thank you, I appreciate it
No problem
Is Anthony worth hanging on to in a 12 team 5×5? – For 2nd half of season, Roman Anthony will be a top ___ hitter.
Not a top anything, lottery ticket.
Can lose him
Can you rank the following for HR and RBI ros:
Soderstrom, Flores, Santander
You did
12 team redraft h/h points …..
Would you trade ( give ) O Cruz & Soto for
( get ) Ohtani
I can add Ward to my OF he’s a FA
Sure
Have to vent … my team redraft h/h points …
Start 5 SPers per week
Has now lost
King
Gilbert
Steele
You have my sympathizes as I would be in same boat as I tried (unsuccessfully) to trade for King, Steele, Kirby. 2/3 of 3, and all 3 would have gotten me in the exact same position as you.
Top 3 SPers I drafted … also have Mize & C Sanchez who have both had injuries …
I hear ya
Hey Grey! L Butler and M Chapman on waivers in OBP league. Add one/both over Royce, Yandy, Aranda? Enjoy the long weekend!
Over Aranda and Yandy
You a fan of Hayden Birdsong twice this week? My other options would be Sonny 1X on the road at Texas, Schmidt @ ANA, Buehler @ATL . I love Sonny but I try to only pitch him at home. H2H league. thx.
Yup
Don’t really keep “bench batters” but who would be better ROS Willi Castro or Pavin Smith?
Love the Skubal take. He does look like the man when he’s on. Thanks, Grey.
Castro
So I’m listening to MLB on XM and the female broadcaster described, without irony, Reese McGuire as a feel good story.
*Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz starts playing as outro music to commercial break*
Reminds me of the NFLN or ESPN crew getting a bit out of hand. Orvlosky out there licking shoes or something and in another one of the women quoted Meet the Parents, “I have nipples, would you milk me Greg?” ….which loses a lot of humor when 1) someone is unaware of the movie 2) it is a woman delivering the line and not DeNiro.
https://x.com/SportsHub952/status/1738240591824056466
Now say it like Dani Wexelmen. Haha. Couldn’t think of her name at first
She was so excited. She then said ,”I want to play with Pete Crow-Armstrong.” Which normally would be ok but given the context. I had to get off the road and post (that’s all I did I swear)
HA
kavnar or wexelman?
Wex
Ha!
I believe these are the top 5 fantasy starts from the last 4 seasons:
Spencer Strider 2022-04-15 8 IP/0 ER/ 2 BR/ 16 K
Tarik Skubal 2025-05-25 9 IP/0 ER/ 2 BR/ 13 K
Clayton Kershaw 2022-07-29 7 IP/0 ER/ 0 BR/ 13 K
Domingo German 2023-06-28 9 IP/0 ER/ 0 BR/ 9 K
Pablo Lopez 2024-06-23 8 IP/0 ER/ 3 BR/ 14 K
Wow! Good stuff, Vin
Zebby Matthews, a victim of Rocco Baldelli disease? Rocco never allowed Uncle David Festa to go five innings and the same appears applicable for Zebby, notwithstanding the 9 K’s.
Ha, yeah
Hi Grey,
Pick one to start… Keller @SD, T Anderson vs NYY (GAG), Gonsolin vs NYY, or Slade Cecconi vs LAD
Sit one:
D Baldwin 3@Phi,3vs Bos, S Horwitz 3@AZ, 3@SD, or Sheets 3vs Mia, 3 vs PIT
I know Sheets faces 3 LHP, but they aren’t world beaters and he’s hot…
Thanks
Add Hunter Dobbins @ Atl to the SP choices…
Gonsolin
Drake
Thanks…what about beteeen Baldwin and Horwitz?
Drake
In a deep league are you starting Kershaw @ Guardians or G.Holmes home against BoSox?
Holmes
Fellow Yordan Alvarez owners – anyone starting him in weekly leagues this week? Or are we waiting for actual confirmation he’ll be playing soon?
It’s the Astros. They cheat if you haven’t forgotten. They’re not going to give you accurate injury information on Yordan.
Inquiring minds want to know! I am betting on 4 games starting Thursday. What if they sit him after two and he starts 3 games total?
see ya next week Hoss!
Think I’m benching, fwiw
Rangers even mentioned Rocker as a possible closer!
Speaking of closers, I’ve currently got Suarez and Megill and was offered this trade in my weekly roto:
My Megill for his Vest plus $4 Tovar. (Kahnle is on wire but I can easily add him as backup if I do the trade).
I’m 2nd in SVs + bottom third in AVG, HR, RBI. I was pumped on your preseason not-sleeper-post-sleeper-post on Tovar and it seems like he could still do that now that he’s back from IL (lots of red in savant) + seems like Vest (5 sv) isn’t the worst downgrade from Megill (9 sv) who will probably be traded…
Thoughts?
Could do this same deal for my R Suarez but I feel like he’s above Megill (way more save opps and seems to be his job all year barring injury or breakdown, but not someone likely to be traded)
Sounds decent for Tovar/Vest
Luis Castillo matched the season high for pitches with 114:
@ HOU L 3-5 6 IP/3 ER/10 BR/6 K
Hunter Greene also accomplished the feat in 6 innings:
May 2 vs WSH W 6-1 6 IP/1 ER/4 BR/12 K
Good stuff!
Grey –
Points league
Pick 2 ROS: Bibee, Gausman, Ober
Thank you!
Not Bibee
Horton vs Rockies or Kolek vs marlins?
Horton
Sal Perez or Yainer ROS? Also how would you rank Matt Shaw, Maikel, and Westburg ROS? Thank you my sweet mustached prince.
Yainer…Maikel, West
As you stated, Skubal is atop the 100 Best Fantasy Starts list. He now has 4 entries, including 2 top 10:
01 May 25 vs CLE
06 May 9 vs TEX
30 Apr 14 @ MIL
33 Apr 27 vs BAL
Three others also earned spots in the top 100 on the weekend:
42 Jake Irvin May 24 vs SF
80 Ryan Pepiot May 25 vs TOR
81 Edward Cabrera May 25 @ LAA
Tarik also made a big jump into the top 10 (from #37) on the RAZZBALL PLAYER RATER:
1 Aaron Judge $58.40
2 Shohei Ohtani $47.80
3 Pete Crow-Armstrong $45.70
4 Kyle Tucker $37.70
5 Max Fried $37.30
6 Kyle Schwarber $36.00
7 Zack Wheeler $34.70
8 Corbin Carroll $34.00
9 Tarik Skubal $33.00
10 Cal Raleigh $32.90
Skubal spent no more than 6 pitches on any 1 at bat. The 13 strikeouts took 59 pitches. Arias twice struck out in 3 pitches.
INNING .. PITCHES RESULT
1 Angel Martínez 6 K
1 Gabriel Arias 3 K
1 José Ramírez 1 Pop out
2 Lane Thomas 5 Ground out
2 Kyle Manzardo 1 Fly out
2 Jhonkensy Noel 1 Fly out
3 Will Wilson 1 Fly out
3 Austin Hedges 5 K
3 Nolan Jones 2 Ground out
4 Angel Martínez 5 K
4 Gabriel Arias 5 K
4 José Ramírez 2 Fly out
5 Lane Thomas 6 K
5 Kyle Manzardo 5 Fly out
5 Jhonkensy Noel 2 Ground out
6 Will Wilson 3 Double
6 Austin Hedges 4 K
6 Nolan Jones 1 HPB
6 Angel Martínez 1 GIDP
7 Gabriel Arias 2 Pop out
7 José Ramírez 2 Single
7 Lane Thomas 5 K
7 Kyle Manzardo 4 K
8 Jhonkensy Noel 4 K
8 Will Wilson 4 Ground out
8 Austin Hedges 5 K
9 Nolan Jones 4 K
9 Angel Martínez 2 Ground out
9 Gabriel Arias 3 K
Awesome thanks for sharing
Wild. Thanks Vin!
Amazing
Great stuff!
A. Dynasty Otteneu league. An owner is selling off assets. I got offered Cease and Swanson for Oneil Cruz. For context, after this season, Cease is $26×2, Swanson expires, Cruz is $32×2.
Current SP: Kirby, Skubal, Sanchez, Bubic, Senga, Henderson
B. He also has Olson, whose contract expires, but whoever owns him gets a draft-day discount. Would you try to include him in the above trade and send back a $26×2 Willson Contreras? The owner is interested in Contreras.
Essentially the trade would be Cruz and Contreras for Olson, Cease, Swanson. This year I’d be getting the best of it, but long term, he would. Thoughts?
I’m hesitant to give up on Oneil Cruz for the next 2.5 years, as I think he could be a top 30 player. I also think Cease, Swanson, and Olson are tremendous buy lows, and could all have monster second halves. What do you think?
I’d want Cruz B. I wouldn’t do the above trade
Glad I asked. I was leaning the other way.
Would you still pursue Cease? I feel like he’s a good buy-low, though the workload over the past few years might catch up to him. Maybe go Contreras/Sanchez for Cease/Swanson?
Sure, can buy low — that catcher trade sounds fine, not sure who’s doing that
It’s salary-based for a team that’s building for next year. I’m contending.
Ok, you know your league better than me
Grey!!!!
Saw Lodolo give up the HR to Reese and I go any SP who gives up a HR to McGuire gets the L.
Rodney Dangerfield quote of the day for May 26, 2025
A girl phoned me the other day and said… ‘Come on over, there’s nobody home.’ I went over. Nobody was home.
Cheers,
Ante
Mitch Hedberg style + his fantasy sell-high hot take:
“I showed up… rang the doorbell… nothing. I thought maybe she meant metaphorically. Like, there’s nobody home in here.”
*taps forehead*
“Deep stuff, man. I just wanted snacks.”
===== =====
William Contreras is one of those guys who sounds like he’s crushing it. If you haven’t checked your team in a week, you still think he’s hitting .900.
But he’s rocking a .725 OPS. That’s not why you drafted him in the top 100.
His barrel rate is down, his xwOBA is dropping faster than my confidence in any fantasy trade offer that starts with ‘Trust me.’
So if someone in your league is still living in 2023… hand them William Contreras. Smile. And walk away like you handed them a flyer, “Here you throw this away.”
Haha
The news on Bryce Miller was not what I wanted to hear. “They’ve uncovered the source of the elbow issue” and know how to address it long-term, but they can’t fix it unless he has a season ending procedure. So, I guess the plan is to shoot him up with cortisone, hope for the best, and have him return anyway. I mean what the hell? I don’t want the broken version. Do they really want that in their rotation. He seems like an easy drop.
Sounds like internal brace. Yuk. Why F’ around when you know it’s inevitable? It’s a hope and pray situation? ….See ya next August!
Sounds like an easy drop
12 teamer points leagues with saves and holds but saves are rewarded more.
Sit tight with Shelby Miller or chase Daniel Palencia and hope he stays with the gig?
Hold
lowe or norby
Lowe
You nailed what’s next for Ober. His era is down, but his babip is up (whip is now 1.33). Lob% approaching 80%. Statcast EV and hard hit rates are up. Gb% is down. Yet, his hr rate has fallen. His hr/9 is now under 1. That era reduction seems like it’s more luck to me. And, where are the K’s? 7.1k/9 vs. 9.6k/9 last year.
There will be guys on base, and when the home runs return—and they will—it’s going to be another ugly one.
Ha, yup
Oi
Did reese make the parking lot?
Cam Smoth or Royce Lewis?
Ha…Lewis
Happy Monday, Grey!
How dumb on a scale of 0-10 (10 = brain dead) is dropping C. Walker for Kurtz because of one hot week, rookie lust, and CE’s struggles so far with the 4SFB?
Also Eury Perez or Bubba RoS?
Thanks —
Sounds fine…Bubba
You’ve no idea how I agonized over that! Thanks!
Ha, No problem