Briefly alluded to Stephen Piscotty in yesterday’s roundup and how I’d love to the see the A’s go deep in the playoffs.  Do I think they will?  Can pigs fly?  No, though, Puig can hit deep flies, and lick inanimate objects like he’s a fly regurgitating his food.  The A’s have two starters and they’re named Mike Fiers and Edwin Jackson (5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.18).  So, that’s an uphill battle as they say on the way to the soap box derby starting line.  They do have a well-balanced offense, which is a little crazy when you think about their home park.  Ron Jeremy has less foul territory.  Oakland is a top five offense, and their park, as it always has been, is a bottom five park for offense.  That’s so backwards it’s like, “I’m getting so lucky on Tinder recently!”  Then finding out you’ve actually been opening 23 and Me and you’re banging your cousins.  At the forefront of the A’s attack — A’stack? — is obviously Khris Davis (2-for-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI), but ‘a little dab will do ya’ with Semien (3-for-5, 1 run, 5 RBIs), every Semien encounter begins with a Martini (3-for-6, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer), and Matt “Thank God I’m Not Matt Olson” Chapman (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) has been on one since July, but Stephen Piscotty is having the year everyone expected from him when he was on the Cards.  I know he had some personal issues, but he might be the first player ever to not be better on the Cards vs. anywhere else they’ve gone.  Piscotty went 2-for-3, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and hit his 26th homer with back-to-back huge games, and in the last 20 games, he’s hitting .338 with eight homers and 26 RBIs.  For 2019, what can he do?  Piscotty doesn’t know!  Piscotty doesn’t know!  But I do.  He can do what he’s been doing this season, a solid third outfielder with 2nd outfielder upside.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Trevor Cahill – Scheduled to return on Sunday. Â If anyone wants to bet me, I’ve got money that on Sunday someone’s name on the A’s lineup card will be illegible. Â Because, of course, A’s manager Bob Melvin will be making out the lineup card like this, “Please let us have three starters healthy for the playoffs,” with his fingers crossed.
Sean Manaea – After saying Manaea would miss all of 2019, the A’s are now saying he will be able to pitch next year. Â Right, just like Jimmy Nelson pitched in 2018.
Matt Shoemaker – 2 2/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 5.48. Â The Cobbler was more like a Squat Cobbler. Â If you don’t know what a Squat Cobbler is, don’t Google it (and by me saying don’t Google it means you will definitely Google it). Â Instead, I’ll give you the oral (wrong word choice) history of a Squat Cobbler. Â Imagine your fantasy team is an apple pie, then imagine Shoemaker removes his trousers and squats into the pie.
Peter O’Brien – 2-for-4, 1 RBI, hitting .333. Â Will be in this afternoon’s Buy Column, because if you can’t fail for sixteen years as a prospect to turn it around for a week and get in a Buy column, you’re not living.
Cody Reed – 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 3.66. Â If you listened to the Stream-o-Nator and started Reed, you’re living a charmed life. Â You’re so lucky you could be a stringer in Los Angeles and come upon a 14-car pileup right as it’s happening.
Scooter Gennett – 2-for-3, 4 RBIs and his 23rd homer, hitting .318. Â I’m doing my positional recaps on the backend of the site, which will be posted after the season ends, and I noticed Gennett is the 2nd best NL 2nd baseman, and he’s not close to 3rd best.
Francisco Lindor – 2-for-5, 2 runs and his 36th homer. Â As you likely know, the Indians are not having a great season in the wins column compared to other teams, but, off the top of my head, I’d say they’ve had as much fantasy value as any of the big teams. Â Michael Brantley (3-for-6, 2 runs and his 17th homer, hitting .306), Edwin, Jo-Ram, Kluber, Bauer, Clevinger, Carrasco, Yonder, Oxford comma, and Bieber at times.
Sean Newcomb – Will be skipped in the rotation. Â That’s the Newcombler fallout for sucking for two months.
Kevin Gausman – 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 2.80 on the Braves vs. Vince Velasquez – 3 IP, 3 ER, ERA at 4.59. Â Considering how I feel about both of these guys right now, I’d be happy with either of those lines from them. Â As I would say to girls on a first date, it’s all about expectations.
Christin Stewart – 2-for-4, 6 RBIs and his 1st and 2nd career homer.  Should be many more where those came from, and Stewart should get a rookie outlook post from me this offseason.  Have bat, ball will travel.  For this year, I could see grabbing him for power, but, at this point in the season, I don’t usually go for upside flyers.
Nick Castellanos – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 22nd homer.  The Greek God of Hard Contact went on the record this week and said, “I’m the Greek God of Hard, Consensual Contact, the consensual is implied.  Also, I agree with the woke people wanting to take sensual out of the word consensual, it really is unfortunate.”
Matt Boyd – 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, ERA at 4.16 vs. Jorge Lopez – 1 IP, 7 ER, ERA at 6.35. Â Drunk SpongeBob: Â iS THaT hOw yOU USe tHe OpENeR?
Jorge Bonifacio – 1-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 4th homer. Â George Goodface has risen from the ashes like an extinguished cigarette.
Hunter Dozier – 1-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and a slam (10) and legs (2). Â Dozier is the left side of the Royals’ 1st base platoon with O’Hearn. Â If the Royals still think that’s cute by April of next year, they should be folded and put into your childhood home attic, then your mom can throw ’em away with your Honus Wagner card. Â “Maaaa!!! Â You threw out the Royals!”
Adalberto Mondesi – 2-for-5 and his 11th homer. Â You know how in professional wrestling the heel will bring an enemy of the good guy to a fight just to get under his skin? Â Other teams should bring Raul Mondesi to games to get under Adalberto’s skin.
Eduardo Rodriguez – 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.79. Â Joe Buck in two weeks, “Welcome to the Red Sox/Yankees matchup, there is sure to be lots of scoring tonight.” Â Yes, because both teams have one starter each. Â Every game between the Sawx and Yanks that isn’t started by Severino and Sale will go like this, “We have a 7-7 tie.” Â Fourteen innings later, “Well, we’re still tied because both teams have bullpens. Â Wait, here comes one of their starters to pitch, okay, this game will be over in five minutes.”
Mookie Betts – 4-for-5, 3 runs, 5 RBIs and his 30th homer, hitting .339. Â Mookie Ballgame!
Masahiro Tanaka – 4 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.67. Â After Hamels yesterday, this was the 2nd day in a row I thought to myself, “Well, I don’t have that many innings left to use, but I have enough for a 9-inning shutout from Tanaka!” Â Optimistic is just idiot spelled wrong.
Giancarlo Stanton – 1-for-3, 4 RBIs and his 35th homer, a grand salami. Â Speaking of salamis, I’m typing this without using my fingers.
Luke Voit – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer. Â MTV’s True Life: Â I Am A Sparkplug. Â Voit sits at a picnic table with a kid on his lap, talking to the camera, “My last name looks like volt and I get charged when there’s electricity in the air. Â This is not hyperbole, this is true life.” Â Then Voit hands the baby to an intern, because everyone on MTV has a baby on their lap, but it’s always the same baby.
Max Scherzer – 7 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 13 Ks, ERA at 2.57. Â This game was vs. the Mets, so there was at least one future winner of the 2018 Cy Young award in attendance.
Jason Vargas – 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 6.25. Â This is obviously the future Cy Young winner I was talking about.
Michael Conforto – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 27th homer. Â He was not right yet in April. Â Should’ve never been on the field. Â He had one homer in 63 ABs, hitting .222. Â Since then, he’s had no months under four homers, and has hit eight homers this month. Â Next year, if I project him for 85/33/95/.255/3, how is he not a top 35 outfielder with upside?
Jay Bruce – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 9th homer. Â A’la Doc Brown, “Damn, damn, DAMN, damn!” Â I just dropped Bruce, and I knew as soon as I did it, he was still a schmotato and should’ve been held. Â I didn’t place Bruce in this afternoon’s Buy column, to avoid adding insult to injury, but he does still seem to be going well.
Austin Meadows – 0-for-1, as he was called up. Â Dot dot dot. Â To not start the game. Â I get it, the Rays have a decent outfield. Â OR DO THEY?! Â Whoa, Reversal Question, you scared the bejesus out of me. Â OR DID I?!
Mallex Smith – 1-for-4, 1 run and his 34th and 35th steal, hitting .301. Â Whether you own him or not, you should be rooting for him to get to 40 steals, so he’s overdrafted next year with some faulty narrative of, “Steals are in short supply, and that is not an Altuve crack, you have to draft Mallex high.”
Sergio Romo – 1/3 IP, 3 ER and the blown save, ERA at 3.71. Â I liked him better when he was off living his double life as an Elvis impersonator. Â Audience member, “He looks nothing like Elvis Andrus.”
Danny Jansen – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 3rd homer, and 2nd in three games, and, goodbye, Kurt Suzuki, I’m picking my catcher scab! Â Screams out my window, “Time is nigh!” Â Someone screams outside, and I reply, “I don’t know what nigh means!”
Rowdy Tellez – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer, hitting .385. Â Looks like a baked potato; hits like a hot schmotato! Â Also, Rowdy Tellez sounds like a character Chris Farley was meant to play. Â *insert fat guy in a little coat GIF* Â Damn, you read that in your head as jiff, didn’t you? Â You’re banned from the internet for 24 hours. Â Sorry, dude. Â In-person conversations for you today.
Grey!
Great write-up for all of us but just average for a great like y’all! You can do better!
a. Nice Cody Reed call by the Stream-O! I was shellshocked by Stratton so I’m not going outside of the box for pitching. Will stick with Gausman, Glasnow, Happ, Kershaw, Ryu, Verlander with Jansen the lone wolf in the BP.
b. Am really close to the top in ERA and could make points in batting average. Winning Runs and SB, 2nd in WHIP. Say a little prayer for me.
c. Mark Twain quote of the day for September 21
There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist, except an old optimist.
d. Have a great weekend
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante Galic: A. Yup B. I will! C. Hey, that relates to this post… D. You too!
@Grey: Grey!
They all do ’cause you are a genius.
Cheers,
Ante
Haha, well…yeah!
I heard on the radio today that the 21 to 3 score at Oakland Coliseum was the first 21 to 3 finish in any sporting contest in the history of that stadium. It’s truly amazing to think that a dual purpose stadium that has hosted football teams and baseball teams, in allllllll the history of that arena, there has never been 21 to 3 finish to a contest.
That is, before Thursday.
Amazing.
@Lucky Dog: That is crazy… Good to see you!
Yeah Boyyyyd!
@Crazy J: Haha
Grey,
Are you starting Heaney @ HOU today? 12 team, H2H with QS instead of W. SoN says no. This week is the finals, I have the edge in ERA and WHIP, chasing Ks. Have more starts remaining, 6 to 4 for the week and 4 potential adds to his 1.
Also, what are your thoughts on Ross Stripling vs SD tomorrow? Does he go more than 4-5 innings?
Thanks
@Succos Baseball: No, not at HOU — I’d start Stripling but can’t see him going more than 5 IP, if that
@Grey: Thanks! Appreciate all your feedback this year! Lets hope Monday morning I’m celebrating a championship!
No problem!
Hey Grey,
This is it in my dysfunctional league. He’s out of moves and I have 3 left. H2h points league. Scoring is ridiculous but whatever, also I know Friday Buys are later but I’m heading to work so…
Bumgarner @ STL
R. Hill vs SD
Berrios at Oak
Quintana @ CWS
I can only pickup one today with roster limits. I’m also grabbing Fiers tomorrow and will read your Buy article later. Thanks for another dominant year.
@LT: Hill
Hey Grey – I think I know the answer, but are you starting Pivetta today against the Braves in a H2H finals matchup, here’s how things look on the pitching categories:
I’m winning K (by 7), QS (by 2), ERA (2.00 to his 4.32) and whip (1.13 to his 1.14). He’s up in wins and saves by 1. I’m strong in most hitting stats.
I have 7 starts left including Pivetta and Giolito (no way am I starting giolito against Cubs). He has 5 starts, so I think I have some wiggle room.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: No way
Are Wheeler ($9) or Skaggs ($6) worth keeping for next year?
Both had quietly terrific years. Skaggs was rolling, just had 2 horror starts which set his numbers back, where he must have been hurting,
@Swfcdan: How big is your league and how many can you keep?
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?:
12 teams keep 8. They would be borderline keepers for me, but maybe one or two if I can move some other players in offseason. Just wanted to gauge their value.
If Skaggs is borderline keeper in 12 team, your team’s got some problems
@Swfcdan: Agree with Duda’s question… Maybe
16-team 5×5 weekly league. Desperately need ERA and wins next week to maintain first place.
Who would be your top 4?
Cody Reed KC
Plutko @KC
Framber Valdez @TOR, @BAL
Shoemaker TEX
Heaney TEX
Eflin ATL
Musgrove @CIN
Holland SD, LAD
Ross MIA
Thanks,
@phennore: Piggy backing off this to see what you think of Glasnow relative to the others on this list for my H2H playoffs. Basically every 5×5 cat is still up for grabs.
Normally, I’d SON all day for this, but I don’t have as much of a pulse on how many innings each pitcher is expected to throw as we wind down the season.
@Dean Kongslie: I’d start Glasnow
@phennore: Holland, Shoemaker, Musgrove, Framber
@Grey:
I missed one. Would you take Minor @SEA over any of Holland, Shoemaker, Musgrove, Framber? Thanks,
Nah
With all due respect to you and Scooter, Baez is the best NL 2d baseman. And it’s not even close.
@birrrdy!: I wonder why he wasn’t marked as a 2nd baseman in my search… That is weird… You’re of course right, my b
@birrrdy!: He was only marked as SS for some reason, I blame ESPN
@Grey: you write 5,000 words a day, Grey. None of us would ever fault you!! I blame ESPN too.
Grey-
Pick 1 of these starts (all very similar SON numbers) for a head-to-head playoff matchup. Obviously good K’s are better, but I’m not “K” hunting:
Sabathia vs. Baltimore
DesCalfini @ Miami
Zimmerman vs. Kansas City
All these guys have been scuffling a bit lately, so it feels like Russian roullette with four bullets. But this is where I’m at.
THANK YOU
@Pine Tar Incident: I feel like there’s no easy answer here, but CC
Wainwright v. SF OR Pannone v TB in a do or die semi-finals.
Not that it may make a difference but [email protected] and [email protected] next week for finals or 3rd place game
@Luigi: To piggy-back off this, Pannone tomorrow or Borucki on Sunday?
@Starz: Borucki
@Luigi: Wainwright
Am I bold for starting Chen and Castillo today? Gotta get one win right? Both have been pitching well, Castillo in particular, both have decent matchups and Chen has been lights out at home recently. I don’t really need Ks but just need two quality starts and a win.
@Starz: Seems fine to start both
Who has more value next year? Touki Toussaint or L. Gurriel Jr?
Also, would you add one year to Wheeler or one of the above? Would have them for 2 more years.
@kenly0: Touki — How deep is this league? Touki has more upside than Wheeler, Wheeler is safer
So as I quickly sink from third place money to fourth place bubble, I nauseously think back to my wide eyed hopes for a title when I began the year with Trout, Bryant, CSeager, TTurner, Dozier, Benintendi, Castellanos, Scherzer, CMart, Bauer, GSanchez, Donaldson, Hosmer, Kopech, and AWood as my keepers. (insert heavy sigh) Looking forward to eighth place next year.
@Keith: That sucks, sorry
You think Kopech is worth stashing an entire season? Only 2 DL spots. Also, let Dozier go? Guess I’ll see where he ends up, but he’s been awful.
Depends on how deep the league is, but seems doubtful — and Dozier over Kopech by about 200 draft slots
H2H championship and need Ws. SON likes Lynn over Wainwright. You with the horny robot there? I’m leaning Wainwright–better park
@nationst21: I’d lean Wainwright
Yo broooo,
I can’t access SoN for some reason. I keep getting a “you don’t have permission to access this page notice.” Did my subscription run out? These are important times for my Razzball tools!
So, without SoN values for now. How we feeling Luis Castillo @ MIA, Gant hosting SF, and Reid-Foley hosting TB?
Bauer off the DL against the Sox? I feel like I need to see the Boston lineup. And I think he’ll pitch about 3-4 innings, right?
(And bt-dubs, I’m for reals about my problems accessing tools. Will email you and/or Rudy later today if it persists.)
LY!
@sportivetricks:
I’m experiencing the same thing as well. My work around is after getting the error, go back one page (should be the tool preview page) and selecting the tools again. This time, instead of getting the preview page, I get SON.
@phennore: See note above to Sportive
@Grey: Below!
@sportivetricks: You can email Rudy n the SON thing… What problem is browser cache… SON is fine, but we needed to do something on backend which caused this error… I’d go Castillo and Bauer
@Grey:
Looks to be working again for me! Thank you, as always.
No problem — was it the browser cache thing?
Pure upside as a keeper… do I keep Mallex Smith, Austin Meadows or Jeff McNeil
@MetsIslesNoles: Mallex
Good Morning Grey
I have to drop one
My decision is based on next year as to who might have the job as closer
Nate Jones or Wily Perlata
Thanks
@alps:
sorry that’s Wily Peralta not Perlata
@alps: Peralta
Sorry for all the lineup questions, championship week… Rosario @WAS Joe Ross, [email protected] AZ Greinke, or Alex Gordon @Liriano? Only thinking of benching Rosario because the Mets never score for deGrom and I specifically need runs, although I’m only up 3 in steals.
@Joel: I’d bench Dahl, hasn’t been great on road
After last night I’m a little tentative to start Berrios @Oak…. what do you think? Did they blow their wad last night? Or should I sit Berrios?
thanks
@Dante: I wouldn’t mess with Berrios
Dahl is home all next week. Has to be a must start as are all Rockies? Thanks.
Greylord!!! So I’m down 4 points to the guy I’m playing for the championship. H2H points
Ive got my hitters plus bumgarner @stl, greinke vs Colorado, Keller @detroit, and mikolas vsSF.
He has verlander vsSEA, Miley @pitt, Zimmerman vsKC, and Happ vsBAL.
He’s offered me to split the 700$ prize money with me but i gotta decide in the next hour. What do you do?
@Nightmare!: Nightmare!
I’d take that split! Happ and Verlander will kick ass. Who are your 2 to match his? Maybe Greinke and Mikolas, but neither are certain to go even 5 INN. Bum is a total Bum since he got back, for sure not right.
My 0.02$
Cheers,
Ante
@Nightmare!: Hour’s up, but I’d take the split
Grey, Thanks for all the help this season! I am so glad I found Razzball in May, absolutely love it. I’ve got one final question and then it will just be waiting until preseason rankings next year!
Pick one to start please:
Clevinger vs BOS (18.8)
Nola @ ATL (14.2)
I’m leaning Clev. Thanks again!
@Wass: Thanks! Clevinger
Well, Grey, its that time of year. I looked at the NFBC leaderboards and some of the teams that are leading. It’s always humbling and enlightening. Often (usually?) what might appear not that great is great. For instance, the leader of draft champions overall drafted Chris Sale, Joey Votto, Craig Kimbrel, Ian Kinsler, Greg Bird, Jackie Bradley, Orlando Arcia… but also Corbin, G. Cole, Yelich, Andujar, Realmuto.
I even saw the Main Event leader drafted your boy Syndergaard. Just goes to show you can make a “bad”pick and still be a champion if you make a few really good picks whatever the round. I’m interested to see the breakdown of best returns on ADP this year.
@Dave D: I think the key is what you do with later picks vs. top picks… Top picks can kill you if they’re like Kris Bryant, but more often it’s about the Bauers in the 10th round vs. the Syndergaards in the 2nd
Do we have a glossary term for when a leaguemate beats you to a guy you really wanted, due to waiver priority, but then you dodge a bullet because that guy actually ends up being terrible? For example, I tried hard to stream Boyd, but a leaguemate beat me to him, and that’s the only reason why that clunker was not on my roster.
Divine Waivervention?
Haha, nah, no term…yet! Flukazy?
@Grey: haha love it!
Haha
Would you start Lopez (VS CHC) today for QS/ERA/WHIP if not many GS left?
Not if you don’t have a lot of GS left
@Grey:
Lopez (vs CHC) or Castillo (@MIA) or not both for QS if not many GS left?
Castillo
Grey, trying to watch era
Would u start Nova at home vs Mil, i had Berrios at Oak but i saw u wrote u wouldnt touch him?
I’d start Nova
Austidillo gonna play enough ROS or do I go with Gomes, Suzuki, Hedges in H2H for final week and a half.
Ward was an albatross. Saw you liked Jansen too.
Try Jansen
Im late! Apologies. 5×5 OBP. Battling in every pitching category. Sorry if repeat from above, I’m writing in an all day meeting….who would you start?
Today:
Ross vs. (NYM) -4.1
Foley vs. (TB) -2.0
Chen vs. (CIN) 7.9.
Tomorrow:
Glasnow (@Tor) 18.0
DeScal (@Mia) 15.8
Pannone (TB) 10.0
Only starting Chen right now but had Foley and Ross since they were positive on SON early this week.
Chen, Glasnow, DeSclafani
Last time out against the Jays in Toronto Glasnow gave up 7 ER in 2/3 IP on September 5.
Knowing that, still like him and trusting SON?
THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME**********
Grey, i have Ohearn, Zimm,Tyler White and Voit. Drop any of those guys for Pete Obrien or hold?
Nah
Whats up Grey,
Friday of championship week and starting to look like I’m going to repeat. *knocks on all the wood*
Cant thank you enough for all the individual questions answered and just the entire body of work over the course of the season.
Got one final lineup question for you before I take this prize money and get me a PS4 and the new spidey.
HR, RBI, Stls, OBP, SLG are the hitting cats.
Got a 4 HR lead, 10 RBI lead, 4 stl lead, Down .366 to .354 in OBP, Up .535 to .421 in SLG.
Picking 2 of 5 for the util:
Tyler White VS LAA
Benintendi @CLE
Aguilar @pit
Villar @NYY
Lowe @Tor
Thanks again.
Haha, hope so! No problem! Aguilar, Benintendi — not easy choices
@Grey: wife is heading out of town next week for work. any good new shows to binge?
Where do I start? Have you watched Ozark?
Hey Grey,
I picked up Reid-Foley a couple days ago to start him today.. would you rather start any of the following?
Liriano vs. KC
Urena vs. CIN
Wainwright vs. SF
Thanks!
Urena seems pretty juicy
THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME**********
A) Streamers for this last week? Boyd and Musgrove have killed me this week.
B) Glasnow, Giolito, Tuissant, or Josh James. Pick two for next year.
Thanks
Hey Grey,
I have a keeper league question for you. We have five keepers and I’m not sure who to keep for my final spot. I think three or four of them are obvious keepers, but I’d like your opinion. So, out the list of guys below, what five would you keep:
Mike Trout, Manny Machado, Javvy Baez, Trevor Story, Gleyber Torres, Cody Bellinger, Nick Castellanos, and Luis Severino.
3 days left in champ week, increasingly looking like saves could decide it the h2h matchup. i have 3 closers now, he has 2 and we are tied on week, i have one move and he has none left.
i know it’s a crapshoot and you have no idea, but if you had to pick one, who gives me best shot at saves over the weekend.
hirano vs. colorado
hildenberger vs. oak
romo vs. toronto
gsell vs. dc
peralta vs. detroit
thanks in advance
THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME**********
also, desclafani or urena?
Take questions to my newest post
Grey, can you delete my post from Dokken’s 2 start posts. Has my name on it and I dont want that. Thanks.
Think it’s gone