Stephen Strasburg‘s MRI revealed a flexor strain, which is about the best news they could’ve hoped for. It’s also likely not-true news. Teams say all kinds of things; the truth is one of them, but it’s not always said. I’ll tell you the truth, I have no idea if the Nats are telling the truth. Gotta take their word for it, which means he’s droppable in redraft leagues, but he doesn’t need serious surgery so should be fine for 2017 and keepers. That’s until next year when his inverted W stands once again for wince. By the way, why is the inverted W not just called an M? Can anyone please answer me this? It hurts my brain. I’m gonna take a nap. *intern blows airhorn* I’m up, I’m up, let’s do the post. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
A.J. Cole – 5 IP, 4 ER, 5 baserunners, 8 Ks. Against the Phils, man? Really? I think Cole deserves a Tyra, “I was rooting for you, WE WERE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU.”
Maikel Franco – Out with a jammed thumb. Who jams a thumb? What a Smucker!
Alec Asher – 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 0 Ks as he was recalled from the minors. Prior to his PEDs suspension, he was putting up good numbers. Kinda like Manny Ramirez. He’s a control artist. Kinda like Janet Jackson. Okay, I’ll stop now. Kinda like MC Hammer. In the minors, 5.8 K/9 and 0.9 BB/9. He had no strikeouts in his first start and barely any in the minors, so I wouldn’t even look to stream him during the stretch run.
Ryan Howard – 1-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 21st homer. Only four more homers and it will be down to exactly one million dollars per homer. C’mon, you can do it!
Peter Bourjos – 1-for-4 and his 5th homer. Hey, it’s 2013 sleeper Peter Bourjos. Say hello to your mother for me.
Colby Rasmus – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 15th homer. I saw him on waivers. I knew he homered on Wednesday. I know he hits homers in bunches. And I didn’t pick him up. I deserve this. *puts thumbtacks in hand* Facepalm.
Yulieski Gurriel – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his 2nd homer. Hey, it’s deja vu all over again. Wednesday night, Gurriel and Rasmus homered; Thursday afternoon, they continued their party. Gurriel won’t be in this afternoon’s Buy column, because I think he’s owned in too many leagues. If he’s not owned in yours, I would see that that (stutterer!) changes.
Alex Bregman – 2-for-4, 1 run, 3 RBIs, hitting .267. From August 6th to September 8th, he’s hitting .328. I will be chirping all offseason about how if you throw out his first ten days in the majors he’s hitting sixty points higher. Chirp, chirp, chirp! Like an angry bird that dropped Bregman nine days into his major league career.
Carlos Santana – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 30th homer, hitting .244. Oye como yay!
Trevor Bauer – 5 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 3.86. I was about to write that I think in 2017 I’m going to officially forget about Bauer breaking out, then I thought about how if I say that, he’s bound to break out next year. Where does that leave us? I really have no idea.
Jaime Garcia – 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 4.58. I know I’ve mentioned this once a year for at least the last seven years, but they should have a fantasy game where you can move players out of your lineup mid-game. By the third inning, I had seen enough of the Jaime show and was ready to pull him from the game, but, no, Mike Matheny had other plans.
Kolten Wong – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 5th homer, and his third homer in the last week. Looks like all the recent Gyorko talk has made Wong hot.
Junior Guerra – 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 2 Ks, ERA at 2.96. You want the good news or the bad news? Okay, fine. Bad news is I still would rely solely on the Stream-o-Nator with Guerra. The good news is it only took me to September to stop calling him Javy.
Domingo Santana – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 7th homer. I believe it was Sunday I mentioned him, though that might be subliminal advertising he’s using with his name. He’s hot, but one of the LLAMAS, which seems like it would be connected but it’s not.
Orlando Arcia – 3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and his 3rd homer. Don’t worry, he’s squarely on my sleeper radar for next year. Hopefully, it’s more Rougned Odor sleeper, and less DeShields.
Hernan Perez – 4-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 30th steal, hitting .278. Steals may not be as abundant in fantasy, but SAGNOF is still alive and well because they’re cheap. The top ten steals guys this year: Hamilton, Villar, Marte, Rajai, Eduardo Nunez, Hernan, Segura, Jankowski, Altuve and Dyson. What’s that, two guys that were high draft picks and eight guys that were on waivers at some point this year?
Keon Broxton – 2-for-3, 2 runs and his 22nd steal. Also, something worth noting for next year, Craig Counsell held his bat funny and likes to use the running game. Assuming Counsell returns.
Clayton Richard – 7 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 2.78. So, I guess that was the stream to do. Thanks again, Jaime! Before you start thinking there’s something more to Richard, his WHIP is 1.59. That’s a large red flag with a brown stain on it. Okay, the brown stain is just because we bought the flag at a second hand store.
Ryan Schimpf – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 18th homer, now has four homers in the last 11 games. Looks like Schimpf Howard is back again. Nyuck, nyuck.
Ian Desmond – 2-for-3 and his 23rd homer. He came crashing down to earth in the 2nd half (hitting .232 with 7 homers and 5 steals). Don’t worry, the Yankees will overpay for this offseason than some sucker will in your draft next year.
Derek Holland – 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, ERA at 4.74 vs. Taijuan Walker – 5 IP, 3 ER, ERA at 4.64. This matchup was billed as, “Walker ‘n Holland? Use a bicycle!”
Dae-Ho Lee – 2-for-3, 2 runs and his 14th homer. Had been hitting .353 in the last week, but hadn’t homered since July 31st. So, thank God, but Ho Lee? Meh.
Jose De Leon – Will start again next week vs. the Yankees. I’m unabashedly a fan. And when one is unabashed, there’s no abashed in one’s game. Nah’mean? With that said (oh geez, we’re K turning on this, aren’t we?), going to Yankee Stadium can spook some young pitchers and I’d be careful with streaming him.
Jameson Taillon – Will be skipped on his next turn. Damn, he chose the worst Community Chest card.
Ivan Nova – 9 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks vs. the Reds, ERA at 2.53 on the Pirates. I’ve streamed Nova to great results since his move to the NL. Good story, Grey! Okay, but beyond Nova’s pitching, I will say the Reds might be one of the worst looking teams right now. I’ve watched them three days in a row and they look like they’ve packed it in.
Brian McCann – 3-for-4 and two homers (18, 19). Catchers are so bad… *audience chimes in* “How bad are they?!” Okay, where the hell did an audience come from? They are so bad, McCann’s been unusable for three months and he’s still a top ten catcher on the Player Rater.
Tyler Austin – 2-for-4 and his 3rd homer, hitting .245. This was his 2nd home run in his last three games. The use of Austin was a bit baffling. I guess that was Girardi just keepin’ it weird with Austin. But now he seems to be playing every day. I’m still not convinced we don’t see Te(i)x for absolutely no reason, but it’s worth cyclops’ing.
Alex Cobb – 6 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 1 K, ERA at 4.09. Pretty whatever start from a guy that seems like he’s nowhere near back. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like starting pitchers who are essentially treating September like spring training. We’re headed towards autumn not spring; go to the southern hemisphere with that crap and flush your toilet in the opposite direction.
Kevin Kiermaier – 4-for-5 and two more homers (10, 11) and, like, his 15th homer this week. Oh, you best believe he’s in this afternoon’s Buy column. The schmotato is burning on the dance floor like that guy who had one hit song. Sean something I think? I shouldn’t have traded my Google for a new mustache comb.
Steven Souza – 3-for-4 and his 14th and 15th homers. I got on the horn for a batty call, but not the right one, apparently. Thanks, Nick Franklin.
Alexei Ramirez – Signed by the Rays. Oh boy, the Padres have new competition for the worst move by a team award. The award is the ability to sign Kyle Blanks this offseason. Runner-up gets Yonder Alonso or Brett Wallace.
Tim Tebow – Signed by the Mets to a minor league deal. Rudy texted me, “The Mets are hoping Tebow can resurrect the Mets’ post-Weekend Ponzying With Bernie fortunes.” I say, the Mets signed Tebow, impressed by what Adam Jones was able to do with the Orioles. Honestly, it’s just a PR move. I don’t mean they’re being featured on the Puerto Rico episode of House Hunters International. I mean, the Mets own the gate at their instructional league facility and they’re looking to bring in some extra revenue. Tebow has about as much a chance of making the majors as the guy in your softball league that actually keeps up with his fitness, but hasn’t played any organized baseball in ten years. Sure, he can hit the occasional meatball, but he can’t field, throw and you’re sick of how he keeps looking at your woman.
Good morning GA!
@Malicious Phenoms: Morning, MP!
Grey! I’m in first place in my Yahoo 10 team H2H league and headed into the playoffs. I have two bench bats but would like to drop one to open up another streaming spot.
Who’s the drop?
C: Grandal, 1B: EE, 2B: Odor, 3B: Frazier, SS: Bogy, OF: Trout, Betts, JD, UTIL: Pujols, Abreu, G. Polanco.
Bench: Stanton, J. Turner.
Thank you!
@Noam: Staton if it’s a redraft.
@Packers: agree with Packers.
@Noam: Sigh, yeah, Stanton
Can you please rank the following for ROS: Miller; Nunez; Asdrubal; Yuli; Cron?
Thanks!
@Duffman: Yuli, Cron, Asdrubal
Re Strasburg. Extra bonus, if you have him, as I do, in a H2H dynasty, he’s now off the DL and won’t go back on because of roster expansion. So now I have to play playoffs down a roster spot or drop Strasburg.
@Duntroon68: Stoopid move by the Natinals, remember those jersey’s with the wrong spelling, anyway, they should have let him rest until 5 days before his playoff start and then let him pitch to see if he was ready for the playoffs. They have a huge lead, they did not need to bring him back when they did..Just sroopid!
@Duntroon68: That sucks
Ventura vs CWS
Gsellman vs Atl
Who do you guys like today ?
@Joeg414: Gsellman
@Joeg414: Agree with MP
Grey!!!
Great write-up! Just what the doctor ordered. Am live at Paris CDG Airport!
a. On why Stressbird’s inverted W is called an inverted W? Simple, it’s because that same inverted W has caused the Nats’ front office a lot of stress. Hence, the W=Washington, inverted W=is like when the flag is turned upside down for the G-Nats because of one man’s inverted W! Right?
b. On Janet Jackson, more like her parents!
c. On Bourjos’s blurb, tell him he can say hi to Clown Boots from the 2009 Devil Rays fame, too.
d. On Bauer, that leaves us with 2018 breakout with 200 Ks in his year 27 season, maybe?
e. Made me crack up spontaneously at the Javy Guerra joke! That is great news, am glad you are moving on at the subconscious level from Javy. Now you have to move away from Javy Lopez – ‘member him?
f. On Tebow, if he makes it it’ll (stutterer) be a miracle. Then if he gets to 745 HRs, the second miracle – Frank Voila! Instant cannonization and sainthood. St. Tim of Tebow. Just like Mother Theresa recently becoming a saint. For one of her 2 miracles, she put a coin on some woman’s stomach who had incurable stomach cancer thus apparently curing her, only the stomach cancer was a cyst which was cured with standard western medication. Shh, don’t tell anyone.
g. Start any of the following SP. Am ahead in Ks and Ws and 2nd in ERA and WHIP. WHIP is only 0.005 away to 1st place. I have 23 more starts maximum to season’s end. Btw, ty for the Nova ‘Yup’ from yesterday.
1. Bum @AZ (De La Rosa)
2. Lester @ HOU (Musgrove)
3. Porcello @TOR (Estrada)
h. Start 5 OFs. Need HRs
Cutch at home vs. CIN (Adleman)
JBJ @TOR (Estrada)
Duvall @PIT (Brault)
Broxton @STL (C-Mart)
[email protected] (Gant, aka Ron Gant’s adopted son, John Gant)
Sano at home vs. CLE (Salazar) – I can see a golden sombrero in his future.
Fowler @HOU (Musgrove)
Dyson @CHW (Rodon)
The Gr8 FraGu @OAK (Mengden). He didn’t do anything yesterday, on the drop list.
Schebler @PIT (Brault). Not gonna start, also on the drop list.
i. Start 2 at SS/MI
1. Owings at home vs. SF (Bum)
2. Nunez @AZ (De La Rosa)
3. Gyorko at home vs. MIL (Nelson)
j. Start 1 at 1B
1. Gyorko at home vs. MIL (Nelson)
2. LoMo @NYY (Pineda), he was so good yesterday he went immediately to the drop list.
k. Of all the rejects, who goes to the U?
l. Horatio Caine (aka CSI Miami) quote of the day (September 9 – 11)
Pepetrator: (birds cawing) (man panting) (alligator snarls, man grunting) (panting) (grunts) (panting) (screams) (panting) (speaking Spanish) (gasping)
Horatio: You heard a scream, but you couldn’t see anything. I knew something wasn’t right.
Pepetrator: Called you all as soon as I could.
Horatio: What about the direction of the scream?
Pepetrator: Dead ahead.
Horatio: (helicopter whirring) Okay. Yeah, Frank.
Tripp: Chopper spotted movement at the edge of the mangroves about a hundred yards north of your position.
Horatio: Hundred yards north– I’ll meet you there. Thank you very much.
Tripp: (bird squawking) All right, get your hands where I can see ’em right now. Come on. Get ’em up.
Pepetrator: Please kill me.
Horatio: (speaking French) Kill you? Now, why would you want me to do that (cue the queue of sunglasses)?
Have a nice weekend.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: A. Except it’s not for only Nats, it’s inverted W for any pitcher that uses his motion… B. Ha C. Yeah! D. Sigh, prolly E. Ha, yup! F. I refuse to believe he makes it past Single-A G. I think you have to start all of these, but they are iffy H. Cutch, JBJ, Grandy, Fowler, Dyson I.Owings, Nunez J. Gyorko K. Haha L. Nice!
You too!
Does anyone know if Taillon (who’s next start will be skipped) will now be pitching at all next week? Trying to prep for H2H semis!
Thanks!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?:
ESPN says his next start was scheduled for monday, but that’ll be skipped with Cole returning, so it’ll be Thursday instead.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Agree with Spyre
Nice on the Hammer-time, and I’m that softball guy – except I haven’t played organized sports since the 90s…
@Mrs.Featherbottom: You’re Tim Tebow?!
@Grey: Ha!
Hey Grey and my fellow Razzballers,
Grey, remember what you were saying about H2H when they were asking you to join Tout?
Well, this week we’ve got 1) Papi in SD so he sat for like 3 days; 2) Maddon deciding he wants to rest Bryant and Russel (and probably other guys) here and there; 3) Marte sitting with a bad back; and 4) generally bad pitching… All in the first round of the H2H playoffs!
Because of all this I’m really starting to dislike H2H but can’t get my main league to embrace rotisserie. Besides finding a new league, any tips on how to get ardent H2H types to see the light that roto is better? I try to tell them that a decent season needn’t be undone by one bad week, and roto is a truer yardstick of a team and a manager’s fantasy acumen, but nobody listens…
Big questions for sure but if anyone has any thoughts, I’ll be here. Can’t stand to watch my team right now as we crash and burn out of the playoffs.
TIA!
@JakeTPE: H2H will suck the life out of you. I know the sickening feeling of a great season ruined by a 1st round playoff defeat..
I also know what it feels like to win a roto championship, after working hard all season long..
Start your own league next year, right here on Razzball..Start an RCL ROTO league..Way more fun and you get to play against all the cool guys on Razzball!
@Malicious Phenoms: Haha. Thanks Phenoms. I’ll do that. I’ve been reading Razzball for long enough–looking forward to being in RCL after this H2H dog-and-pony show.
@JakeTPE: Yeah, I don’t like H2H for a lot of reasons, these are a few of them
Good morning Grey
I have a playoff strategy question for you. 10 team h2h redraft with standard 5×5 cats. There are 6 SP slots and 2 RP slots so normally people cant have more than 2 closers. However, the team I am facing next has 3 closers because E Diaz is SP eligible.
Would you punt saves and grab two SP with RP eligibility like B Finnegan, Guasman, Nova, or T Bauer in order to gain an advantage in W and Ks? Or do I just use my two closers and hope they have big weeks?
His staff
2 start D Duffy, 2 Start K Kendricks Cueto Samardzjia J Deleon
RP: E diaz, A Miller, T Watson
My staff
2 start Carrasco, Syndergaard, C-mart, Salazar, Fulmer, Rodon, Bench I Kennedy
RP K Rod , S Oh
Thanks I appreciate the advice
@Wacha Wacha: I like that idea. I would for sure grab a 2 start Nova..What are the match-ups for all 4 of those waiver wire SP’s?
@Wacha Wacha: punt
@Wacha Wacha: If he definitely goes with three, punt
Thanks Grey!
Streamonator loves Hutchinson vs Cinnc tomorrow. Are you taking a shot on him
@JVanSlyke: No way
Sandy Alderson: Please God, I’ll do ANYTHING if you heal my young pitchers.
God: Well, now that you mention it, my boy Timmy needs SOMETHING to get him outta the house.
@Clyde Prompto: NICE!
@Clyde Prompto: HA
Hey Grey. I’m thankfully on a bye this week with Marte, Correa, and Chris Davis out for me last few days. If one or more of these guys remains out next week for my playoff matchup, whondonyou like as my best utility pickup: Kendrys Morales, Kiermier, or Asdrubel. They are the hottest hitting guys on the wire and want to snag one today. Thanks as always
@G: I’d look at their schedules and SP match-ups..Anybody going to Colorado next week?
@G: Morales
Start Porcello against Toronto? Despite pitching almost like an ace I cant fully trust him man…
@Max: I would leave Porcello on the bench. In three starts v the BJ’s in 2016 he has a 5.12 era and has given up 11 runs on 16 hits, including five homers in 19 IP..
@Max: I think you have to start him
Actually went to University of Florida when Tebow was there. Saw him out at clubs and such. My favorite moment was when he was riding his scooter around campus (as he always did) and clipped my roommates girlfriend on the elbow with one of the handles if his scooter. She yelled out “what the fuck?!” to which he turned around as he rode off and replied “you know who I am!”
@bossmanjunior333: Sounds like the media’s golden boy is a ‘dick’. Tebow maniac! She should have made a citizen’s arrest..
@bossmanjunior333: Sounds like a great guy!
You starting Skaggs tonight at home v. Rangers?
@Steve: Nope
Playoffs starting next week. 12-team std H2H.
Beotch of the Week: WTF. When is Byron Buxton gonna steal a base? Drop Buxton for Hernan Perez? Gut says no, but Buxton turns into a pumpkin and steals bases and not hit ha ha.
Drop Jacob deGrom and Gerrit Cole to stream hotness? Which not to stream: Robert Gsellman, Jose De Leon, Tyler Chatwood, Chad Bettis, Edwin Jackson, AJ Cole, Jharel Cotton, Ivan Nova, Jon Gray, Robert Stephenson?
Gracias, Grey!
@jb: I’d want Perez… Stream SPs, I’d look at matchups, not names
@Grey: Thanks, Grey. Will try to get Hernan or keep an eye out for another SAGNOF.
No problem
@jb: Oh yeah. Those with Stras and keepers, blame it on the inverted W. However, it hasn’t led to TJ again. Not yet anyway.
Yeah, only one so far
@Grey: I think there is something to the theory that the arm has to catch up from an inverted W position. I used to pitch and have rotator cuff problems. I pitched from an inverted W or L position. In softball, I play catcher or OF now and had to adjust my throwing mechanics to a W-type position to put less stress on the shoulder.
The inverted W could be an M for Mets and they just may take it the way they are going. Just picked up Granderson in one league.
Interesting… Thanks for sharing!
What’s your thought on dropping zack grienke? His next start is in San fran Sunday and I play in a weekly roto head to headeague where We try to max out 10 starts / week but I just had a pitcher lay an egg last night..
I need to try and max out my starts (10 per week). Would you:
A) keep grienke and start him in San fran
Or
B) drop him and grab a good matchup play Friday or Saturday and then drop that guy and grab another good matchup play on Saturday or Sunday, etc.
Ratios are what you expect in a normal roto league just on a much smaller sample size (weekly)
@Letsgo: punt
@Letsgo: Greinke is a fine start in San Fran, they’re struggling
I’ve logged 5 starts out of 10 so far. I have the following starts left:
1) salazar @ Minnesota
2) fulmer vs Baltimore
3)kluber @ Minnesota
4) Verlander vs Baltimore
5) grienke @ San fran
Would you roll all out to hit 10 starts? Would you drop any to pick up a streamer instead and play matchups?
Categories are qs/era/whip/ks/baa
@Letsgo: I’d start all 5
grey i believe in you too much. I though Junior/ Javy Guerra was a Giancarlo “Don’t Call me Mike” Stanton situation. I dont know why considering I know that Javy Guerra exists and is not a rookie this year haha i just assumed…. you hold too much power!
@chris: I’m sorry about that *waves hand* You’re getting very sleepy
What are your thoughts on De Leon’s fastball velocity? Wasn’t he averaging somewhere around 89 in his last start?
@Odor’s Odor-izzi spray: He was averaging above 91 MPH on his fastball
@Grey: yup, just checked it out myself. Not sure who I heard the 89 shizz from. Anyway, seems like he could be a Change Up artist, but would like to see him throw a breaking pitch here or there if he’s gonna sit low 90’s. Probably just looking way too much into one start. Damnit Fangraphs…before them I would have likely just seen 9 k’s, known that that’s a really good sign, and picked him up in time to enjoy a good run
I think we can look at 9 Ks and think it was a really good 1st start
Drop Degrom and Strasburg, right?
@Gareth: Hey dude..In redrafts I would drop both.
@Gareth: Yup
Hey Grey,
Would love to get in a league with you, Jfoh, Rudy and other perts next year.
@Gareth: Take a number!
@Cram It: he should let you and Jed play with him since you are his comments assistance. I’ll lobby for it.
@The Hack: Jed? Really I’m only interested if $ is on the line.
@Gareth: You can get in a league with Tehol, Jay or JB
@Gareth: I’m not planning on doing RCL’s anymore.
G3!
@Gareth: Grey42!
Gurriel or K Morales?
KM-not close ROS
@Robert Closson: I think it’s a coin flip, Morales has been very hot this week, but Gurriel has been last two games… I’d likely go Gurriel
Drop Wil Meyers for Morales?
@doggie: Sure
Good Friday to you Grey, here’s my scenario:
I’m in a 12 team h2h point league, semi finals of my playoffs, which this round ends this Sunday. I’m 100 points ahead of the team i’m playing, with 3 pitchers left to play.
Porcello @TOR
Pom @TOR
Sale KC
I know that i’m way ahead, but sometimes these things change in a day. Should I chance it with Porcello, Pom or sit them and just go with Sale?
thanks, brother have a great weekend!
@Dry Lochte: From my points league experience, you have to have a pretty disastrous outing to get negative points. Why not add points, even if they only get 1 point.
@Cram It: good call, thanks guys
@Dry Lochte: Agree with Cram, you too!
What are the odds that De Leon gets 2 starts next week (@NYY, @ARI)?
@smegma: Doubtful, verging on highly doubtful
Correa’s injury terrifies me, so I’m filling in the gaps with situational pick ups. Yesterday was Gurriel, today is Jose Reyes vs Joe Gant (oh, his name is John? well, that’s why I’m starting a guy against him..)
Thoughts on Diaz coming back soon… do you see him getting everyday ABs the rest of the year, or has Gyorko’s home run binge cut into that playing time (Gyorko is dreadful defender at short, imo, so maybe his glove keeps him around to get back into a groove?)
Nova’s big game moved the needle a bit in my head to head playoff matchup.
@CMUTimmah: Haha… Diaz will play and cut Gyorko’s PT… I’d hold Reyes or Gurriel over Diaz
are you comfortable with fulmer vs balt?
fulmer has had 3 straight bad starts and the balt offense is quite good..
@joe is a popular name: I’m starting him. He’s much better at home, which his last 4 starts have not been.
@Cram It: Also, Baltimore is much worse Away.
@Cram It:
Fulmer has started 15 road games with a 2.68 ERA…He has started 7 games at home with a 2.95 ERA.
One start against Baltimore, on the road, on May 15 this season.
Final stat line: 4 1/3 INN, 4 ER 5 HITS 3 BB’s…
Cust Kayin..
@Malicious Phenoms: Or that. I choose to ignore it.
@joe is a popular name: Agree with Cram
@joe is a popular name: This was my thought process starting odorizzi earlier in the week though…. it’s a gamble but a game where the O’s offense is bad is a fantasy goldmine, so maybe worth rolling the dice as long as you aren’t playing it safe for H2H or roto reasons.
Drop Yasmany for Reddick?
@Scott: Nope
Who would you keep? Fowler, Broxton, or Peraza? I’m chasing runs, steals, and OBP.
Fowler has really been struggling–I’m leaning toward dropping him, but that sounds so crazy.
@Alex: Peraza
@Grey: Drop Fowler over Buxton then?
Yeah
Good stuff Grey. Playoffs next week H2H standard cats redraft. I have Hern Perez and Edner as Util..would you drop any for Broxton Buxton Peraza Gurriel?
@Huddy: Buxton over Ender
I managed to grab Gurriel off waivers, hooray!
I missed out on the Clayton Richard stream…sad face. But Im tied in my h2h points league playoff, cheers!
My weekend SP options aside from Yu Darvish are looking bleak. I’ve got 5 starts left in the tank, sadly I need to pick 4 of the following for over the weekend:
Friday
1. Gausman vs DET (Fulmer)
2. Musgrove vs CUBS (Lester), SON supported
3. Brault vs CIN (Adelman), SON supported
4. Gant vs Mets (Gsellman), SON supported
Saturday
1. James Shields vs KC(Volquez)..yes, its come to this
2. Drew Hutchinson vs CIN (Stephenson…I dont even know who this guy is), Son Supported
3. Seth Lugo vs ATL (Teheran)….I cant believe its come to this!
Sunday
1. Luis Cessa vs TB (Andriesse)
2. James Paxton vs Oak (Alcantara) SON Supported
3. Vogelsong vs CIN (Finnegan)
Any suggestions on who I roll with, or do I just pray to the fantasy gods and trust in SON?
…damn, I cant believe it’s come to this. Thanks again for an amazing season Grey, win lose or draw this is the best FB site on the market.
@Marty Jannetty_Was Set Up: I guess I could throw Archie Bradley’s Saturday start in the mix against the Giants. They’re struggling pretty badly at the plate, and Cueto’s good but even 2 runs against him can get Archie the W.
*sigh*…effing H2H, a whole season of dominance at stake due to players sitting and the 1 week my SPs all have crap matchups. Such is life.
@Marty Jannetty_Was Set Up: Thanks! Home and away matters, are these all home? All Away? A mix of the two?
@Grey: Thanks for the quick reply (I’m a grown up experiencing anxiety over a fake internet trophy, a replica WWF belt, and not really that much cash, gotta love it)
All mixed up
Friday
1. Gausman vs DET (Fulmer) AWAY
2. Musgrove vs CUBS (Lester), SON supported HOME
3. Brault vs CIN (Adelman), SON supported HOME
4. Gant vs Mets (Gsellman), SON supported HOME
Saturday
1. James Shields vs KC(Volquez) HOME
2. Drew Hutchinson vs CIN (Stephenson) HOME
3. Seth Lugo vs ATL (Teheran) AWAY
4. Archie Bradley vs SF (Cueto) HOME
Sunday
1. Luis Cessa vs TB (Andriesse) HOME
2. James Paxton vs Oak (Alcantara) AWAY
3. Vogelsong vs CIN (Finnegan) HOME
Thanks a ton! On pins and needles awaiting this weeks Buy Collumn
Ha… I’d go with Brault, Hutch, Lugo and Vogelsong
@Grey: As it was written it shall be done
Good luck!
Drop Franco for Adonis? I just don’t see the upside for Maikel anymore this year.
@Scott: Sure
The Mets are looking to become a big market team on the back of Tebow’s apostles. Next summer he’ll 100% play for the Mets short season affiliate in Brooklyn and go 0-40 with 37 strikeouts. They’ll sell a lot of name and number tees though.
@Ralph Lifshitz: They should only allow him to play, if he’ll sign a 4-year contract that says he absolutely must stick it out for four years, even if it’s riding the bus for that whole time
@Grey: Halp and came up with the perfect reality show for Timmy last week.
Tim Tebow’s wide world of sports, each week he tries a different sport (can’t be football), and at the end of the year America votes for which sport they want him to pursue.
In the end he becomes the world’s greatest curler….You know producers and Hollywood types let’s make this happen!
@Ralph Lifshitz: and I*
You can’t have an end in mind already, you know reality isn’t scripted! I like the idea of this, you know he’s headed to pro wrestling next…
@Grey: I’m pulling for bobsled racing or volleyball.
Volleyball? You wanna seem him greased up like Val Kilmer?
@Grey: This might rope in the slutty evangelical contingent.
Those Catholic school girls…
@The Hack: I hear the Jamaican bobsled team has an opening..
@Malicious Phenoms: Did Maurice or Junior die?
@The Hack: Bobsled was my suggestion, he could be the failed sprinter football player that pushes.
Whats the story with this Gsellman guy…like him next week at Wash? lining up for 1st week of playoffs.
@Don Majikowski: No way, wouldn’t touch him
@Grey:
But, you do like Gsellman today vs the Braves , correct ?
Yeah, that’s fine
I probably already know the answer to this question, but if I have Gary Sanchez, and Russell Martin is DTD, there’s no point in keeping Martin, right?
@Scott: Lose Martin
Also next week, Clayton Richard @ SF or Matt Boyd vs MN @ Home??
@Don Majikowski: Neither, but Boyd is better
Domingo Santana or Raimel Tapia?
@Scott: Domingo
Good morning! Looking at starting 2. Pence @ Ari (DeLaRosa) or Blackmon @ PetCo (Perdomo) or Desmond @ LAA (Skaggs). Filling 2 outfield spots. Thanks
Desmond, Blackmon
Looking at streams next week for h2h playoffs, red flags with either skaggs vs M’s (SON loves it) or Jharel Cotton vs KC? I’ll probably need to roll both out considering Bundy / Shoemaker are out of the picture now.
If you need to roll both, does it matter if I have red flags? I wouldn’t start either in most leagues… Skaggs has been flaky at best, Cotton’s risky as a rookie
@Grey: Would help me feel optimistic about not losing! But yeah, there’s not much else out there, here’s hoping cole gets a 2 start week and nova keeps his run going. thanks as always
I’m rooting for you, just saying they’re risky
@Spring Blake: skag is a wildcard. M’S have got to him for at least 3 runs everytime.
This post was like all my batty calls yesterday. Alex Dickinher had 4 runs yesterday too. Should’ve got a mention. Damn I coin flipped Lonnie over Souza. And who does timmy mac think he is taking over first again. I had 12/5/12 day. That’s my slot.
I can’t believe I left Souza on waivers… I went with freakin Nick Freaklin
@Grey: Nick Freakin Franklin! You’re killing me over here. Im in that weird place where my team plays well and I still get mad. I need to stay calm. The steals will come….the steals will come. I’m in a fetal position prayer circle for one.
I try not to overanalyze, b/c it means nothing… But it doesn’t favor you that McLeod and I can gain on some dead fish and you’re maxed on HR and RBIs… If I catch Magoo in HRs, it’s done, if I catch you in Wins it’s done, if I catch Gianella in AVG it’s done
@Grey: I caught ralph in runs and am not that far from JB. I can move 2 in stolen bases if my team could fucking run. RIZZO!!!!!!! And I still have room for ratio help and wins is a toral crap shoot right now.
You lost it last year and it seems like you don’t know how to finish
@Grey: my finish had nothing to do with last year. Sagnof on the baseplath and waiting too long to stream killed me. Not sure if you remember but sky was a beast on grabbing arms and batty calls days ahead. Hes a good player. Miss him in there. Bottom line losing my top two picks for over half the year ruined me and I didn’t recover. My streamers have been better this year and the Cleveland twins have been good. We’ll one when he wasn’t on the DL or appearing hurt and the other was good for half the year. Should be an interesting finish.
Sounds like you’re already making excuses for losing, that’s a mind set, with that mind set you won’t ever win. — Tony Robbins
@Grey: you’re cute. Just breaking it down like anybody else would after someone says you can’t finish. You hate that you got fortunate last year and want to look strong in front of the readers. I get it, when you’re as short as you are you have to compensate. You just keep inviting crappy players that write for you to keep it “not that hard”
Haha, I hate that I got fortunate? I’ve won the league 3 of 5 years… Either way, no one pays attention to who won this league, except for maybe two-thirds of the actual league… Actually half the league doesn’t even care who wins it…
@The Hack: half the league doesn’t even know they’re playing in this league. And you should win, its you format and plays into your lifestyle.
I should win, you’re right… Shizz happens though, it doesn’t take anything away if I finish 1st or 3 points back in 3rd… I honestly just like the competition… Next year, you’re right, we need better players in… On a related note, if you’re reading Cram, I sent you an email, assuming the email you use is right…
And, yes, Truss is in too, if he’s reading… You do a year of the RCL updates and you deserve to be in…
Now that I think about it, I think I’m shaking out all non-Razzball people… I love Triple D, but these guys don’t actual play hard
He should of been in this year instead of Smokey or Jay. Dumb rules but also considering Truss is a hardcore player and LOVER of the format. I think Cram deserves to be in there too. He answers lots of comments and knows how to play. He’s a high finisher and it gives something for readers to strive for.
Agree on all accounts… I think non-Razzball people are out too, they don’t love the format, no reason to force a round peg in a square hole… It was cool to say we could get so and so to play in a Razzball league, but not really that cool
I just saw your Cram remark. Hey, we may not always get along, but I watched him get his ass handed to him in the first year of the FCL and then learned from that and has been on a great run since. The FCL is like a boot camp except for Nick, he’s too resistant to change.
Cram is top five in overall standings two years in a row, he’s proved enough
The only one really like is Gianella but that’s because he’s one of the funniest people on Twitter. But yeah, make it a high index league. Speaking of people not playing, what happened to Rudy? Did meeting Magoo and I scare him off? Magoo and I could be a tag team duo of the million dollar man and Jim the Anvil. Actually, thats not true since Im clean shaven now. Next time you see me you can give me a new wrestling name?
If you ask nicely… Rudy’s the only one in the 2nd half of the league still actively doing anything… I told him to trade one of his 3 aces in June, he didn’t listen, he couldn’t compete with that offense
We had talked about a deal for Thor but thats when the arm issues came up and I got backed off because the ask was too much for the risk. I should of done Villar for Salazar when Salazar was cruising then literally 2 weeks later he got hurt. Did you voodoo me?
I do the voodoo that I do… All right, new post, see you over there…
Great work all year Grey! I’m playoff bound next week. Looking ahead at the pitching matchups, please pick one to stream:
Gio Gonzalez @ Atl
Seth Lugo vs. Min
Samardzija vs. SD & vs. StL
I also have Carlos Martinez going against ChC at home and Archer @ Bal. Don’t like either matchup but they are my “aces.” Would you replace either with any of the above mentioned streamers?
Thanks! Samard…No, start C-Mart/Archer
“Howard gets one million per homer…interesting?” Bobby Bonilla
What’s up brostache from another nonna?
@Wake Up: Bonillas agent got him 2 million per. Howard needs a new agent.
Wake! How it goes?
@Grey: Bonilla looks like he eats 1.2 million potato stix every time Howard homers!
Haha… Only French Onion
Bench bat is Buxton in 12T H2H, hold over Gurriel? Thanks as always Master Lothario!
@I only use Grey Poupon because of Razzball: I would hold
Hold
I’m getting excited about the Brew Crew outfield for next year!
George is liking what George sees!!!
So sexy!
@Grey: Veritably, like a pastrami on marbled rye in the sack, with the game on…
Ha!
GREY!!! Some lineup decisions before my Finals week – H2H pts:
SS – Bregman, Reyes, or Castro?
3B – Frazier currently, but could start Bregman there depending on who I start at SS.
DH – Grichuk currently, but could start any of the above in his place (Have Braun, Polanco, Springers at OF already).
Thanks!
Should’ve mentioned I can start Reyes at 3B also…..sorry about that!
Reyes… Bregman…Grichuk
With 2 DL slots & 3 SPs who will likely not contribute at all the rest of the season Shoe, J Ross, & Matz …who is the sure drop of the 3?
Thanks for the help …today & all season
Ross
G. Cole comes back next week as a two starter in the first week of my H2H playoffs. His matchups are on the road against Philly and Cincy…
would you start him over DeSclafani- vs Mil, vs Pit?
DeScla is home?
@Grey:
Yeah he’s at home for both starts. One of then being against Cole…
You have to start DeSclfani
I’ve got one move left in my 16-team points league. SPs way valued. Must start 1 RP and 3 Ps. Kind of a weird playoff setting, as there are 3, 1-Week rounds. We are in the midst of the first. Looking forward to next week, I’m possibly sans a 2-start pitcher (Cashner might go).
Keeping in mind I only have one move left for the year, would you pick up and play any of these stinky schmohawks?
Urena – @ATL, @PHI
Albert Suarez – SD, STL
Gee – OAK, CHW
Cotton – @KC, @TEX
I could also hold, and just roll with a one-start Kluber or Thor, and roster 2 RPs instead.
Hold
Grey, big shout out on Cobb advise! thank u for that.
10team h2h cats
Start both Darvish @LAA. Rodon vs KC??
i need W, ERA, WHIP
gracias!
No problem… I’d start both
Wanted to poll the group for a post I’m working on. So this is open to everyone not specifically Grey.
What players that were disappointing this year are you targeting as rebound guys next year?
DeShields! (kidding)
@Grey: In certain deep dynasties it may not be such a bad move. I bet he’ll be stupid dirt cheap. I took a shot on Melvin Upton last offseason in one of my 30 team leagues, and got him on a minimum contract for two years. All he needs is a change of scenery and a route to regular at bats.
Well, he does have speed still, so maybe a Dyson type in best case scenario
@Grey: Yeah, maybe a little more pop. He just needs to go to a bad team. The A’s should trade for him hahaha.
He’s a total A’s project, good call
@Ralph Lifshitz: Justin Upton maybe. He’s finishing the year strong. Hoping it’s not just a hot streak.
@ashtray: Not bad, I wonder how much his strong finish could boost his value though. Come on Justin finish the mission and suck for three weeks!
@Ralph Lifshitz: On further investigation, Upton might end with the same type of line as last season. This might be who he is. The only thing that’s out of line with last season is his walks, which are half of what they were.
Lugo is on waivers & seems worth an add for pitching help if I can land him.
Are any of the SP following worth an add for ROS orstreaming next week or the following week?
Kuhl @ Phi this next week then @ Mil & vs Was the following week
E Rod vs NYY then @ Bal & @ TB
Gsellman @ Was then vs Atl & vs Phi
Miranda @LAA & vs Hou then @ Min
Berrios @NYM then vs Det
please pick the best of that bunch if you could ….Thanks again
Lugo, these are not good, Ed-Rod
@Grey: Oh quite aware those are not great options ….just need a hunch for who might give me a decent start or two. Desperate measure for desperate times & all that. Thanks for your take.
No problem
Start Snell against the Yanks tonight (vs. Pineda)?
I wouldn’t
Grey – fantastic stuff as always. Wound up finishing in 2nd…facing the 7 seed and losing. Desperation!!!! Need to stream in points league categories, W, L, K, ERA, WHIP, QS…my options are (GULP):
Ubaldo @ Detroit
Volquez @ CWS
Stephenson @Pit
Bradly vs SF
Hutchinson vs Cin
Total pick your poison here…but any advice you could offer would be most appreciated!!!
THANK YOU
Bradley and Hutch…Ubaldo would be next, none are good
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Hey Grey,
Would you start Tanaka tomorrow at home vs TB? The Rays are pretty scary these days.
Thanks!
Yup
@Grey: Oh, thanks! I saw your note about the new post too late so please forgive my re-posting there.
No problem
Would you grab Gurriel over Franco at 3b?
Gurriel or Franco ROS?
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