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Please see our player page for Justin Verlander to see projections for today, the next 7 days and rest of season as well as stats and gamelogs designed with the fantasy baseball player in mind.

Jasson Dominguez has started his Major League career with a bang, smacking two homers and a double over his first four games.  His one issue has been his strikeouts, but I like his chances to make contact against Matt Manning, who has struck out just 11% of the left-handed bats he’s faced this season.  Batting […]

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Yesterday, Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave until further notice as MLB continues its ongoing investigation. So, what does this mean? It means he should step into a rocket, aim it at the sun, and we should press “launch.” He could come back in September or not at all. My guess is he’s at least done for this season. Hoping his name is cleared and he returns, because, in that scenario, no children were harmed. Reading the tea leaves, it does not feel like that scenario is the most likely one. It feels like Wander’s not coming back any time soon, if ever again, as the Rays took down all signs of him from around their park. That’s right, the Rays ‘Poochie died on the way back to his home planet’d him. Because the Rays have a never-ending supply of top prospects, the turnstile, uh, turned and entered Osleivis Basabe going 2-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 1st homer. I can spell just about every name without blinking. Put me in an MLB spelling bee and watch me walk away victorious. With that said, I might have to make an auto-fill for the name Osleivis Basabe. If you can get through Osleivis, then you have to fight the urge to write Baseball. He now should have everyday playing time and I’m interested in seeing what he can do. When he came up, there was talk Osleivis could be a Luis Arraez with speed. Call him Luis ThesceneinBoogieNightswithfirecrackers. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

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What is up party people? The Trade Deadline has passed and I guess that means we have kicked off the stretch run of the season. Seriously, where did the time go? August is upon us and that means we’re only a month away from September call-ups to tease us with their potential only to be let down next year when the start in they have a great spring only to start in the minors. Yeah, I’m probably getting ahead of myself but here we are. Some big names were moved (Justin Verlander back to the Astros and Max Scherzer to the Rangers) Obviously, you already know the kind of numbers they can put up with Ks and innings. Their respective moves shouldn’t change that but both could be in line for a boost in the wins department. Wins are always a tough stat to chase but we can hope that moving to a better team will at least set them up for more dubs.

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Nothing says the trade deadline has come and gone like the barrage of baseball writers tweeting, “Pencils down.” You’ll see a bunch of in-depth coverage here on Razzball surrounding all of the deadline trades so be sure to check that out. The Astros celebrated the reunion with Justin Verlander with a no-hitter from Framber Valdez, […]

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“What a day for a game! We have Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander squaring off today to decide who goes to the World Series for the American League, and–hold on, clear the room! Mr. Met, no! Don’t do it!–*tv channel goes to static*” Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but the Mets did well at the deadline. It’s not how they would’ve imagined it in the preseason, but unloading two fossils for prospects, and they can just buy again this offseason. Of course, they’ll likely take the prospects they just got and trade them for, like, George Springer, but it’s a strategy. Now, due to their luxury tax implications, it’s imperative they lose as many games as possible, which brings me to: You too can be a Mets starter! Just head down to Metco and line up! Auditions start at 2 PM on Thursday. So, Justin Verlander returns to the Astros…*yawns* If the biggest move during the Trade Deadline is Justin Verlander returning to Houston, then what a snooze. Let’s go Yankees, do a move no one likes! Let’s go Dodgers, grab another player no one wants! C’mon, Rays, grab another forgotten starter and make him an ace! A guy Verlander’s age doesn’t change suddenly. He can be great for ratios, and give IP, but his Ks have gone bye-bye and he’s not locating as well. He goes to a tougher park, but an easier division, though the Astros face a bunch of AL East teams in August. I’ll say it’s lateral, and you should know what you’re getting. Well…You could be getting a one-day contract to pitch for the Mets! Just head down to the stadium!

As it turned out, all of that Verlander business was a preamble for a historical event that was about to happen that night. Was it Lance Lynn’s first crotch grab on his new team, the Dodgers? Well, that did happen, but no-no. Framber Valdez threw a no-hitter with one walk and 7 Ks, lowering his ERA to 3.07. So, The Framchise threw the Astros’ first lefty no-hitter on a day they brought back a guy with three of them. It’s pretty inspiring. Maybe you’re next for the Mets! Seriously, they need arms, head down to Metco this Thursday.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

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Maximum Madness Kentucky Scherzer — known to most of you as “Max Scherzer” due to SEO requirements — has joined the elite sniper squad of the Texas Rangers for another bid at the World Series. How greedy can a guy get? Just like Nolan Ryan piling up all those no-hitters. Come on, Nolan — share the wealth! It probably makes sense that Scherzer joins the team that Nolan Ryan served as President and CEO for during the financial crisis. 

Last week, I asked y’all to target Scherzer in any last minute fantasy trades. Although Scherzer was legit awful in July — like, top 5 worst starting pitchers in the league awful — his true skill stats looked pretty reasonable. We all know Scherzer is a playoff magnet. He’s got an opt-out clause in his contract and enough life left in his arm for another contract after this season. And now Scherzer gets to mentor a pitching room filled with the likes of [checks notes] Dane Dunning and Jon Gray. What a beautiful world! 

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Hola, chicos and cinco chicas! Are you ready for some Tex-Max Schenchiladas? Ay, papis and cinco mamas, you want some Tex-Max Enscherziladas?! Ay?! So, the Max Scherzer trade to the Rangers was briefly held up because they needed Max’s approval, and I have been laughing for two days thinking about someone asking if they would waive their no-trade clause from the Mets. Can you imagine?

“Hey, I have to ask you–”
“Yes.”
“Wait, let me–”
“Absolutely.”
“You have to let me ask you, it’s a part of the clause, I must say the whole thing before you can answer. Okay, are you willing to leave the New York–”
“PLEASE!”

C’mon, bro. Max Scherzer is going to say, “No, I want to stay on this submersible.” So, Scherzer goes to the Rangers and this will fix everything. I kid. Scherzer could go to any team, except maybe the Rockies, and be Scherzer. His 4.01 ERA hasn’t been pristine, and he’s starting to show some wear at 39. His Ks are down, and his walks and homers are up. He has the worst xFIP of his career. I’d never bet against Scherzer — one does not bet against someone with two different colored eyes — but he does look more like a number two vs. the one he’s been for 13 years. By the way, the return package — which I’m sure Itch will go over — includes Luisangel Acuña. Hmm, pitch clock, fine. Limited pickoffs? Okay. But what’s Manfred doing with this “Every NL East team gets an Acuña” rule? From what I’ve heard, it’s a good return for Max Scherzer; the Mets did well. Until they trade Luisangel Acuña this offseason for Whit Merrifield or something equally bad. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

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Buying low is harder than buying high. Yeah, I said it. Buying low means the other person has to cut bait after being so pot-committed. Then, the person buying low has to put aside the player they are getting has been garbage, and they might be better off with getting a guy off waivers. Dansby Swanson (3-for-3, 4 RBIs and his 11th and 12th homer, hitting .271) yesterday made buying low harder or easier? In theory, it should make it easier, because those signs of life should allow the person who has him an easy way to unload, but signs of life usually works the opposite way. The person with Swanson has been pounding their team’s chest, hoping to revive it, and now: The EKG line shoots up and you want them to sell him? One thing is for certain, Dansby Swanson is going to be so forgotten for 2024 fantasy baseball, he’s gonna be basically free, unless he turns his whole season around. Can he? Absolutely. His 1st half last year was one of the best. He’s capable of continuing to shoot up that EKG meaning I’d buy low, if that were possible, which it’s not. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

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“The guys we have in here, in this clubhouse. These guys are home. This locker room for the last three months is where I’ve placed my bowl of cocktail wieners and beans on top of this wooden bench and dined, while people around me have said, ‘Really? You have to eat in here?’ This locker is where I hang my Mets’ jersey, where, before me, once Hubie Brooks hung his Mets’ jersey, and before him, another guy whose name I’m forgetting. That’s a legacy, and we’re damn proud. Mets is written across our chest, like a stigmata.” That was Justin Verlander as he tried to pretend to not want to be traded, making his best effort on the field — 8 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.47. Verlander is carrying his worst peripherals in fifteen years — 7.6 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 4.49 xFIP, just hideous stuff for a guy of his caliber, but maybe the inspiration to get off the Mets will be all he needs. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Please, blog, may I have some more?