Yoenis Cespedes went 3-for-5 with his 31st homer and, like, his 12th homer in the past week.  Doode’s straight combustible heat.  Like a fatty steak on the grilling heat.  Uh-oh, I feel my rap altar ego, B-Fire, coming on.  Cannot stop the blaze.  Like a Scottish sheep, I can’t stand here, I gotta graze.  Between Monday and Tuesday is a hidden day called Muesday, between Monday and Sunday is all Grey’s days.  I watch a Merchant-Ivory period flick with my piece, because I’m strapped and going through a phase.  Shh, it’s my Victorian secret.  Whomp, there’s another Yoenis hit.  Cepedes is so on-lock it’s like he’s got a hundred legs all stuck in tar pits.  For my Def Poetry Jam audition tape, this I will submits.  I liked About Schmidt, but why Kathy Bates gotta get out of the tub naked with her flabby– Nah, I need to quit.  So, on the year, Yoenis has a line of 93/31/92/.298/7 and is nearly top five for all players on our Player Rater, not just top five outfielders, and, for 2016, it’s going to be real hard to knock him down much past the 2nd round.  Unless, of course, the Padres get their grubby mitts on him.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Jon Niese – 3 1/3 IP, 5 ER.  If he were a racehorse, they’d say he lost yesterday by a nose.  Only when you’re speaking about his nose, it’s actually a very far distance.
Kelly Johnson – 1-for-2 and his 13th homer.  I must confess, I actually own Johnson in one deep league and I’ve been relatively happy with him.  Then again, in that league, I’m in eighth place out of ten teams and I have very little to be happy about.  It’s what happens when you draft in February and one of your top players at the time was Wilin Rosario.  Yay, early drafts.
Michael Conforto – 1-for-4 and his 6th homer. Â It’s too bad he’s not playing every day, because he gives me a Billy Butler-sized chub.
Stephen Strasburg – Will start on Wednesday.  That news should be delivered by Dr. Huzienga, the doctor on The Biggest Loser that tells contestants that they have a 40% chance of a heart attack by Wednesday.
Max Scherzer – 6 IP, 5 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks, which comes after an August where he had a 6.43 ERA.  I could sit here and say he’s been unlucky and this was a tough opponent, but I’m not sitting and you don’t care about luck with your ace, you care about results.  Damn, with authoritative sentences like that I could run for prez.
Wilson Ramos – Â 1-for-4, 4 RBIs and his 13th homer, a grand salami. Â Or as they call it in Italy, “super-sata.”
Jayson Werth – 2-for-5, 1 RBI.  Has a nine-game hitting streak with three homers, and hitting near-.350 in the last week.  For what it’s Werth, he’s Werth a lot right now.
Stephen Vogt – Didn’t play yesterday after a foul ball hit him in the groin on Sunday.  An ultrasound showed no groin ruptures.  *slowly crosses legs*  Ouch, sounds like a bad case of jockular sphincteritis.
Mark Canha – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 13th homer, and third homer in the past week. Â Hot schmotato alert!
Brett Lawrie – 2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI.  Watch Lawrie finally break out next year at the age of 26.  I don’t really mean that.  Or do I?!  No, I don’t.
Billy Burns – 2-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBIs and his 26th steal. Â Okay, everyone on the A’s is currently hot. Â Maybe cause on the top of them is Burns. Â Pun points!
Sean Doolittle – 1 IP, 0 ER and 1st save. Â Not bad for a 15th round draft pick! Â Actually, awful! Â So, I officially dropped Pomeranz, that dog, in every league, because Doolittle not only got the save yesterday, but was used after Pomeranz on Sunday too.
Mike Fiers – 5 IP, 4 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks.  Some days he shows no Fiers and some days he lights Fiers to your ratios.  It’s da bomb or it’s in need of balm.
Carlos Correa – 1-for-5, 4 RBIs and his 17th homer, hitting .281. Â Oh, and that’s 17 homers in only 275 at-bats. Â Oh, Part II: Oh, There’s More, he’s only 20 years old. Â *Homer sees donut-type drool*
Jake Marisnick – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs and a slam (9) and legs (18), after hitting a pinch-hit home run on Sunday, so, obviously, we got ourselves a hot schmotato here. Â I’d love to see what Jake 1961 could do with everyday playing time over the course of a season. Â I think he could be as good as Souza, though I’m not sure if that’s a compliment.
Kolten Wong – Sat out yesterday with tightness in his calf, which stinks but is less awkward than just general tightness for Wong.
Lance Lynn – 2 1/3 IP, 6 ER.  Seems like Lynn always has these random blow ups, but NOW IS NOT THE TIME!  Caps not for emphasis or aesthetics but because I was slamming my fist onto the keyboard.
Dexter Fowler – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 17th homer.  Guess how many steals he has.  Go ahead, I’ll wait.  *scratches chin, taps finger, prints out picture of Cara Delevingne, tapes picture to Cougs’ face while she’s napping, she wakes, I drag my pillow and a guest blanket to the couch for later*  He has 17 steals!  Yes, a 17/17 guy is a top 75 guy overall.  Member when I kept telling you to pick him up in April?  You should’ve listened.
Kyle Schwarber – Took light swings in the batting cage yesterday, which was later described in a one-panel cartoon as a Schwingber.
Addison Russell – 1-for-3, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 13th homer. Â In the beginning of the year, Maddon said he was trying to alleviate pressure from Russell by batting him ninth. Â In all seriousness, I can’t wait to hear his excuse next year when he bets him ninth.
Dan Haren – 7 IP, 0 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.73. Â Not bad for a guy that wanted to retire back in February. Â “Hey, that’s my schtick!” Â I know, A.J. Burnett.
Ryan Raburn – 2-for-2 and two solo homers (6, 7). Â If you streamed him, well played. Â Now Raburn after using.
Trevor Bauer – 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners (5 BBs), 6 Ks, ERA down to 4.47 as he outdueled Chris Sale (7 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks).   Bauer got the best of that Labor Day Sale, now what the hell is he going to do with all of these 25% off mattresses?  For Bauer’s next start, he’s home vs. the Tigers and the Stream-o-Nator doesn’t hate it, but SON’s got Bauer goggles, because I wouldn’t go near it.
Adam LaRoche – Was a late scratch yesterday due to a sore knee.  Show of hands who thought this schmohawk retired.  Okay, hands down, I don’t need to see your yellow armpits.
J.J. Hardy – Will be activated from the DL on Tuesday. Â He better, not much time left for him to get injured again. Â I Hardy knew you!
Wei-Yin Chen – 5 IP, 4 ER, 10 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.48. Â Well, we had three good months and now it’s kaput. Â Sorta like your marriage.
Manny Machado – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 27th homer.  You know this past preseason was the last time you’re gonna be able to draft Machado later than the 2nd round for the next eight years, right?
Adam Jones – 0-for-4, but left with shoulder soreness. Â He was seen grimacing in the dugout. Â Funny, cause I’ve been grimacing all year from owning him.
Jonathan Schoop – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 12th homer.  Can I draft him for 2016 yet?  I don’t want anyone else Schoop’ing him.
Michael Pineda – 6 IP, 4 ER, 8 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 4.15.  Out of three starts since his DL stint, he’s had one decent game.  I’m not telling you what to do…Actually, I am, that’s why you’re reading.  I like Pineda in the big picture, but the small picture says there’s about three weeks left and I’d look elsewhere.
Alex Rodriguez – 1-for-5 and his 29th homer. Â Only 726 clean homers to tie Hank Aaron.
Greg Bird – 1-for-3, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer. Â Now when you flip someone the bird in New York, you’re showing your support for the Yankees instead of just driving.
Mike Leake – 5 2/3 IP, 6 ER. Â That’s not a Leake, that’s a full on flood.
Joe Panik – 1-for-1, 1 run as he returned from the DL, but didn’t start. Â If you were waiting for Panik, now’s the time to.
A.J. Pollock – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 16th homer.  Did you hear that Pollock thought the Diamondbacks were trying to trade him?  He saw on his manager’s desk Polish remover.
Patrick Corbin – 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks. Â Definitely going on the short list of players I’m going to be looking at owning next year. Â That’s not the same list with Altuve, by the way.
C.J. Cron – 1-for-4 and his 11th homer.  When he homers, I feel like shielding The Sciosciapath’s eyes so he doesn’t remember about Cron and hence bench him.  Nothing to see here, Sciosciapath, just some guy hitting.  Go back to raging at a pitch in the dirt not being blocked properly.
Zack Greinke – 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA up to 1.68. Â Geez, what a bum!
Scott Van Slyke – 4-for-5, 1 run, 4 RBIs as he batted eighth and, batting ninth, Joc Pederson (3-for-4).  If only no one told Mattingly which way to hold the lineup card, they might’ve been batting at the top.
Jackie Bradley Jr. – 4-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 8th homer.  JB and I talk about JB Jr. on our podcast yesterday, and no, JB doesn’t have a kid already.  Specifically about how Bradley’s hitting close to .400 in the last month.  Somebody needs to start defrosting Ted Williams’s head.
Travis Shaw – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 8th homer.  He’s cooled off a lot since he first came up, like one hit every four games cold.  Don’t have time for those kind of slumps right now, i.e., Pshaw.
Mookie Betts – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI. Â Right now, Betts is sitting around the top 50 in overall fantasy value. Â Due to his speed and power combo, he’s going to be hard to not rank very high next year. Â *wink, wink, nudge, nudge, kazoo* Â Next year’s huge breakout.
Rick Porcello – 7 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners, 4 Ks vs. the Blue Jays. Â You have larger trouser oranges than I if you started him in that game. Â The Stream-o-Nator likes his next start a tiny bit and I would start him there, which likely means he’s going to get bombed out like a tented house.
Josh Donaldson – 3-for-4, 2 runs and his 37th homer. Â F5!
Justin Smoak – 1-for-2 and his 14th homer.  Still not too late to get to 30 homers, JayWrong!  Speaking of Mr. Wrong, today is the last day to draft for our fantasy football leagues.  There’s a few spots open.  Get it!
Hector Olivera – 2-for-5, 4 RBIs and his 1st homer. Â Is it too late to get on the hype train for next year? Â No, of course, it’s not. Â We have 5Â months, 24 days, 17 hours and 34 minutes until I can draft a team again without Sandoval. Â But who’s counting!
Freddie Freeman – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 16th homer. Â I was beginning to think he didn’t see I said to drop him last week. Â *nervous laughter, faceplam*
Shawn Tolleson – 1 IP, 0 ER and the save. Â I don’t mentioned closers usually when they’re in no jeopardy of losing their job, but I just wanted to say Tolleson has 30 saves. Â Aroldis only has 29 saves!
Aaron Hicks – 1-for-5 and his 10th homer. Â I was wondering why people were asking me about picking him up yesterday. Â I see, said the blind man as he walked into the door. Â Yeah, and Hicks doesn’t have a multi-hit game since August 12th, so you can grab him, but I wouldn’t say he’s hot yet. Â Definitely worth cyclops’ing.
Eduardo Escobar – 3-for-3, 1 run, 3 RBIs as he batted ninth. Â You can try and stall the schmotato, but you can’t stall the Eduardo. (Though, in all seriousness, what the eff in the effhole is he doing batting ninth?)
Yordano Ventura – 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 13 baserunners, 8 Ks.  He should be starring in the Head & Shoulders commercials with C.J. Wilson, because dude is flaky as all get out.  He was coming off two insanely good starts vs. tough opponents, then he looks Cousin Dumbass against the Twins.
Billy Hamilton – Expected back today from Double-A Pensacola, which should just go ahead and sell its naming rights to Pepsi Cola.
Anthony DeSclafani – 7 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 3.75. Â Anthony Mundane keeps rolling, but I have nothing but reservations about him.
Victor Martinez – Sat out yesterday with an illness. Â WebMD says he’s suffering from suckitude.
Rajai Davis – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and two homers (5, 6). Â After the game, the King of SAGNOF was fed grapes by Gose that were recently stepped on by Miggy.
Evan Longoria – 3-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 19th homer. Â Yesterday was obviously a holiday. Â Oh, and it was Labor Day.
J.P. Arencibia – 1-for-3 and his 3rd homer, and 3rd homer in the past week. Â He was in last Friday’s Buy column because he’s hot and, with Arencibia, hot can also be considered spicy.
Drew Smyly – 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 4.15 since he’s returned from the DL about a month ago.  Fun fact!  If Smyly texts Domino’s his name, he gets a large cheese pizza.
Kyle Kendrick – Â 5 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 4 Ks as he pitchslapped Ian Kennedy (5 IP, 4 ER, 8 baserunners, 9 Ks). Â The chances of Ian Kennedy hitting a homer off of Kendrick or vice versa this year had to be close to 100%.
Matt Kemp – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 19th homer.  In celebrity gossip news, Kemp is dating Charlene Tilton, the Rihanna of San Diego.
Zach Davies – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 4 Ks.  Davies is totally underrated.  I loved him as Daniel Faraday.  Oh, that’s Jeremy Davies.  Zach Davies has one great start and one terrible start since he was traded from the O’s for Parra.  Davies throws around 89 MPH, which means he needs to have pinpoint control and, even then, he won’t strikeout a ton of guys.
Khris Davis – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 18th homer.  That’s in only 307 ABs.  For those bad at math, that prorates to 84 homers in a season.  (Shh, don’t tell the people that are bad at math it doesn’t.)
Jose Fernandez – Hopes to return for Saturday’s game.  Please, someone stop him before it’s too late.  The Marlins don’t need him, he doesn’t need the start and the one Marlin fan can deal.
Justin Nicolino – 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER.  I almost streamed him yesterday.  Thank God for small miracles, which sounds like every show on TLC.
J-Fer for ToddGodfather? Of course I make that trade, yet I still have to ask. *insecure with trades*
@ItsaJesse: I’d take Frazier
Nice to see Olivera hit a Homer
Drop Fiers for Pineda Quintana Holland or Shoemaker?
Also a few offers were sent to me…pull the trigger on any of them? Keeper league
My Chris Davis for Braun
My Schwarber/Rendon/Frazier or Davis for Braun/Springer
Thanks :)
@slimbo: drop Fiers for Dutch. If he wins or at least goes deep tonight at Sea v. The King he is a must-start for next week’s 2-start.
Cheers,
Ante
@slimbo: Holland… Davis for Braun is fair… Braun/Springer
A) JBJ is destroying me in H2H playoffs. Can’t we just go back to him walking 4 times a game and you clowning him for being overhyped? Those were good times.
B) Continuing our conversation from yesterday, curious why you chose Domingo over 84hr-pace “warm it up” Khris Davis. Similar power, similar K% and contact%, both with good minor league numbers and Davis more proven in majors.. Do you just prefer the unknown?
C) Only time Stressbird has been good this year was after taking several weeks off and having rehab starts. The times he came back after just skipping a start or throwing a test bullpen he got bombed. Would you agree too risky to start in H2H playoffs this week?
@Manley Ramirez: A) Indeed! B) Was this long term or right now, I forget C) Yeah, too risky
iHola Gris!
Pick one for “in general, down the stretch playoff run, but most likely benched for ratios and/or used sparingly and if needed”… Nola or Corbin?
iGracias!
@Jackie Treehorn: Corbin
Grey!
a. Gr8 lede but others could have been:
1. Like Duran Duran, the TB Rays are hungry like the Wolf.
2. Scherzer, you my, my brown-eyed girl.
3. Something about a piñata.
b. NORM MACDONALD quote of the day:
‘Recent NBA hall of famer Dennis Rodman is having his jersey retired at a Head Quarters Gentlemen’s Club in NYC this week. So, if you want to honor the legacy of Dennis Rodman or you just like looking at a bunch of naked skanks, head on over to the Head Quarters Gentlemen’s Club.’
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: A. Ha B. Nice
@Grey: Grey!! I thought you’d like that one. What are your thoughts on Tomlin as a ROS sleeper?
Cheers,
Ante
Worth a flyer, wouldn’t say he’s a sleeper as much as a streamer
ROS: Khris or Schwarber?
@Mr. Rickey: Davis
Started Scherzer, Pineda, Leake, Fiers,and Smyly yesterday, oy vey!
@Mrs.Featherbottom: When you have catastrophes such as leakes and fiers, the consequences never make one smyly.
@Manley Ramirez: Nice!
@Manley Ramirez: Ha!
@Mrs.Featherbottom: Ouch, Featherbottom
I woke up and read the Khris blurb and thought “cool,I’m glad I grabbed him yesterday,”
About 2 cups of coffee later I thought”Hmm,isn’t 84 homers a lot?”
I also grabbed Ozuna,but I’ll need a spot for Carrasco next week.Who would you keep,or.as I think(now that I’m properly caffeinated) just watch them duke it out in the [email protected] series this week and after exhaustive research,flip a coin?
@hondo: If it matters,I’ve got a bye in that H2H league next week,so it would just be for the last 2 weeks.
Khris gets @Cubs,@STL,@SD,vs Cubs with 2 days off.
Ozuna gets vs PHIL,vs ATL,@TB,@PHIL with 2 off days.
@hondo: I meant keep ROS,it’s a redraft.
@hondo: I’d want Carrasco, apples and oranges
@Grey: I know it was hard to tell what I meant,but I was asking about Ozuna or Khris.Who goes to activate Carrasco?
Ah, lose Ozuna
Playoffs!….You want to talk about next year during the playoffs!? Yes…I do…inner monologue.
The following are my contracted players who I will keep unless their salary drops significantly:
Stanton
Desmond
Odor
L. Martin
Heyward
A. Russell
Lester
The following are my options for the four wildcards that I have…each players value raises by $5 for the next season. The list below represents my current thoughts in order and their values for next season:
Harper–$15
Machado–$27
Arrieta–$10
Rendon–$10
Tulo–$29
Cain–$9
Freeman–$22
Yelich–$5
Which four would you choose?
@Oranje: Harper–$15
Machado–$27
Arrieta–$10
Cain
Lmao @dexter fowler blurb that was good. Wheres the beuf, Arencibia or Swihart ROS?
@Ty: Thanks! Swihart
Hey Grey,
who’d you rather have at 3B moving forward – Headley, Longoria, Yunel Escobar, Jed Lowrie? (6×6 H2H, OBP) rank top 2, please.
Also, I’m not starting Heaney at home vs Dodgers today – do you agree? (6×6 H2H, QS)
Thanks!
@Eric: Longo…I’d start Heaney or not own him
@Grey: I made a hasty decision the other day and dropped Longo to pick up a streamer :/ . In hindsight, probably shouldn’t have done it – but I needed a win/QS , and Longo left that day after a HBP – not to mention I’ve been sick of his yawnstipation all season long.
That being said, Headley or Yunel Escobar at third for the playoffs?
Thanks
Headley
Drop any of these to start Carrasco today? H2H playoffs.
Salazar, Gausman, Tai Walker, R Iglesias, Alex Wood, Carlos Martinez
Or hold Carrasco in a DL spot?
@Jon: Raisel
Drop Severino or Raisel to make roster room for Carrasco? Or do I sit this start out and make sure he’s fixed?
H2H redraft twelve teams.
Thanks.
@Matty: Raisel
I love Dr. H. He’s just so fervent that being fat is like watching the video tape in The Ring.
Marcus, you’re 35 years-old, you have high blood pressure, two bum knees and, dammit, now you’ve got diabetes! You’re not going to make it to Flag Day without some serious changes!
*changes channel to Intervention where a homeless crackhead celebrates his 64th birthday.*
@El Famous Burrito: HA! Nice… Do’t forget to watch some TLC!
Castillo fowler longo In OPS
@Kendrick Llama: Is this a question?
@Grey: sorry forgot the or… Which do you like most?
Longo
A long time Met fan wants to know : :: Lee Mazzilli or Joel Youngblood ?
@JoeG414:
Has to be Maz , right ?
@JoeG414: It’s not close, I think you know that
BB!
Don’t be mad, I had a live auction fantasy football draft last night. And I liked it.
Don’t worry though, I’m refocused now and still in first place. Don’t you suck tonight Carrasco!
@Phil of the Future: We might need a prayer hexagon for Carrasco… Hope you had a good holiday!
@Grey: Carrasco prayer hexagon activated!!!
Cheers,
Ante
Thank you!
@Grey: Actually it’s only a triangle but if we extend both of our arms and legs we could make it into a nonagon or an enneagon (just found it in wikipedia, did you make that entry, Grey! Gr8 name if you did.)
Cheers,
Ante
Yeah, I wrote that
@Grey: How about a prayer circle-jerk? Oh wait…
Whatever it takes
@Grey: Thx, BB. Great holiday, hope you had a great one as well.
Took the family to Hershey Park for the weekend, had tons of fun. My three year old had a blast, and what else matters??
That’s awesome! Do they still have the water fountain that is chocolate milk?
@Grey: They do. But my daughter has a dairy allergy. Sad trombone. It’s cool, she takes it really well….
Ouch, that stinks, but better time now than ever in history to have allergies to anything… So many substitutes that are decent now
I don’t have a dairy allergy, and I use almond milk just cause
@Grey: better for you anyway. She likes soy milk which is okay too. Not quite as good almond milk though
Almond milk with a latte is nice cause adds its own sweetness without needing sugar, I sound so LA
Regarding Adam Jones grimacing: what ever DID happen to McDonald’s Grimmace? Him & the Hamburglar seem to have been eliminated by PC Agent 47 or something.
3 add/drop questions:
1) When Stroman returns, which SP should I drop in my 12 team roto keeper league to activate him: Holland, McCullers, or Corbin
2) Should I drop any of the following for Doolittle? Wilhelmsen, Vizcaino, Bruce Rondon
3) H2H keeper league: which 2 out of Kendrys, Carpenter, and/or Ryan Zimmerman
FYI: about to clear my 2nd roto league title in 3 years (close 2nd last year) and could win it all in my h2h league thanks to Razzball. Thanks again. You guys rock!
@Clint: I think someone realized Grimace isn’t a good thought when about to eat something… 1) McCullers 2) Viz 3) Not Zimm Nice!
@Grey: Grimace!!! Ha, that was a nice one!
Hehe
Drop one of Duda, Odor, Kipnis, Austin Jackson, or Piscotty?
@Jon: Jackson
Should I grab Jackie Bradley Jr. for points league playoffs next week and the week after? Next week he gets 3 games in Baltimore and 3 in Toronto. Championship week he gets 7 games at home vs the Rays and Baltimore.
I would be dropping Choo.
@Pete: Go for it
head to head roto fantasy. I have Tolleson and Ramos closing, he has Familia and Rondon. You think its worth picking up Doolittle or Axford over using that roster spot to stream more starters for K’s/Wins/Quality Starts? I get 10 roster moves for the 2 weeks of head to head. Leaning towards using the spot for streaming, but was curious what you thought.
Question 2: Streamonator like CC’s next start, doesn’t seem smart though
@Old School Brother: Hold the move with the relievers… 2. I don’t know the matchup
@Grey: At home against Baltimore
I wouldn’t touch him
When I dropped Cespedes earlier in the year, I should have dropped Adam Jones instead.
@Scott: Likely neither
@Grey: Yep, newb mistake.
Get em next time, slugger!
do you like mitch moreland going forward? him cola or PLooof
@someone pissed in my alphabet soup: Moreland, none right now, Cola if he were starting
Good Morning Grey,
Starting playoffs next week
Standard 5×5. Ten teams h2h
Keep Adam Jones or replace?
Available: Kyle Seager, Ozuna, Alex Gordon, D Peralta, Eaton
Your advice is appreciated
@Dave: Seager, depends on needs
1) Would you dump Ramos and/or Ziegler for Wilhelmsen and/or Doolittle?
2) Would you dump Byrd and/or Belt for Pillar, Werth, Ender, Lawrie, E. Escobar, Gyorko, Jake 1961, K.Davis?
*Playoffs start next week. I’m trying to hang on to 1st place.
8 Team H2H – H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBPS, W, QS, SV, KS, KS/9, ERA, WHIP
@Wilsonian: 1) Ramos for Wilhelmsen 2) Meh, I’d hold for right now
@Grey: so you’d hang on to Ziegler for right now?
Yeah
Now that Myers is off the DL I need to drop him or Carlos Gomez. Who would you give the axe to?
@BitchesBeShoppach: Myers
Khris Davis or Jay Bruce?
@Jack: Davis
@Jack: Agree with poop
need to drop 1, trumbo or morales
Trumbo
i need hr and average BAD !!! will grishuk hit this week or should i just leave uribe in in his place?? our week starts today
I’d go Uribe
With Schwarbs hurt, is Swihart a better play ROS?
I wouldn’t go that far
Why have you not summond an Arenado prayer circle? Why Albright? WHY?!
I missed that he could be hurt until today… Please, God, please
@Grey: Amen.
Is Glen Perkins droppable at this point with just under 2 weeks to go in my league. He’s not on the DL, but the back issue appears to be really affecting him as I’ve heard scary things like “he can barely walk”. I sort of feel like he might pitch again this season, but he’ll be out this week, then rehab next week (maybe) and make a few appearances a few weeks from now (maybe), and after all of that, he hasn’t been pitching well for a while.
I hate to drop potential saves, but I sort of feel like he’s dead weight for the playoffs. What do you think?
Yeah, you can lose him
Sorry, that was just under 3 weeks to go.
Grey,
6×5 (including obp) keep 7 league.
I’m not making the playoffs so looking to upgrade keepers for next year.
Currently going to keep Goldschmidt, Rendon, Arenado, Trout, Stanton, Buxton, Scherzer.
Should I try and trade Scherzer for Seager and then draft pitching heavy next season?
How many teams?
@Grey:
10
Keep Scherzer
@Grey:
Thanks
No problem
Thoughts on starting Carrasco tonight ? My playoffs are this week so its win or go home.
I’m starting him, pray with me
Got the 1st round bye in a 10 teamer. However, my team has been kind of plateau-ing. You wouldn’t think it given the names below but other than C.Davis nobody has been close to hot lately.
C-Posey
1-Goldy
2-Altuve
3-Frazier/C.Davis/Kang
SS-Kang/Baez
OF-Cutch, Brantley, Blackmon, Cain (C.Davis)
DH-Abreu
Trying to win now and SS/3B has been giving me grief. Didi is on the wire, as is Eduardo Escobar. It’s a 10 keeper and I’ve got at least 10 keepers, so considering dropping Baez and/or Frazier to get a hot bat in the lineup. Would hate to hold onto keepers for next year and have them turn into playoff anchors. what do you think?
Eduardo over Kang, hold Baez for keeper
Hope you had a good weekend G! I’m still reading every day, don’t you worry.
You too!
Hi Grey,
I’ve been benching Freeman since he came off the DL – no reason not to. If it wasn’t a keeper league, I would’ve already dropped him. But looks like he’s starting to hit (and walk) lately.
Who’d you play this week? Freeman or Brandon Belt? (6×6 H2H, OBP)
Opponents:
Freeman: 1 game @ Phi, 4 games vs NYM
Belt: 1 game @ Ari, 3 games vs SD
Thanks
Hey JFOH, would you start Guyer over Werth today? Werth is facing Harvey.
must win week for h2h
drop wong (ice cold) for odubel?
Go for it
@James McCann: Shrinkage Jerry!
Start a suddenly defrosting Billy Butler next week or slit my wrists to stop myself from doing it? 7 games in great hitter parks (CHW, HOU) with no real scary SPs plus 4 lefties on the docket. He used to be such a lefty crusher when he was right.
What say ye?
Not much of an option
Great column as always,
Which 3 do you like best over the next 2 weeks or ROS if that’s a little too specific?
Piscotty, Yelich, Beltran, David Peralta, Dickerson, Werth, Pedroia, Choo, Khris Davis, Schwarber, D’Arnaud
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks! Schwarber, Werth, Davis
Looks like Corbin’s remaining starts are:
vLAD, @SF, @LAD, vCOL
You ok with rostering him for that in a 12 team H2H?
Sounds decent
grizzle albrizzle – should I drop Maybin for Carl Crawford? need steals and it looks like Maybin’s pretty banged up.
other OFs are rusney, Inciarte, Adam Jones, & Marte (but it is a keep-10 forever…)
also, drop Wieters for Swihart in same league?
Thanks mang!
I’d go Crawford…Swihart
@Grey: done. crawfords’ been leading off right? I’ve had a mancrush on wieters for years but it’s time to move on – Swiggity Swooty, to Swihart booty
Yeah, but what Mattingly does could change from day to day
@Grey: this is true. I can always flip to Domingo, piscotty, marisnick if he falls off
Yeah, exactly
@Grey: last thing man – I appreciate the time as always – Kennedy @ SF on Sat or Corbin v. LAD on Sun?
Corbin
1) I swear Pineda has naked pictures of The Streamonator somewhere. Why else would Streamy keep misleading me and convincing me to stream him week after week?!
2) I would like to respectfully propose a post sometime this month that rounds up who the best slam and leggers were this year. One thing I could definitely improve on next year is a more balanced draft. I tend to go too power heavy with not enough speed. Which leads me to…
3) I finally pulled off a deal for Billy Hamilton (right before he hit the DL. Dropped him. Then grabbed him again). I’m thinking of mostly starting him when he’s NOT in the lineup, hoping for enough steals to overtake the guy just ahead of me (by 3) without damaging my OPS. What happens with a guy’s OPS if he only pinch runs in a game?
Nothing happens, it’s 0 for 0 with a steal
@Grey: That’s what I’d figure, but Harper’s O for O with 4 runs scored (and whatever his OPS was) got me wondering. Should’ve specified that it was Yahoo, but props doesn’t matter.
Harper walked, didn’t pinch run four times
@Hugman: AHHH, Streamy loves Pineda’s next start, too! Sure, if you love em all you’re bound to be right eventually.
Ha, McStreamy finds Pineda McDreamy
Espn standard points league (I.e. Total bases, runs, RBIs GOOD, Strikeouts BAD). With Panik back, who should I drop?
Panik
Olivera
Plouffe
Andrus
Lindor
Plouffe
Thinking I could use a Catcher today ( W.Beef might be sitting )
Arencibia @ Det. Boyd
J.Stearns
M.Montero @ StL. Wacha
J.McCann home TB. Ramirez
Jerry Grote
J.T. Realmuto home Mil. Jungman
Choo Choo Coleman
Jr. Ortiz
JP if he plays
Who do I drop to activate Carrasco in my points league? Belt Baez or Khris Davis
Belt
Keeper League
Drop Wilhemsen (or Peralta, Benoit, Segura) for Domingo! Santana?
traded Yoenis for Dickerson before the season started – not such a good trade now…
Peralta
Duda’s back, but Greg Bird is hot! Who do I keep?!?
Bird
Would you drop Perkins at this point? I’m in a Saves+Holds league and in a heated battle for them. Axford (gulp) and guys like Shaw, Geltz, Logan and others are available.
I’m thinking I have to drop him as it looks like the earliest he’d be back is next week. Am I over-anxious or is it time? If it’s time, which of the listed guys would you grab?
Drop him…shaw
Is it crazy to dump Ellsbury in a deep roto for someone like Hicks, Crawford, Olivera? Guy has stunk since he came back from injury and I’m in the heat of the race – no keeper implications.
Thanks Grey!
Not crazy… Olivera
It really sucks that they’re not starting Dyson.
Ha
What are the chances that Corbin’s next start will be on Monday 9/14 instead of Sunday 9/13? I was hoping the DBacks bring Hellickson back and push everyone back a day.
I honestly don’t know
Funny shizz as always Grey! So, what are you thinking with Liriano for ROS, hes been a POS for the last few starts… Sit him @ Cin tonight ($8.2 says SON), next start is vs. MIL ($26.0/SON).
Ok, just finished the ‘cast. Since you asked, my thoughts on the Harvey hullabaloo:
Harvey’s getting tired but he can’t say so. The world of sports is obvs very chest thumpy. An athlete is criticized for missing a couple games to attend the birth of his child. This is not a culture where athletes are encouraged to be honest about their bodies. (Greinke is, but I wouldn’t say he’s encouraged or uncriticized.)
So Harvey had Boras make some (inelegant) comments on his behalf.
That’s likely true, but he should’ve had his team make those comments and shouldn’t say anything… Saying I can’t throw sounds terrible compared to a team saying we don’t want him to throw… Mets owed it to him to make the announcement..>Now if he asked and they refused, then they suck
And make no mistake, the Mets do suck. I saw they just re-negotiated Cespedes’ contract so they could potentially re-sign him from free agency. Fans can dream! They won’t sign him, though, bc the Wilpons have heavily leveraged the team to protect themselves from pending Madoff-related lawsuits.
Yeah, he doesn’t seem destined to stay in Citi…Maybe he becomes a Yankee…Could see him getting a huge contract wherever it is
@Grey: I the Mets would gone to a 6 man rotation following the break all this could of been avoided
Yeah, it’s not like it would’ve hurt them
@Grey: I think Rudy could invent a bot to run the Mets better than the Mets
Ha, definitely
@Carnac: did you see I linked to your mattingly comments last week?
Haha! “classic comedic takes” that’s hilarious. Usually Mrs. Carnac refers to my takes as “hot” out of derision.
@Carnac: I mock mine too
Mrs. Carnac is likely over the cape
Fretting over a bunch of mediocre Closers.
Please pick 3:
AJ Ramos
Bruce Rondon
Sean Doolittle
Tom Wilhelmsen
Kevin Jepsen
Thanks
Tom Wilhelmsen
Kevin Jepsen
Rondon
Grey, Panik or Hicks?
Hicks
Who would you drop from this threesome:
Corbin
Richards
Quintana
Richards
Happy Tuesday Grey, happy funky-funky Tuesday man! Work starts tomorrow, so I’ve been in a spiritual and existential funk for the past couple of days. Maybe I’ll go buy a suit. Anythehoo…I’m in the second week of the 1st round of our leagues H2H playoffs. I’m up 8-4 so the other owner is beginning to stream the hell out of his roster, which forces me to stream to hold serve. My league’s of the keeper variety and we get to hold onto two starting pitchers. Sale is one of them, but it’s a toss-up between Carrasco, Salazar, Lester and Zimmerman (listed in my order of preference). I don’t really care who it ends up being, but can any of those go the way of Samardzija, and be cut of my roster at this point for a streamer? I probably would lose them in waivers to a non-playoff team.
Is it funky funky Tuesday already? Buying a suit brings you out of it huh? Who are you? Comedian George Wallace? Lester would be the cut
@Grey: No…just an Anchorman reference. I think I own two suits and try to avoid wearing them at all costs (i.e., don’t like ties and tucked-in shirts). I typically will just go buy some beer and chicken teriyaki to get me out of my funk. Maybe go fly-fishing. I know you wrote yesterday, but did you enjoy your extended weekend at all?
I still haven’t seen the sequel, worth it? Weekend was fine, I talk about it in the podcast, went to an Asian food festival… And I had fish waffles, which were awesome!
@Grey: it’s ok, worth watching, not as good as first one obv.
Yeah I figured
@Grey: The sequel was terrible. I’d watch the first the first 20 minutes, but it goes downhill fast from there. Fish waffles? I’m intrigued…like a fish taco?
Not at all like a fish taco… I’m not at my desk but in the comments of the podcast post I link to it
@Grey: I’ll go check it out. I’m behind the curve the past couple of days.
They’re amazing!
@Slimcompoop: By-the-by, do you trust C.C. Sabathia tomorrow against BAL. The robot is giving him a $15 spot.
I don’t trust him
@Grey: Burnett coming of the DL is getting a $11.9 spot as well. Trust?
Nah, don’t trust him either
@Grey: One last question…I’m in need of a little power of the rest of the week. Currently have Castellanos in my UTIL. Is Olivera, Trumbo or Lawrie a better option. Appreciate it and have a funky Tuesday!
I’d try Olivera… You too!
@Grey: I lied, and I apologize for that, but I got one more question. I need to pick up two out of the following pitchers over the next two days (in order of SON ranking). Which two do you trust the most, granted I know you don’t like the two dudes coming off the DL?
Sabathia vs. BAL
Burnett vs. MIL
Medlen vs. MIN
Perez @ SEA
Happ @ CIN
Samardzija vs. CLE
Tomlin @ CHW
I owe you a fish waffle.
Happ, Medlen, honestly, don’t like any of them… I’m holding you to the fish waffle
@Grey: I’ll pay up on the fish waffle. I don’t like any of them either, but my opponent is heavy streaming and I have to keep pace given my lead in IP and K’s. I was leaning Happ and Medlen as my favorites (we think alike!) and then just put the rest out there. All I’m really looking for is a SP to not get blown up.
Good luck with them!
Okay pick the best starts for tomorrow please and thank you mister Grey!
ESPN 10 Team H2H Points:
Pitcher Scoring: WIN (+3), LOSS (-3), IP (+3), K (+1), BB (-1), SAVE (+3), ER (-2), HIT (-1), NH (+10) PF (+15)
Teheran @PHI (14.3)
Happ @ CIN (6.1)
Samardzija vs. CLE (1.7)
Happ
best bat add in total bases, OBP over average and hits added?
domingo/canha/marisnick (playing time fear here)/jed/solarte party/bird/moss
i got opp beat 16-10 with starts remaining for the week, but that includes burnett, which is the same roster spot that would be used for this 3rd bench hitter. I only thought to get this 3rd bench hitter since all of rusney/beef welington/sano are all off at the same time. 3 more moves left for week, so it looks like i won’t be needing them for streaming pitchers. This mean’s it’s possible this is a 1 or at most 2 day hitter streaming move.
Canha
Drop Rodon or Fiers for Smyly?
Meh, depends on matchups
drop shoemaker or porcello in roto dynasty with QS? damn yahoo daily tomorrow, i won’t get carrasco’s today start.
Shoe… Hate Yahoo for that
Hey Grey. Hope you had a nice labor day weekend.
Had Stroman last year in my AL-only league, and he was a beast until he got shut down. With reports saying that he’s coming back this weekend, how much would you bid out of a $25 remaining FAAB (minimum $5) to grab him for next year? My team’s out of it this season.
If I remember correctly, he’s an early early 2016 grey sleeper pick
Yeah, I like him… $11
@Grey:
Roger that–thanks!
No problem
Manny Machado’s start at shortstop last night gives him shortstop eligibility in Yahoo leagues for next year. That is so awesome.
Nice!
Drop Yelich, Ozuna, Byrd, or Belt for JFern?!
Belt
joe ross demoted officially. other than dynasties time to drop if i didn’t already.
best replacements
1. 14 team roto with 4 moves per week and QS. i just cut porcello to add happ, porcello waivered by somebody else.
miley @ TB (-1), @ BAL after
lamb vs STL (7.5)
ray vs LAD (6.4), next up vs SD after
j.nelson @PIT, vs STL. SON hates both, i used to own this dude in this league, missed all of his good starts in last 2 months
gibson @ KC, vs DET, SON hates both esp KC.
No matter which one i grab i’ll likely go elias vs COL the day after most of those above starts.
2. 20 teamer with QS and only 3 moves left on year. I had to drop Ross to activate Grichuk (he’s worth keeping to see if he comes back soonish, as i can drop bruce if he’s back to good again). Problem is right now Grichuk/Schwarber are 2/3 of bench bats and i only want 2 bench bats. keep hendricks or go with one of gio/elias, this looks like an easy gio.
@And Now the Jon Lovitz Dancers!: 2 is a redraft H2H that playoffs start next week. i’m in first by about 15 or so games, and that’s without stanton being healthy for a while.
1. Ray 2. Why use a move here?
@Grey: in case Gio is that much of an upgrade to Hendricks, who’s my weakest starter.
He’s not that much of an upgrade, I’d hold
Subject : Arenado Prayer Hexagon
Status: Successful
Action Required : Rejoicing
Nice!
I have Baez @ 2nd , Eduardo Escobar rotating with him. Have boagerts at ss and Seager on bench. Drop Seager I need to add another pitcher?
Sure
Who you dumping for Dickerson? Belt or Byrd?
8 Team H2H – H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBPS
Also, Jeremy Davies was awesome in Justified. If you never watched that show, I HIGHLY recommend it. It’s done now after 6 seasons.
@Wilsonian: no Byrd, his remaining schedule is not favorable
Byrd and Belt have the same remaining schedule
@Grey: Bingo, but with Belt the average should be bette, Byrd is there for the dongs, Belt can at least hit for some average and maybe swipe a bag
Ah, okay
@Grey: just wanted you to know where I was coming from, BTW did you read my trash treasure, it was my first stab at it
Nah, I didn’t read it
Just read it, you did good… Magoo, you’re fired! Agreed with you on the three guys, Ks and BBs aren’t K’s and BB’s, fwiw
@Grey: I blame my editor
Ha…Wrong!
Cougs wants me to watch Justified too… It’s a big commitment… I’d lose Belt
@Grey: it’s well worth the commitment. I watched from the beginning. Walton Goggins is a friggin genius. He’s incredible from start to finish.
Now who to listen to – you or Jack? Ha!
Jack saying one has a better schedule when they’re on the same team would scare me
@Grey: true. See ya Belt.
Seriously though, you’ll thank me later for Justified…
Yeah, maybe this winter, I have to really be motivated to watch 6 seasons, right now I’m not…
@Grey: Cougs is right. I highly recommend Justified. An excellent show.
I know, it’s just a lot to invest in
@Grey: True, but you can do it. I believe in you man!
The way Harvey is opening this game he is either making a statement to the Mets to not throw him or he’s done. Either way, better luck next year Mets, you guys did the dog with the pitcher planning
Totally
@Grey: I was watching the Collins interview and I just realized my neighbor who drinks beer all day in his front yard looks like he could be Collins brother
Haha
@Grey: can we get one of those Howard Stern guys to ask Collins to yell “Get off my lawn”
Collins is up against it too…I don’t feel for any of these guys, but they should’ve thought about how they may have wanted their pitchers in Sept/oct back in May/June
with Wong hurting do i drop him for Eduardo Escobar?
Yup
@Grey: cool, thanks for all the great insight and help this year!
No problem
@Grey: I’ve got Wong and Baez. Do I hang onto Wong there? Or cut him for someone like Escobar or a streamer?
Go with Escobar
Who would you keep for the last twol keeper spots 12 team mixed. Can keep 10 forever. Other OFs are Cuth and Betts:
1. Joc Pederson
2. Xander Boegarts (have Correa at SS already)
3. Byron Buxton
4. Javier Baez (on the wire) (Have Rendon at 2B right now)
Trying to see if I should grab Baez before someone else does.
Looking to fill OF and Util spot
Joc, Bogaerts
Didi Gregorius or Wong ROS?
Didi
Grey, who should i start? Marisnick at Grey or Seager at Heaney
Seager
C: Gomes, 1b: Miggy, 2b Betts, ss desmond 3b Sano of Bradley, Springer, Gordon, Piscotty, Eaton,
SP Carasco, Kluber, DeGrom, Archer, Holland, Iglesias, McCullers
CL: Tolleson, Vizcaino, Giles…
H2H playoffs start next week, 14 team 5×5….I think I gotta chance…what do you think?
Greg
Yeah, looks solid
Hi Grey,
I’m in a bit of a shituation. Last week of my NL H2H season. Need to go at least 6-4. Playing the 9th place team. Seems like a FLB dream, right? Not so after the first 1.5 days. His headliners are Bryant, Ozuna, Suarez, Olivera, and Seager since he traded me half his team for Bryant earlier.
I have the big hitters, but his guys have come out producing runs and his pitching has already made a statement (Corbin and Nola). He still has C Mart, Nelson, Koehler, Ray, Hand, and Rubby. It’s a total of 10 starts. I have Arrieta, Cole(being skipped), Shields, Hendricks, and Gray. My RP is Kenley, Aroldis, Melancon, and Zieglar. Streamers suck in our league and that would be a last ditch effort.
Option #1 – Play small ball and go for WHIP, ERA, and S. Hopefully get 2 of them and 4 hitting categories. (He already has 10 more RBI than me and 11 hitters to my 8). I would only pitch Arrieta on Th and throw Hendricks if the other guy gives up some runs.
Option #2 – Pitch Gray tonight and reevaluate. If Gray gets lit, I’m screwed. The other guy will play smart as he’s trying to play spoiler. He will sit guys if he has to in order to be the guy that eliminates me from the money ($400 for 2nd).
Option #3 – Stream every PS and try to get Ws, Ks, and S.
I lean toward #2, but Gray scares me.
I appreciate your help as I keep doing what seems logical, but backfires.
3
Or I guess that’s 2 leading into 3
@Grey: yup. Thanks for reading my sob story. Gonna go for it. I’ll pick every last SP if Gray goes bad. I have Shields tomorrow too.
No problem
drop machi or ziegler for doolittle.
machi came in the 6th inning today..
Sure, Machi
Happ a safe start @cinncy?
Not safe
Grey, I’m in a first year keeper league. We are only allowed to keep 2. These are my potential keepers. Who would you suggest? I’m leaning toward Harper/Correa. Hate to not hold onto Arenado though.
Rizzo
Arenado
Correa
Adam Jones
Harper
Desmond
Hosmer
Rizzo, Harper
Rob effing Brantly! Horrible from Carrasco.
Awful
Pick one
hendricks @pirates (currently on team)
ray @home vs sd
matt moore @home vs yankees
or stay away from all
Ray
Medlen @home vs minnesota or happ on road at cinncy or neither?
Neither
In 3rd place closing in on 2nd place.
Who gives me more offense In the last 3 weeks
I was planning on dropping alcides Escobar especially since he has dropped to bottom of order
My options are
Gyorko,lawrie,Eduardo Escobar, Domingo Santana ,Logan Morrison or gregorious
What would you do
Thanks.
Lawrie
i guess that answers my worries about grichuk taking an unknown time to come back and hit, and also whether or not he’s hitting well. bye bye bruce in a 20 teamer and beltran in a 14.
He can’t throw, he’ll only pinch hit
@Grey: but yesterday they said he could only pinch run, and said it’s likely a week from when he could hit at all. At least i know when he plays he’s able to hit already. in the 14 teamer i’m probably keeping him (upton/arenado/goldy/sano and 1 pitcher from thor/carmart/keuchel), and then either grichuk or d.travis. In the 20 teamer i could drop Grichuk, but i can wait for sure till monday to worry about it, in first by far, esp if schwarber is hitting again. In the 14 i need to grab another catcher over OBP wolf and ray over ross.
@And Now the Jon Lovitz Dancers!: oh no, in the 14 i miss counted. my 6 keepers gotta be sano/upton/goldy/arenado/1 SP/pollock over grichuk/d.travis, unless grichuk has moved over upton, but i doubt that. Maybe i can drop him if he’s not playing by monday there.
So, assuming I tag along with my wife to NY next year, the Dodgers are at home during the time I expect to be passing through LA on my way home…
Don’t tease