I really wanted to start this post with a quote, something like “it’s always darkest before the dawn”, or something like that. I figured that was a great way to offer hope and encouragement regarding the “second half” of the season. Let’s face it, with this whole “seamingly” out of nowhere spike in offense the last two seasons, there’s one inevitable conclusion. Pitching sucks!!! I mean we’ve been holding onto any shred of decency available. Look at Jason Vargas! Why am I ranking Jason Vargas? Does he have some sort of magnificent secret about these new Hi-C joints MLB is calling balls? Why the hell is he so much better than Justin Verlander? I have too many questions! I’m supposed to have answers! Here’s the truth, as if I’ve been lying to you before. There’s maybe 20 matchup proof starters in all of baseball, and then the rest of them you have to be careful with to varying degrees. Now, that’s not necessarily true for points formats, or deeper leagues with quality starts. Or even those with a greater emphasis on counting stats over ratios. But in our RCL formats, or any 5×5 roto with innings or starts limits, you must choose wisely. Around every corner lurks a roofie to your ratios. Just because Jordan Montgomery has been good more often than not, that doesn’t mean I’m up to a level of confidence that I’d start him in Colorado. Nah mean? Â Nod along. Â If you’re having trouble knowing which starts to avoid, check out Rudy’s Stream-O-Nator. It’s the perfect objective voice on those tough decisions you won’t get in your own head, or from your friends. That is, if you have friends with voices in your head and all. Anyway, be careful out there, and good luck in the second half.
Below you’ll see this week’s update to the Top 100 starters. What’s changed is we haven’t had three days of unfortunate meltdowns and last minute 2PM on Monday DL placements, to throw things into flux. So no cloud of full on recency bias hanging over the whole thing. BT-dubs, I don’t remember a world before the phrase “recency bias”. It’s unbelievably overused, and I for one am contributing as much as I can to it’s exhaustion. It’s not just fantasy sports specific either. It’s multi-purpose!!!! For example, let’s say my wife says something to the effect of “Ralph, you’ve been terrible in bed of late”, I can claim recency bias, and then mention all those times I wasn’t. Oh, and I guess it works for pitchers, prospects, and (those icky, disgusting, and gluttonous) hitters too. Where am I going with all this?
Updated Top 100 SP
(rankings for ROS based on 12-team Roto)
| RANK | SP, TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Max Scherzer, WASÂ |
| 2 | Chris Sale, BOS |
| 3 | Clayton Kershaw, LAD |
| 4 | Alex Wood, LADÂ |
| 5 | Corey Kluber, CLEÂ |
| 6 | Zack Greinke, ARI Â |
| 7 | Stephen Strasburg, WASÂ Â |
| 8 | Lance McCullers, HOUÂ |
| 9 | Carlos Martinez, STL |
| 10 | Madison Bumgarner, SF Â Â |
| 11 | Jacob deGrom, NYM |
| 12 | Yu Darvish, TEX |
| 13 | Â Carlos Carrasco, CLE Â Â |
| 14 | Â Robbie Ray, ARI |
| 15 | Luis Severino, NYYÂ |
| 16 | Chris Archer, TB Â |
| 17 | David Price, BOS Â |
| 18 | Michael Fulmer, DET Â Â |
| 19 | Â Johnny Cueto, SF |
| 20 | Jose Berrios, MIN Â Â |
| 21 | Jake Arrieta, CHC Â |
| 22 | Â James Paxton, SEAÂ |
| 23 | Jimmy Nelson, MIL |
| 24 | J.A. Happ, TOR Â Â Â |
| 25 | Jon Gray, COL Â |
| 26 | Â Sean Manaea, OAK |
| 27 | Marcus Stroman, TOR Â |
| 28 | Rich Hill, LADÂ |
| 29 | Jon Lester, CHC Â |
| 30 | Jameson Taillon, PITÂ |
| 31 | Dan Straily, MIAÂ |
| 32 | Jeff Samardzija, SF |
| 33 | Jacob Faria, TB |
| 34 | Jason Vargas, KC Â Â |
| 35 | Gerrit Cole, PITÂ |
| 36 | Jose Quintana, CHW |
| 37 | Gio Gonzalez, WAS Â Â Â Â |
| 38 | Zack Godley, ARI Â Â |
| 39 | Brandon McCarthy, LADÂ Â Â |
| 40 | Jordan Montgomery, NYYÂ Â |
| 41 | Michael Pineda, NYY Â Â Â |
| 42 | Steven Matz, NYM |
| 43 | Ivan Nova, PIT Â Â |
| 44 | Danny Duffy KCÂ Â |
| 45 | Drew Pomeranz, BOS Â |
| 46 | Jake Odorizzi, TB Â Â |
| 47 | Â Â Cole Hamels, TEXÂ Â |
| 48 | Dylan Bundy, BAL |
| 49 | Kenta Maeda, LAD |
| 50 | Â Â Sonny Gray, OAK |
| 51 | Carlos Rodon, CHWÂ Â Â |
| 52 | Taijuan Walker, ARIÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â |
| 53 | Mike Clevinger, CLEÂ Â Â Â Â |
| 54 | Mike Foltynewicz, ATLÂ Â |
| 55 | Aaron Nola, PHI Â Â |
| 56 | Charlie Morton, HOUÂ |
| 57 | Ervin Santana, MINÂ Â Â Â |
| 58 | Justin Verlander, DET Â Â Â |
| 59 | Rick Porcello, BOS Â Â |
| 60 | Masahiro Tanaka, NYY Â Â |
| 61 | Mike Leake, STLÂ Â |
| 62 | Brad Peacock, HOUÂ Â Â |
| 63 | Â Â Felix Hernandez, SEA Â Â |
| 64 | Aaron Sanchez, TOR Â Â |
| 65 | Lance Lynn, STL Â Â Â Â |
| 66 | C.C. Sabathia, NYY Â Â Â Â |
| 67 | Alex Cobb, TB |
| 68 | Sean Newcomb, ATL Â |
| 69 | Seth Lugo, NYM Â Â Â |
| 70 | Jose Urena, MIA Â Â Â Â Â |
| 71 | Jeff Hoffman, COL Â Â |
| 72 | Dinelson Lamet, SDÂ Â |
| 73 | Ariel Miranda, SEAÂ Â Â Â |
| 74 | Marco Estrada, TOR Â Â Â Â |
| 75 | Michael Wacha, STL Â Â |
| 76 | Mike Montgomery, CHCÂ Â Â Â |
| 77 | Nick Pivetta, PHI Â Â |
| 78 | John Lackey, CHC Â Â Â Â Â |
| 79 | Trevor Cahill, SD Â Â Â Â Â Â |
| 80 | Adam Wainwright, STL Â |
| 81 | Mike Fiers, HOU Â Â Â Â |
| 82 | Luis Castillo, CINÂ |
| 83 | Tyson Ross, TEX Â Â Â |
| 84 | Trevor Bauer, CLE Â Â |
| 85 | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â German Marquez, COL Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
| 86 | Scott Feldman, CIN Â Â |
| 87 | J.C. Ramirez, LAA Â Â |
| 88 | Ian Kennedy, KCÂ |
| 89 | Zack Wheeler, NYM Â Â Â |
| 90 | Kyle Freeland, COLÂ |
| 91 | Luis Perdomo, SDÂ Â Â |
| 92 | Jaime Garcia, ATL Â |
| 93 | Kevin Gausman, BALÂ Â Â Â |
| 94 | Zach Davies, MILÂ |
| 95 | Jason Hammel, KC Â |
| 96 | Joe Ross, WASÂ |
| 97 | Andrew Moore, SEAÂ |
| 98 | Jhoulys Chacin, SD Â |
| 99 | Tanner Roark, WASÂ Â |
| 100 | Trevor Williams, PIT |
Disabled List (Ranking When Active):  Noah Syndergaard, NYM (8), Dallas Keuchel, HOU (13), Chase Anderson, MIL (29) Kyle Hendricks, CHC (33), Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS (31),  Matt Shoemaker, LAA  (54), Andrew Triggs, OAK (61), Matt Andriese, TB (68),Vincent Velasquez, PHI (73),  Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD  (75), Kendall Graveman, OAK (76), Matt Harvey, NYM (99) Brandon Finnegan, CIN (100)
Coming Up:Â Brandon Woodruff, MIL (DL), Chance Adams, NYY, Jose De Leon, TB, Brent Honeywell, TB, Jack Flaherty, STL, Luke Weaver, STL
Dropped off: Francisco Liriano, TOR, Jordan Zimmermann, DET, Edinson Volquez, MIA, Jesse Hahn, OAK, R.A. Dickey, ATL, Tyler Chatwood, COL, Ty Blach, SFÂ
- I often list the number of pitchers with SwStr% of 10%+ and groundball rates of 50%+, and I often hear the same complaint from the voices in my head. “What about the weak contact flyball guys?”. Don’t worry random commenter in my head, I got you. This week We’re listing all those with infield flyball rates, or IFFB%, of 10%+ and SwStr% of 10%+. These heroes are as follows, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, Zack Greinke, Carlos Martinez, Jacob DeGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Robbie Ray, Chris Archer, Johnny Cueto, Dan Straily, Dylan Bundy, Drew Pomeranz, Masahiro Tanaka, Marco Estrada, Patrick Corbin.
- There are 17 pitchers with that combo of swinging strikes and infield flies, and 11 of them are in my top 20.
- Since returning from the DL Cole Hamels hasn’t been the guy of old, but he’s shown glimpses the past two starts. Over those 14.1 innings, Hamels has struckout 12 while only allowing 2 runs on 5 hits, and a walk. Small sample, but possibly a glimmer of hope. The upcoming opponents for the Rangers aren’t scary either, @KC, @BAL, @TB, MIA, BAL, SEA, @MIN.
- Jason Vargas has been one of the most surprising breakout players in recency-bias-memory, and it’s been on the strength of his knuckle changeup. He throws the pitch 30% of the time, and the outcomes are exactly what you would expect from an elite offspeed pitch. It gets a high number of swinging strikes, with a 21.85% whiff rate. While rarely allowing contact with a BAA of .155.
- Another veteran enjoying an uncharacteristically strong season is Ervin Santana and his two pitch focused approach. Santana throws his fastball or his slider 75% of the time, and each pitch has been successful at limiting good contact. The fastball boasts a .204 batting average against, and the slider is even better at .153. Unfortunately his breaking ball is the only swing and miss pitch in Santana’s arsenal, inducing whiffs at a 14.8% rate.
- Since Robbie Ray ditched his sinker (more or less), started throwing his curve more, and some very good things happened. In fact he now has four pitches with a swinging strike rate north of 10%.
- Over the past few weeks a great deal of talent has returned from DL exodus, and into the Top 100 Starters. Chief among them is Madison Bumgarner, who’s set to start this Saturday. The last two rehab outings were tough, but take those with a grain of salt. I don’t think you can expect him 100% with total certainty, but I’d be shocked if he’s anything less than 98.43%.
- I took a long hard look at Rudy’s rest of season projections for starters, and I was a little shocked to see how much higher they were on Danny Duffy than I was. He’s had an injury plagued follow up to his highest inning total in a single season. He’s not missing bats like he did in his breakout 2016, and much of that is due to the year over year deterioration of his fastball’s dominance. In 2016, Duffy was getting 12.77% swinging strikes on his four-seamer, that number is just 7.25% this season. In turn the batting average on that pitch has jumped 40 points from .239 in 2016 to .279 in 2017. Makes sense that he’s throwing nearly 10% less four-seamers this year, which has led to a spike in slider usage. That’s not a great development for a player with a history of arm injuries.
- The player rater isn’t very rosy about the rest of season numbers for a few starters in my Top 60. The biggest disagreement is over Ivan Nova’s rank; I slotted Nova in at 43, and Rudy slotted him in at 71. I get the lack of strikeouts dings his value but he’s had worth in ERA and WHIP, in a season where that’s more scarce than ever.
- The player rater loves Tanaka rest of season, ranking him 24th from here on out. I’m sorry, but I have memories and emotions, and those prohibit such lofty ranks.
- As is a running theme here at Razzball I’m the high man on Michael Fulmer. Serious question, why do you hate Michael Fulmer? He offers a four pitch arsenal, a mid-90’s velocity fastball, lots of groundballs, lots of infield flies, and great ratios. I understand the K’s are under 7 per 9, but are you really taking Lester, Porcello, even Cueto over him?
Follow me on Twitter @Ralphlifshitzbb, and check out my weekly Live Baseball Show on Fantrax YouTube channel Tuesday’s at 9 PM EST
Sano + McCullers for Rizzo.. what side ya on?
@Mrs. Roger. Dorn.: Rizzo. Wrigley heatin up yo!
@Mrs. Roger. Dorn.: Rizzo is the best player, I’d do it in Roto if your pitching is set. In head to head prolly not.
12 team roto forever keep 10.. + 10 farm .. in a 3-4 team battle to finish 2nd … (nobody catching 1st place team no matter what) … I have 1 open spot on my farm and am adding Harrison Bader tonight … OR 1st place team offered me his Sean Newcomb for my Vargas straight up ..Vargas would not be kept by 1st place team (or mine for that matter).. Newcomb could slot into my last farm spot or I could keep him up and still get Bader as well …. what to do.. what to do… Thanks Ralph!
@Darren: I still go Bader, this is the best Newcomb has ever been and I’ve followed his career as long as anyone. Bader can hit. Don’t take the bait.
Hey Ralph! My pitching staff has finally rounded into shape thanks to you and this column.
It sounds like Danny Salazar could be activated as a starter as early as next week. Does he return to the top 100 if activated as a starter? Around what number?
@RICE: He will if he shows some coherence with the plate. I mean, before he went down, was he top 100 worthy?
@Fogimon: He was either bothered by an injury or mechanical problems in the first half. If they bring him back as a starter, you would have to assume either (or both) of those issues is fixed going forward.
@RICE: The rehab starts were bad, and he doesn’t get the same trust level Mad-Bum gets to negate those IMO. He’s a tough buy, but could be a good value. Depends on your testicular fortitude
@RICE: At this point I need to see he’s right. He got worked in AA and AAA rehab starts before stringing together a good start in LOW FREAKING A
@Ralph Lifshitz: I didn’t realize that last start was in lOW A!!!
Yikes.
If / when they bring him back – Is it Clevenger that loses his spot in the rotation?
@RICE: I think it’s Tomlin no?
Great stuff Ralph!
What are your thoughts on Eickhoff? will he be relevant ROS?
Thanks
@RicoSuave: I almost added him back, but I think I’ll wait two starts. Need to see how he’s throwing.
Nice job, Ralph! Love that #14 ranking of Robbie Ray. I guess you are not concerned about his recently WHIP issues (which 12 k/9, I’m not either!).
Completely agreed re: Nova, though I think the same could probably be said about Leake. Leake has a slightly better but still not good K/9 and FIP than Nova, but I guess the bigger knock against him is that unlike Nova, who will pretty much always give you 6-7 IP 3 ER, Leake will either be lights out or a dumpster fire, regardless of the opposing team.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Yeah, his K’s and the fact that he’s on a winning team helps. His usage of the curveball changed everything. The WHIP is his wart but they all have them after C-Mart prolly.
You’re right, it’s just perception. I expect Nova to do what he does. I don’t feel the same way about Leake.
@Ralph Lifshitz:Good call on Nova and apart from a few hiccups he’s been a machine in a QS league!
My pitching is so stacked thanks these lists. A couple pitchers I have that your still high on is Cueto and Bundy. They’ve been terrible lately, and wouldn’t be surprised if Bundy got shut down.
Do you think they can turn it around? I can’t give them away in my league.
Thanks
@Sampson: Cueto may be dealt to a contender… which will up his value tremendously.
@Sampson: I do think Cueto could return as long as it’s not an injury, and these pesky blisters callous. His spin rate is down and his velo, he’s getting barreled anlot more too 25% jump in LD rate, but maybe it’s just blisters and it will rectify itself. I trust that he didn’t fall off that quick, he’s always up and down. If he’s bad the next couple of turns he’ll drop to the later 20’s.
Bundy is tough, I keep dropping him, but I’m not sure if I trust all the guys after him that much. I like Nola better at the moment, but he can turn on a dime too. Maeda who knows when he’s going to get skipped, etc etc. Such a tough year.
How about Eduardo Rodriguez? He’s about to come back on Monday. Where would you slot him back in? Thanks.
@Chris: he’s got the DL guys when healthy ranked underneath — Erod at 31
@Chris: He’ll be in my next rank in Monday! Haha
Thanks Ralph. I posted earlier in the top 200 prospects with a keeper question about pitching. If you see it first, disregard here. Thanks as always!
My pitching staff is Arrieta, Lester, Cole, Stroman, Bundy (dropped Matz to pick him back up), T Ross, Morton, and Berrios with Syndergaard, Salazar and C Anderson on the DL.
If Syndergaard and Anderson come off the DL and are what they were before going on the DL, I’ll be fine, but fat chance right!
So I’m looking to pimp out Votto for a SP. I’ve sent out an offer for Sale, Scherzer, Kershaw and Kluber, but that’s not happening. So, any of the following you wouldn’t trade Votto for in a Keep Forever league…
Grienke, Ray, Arhcer, Martinez, deGrom, A Wood, Srasburg
Thanks Ralph! Always appreciate the content!
@Jose: C-Mary’s the target for me, most long term upside. Greinke is the guy in the moment if you’re 2000 Yankees style going all in haha!
@Ralph Lifshitz: That sounds reasonable to me. Greinke is the last guy I’d want with his age, but is probably the most fair given Vottos agr too.
Thanks Ralph! Really enjoyed the top 100 and 200 prospects post. Very helpful.
@Jose: Thanks, my goal was to give you lots of Up and comers that we’re going to be the next up and comers, not the same failed prospect retreads.
Also meant to ask – what do you make of the sneakily-spotless streaks of Anibal and Dickey?
Both have 8.5+ k/9, ~3.00 FIP, and under 0.9 WHIP over the last 30+
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: I dropped Dickey with so man guys coming back onto the list (Mad Bum, Duffy, McCarthy) pushed him off. I don’t trust Anibal but it’s at the point maybe I should?
@Ralph Lifshitz: No, don’t fall into that trap
Hey Ralph, in a 12 team , roto, dynasty keep all and for 2018 and beyond who would you rather have,
Floty and Newcomb, or Clevinger and Godley?
Thanks
@Packers: Clevinger and Godley for me.
What gives you hope about Maeda returning to top 50 ? Only made it past 5th once in past 10 starts…
@Doubting Thomas: He’s actually the 51st SP on ESPN to date player rarer and 45th on ours. So he’s been a Top 50 starter even though he’s been unconventional in his mediocrity. I agree it’s not ideal, but I tend to stream him in RCLs over the guys behind him.
Did you forget about Teheran? He’s had a few rough starts this year but he seems to be coming around.
@NapoliHeadedHoes: I thought about moving him back in but even over this 6 start streak he’s just been ERA lucky, nothing else is good.
Keeper been offered Bregman ($0) for Eloy (prosp). Know you love Eloy but he’s still a way away and even top prospects can bust. I’d likely keep Breg for 3 more years at $8 a year. He’s starting to come around lately and I love the BB/K rate showing he’s not overmatched. Players often struggle sophmore year only to blow up the year after. Great park and lineup too, would you buy?
@Swfcdan: Yeah but Eloy is a pretty penny. I understand it if it fits your team. I do think we see somewhat of a bounce back.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Would you say Eloy is a much bigger prospect than Bregman was then? I know he was highly rated but with questions over the power. You think Eloy has just much higher power upside and hopefully no contact worries?
@Swfcdan: Yeah I think Eloy has Miggy upside. Though Bregman was my mid-season 1 in 2016, much of that was his immediate value in all formats, which turned out to be a good call.
Thanks Ralph!
When you do expect Honeywell to get the call? He looked great at the Future’s game. Can’t imagine the Rays promote De Leon (who looked out of shape last time he pitched in the majors) before him…
@Steve: De Leon is on the DL anyway, it would probably be Honeywell but they already called up Faria and Snell again. He could but it wouldn’t surprise me if they held him back.
Killer work as always, Ralph! Loved the recency bias stuff, ha
@Halp: Thanks Brospeh!
This is a Rudy question/comment, but assuming you may have perhaps noticed on the ROS Player Rater… All excited about my new toy that I just bought some shares of over the break. Jimmy Nelson. However, he is the lowest 100 % owned pitcher, valued at $ -5.6
Sigh.
@knucks: The computer probably doesn’t trust the breakout. He’s on the cusp of start every time out. But I get it, it’s Jimmy Nelson in that same park in this environment.
thanks for the great list!
-dave
(oh…what to make of joe ross in a 12 team h2h points joint? ian kennedy is hanging round, mike montgomery…jordan too)
@Anchovies: I’d add Jordan
10 team h2h league. Currently in 5th after losing Trout and Freeman. My SPs are McCullers, Severino, Manaea, Taillon, Straily, Clevenger, Walker. Would you drop anyone for E Rod, Happ or J. Montgomery?
@Robert: Walker for Happ and Clevinger for Jordan
@Ralph Lifshitz: appreciate it
16 team dynasty with hits, total bases, OBP over AVG, slugging, OPS, and SB% added roto. for pitchers, QS, holds, net saves, K/BB, K/9. amazing how much a prospect list can change since march, here i drafted meadows one pick ahead of bellinger in the pre-main draft prospect draft.
C d’arnaud
1B miggy
2B jose ram
3B longo
SS semien
MI mercer
CI hanram
LF mancini
CF span
RF mookie
OF jd mart (RF)
OF polanco (LF/RF)
util r-zimm
util mini donkey
BN chisenhall (CF/RF), wong (2B/CF)
DL solarte/kiermaier
NA aj reed
SP cueto/wood/peacock/hamels/duke newcomb/rodon/mccarthy (1750 max innings)
RP (room for 6, but while i’m rocking 2 BN bats it’s 5 from having too many healthy SP right now) knebel/baez/neris/rivero/kimbrel
DL andriese/n.jones
NA capps
also we have up to 7 man minor league lists (150/50 at bats/innings) we CANNOT add new guys to it midseason, other than trades, but we CAN call up/send down guys. mine are (in draft order):
meadows CF
reyes SP
k.lewis RF
i.diaz 2B/SS
collins C
fedde SP/RP
fisher LF/RF (have no clue why he was around at this spot, pick 99, some prospect boards had him low probably from defense maybe)
anywho, got done reading the top 100, drop capps to add which of these with this lineup: (we have 2 NA spots, and in between seasons guys could be moved up and down to minor league list from active team page)
mcmahon/bader (LF)/mountcastle/soroka/stewart (LF)/flaherty/cease
@Steve Anus: McMahon
14-team 5×5 (OBP) keeper league and am offered Braun and Trout (neither can be kept) for $2 keeper Cody Bellinger. I’m 6 behind 2nd place and 14.5 out of 1st place. Should I do it? I’m leaning that way….
@dfrench23: I think you have to do it if you can win this year
@dfrench23: Yeah go for it. There’s obviously players available every year if Trout’s back in the pool
Holy Wood!
I like the call. People keep proping up these other supposedly high end starters who have been trash. Wood has been fire. Just gotta stay healthy.
@AJ: Go to Brooks Baseball and look at the release point on his curveball and Changeup. it’s almost identical. When you’re seeing a sinker in the 90’s from a lefty with a deceptive delivery and his release point is the same on his breaking ball and offspeed good luck hitting all that.
Fair trade my D. Duffy and J. Happ for his Britton and Brantley? I need a good closer and Brantley gives me a good batting avg bat. What do you think
@lwomack58: Fair, like the Britton side.
Fair trade my D. Duffy and J. Happ for his Britton and Brantley? I need a good closer and Brantley gives me a good batting avg bat. What do you think
@lwomack58:
Sorry for double post-internet wasn’t working very well.
@lwomack58: Brantley side easy for me
Drop Nola for Jordan Montgomery, Manaea, Pineda, Danny Salazar, Porcello, Tanaka, Maeda, Teheran or Ed Rodriguez?
@Andrew Mellars: hold
Drop Nola for Jordan Montgomery, Manaea, Pineda, Danny Salazar, Porcello, Tanaka, Maeda, Teheran or Ed Rodriguez?
@Andrew Mellars: Hold
dynasty league — been offered Quintana for my F.Rivero and T.Glasnow…Seems like a no brainer, but then again I need some Razassurance.
@mindicohn: I’d hold, not a fan of Quintana
@JeF WiTh 1 F: depends what the format is, don’t care about Glasnow.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Word
No Newcomb ?
@PHIL: Mistake! Fixed, he’s at 68., must have gotten lost as I was moving names up and down.
Dynasty lge, competitive team. 12 tm weekly 5×5 36 man roster
Drop nick Williams or gausman for Alford?
@Toughdrops: Gausman
What are your thoughts on Brad Peacock ROS? He’s been pitching really well but that Houston rotation is going to be getting crowded.
Thanks.
@John: If he sticks in the rotation stick with him, great K numbers.
What up Polo,
In a 12 team K/9 league, which 3 are you holding on to?
Duffy, Maeda, Clevinger, Fiers, and A. Sanchez
Thanks for the rankings!
@J-Money: Clevinger, Duffy and the other 3 are match up plays but I’d go with Maeda if you have to keep 1 of them.
@JeF WiTh 1 F: agree
Just shipped Ozuna for CarGo and Chase Anderson in my 12 team, 5×5 redraft. I’m banking on CarGo bouncing back in the second half, Ozuna flopping like he did last year and I need a warm body for my DL slot and some wins, so I got Anderson as a throw in. Thoughts?
@Steve D.: Don’t like it, you got an OF who seems lost, and an injured pitcher.
Wood has been unreal but I cant shake the injury history and the way the dodgers use the DL, especially in a h2h league
I turned down my Nelson Cruz for his Jose Bautista and Alex Wood. It still may have been a mistake but in h2h felt like I couldn’t take that risk.
My other starters are Keuchel, Verlander :( , Salazar :( , Lance Mccullers, Jimmy Nelson, Taijuan Walker, Aaron Nola
What do you think?
@E: He’s as good as anyone at the moment.
Nah, I wouldn’t want Joey Bat anywhere near my team.
I’d hold
If both are fairly stable teams, which side would you take in Wood + Seager for Kershaw?
@LeggoPens: Still Kershaw, unless it’s Corey Seager.
I’m still going to push for Alex Wood to be higher, but I’m not sure how. I say make Sale/Scherzer 1a/1b, Kershaw 2, Wood 3.
@PM_me_alexwood_woodies: Hahahaha
Is offering Faria for Britton a fair offer?
@lwomack58: Seems fair but only the owner of Britton in your league can answer that.
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Depends on format, in an RCL no, in a points league yes.
12 team h2h keep 7 forever. Ops and qs are extra cats.
Who would you rather have ros and long term.
Odor or lindor?
Currently roster lindor and story at ss and kinsler at second.
@Carreras Cab Company: Lindor on both counts
Thanks for all the work Ralph….Good Shizz as always
@JeF WiTh 1 F:
Which of these can step up the 2nd half : Snell , A.Moore , J.Hoffman, Kuhl, Eickhoff and Cobb?
@joeg414: Cobb
@JeF WiTh 1 F:
Thanks .
Do you like either :J.Hoffman, Kuhl or Eickhoff ?
@joeg414: Eikhoff of those 3 but all risky
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Thanks!
Clevinger, Nola, Hoffman, Salazar
Pick two for the whole 2nd half
Thanks, great reads
@Smoooth Jimmy: Nola/Clevinger
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Agree
12-team, h2h, 5×5
sp-degrom, wood, nova, severino, walker, pineda, quintana, jon gray, strailly. berrios
rp-neris, allen, rivero
If I need to drop a pitcher to make room for a hitter, who would you drop? Grey suggested Walker, but I’m looking at Pineda and Quintana as options too. If it’s close, I prefer the NL pitcher – particularly an NL West pitcher. If it isn’t though, and you think Walker should go too, I’ll do that. What say you?
Thank you!
@FeverDog: It would be Walker for me too
@JeF WiTh 1 F: agree
Need to drop a SP so I have room to activate Trout from the DL tomorrow.
In a K-heavy league (K/9, K/BB), who is the drop:
Pineda, Carlos Rodon, Brad Peacock or Clevinger?
Pineda has been garbage for a month-plus now. Leaning his way.
@TJ: Rodon for me
@JeF WiTh 1 F: samsies
Quintana to Cubs
@RICE: I know great trade for the Sox
Hi Ralph
Great work is always. I haven’t seen Teheran on the last few pitchers rankings you have done. I just picked him as a 2nd player in a deal. I know he has had a down year but his numbers away from Atlanta are excellent. Do you still rank him outside the top 100?
@KarlJ: Yeah maybe he’s back this week. Its tough when he’s so bad in the place where half his starts are.
Drop Castillo for Aaron Sanchez? Non keeper league, someone dropped Sanchez after his last start.
@Dino: also surprised you have odorizzi so high on this list he’s got a 1.62 whip 6.92 era over his last 5 starts
@Dino: Seems like that would depend on matchups.
As for Odorizzi, it’s the recency bias argument. Its a balance when doing ROS rankings do I focus on his last month or the sub 4 ERA guy with a 21% K rate he was for two months before that, and his entire career preceding. I bury a guy, he recovers, he jumps 40 spots one way or the other. I try to find a balance.
Ralph, couple of questions here.
In one keeper league, I’m out of competition for this year. I got offered Manny Machado for my Trea Turner + Benitendi. What do you think about it?
Secondly, in a year where I need saves and I’m first overall, I got offered Raisiel + Degrom for Segura. My other 2B is odor and SS correa. I prefer Segura and I am winning by a good margin, but this seems like the right deal to me.
@HarperBetterThanTrout: I’d hold Turner and Tendi-roni
You know your league, if it feels like the right deal do it. You got cover.
How do you like Martes in a keeper league?
Potential?
@Scott: Probably not for another year. He needs some work on the command of his pitches. The talent is there to be a potential top 25 fantasy starter.
I’m in a 12 team mixed H2H redraft league. Maeda is available. Should I drop Pomeranz or Walker to pick him up?
@Jason: My pick would be Walker.
Couple of things,
Would like your take on two trades I have made. Plus I have a third trade in the works. I also have some waiver wire questions. I’m in a 12 team head to head 6×6.
The first trade I shipped off Machado and Ervin Santana for Kris Bryant and Chase Anderson (who hit the dl the next day after I landed him) Anderson situation sucks. I made this trade thinking I was upgrading from what I had.
The second trade, I sent Strasburg and Yonder Alonso packing for Tony Rizzo, David Robertson and Ariel Miranda. My rational was that Strasburg will hit the dl sooner or later and why not flip a waiver pickup in Alonson for Rizzo. Also I needed another closer to help my ratios and Miranda eas just a throw in.
Now I’m in the process of a third trade. I’ve been offered Lester or Carlos Martinez and Starling Marte (who I originally drafted) for Mike Moustakas and Taijuan Walker. I feel like Lester has had the ability to turn things around in the second half throughout his career but he pitched a lot last year, and I get the feeling C-mart starts off strong and dies. I picked up Moustakas off waivers a month ago and have no loyalty to him. Don’t know if I’m getting fleeced here since I’ve never been a fan of Moustakas.
Right now my team stands like this:
C- Schwarber
1b- Rizzo
2b- Schoop
3b- Bryant
Ss- Lindor
Of- Domingo Santana
Of- Joey Bats
Of- Corey Dickerson
Util- Carlos Santana
Util- Mike Moustakas
Bn- Tony Pham
Bn- Josh Reddick
Sp- Jon Gray
Sp- Taijuan Walker
Sp- Jeff Samardzija
Sp- Jose Berrios
Sp- Ariel Miranda
Sp- Dan Straily
Sp/rp- Brad Peacock
Rp- Cody Allen
Rp- Bud Norris
Rp- David Robertson
Rp- Felipe Rivero
DL- Chase Anderson
My notable waiver targets:
Pitchers
Luis Castillo
Chacin
Ian Kennedy
Jack Eickoff
Mchugh
Feldman
Batters
Merrifield
Ian Happ
Wilson Ramos
Forsythe
Odor
Cargo
Bregman
So many options don’t know who to drop…
@Neurotic Owner: I like the first trade, not crazy about the second one from a this year standpoint, but a year from now could look great. The third trade I’d go C-Mart he’s better than Lester.
You sold me on Jon Gray by making him a top 25. Thanks for killing my pitching week. (I know, nobody FORCED me to pick him up.)
@Coldsooner: At the Mets too!
Ugh – more roster crunch.
Staff is: Darvish, McCullers, Carrasco, Wood, Walker, Rodon, Morton, Castillo, Bradley (SP-elig), Deveski (SP-elig)
—
12-tm, 5×5, H2H, daily moves, deep benches (about 100 SP are owned)
I need a dropper from that group above, bearing in mind we’re on a 10-day week so all are two-start SPs. I’m a little hesitant to lose Morton after last night’s 10 Ks and 6 scoreless in start before that. Castillo and Rodon’s upside have me wanting to keep them around for now. But love Morton’s run support. Both Bradley and Devenski are offering me daily ratios help and the occasional W/SV from those SP slots which would otherwise be putting up zeroes – know what I mean?
What do you think? Thanks!