Welcome to the Saturday, July 20th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox.
Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss topics but also look to improve our teams as well as the teams of our fellow fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Everyone has their own perspectives which are not to be cast off as frivolous. They should be used as a method of expanding our own knowledge.
In this article, I review the previous day's boxscores and provide my opinion on a variety of topics. Some will be random, some will be fun, and some will be stat-driven. It's a soapbox so I may rant from time to time as well. So without any further delay, below are my thoughts on July 20th. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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Daily Musings
- A table for two. Anthony Rizzo loves the delicious Grand Slam & so does Edwin Encarnacion. Awww.
- Craig Kimbrel quickly rewarding those who waited. Fifth save.
- Remember back in the day when Adam Haseley got his first MLB HR (two days ago)? He’s got two now. .227BABIP is oppressive. 13.3%K rate is good. 54%Ground-ball, 34%Chase, & 16%SwingStrike rates are not. I’ll wait.
- Edwin Encarnacion w/four HR in last five games. 86% ownership hasn’t budged since two-homer game. Huh?! Leagues must be abandoned like a car on fire.
- Garrett Hampson, you’re getting arbitrary playing time. Run. Get on base by any means necessary. A BB is a SB.
- Anthony Santander w/fifth HR. Really only useful at home (.343AVG). Don’t look at road stats, you’ll be scarred.
- Maybe Jose Martinez is a better part-time player. Only 6HR, 14RBI, .245AVG in last 30 days.
- Ryan Lavarnway makes it count. Finds fountain of youth for the first game of the year. 2HR, 6RBI. I tip my cap to you.
- Well that’s not how it was supposed to turn out. Brendan McKay vs ChiSox. Easy win, right? 3.1IP, 5ER, 5K. Hmmm.
- No opener necessary…or available as the bullpen was taxed yesterday. Regardless, Ryan Yarbrough looks to have better luck vs CWS.
- Sad. Jordan Zimmermann continues his decline. 0-7. Call it. Time of death….. 3% owned?! Hopefuls that can’t let go.
- Jun 5th. Jun 29th. Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s last two HR. Only cactus & camels can survive this drought.
- LSU proud. JaCoby Jones is back. 3-for-4.
- Shane Bieber owners w/tainted W (5ER, 4BB).
- Recommended Oscar Mercado in Waiver Wire last week. Despite 3HR, 8RBI, 3SB, .455AVG in last seven days, ownership only increased 6% (31%). Don’t buy yesterday’s stats. Get in while it’s going on.
- Austin Riley getting worse. 2HR, 20K, .184AVG in July.
- Shhh. Victor Robles is sneaking up on 15/15 club. 14HR, 15SB, .256AVG still desirable.
- Asdrubal Cabrera sighted ordering a combo meal. 12th HR, fourth SB.
- Remember when Justin Verlander was all washed up a couple of years ago? 12-4, 2.99ERA. YESSSS!
- Kyle Tucker time? Tyler White designated.
- YA-YA cannot be contained. 474ft cannon shot by Yordan Alvarez(10).
- Liam Hendriks w/seventh save. Dynomite! 24.4%K-BB
- Greg Holland w/16th SV. 3.09ERA(4.57FIP). Balancing act. Nobody move.
- Christian Yelich takes the lead(35HR). The rich fighting amongst themselves.
- Eduardo Escobar reads Javy Baez’ book of batting, ‘If You Want It, Chase It’. 41%Chase(8th-worst). 22HR, 77RBI(tied for second).
- Mike Leake was marvelous. Complete game one-hitter.
- Dan Vogelbach rocking 23HR w/441 & 414ft tater-tosses.
- Hyun-Jin Ryu smooth as butter. Silky smooth. What you say?! Everyone else gets love when they beat the Marlins, so does he. 11-2. Count it.
- Adrian Morejon and Michel Baez getting called up? Bullpen guys for now.
- Ladies & Gentlemen, take care of your family and yourself.
- Have a great Saturday. Talk to someone new, in person or on the internet. Help people. Make friends.
- No Fear, Just Fantasy.