Welcome to the Saturday, July 27th 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 27th. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including Best MLB Series, NFL Series, NBA Writer, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Daily Musings
- I GOT FIVE ON IT! Nelson Cruz & Paul Goldschmidt droppin’ bombs daily. Five-straight games w/HR. Now, who’s hella dum-da-dum-dumb?
- Asher Wojciechowski continues burst from obscurity. 3.62ERA(3.92FIP) 24.4%K-BB. 38.3%Chase & 16.3%SwingStrike rates. TOR next. HELL YEAH! TURN IT UP!
- There’s a reason why you don’t get rid of German Marquez. 3.20ERA(3.62FIP) away from Coors. 7IP, 2ER, 7K vs. CIN. SF at home next is tempting. Only 80% owned is surprising.
- Daniel Murphy rewards some more. 11th HR, 6RBI.
- Still waiting on David Dahl maturity. 14th HR. 88.5mph avg exit velo. 38.4%Chase, 71%Contact, 15%SwingStrike rates. 4SB, 4CS. Maybe 2020 will be his year.
- Luis Castillo was expecting the weak Rockies travel team. 5IP, 6ER, 6K is an eyesore. Maybe Pirates matchup will be better.
- Josh VanMeter, why are you doing what you’re doing? .297/.392/.500 slash. 10.8%BB, 24%K, 9.4%SwingStrike. Hardly chases(27.5%). Primarily a pull-hitter. .372BABIP?! Hmmm. Some speed to support it. Overall, he looks like a solid player. Good for JVM.
- Jean Segura not hurt anymore, for now. 11th HR. 7SB, .277AVG. Deep position makes this look like amateur hour. I still believe.
- Hyun-Jin Ryu’s masterpiece(6.2IP, 1ER, 4KK) was foiled by equally impressive Anibal Sanchez(7IP, 1ER, 6K).
- Adam Eaton last reached double-digit SB in 2016. 10 in 2019.
- YAR-BRUH! Nope, not a pirate, a Devil Ray. Ryan Yarbrough cruises to another W(9-3). 5.1IP, 1ER, 4K.
- Closer du jour. Colin Poche with his first.
- Greg Holland scuffles again. (0.1IP, 2ER). Last couple times this happened, he bounced back. Ice is getting real thin way out here.
- It’s funny how many people discarded Mookie Betts in the preliminary 2020 draft discussions for top-3 players. Betts not-so-subtly reminds us of his ability. He hammered three sheets into the wind. 18HR, 12SB, .289AVG. Definite top-three for me.
- JD Martinez continues quiet season. 21HR, 58RBI. Not Big-Bopper material, but better than Giancarlo Stanton.
- Right on time, Peter Alonso updates resume w/34th shot across the bow.
- Gio Gonzalez muzzles the Cubs?! 6.1IP, 2ER, 9K. A’s will be ready.
- Addison Russell gone, David Bote gets more love. Seems to have lost that loving feeling. 2HR, 6RBI, 3SB, .186AVG in last month.
- Michael Pineda looking good (7IP, 2ER, 5K). Ready to stream vs. MIA.
- Jose Urquidy has another solid outing. 6IP, 2ER, 6K. CLE next, pending Astros haven’t acquired Thor, Bumgarner, & Boyd by then.
- Lurkers. They’re ashamed to admit that they didn’t pick up Nelson Cruz earlier. 89% owned (up 1%). Don’t fear ridicule. Aggressively grab great players….or players playing greatly.
- With each day & HR or SB, I’m sure you’re frustrated as to why you never bought Jose Ramirez dirt cheap. 12HR, 22SB, .243AVG
- Zach Plesac was marvelous. 7IP, 0ER, 4K. I would not start him vs. Astros next. (Captain Obvious statement of the day)
- Willie Calhoun returns. Willie Calhoun provides. Sixth HR. Only 4% owned.
- Asdrubal Cabrera heating up, 1HR, 1SB, .440AVG last week.
- Lance Lynn joins 13W-club.
- Shhh, Chris Martin picked up the save(4). Does it continue? Who knows, it’s the Rangers.
- Renato Nunez adds to his collection and yours (25HR, 61RBI).
- Yusei Kikuchi looked like a viable starter 6.2IP, 2ER, 4K. Don’t tell anyone it was vs the Tigers. Don’t get cute and challenge the masses by starting him vs. Astros.
- Ah, Lucky Lucchesi. No luck needed as Joey Lucchesi locked down 6IP, 1ER, 8K. 4BB not good. LAD next…in LA, maybe.
- Have a great Saturday. Fresh air. Find new people. Reach out.
- No Fear, Just Fantasy.