Welcome to the July 31st 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 30th games. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.
Featured Promo: Get any full-season MLB and DFS Premium Pass for 50% off. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, Premium articles, daily Matchup Rating projections, 15 lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, Research Stations, Lineup Optimizers and much more! Sign Up Now!
Daily Musings
- Shohei Ohtani gets the pick two at McAlisters. (second HR, first SB). Don’t forget the sweet tea.
- Why would you ask me how high he will be drafted in 2021? Can’t I enjoy excellence now. Shane Bieber. 13K.
- The jig is up, Corey Seager (two HR). Everyone is onto you. MVP Chants will be heard. RBI king if not for the seventh-hole slot.
- What is you doing, Teoscar Hernandez? Oh, just leading MLB in HR (four). "Scoot over, macho man. I’m supposed to be sitting here too.” ~ Christian Vazquez (four).
- It’s electric, Boogie Woogie. Francisco Lindor provides all the dance moves necessary (second HR).
- Bo Bichette is back. Double-Time!
- Well, Starlin Castro (4-for-5) has playing time and MI/CI eligibility. 44% owned. (Not for this weekend, of course)
- Hyun-Jin Ryu hasn’t looked good. Two starts, 8 ERA, 6.71 FIP. ATL next. Hold onto your hats.
- Gleyber Torres knocked on the elbow. John Means better be standing by for his eight-game suspension.
- "Oh, you gonna remember my name.” Free your fella Marmolejos.
- Oooh, Hanser Alberto. Nope, not an 80’s commercial for hair mousse. Just a guy w/MI/CI elig. 5.6% BB & K. Improved the Chase rate. Definitely a home starter. 8% owned.
- The Grisham novel is getting interesting. Double & triple the excitement. It will steal your hearts.
- Just a little patience. YEEAAAHHH. Marcell Ozuna w/ 12.5% BB rate. It’s gonna be a good year.
- Ryan Yarbrough escaped mostly unharmed. (6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 K)
- Wunderbar! Max Fried w/ seven K & one ER in 6.2 IP
- Austin Hays hasn’t cranked it up but don’t fret. Leadoff. Camden. Speed & Pop. Me likey.
- Pray for teams if Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Luke Voit, Aaron Hicks stay healthy. Is this possible?
- BoSox lineup is struggling. So are many players across the league.
- Adalberto Mondesi was 3-for-4. *Golf clap* Hey, don’t be disrespectful.
- Schoop & Serve. A delicious treat. 44% Fly Ball rate; 33% to the opposite field. Intentional?
- Is Joey Votto sharing the secret recipes? Miguel Cabrera w/ double-barrel homering.
- How long til we say the new mechanics aren’t working? Robbie Ray 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 BB. HOU next. Give a wide berth.
- Ketel Marte (first souvenir) has been more disciplined to start the year. Less GB, less Chase, less SwingStrike, more contact. Never been a fan, but I’m rooting for you.
- Imagine falling asleep at the wheel. The sound of the car scraping the guardrail wakes you & saves it from further damage. Dylan Bundy found his own guardrail & made the outing look respectable. 6 IP, 3 ER, 8K.
- J.P. Crawford (6% owned) is intriguing. 26.9% BB & 3.8% K rates.
- Jurickson Profar enjoys a combo meal from In-N-Out Burger.
- Endgame (some items aren’t suitable for weak-stomached individuals)
- Oh shit, you sent in The Wolf?! That’s all you had to say. James Karinchak locks it down.
- Daniel Hudson with the 'Sean Doolittle still needs to get right' save.
- Trevor Rosenthal slingin’ Heat! People surprised when Kennedy became closer. Now surprised he’s not. C’mon.
- Zach Britton (two). Where’s Aroldis Chapman’s second neg. test?
- People who grabbed Cole Sulser need a Seltzer. (1 IP, 3ER)
- Brandon Workman settle down (two)
- Jose Leclerc injury. Nick Goody? Jonathan Hernandez? I’m hoping for Jolene! Jolene! JOLENE! I meant Joely...Rodriguez.
- WILD THANG! You make heart scream! Edwin Diaz. Eesh. 35 pitches. Got one out. ONE!
- Mark Melancon (two). When was the last time he blew a save? Long time.
- Pedro Baez (one). Kenly Jansen not upset. He will still wear the saves crown.
- Tyler Rogers. 1 IP, 5 ER. Pepto is the answer.
- Swinging Strike Rate
- Luis Robert 29.30%
- Gary Sanchez 26.50%
- Corey Dickerson 22.70%
- Aaron Judge 22.50%
- Danny Santana 22.20%
- Javier Baez 19.80%
- Keston Hiura 19.40%
- Nick Castellanos 19.40%
- Adalberto Mondesi 18.60%
- Kike Hernandez 18.40%
- Shohei Ohtani 18.20%
- Jonathan Schoop 18.20%
- Francisco Lindor 17.90%
- Brandon Lowe 17.80%
- Teoscar Hernandez 17.60%
- Aaron Hicks 17.50%
- Kris Bryant 16.80%
- Miguel Cabrera 16.80%
- Josh Bell 16.70%
- Joey Gallo 16.50%
- Josh Donaldson 16.40%
- Ozzie Albies 16.40%
- Don’t be afraid to ride the streaks. If players are hitting well right now, grab them for as long as it lasts. You need every single AT-BAT you can get.
- Have a great Friday everyone. Take a breath and enjoy things that come your way. Give someone a Win.
- No Fear, Just Fantasy.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!