Welcome to the April 11th 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 the April 10th games. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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Daily Musings
- Austin Meadows watches a third prairie dog escape the pasture.
- Nelson Cruz (four) & Franmil Reyes (four) are in an arms race.
- Juan Soto adds two stars to the constellation.
- Jordan Luplow surprises you with a tater with a side of five RBI. Was that sittin on the bench?
- Mitch Haniger (second HR) was a target but could others liked him more. I hope y'all are enjoying it.
- Adrian Houser was hot stuff in 2019. Today was mixed (5 IP, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K). Maybe he'll have more strikeouts than walks vs PIT next.
- Christian Yelich knows you're waiting on the main course, he provides a little appetizer (second SB) to tide you over.
- Keston Hiura demands respect. Two of his three hits were today, one allowed him to jump four spaces to land on home.
- WD-40 gets Randy Arozarena's power train going.
- Avisail Garcia delivers a home-wrecking performance (first HR, five RBI) versus the Cardinals.
- "Where we're going, we don't need gloves." Kyle Tucker (four) w/ another shot of old-timey delight. Enjoy the R+ RBI as he will be near the top by year's end.
- Ramon Laureano can't fight off mid-game hunger pangs. A quick trip to Popeyes for a delicious combo meal (first HR/fifth SB). This is the Laureano you wanted in 2020. Congrats.
- Sean Murphy w/ first hit. Now, it's time to take flight.
- Who would have thought? Yes, of course he knew. Frankie Montas controls Astros (6 IP, 1 ER, 5 K). DET next; just don't play down to the competition.
- Did they need an excuse to demote Domingo German? (4 IP, 4 ER, 5 K)Anyone notice Jed Lowrie racking up playing time & hits?
- Ryan McMahon has taken up golfing. Fifth monstrous swing off the tee.
- Logan Webb didn't get the W, but he did get 54% Whiff rate from his slider (25% usage).
- Tarik Skubal & Co...getting into the air freight business? Five HR allowed, including Cesar Hernandez & Andres Gimenez.
- The Robbie Grossman delivers on all promises. Here's a HR as an olive branch.
- Zach Davies forgot the safe word, "Boysenberry". The torture continued. 1.2 IP, 7 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. That will leave a mark.
- I see you, Phillip Evans (third HR). More research is necessary.
- Willson Contreras' two SB are blinding me from any faults...what is his AVG? Nope, don't care.
- Three multi-hit games in the last four for Rafael Devers (second HR). He's bringing the heat that the weatherman isn't.
- Cedric Mullins Motors with another vroom-vroom (two). But you're treating him like a used car dealership.
- Does a 111 mph fireball show that Trey Mancini (first HR) is back?
- Well, my commitment is being tested. I'm still a Chris Paddack guy, wishing him the best. 58% fastball & 37% Changeup is pretty concentrated. Maybe PIT is the medicine you need.
- Manny Machado, the seven guys on bases aren't pretty ornaments. Wait, are you letting Eric Hosmer (three) take home the team HR title?
- Trent Grisham returns, Grisham homers. Simple.
- Look at svelte Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (SB) sliding into your hearts. So dreamy.
- R&R Dep't. Bryce Harper with the Rockets (115 mph), Andrew McCutchen with the Range (444 ft)
- Tim Locastro Swoon Saloon getting a little crowded in here. Good to finally see. (four-for-five, SB).
- Hmmm, Seems like someone recently mentioned Eduardo Escobar was heating up. Third straight game w/ tater. Ride the hot bat.
- 10 hits, one SB in the last four games for Nick Senzel. So much value to be had. Yoga & Pilates, young man.
Swing & Misses
- Jacob deGrom 27
- Trevor Rogers 19
- Mitch Keller 14
- Domingo German 14
- Mitch Keller 14
- Jose Urquidy 13
- Logan Webb 13
- Frankie Montas 13
- Adrian Houser 11
- Aaron Civale 10
Endgame
- Keynan Middleton (one)
- Yimi Garcia (one). Right where you belong.
- Jake McGee (four)
- Matt Andriese (one)
- Mark Melancon (four)
- Will Smith (two)
- Tommy Milone (one)
Closing Thoughts
- Good Sunday morning. It's another great day to be had. You know it will be good for you, cause you'll make it that way. Take time to make it a good day for someone else. Buy them a coffee. Pay for the meal for the car behind you in the drive-thru. No recognition is needed. Give someone a compliment or a smile.
- Do NOT forget to make some time today to set your lineups & find out where your weaknesses are for the following week. Then you can start looking at the players you would like to bid for in free agency. Have a focused plan instead of just trying to wing it.
- (No Fear, Just Fantasy)
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