Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox (5/31/19)

Welcome to the Friday, May 31st Birthday 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 May 31st. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.

Daily Musings

• Usurpers pushed back once again. These brave men fully refuse to abdicate their responsibilities w/blatant display of powerful outrage(HR): Ji-Man Choi(five) (dissipating thoughts of Nate Lowe); Christian Walker(nine) (step back, Kevin Cron); Ryan McMahon(six) (you're nothing but a part-time lover, Brendan Rodgers)
• Dakota Hudson w/W vs. PHI. three-pitch mix but doesn’t generate many swinging strikes (nine percent) or get batters to chase (24%). Also, his 5.6% K-BB leaves a lot to be desired. Stream him if you are desperado for wins and that’s it. Next week vs. CIN might be an opportunity. You go this alone though.
• Marcell Ozuna w/16HR, 41R, 49RBI, 4SB, .241AVG. Great asset stuffed with fantasy goodness. Did I mention he has a .232 BABIP? Things should get even better. Under-valued in draft season.
• Mike Moustakas hits two HR(15). He always makes the under-appreciated team. New Category: Moose, you’ve been THUNDERSTRUCK!!
• Byron Buxton, how are you supposed to steal bases (nine) when you’re not stopping at first? 19 doubles (ranked second behind Josh Bell) & three triples.
• Sandy Alcantara almost looked like a decent starter vs. Giants. Well, except for his five BB, which is exactly why he’s bottom 10 (min. 50IP) in BB%(11.4%). He won’t be on my roster.
• Speaking of, today’s Guessing Game: This player is fifth-worst (w/min 30IP) in BB% (14%). Many people were smitten with him in draft season. They often echoed the same sentiments I hear from my teenage daughter looking at some lifeguard at the waterpark, “Oh, he’s so dreamy.” Yep, dreamy Josh James.
• Shin-Soo Choo, You’ve been THUNDERSTRUCK!! 10HR, .299/.387/.546 slash line. Ages like a fine wine.
• Keston Hiura might not have done enough to keep the job w/Travis Shaw returning soon (three HR, a SB, .260AVG). It is a great preview for a young man w/bright future.
• Chase Anderson seems to have gotten the velocity back (93.6). It helped him get the W over the Pirates. Chase rate (pun intended?) (34%) is great. He needs to keep working on BB% (9.9%). ERA looks good (3.31), but FIP tells a different story (4.03). He has an easy matchup next, like shooting Marlins in a barrel. I know, I know. Just imagine a really really big barrel. I’m just saying it should be an easy start; of course, don’t tell that to Max Scherzer.
• Carlos Carrasco, You embarrass me (not really, nothing but love for you). It’s the White Sox. six ER?! No, I’m not unappreciative of the seven Ks, but still. & you get the Twins next. C’mon, get that mojo back.
• Tim Beckham sighting w/11th HR. Remember when he was on FIRE to start the season. Proves that you need to sell while the getting is good sometimes.
• Temperature’s rising. Mallex Smith 0-for-3, BB, but one SB. YES, value continues. Ownership is up to 45%. Damn, y’all are slow. Well, obviously not you all, cause if you’re reading this then you likely checked your waiver wire a while ago.
• Hyun-Jin Ryu w/7.2IP, 7K, 1K. Outstanding……..Bonnie, where are you. We practiced this. Bonnie Tyler! sing your 'I Need a Hero' chorus Now!! Ryu, you are the dreamy one. Our hero w/ your fourth-ranked 2.4 WAR.
• Enjoy your Friday, the baseball games, and all of your birthdays!

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