Welcome to the August 14th 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 August 13th games. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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Daily Musings
- You can almost here the world sing..."Cause you’re once…twice…three times a player. And we love you!" Mookie Betts sends three love letters into the world. The world fainted.
- J.T. Realmuto steps to the plate like a tornado. The violence he imposes on round objects is both scary and breathtaking. (sixth and seventh homers).
- Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge likely out this weekend? Surely Mike Tauchman will be in the lineup. NO?! If I win a bid, I shouldn’t feel like such a loser.
- Corey Seager, not you too? I didn’t know you was coming. I would have made sure to have thrown some extra brats on the grill, or at least had you in the lineup.
- You will have flashbacks, where you will relive that fateful afternoon. You will carry your scars with you, lest you forget. The memory will haunt your slumber. You will never forget the day that Anthony DeSclafani stepped onto your elevator. Others will tell stories of the cables breaking and watching your team plummet into the darkness.
- Andrew McCutchen, I know this is your job. However, talk to Uncle Larry and see if he can make an appearance at the plate. Just once. We need something special to spark the funk (.167 AVG).
- He’s a chaser (37%). He makes quality contact (81.3%). He only has two walks in 52 PA. He’s hitting .286. Nobody is perfect. The important thing is he has five stolen bases. Andres Gimenez, ladies and gents.
- David Peterson, you did well. Yes, the K-BB% (10.2%) isn’t exciting, but you have three wins. Yes, the 3.94 FIP is trending the wrong way. But, and most importantly, you have the Marlins next. Success continues.
- Yu Darvish, show these fools how disrespected you are to be drafted as 18th SP. (7 IP, 1 ER, 11K)
- I see what you did there, Tomas Nido. You ordered breakfast for dinner. However, Wilson Ramos is still the guy. So, trying to woo us with two HR & six RBI isn’t going to work.
- Somebody catch him, he’s falling. Pete Alonso down to fifth in the order.
- Did you draft him for SB potential? Juan Soto is focused on smashing the ball right now (fifth HR), not running. One walk? I wouldn’t worry about that little guy.
- Back up, let me through. Let me see him. Hmm, Adam Eaton’s 52.5% GB & 35.3% Chase rates aren’t normal. Someone charge the defibrillator. Clear!
- Yandy Diaz out here playing whack-a-mole (67.9% GB rate) with -8.7-degree launch angle. Don’t look for him on the Brls chart anytime soon. He’s an opposite-field (44.1%) guy right now (top two).
- You’ve waited and waited, wondering if you’ve wasted a roster spot. Dylan Carlson is ready to join the team this weekend, but will there be games?
- The kids take care of each other. Tom Eshelman takes care of his brother rookie Alec Bohm with a gift double. Put it on the mantle…or kitchen counter if that’s all you have.
- Nooo, Austin Hays why are you down in the eighth spot? Ok, so you hit .200 vs. southpaws. That’s fine, just play vs righties. Oh, you’re hitting .200 against them too.
- It is starting to get crowded in here. This is not a double-decker bus. Did you not see the max capacity sign? Take the next Brandon Lowe bus. Fifth HR. Top 10 in R and RBI. The bus is headed to Buffalo & Yankee Stadium. Glad I have a reserved seat.
- Here you go, kid. Throw this ball to that guy. “So, it’s a game like at the state fair?” Yeah, sure, kid. Just give it all you’ve got. Jose Peraza hit two doubles & his prize was throwing his curveball off the mound (1 ER).
- Tyler Glasnow gives you two options, either a fastball (64%) or a curveball (32%). It isn’t much of an arsenal if it is only comprised of two weapons.
- Beggars can’t be choosers. Thank you, Christian Yelich for your single stolen base.
- Three hit (two HR) & Hunter Renfroe still finds himself below the Mendoza Line.
- Manuel Margot was 4-for-6. Don’t be sucked in. It’s a mirage.
- Psst, Bryan Reynolds. “Pure hitters” don’t hit .179. Ok, ok. I’ll wait.
- Is this the year, Freddy Galvis? Your plate discipline looks wonderful. Get ready! Set! Breakout!
- Chris Paddack lifts his leg high…and stops…looks you dead in your eyeball…and slams his foot down on your ratios (3 IP, 6 ER)
- It was Julio Urias that provided the Woobie in your time of need (6.1 IP, 2 ER).
- Cardinals game PPD on Friday. Supposed doubleheader on SAT. *Wink, Wink.* Plan accordingly for all your White Sox players.
- Endgame
- Edwin Diaz update - recent appearances result in 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 K. Let’s give it another go.
- Rowan Wick (three). But he donated a run to the cause.
- Anthony Banda (one). Let's hope you weren’t yearning for a 1 IP, 3 ER save.
- It's Friday & there's a bunch of baseball on today. Enjoy it. First, finish the week strong. Then relax & drift off into the weekend.
- No Fear, Just Fantasy.