Welcome to the Thursday, July 4th 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 4th. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:- Fantasy baseball injury reports
- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- Daily MLB starting lineups for fantasy baseball
- Fantasy baseball BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- Fantasy baseball PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts, bullpens, saves
- Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard, daily leaderboards
Daily Musings
- Dylan Cease get W in debut. (5IP, 3ER, 4BB, 6K). WILD THANG!
- Yoan Moncada w/productive double-header: SB(six) & Two HR(one was a game-tying “I’m going the distance” 462-footer).
- Ever own a guy for a day or even weeks and give up on him, only to watch him go off later on that year. Yep, frustrating. Justified?
- Nicholas Castellanos trying to raise his pre-trade-deadline value for Tigers w/ninth HR, 3RBI, .283AVG.
- Stephen Strasburg makes light work of Marlins (7.1IP, 0ER, 14K).
- Victor Robles for his sixth not SB.
- Jesus Luzardo w/lat strain. Still stashing him in redrafts?
- Matt Adams w/13th HR. Keeps Ryan Zimmerman on bench.
- Location, location, location. 411ft enough for Javy Baez’ 22nd HR. 400-footer = fly ball.
- Josh Bell barrage continues w/26th rainbow. 93.4mph avg exit velo & 10.4%Brls/PA are super nice.
- Yep, Danny Jansen is hitting (sixth HR). Missed opportunities. Still only 22% owned.
- It is definitely Gurriel Brothers time. Last two weeks: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. w/7HR, 11RBI, .411AVG (He definitely made changes); Yuli Gurriel w/6HR, 10RBI, .348AVG. Yuli w/450ft Big-Boy Whopper!
- Sonny Gray stymies Christian Yelich-less Brewers (8IP, 0ER, 12K).
- Colin Poché w/five K in two IP. Love it.
- Renato Nunez took advantage of Jose Alvarado for 19th tater. Three HR in last four games.
- Domingo German back where he left off (6IP, 1ER, 6K).
- Jeff McNeil can do power too. 4HR, 15RBI, .426AVG in last 15 games.
- Josh Donaldson w/old man strength. 16th HR.
- Remember when Austin Riley had a .290+ AVG? .266AVG now. That 43.8%Chase and 20.6%SwingStrike rates aren’t kind. 15th HR though.
- Stop & Stare. Mike Trout does Trout things. Two HR(24). It’s mesmerizing.
- Some combo meals are just more delicious than others. Reppin' LSU, Alex Bregman (23HR/4SB). Geaux Tigers!
- Mike Clevinger sends correction letters to all doubters. 6IP, 0ER, 9K.
- Carlos Santana (19th HR) w/2.8WAR. Now that is value.
- Whit Merrifield must be pacing himself. 12th SB.
- Ramon Laureano (combo meal) sets a personal record w/first double-digit HR(14)/SB(10), despite a slow start. 20/20 club on the horizon.
- Jorge Polanco (12th HR), you’ve slowed down a bit (2HR, 1SB, .257AVG last two weeks). Use the All-Star break to recuperate.
- That Evan Longoria kid doing it again (11th HR). Good for him.
- Pitchers, it’s time for adjustments. Fernando Tatis Jr. is amused by the simplicity of this game. 12HR, .326AVG.
- Cody Bellinger’s talent is downright silly. Two HR incl. a 442ft, game-winning love tap.
- The Endgame - not as secure as usual.
- Alex Colome w/19th SV; Kelvin Herrera(7.89ERA) should not be up in case of trade. Maybe Aaron Bummer.
- Shane Greene BSV; no concern until he’s traded. Joe Jimenez next.
- Craig Kimbrel BS(0.2IP, 2ER). Back to Pedro Strop? Nah, can’t waste money like that.
- Jose Alvarado. PINEAPPLE is your safe word. Use it next time. BS. (0.2IP, 5ER, 1BB). Ugh. Emilio Pagan next chance.
- Blake Treinen BS. 0.1IP, 1ER, 2BB. Liam Hendriks can help w/transition.
- Roenis Elias. BS. 0.2IP, 2ER, 1K. No other option.
- Happy Fourth of July! Enjoy baseball with family & friends. Reach out to new friends. I'm usually around if you want to share your opinions.
- No Fear, Just Fantasy.