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Welcome to the Thursday, May 30th 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 30th. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.
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Daily Musings
- As we thought, Josh Bell reset the HR clock after two games. He gave Anthony DeSclafani a break, instead teeing off on Michael Lorenzen. Bell w/18th HR increased Brls% by 10% to 17.3% (top four percent of league - 12th overall)
- Andrew Benintendi follows the Rafael Devers path. Catches up w/7SB. Accordingly, Benny took next step with his sixth HR. He has not been worth the second round pick that I and others used for him. But, the summer is upon us…hopefully better times forward.
- The Yankees, without their A-squad, roughed up Chris Paddack more than any other team had this year (five IP, four ER). Another test awaits w/Phillies next.
- Care to guess who has the worst K% in the majors (among those qualified)? Wil Myers with an impressive 36.6%. Myers batted leadoff for the third game this year. Not sure that is smart. He’s had a terrible year (10HR, five SB, .229AVG). But he’ll be happy when May is over (career .223AVG). June (career .279) is better and could potentially be even more exciting if the Padres’ addition (Manny Machado, nine HR, .264AVG) provides a return on investment, sooner rather than later. Machado should have his numbers by the end of the year, but I’m less interested in a player that would rather lollygag than hustle or at least show some sort of passion/desire.
- Carlos Correa busted rib injury is unfortunate (seriously? Just a massage?! Ok, I believe you. Wink, Wink). For fantasy owners, the news is not devastating as the position pool is filled with options.
- Ramon Laureano has an 11-game hit streak going. It has raised his AVG from .228 to .254. He has power/speed but has only managed one homer and stolen base during that time. Plenty of potential for more.
- Matt Olson has been impressive in return from hamate surgery. It was his second-straight day w/HR(seven). Ranks third w/13.2% Brls/plate appearance
- Daily Mallex Smith talk. 2-for-4 w/13th SB; ownership raised nine percent to a mere 39%. People slow to believe.
- Jose Ramirez has finally done it. He’s had his first consecutive multi-hit games of the year.
- Tough Win award goes to Shane Bieber. He allowed six runs to the BoSox in five innings. Thankfully, Indians gave plenty of run support to pull a W.
- Bryce Harper (10HR) still toting a .243AVG & 31%K-rate. Still not elite-like. I can't say I know how the Phillies feel. I feel cheated when my family gets sno-cones and they come out dry. You better make them things JUICY! I didn't ask for "natural flavor" sno-cone.
- Lourdes Gurriel hits fourth HR & carries 45% fly ball rate, 13% swinging strike, and 37% chase rate. I’m still out. Suggest you Sell, Sell, Sell.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. only has five HR, .229AVG. deflated by a .247BABIP. 10%BB & 20%K rates are encouraging. Try to buy low.
- Howie Kendrick has become beastly last four days (9-for-14, two HR, eight RBI)
- Corey Seager continues climbing out of the hole. Did you buy low? The last seven days of two homers, seven RBI, and .375AVG might have exhausted that option. No harm in trying though.
- Peter Alonso added two HR(19), ranks fifth w/ 20.7% Brls/batted ball event. Blowing everyone out of the water in RoY competition.
- Griffin Canning has looked impressive (2-1, 3.06ERA), but c’mon, look at the competition: TOR, DET, BAL, KC, TEX, OAK. The hot Cubs are next. Be careful.
- Brendan Rodgers demonstrates plate discipline and hitting ability w/.313AVG & .371OBP. However, I have this feeling he will continue to rotate w/Ryan McMahon for playing time.
- Even in utter defeat, Atlanta has plenty to cheer about with Austin Riley’s last-minute fireworks (438ft HR, 12.7% Brls/PA). Unfortunately, just like most Denny’s diners, the grand slam just isn’t enough. Thankfully, ATL’s-own Nick Senzel added a fourth HR to resume.
- Dear DFSers, do not be the lazy, cheap, brutish bastards picking on the weak. I will not stand for the bullying attempts made to take advantage of Anibal Sanchez. Any future attempts to stack against what some might believe to be inferior talent will be met with the same results/irony. P.S. ~DFS God P.S. I'll allow success for reserves & Riley (HR).
- This one is for those who know how to ruin a good time & force every manager and starting pitcher to go through the five stages of grief:
- Edwin Diaz w/BS (4ER, 0.1IP). Noah Syndergaard finally had a good game (five K, three ER, six IP)
- Jose Alvarado w/BS. Despite eight mostly superb starts, Blake Snell has one win to show for it.
- You ever try to help someone by putting them in a position that will limit the amount of damage they can do, yet sometimes that person always finds a way to screw it up. I’m sure that is how the O's feel w/Mychal Givens. He was removed from the closer role after three blown saves. WED, he was brought into the game in 7th and STILL blows a save. Maybe do what the Rangers did w/ Jose Leclerc as an opener (one IP, one K, one BB)
- Hansel Robles (two ER, one IP)
- Roenis Elias (0.2IP, two ER). Wade LeBlanc lined up for the W
- Serious note: Some players do feel remorse for balls that guy flying into the stands knowing they can do damage. Albert Almora Jr. devastated as he drove a ball foul and watched as it hit a small child. Broken up, he was consoled by one of the security guards. No word on the child. Take a moment to send prayers/kind words/something that your beliefs support.
- Enjoy the 10-game slate of games!
