Evaluating MLB Rookie Performances - Week 6
It’s been a dream week for prospect watchers and dynasty owners who have been holding onto some of the recently called-up rookies for the past few years. Essentially every day this past week, we got news of a Top-100 prospect getting the call, something you’ll never see in a normal 162-game season. For those of […]
Sterling Sharp Struggles Out Of The Bullpen On Sunday
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Sterling Sharp got lit up out of the bullpen on Sunday. He got just one out, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits and three walks. He threw 34 pitches, only 17 for strikes. Sharp's ERA ballooned to 10.13 as he faced eight batters and only retired one. He has […]
Brandon Leibrandt Shines In Relief In His Major League Debut
Miami Marlins rookie pitcher Brandon Leibrandt made his major league debut on Sunday out of the bullpen and was excellent. He pitched four innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. He struck out one, inducing three ground outs and three fly outs. It's unclear what Leibrandt's role will be going forward, but he's likely […]
Greg Maddux Plate Discipline Standouts for 2020
In my previous article, I wrote about my new weighted index statistic for hitters – mPDI, which stems from a famous quote by Hall of Fame pitcher, Greg Maddux: “The key to pitching is to have the ability to throw a strike when they’re taking and throw a ball when the hitter is swinging.” The […]
Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap
Welcome to the August 23rd 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 […]
Nick Anderson Hits IL Due To Elbow Tightness
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Nick Anderson has been placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday’s contest against Toronto as he battles forearm and elbow tightness in his pitching arm. Despite Anderson reiterating that he’s “not really worried” about the ailment, elbow concerns for any pitcher is alarming. The Rays’ bullpen has been […]
Brandon Workman Takes Loss In Phillies Debut
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brandon Workman allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings pitched and took the loss in his first game since being traded from Boston. Workman pitched worse than his numbers as he allowed four hits, a walk, and allowed two inherited runners to score to cost the Phillies the lead. The good […]
Kevin Gausman (SP/RP, SF) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 31% of leagues ANALYSIS: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman has been pitching well so far in August. He earned his first quality start of the year on August 9 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, no walks and just one […]
Brandon Kintzler Saves His Fifth Game On Saturday
Miami Marlins closer Brandon Kintzler saved his fifth game of the season in Game 2 of Saturday's double header against the Washington Nationals. Kintzler tossed a scoreless ninth inning, allowing a hit and a walk. The Nationals ended up with the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth inning, but Kintzler was able to […]
Giovanny Gallegos Earns A Save On Saturday
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos earned a save on Saturday, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing no base runners and striking out one. Gallegos came into the eighth inning, inheriting two runners but stranding them both. He then came in for a 1-2-3 ninth inning, picking up his first save of the […]
Alex Colome Allows First Run Of 2020
Chicago White Sox closer Alex Colome entered Saturday’s contest against the Cubs up four runs and surrendered his first run of the season. The closer struggled to open the innings and allowed two base runners before recording an out, but the Cubs were only able to drive in one runner. Colome finished the game with […]
Hector Neris Implodes In Eighth Vs Braves
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris allowed three earned runs and only recorded one out while pitching the eighth inning Saturday. After seven dazzling innings from Zack Wheeler, manager Joe Girardi turned to Neris in the eighth as the former closer was just 2-for-5 in save opportunities this season. Neris allowed the first three batters […]
Michael Brantley Activated Off IL As Josh James Lands On List
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Michael Brantley was activated off of the injured list prior to Saturday’s contest against San Diego and right-hander Zach Davies, although he was not a part of the starting lineup. To clear room on the active roster, the club placed right-hander Josh James on the IL due to discomfort in his […]
Keone Kela Day-To-Day, To Be Evaluated Early Next Week
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Keone Kela has been officially deemed day-to-day moving forward as he battles soreness in his right forearm. The ailment will be re-assessed early next week by the Pittsburgh medical staff, likely making him unavailable for the next 3-5 days at minimum. When healthy, Kela is the best bet to receive save […]
Chaz Roe Lands On IL Due To Elbow Soreness
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Chaz Roe was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday’s contest against Toronto as he battles a sore right elbow. Roe has developed into a key member of the Rays’ relief staff, having posted a 2.89 ERA across 9 ⅓ frames with a pair of wins and a […]
Taylor Williams (RP, SEA) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of leagues ANALYSIS: Taylor Williams continues to be under-rostered in fantasy. As the closer in Seattle, Williams has five saves on the season with a 3.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 11.0 IP. Williams has emerged from nowhere in the preseason to be the ninth-inning […]
Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap
Welcome to the August 22nd 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 […]
Yankee Yo-Yo: Bronx Bombers to Buy or Sell in Fantasy
For most teams, we've now reached the 20+ game mark of the season meaning we are over one-third of the way through this shortened season. There are of course some exceptions with teams needing to make up games missed after Covid-19 outbreaks but for the most part, we have enough data on how things are […]
Jordan Romano Gets The Save For Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano nailed down his first save of the season in the team’s 6-5 extra-inning win over the Rays on Friday. He worked out of a bit of trouble by allowing a pair of hits and the inherited runner at second base to score, but he recorded a strikeout and got […]
Phillies Acquire Brandon Workman
The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired relief pitcher Brandon Workman, relief pitcher Heath Hembree and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for relief pitcher Nick Pivetta and minor league pitcher Connor Seabold. The big piece here is Workman, who was 4-for-4 in save chances this season after putting up a strong 2019 where […]
Emilio Pagan Grabs Save In Padres Win On Friday
San Diego Padres relief pitcher Emilio Pagan picked up his first save of the season by working a scoreless ninth inning in the Padres' 4-3 win over Houston on Friday. With Drew Pomeranz (shoulder) on the injured list, Pagan was called upon to close out the contest. On the season, Pagan has been underwhelming after […]
Drew Pomeranz Placed On 10-Day Injured List
San Diego Padres reliever Drew Pomeranz (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left shoulder strain. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, August 19. Pomeranz has served as the Padres closer in recent weeks as the successor to Kirby Yates (elbow) who is out for the season. The 31-year-old has excelled […]
Brandon Kintzler Gets His Fourth Save On Friday
Miami Marlins closer Brandon Kintzler picked up his fourth save of the season on Friday, tossing a perfect ninth inning to lock down a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals. Kintzler coughed up a pair of runs on a two-run shot in his last outing, but he looked solid again in this one. He'll take […]
Drew Pomeranz Day-To-Day With Shoulder Tightness
San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler revealed reliever Drew Pomeranz (shoulder) is day-to-day with shoulder tightness. This explains his absence the past couple nights in close contests. The 31-year-old has excelled as a full-time reliever, tossing nine scoreless innings with a 0.44 WHIP and 39 percent strikeout rate. With four saves, he was the clear […]
Closers and Saves Report - Week 5 Waiver Wire
The best closer in baseball last year is done for the year, but he's been replaced by a guy who looks like he could be the best closer in baseball this year. Must be nice. One of the best closers of this generation finally looked a little more like himself this week, but is it […]
Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap
Welcome to the August 21st 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 […]
Brad Hand Converts Seventh Save
Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Thursday to record his seventh save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Pirates. The southpaw needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to cruise through the bottom of the Pirates order. Hand has had some trouble spots this season, and […]
Raisel Iglesias Coughs Up Two-Run Lead, Takes Loss
Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias failed to convert a save opportunity in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Iglesias entered in the ninth inning to a 4-2 lead but allowed three runs to score, resulting in his first blown save of the 2020 season. To add insult to injury, the tying […]
Nick Anderson In Line To Continue Top Tier Production
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Nick Anderson may not ever be officially tabbed as the team’s closer in 2020, but that won’t stop manager Kevin Cash from calling on him in high-leverage ninth-inning situations. Yet to allow a run in his 9 ⅓ innings of work this year, Anderson ranks among the Majors’ best in […]
Alexander Colome Emerging As Elite Closing Option
Chicago White Sox closer Alexander Colome has yet to allow a run thus far in 2020, having yielded just seven baserunners in his nine innings of work. While there was some preseason concern that Colome could be a trade chip and thereby zapped of fantasy value, he appears to be firmly entrenched in the closer’s […]