Fantasy Baseball Today - 08/17 Fantasy Baseball Podcast: Tim Beckham or Odell Beckham!?

Episode Date: August 17, 2017

Well we have to talk about the great Tim Beckham, right? Some possible explanations for his eruption and what we expect going forward ... So much from Wednesday including Trevor Story's homers, bullpen updates in SEA, STL and LAA, Wil Myers' three steals, John Lackey's weird reliability and a more ... What to do with the struggling Brett Gardner and Logan Morrison and is Marcus Semien worried? ... Your emails at [e-mail] To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We got more bullpen madness for you. Of course we do. What else is new? Trevor Story, hit two home runs. I am so happy about that. Who the heck is Nick Delmonico? And should he be owned

more than 5% of leagues? We're going to talk about all this today on fantasy baseball today. Who the heck is Nick Delmonico, Chris? He's a baseball player. Well, I figured that. He's hitting very well in the majors, but doesn't have a particularly strong minor league background to back it up.

So I'm not 100% sure if I want to buy into it. All right. Well, he's on the White Sox. He's 5% owned. He's batting 396 with two home runs yesterday that gives him three homers and a hit in 10 of 11 games. Hey, are you hiring with ZipRecruiter.com? You can post your job to 100 plus job sites, including social media networks like Facebook and Twitter, all with a single click. Try it for free at ZipRecruiter.com slash strike.

That's ZipRecruiter.com slash strike. All right. So we got a lot to get to. Cambridge Ocean got a save. And Nick Povetta had a great start, and then he got sent down. He'll be back. We'll tell you about you, Darvish is back. We'll talk about Mookie Betts.

Is he having a disappointing season? Well, that depends who you ask. Let's talk about Tim Beckham, superstar, wide receiver for the Giants, and now shortstop for the Orioles. 66% owned. Entering yesterday, he was batting 484 with four home runs in 15 games. games with Baltimore. Now he has five home runs. He homered again. Mike Exceisa wrote an article on CBSports.com, Chris, possible explanations for Tim Beckham and how he's doing so well. One, he's hitting

more fly balls and making more contact in general with the Orioles. Two, is the one you're probably going to buy into. He finally has a mentor in J.J. Hardy, who is a, you know, seasoned veteran who said himself that he's happy to mentor Tim Beckham. And three, luck. Five 53 Babbit. going into yesterday's game. Of course, he had a 484 batting average, so I don't know how much luck had to do with it. What? You starting to buy in it all to Tim Beckham every day.

We poo-poo it and everyday homers. I just, I don't know. Like, before these, what, 15 games? Yeah. There was no reason to think that this was even a player worth remarking on. A literally unremarkable player. And like the most likely explanation is that it's just a crazy good 16 games with a little bit of luck. But this is a former number one pick in the physical peak of his career.

Maybe there's something here. I don't think the obviously the 485 batting average since getting to Baltimore is probably not for real. But I guess you look at the overall season line, 17 home runs, 298 batting average. and you think there might be something here. Yeah. At short stop, at least. It's not the first time we've talked about, Beckham. He's had hot streaks before.

Certainly nothing like this. But I guess if he were available, I'd have to pick him up. I can't say I'm buying in. But Trevor Story hit two home runs yesterday. Who would you rather own? Trevor Story, for sure. I mean, I get that, but he really has had a terrible year. And he's on the road for six games next week.

And if I have to win next week, if I have to, I don't know. Let's see what Story does the rest of the week, but I'm not sure I trust him on the road. Yeah, I mean, okay, Trevor Story's had a really bad year. Tim Beckham's had a really bad career. Yeah, I know. Like, he's only on the Major League roster because he ran out of options. I'm not playing for rest of season. I'm playing for Week 21, though.

I guess, I mean, I have tro-I don't know how much I believe in the hot hand. and, you know, if I think Tim Beckham's not this good, why would I buy that he's going to be that? I don't know. There's no explanation for it. Like, do the Tampa Bay race just have the worst hitting coach in the history of baseball? Maybe that's it.

Maybe. I just, there's no reasonable explanation for someone hitting this well. He's batting lead off ahead of Machado. There's no explanation for him hitting this well. But reasons for him hitting better, he's in a better park. He's batting lead off in front of Machado. Yeah. I mean, I guess you could see reasons for improvement for Tim Beckham.

I have to throw my hands up and just say, I don't know. Yeah. And I'm sorry. And look, look, this happens. These guys go on crazy streaks, but if we don't buy it and the plate discipline is still bad, two walks, 11 strikeouts and 15 games going into yesterday's game, a lot of times they come down to earth. You know, it sort of happened with Joey Gallo.

For a while, Joey Gallo was like, oh, yeah, you can definitely drop Joey Gallo. He was cold for, I would say, a couple months. And now he's back. I don't know, maybe Beckham will be that kind of player going forward. But you're reaping the benefits right now if you own them 66% owned. I have a hard time believing I'd leave him unowned. But I would do it with skepticism. I would pick him up with skepticism to see where it goes.

All right, so we talked about Trevor Story. We don't really buy Nick Delmonico. He's 5% owned batting 396 with three home runs. Five walks and 11 strikeouts in 11 games for the White Sox. Yeah, would you even look at him other than AL only, Delmonico? Just AL only. I mean, he's someone who had a really good run at AA last season, but since getting to AAA has just been extremely mediocre.

And I don't know if there's much in his track record to suggest that he's got a major league skill set. Do you think Camper Jojan is the closer for the Angels? I mean, he's gotten their last three sales. right? I don't think so. His last three appearances have been saved. Yeah, but he has not gotten the last three saves. He has three saves over the last week.

I think he's going to get the most saves. Fair. They're in one of these... Not necessarily someone I'm going out of my way to add at this point in the season just because if he's not going to get all of the saves, it's going to be really inconsistent. He's gotten three of the last five. But Middleton's been mostly setting up.

Middleton set up for him yesterday. And Projoshan's been pitching very well. All right, there are actually a lot of players to talk about out of the bullpens. I think Chris's probably pretty happy. Trevor Rosenthal was awful yesterday. I'm never happy to see anyone struggle at him. I don't buy that. I am.

I mean, are you better than me? Because I'm very happy when players that I don't like struggle. I am definitely better than you. All right. Well, I'm glad we established that. How you doing, Chris Towers? I'm just a big. grump today. I'm just not in a good mood. Computers are being mean to me.

Keith Cummings is being mean to me. Oh, come on. Really? That doesn't sound like him. No, I'm just, he actually has been lovely today. Okay. But computers have been my enemy. All right. Well, computers are your friend. No Scott today, no Scott tomorrow. So I hope you like us because you're going to get plenty of it. Any standouts for you from Wednesday's games? Carlos Rodan pitched really well again. I mean, the the peripherals weren't super great, four strikeouts, four walks, but the fact that he was able to do well against a red-hot Dodgers lineup, he's gotten through this murderer's row of a schedule with very good results. Two runs, two run runs are less in each of his last four games going against the

Dodgers, the Astros, the Red Sox, and the Indians. Rodon's 81% own. This is the time of year where since a lot of players in your league aren't active, guys who are 81% own could be available in a lot of your leagues. They wouldn't be earlier in the year. He's got to be owned in more than 81% of leagues. I mean, two starts next week, first of all, against the Tigers and the Twins. Yeah.

And I know the walks were bad yesterday, but he only had two walks over his previous three starts combined. Four straight starts allowing two runs or fewer. That's one of the first players I would look on my waiver wire for. I know it'd be a long shot, but Carlos Rodon has absolutely got to be owned. What about John Lackey?

79% owned. He, since the All-Star break has been pretty good, he's getting wins. He pitched six innings yesterday, which is a bit of a rarity. But he's kind of like Maida and Ryu. Give me five good innings, get a win. And, yeah, Lackie's 79% owed. Yeah, I'd rather have Rodon than Lackie. I mean, Lackie will get you more wins.

He is 5-0 since the All-Star break. And, you know, that's impressive given the fact that he hasn't pitched deep into any game. He's maxed out at six innings. But I just, I hope he pitches well when I start him, but I'm not running out to get him. I guess he might be a two-star pitcher next week. Yeah, I believe he is. So that helps. I would definitely add him for the two-star week.

And Lackey has a 306 ERA with that 5-0 record since the break, but a one-three whip. so still giving up a lot of hits, some walks. Not exactly pitching great, but he's getting the job done. All right, any other standouts, or I can take it from here? I'll also throw out Nick Povetta. I know you mentioned him earlier and he got sent down, but I believe he is expected back. Yeah, he is.

For the next turn in the rotation, the Phillies have a double header against the Marlins next week, so he'll be the 26 man, and then I would expect him to just stick moving forward. and he just, he remains frustrating, but so, so interesting to me. Yeah, I can't pick him up. I just, he's been so bad. And there have been times when I've been excited about Nick Pavetta because he has a big start,

gets a lot of strikeouts, but I need to see some consistency. Sure. Let me tell you, man, I was so excited for yesterday. I was like, I'm going to make up a lot of ground in our Roto League. Like, here it is. Actually, the last two days. I need it right now. I'm in fifth.

I have like a 2% chance of winning the league. So I need it from everybody. These are the pitchers that I had going over the last two days. Roberto OZuna was good. Garrett Cole, no. Cole, no.

Edwin Diaz, no. I think I started Luis Castillo. So that was good. Marco Estrada, no. Justin Verlander, no. I mean, I'm just having some bad luck right now. So we're a grump. Today's the grumb.

Good. Yeah, right? Everybody loves the grumpy podcasts. So enjoy it. What else will we pissed off about? Let's see. God, I hate the new Chili Peppers album. It's not that new anymore, but it's so bad, man.

When your favorite band puts out an album that bad, terrible. Yeah. I would say I haven't liked a Chili Peppers album since... Don't be careful. Just be careful. What's the one after California? Cation. Oh, by the way? Yeah, I like that one. All right, good.

I didn't go that far back. I like Californication, but I didn't like Stadium. Stadium. Stadium is their best album. No, no. No, because here's the thing. Every single Red Hot Chili Peppers album since the start of eternity is 15 to 20 minutes too long as is. And then they decided to make a double album. Nobody needed a double Red Hot Chili Peppers album. Just because a CD can fit 70 minutes of music on it doesn't mean you need to make 70 minutes of music, chili peppers. You know what? Good for them. Good for them for giving more to their fans.

All right, some news and notes for you. So U. Darvish was removed with a back issue, and you just look at the numbers. He broke a streak of 125 straight games with at least three strikeouts. That was an MLB record, thanks to Ryan Spader for that stat. Darvish, that streak is broken, and he was removed with a back issue. They're calling it precautionary. So we'll see, but, you know, he just wasn't himself yesterday. David Robertson got a save for the Yankees.

Delen Patensis had pitched three games in a row. It wasn't available. The Yankees right now are sticking by a roll as Chapman. I will stick by what I said, that I think Patensis would get most of the saves if they do remove Chapman from that role. Congratulations, Aaron Judge. It has set a single-season record,

33 straight games with a strikeout. He also hit a home run that was measured at like 450 feet. That was so much farther than that. I mean, Stackast is still a little limited sometimes. He crushed it. This is big. The National League has a chance to win interleague play for the first time since 2003. Wow.

They are currently losing, but they've got a chance. Got a chance. The most boring player in fantasy, Lorenzo Caney homered yesterday, so reverse jinx. Evan Gaddis did baseball activity yesterday. Corey Dickerson batted sixth. Brad Miller was leading off, and it wasn't even a lefty on the mound, so they're trying to get him going. He actually had a good game. You see Travis Darno?

where he played yesterday? Yeah. Second and third base, just over and over and over again. Yeah, it's pretty funny. I believe he got all five appearances at both positions. That doesn't count, right?

I don't believe so. So they started Dardo because two of their infielderers got hurt in warmups at third base. And when there was a righty up, they put him at second. And when there was a lefty up, they put him at third,

just thinking, don't, you know, don't hit the ball to opposite field. And it worked. They lost, but he wasn't a liability. So I don't think he's going to gain eligibility there. Don't worry about it with Darnell. Tanaka could pitch next week. Stephen Vote will likely be back this weekend.

We should talk about that because Manny Pena has been hot. Yeah, let's talk about that. Mani Pena has been good for a catcher, but vote coming back. I would guess it'll just be a time share, and there won't be enough playing time for either of them to be much more than a number two catcher. I'm not sure either of them has the talent to be much more than a number two catcher. You think so? Because people were kind of excited about vote,

and I thought he was doing pretty well when he first went to the Brewers. He's only 17% owned. Yeah, I mean, I think he's an okay number two catcher in a big enough role, but if Manny Pena is playing well, I'm not sure they're going to give him all that much playing time. Yeah. I will see. If they do start playing vote, you know, three or four games, 17% own, you need to get him.

Sure, yeah. And C.C. Sabathie is going to pitch at Boston this weekend. Let's go to our email of the day at Facebook. Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. It's from Brian and Pennsylvania. Hey, Carl, Lipp, and Frank. Now that, Chris, is a wonderful show. It's shameless.

Oh. I've only seen the last two seasons, two most recent. I've never watched it. My sister worked on it, but I've never watched. I mean, this is seriously one of the best shows that I need to see. It's great. I like William H. Macy. Yeah, but he's, you know, whatever.

question is from Brian. What's up with Mooky Betts? Down to 265. Now he sent this a couple days ago. So I'll just update it. Down to 269 now, batting average. He can't be a first or second round pick next year, can he? Mookie Betz?

Oh, yes. Oh, my goodness. He's a first round pick. No question, Brian. Yeah, I think so. I am throwing this email. Look, I've been a little frustrated with the fact that Mookie Betts is the number five outfielder in points leagues,

he shouldn't be. Like, it's just not right. He has a 796 OPS. But he, his plate discipline has been tremendous this year, 54 walks, 56Ks, 17 steals in 20 attempts, 75 RBIs, 79 runs, second most played appearances in baseball behind Charlie Blackman. So Betts is number five in Roto at points in outfield.

He's basically doing what George, Springer did last year. Yeah, that's a good comparison. Like, he's never actually the fifth best outfielder, but at the end of the season, he gives you the fifth most points. But last year, he was legitimately the best player in fantasy, along with Trout. Yes. So there's a couple things, and I think his regression was pretty obvious to see coming.

And I think I wrote before the season that there was a pretty good chance that was the best season Mookie Betts would ever have, because he just had everything go right for him. You know, he, the lineup was clicking like it would be unlikely to do ever again. He had a higher home run to flight ball ratio than you would expect, given his raw power potential. But yeah, I still think he's a first round pick because I think he's a five category contributor and there just aren't many of those. I don't think he's a 269 hitter. I think he's probably a true talent 300 hitter. And he's just had a little bit of bad luck.

And the fact that he's number five, despite having bad luck, says a lot about how good this guy is. He's number five, but he is the number five. but he is the number 10 outfielder in points leagues, and that is not a first round. Sorry, in Roto leagues. But the fact that he's the number 10 outfielder in Roto with a bad year. A crappy luck season, I think tells you that this guy's really, really good.

He's so good. He's a superstar. So this might be a down year, but there's also a good chance that the last six weeks are huge for Mookie bets. Well, he's due. I mean, he hasn't been so bad where I'm going to say he's due, nor does he have the track record of Machado and Duxado. Donaldson and Rizzo, but he's probably due, right?

What are you laughing at? We're not going to do this again. No, but he's the kind of guy that could definitely get hot and boost those numbers pretty quickly. So thank you for the email, Brian. Sorry to be so mean about it. In the bullpen, Zach Britton's not going to lose his job,

but he's, you know, he's been a bit of a whip killer since coming off the DL. He has a 461 ERA, six walks, 12 strikeouts, and 13 and 2 thirds. But how about this? what do you make of this for Britain? So he's been in a lot of non-save situations because they haven't had that many.

But in the five save situations for Britain since coming off the DL about five and a half weeks ago, three and two-thirds, no hits, no runs, one walk, four strikeouts. He's been great in safe situations. Yeah, I don't buy that. I don't believe that he's just like, all right, this isn't a game

where the guy in the hole represents the tying run, so I'm just not. going to try. But you, come on. You know there's the narratives, the old baseball narratives that guys... I know there's narratives, yeah. But they could be true. I mean, it's an adrenaline thing.

It is. Maybe. Maybe. I don't buy it. I think you take the overall track record, especially when the sample size you're citing is three and two thirds in it. Like, he's faced, what, 10 batters? I don't think that you necessarily take the full sample size.

for Britain, the full track record, because I'm not convinced that he's healthy. Oh, no, but no, but I'm talking about since he came back from the DL. Oh, okay, okay, okay, yeah. No, I clearly think he's not the same guy. The strikeout rate way down, the walk rate way up, still getting a ton of ground balls, but even that's the worst that's been in a couple of years.

I just, I don't think he's the same guy, and I think this is actually, you know, we talk about we talk a lot about how inconsistent and unreliable starting pitchers are. This year's been a good reminder that relief pitchers are extremely inconsistent. You think of the guys who were drafted at the top, and I'm not just talking about the elite guys, although we did acknowledge there were three surefire, no doubt elite closers that were worth reaching for.

And one of them has been amazing. And our oldest Chapman and Wade Day and Zach Britton have been pretty disappointing. Oh, but I think you look at the next tier. Both, I think, are really injury-related. Sure, but that pitchers get hurt. Yeah. And then you look at the next tier, guys. Sung-Wan-O, Edwin Diaz, Ken Giles.

A lot of guys have just... Yeah, they have. But they've been better than the rest of the pack, I think. Not OZoon has been good. Kimbril's obviously been tremendous. I think this is a good reminder that it's just not a very good... Like, when you get an elite closer season, it's really valuable. But I just, I'm not going to reach for closers.

I didn't want to reach for closers, but I wanted two of the top 14 at the beginning of the year. Yeah, I mean, how many of those guys have lost their jobs, though? Not that many. Not that many. How many have? That's a good question, though. Oh, Senwaan O, Edwin Diaz, who got it back, but don't. know what's going to happen with him.

He was removed yesterday because he was terrible. He's walking everybody. All right, so guys who haven't been the closer for the entire season. Are we saying with... For various reasons. Including injury? Okay. Yes. So Britain...

The number two closer in ADP, the number three closer in ADP, the number four closer in ADP, the number five... Who are they? Who are they? Who are they? Eraldus Chapman, Zach Britton, Mark Malanson, Sun Juan O, Edwin Diaz. then you get jurors familiar he got suspended and then hurt David Robertson A.J. Ramos, Francisco Rodriguez, Tony Watson, Sam Dyson.

Yeah, but those, I wasn't talking like Dyson and Watson. That's still in the top 20 in closers. And you're getting to the point where like half of them were just busts. Right, yeah. And that's why I wanted to focus on the reliable ones with job security. I can't do anything about injuries. injuries do happen. But it wasn't so much reaching. I was sort of waiting till the end of the top 14-ish and trying to take two of them. I don't have that many leagues. I don't know if I have

any leagues with any of the best closers. But I sure as hell wish I had Kenley Jansen. I wish I had Craig Kimberle. I wish I had Craig Kimball. Sure. Edwin Diaz, yeah. Are you looking for a replacement there? I mean, we've seen that happen already before, so it's not the worst idea. But I just just don't necessarily trust anyone there. Trevor Rosenthal, who, like Nick Vincent? Would that be your... I guess, yeah. Okay.

Trevor Rosenthal got removed after giving up a home run and a walk and two runs. I think one run was charged to him that was inherited. Look, he's been great for a little while. Yeah. I'm not sure he lost his job last night, but Senuano has been very very... very good in a setup role. I just think neither guy's very good. But, okay, put it this way, I'm not going out to pick up anybody in the Cardinals

bullpen right now. Right. That's basically where I've been for a while. Like, even when Trevor Rosenthal got the job, I just, I can't trust this guy. Oh, no, no, I'm sorry. I already own Rosenthal. I'm not going, I disagree with you on Rosenthal. Like, first of all, they're the kind of team that gets a lot of save chances.

Mm-hmm. They're a good, but not great team. they're not going to crush you and run differential or anything else like that. But, you know, so I like having him for the saves. In fact, I think I'd rather have Rosenthal than Britain. Except now I think there's a better chance that Rosenthal could, oh boy. Uh-oh.

All right. News seven minutes ago. Trevor Rosenthal experienced renewed tightness in his forearm and will undergo further tests. Yeah, you probably want to pick someone up in the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen. Wow. And this is, pitchers get hurt, even relievers. All right, who are we picking up? I feel like it could be O.

I think it would have to be O. Was Brett Cecil, the other guy who got a couple of saves about a month ago? Yeah, yeah. I'd rather pick up O, but I don't trust him. I'm not dropping someone that I like for him. Wow. All right, well, I'm glad we got that news in. Sorry, I didn't see it until just now.

Oh, it's okay. Brad Ziegler pitched in an 8-1 game. He hadn't pitched in four days. Blake Trinen struggled again. So that's a situation worth monitoring in Oakland. And if that's about it from the bullpen, it was a pretty busy day. And are you hiring? Let me tell you all about ZipRecruiter.

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What was more surprising? Yeah. Can I, I'm going to ask you a question. Okay. If a pitcher has 5.3 strikeouts per nine and 3.3 walks per nine. And I set their ERA over under at 1.47. Would you take the over or under? 1.47?

I'm going to go over. Lance Lynn has a 1.47 ERA over his last eight starts with 29 strikeouts and 20 walks. Wow. I think we are officially at the point where we can say Lance Lynn is the biggest sell-high candidate in baseball. History. History. Wow. I mean, he's basically doing what Jason Vargas did earlier in the season.

His strikeout rate, I believe, is the worst of his career now. His walk rate is the worst of his career. His ground ball rate is fine, but he's got a 305 ERA and a 478 fit. I just, I can't, I cannot, I have not wanted to trust it all season, and he's proven me wrong all season, but the bottom's going to fall out. Hey, listen, I just want to go to talk about Rosenthal again. John Brebia, I'm not exactly sure how to pronounce it, he came in to relieve Rosenthal. Tyler Lyons is another guy that you should look at, but I think Senwano, Tyler Lyons actually

could, is a candidate. I'm going to probably lean toward O, but I don't, uh, but I just want to give you all some more names to take a look at if you need a closer. This time of year, man, closers become available and people pounce on them. They're always on the most added list. Lions is a lefty. Keep that in mind, but he has a 284 ERA, 14 walks, 46 strikeouts. He has one saved this year, and he has been freaking lights out lately. So Tyler Lyons, Senwano, probably the two candidates that you want to take a look out there.

All right, Chris, let me ask you, what's more surprising? Will Myers stole three bases in one inning? or John Lackey stole a base? Will Myers stealing home. Yeah, I'm going to put steel in quotes. Yeah. It was like part of a rundown guy from first base breaks for second. It was a double steel, yeah.

It wasn't originally a double steal, though. It was like a delayed double steel. Yeah, he sort of read the play. He did a nice job. But it wasn't a straight steal of home. But good for him. Will Myers is now the number 17 first baseman in both points and roto. 17 with a 239 batting average.

Yikes. And I feel like that's just because he hasn't gotten hurt. Yeah, right? But 24 home runs and 14 steals is not bad at first base. It's pretty good. It's okay. Last year he was the number nine first baseman in points, number six in Roto. But he had a 697 OPS after the All-Star break.

And he's carried it over. So Myers has been disappointing. I know a lot of people would say, should I drop him? He hasn't been dropped to 97% own. I like him in a Categories league. He'll get you some skills. Yeah, I don't think you should drop him. I think he's useful as a corner infield or a utility player,

but he's just not a difference maker as a first base. Chris, it's time for a new segment. It's called, dude, look, I'm not saying I'm going to drop you, but your performance last night just wasn't good enough, okay? Yeah. All right, so I have five pitchers out here. Cole Hamels, dude, look, I'm not saying I'm going to drop you, but your performance last night just wasn't good enough, okay?

Hamels, five walks, four runs and six in a, he just was off yesterday. But eight straight starts with two or fewer walks before this. Can we just throw it away for Cole Hamels? I mean, the strikeout rate has improved, but it's still 5.7 per nine for the season. Yeah. He's certainly not the same guy he was anymore. I don't think he's a high upside pitcher at all. It's been pretty good since coming off to the L, though.

I think it's nine or ten starts. Sure. But I, even then, he hasn't really big. in Colhammels, like in terms of, like, the run prevention has been fine, but he's still not striking near as many guys out. Since coming off to DL, I mean, he had one absolutely terrible start, but he has a 370 ERA. And if we get rid of that that first start off the DL,

we crunch the numbers a little bit, which I know Chris Love's doing, and we just look at the last, for Cole Hamill's, the last nine starts, 293 ERA, 46 strikeouts and 61 and a third. So you're right. The whip's been good all season, though. 111-11 whip this year. You start them. He's got a 245 Babbson's coming off the DL.

6.4K per 9. Angels and A is on the road next week. You're starting Cole Hamill's. I'm not saying Co-Hamble's is dropable. I'm not saying you're benching him. He's not a high-upside pitcher anymore. I hate Jimmy Nelson. Dude, look, I'm not saying I'm going to drop you,

but your performance last night just wasn't good enough, okay? Six and a third, five runs, three earned. one walk seven strikeouts his previous start was nine run runs in three and two thirds at san francisco at the dodgers next week you're going to start jimmy nelson anything to say about him i'm not even considering benching him garrett cole not good enough last night five run four runs on five hits and six innings nine strikeouts but three solo homers and now 26 home runs this year allowed by cole in 153 and two thirds over his previous three seasons, 29 home runs in 462 innings. He's almost matched that this year. But he did have a quality start in 10 of his previous 11 before yesterday. Cole Hamels.

I mean, excuse me, Garrett Cole. Look, I'm not saying I'm going to drop you. Yeah, right. But your performance this season just hasn't been good enough. Yeah, this season, it's true. He's just every time it seems like he's turning a corner, he regresses. And, yeah, I just, he's certainly not. special anymore.

No, Garrett Cole, can't say he is. I was very excited about him, but he's been disappointing. He's got the Dodgers and at the Reds next week. I'm still going to start him in a two-star week. Yeah. Even with the Dodgers. Jacob Ferreya. Are you getting worried at all about Jacob Ferreya?

5-080 RA in his last six starts. So I want to check his minor league numbers because he was, he was someone who struggled with control on the minors, right? Yes. Not so much of the majors, though. That wasn't an issue at the start of his major league career, but it has been something of an issue of late. And, you know, maybe batters are catching up to him.

I'm not ready to drop him. I'm still starting him in the one league. I started him the one league that I have him in. But, you know, he's maybe not the ace we were looking for. Yeah. Faria, I don't know that he's getting tired because he hasn't even pitched as many innings as he threw last year, which was 151 minor league innings. But he's starting to go to the route of Burrios right now,

where it's like I still have them both on the team. I have Friah, actually, in three leagues I have Brios and one. I'm not dropping them, but I'm not starting Boreos. I did start Fariah. I mean, he's going to have two starts next week. So Fariah's got the Blue Jays at home and the Cardinals on the road. Probably be a game time decision. Right now I lean towards starting him.

Yeah, that's going to depend on who else I've got because those are pretty middling. They're not good or bad matchups. Yeah, I mean, the Cardinals have been hot. I know they blew it yesterday, but they've been a really good team lately. All right, finally, dude, Edward Rodriguez, look, I'm not going to drop you.

But your performance last night just wasn't good enough, okay, Eduardo Rodriguez? And since coming off the DL, yeah, I've been very good. Now, granted, the last two starts, 12 innings, two run runs before yesterday. But this is a guy who has one start, year of more than six innings. And it is not because they take them out with 90 pitches and they let the bullpen do it. It's because Eduardo Rodriguez is ridiculously inefficient. How do you view him?

He's 85% owned? I think he kind of is what he is. I think he's a high, three's low fours, he's a prior pitcher. He's going to get strikeouts, but he's just like you said, not efficient enough. He gives up too many home runs. I don't think he's bad, but I don't think he's good. Let's go to four up and three down. So with these four up, we got, these players are owned in about half our leagues. Tell me if you think they should be owned more. Marcus Simeon. Last 28 days, he's a top 9 shortstop, batting 324 with 4 homers. Marcus Simeon.

Neil Walker. I think he's under under 100. One second. Let me get them all out of the way. Oh, I didn't realize that was the game. Yeah, no, I paused. It was a bad pause on my part. Neil Walker, 49%. Last five games, he's 11 for 19 with two homers. Last year he hit 23 homers in 113 games. There's only nine doubles somehow.

Neil Walker. And Manny Pena, 790 OPS this season, 38% owned, two homers in his last five games. Simeon Walker, Pena, are they underowned? Marcus Simeon is. Is he Walker playing every day? I think so, yeah, he's their second baseman. I think he is. I think he is underowned.

Manny Pena, I don't think so. Playing time, like we talked about earlier, could be an issue for him moving forward. And I just, I don't think he's special. Okay. I'll double check and make sure that Walker's playing every day, but they traded for him, and it's been VR that's been sitting. Yep. And, uh, all right. It's center field. So here's another guy. We actually had four up and not three. Four up is Mark Reynolds. He's 93% owned.

A home run in two straight games. No? No. Six road games. I think he's been over-owned for months. Right? I can't believe Mark Reynolds is 93% owned. I don't understand. Is he more owned than Will Myers? No, Will Myers is 97%.

But that, like, it's been a nice season for Mark Reynolds overall. The season long numbers look fine, but he's been bad for half the season now. And I just, I don't see any reason a first base only eligible player who hasn't been good in 10 weeks is owned like this. Especially, they've got six games on the road. Yes, right. Next week, if you need to win, you don't want to be starting Mark Reynolds. Do you want to be starting Brett Gardner? Let's go to three down. Brett Gardner sat yesterday. He's batting 161 in August with no home runs, with a 179 slugging percentage. He stole two bases on August 1st and none since. Brett Gardner has been terrible. He's 93% own.

Now, he's had a good year, 23rd in points, 32nd in Roto at Outfield. But this is a guy who often slumps in the second half. What do you think about Gardner? I'm fine starting him in a five outfielder league. I wouldn't start him in a three-outher league, I don't think. Logan Morrison is 88% own. Is he dropable? He's batting 219 with four homers since the All-Star break. Logan Morrison.

Logan, shouldn't have talked to all that crap about Gary Sanchez? Yeah, it's true. It's true. This is, I mean, look, we have a very long track record of Logan Morrison being an average replacement level type of player. I didn't fully buy this breakout. I mean, look, we talked about all these breakout guys. Yonder Alonzo, Justin Smoke, Logan Morrison.

Who were some of the other, like, top prospects from 2009 who were having a good year? Tim Beckham, not that long ago. Yeah, and, yeah, no, you mentioned, right. Smoke is the one who's keeping it up. Right. And everyone else kind of has fallen off. Yeah, I was thinking about that, actually. It's pretty interesting.

It's like, I don't know that. That's probably about what you should expect. Every three out of nowhere breakout guys, probably two of them are fake. That seems right to me. Oh, wow, wow. All right. Well, that's interesting.

I wish Scott were here because I feel like he'd have a different take on it. I'm not prepared to be Scott. But we're saying you can drop Logan Morrison then at 88% owned? Probably. If you need a two-star pitcher or something, there's a lot of them next week. I'd probably still, it's tough. I think I'd still rather have him than Mark Reynolds, but it's hard to say.

I'd rather have him than Mark Reynolds when Mark Reynolds isn't at home. Actually, it's not really a great week for. Rinaldo Lopez might be a guy that you want to pick up right now. 57% owned, Minnesota and Detroit. Carlos Rodon's owned in fewer leagues in Logan Morrison. There's got to be some overlap there. If you could pick up Rodon, then that's like no question. I'm not sure I'm going to avoid Fultenevich two starts.

I don't care what he did yesterday at Colorado. Seattle and then the Rockies again at home. I don't know. Game time to Sij. Yeah, he's a drag. Boy, I feel like we don't like it. This is the grumpy show. We just don't like people today.

I was in such a good mood yesterday that I had to balance it out today. Ben Gamble's been horrible lately. He hits for no power and he's 25% owned. So it's just a five outfielder league anyway. way, but he was the most babbipy babbib guy ever. I'm going to guess you don't have any interest in Paul Blackburn, Jose Yerana, or Clayton Richard. Jose Iorania's numbers, like the ERA, the 11 and 5 win-loss record look really good.

He's got like a 5-7 FIP. Like this is the most smoke and mirrors thing of all time. I was going to put a, boy, grumpy show. So I was going to make a category for Jose Urena just call how is this happening, but I don't usually do one-person categories. He's the poor man's Edinson Volquez, and Edinson Volquez isn't very good either. Let's go to the rotation and talk about some better pitchers. Marcus Stroman, one home run allowed in his last 10 starts.

He's the number 11 starting pitcher and points, number 20 in Roto. He has a 130 whip. Do you remember my bold prediction? Say Young. If not for Chris Sayle and Cory Klooper. Yeah. He'd be up there. He might be like top five.

and Syung. Just saying. Without those two guys? I think he might be top five right now. Severino, I'd probably vote for him. No, I don't know. I don't know. I think he'd be in the top five discussion.

It's not, I'm just saying. It's pretty good. Yeah, it's pretty good. Not a crazy one. John Gray. My Chuck Peterson top five MVP doesn't look so great. John Gray, is he approaching, like, are you going to start John Gray and his home starts now?

Against a matchup like Atlanta for sure. Yeah, you said start it yesterday. Nationals at home, no way. He's at Kansas City and at Atlanta, so congratulations. John Gray's 87% own. You're going to want to start him next week. Definitely. Taiwan Walker, 540 ERA in his last four starts and 8% swinging strikes.

Grumpy Chris is happy about that one. No comment. I want to see everyone succeed at him. He called it. Charlie Morton had a pretty good start. Four walks, but nine strikeouts against Arizona. I don't fully buy it. him. But at this point, it's like I kind of have to accept it. So you're all in on Brad Peacock,

but not Charlie Martin. Oh, yeah. Peacocks got better secondary stuff. Charlie Morton throws like 97. Morton does throw pretty hard. You know, obviously you're going to start him in a two-star week, even if Washington is one of those starts. Man, in our podcast Points League, we talked about the Miguel Cabrera drop, and I put in a claim for him. I'm sure a lot of people did. I didn't get him. Somebody picked up Miguel Cabrera and dropped Ryan. Ryan Zimmerman. And I had just not down with that. And I picked up Ryan Zimmerman.

So thank you. That's an interesting one. Not down with that. I know Zimmerman's been like... You still have to take Miguel Cabrero over Ryan Zimmerman. I don't know. Weren't we like, weren't we all saying, oh, Ryan Zimmerman sucks like two weeks ago? Yeah, but he's hot now.

I mean, the thing is, at this point, if you're playing in a roto league, it's one thing, a season-long rhodo. If you're playing in any type of head-to-head one week or two-week matchups, you've got to pay attention to who's hot. Miguel Cabrera hasn't been hot this year. Yeah, I mean, look, Ryan Zimmerman, just without the context of the Miguel Cabrera thing, I think he's having, you know,

even the slow stretch, the July and June, like June he had a 791 OPS, July he had a 737 OPS, which is bad, but he still had five home runs, and he only had a 245 Babbup. So the underlying skill set actually wasn't that bad. I'm not, like, he wasn't special in June and July, but it wasn't like, oh, he's back to being 2016 Ryan Zimmerman.

I think there, he is legitimately a better player this year than he was last year. All right, so this is the grumpy show. And the reason why it's the grumpy show is because, like, we just had a lot of technological setbacks. And I have to get out of here. So we're going to end today's show with today's, matchups, Chris. Patrick Corbyn at Mike Fires. I'm the Patrick Corbyn guy if there is a Patrick Corbyn guy, but I'm not not trusting

him against the Astros. Scott Feldman at John Lester, just Lester. John Lester. We're not going to start Sims or Jeff Hoffman, right? In Cores? You know, I'm not starting Jeff Hoffman, but I could absolutely see him having a very good start today. We will, we will start Chris Archer. Will we start Chris Rowley, who has a 169 ERA against the Rays? No. Okay. Late games. Adam Wainwright at Jamison Tyone. I would prefer, there's no way I'm starting Wainwright, and I would prefer to sit Tyone. Severino, yes, Matt's no? Yep. Rinaldo Lopez and Tyson Ross. I'll start, I'll start Lopez. Here's a sleeper for you.

Edwin Jackson at San Diego against Jolie Chassine. Who's good against everyone at home? Are you starting Chasine or Jackson? He's not going to be good against the nationals. I think he's already been good against the nationals at home. That can't be. That can't be. He's been good.

I'm going to look up his home starts. He's been good against every team at home. Every team he's faced. He's been good against the Diamondbacks at home, eight scoreless innings. Dodgers, five and a third one run. Texas, no, that didn't happen. Milwaukee, seven innings, one run. Colorado, six innings three earned.

Kansas City, seven innings two runs. Cincinnati, seven innings two runs. Dodgers again, five scoreless. Look at him. You can buy Chasin. I won't. You lease Chesed? I won't even lease him.

All right, well, are you starting Edwin Jackson at San Diego? I think that's more interesting than Ulys Chasin. Edwin Jackson's actually been pretty. pretty good for the nationals. I would rather start him than Yelis Jasein against the national. I'll go the other way. I'll take Chasin and we'll fight about it tomorrow. And we're going to start both Aeronola and Jeff Samarja. I apologize for the short show. We'll talk to you tomorrow. We'll get your lineup set for week 21. Thank you all so much for listening. For Chris Towers, I'm Adam Azer. See ya.