Fantasy Baseball Today - 09/14: Week 26 Help (Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: September 14, 2018

We've got so many hitters and pitchers you can consider adding beginning with a complete look at the two-start pitchers for Week 26 (6:42). Take a look at Joe Musgrove and Tyler Glasnow ... RPs to add (15:00), ranking some Top 30 SPs for 2019 (21:05) and taking a look at the Most Added list (27:45) which features a very interesting Ramon Laureano ... We look at one-start streamers for next week (33:06) and Scott gives you sleeper hitters (37:50) and a weather update ... 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

Domingo, Santana, ooh, I want to add you to my roster in Roto, replacing Gio Soto, Gio Lido and Grito, baby, where my Fabco. Near the Florida key, the place in that's where it's under just. All right, everybody, you have maybe a little bit of a rough week, Friday, feeling it, been working hard. Kick back, relax. It's Kokomo Friday. Scott Nathover here. That's where we want to go.

Way down to Kokomo, Scott. Happy Kokomo Friday. That's where I'd go. Yeah, that is where. Go there with you. Go there with anybody. We're going to take a bunch of two-star pictures to Kokomo with us this week. And we are going to recap Wednesday and Thursday and tell you what you may have missed.

All right, everybody. Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. I'm going to read some emails as well. Scott, we don't have to have. much time today. We're going to have to talk about the Dodgers rotation. Ross Stripling is back. Alex Wood is out. We're going to have to talk about two legends who are retiring. Pedro Strope. You're going to have to find a replacement for him. That is not crystal clear. And we could be getting an awesome closer back next week. So a lot of stuff, a lot of stuff. But let's start with this.

Do you have any standout performers from Wednesday or Thursday that you'd like to talk about? and if not, just let me know I'm happy to throw some your way. Well, David Dahl, I thought, was interesting yesterday. I think he's having an interesting season overall. I feel like if he played more consistently, we might have reason to get excited about him because I don't think it's a situation

where we're waiting for him to regain his stroke after an extended time lost to injury anymore. You look at the batted ball profile compared to 2016. Obviously missed all of last year with the rib injury, but 2016 had that great shortened rookie season that had everybody excited about his potential at Coors Field. Well, compared to that, his strikeout rate, his walk rate virtually identical. He actually has a higher line drive rate, a much higher ISO.

Now, he had like a 400-Ballure. BAPIP in 2016, which maybe explains the difference in production. But that is not something you could expect anybody to sustain, of course. And David Dahl bet at leadoff yesterday. Got three hits and a double. And, yeah, I mean, I think he's already usable. I don't know. Here's the thing.

Because I was going to talk about David Dahl. We're on the same page. 46% owned. Bad against lefties this year. Bad on the road this year. So I know he's on the road for six games next week. I'll try to look at the matchups, which I'm sure will change. I mean, the fact is he's not playing every day.

So that limits his appeal right away. And as of right now, he is scheduled to face Ryu, Kershaw, and Corby. Also, Bueller, Godly, and Granky. So it looks like the Rockies actually have pretty crappy matchups next week. They do. They do. Like brutal matchups, my goodness. They have the second worst.

Oh, so yeah, so it's a shame because, doll is playing well if they keep them in the lineup but i can't trust them with potentially three very good lefties on the schedule i don't know if you consider riu very good but kershaw and corbin and riu and uh six road games so that's kind of a shame um yeah the hitters are interesting right now i mean like john carlo stanton's been terrible he is in a deep slump you you can't get rid of him uh yeah i dropped him all the grief you gave me about leaving him out of my did second rounds when I did that during the All-Star break, and I left him out for the final final edition of that earlier this week.

That's fine. I'll still give you grief. I'll still give you grief. That's fine. Because wait to see what happens in the last two weeks of the season. He's going to go berserk. Look, he's still a good player. Oh, he's a great player.

I just don't think he's one of the top 24 players in fantasy. You know what? When you really don't steal at all, it does put you behind the eight ball a little bit. so. Starly Marte. He's been terrible. Since the All-Star break, he's batting 256. He has six steals and 13 attempts in 45 games.

You could definitely sit Starling Marte in a points league. I don't know about a Roto League. Scott, I think I'm ready to drop Kendris Morales. If I picked him up, God, he's been dreadful since that stretch. Yeah, they do have good matchups this week, but that's, you know, he's not my top 10 sleeper hitters or anything. I've already done that, by the way, so I can actually make reference to it throughout the podcast. Good, good.

And, you know, there's another hitter. We're going to go a little out of order today, but just give people what they need to know. There's another hitter that I was about to say definitely drop the guy. Rafael Devers sits against lefties. He sat against two of the last two righties in the last six games. So Devers is like not playing, but last night Eduardo Nunez did leave with an injury. So that's the guy who's been sort of replacing Devers. You might want to wait and see you there.

But, I mean, I can understand being very frustrated if you own Elvis Andrews, if you own Rafael Devers, if you own Kensner-Serales, if you own John Carlos Stanton. They're obviously on different levels. But, you know, it's crunch time, and you got to figure out what you're doing right now. So we'll look at the most added list. We'll tell you who we've added and dropped and look at some hitters that could replace them. Scott will give you some sleeper hitters as well. That'll be very fun. Favorite two start pitchers for Fantasy Week 26?

Seven? It's 26. There's 27 weeks this year since the season started on a Thursday and there's more days on the season calendar this year because they built in more off days. So 27 weeks, coming up on 26 here.

My favorite two start pitchers who might actually be available in some leagues is going to be led by Joe Musgrove who opens the week against the Royals and then the Brewers but you know I like what he's been doing recently anyway getting a lot more swinging strikes

basically an elite rate with you know really good walk rate that's always been the case for him he's a very good control pitcher I also like Tyler Glass now at Texas is not such a great matchup but you know the fact he has two

and really he's made only one bad start in the whole time with the raise. Definitely somebody I'd be willing to use. He's only 59% owned. And then Brad Keller, I feel like we were talking about this last week. And I felt very good. He would definitely make two starts last week.

Apparently, that hasn't been the case because here he is among the two-star pitchers, again, at Pittsburgh, at Detroit. Nothing wrong with those matchups. Obviously, not the upside of the first two. But he's been reliable because he's such a lot of, a good ground ball pitcher. Yeah, he was great in a one-start week.

So even if you started him for two starts and you just got the seven innings of one-run ball and a win with six strikeouts against the White Sox, worked out very nicely for you there. And there's some that are actually pretty good who I didn't even mention. Like Wade LeBlanc, no, not even Wade LeBlanc, the other Wade, Wade.

Wade Miley. I like his matchups this week. He's not showing up on the CVS list because that's what happens sometimes. But he's supposed to get Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. So he's a pretty good option. You know, we'll go through it. You know what?

No, let's do it now, Scott. Let's do it now. We usually save two-star pitchers for the end. Let's do it now. And let's start at the top. Would you give any consideration to sitting the red hot, super awesome, red sock, David Price, At the Yankees and at Cleveland.

Can't imagine doing that. He has been unbelievable over the past couple months. Okay. I agree. God, he's so bad at Yankee Stadium. But without Aaron Judge, I completely agree. Let's see. We've got some non-obvious ones.

We're good with Steven Strasberg, right? He's back to being must-start at Miami and up against the Mets. I mean, his velocity's still down, but his last start was really good, and I think four out of five have been great. Four out of five have either been really good or great. Yeah, he's been just fine. Steven Straussberg, again, great matchups next week.

John Gray, at the Dodgers and at the Diamondbacks. I'm not sure I can trust John Gray at this point. He is really pitching poorly. Two straight starts of four innings. Two straight starts of six innings before that, or six or more, with one strikeout. So, yeah, I don't know. Well, I wish his last start had gone better because the slider was back.

He got a ton of whiffs in that start, but, what was it, four runs and four innings? So there was a stretch of like three starts there where he just wasn't missing any bats because his breaking ball wasn't getting the movement it normally does. But that was back in his last start, and because, you know, it's two starts, I think I'd be willing to roll with them. Two road starts, too. You trust Annabal Sanchez against the Cardinals and Phillies? Yeah, that was one I was going to mention.

He's technically less than 80% owned. So there's a chance somebody he could pick up. Yeah. It seems plausible he could not end up making two starts because it's a Tuesday Sunday thing, and they could insert Tucci Toussaint in there. But he's rarely bad. So even if it ends up just being one start,

I don't think you're going to regret it too much. And about Sanchez, 74% owned St. Louis and Philadelphia. Elfia. So Scott mentioned Joe Musgrove. He mentioned Tyler Glass. Now he mentioned Brad Keller. He mentioned Wade Miley. What about Wade Blanc?

At Houston and at Tech... There's no way. At Houston at Texas? Can't be it. Yeah. That's why I backed out of that. Yep. Said the wrong Wade.

No on... Desclafani? He's got to be a no, right? Nope. And Jake Oterreasy, nearly no-hit the Yankees on Wednesday. At Detroit and at Oakland. Those are kind of polar opposite matchups there.

I don't have a lot of faith in Odarezi. A lot of walks, a lot of home runs. Suarez, Valdez, Aaron Sanchez. You've actually been pitching better lately. Aaron Sanchez is interesting. 40% own. He's got good matchups. He does.

At Baltimore, especially, and then versus Tampa. But really good performances against Tampa and Boston in his last two outings. He's, I'd be willing to call him a sleeper. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, the two stars. Since before, these last two good ones were awful. 11 runs of 8 and a third against Philadelphia and at Miami. So there's always a risk with Aaron Sanchez.

And, yeah, there's lingering doubt whether or not he's good. Obviously, was great two years ago, but hasn't shown a lot since then. Between injuries. Yeah. Jordan Zimmerman has good matchups. He's just, you know, not that good. So, okay, we're not. He's pitched okay recently, but I'm...

I can't trust him. I'd be more likely to do, like, Ryan Buraki, has those same matchups as Aaron Sanchez does, and he's on a nice little run here. And those matchups for Sanchez and Barucchi are at Baltimore and home against Tampa Bay. Are you sure because we have Sam Gavillo as the other two-star pitcher? I am as sure as I can be of any pitching matchup this time of year.

Okay. Okay. Well, you're going to have to take it up with CBS, then. Yeah, that was a change I had to make when I was going through the matchups, so I can't remember what I saw that made me change it, but yeah, I'm going with my prediction, that Baraki makes two starts. All right, and then, you know, if you're looking at Felix Pena, he is not bad, but at Oakland, at Houston, it's just too much.

Now, I don't think he's going to make two starts. Okay, because I was corrected. I quote tweeted an Angel's Beat writer after his start this week, he threw six shut edits against the Ranger. I just said, Adam for two starts next week. And the beat writer, who I quoted, said, I'm not confident he's going to be making two starts. Okay, okay.

I think there's a chance Tyler Skaggs comes back midweek. When I looked into it further, that's not what the beat writer said, but that seems to be a possibility. If not that, then they could just have somebody else make a spot start and push Pena out. That is your look at two-star pitchers for Fantasy Week 26. Two weeks to go. Wow.

News and notes. Trevor Cahill was scratched with a strain back. They don't seem overly concerned right now, but hey, you never know. Ross Stripling is replacing Alex Wood in the rotation. They're pushing Junjun Ryu back to Monday to make him a two-star pitcher next week. But Stripling is back in. And Stripling was really good in his start just a few days ago in like three and a third or whatever it was. He's a must start, right?

Well, I mean, until we know he's fully extended, I don't know that I call a must start. But I like him. I think he should be owned. Yeah, okay. And how about, oh, we got to talk about the Cubs bullpen. But first, David Wright is going to play one game this year, at least one, and then he'll retire. And Joe Mauer may retire this offseason. Scott, we're losing a couple of baseball legends to retirement.

Yeah, make me feel old because Both of those guys went to the first career start I got to feel like it wasn't that far before I started working for CBS Same thing with Wright Yeah, Maurer was 2004, yeah, I started in 2007 Yeah, all these guys retiring, man, I'm old You are old, you have two kids, of course you're old

Pedro Stroop's going to be out a while with a hamstring entry Who are we looking at in the Cubs bullpen? So my initial thought was Carl Edwards, who has great strikeout ability. There's also Steve C. Sheck, who is good numbers this year and is a history of closing. But I'm not sure it matters because Brandon Morrow sounds like is going to return before the end of next week. It's had a couple good bullpen sessions, and obviously it was a great closer before going on the DL. I think, if anything, it creates some clarity there that, you know, the kids. Cubs have plenty of incentive to move him back into the rolls.

Strobe is probably going to miss a couple weeks. Now, could you start tomorrow next week, not knowing exactly when he's going to get back? Probably not. And then that only leaves one week after that. But nonetheless, he's the Cubs reliever to own right now, I think. Yeah, I mean, I'm in a daily league. I'm in a daily league where I'm picking up closers on Monday and starting him on Tuesday, you know, and picking up on Tuesday, starting him on Wednesday.

So you might be able to snobers. sneak and a few saves from the Cubs, but Justin Wilson and Carl Edwards, each of them, their last six appearances have been less than an inning. Steve C. Shechick's been terrible lately, so I don't know who they turned to, and then, yeah, it's probably just going to be Marl when he gets back. Clay Buckholtz was scratched with a stiff elbow.

Yadier Marlena's back. He did leave yesterday early, but it was like a seven-run game. A roll-of-chatman could be back next week, which would be really nice, and Gene Sigura has been out with flu-like symptoms. More bullpen stuff for you. So who can we pick up? You know, I was, it's so interesting, Scott, because, like, this time of year, you wouldn't expect there to be closers available, but in this same league that I mentioned, head-to-head categories, 12 teams.

Last week, I picked up A.J. Minter. I was going to pick up Will Smith, but, oh, two days ago I picked up Horano, who, of course, blew a save. I was going to pick up Will Smith, but they are so bad. They have, they never get saves. Like, they don't have a save in September yet. So, but, you know, my point is because of the way bullpents have been this year, I am finding a lot of guys who could get saves on the waiver wire. And as we look at these situations, Jose Alvarado is someone I think that should be picked up.

We still have not located Sergio Romo. But I have seen a report that he's fine. Okay, well, they just don't like it. They haven't had a save this month. They got one last night. Okay. Or Wednesday. Okay.

Wednesday they got one. And it was Alvarado. Yeah. Well, okay. That's your point. He doesn't need to be picked up. But I think he's a candidate for saves. Gazellman, probably going to get most of the saves for the Mets.

That seems to be clear. Horano was the guy that we told you to get. And, I mean, it was the logical thing to do. But he gave up two-home run, oh, he gave up, like, two-run home or whatever. He blew a save on Wednesday. I forgot the circumstances. It was at Colorado. I don't know who gets the next chance, but it was Heron.

Boxburger's just awful. He had another bad appearance. I'd still bank on Herono getting the next chance. Yeah, I mean, like you said, there's a lot of closers. Obviously, there's some leagues where everybody just scoops those guys up right away, and there's Devers' saves on the way of the wire. But if there's a league where the Pheranos of the world, who else? Well, I think Alvarado.

I think... Yeah, if there's leagues where those guys are available, then there's a good chance that even higher-end ones are available, just looking at the ownership percentage. You know, you don't have to go with the new guy who just entered the role. You could go with... Let me see here. Well, I mean, Gazellman, like you said,

has been in it for a while now. He's 32% owned. Willie Peralta has... Willie Peralta, yep. Yeah, he gets all their saves. He gets all their saves. And Michael Givens, I mean, they're the worst team in the world, but Michael Givens gets saves for Baltimore.

Yes, he does. And he's been good since being moved into that role. He's been better really bringing that ERA down. And Kirby Yates is still. 56% owned. Yeah, okay. He could be, like an elite reliever,

hasn't gotten the save chances that broad-handed before getting traded, but he has three in the past six days, five days. The only other situation I'm monitoring right now that I can think of would be Washington

because Doolittle has struggled since coming off the DL, and Holland's been very good for Washington. So they gave Doolittle the chance yesterday. Well, he came in in a tie game and the ninth got an out. I forgot. I think he pitched the ninth. Then he struggled in the 10th.

Sometimes that happens. And it took the loss. It's just something to keep in mind if they could opt for Greg Holland. All right, that's your bullpen update. Let's do this, Scott. We rank Armand Marquez every time he pitches. We rank Zach Wheeler every time he pitches for next year. Let's rank them against.

each other. And let's throw one more name in there. And I don't know why I went with this guy, but I went with Mike Clevenger. Rank him for next season. Zach Wheeler, Mike Clevenger, Armand Marquez. Mike Clevenger doesn't get enough credit, I don't feel like. And I don't think anybody's out there claiming he's actually bad. But you just don't hear a mention of on great pitchers. He'd be my number one because, I mean, it's been a full season of this after, like, a half season last year.

of him being a front-end type pitcher. So he's number one. I would go Marquez two and Wheeler 3. Marquez has the most strikeout potential of all three of them. Yeah. Wheeler's good, though, too. Wheeler's definitely going to be in my top 30 going into next year. Wow.

Last 10 starts, he's a 132 ERA. He's been dominant in seven or more innings in nine of his last 11 starts. Yeah, my one concern about Wheeler And obviously his owners who are still competing for something this year Don't want to hear it, but Why is he still pitching? Because he's thrown like 90 innings the previous three years combined. Oh boy, that's a good point.

Is he supposed to be a two-star pitcher next week? Let me see that list. He is... is, is. Yeah, I have him sixth in my two-star pitcher regies, but I haven't heard any whispers of him being shut down. Like, I feel like it should have already happened. It should have probably happened at the start of September. Because they have him under control for one more year. Why do they want to waste, why do they want to risk what he could do in that year for what's clearly a lost year? I don't understand. But, yeah. Nonetheless, he's still pitching and pitching well.

He's pitching great for sure. Okay, we got more to talk about here. Most AdLis, we'll look at that. But how about any interesting ad drops that you have made lately? That I've made lately. I'm not sure. Now you're on cruise control right now? Your teams are your teams?

I wouldn't say that either. It's, well, it kind of is. I feel like when you reach, Would you get this far and you're still competing? A lot of times it's hard to make room for new guys, unless, of course, it's like a Hermann Marquez and Tyler White, but those are kind of old news in the leagues I'm playing in. So, yeah, yeah.

All right, that's fine. I got you, Scott. I picked up Kyle Gibson for this weekend. If you can still pick someone up and start him this weekend, Kyle Gibson is scheduled to face the Kansas City Royals. And he was looking kind of rough, but he's bounced back. He's 69% owned. Strikeouts are way down.

But I don't care that much against the Royals. I think he can still have a really good game against them. I keep telling you about all the bullpen guys I picked up. I keep mentioning Michael Conforto, who had another big day yesterday, and is still like 70% owned, so he might be available. And those are the guys I'm keeping an eye on right now. So other than Tyler White, who is still less than 70% owned, Malick Smith has come back from that D.L. Stent for an illness just as hot as he was before. It's six steals and nine games. That's 17 and 39 games since the All-Star break, during which he's batting 338.

Adelberto Mondesi, who we've talked about, has been like a transcendent base dealer. In a year when nobody might get to 40. You realize that, Adam. Nobody might end up with even 40 stolen bases. Wow, really? Yeah, Trey Turner has the best chance. I think he's at 37. And now, well, Whitmeryfield's made a nice run over the past couple days.

I think he's up to 36. So I guess he has a chance, too. Turner's at 38. Oh, Whitmerryfield. Like, I'm glad you brought him up. Let's just talk about Whitmerryfield lately because this guy is stealing, like, a fiend out there, Scott, and he's having a really nice year. I know the power isn't really there,

but since the All-Star break, he has 18, oh, I think 19 now. I think he has 19 steals and 22 attempts in 51 games. Because I did these stats before he played yesterday, and he stole another base. 19 steals in 51 games since the All-Star break, plus a 293 batting average. He's hitting about 300 this year. That guy, I mean, that guy,

Merrifield has been, he's going to win some people some leagues. He's been that good down the stretch. And we never talk about him, Because he just kind of does his thing. Yeah, he has not been a disappointment, I think, in any capacity. He had 19 home runs last year. He has 12 this year. I mean, 19's probably the very max of what he can do with that area.

But he hits for average, really good line driver hit a really good contact hitter. And this is the second straight year. He's probably going to leave the A.O. and stolen bases. So he's so. Certainly a top 10 second baseman. And outfield eligible, too, which is nice. First base eligible, too, though, I doubt you'd play him there. But, yeah, getting back to El Dorado Montesie,

he's been on like a 60 steel pace since becoming a regular for the Royals, hitting for some power to. I think he's pretty close to must add right now, certainly in leagues that value stolen bases. He's only, like, 40% owned. Jonathan V.R., kind of the same story. running a lot more with the Orioles.

And since that trade, he's been top six at both second base and shortstop, even in points league. So not even the one where you've out, he steals as much. So those are three hitters who, I don't know that I've necessarily added them in leagues because there hasn't really been a need, but I could definitely get excited about adding them.

Malick Smith, at Alberto Mondesi, and Jonathan V.R. All right, I'll give you one more. as we look at the most added list. I just want to see the splits here. No, actually. How do you think you can still add him? Luke Voight. Luke Void is the number two player on the most added list.

And he sat a little bit this week because I think he had a back issue. But he's definitely their starter. And Jake Junis is the number one player on the most added list. He's only a one-star pitcher next week. He's a two-star pitcher this week. Next week, though, he'll face Detroit. So Junis has been good enough where you can start him in a one-star week. he's 73% owned.

Voight is 40% own, and he has the Red Sox next week, but also the Orioles. And the Red Sox are throwing, they're not throwing Chris Sale. So it's David Price and Warner Rodriguez and, like, Brian Johnson or something like that. Nobody too scary in that third side. And then the Orioles. So Voight, 40% owned, second most added player. I thought he was better against lefties than right. He's actually been better against Rite.

Scott Wade Miley is on this list. You talked about him. Framber Valdez is fourth on this list. He's a two-star pitcher, but not one that we're recommending. And then what is this all about? Jorge Lopez. Oh, yeah, all right. He's R.P. eligible.

He's given up tour and runs over 15 innings in his last two starts against Baltimore and at Minnesota. Jorge Lopez actually pitches today against the twins. And if that goes well, you might start him at Detroit. Detroit, which means there are going to be three Royals pitchers that you might start next week. Junis Keller and Lopez. Interesting. Interesting.

Yeah, and none of them are Danny Duffy. He's, of course, out for the year. Adam Wainwright is on this list. Six most added player, no. Don't do it. People don't do it. Dodgers this weekend. Just say no.

Actually, the only thing, if he pitches even halfway decent against the Dodgers this, weekend. He does get the best matchup in baseball, the San Francisco Giants next week. Yeah, I know. Still untrusted. That's when the Giants snap out of their fun. Against Wayne Wright? We get out of Wayne right now. They get Wayne right. Yeah. And Mike Miner, if you can pick him up for this weekend, he's a tremendous ad Mike Miner at San Diego. He is 64% owned. Jonathan V.R. is on this list. Ad Alberto Mondesee is on this list. Felix Pena. Not going to make two starts next week, most likely. Kevin Kiermeier, 26% own.

He's been hot lately. Yeah, a lot of guys we've talked about. Carlos Martinez, 78% own. He's a closer. Oh, Ramon Luriano. Yep. Ramon Luriano, Scott, has been leading off for the A's. And in his last 233 games, he has a 1032 OPS.

Good numbers all around. That is not an arbitrary range you just gave too Because 23 games That's the beginning date there Is when he became the primary center fielder for the athletics 1074 OPS you said, right? I had I think 1023 is that what I said 1032

1030 Okay so maybe Whatever 10 something Well whatever 1074 since August 20 When he became the athletic every day or primary center fielder. And his, you know, he had an OPS over 900 in the minors this year, too. Who is this man?

He's more than just a big arm in center field. Oh, yeah, he's a fun fielder. He's led off seven or eight straight games. Yeah, I mean, he's like 25% owned. It's been a great hitter lately. Are you buying it? He, I mean, it's a high batb. So there's some skepticism there.

but it seems like there's enough ability here with the power that he could emerge as a fantasy asset. And the athletics have good enough matchups this week, three-game series, or they're going against the Angels and the Twins, few homer-prone pitchers. He's in my top-ton sleeper-hitters for this week, Luriano. Somebody who, if you need an extra bat, like I'm not prioritizing them on the same. of those other three I mentioned, three big base Steelers. But if you need an extra bat, it's a good time to make a play for it. Would you start Ramon Luriano over Cole Calhoun, who has a 530 OPS in his last 23 games?

I am. Yeah, Luriano in his last 23 games has basically doubled Cole Calhoun's OPS in Calhoun's last 23 games. That's incredible. I like that Calhoun still walking, 14 walks. in that stretch. But, boy, he's been ice cold. I'm going to go pick up Ramon Luriano right now, Scott White. He'll steal you some bases.

Some. I am into this. We found it. We found the guy. Luriana? I hope so. If not, I blame you. I'm going to drop Pedro's stroke and pick up Ramon Luriano.

Beautiful. All right. Let's see what else. Let's talk about some one-star pitchers for next week And then you can give us some sleeper hitters And we'll read some emails Would you trust Derek Holland at San Diego? Holland is 40% owned

Yes Yeah, yeah, I think so Would you trust Daniel Ponce de Leon? I thought he had two starts But he's not on our list So he's probably at Atlanta next week Um It's he's interesting

I don't know that I'd trust him I don't know that I'd be ready to start him just because there hasn't been. He hasn't had a long enough stretch where he's actually been in the rotation. But I think he's made only three starts all year. But you could say all three starts were good starts. One of them was only four innings, but he had eight strikeouts in it. So I'd rather not start him, but you could do worse. Okay, that's Ponce de Leon.

How about Chase Anderson against the Reds? I would not trust him. I don't know that I'll ever trust him again. Carlos Rodan at Cleveland He has 11 quality starts In his last 12 starts Carlos Rodon Yeah

But strikeouts have been up The last couple starts And walks have been up And still not getting the strikeouts And against Cleveland That's one of the best offenses in baseball Rather not Rather not do it

How about Luis Severino Against Boston next week? I would Toof I think I'd be inclined to start him. I'd have to have a really, really strong selection of alternatives to not do it. Yeah, two of Severino's last three starts are coming against Boston. One of them, it's possible, it's possible that one of them is going to be like Boston's B team,

because it's, I think, the last series of the season. It is. Yeah, they'll have nothing to play for them. They'll have the one-seed clenched. helps. Just a correction on Ponc de Leon. He's actually made four starts this year, and one was bad, but the other three really good. How about Eduardo Rodriguez at the Yankees? Man, he was good yesterday, right? He was great yesterday against Toronto. I'd do it. I'd start him. Austin Gomber at Atlanta.

He was awful yesterday. Yeah, he was. And that was after... That was after giving up eight runs over six starts. Yep. That's the exact stat I was looking for. But not a lot of reason to trust that that was legit. His walk rate's high. His long drive rate is absurdly high. There's going to be a lot of base runners for Gompur going forward.

Dylan Bundy against Toronto. No, I can't trust him. But, wow, was he impressive yesterday? Yeah, against the A's best starts since like May. Yep. against with a really tough matchup, eight strikeouts on 16 swinging strikes. The slider was dominant.

What's frustrating about Dylan Bundy because he's been, obviously, up and down, drastic swings in production throughout the season. Last season, same thing. And he just never offers any insight into what's different. Well, show Walter talked about his breaking ball as being awesome yesterday. All right, Scott, because you have to go.

in like seven minutes. Let me go through the rest here. Would you trust Mike Leak at Houston? No. Sandy Alcantara against either Washington or Cincinnati at home. I kind of am coming around to him a little bit, but if it's Cincinnati, maybe, but I'd rather not. Joe Ross at Miami or home against the Mets next week? No strikeouts yesterday for Joe Ross.

Good matchups, and he was throwing hard, as harder than he ever did last year. but no, I need to see more. What is happening in the White House? Scott White's House, not the other White House. Sounds like people working on the lawn outside the window. Tell them to stop. Stephen Mats at Philadelphia or maybe at Washington next week. I'd rather not.

I'd rather not. Stephen Mats? Okay. I'd be more interested in Stephen Mats, I suppose. Yeah. He's getting ground balls, he's getting strikeouts. He's just, I'm still waiting for him to throw the slider that made him so good as a rookie. Maybe I should stop waiting for it and just trust in what we're seeing late.

I mean, you know, getting late for that. Scott, give me the sleeper hitters for next week and the best matchups. You want all of them? You want me to just reveal. I want you to do whatever you can do in about two minutes. Okay. Sleeper hitters. Well, let's start with the match.

Best matchups. are the Rays, who are at Texas and at Toronto seven game week. Alex Smith. The Reds. The Rays, the Reds, the Tigers, the Pirates, and the Twins. So, Scott Shebler, maybe? Yeah, Scott Shebler. They're facing three left-handers in their seven games,

which is good news for him. Reverse platoon splits guy. That was true last year as well. Nice. Shebler's among the top tens of labor hitters. Josh Bell's been kind of hot recently. He's, you know, if you're desperate, he's somebody you could look into.

Worship matchups, the Red Sox, Rockies, who we mentioned, White Sox, Braves, and Cardinals. A lot of the sleeper hitters we've mentioned throughout the show already, White, Malik Smith, Mondece, VR, Shebler, Luriano. I won't spoil the others. Okay, yeah, check the top. Possible effects of Florence,

which obviously won't be a hurricane at the start of next week. It should, good chance it's still a tropical depression and it'll be hanging out in the mid-Atlantic. The teams that are hosting games early next week that I think

could be impacted are the pirates, Indians, Orioles, Phillies, and the teams that they're facing are the Royals, White Sox, Blue Jays, Mets, and Red Sox. So that's 10 teams total, one-third of the league.

It doesn't look like it would be more than a day for any of them. So I don't know. that it really needs to change your approach. But it's good to be mindful of it. And there will be some impact next week. I'm pretty confident saying.

All right, we'll read some emails to finish the show. This is from Casey. Pick four of these guys. Pick four. Jose Cantana at the White Sox. Kyle Hendrix at Arizona. Rew against Colorado. Archer against Kansas City.

Flaherty at Atlanta Fires against Minnesota and gray at the Dodgers All right, that's a lot of names. That is a lot of names. I'm going to get rid of gray. Gray is no. What?

These are good... We're not talking to two-star scenario. Right, right. Okay. Kentana at the White Sox, I'm probably going with that. Yep. Sounds good.

Fires against Minnesota? Okay, I got the list pulled up here. Flaherty, Atlanta's in mind. Yeah, okay. Katana Flaherty. And you know what? I think I'd rather go Archer versus Casey instead of Kintana at White Sox's. Oh, we need four total.

Okay, so that's three. And then the fourth will be fires in Minnesota, or first Minnesota. Brandon from the Pacific Northwest needs to cut one hitter, Scott, cut one in a categories league. Abreu, Brantley, Marwin Gonzalez, Tyler, Tyler White or Thomas. Tommy fan. Abraeu, Brantley, Marwa Gonzalez, Tyler White, Tommy fam. Marwa Gonzalez. Not even a contest.

All right, that's easy. Jonathan needs one closer. Ty Buttry, I forgot about him. Or Carl Edwards. Butry. I will go with Buttery. Nick. I know you like to say Buttery.

Nick says, do you like James Shields against Baltimore today. I don't like him. I could understand why somebody might start him. Jin needs to drop one. DJ LeMayhew, Jose Ibrahim, or Tyler White? Oh, man. Oh, man.

Yeah, I might drop LeMayhu since they're on the road all week facing good pitchers. Oh, that's a good point. But he has been very good. He's having this best power year ever. I mean, I can't drop Tyler White, so it's either a bray or the man. Right, which is funny. But I agree with that assessment. Yeah, if you're thinking short term and you have other second baseman,

I guess LeMayhew is the one to drop. Okay, and see if I can get one more in here. I'll respond to them personally if I have time. West from Oakland, Scott needs to drop two for next week. Which two should he drop? Brantley, Otani, Gallo, Piscati, Conforto, Renfro McCutcheon. I would drop... O.B.P. League, by the way.

I would drop Brantley. What? Brantley sucks. He doesn't do anything. I guess he's most valuable in the points league, but he's pretty much elite there. Elite doesn't do anything. Well, yeah, because he doesn't strike out. Yeah. But this is a Categories League with O.B.P.

It is a Categories League. points league. I don't think I'd drop Brantley. I'd be more likely to drop Conforto and Renfro. Conforto! He's killing it! Among my sleeper hitters

this week, but I mean, I don't know. This is a tough one. Like, we're obviously to the point where you don't have to think rest of season. You can just think about the week ahead.

So any of them are dropable. Just which ones are you least likely to start is what I would say. For me, it's Brantley, and neither Renfro or McCutcheon. For Scott, it's Conforto and Renfro. I don't even know that that's true. I'd have to look over the matchups thoroughly. Gallo, am I going to start him next week?

Obie P League, I would. Yeah, probably. Yeah, we gotta go. A's have favorable matchups. McCutcheon? Maybe McCutcheon? Yeah, I'd be fine with it. They have good matchups, too. That's a tough one.

Sorry, Wes. It's too much to process for the time we have here. All right. Well, we are out, and have a great weekend, everybody. We'll talk to you on Monday. Let's get to that championship round. See you. Good match you.