Fantasy Baseball Today - All of the Trades! Week 19 Sleepers & Awesome Pitching Performances (7/30 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: July 30, 2021

To nominate Fantasy Baseball Today for The People’s Choice podcast awards, go to podcastawards.com/app/signup/ and then toggle down the "Sports" category. Are the Los Angeles Dodgers serious!? They acquired both Max Scherzer and Trea Turner on Thursday (2:34). What should you know about the prospects in return? ... Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees, Kyle Schwarber to the Red Sox, and Cesar Hernandez to the White Sox (9:31). ... Who is closing for the Blue Jays, Nationals, Mariners, and Rays (14:55)? ... Is Luis Patiño a must-add (20:48)? Frankie Montas is awesome again! News and notes (30:22): we had an update on Mike Trout and Bryce Harper has back spasms. ... When might we see Jose Miranda or Reid Detmers (32:54)? ... Week 19 Sleepers (36:33)! Which two-start pitchers and sleeper hitters should you target? ... Time to fire up the FURRYOMETER on Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon (46:00)! ... Any interest in these players (52:35)? ... We wrap up with bullpens, streamers, and Fantasy Justice (55:44). ... Email us at [e-mail]. 'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." 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. Be Kokomo Friday and welcome into fantasy baseball today presented by Lining Cougals. More on their great variety of beverages later on in the podcast. July 30th, it's trade deadline day. We made it. Frank Staple joined by Scott White. It is way late here on the East Coast. It is after 1 a.m.

when we're starting to record this podcast. So we apologize in advance for any dark takes, any after dark takes you may receive here. Today on the podcast. We're going to quickly run through all of these trades. There is a lot of them. We have Week 19 sleepers, two-start pitchers, the Fourierometer. That's just the worryometer on a Friday, fantasy justice, and much more. You alive, Scott?

How are you doing? I'm alive. I do think it's worth pointing out to everybody that the reason we're starting so late is because we've been very busy reacting to a very busy day of trades. So there being only so many hours in a day and things taking the time. and things taking the time they take to get done. Yeah, this is finally when we're getting started. And I will also warn you.

I think it's fair to warn everybody. Our usual level of preparation may not have gone into the show. May not have quite as many sleeper hitters and sleeper pitchers for you as I normally do. But we're going to do our best. We're going to do our best. We got a couple emergency podcasts out that are very good, I think, especially the Dodgers Nationals Blockbuster,

18 minutes of analysis on that one. So we will talk about it here, but not going to go quite as in depth as we did in that one. So if you want the full breakdown, be sure to check out our emergency pod. And the same podcast feed, you know, you just got to click on a separate podcast. Professional broadcaster, Scott White,

with a great preamble to the podcast here. Again, we do have a Scherzer and Tray Turner to the Dodgers Emergency Podcast out, and we do have Anthony Rizzo to the, the Yankees and that included a few bullpen notes as well. I know the Diego Castillo trade and the Brad Hand trade. Let's start with Max Scher and Trade Turner to the Dodgers for a hall of prospects, kind of.

That includes catcher, Khybert Ruiz, pitcher Josiah Gray, and two mid-range prospects, who I didn't write down, but it's fine. For Max Scherzer, he's been great this year. He's got a 2.76 ERA, 0.89 whip. Does this change his value much, Scott? Doesn't change his value much. I would just say that when Clayton Kershaw comes back and is already gearing up to come back from his forearm issue,

one of David Price and Tony Gonsolinsland's going to have to go now. I think given the fact that Tony Gonson was in the rotation first and given the fact that David Price just had a pretty yucky start here on Thursday, my guess is Tony Gonsolinsolins staying in and David Price is going out, but it remains to be seen. I guess it's also possible that Julio Reyes, they kind of ease up on him, and maybe there are some piggyback outings with Price

or something like that. David Price is 50% rostered. We could probably drop him, right? Yep, probably. Probably. I would drop him, and we talked about this on the emergency pod, I would drop him for, I think at this point, the pitcher that went back to the national.

in that deal. In Josiah Gray. The team also acquired Danny Duffy. He's still a couple of weeks, maybe a month away from returning. So it'll be interesting to see how they want to use him, maybe a reliever, long relief. Maybe as a starter, if that happens, then we could see both David Price and Gonslin out of the rotation. Trey Turner entering his final year of arbitration next year.

So he is under contract through 2022 with the Dodgers currently on the COVID-I-L, just having a ridiculous year. 322 batting average, 18 homers, 21 steals. He is the fifth ranked player in Roto this season and joins a lineup that was already second in baseball in runs per game at 5.18. It sounds like as of now, Trey Turner is going to play second base for the Dodgers guy.

And I think the bigger takeaway, you could talk about Turner as well, obviously, is that one of, or multiple, Cody Bellinger, A.J. Pollock, Chris Taylor, are going to lose some playing time here. Yeah, they have to. And assuming Corey Seeger makes it back, he's scheduled to return Friday. So, you know, that's today.

Corey Seeger, he hasn't played since May 15th, and we've seen plenty of injured players suffer setbacks in there. Well, get re-injured, really, more than a setback. So who knows? But supposedly, Corey Seger's about to be back. He's going to play shortstop. If there's an issue there, obviously, Trey Turner could slide over to shortstop. But since it seems like he's playing second base,

that slides Max Muncie to first that slides Cody Bellinger to the outfield which is already occupied by A.J. Pollock but they also need to move Chris Taylor to the outfield since Corey Seeger's coming back. Taylor had been playing shortstop. He was an all-star

this year presumably they want him in the lineup every day. My suspicion is that Bellinger and Pollock platoon in center field in some way I don't know if it'll be strict lefty-righty I mean there's three games back of the Giants at some point they have to prioritize winning over rehabilitating Cody Bellinger

and my guess is that point is now so I really am not counting on Cody Bellin maybe he'll get hot, turn things around all of a sudden and it'll be like why would they ever consider sitting this guy but I'm really not counting on Cody Bellinger for much anymore I'm concerned about Pollock I think Chris Taylor will get his at bat still it may not be quite every day

he might move around a lot but I think Chris Taylor is still going to get to play enough that his value doesn't change that much. As for Trey Turner specifically, he might have to bat lower in the lineup. Maybe not, but they have a lot of high OBP guys that it would make sense to hit in front of him

rather than behind him. And maybe he runs less on a team full of high OBP, big power guys. I think those are the two concerns for Taylor, or for Turner, for Trey Turner. So the tradeoff there, gaining eligibility, second base, probably. But he might be a not as good as spot for his abilities, just because the lineup is constructed the way it is. The big prospects that the nationals got back in this

trade again, catcher Khybert Ruiz, he's 23 years old, was crushing it at AAA. 311 batting average, 16 homers, a 1012 OPS, only 9% rostered right now on CBS. And Josiah Gray, who we've seen a little bit from this year, has a 20.8% swinging strike rate. only eight innings pitch, so it's a super small sample size, but his numbers in his minor league career have been really, really strong as well. So between Ruiz and Gray, where would you be looking to add either or both of those guys?

Well, Gray would be the first priority. I think he has the better chance of just claiming his spot on the big league roster right away. He was already up for the Dodgers. And, yeah, that swing and missability he showed. I mean, eight innings, he gave up six run runs. he gave a four home run. So the results haven't been that good.

But to come up and miss that many bats, major league bats right away, I mean, it speaks the world of his ability. I think a lot more of Josiah Gray now, having seen him a little in the majors, than I did before. And that potential is obviously very attractive

at a position where there's always a neat. So, you know, unless we hear he's getting sent down, obviously that changes it. But he has a better chance of sticking with the nationals than he's to do with the Dodgers, frankly. And so I'm more excited about him this deal. Keeper Ruiz is probably Major League Ready Away as well. Big power breakout at AAA this

year after making some adjustments at the alternate site last year. He always had a great contact rate. I mean like a Jose Altuve like contact rate in the minors. So if he has legit power too, you're talking a high upside catcher. But, you know, I think there's an even better chance. He doesn't start out with the Major League club. It's possible, but maybe not. And even if he does, just because so many prospects have had trouble transitioning to the majors lately. I'd need to see some production for Ruiz at the major league level before picking him up. So he would be out of my top 12 to start out at that position. In any two catcher leagues, I think you should definitely take a shot on Ruiz.

Just see what happens next couple of weeks if he gets an opportunity to play. We did this exercise on the emergency podcast, but I said if he was starting as soon as he went over to the nationals, he wound up right around the 12-13 range in Scott's ranking. So right around Yadir Malina, Sean Murphy, Mike Zanino, just ahead of those names. So that's only if Ruiz were playing as soon as he gets traded to the nationals. Anthony Rizzo, next trade up here to the Yankees, turning 32 years old and actually 10 days.

So happy early birthday, Anthony Rizzo. Not having a great year. He was coming around recently last seven days, 308 batting average, three home runs, great ballpark, great lineup to hit in. Any thoughts on Rizzo? Yeah. It was funny the way this played out on, we did a separate emergency pod for that ones. And we've just been so many emergencies here, we're going to have a heart attack.

It's a lot. Anthony Rizzo, I was able to find on baseball savant the breakdown of how many home runs a player would have hit if he was playing all his games at each specific park. Anthony Rizzo is at 14 home runs this year. That's how many he actually has. real life. But if he had been playing all his games at Yankee Stadium, based on the way the ball traveled, so it's not taking in like environmental factors, you know, so it's obviously not gospel truth.

But based on the way his ball's, his batted balls have traveled, if he had been playing at Yankee Stadium, instead of having 14 home runs, he'd have 23. What? That is a big difference. Big difference. And it's the most that he would have at any stadium by that criteria. So he seems perfectly suited for Yankee Stadium, obviously a left-handed hitter. I'd kind of been riding him off in recent weeks.

He's kind of just a guy now. But he's hitting the ball harder than he ever has before, which owes something to the new baseball, I know, but by like a considerable margin and still has a great contact rate. And I think this change in environment could really suit them more than even somebody like Joey Gallo going to Yankee Stadium because it doesn't matter how far you hit them out after all. So yeah, I think a stock definitely up for Anthony Rizzo with this move. Next up, one we haven't talked about yet. Kyle Swarber heads over to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a 20-year-old pitching prospect,

Aldo Ramirez. And Schwerber currently on the IL with that hamstring injury. He did take batting practice last week, so maybe we see him early mid-August, and he was, I mean, you remember what Swarba was doing. In June, he hit 280 with 16 home runs alone. What do you think about this move, Scott? Fenway Park is not an ideal spot for left-handed power hitters.

We did not do an emergency pod for this one. It was, you know, it wasn't an emergency, right? It was just kind of a chill trade. Let's just say, let's just call it. for what it is. There is no way we were doing an emergency podcast for Kyle Schwerber. Yeah, well, and then injured Kyle Schwerber certainly. So let's see. He actually has, I'll do this on the spot here. He actually has 25 home runs this year. If he played all his games at Fenway Park, he'd have 21. That's not a huge difference. And obviously he's not going to

play all his games at Fenway Park anyway. So, you know, the, the ballpark could be better for him. but I think it's just a matter of, you know, is he going to hit the ground running when he comes back? Because it's kind of a streaky player. And that wasn't a slight on Schwerber or the Red Sox. It's just this trade came out as soon as we published the Max Scher podcast. So we just didn't have enough time to do an emergency podcast for literally every trade. Yeah.

We didn't do one for this next trade either. Nothing's an emergency anymore. Right, Seza Hernandez went to the White Sox for left-handed pitcher Connor Pilkington, who has strong numbers at AA this season. Cesar Hernandez already has a career high in home runs this season. He has 18 home runs. He's obviously joining a really good White Sox lineup. He is, I didn't write it down, but I think it's right around 65% rostered, Scott. Are you even more excited now to add Seza Hernandez? Yeah, I guess. 62% rostered. I don't know. I don't know. I don't think. see a big change here for Cesar Hernandez. I guess the lineup's a little deeper.

He's had a weird year because more home run power than ever before, but he's traded off a lot of his ability to hit for average. I assume his fly ball rate must be up. Apparently he hasn't stolen a base over the last two seasons. Yeah, so that's not even really part of his game anymore. He used to be kind of a high OBP, you know, moderate base steel. who also had a little bit of pop, but he's really sold out for the power this year.

And, you know, for points leagues, I don't know, I think his values pretty much, even though the way he goes about it has changed, is pretty much the same. He's kind of a usable, but clearly not high-end player at the position. In Roto, I think you'd rather have more average and stolen bases from him,

but he's usable there, too. I don't think going to the White Sucks really changes that. A name to watch, Andres Jimenez, who we remember came over in the Francisco Lindor Trady, a second, third base shortstop eligibility. He had a really, really strong June in the minors, July, not so much. But I would guess he's going to get an opportunity to play down the stretch for Cleveland. Let's quickly talk about some bullpen. Scott, don't want to spend too much on this, but try to figure out just who is the closer for these teams.

Brad Hand went to the Blue Jays. Who do you think closes there? Is it Jordan Romano or Hand? My guess is it's matchups based. with the lefty-righty situation. If I had to invest in one, I'd invest in Romano because I think he's a better pitcher now. And, you know, it's hard to remove a guy from the closer role

who's doing well in it, as Romano has been. Daniel Hudson, who is currently on the COVID-IL, was traded to the Padres. And Kyle Finnegan picked up his first save of the season thrown right into the fire on Thursday. Game one of their doubleheader. It was an early game. We find out about Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson's on the IL at that point.

point, and he just steps in, and he does a good job. Kyle Finnegan, 3% rostered, so are you feeling more confident now that he will be the nationals closer? I am not feeling confident in that at all, no. He has a whip near 1-5, and, you know, he had been the seventh-inning guy with Daniel Hudson pitching the 8th. It's possible Hudson gets traded and never gets a chance, but if he doesn't, he comes back from the IEL soon enough.

He was traded, Scott. Oh, I'm sorry. Daniel Hudson was traded. Yeah, yeah, he was traded to the Padres. Okay, I suppose you just said that. Yeah, I did. Sorry, I was looking up Kyle Finnegan. It's all good.

Yeah, okay. So, I don't know, Tanner Rainey got the safe chance in game, too. It didn't go well. He ended up blowing it, I believe. But he was a more, he was considered like a closer and waiting coming into the season, had a rough year, been on the on the, I'll till very recently. I don't know.

I guess Kyle Finnegan would be the first pick there, but I doubt he's just the guy now. I suspect they're going to try it a few different guys in the role. Yeah, Tanner Rainey has an ERA over seven this season, so not sure about him. Wander Suero, I guess could work his way in, but his numbers are not good. This is going to be a rough situation,

but I think Kyle Finnegan is the guy for now. play in deeper roto leagues, category leagues, and you need saves, I would target Kyle Finnegan. We had Diego Castillo traded to the Mariners for reliever J.T. Chagua and third base prospect, Austin Shenton. Who do you think? Actually, we did get a little bit more clarity. I retweeted, there was a quote from, it was either Scott Servace or Jerry DePoto that said, they are going to lean on Diego Castillo more so as their closer. Do you believe it? Well, that was coming from the GM, and I don't know exactly how the Mariners hierarchy works, but most GMs leave that call to the manager.

So, you know, it's still more to go on than what we have, but Scott's service hasn't been the most role-oriented manager to begin with. And, you know, Diego Castillo isn't as good as Kendall Graveman. He's not as good as Paul Seawald, in my opinion. So I think Seawold will still be a factor there, but clearly it doesn't sound like you can drop Castillo. In Tampa Bay, a closer has no name. We know that. But Nick Anderson is working his way back. He's currently in AAA rehabbing. They have Andrew Kittred's there, who has pitched very well. And obviously, J.T. Chagua comes back in this trade. So is it just by committee, Tampa Bay?

Yeah, it's got to be. I mean, I have no idea who I'd pick first there with Fairbanks on the IL and fire icing on the IL. I mean, it might be Chagawa. They like to use Andrew Kittridge in kind of a multi-inning role. He's been great this year, but, you know, he hasn't really been that much in the closer mix before. I have no idea. It's the race. I just got to wait and see.

Ketridge will these give you a good ratio as if it ends up being him. Yeah, he would be my pick for the next save, but my pick to lead the team and saves rest of season would be Nick Anderson once he rejoins the team. Ryan Tepera was also traded away from the Cubs. If they trade Craig Kimberle on Friday, Scott,

do you just have a name in Chicago that you would target? Well, it would have been Dylan Maples, but he just went on the IL2 with a blister, I believe. I'll look that up for you. Yeah. So I guess it would be, Dan Winkler would be the next guy I'd look at. I don't really think

he has the I don't really see him like seizing the role outright. I could see them wanting to I could see them giving Maples that shot more than you know if he's not out long. I could see them giving Maples a more permanent look than

they do than they do Winkler and also let's see what's that guy's name who got a shot last year. Rowan Wick. Yeah, Rowan Wick. He's supposed to be back from the aisle soon. So I don't think he's that good, but he could factor as well. I think there'll be, I think they'll be trying out a few guys for a while.

It was a blister for Maples. Dan Winkler currently 0% roster on CBS. So we just threw a bunch of names at you, all different sizes of leagues. If you need saves, there is a lot of options that are currently available. Names that we haven't seen moved yet, but could have. on Friday, Javier Baez, Chris Bryant, Craig Kimbril, Trevor Story, Jose Burrios. I have a feeling it's going to be a pretty busy Friday for us, Scott. How about we talk about some of the games and things that actually happened?

Oh my goodness gracious. All right, Scott, I'm going to get us started here with Luis Patino, who dominated my New York Yankees on Thursday. Six shutout, three hits, two walks, eight strikeouts, 19 swinging strikes on 97 pitches, is a 37% CSW. That's called strikes plus swinging strikes. League average is 28%. So it was really nice to see that the control was there for him,

and he was basically just dominating in this game. 25% is 25% rostered is Luis Petino. Scott, your interest level in him? Who would you rather add him or Jojo Gray? Jojo isn't Josiah Gray? Yes, sir. Some people call him Jojo? Yeah.

I was watching the Dodgers broadcast. the other day they were calling them that. Petino. Petino has a job. He's been getting the pitch count up. This was his first six-inning start, but the previous two were five-in-a-third. Clearly, he has great stuff himself.

He's considered a higher-end prospect than gray. And, I mean, like, legitimately a high-end prospect, like top-25 in all the majors-type prospect. So I think if we were with another, organization, we would have hyped them up quite a bit by now. It's just the Rays have such unconventional ways of using their pitchers that it wasn't so obvious Petino was going to be usable. But it sure looks like he is now. This is the kind of start that I think justifies an immediate pickup. Would you prioritize Patino ahead of any of Tucci, Tucson, Tyler McGill,

Brad Keller, Austin Gombor. Those are four of the top seven most added starting pitchers. Oh, boy. Tucson, McGill,

Keller, Gombor. Part of me wants to say all of them. Part of me wants to say none of them. I think Petino has the most upside of the group.

But he's obviously shown the least so far. So it's kind of a tradeoff there. I would say definitely over Brad,

Keller, I would say over McGill, Tyler McGill. Right. You know, it's awesome that he came out of nowhere and has been pretty good, but I have doubts about him. And maybe over, maybe over Tucson, too. That's a little hard after two great starts from Tucson. But yeah, Patino over Tucson. I think I'd draw the line at Gomber.

But Gomber pitching half his games at Coors Field, he could just blow up one day. Oh my goodness gracious player for you from Thursday. is he, Scott? Frankie Montas. Frankie Montas is turning, this is his final form. Frankie Montas has evolved into his final form here. Seven shutout innings,

10 strikeouts. And, you know, he's been on a really good run here lately, particularly in terms of missing bats. He's suddenly become this like bat missing extraordinaire. And it's, so this is a third straight double-digit strikeout effort in four. I said third straight. Third-digit strikeout effort in four for Frankie Montas. All three of them, more than 20 swinging strikes.

He had 24 in this one. Yes, the reason for it is because he's throwing his splitter, which was the key to his breakout two years ago, remember. We were discouraged last year because we saw him throwing it even less, and he had a bad year. it seems like he's finally figured out that it's his best pitch or he just has a good feel for it finally

because suddenly it's become his primary pitch even two years ago when he was breaking out it's not like he was throwing it a ton I think it was like his third most used pitch it was just very effective but now he's throwing it more than anything else he threw it 38% of the time in this one it was responsible for 13 of those 24 swinging strikes

and Frankie Montas looks awesome now It looks like your patience with him is going to be rewarded. Absolutely. Just a ridiculous performance against the Angels, seven shutout, 10 strikeouts. He was leading all qualified starting pitchers in swinging strikes for the month of July

before this 24th swinging strike rate effort. And his last six starts, a 2.49 ERA, including Thursday. So, yeah, Montas is back. The guy looks ridiculous. Scott, was that a Pokemon reference or Dragon Ball Z reference? Or neither, because you said

this is his final form, final evolution. I don't know. It's just, it's just kind of the thing people say online. It's kind of online speak. It always reminded me of like,

you know, you play the, you play the old-schooled RPG game. Oh, yeah. On the video, you know, the video game, RPG,

like you'd be fighting like a boss, right? And you'd think you'd have them beat, but you'd really just be like turning into another form, you know? Oh, I know. Yeah, so that's what it always reminded me of.

I don't know if that's what it's actually a reference to, but that's what I always pictured when people say he's reached his final form. Another truly amazing performance outside of Montas that we have to highlight here at the top. Joe Musgrove up against the Rockies, they were in San Diego, so obviously it's a very strong matchup form. Seven shutout, three hits, one walk, 11 strikeouts, 21 swinging strikes on 91 pitches for Joe Musgrove. He used his slider and curveball,

a combined 64% of the time in this start. That's just 50% for the season. So he did see an uptick there. His previous five starts before this one, 6.29 ERA. Scott, fantasy trade deadlines are also approaching. Would you look to sell high on Musgrove after this start? I think so.

Yeah. I mean, he's just been so unreliable and in so many ways. It's not like there have been a few too many runs, but everything underneath looks awesome still. Everything has been all over the place, all over the place. And I kind of wonder if it's because he throws six pitches and it just leaves him so much margin for error every start.

Finding that right sequence. I wonder if it's just too much because it's been, he's become such a weird player to evaluate as Joe Musgrove. I think he's capable of starts like this, but they've been too. few and far between lately. This picture was not amazing, but worth mentioning, a nice little bounce back here for Hyun Jin Ryu at the Red Sox,

six shutout with five strikeouts, 11 swinging strikes on 87 pitches, did a great job limiting hard contact against a really strong lineup. There was no Raphael Devers in this one, so keep that in mind. But another one, his previous nine starts before this one, 4.35 ERA, 1.34 whip. I don't think that we are in the clear yet, Scott, but this was a really positive step for Hyunjin Ryu.

It was. I don't probably think I have anything to add to that. Would you try and sell high on him after this one too, if you can? I don't think it's going to... It's not going to work. ...inflate his value in the way it would moscrow. And to be honest, I feel like I have a better read on Riu. Yeah, he hasn't been quite as good as we want him to be, but I still think the floor is pretty high.

Hey, real quick, I know it's something that you guys used to do here on the podcast. Vado. It finally took us 30 minutes to get to him in this podcast, but just have to highlight, he hit another home run, his 20th home run of the season on Thursday. He now has eight home runs over his last six games and finally admitted that he is trying to hit for more power, which we all suspected, but it was pretty cool to see. No, he said that, he said that last year. He said that last September when he started hitting more home runs, that he realized his, He realized the approach that one of the MVP doesn't work anymore because he's getting old. And so he needs to not worry so much about striking out and just let a rip.

And Joey Votto's pretty good self-evaluator, it turns out. Hey, real quick, Freddie Peralta, had a great start. Six shutout with five strikeouts against the pirates. However, he only threw 68 pitches in this start. So now over his last two starts, it's 68 pitches, it's 51 pitches. Someone tweeted at me after the start. and they said, are you going to move him back up? Because I lowered Freddie Prawlton my rankings.

I think I dropped him down to SP24, SP25, something like that. I'm not going to move him up, Scott, because as great as he was here, he's still below 70 pitches. I mean, that's a pretty good ranking. Yeah. It's still very good. Yeah, I mean, they're going to pull back on him a little in the second half. They've admitted as much. I don't think it's going to be four innings every time,

but it's going to be less predictable from start to start how many innings he gives you. All right, before we hit the news and notes, quickly promote the MLB trade deadline. It's rapidly approaching. Sure is. And you should be listening to Nothing Personal with David Sampson to be your guide. David Sampson ran a Major League Baseball team for 18 years, so he's no stranger to how trades go down, why trades get accepted, or why offers get a hard no. Nothing personal will have more than just winners and losers. David will provide expert insight and analysis on every trade.

No matter what goes down at the deadline. Remember, it's just business. It's nothing personal. Some news and notes will quickly run through here. Mike Trout received an MRI on Thursday and was encouraged with the results. Even with that, he remains without a timetable and the Angels are also considered moving

Mike Trout to a corner outfield spot. Don't think that really changes his value much. But hoping to see you soon, Mike Trout, because we need you, man. Bryce Harper was removed from Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader with back spasms. Something that he's dealt with. off and on all season.

I kind of thought he was past it because he's having a pretty good July, but again, rears its ugly head for Bryce Harper. Raphael Devers was out of the lineup on Thursday with that quad injury as expected. Eloy Jimenez was also out with that groin strain. After getting hit by a pitch on his elbow on Wednesday, Lord Escorial had X-rays come back negative and is considered day-to-day. Reese Hoskins exited Thursday with a left groin injury. Nico Horner was placed on the IL with a right oblique strain.

Luis Severino returned. Nope, that's not true. Brendan Crawford returned and went one for three with a double and two RBI. My eyes are just blending words together at this point, Scott. Luis Severino will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday in the minor. So good news there for Severino. Tanner Hauke, not great news.

He was optioned to AAA on Thursday. He'll be recalled next week to start one of the doubleheader games in Toronto. That's August 7th. But even with that, Scott, He's looked good, Tanner Halk. I think it's going to be one of those things where he's just the extra man on the team for the doubleheader, and then he probably gets sent back down, especially with Chris Hale coming. Yeah, and it sounds like the Red Sox it's possible.

They acquire a starting pitcher, too. I know they were in on Scherzer. Obviously, that didn't happen. Jose Berrios is still out there. There are still other arms they could acquire, and it doesn't seem like they're that committed to giving Hauk an extent. look here. Mike Lustakis could begin a rehab assignment at AAA

early next week. He's 65% rostered. Would you be looking to stash him anywhere? Deeper roto leagues. Terry Francona will step away for the remainder of the season to focus on health issues. So get well soon, Tito. And Hector Santiago, who previously was suspended 10 games for the first one call with the sticky

substances, has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for exogenous testosterone. Don't know much about that. At least it wasn't Beaver Tranquilizer. God's latest prospect report is currently live on the site. We can't spend too much time on this. But the new five that are on the verge.

Bobby Witt, you know, Joe Adele, you know, Edward Cabrera, you know. Jose Miranda, third basement for the Minnesota Twins. We've talked about him quite a bit recently. Graduates inside the five on the verge, as does starting pitcher Reed Detmer's with the Los Angeles. Angels. Scott, anything? We talk about these guys quite a bit. Detmer's recently promoted to AAA.

If the Angels trade any starting pitchers on Friday, I guess that would increase Reed Detmer's chances. Yeah, I mean, it's kind of a long shot. Anybody I'm going to put in that fifth spot now is a long shot. But his first start after moving up to AAA was great. I believe he struck out nine in six innings. So, you know, I don't know how much more he has to prove in the minors. But he was just their first round pick last year. Not a young guy, but it would still be a rush for a team that's barely in it, you know? Yeah, I'm more excited about Jose Miranda, and we've talked about the ridiculous numbers he's put up. I think combined with the low strikeout rate, like it's...

I feel like if he doesn't exhaust him. rookie eligibility this year, he's going to show up surprisingly high on prospect list next year, at least he should, because it's, I'm not really seeing what there is to complain about for Jose Miranda. He's not a great fielder at third base,

I guess, and he's been playing some first base in the minor, has been playing some second base. But for our purposes, it's actually good that he's been getting that exposure at different positions, because his arrival doesn't necessarily depend on Josh Donaldson getting traded, though that would

obviously help. Scott's five prospects that are on the periphery. Royals catcher, M.J. Melendez, Rockies outfielder, Zach Veen, that was their first round pick from the 2020 draft. Dodgers second baseman Michael Bush, now Texas Rangers second baseman, Ezekiel Duran, Rocky's third basement, L.A. Huris Montero. Those are the five on the periphery. You can read more about them on the site, CBSports.com slash fantasy slash baseball. And I did just want to provide a little bit of an update here. Some big name prospects that have recently returned from injury includes Marco Luciano with the San Francisco Giants and Emerson Hancock with the Seattle Mariners. We are going to take a quick break, but when we return, we're going to help you get ready for next week here on Fantasy Baseball

today. The week 19 pitcher and hitter planners presented by Lining Cougals and let's get things started with some two start pitchers, Scotty, who you got? Well, Frank, I think we probably need to go over this list together because normally I spend the Thursday leading up to the podcast putting together these lists but instead I was reacting to trades so we're going to do this the way we used to do it with Adamazer let's do it pull open the two-star pitchers list sorry lining kugles for ruining your segment but but who we got here so among those rostered in less than 80% of leagues. Why don't you go through the list there, Frank?

And I'll double check to make sure I actually have them as two-star pitchers. All right. So we are going with under 80% rostered, you said, right? Yep. All right, so that would include Patrick Corbyn, up against the Phillies and the Braves, no. We could drop Patrick Corbyn, right? Like, just be gone.

Yeah. He's still 77% rostered. So, Tyler McGill. at the Marlins and at the Phillies. Yep, that looks legit. And I think especially with that Marlins matchup, he's pretty close to a must. Stephen Mats versus Cleveland

and versus the Red Sox. Nah. No. Chris Flexen at Tampa Bay and at the Yankees. No. We got roughed up last time, and those are some not-so-great match-ups. I think that would be strictly a points league play.

And he's been much better at home this season versus on the road. Flexon has. Madison Bumgarner versus the Giants. Ooh, revenge game. And at the Padres. Yeah, I mean, he was, was it today that he pitched? No. It was yesterday. It was Wednesday, seven innings, two runs against the Rangers. Yeah, the velocity hasn't been very good since he came back and the strikeouts have been almost non-existent, even though it's been three decent starts in a row for Bumgarner. So I would say no to him. Yeah, and his spin rates are down around 300 RPM on all of his main pitches.

So, yeah, it's rough. Johnny Quato, who actually had a pretty good start on Thursday against the Dodgers, trying to pull up what his line was here. It was 5 and 2 thirds shutout with five strikeouts, and he's been better recently. He is at the Diamondbacks, at the Brewers, 56% rostered. I think this one might work, Scott. I agree.

Those two matchups and the fact that his last three starts have been, they haven't been quality stars because some of them have been short. But Johnny Quato, I stopped short of saying I trust him, but these matchups are good enough that I'd take a shot on him if I was just looking for volume. Zach Davies at the Rockies versus the White Sox? No. No.

Willie Peralta? No. That experiment's over, right? Yeah, that's over. Dane Dunning versus the Angels and at Oakland? Should have traded me, Willie Peralta, in the Dynasty League when you had the chance, Frank. Just, just pointed out.

it out. Just pointed it out. You are right. Dane Dunning. Who else was I given you in that trade? Caleb Smith. It was those two for Dalton, Jeffrey. I don't want to talk about it. It was going to be a pretty low consequence trade, probably.

Dane Dunning is a no for me. Adrian Houser at home versus the Pirates and the Giants? I could see doing it in a points league, but it's not very exciting. Scrolling through here, Garrett Richards, no. Jose Suarez, no. Michael Waka versus the Mariners at the Orioles. 3.60 ERA in the month of July. Yeah.

Yeah, that's interesting. I don't have a lot of faith in Michael Waka, but his last start was great in every respect. And he's had two starts in July that were like that, which is very inconsistent. Those matchups are really good, though. I think there's sleeper potential for Waka. I wouldn't recommend him for everybody, though.

All right. Jordan Lyle, a couple more names here. Jordan Liles versus the Angels and at Oakland? I don't think so. Chad Kuhl at the Brewers, at the Reds? Nah. Last one here, Chris Bubich at the White Sox at the Cardinals. His last three starts, he's gone at least six innings.

No, quality starts. Two earn runs or less in all of them. No, though. No. No. All right. I tried my best to build up Chris Bubich there.

All right. So some two-star pitchers we went through all of them, some ones that you can focus on there. Johnny Coedo was one. Michael Waka. Those were the most available ones. Tyler McGill,

if he happens to be available in your league. I think those were the standouts, right? Yes. Madison Baumgartner, we didn't like. Yeah, those were the ones that stood out most. All right, Scott, some sleeper hitters

who are rostered in less than 80% of leagues. You have any names there you could throw us? I think we're going to have to go through this one together too. I do have the five best matchups for you, though. Number one is the Blue Jays. They're the only team playing eight games this week. Number two is the Rockies.

They're at home for all six of their games. Number three is the Yankees. Number four is the Marlins. And number five is the Braves. So, you know, for the Rockies, C.J. Cronis. and Brendan Rogers immediately jump out as guys you could potentially look at using.

They're not in the five best matchups, but I do like the White Sox matchups this week, so newly acquired Cesar Hernandez would be a fine play. I think Andrew Vaughn, you could look into playing him. The Reds, I do like their matchups too, and I don't know that we can get away

with Colin Joe Evato asleep anymore. And I think we're past that point with Jonathan India too. Oh, I have a name for you there then. Kyle Farmer. The guy is absolutely on fire right now. He went three for five on Thursday. He's betting 394 with four home runs and 1139 OPS in July.

His line drive rate this month is exactly double his strikeout rate. 34% line drives, 17% strikeout rate. In deep leagues, Kyle Farmer, I like it. Yeah, I don't think there's a lot of legitimacy to Farmer, but he's so hot right now. Farmers-only.com. I was about to make a reference myself. Gio or Shella, maybe in some shallower leagues, he's 80% rostered.

So maybe a 10-tier. I also like the Tigers matchups. And so, you know, Robbie Grossman and Akeel Badu, we've been recommending them a lot lately. Also, Jamir Canterlario's been hot. Eric Haas has been hot. So there are a few guys you could look to there. Yeah. Otherwise, I'm just going to have to point you to the sleeper hitter.

column on the website. It might be up later in the day, Friday, than it used to be since I can. A little behind schedule here. But it'll be up going into the weekend for sure. One other name that I'll throw out there, the Marlins, you said, are in this best matchups for week 19. And Brian Anderson is someone that we brought up recently as well. So I will just throw his name out there. And also the Braves. The Braves are part of that. So potentially, Jack Peterson. And by the way, we received an awesome email from Chris. I'm not even going to try to pronounce the last name, but from Chris. Towers? It was not Chris Towers, but he sent this soundbite in of his son doing the Jock Peterson impression that Adam used to do. So Jock Peterson, like that.

That you don't get. No, that I don't get because I haven't seen, what is it, Ferris Bueller's Day off? I still haven't seen it. So here it is. Zop Peterson That's pretty good there That was awesome So we do appreciate Anything that you guys want to send in the woods Or those tickets chirping in the background

He actually sent it a video too And his, it looks like his son is ready to play some baseball Or whiffle ball or something there So okay Yeah that was awesome We do appreciate you sending that in for us Chris the worst hitter matchups for week 19 The Astros, the Twins, the Dodgers, the Royals

and the Padres So there you have it the week 19, pitcher and hitter planners, presented by Lining Cougalls, and I'm shipping out to Arizona on Saturday. It's going to be very hot out there in the desert, so I'll need a nice cold beverage to cool me down. That is Lining Cougall's summer shandy,

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Let's fire it up. The Furriometer, which is, again, just the Worryometer on a Friday. Garrett Cole, I guess we have to talk about it again, right? Because he kind of got bombed against Tampa Bay, a team that knows him very well. Five in a third inning's pitch, six hits, eight runs, seven of those were earned. He did leave this start with five earned runs, and then a reliever came in and let those runs score. Did have 10 strikeouts.

Did have 23 swinging strikes. Right. But I'll point out again, 10 starts since the beginning of June, now a 4.71 ERA for Garrett Cole. Yeah. Worryometer, Scott. Only like a three because he had the two great starts prior to this one. And certainly the stuff was great in this one still. You know, I might even say it too.

I think Chris has described it this way before where how this is probably going to play. layout with the spin rates being down and you know they haven't been down the same amount consistently for coal but they were down pretty good amount in this one they're still going to be great a lot of the time just not as great as consistently and uh i think that's what we're seeing here but overall i i i still think like i i think cole would be the pitcher i want second only to de grom yeah he's number two in my ranking. Maybe that changes with Max Scherzer, but I mean, we're splitting hairs at that point. Carlos Tordaunt at the Royals on Thursday, four innings, eight hits, four runs, nine hard hit

balls allowed. His fastball and slider were both down one and a half miles per hour. Now, that's two starts in a row where his velocity has been down around that mark. Last six starts for Rodon, he's got a 4.06 ERA. The furiometer on Carl's Rodon. I'll go as high as three on that one, but it's still going to, you know, it's still pretty low for me. I worry that, you know, maybe first full year back from Tommy John's surgery, maybe the innings are getting to a point where his performance is going to suffer, but they've done a pretty good job of limiting his innings over the course of this season. It's not, you know, the total he's at right now isn't so bad, all things considered. I think what's worth pointing out as far as the velocity,

specifically goes is that let me see if I have this right here so I don't so what's his season average for velocity do you have that there it's 95.9 miles per hour on the fastball yeah for the season in April

he was averaging 94.9 like the velocity's been going up over the course of the season so there's been some fluctuation throughout for for Rodon and so you know a drop of a mile per hour and a half. In his case,

on a one-off start, it would not be much of a concern for anybody. The fact it's back-to-back starts, okay, but it's still a velocity he was doing great with earlier in the year. My guy, Lance Davis, in the YouTube chat, just throw this up for a second.

You can borrow my copy of Ferris Bueller's day off. I appreciate that, Lance. Honestly, I don't even need a copy of it. Just let me know what streaming device it's on and I'll try to watch it. some point soon because I actually do want to watch it. I appreciate the help there, Lance Davis.

All right, so Carl Swardan, not really worried about it. Let's transition into the dropometer here, Scott. Eduardo Escobar, Eduardo Rodriguez, man, all these trades are, I'm all over the place. Eduardo Rodriguez up against the Blue Jays, three and a third, six runs allowed, four walks, eight strikeouts. It is the ninth time this season.

He's allowed four plus runs, earned runs, in a start. He's still 83. percent rostered, Scott the dropometer on Erod. I would say, I'll say five. No, I would drop him for Luis Petino if it came to it, but I'd rather not drop him.

He's been, you know, I talked about how difficult musgrove has been to assess this year, but Eduardo O'Rigas has been the most difficult pitcher to assess because like he had 18 swinging strikes in this one I believe his swinging strike rate all year long is very steady with previous years his ex-fip is 331

it looked like he was getting back on track his previous four starts or five starts were all pretty good there was a one-inning start I guess six starts technically because one of them it was only a one-inning situation I'm not sure what happen there.

But let's pretend that one didn't happen. The others were fine. So it seemed like he was getting back on track. The underlying numbers are all very good for Edward Rodriguez. And I don't know why the performance hasn't been there. I don't know. But I'd rather not drop him. Last one, Taiwan Walker up against the Braves, five innings, five runs allowed,

still had seven strikeouts, but has 16 earned runs over his last three starts. that is nine and a third innings pitched. I thought there was going to be regression at some point, but it is smacking us in the face here, Scott. The regression has come for Taiwan Walker. Yeah, during those three starts, his ERA has gone from,

drum roll, please. Looking at Wednesday's numbers. His E.R. Taiwan Walker's ERAs in three starts has gone from 250 to 371. and what I find interesting about that oh suddenly the X-Fix up to 424

okay I thought his X-FIP was high threes so you know looked like he brought his ERA up to the X-FIP but no X-FIP's just plain bad and a lot less confidence in Taiwan Walker now I'd say where is he on the dropometer

right well if I gave Edward Rodriguez a five. I think also a five for Walker. Drop him for Petino? Yeah. All right. Any interest in these players that's really breeze through these got Kyle Freeland up against a Padre, six endings, one run, four strikeouts. He's only 9% rostered.

His last seven starts. He has a 1.98 ERA. Any interest? Very low. Like his improvement has coincided with increased slider usage, and so I find that interesting. but still the underlying numbers aren't great during this good stretch. Josh Harrison went three for five with his sixth home run. He's quietly batting 294 with an 800 OPS, 36% rostered. Any interest?

Nah, just as a deep league play. He's interest. I have interest in leagues where it's probably obvious you'd have interest. Patrick Wisdom hit his 16th home run, yet he still has a 39% strikeout rate in July. he's 38% rostered. Well, I assume he's going to play every day now

with Rizzo gone. It probably doesn't matter if Bryant's going to be traded. But is he going to be good? It's funny. I thought, I thought Ha, Sarah Koss was the one who was going to fall off

of the late 20s minor league sluggers to get a shot in the majors. But wisdom has fallen off much harder. And I'm not sure he's going to rebound. Each of Rowdy Tellez and Tyrone Taylor had three hits on Thursday. Tellez is batting 378 with four home runs in 15 games with the Brewers. Tyrone Taylor, 364 batting average, three homers, two steals in the month of July. They are both rostered in 10% or less of CBS leagues.

But you kind of have to worry about playing time with both of them moving forward. Any interest? Yeah, I mean, tell us, with every good game he has is getting... More interesting. And I mean, Taylor, I know I was really excited about Taylor earlier in the season, and then he just wouldn't maintain. I would keep an eye on both. I don't think there's much pressure to pick them up at this point.

They are both available in a 15-team Roto League of mine. So in a format like that, I would check to see if either or both Roddy Telez and Tyrone Taylor are available. Kyle Farmer we spoke about who is kind of interesting and he has good matchups next week. He's 8% rostered. He has second, third, and shortstop eligibility. Miguel Cabrera went three for three with a double dong. 15% rostered.

Anything Scott? I mean, look, if Joey Votto can happen, maybe Miguel Cabrera, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. This was a second and third home runs of July, so it's not like he's really been hot. Yeah, I'm not holding my breath for the,

that. All right, some notable dingers from Thursday. Vlad Jr. hit his 33rd. Austin Meadows went three for five with a double dong. He's now at 20 homers. Salvador Perez hit his 25th. And Andrew McCutcheon went two for three with his 20th home run. Austin Riley went two for four with his 21st. Danesby Swanson hit his 18th. Pete Alonzo hit his 23rd. And Wilson Contreras hit his 17th. The call to the pen, not many bullpen updates. Will Smith had his 21st save. Mark Malanson got his 32nd. That's it. To stream or not to stream for Friday, Ross Stripling versus the Royals, Martine Perez at the raise,

Zach Thompson versus the Yankees, Tucci Toussaint versus the Brewers, Colby Allard versus the Mariners, and Ryan Weathers versus the Rockies. So Tuki versus Bill Wocky is the one that most clearly stands out there. I could roll the dice on Zach Thompson versus the Yankees on Ross Stripling versus the Royals, but it's more of a gamble in my eyes.

I'm not sure the upside is, worth the downside. That's the Blue Jays return to Rogers Center. So, Ross Tripling is going to be pumped up, I think, hopefully. For Saturday, Matt Manning versus the Orioles, John Lester versus the Cubs, Vince Velasquez at the Pirates, Marco Gonzalez at the Rangers, Kyle Muller versus the Brewers, and Joe Sia Gray, that is not true. He will not be starting against the Diamondbacks anymore.

So I'm going to scratch him off this list, Scott. Manning, Lester, Velasquez, Gonzalez, Mueller. Pick on the Brewers again, Kyle Mueller. I mean, it's not just picking on the brewers. I think Mueller and Tucci Toussaint, looking at the Friday streamers, both have upside that can take advantage of that kind of matchup.

I don't really even halfway like any of the others here. I can force myself to recommend Matt Manning against the Orioles, I guess. Marco Gonzalez against the Rangers, I think it was Chris who gave out his expected ERA is horrific. Over seven, right? But the Rangers are also horrific

and they don't have Joey Gallo anymore. So I can talk myself into Marco Gonzalez. I'm not actually going to use John Lester against the Cubs, but for similar reasons, if they trade Baez and Brian, or at least one of them, that lineup is going to look very pitiful. So that is a team that you can look to stream

against moving forward. For Sunday, Brad Keller at Toronto, Logan Webb versus the Astros Mike Fultenevich versus the Mariners Vladimir Gutierrez at the Mets Adbra Alslai at the Cubs Brett Anderson at the Braves Yikes

Yikes Yeah Jim Halpert Giff right there Or GIF I think I called it a GIF I always called a GIF Yes yes Scott you finally said it right That is highly debatable

Anyway Brad Keller at Toronto I'm big into Brad now. So that one's, I'm fine with that. I know Adbert Alzala isn't actually at the Cubs because he pitches for the Cubs. He's at Washington, sorry. That one could go okay,

but he's giving up a lot of home runs lately. I think I might go with Logan Webb over him even though he's facing the Astro. Oh, man. He's facing the Astros. I stopped saying Astros at the worst possible part of Astros. Stop saying Astros. I don't know if you noticed that.

I was going to let it slide, but you brought it up. basically stream pitchers before you get to Sunday. I think that's the biggest takeaway here. Some fantasy justice, it's a pretty short one, but let's talk about it. Yeah, yeah, from Jordan. We have a team in our league that is currently five and ten, and realistically has no shot at the playoffs. They dropped John Gray and Michael Panetta without picking anybody up in return.

Is this suspicious enough to determine collusion, and how should it be handled? Should the commissioner re-ad them, back on his team or should it be let go and hope he does not continue to drop players without adding others? Well, are you sure he wasn't like activating players from the IL? Is he just have empty bench spots now? I double check that before you made any accusations. I don't know how your waiver wire set up because I mean, in theory, everybody has a shot at this. I don't know if it's a fab system, in which case really everybody has a shot at it.

or if it's a situation, hey, look, I'm the, I'm top in waiver priority. Why don't you drop this guy for me? I don't know. I mean, I don't know how deep the league is. If it's a standard 12-teamer, it doesn't really raise an eyebrow for me that John Gray and Michael Paneda are being dropped. John Gray is pretty good. Yeah, he's pretty good, but could get traded. So good that it would shock you if he was dropped in a 12-team league.

I mean, I'd want to pick him up if he was, I think it's just the circumstances, right? It's the fact that this team is in last place, and they probably could use John Gray or Panetta, and they're not... He didn't say they were in last place. They're five and ten. Oh, that's true.

But they don't seem to have much of a chance. I don't know. I don't think it's enough to make that kind of accusation on its own, to be honest. Because even if there is a top guy in waiver priority that this person's colluding with, you could only pick up one of these two you know it's not like you can get them both

well I guess I guess maybe waivers could be set up usually not though usually you would go to the back of the line if you picked up one of these two smells a little fishy to me I don't know I guess you could just ask the person and see how they handle it if they get very defensive or something

maybe there's something going on but yeah they're not amazing players figure it out, I don't know. We really did not help you here, but that was Fantasy Justice. I just want to play the sound again. Man, we have hit the end of the road

here, and I'm sure we're going to have a few more podcasts on Friday, depending on what trades go down. So be on the lookout for those. For Scott, I am Frank. Thank you all for listening and watching Fantasy baseball today. We, actually not me, Scott and Chris, will be back again on Monday.

Bye-bye!