Fantasy Baseball Today - Jacob Lopez Hype & Devin Williams Replacements! (8/11 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: August 11, 2026

Jacob Lopez has looked really good lately (2:50). ... Cam Smith hit massive home run in SF (10:30). ... Skubal is throwing more sinkers with the Dodgers (16:21). ... What the heck is the fourth out rule (18:23)?? ... News (23:35): Nathan Eovaldi went on the IL. ... Chandler Simpson stayed red hot (38:47). ... Andrew Painter is doing interesting things (47:53). ... Let's play SCOTTY DOESN'T KNOW (55:07). ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpen updates, streamers and Team Name Tuesday (1:03:38).Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast from CBS Sports. Got a fantasy question? Email Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. Get ready to win your league. Now here's Frank, Scott, and Chris. What's up and welcome in to Fantasy Baseball today on Tuesday, August 11th. I am Frank Stamphle. joined by Scott White today on the show.

Jacob Lopez is on fire. We have Devin Williams replacements. Probably needed those like two months ago because he's just been bad. What the heck happened in that Blue Jace Red Sox game? Still trying to figure out what happened with that whole fourth outrule, the weirdest thing I've ever seen on a baseball field. And Scotty doesn't know. No.

Yeah. No. I don't know that rule. I tell you that much. I know it now. I kind of get it now. It's still a little fuzzy. I am just going to read a tweet that I found that broke it down very well

and hopefully that will explain it for the rest of the world. Let's jump in. Can you believe it? Wow! All right, let's get things started with Jacob Lopez. Someone I know you recommended Scott as a two-star pitcher this week and he got his revenge against the Tampa Bay raise, although the race wound up winning this game.

But he pitched very well. Seven innings, two runs, five strikeouts to one. walk. He had 12 whiffs on 93 pitches. Eight came on that slider and that pitch was awesome. He leaned on the slider even more on this one. It was his most used pitch. He threw it 42% of the time. He had the eight whiffs, a 33% whiff rate. 68.8 average EV on 10 padded balls. That is among the lowest numbers that I have seen with that many batted balls for a single pitch. So that slider was awesome. It was also a little bit different. The velocity was down 1.3 miles per hour. It had one more inch of drop in this game. And in five starts now in the second half for

Jacob Lopez, many of them have been short. This was his first time even going six innings in the last five starts, let alone seven in this one. So lots of five and die, five or less. But 236 ERA, 109 whip, 32 strikeouts over 26 and two-thirds innings, a 14.3% swinging strike rate during that stretch. So we got a stretch similar to this in the second half of last year, which made us excited about Jacob Lopez as a potential sleeper for this upcoming season. I believe he either ended the season hurt or dealt with an injury that kind of slowed him down. Maybe that's why he got off to such a terrible start this season. But Scott, Jacob Lopez has come roaring back.

He's only 39% rostered. What do you think about Jacob Lopez? Well, look, hopefully you added him for the two starts this week. We certainly talked them up plenty leading up to it. So far, so good, I would say. And I think the second matchup's supposed to be even better. Yeah, he gets the Rangers. Yeah.

So hopefully you did. And look, this is what we were excited about. I know, at least speaking for myself, I was excited about coming into the season. Jacob Lopez consistently ran very high strikeout numbers in the minors. He didn't rate as a particularly good. prospect because he succeeded more with the deceptive delivery and just a terrific fastball shape rather than rather than traditional ways that that pitchers are evaluated doesn't

throw particularly hard for instance and so he he seemed like a like a market inefficiency let's say from a from a real-life perspective Jacob Lopez which is why he bounced around a couple different organizations before landing with the athletics. I can't really pinpoint what's changed between him struggling so badly to begin this year and getting dropped everywhere and why he's doing so well right now. Even as he's succeeded over this recent stretch of starts, there have been differences underneath the hood. Like sometimes the velocity's been up, sometimes it's been down, sometimes he's leaned more on the cutter, this time

it was more of the slider. There's been a lot of different changes he's made within this stretch, which okay, so there's not one weird trick we can point to that says Jacob Lopez is fixed now. I wonder if it was more, as you said, coming back from

injury, just the command wasn't right. And there's probably a low margin for error here because Jacob Lopez doesn't throw hard at all. You know, first couple starts of the season. He walked five each time. Not many pitchers are going to succeed doing that. So I think he probably just needed some time to get over the final hump in his recovery, shake off the rust a little bit, and now we're seeing him perform really well again. And it doesn't mean he doesn't mean he doesn't still have a slim margin for error.

And we may see another really rough stretch from Jacob Lopez in the future, maybe even before, this year is done. But we know the other side of the coin is still there and he's showing it now and it could be really useful down the stretch for you. And part of that slim margin for error is the fact that he pitches in Sacramento and obviously that is a very, very tough place to pitch. But he did pitch well there again here on Monday night against the raise, which is a very formidable offense. The most added starting pitchers on CBS from the weekend, Scott, include Hayden Wesneski, Jackson Job, Cody Bradford, and then Jacob Lopez is the fourth name on that list.

Job versus Lopez. I would take Lopez over Bradford and Wesneseke, but Joe versus Lopez feels kind of close to me. Yeah, because Job is interesting in his own way, obviously from a more traditional scouting context, he was the top pitching prospect of baseball at the time he got called up. and he looked very good coming back from Tommy John's surgery,

his first start back. I would say the big concern with Job, and Chris pointed it out on Monday's show, is how deep is he going to get to work into games? Lopez just went seven innings in this latest one. Is Job ever going to get that chance? I think if that wasn't on the table, clearly I would take Job.

But because that is something you have to account for, are the tigers going to let Joe are they going to work Joe hard enough that he could actually be of use to you in fantasy you know beyond just he's got to pitch well will he get the volume to be of much use to you

and I don't know the answer to that I think the odds are against it so particularly now after Lopez just turned in this start it might tip the scales more in his favor yeah what about about Jacob Lopez versus Tyler Malley. Back-to-back nine strikeout starts.

Obviously, on a much better team now with the Atlanta Braves. What do you think about Lopez versus Malley? I'm pretty skeptical of Malley. I do think there are reasons to be encouraged, but I need to see more. You know, coming into the year, he was the least exciting of them. And now he's put together two straight nine strikeout efforts. Great.

But I need to see more than that, I think, to take him over Lopez or Jope. And Jacob Lopez versus Sean Mania. Yeah, so I feel like he is the most enigmatic of the three, Manaya. Because on the one hand, we've seen the longest stretch of dominance from him, the final two months of 2024. On the other hand, that was two years ago. We got a glimpse of him doing the same thing, Sean Maniope. Mani in his latest start, but it is just a sample of one.

And so it's definitely a stretch to say, okay, he's back to that guy. He was in 2024. But if he is back to that guy, he was in 2024, the end of 2024, then he might be an ace the rest of the way, honestly. So it's the biggest gamble, Manaya. I would, for that reason, probably have to put him behind both Jacob Lopez and Jackson Job, but I would put him ahead of Tyler Malley, for instance. All right, let's go over to your player of the night.

I'm going to do a hitter here. I'm going to do Cam Smith. Cam Smith of the Houston Astros went three for four on Tuesday. Hit a home run. His 16th, that home run was hit 114 miles per hour because that's the kind of stuff Cam Smith does when he gets a hold of one. And particularly of late,

he's been getting a hold of a lot of them. In August, he's 10 for 23. That's a 435 batting average with two home runs. Obviously a small sample, but he's been very good. I think just from the perspective of, okay, has he gotten what he deserves at the plate this year? I would say no.

he entered batting 226 despite a 246 xBA. He entered slugging 400 despite a 436 X slugs. So, you know, on the one hand there's that. But I don't even think that goes far enough to describe what's exciting about Cam Smith. I mentioned that home run was hit 114 miles per hour, 113.9 technically. his hardest hit ball this year, Cam Smith, 114.7. It's not a lot harder than that home run he just hit,

and yet only 22 hitters have hit a ball harder than that this season. I mean, Cam Smith can deliver exit velocities up there with just about anyone, and I think that is the clearest indicator of upside for a hitter. Obviously, he has to do a lot of other things well to deliver on that upside, but there's no there's no

like faking that basically. His strikeout rate is not so bad. His bat speed is 99th percentile. He's also a very fast, 93rd percentile runner. This is a gifted player. And I think part of the reason why he's had this failure

to launch in the majors now between this year and last, is because he only got 32 games in the miners. He was rushed very quickly. And he was dominating, obviously, in those 32 games, like we saw with Wyatt Langford and Nick Kurtz, very similar situation for Cam Smith. But just because it worked for those two

doesn't mean it's the right approach for everyone. And I think it's just taking Cam Smith a little longer to adapt, like we've seen from Jordan Walker. I think Cam Smith could be next year's Jordan Walker. probably too late for him this year. But with the way he started August, you know, he could make a pretty strong first pitch for that

for being next year's Jordan Walker. Yeah, he is an incredible athlete, as you pointed out, the bat speed, the sprint speed, the high-end exit velocities that we've seen from Cam Smith. And as a right-handed hitter, you would think he could take advantage of playing in Houston where they have that short porch in left field. You know, he still hasn't mastered or,

and I don't know that he ever will, you know, pulling the ball in the air. So obviously he needs to get better at doing that. But yeah, everything you mentioned here, big game for Cam Smith. And even if you go back a little bit further, his last 15 games, 333, four homers, 12 runs, 10 RBI, a 1040 OPS,

90 mile per hour average EV during that spend for Cam Smith. he has started 13 of the last 16 games. That have been stretches where his playing time has been a little sporadic. I feel like he's kind of one of these limbo outfielders for this season for fantasy, right? Because he's 39% rostered. I feel like he's probably rostered

in most five outfieler leagues. And I don't know that he's a recommendation for a three outfieler league. So it's kind of that weird in between for a waiver wire outfielder, you know? Yeah, I would say right now it would be tough to get him in a lineup in a three outfielder league. But, you know, watch them closely because that could change quickly. I could definitely see Cam Smith going on a huge run here, the final six weeks of the season.

If he is available in a five outfielder league, other names that have emerged recently, Griffin Conine, would you rather take Conine or Cam Smith? Well, I know I had conine as a sleeper hitter for this week that just started, but not looking ahead at matchups. I think there's a better chance of Cam Smith being a worthy week-to-week contributor for you. What about Cam Smith versus Jake Mangum? I feel like Mangum's only worth it if you have particular needs that he fills. he's such a limited player in that way. Cam Smith has more upside for sure. So I guess Smith is how I'd lean with that.

Other deep names that have been getting picked up, Hector Rodriguez, Tim Tawa. Yeah, Cam Smith's on a different level from them. I mean, so let me look at it and see how much Rodriguez has been sitting since getting called up, Hector Rodriguez. Because, oh, man, he's not even playing against every... Yeah, he has played against every righty, but he's sitting against lefties, which is to be expected.

Hector Rodriguez wasn't hitting lefties and the minors. Yeah. All right. Before we get to this weird play with the Blue Jays and the Red Sox here, I wanted to ask just what you think of Terek Skubel so far with the Dodgers. I know the results haven't been amazing so far, but the fact that he's throwing his sinker more, it just seems kind of weird to me.

He used it 32% in this start here on Monday. It was five innings, three runs, six strikeouts. He still had 14 whiffs on 95 pitches. All the damage against him done by Jack Caglione, by the way. How about that? That's pretty awesome for Cags, not for Scoobel. But what do you make of this? I don't know if it's a Dodger thing,

but his four-scene fastball is clearly better than a sinker. Yeah, I don't like it. And I pointed it out after his first start with the Dodgers, where he struck out only six in six innings, which won at raise an eyebrow, except for the fact that it was his first. start with a new team, and his pitch selection changed. So he now has three starts this year, Terrick Scoobal,

where he's thrown more than 30% sinkers. Two of the three were his two starts with the Dodgers. So that's how unusual it is. He's done it now back-to-back starts, and the results have been less than Dominant, less than the best we've seen from Scoople. So I don't think it's reason for panic, but there is something going on there.

is making a decision that may be to his detriment, at least as far as fantasy is concerned. And obviously you're not sitting, Terrick Scoobel or anything like that. But I think it's something we're going to want to monitor here over the final six weeks. Just the usage of his sinker. Does it continue? Does he continue to lean on it more with the Dodgers? And do the strikeout suffer because of it? Yep.

I think fair questions there. obviously still one of the best pitchers in baseball, but it could potentially change what we expect from him as an ace with the strikeouts potentially down, but perhaps it just leads to better ratios because he has an awesome defense behind him. So I'm sure he'll still be great, but it does kind of change the calculation a little bit for Scoobul

if he continues to throw his sinker this much with the Dodgers. Let's get to this Red Sox and Blue Jays play game. I don't... Let me set it up. First and third, one out. The stadium scoreboard said two out. So I guess that kind of affected everyone's mental and they lost track how many outs there was. But a fly ball to center field is caught.

The runners just kept running because they thought it was two out. So the man from third came home and scored. The guy on first was like all the way at third base by the time the ball was in the infield. And they... Nobody tagged. Nobody tagged. The defense starts walking off the field. They throw it to first. they get the second out. Because they know they have that out there.

They get what would be the third out. But it turns out after review that the run actually scores for the Red Sox. And here is the fourth out rule in Major League Baseball. When both runners leave early, they must be appealed. This is not a forced play

as runners can't be forced backward, only forward. It's a timing play. So the run legally scores before the third. third out is made at first base. The run counts unless the fielding team also then appeals that the runner left early. Fielders then technically abandon and the run counts.

I've never seen anything like it. It's the weirdest thing. Yeah. And I don't know why they're calling it the fourth out rule. It's the sort of shorthand that just makes it even more confusing. I guess what they're saying is in that very unusual scenario, you have to think of it as if you need to record the fourth out. I don't know.

It's not a good name for it, frankly. But that does seem to be what people are calling it. And so my understanding then is if they had tossed the ball to third base, and that was the third out, then it would have been fine. The runner at first would have counted as getting to second still, but obviously it's the third out so the inning's over and nobody scores. or if they had gotten the third out of first base and also threw it over to third base to appeal there,

then the run wanted to have scored. But, yeah, because they technically didn't appeal the runner leaving from third early and went back to the dugout, it's like saying, yeah, we didn't catch that, we didn't notice, or we didn't care. And so they allow, the runner to score illegally because they didn't challenge it properly.

Yeah. And that's part of it too. You mentioned the team was in the dugout. I think them leaving the field without appealing first is also part of this play. Just very confused. It's like a complete brainbreaker. I've never seen anything like it. If you are, if you're listening to this podcast, you're probably a diehard baseball fan.

If you haven't seen the play, go watch it because it is one of the most interesting things that I have ever seen. Before we hit our break, make sure to like this video. Subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. Let's take that break and we'll be back right after this. Welcome back, Fantasy Baseball today and let's hit the news and notes. If you had August 10th on your Nathan Avaldi bingo card, you are the winner. Nathan Avaldi placing the aisle with right posterior elbow inflammation. Not trying to make light of his injury, but he seemingly goes in the aisle every year with some sort of arm injury.

and this year he has lasted all the way until August 10th. Has there been another I else stint for Avaldi this year, Scott, that I'm missing? There honestly might have been. I just don't remember. I don't think it was arm related if there was. Maybe it was like a hamstring or something. I seem to recall that there was, but I could check that real quick and tell you. I mean, any pitcher who's 36 years old, you have to think is going to have one at some point.

He, uh, no, nope, he, he, it looks like he he may have missed a start here or there with an injury but not an eye out stent until this one. And he has been having a pretty weird season. 421 ERA 121 whip. The K to walk is still very good. It's a 19% K minus walk rate. He has a career

high 14.7% swinging strike rate. The X FIP, the Sierra are much better than his ERA. But his FIP and his XERA are are right in line. I don't really get it. He's giving up more home runs this season, but his quality of contact is right in line where it was last year.

Just kind of a confounding season for Nathan Avaldi. I feel like he's deserved better results, but he is dealing with this elbow injury, and it is August 11th, so I don't really have much faith that he's going to make it back before the end of the season.

Maybe like mid-September, but it's tough. Yeah, unfortunately with elbow inflammation, it could be something really serious or it could be something really mild. And it's possible he just misses two weeks and comes back without even needing a rehab assignment based on what we know now. But I'm with you that the odds seem against that. Devin Williams was placed on the aisle with a right shoulder strain. We did hear recently about an arm injury that he was dealing with. So I guess this is that.

The Mets said they don't expect them to be out too long, but who knows with a shoulder injury. And what do you know? They have a save opportunity right away. here on Monday night, and Daniel Duarte, two shutout innings across the 7th and 8th, and then it was Kodi Senga in the 9th as the closer with a

three-run lead. He picked up his first Major League save, and his last three relief appearances, he has three no-hit innings, four strikeouts to two walks. Senga is about as combustible as any pitcher in baseball. Maybe just using him in one inning, a one-ending

role is the way to get the best out of him at this point, but we know he has questionable control. I think if you had Devin Williams, if you're chasing saves in a deeper league, like, yeah, Kodi-Senga probably makes sense, but anything shallower than, I don't know, maybe even a 12-team Rotel League

if you're really desperate for saves, but he looks like the guy for now, I guess. Maybe. So, yeah, you mentioned three straight hitless relief appearances, all three one-inning. So, you know, tiny, tiny sample we're talking about. But prior to that, even working in relief he had been going multiple innings

and it hadn't been going well. He's got an ERA over eight on the year. So it's been bad but maybe look he obviously has great stuff that forkball especially maybe in that winning and roll it could work. Maybe that's what the Mets are planning here trying him out in it. I do

wonder if it was more in this case that they needed their highest leverage arm earlier in the game because it the game was at risk of getting away from the Mets.

They took a 5-0-0 lead in the first inning, and they ended up winning 7-5, and the momentum was mounting prior to the 9th. So they brought in Daniel Duarte to shut things down, and maybe he's still the high-leverage guy for him. I don't know that we can automatically assume it's Senga just because he got the save here. But the leaning has to be toward him, sure.

And Kodai Senga is 9% rostered, so widely available. He is very far down the list of other waiver wire relievers who are available right now. We still haven't seen a Pirates save opportunity since they acquired Luke Weaver, but I still think he's going to be the guy and he's 55% rostered. So I'd rather have him. I was going to say Jacob Webb, but I feel like Daniel Palencia could be back any day now. Brandon Garcia seems like the highest leverage guy for the debacks right now. So Weaver, Garcia over them for sure.

Anybody else? Dylan Smith blew a save here on Monday. He looked like the Giants Closer, still might be. There's Stephen Cruz. There's the Angels guys. Sammy Natera did work the ninth inning with the game tied on Monday,

and it was a perfect inning with two strikeouts, and he's looked really good. How do you rank that kind of jumbled mess? Scott, Dylan Smith, Stephen Cruz, Sammy Natera, Jr., and Kodaisenga. Deep League saves. Okay.

we're saying Luke Weaver and Brandon Garcia are over them. Yeah, for sure. Like they're in another tier. And who am I ranking again? I'm sorry. Dylan Smith, Stephen Cruz, Sammy Netara Jr. and Kodai Senga. I think I put Stephen Cruz number one because we've seen it the most, not that it's been consistently

him in closer situations, but primarily him for the Royals. I don't know. I might go Senga second. because I think the others are going to remain messy all season. And maybe the Mets will too, but I have a little more hope for them. All right. Adley Ruchman is expected to be activated and make his Red Sox debut on Tuesday. Carlos Rodon will have at least one more rehab start before being activated.

And I mentioned this yesterday, but Rodon's velocity was way down in his first rehab start two to three miles across the board. And he's coming back from an elbow injury. So let's see what his velocity looks like in that next week. rehab start. Bryce Harper is battling knee soreness, but was still in the lineup on Monday. He started at DH with Kyle Schwabber at first base, and that's Schwerber's

fourth game at first base. So this gets a little interesting because Harper my guess is if he's dealing with his knee, he's probably going to DH a couple more days. Kyle Schwerber could gain first base eligibility. He won't play enough, I don't think, to gain it for next season, but you could have Kyle

Schwerber with first base eligibility this year. And that, although it's a stacked position, is at least a little interesting. It would hurt. There's some scenarios where you might rather use them at first base to DH. I guess it's also possible if they wanted to get Bowman in the lineup.

I believe Schwabers made two starts in the outfield this year. It's possible he could pick up eligibility there depending how long this goes on with Harper's knee. The more of a long shot, apparently Harper hurt the knee he fouled a ball off it prior to the all-star break. So it's something that he's been dealing with for a while even before they decided to move him to the outfield.

So I don't think it's a serious thing. But, you know, it might allow, it might allow Shorebur to pick up some eligibility. Yeah. And Bryce Harper has already played enough in the outfield to gain that on CBS. So that's good news. And Bryce and Stott has been playing third. He has gained third-based eligibility as well.

Kazima Okamoto was scratched Monday due to a left knee contusion. Geraldo Perdomo left early with knee soreness. Zach Geloff was activated from the IL and provided an instant impact, two for four with his 12th homer, two runs, two RBI, and he is 62% rostered. He's second third and outfield eligible, and he's having a great season, 277, 12 homers, eight steals, 823 OPS, all of that in just 67 games.

So, Scott, do you think Zach Gilloff, if he's available anywhere, it's just a must-add, must-raster, even in a points league? I don't know that I'd call him that in a points league, but certainly a roto league. Because, yeah, he's been very productive this year. The strikeout rate has been a lot better. And bat speed has been a lot better, fast-swing rate. So he's making more contact, and he's making more impactful contact.

tact and it explains why he's been so productive. The underlying numbers still don't support how good he's been. So it's worth pointing that out since he's an unknown, an unknown quantity. You know, we lean on those expected stats a little more when assessing him, but he has been productive when he's played and worthy of a roster spot with his multi-eligibility, I would say especially. Will Smith could take batting practice this week.

He's been out since June 11th with a neck injury. Nick Povetta threw off a mound on Monday, and he left his first rehab outing with right elbow tightness, and he missed a large majority of the season with that injury. So it's a little scary for Nick Povetta right now. We'll see where that one goes. Paul Seawald was DFAed by the Arizona D-Backs. We'll see if he catches on anywhere else.

We have a bunch of pitcher updates first from the Braves. Spencer Schwellenbach has continued his rehab program. but has yet to receive clearance to face hitters. Spencer Strider will begin a throwing progression this week. I'm not sure there's enough time for him to get fully built back up as a starter. So perhaps he is a weapon out of the bullpen for the Braves. And that's even if he can make it back. Like obviously no setbacks and everything like that.

But it's interesting, Scott, because last week or two weeks ago, we heard they cleaned out Strider's locker. And we just assumed he was done for the year. Well, starting a throwing program isn't, saying much. I think Schwellenbach started a throwing program a couple months ago, and now they're talking about he might not make it back for the regular season, Spencer Schwellenbach. So I want to get too excited about this development for Strider,

especially hearing that he cleared out his locker. I don't think it's been reported definitively that he's done for the year. Just it's speculated that he won't have enough time to make it back. And that's probably still true. All right, you can't believe me, Scott. I haven't texted you, so I don't know who else. I don't know who else would text me at $150 in the morning. I was just wondering that same thing. Now that you brought it up, I should probably just check it, right? Maybe it's urgent, you know, 2 a.m.

I don't think it's a text. I think it's some, I think some app sent me a notification, which try to turn that stuff off. But, you know, every now and then something slips through. Back to the pitcher updates for the Braves. Hurst and Waldrop will begin a throwing program. week as well. He went on the IEL on July 21st with right arm discomfort. Over to the D-backs pitchers, Corbin Burns will throw a bullpen on Tuesday and he's working his way back from Tommy John surgery and a Terrace Major strain in his shoulder. Zach Gallen will

also throw a bullpen on Tuesday working his way back from right elbow inflammation. Ryan Nelson will begin a bullpen progression within the next seven to 10 days. He is on the IL with a flexor strain and UCL sprain in his right elbow. So, I would say unlikely for Ryan Nelson to be back, or at least make an impact this season. The Rockies placed Tyler Freeman on the aisle and called up Connor Norby, whom they acquired from the Marlins at the trade deadline. And while... Connor Norby, come on, man.

I know, right? Not the one we want. And I wanted to use this as an opportunity to talk about Zach Veen because he just, he is on a crazy run right now in the miners. He had a five-hit three-homer game on Saturday. The other two hits a double and a triple. his last 12 games at AAA, 462, 8 homers, 20 runs, 24 RBI,

three steals, a 1649 OPS. 12 games, 8 homers, 24 RBI, like, what else does he need to do to get the call from the Rockies? So I would say, I don't know if you put together your prospects to stash for this week, Scott. I would say Zach Veen is among the top five right now.

Yeah, I think the prospects are, this week is all just going to be players who could come up this weekend now that we're inside the 45-day window. Although, I'm not even sure Zach Veen is affected by that because he spent some time in the majors last year. So, I don't know. He's probably ahead of Charlie Condon in the packing order for Rocky's call-ups, both because of this kind of streak he's on, which, by the way, he is now for the season at,

AAA slashing 327 402, 635 for the season. 635. My gosh. Yeah. 24 homers, 18 steals, 33 doubles, 8 triples. Like, he's back, baby. There's nothing left for him to do. He's proven everything he could at triple.

And the other reason why I think he's ahead of Charlie Cond is he's already on the 40-man roster because he was with the major league team for a short while last year. So, yeah. I mean, we finally got an injury to a Rockies outfielder, but they bring up Connor Norby, so that's frustrating. Even if it doesn't happen for Vien this weekend inside of 45 days, rosters do expand still a little bit on September 1st, and I think it's very likely we'll see him then,

if it doesn't happen sooner. Zach Veen is 13% rostered. Would you rather stash him over Joshua Baez or Walker Jenkins? No, I think Walker, Jenkins has to be the top priority of those three. But it's a close call between Zach Veen and Joshua Baez. I genuinely don't have a lot of confidence in Baez being impactful for fantasy when he comes up because he's just struggled to make contact so much, AAA.

And you know how that goes, as Merlin Valdez did, Spencer Jones did. They don't have to make a lot of contact to have an impact given the quality of the contact they make, but it becomes kind of an all or nothing situation, and I fear the nothing. Yeah, the last 12 games. That's like never-ending story. I fear the nothing.

Last 12 games for Josh Baez, he has four homers and 11 strikeouts. That is a 22% K-rate, so it has been better recently. I think he'll probably be up pretty soon. There's definitely impact in there, but I think there will be some volatility with strikeouts as well for Joshua Baez.

Let's take a look at some waiver wire hitters from Monday's action. And Chandler Simpson, two for five with two steals. Over his last 41 games now, updated numbers. 383 with 19 steals and OPS over 850. He's 77% rostered on CBS, 65% rostered on Yahoo. I realize people listening to this who play in Roto leagues or five outfieler leagues, like Chandler Simpson was never available, I totally get that. But in three outfielder leagues, Scott, even had to be.

head-to-head points or head-ed-ed-categories, I'm starting to think that Chandler Simpson just needs to be rostered everywhere. Yeah, it gets harder, and I've talked about this before, head-to-head points leagues that award only one point per stolen base. The CBS standard is two. It makes a big difference. I think ESPN might only be one point per steal, but I also think they penalize you minus one for strikeout,

which also helps Chandler Simpson. Yeah, it helps a lot. He becomes more Luis Arise-like, and a rise is very valuable and points leagues that penalize a full point for strikeouts. So that's a good point. Those two, those two,

how your league scores those particular stats, I think makes a big difference how valuable Chandler Simpson is from a head-to-head point standpoint. But, yeah, he's sustained this for a while now. I'll note he was a 3.50, 55 hitter, his last full season in the minors. He was a 33-hitter when he got called up.

Mathematically, with as good as defenses are these days, it's really hard to have a batting average that high. Unless you're a huge power hitter, and even then, it's hard to be a big power hitter and make enough contact to have a batting average that high. We saw Ronald de Cunia do it the year he won MVP, hit about 340, but it's very rare. Simpson, because he makes so much contact,

less than 10% strikeout rate, because he rarely puts the ball in the air. He's Willie Mays Hayes for Major League 1, not Major League 2, which is good with his skill set. And because he can beat out so many weak grounders for free singles that way, like, he could,

would be, no, not a 350 hitter, but he could be somebody who competes for batting titles in the long run. I think that's in the realm of possible. And you add that to him being such a prolific base dealer, then, you know, he may have a future, at least as bright as Xavier Edwards, if not brighter. All right, let's move on to Nolan Aronado, two for four, with a grand sock in a shoe.

That's right, a grand slam, a steel, his 18th homer, his fourth stolen base. And over his last 35 games, he's hitting 254, 10 homers, 25 RBI, and OPS over 850. I know Nolan Aronado is old. He's very unsexy at this point in his career. But third base is terrible. It's a really, really bad position this year. So if you wanted to go with the hot hand approach, Scott, and just, you know,

I know Caleb Durbin and Royce Lewis, they're already two rostered at this point. Like, people are finally starting to add them. but Aeronado at 70% like even in a points league if you were using like an Austin Riley or a Colson Montgomery or Okamoto who's banged up I could see just

using Aeronado not dropping those guys for him but using Aeronado over them since he's actually playing well It was a sleeper header for this week yeah Boom Yeah he's Do you think he's a Hall of Famer? He's probably a Hall of Famer right? Yeah I think so

He's closing in on 60 war he's one I don't even know how many gold gloves but like four or five platinum gloves right yeah he's a hall of favor okay

I think so too I wonder I know Chris is like way more in tune with like Hall of Fame and six platinum gloves 10 gold gloves eight time all star

he's made more all star teams than Chipper Jones did yeah five times Silver Slugger yeah yeah I think Nolan Aeronado is a Hall of Famer I try to pull up his defensive metrics this year to see if he still grades out well defensively.

You know, it gets like 35 years old. He's getting up there a little bit. Let's see. Same number of all-star teams as Chipper Jones. Nolan Aronado this season, yeah, it's starting to, defense is starting to fall off a little bit. He's 61st percentile in range, 37th percentile in arm strength. But, yeah, actually having a pretty good offensive season is Nolan Aronado. somebody says Chipper was better.

Yes, Chipper was better. But I'm just saying, you make as many all-star teams as Chipper Jones. You're doing something right. Chipper Jones didn't win as many silver sluggers either. Two versus Aeronados five. But yeah, Chipper had 85-4. He's obviously, there was no doubt when Chipper Jones retired that he was all the favor.

A couple of their corner infield bats here. Ty France hit his 17th home run. It was his first homer since July 23rd. So he went 16 games without homers. but still during that stretch hit 333 with a 771 OPS, 91.4 average EV. The expected stats still really good during that 16 start stretch with no homers.

So I just want to, if you were thinking about dropping Ty France because I've been getting some questions about him, don't continue to hold Ty France. I still think he's really good. Like he's made big improvements this season. The Padreys had the worst hitter matchups this week. So I actually benched France

and the leagues where I had him. But so far, he's off, you know, so far so good this week. Speaking of unsexy fantasy players, Josh Bell, it is 16th home run. He went two for five, three RBI. Last 52 games, this has been going on since like late May, early June.

286, 11 homers, 38 RBI, and OPS over 850 during that stretch for Josh Bell. And he's on pace for 21 homers, 95 RBI. He's just an unsung hero in, deeper leagues as a corner infielder. If you draft a Josh Bell in

AL only or in a 15-team Roto League, he's just set it and forget it. He's been fine all year. So he's 37% rostered. I don't know that that number needs to be much higher, but he's solid. Rock solid, high floor player with Josh Bell. Two names just to keep an eye on here in the second

half. Kobe Mayo, two for four with a double three RBI. 19 games in the second half. 315, 3 homers. 93 mile per hour, average EV, also a 34% strikeout rate. And Austin Martin had a huge game, four for five with a sock and a shoe, his third homer, his 12th steel, but he has only started 12 of 23 games in the second half. Do you agree, Scott, just watch list type guys for now, Kobe Mayo and Austin Martin?

Yeah. Yeah, I mean, Martin hasn't played regularly enough to be more than that. And Mayo, there's been so much bad and not enough good yet for me to buy in. All right, let's take our final break when we return, WaverWire Pitchers, and Scotty doesn't know. We'll do that right after this. Welcome back, Fantasy Baseball today. Let's run through the WaverWire pitchers outside of Jacob Lopez. And the three names I have here, Andrew Painter,

solid outing at the Cardinals, 5 and a 3rd, 2 hits, 2 runs, six strikeouts. He had 12 whiffs on 93%. pitches. And he threw his change up a lot more. As long as he's getting away from the fastball, I think that's a good recipe for Painter. Three starts since returning, 293 ERA and a 0.98 whip for Painter. Hayden Wesniewski, a strong start at the Giants, seven innings, three runs, only four strikeouts, did allow two homers in this one. He's allowed three earn runs or fewer in all three starts since rejoining the Astros. He's 54% rostered. And Dean Kramer got his

revenge. At home against the Orioles, seven innings, one hit, one run, seven strikeouts, 14 whiffs on 89 pitches here for Dean Kramer. Scott, do you have any interest in these three? Would you take any of them over the names we mentioned earlier? The Lopez, Mania, Jackson Job, Tyler Malley Group. This is Dean Kramer, Wesniew, and Andrew Painter. I think Painter's there with Malley in terms of my interest level. So kind of at the bottom of that previous group, but in it,

this change up that he's introduced since returning to the rotation, it became his most thrown pitch in this one. And obviously, satellite success in those three starts, 293RA, 0.98 whip,

9.4K per 9. It's still not who we once dreamed Andrew Painter would be, but you know, we'd solve signs in the secondary arsenal that maybe there was something he could put together and the addition of this change up maybe it's brought it all together. I think the upside is enough that I might take a shot on Painter at this point. I'm also sort of interested in Kramer. I don't think I'm ready to pick him up yet except in the desperation situation, but he has changed his approach

since joining the twins. Very little use of his sinker, 6% for the second straight start. So his two starts with the twins. They've done away with the sinker. The Dodgers have scuba throwing more sinkers. The twins have Kramer throwing less sinkers. And, you know, it's been two pretty good outings for Kramer in a row.

Obviously, a really good outing this time. So it's something to monitor going forward because, If he does a couple more starts in a row, I think we definitely do talk about adding him. Yeah, and in conjunction with using his sinkerless, he used his fastball a little bit more mixed results on that, but the splitter and the cutter were both awesome for Kramer and this one. He had five whiffs on each of those pitches,

and typically whenever he uses those more, good things happen for Dean Kramer. So he has a 525 ERA. He also has a 381-X-FIP on the season. So we'll see where it goes, but encouraging Dean Kramer now with the Minnesota Twins. One very deep name, Blade Tidwell, pitched well for the Giants. He was home against the Astros. Five and two thirds innings, one run, six strikeouts to one walk.

16 whiffs on 96 pitches. 12 of those came on his sweeper. It looks like he has a really good sweeper and slider. Both of his fastballs get hit really hard. So once upon a time, solid prospect in the Mets organization, came over to the Giants. Good place to pitch. Very deeply...

He stopped at the nationals in between, right? Did he? No. No, I must be thinking of somebody else. Never mind. Only nine... God, he doesn't know. We're getting started early.

Blades did well, only 9% rostered. Very deep league play, but do you have any interest in like a 15-team context? Not really. He wasn't very good in the minors, even from a bad. at missing perspective. It was, I think, 11.6% swinging strike rate, which is kind of average in the majors, and obviously he was doing that against minor leaguers.

And a lot of the contact was fly balls. We contact in the minors, but still, I don't think there's enough. Despite all the whiffs in this start for Blade Tudwell, I don't think the upside is enough to pursue them. All right. Do want to offer an apology for two, two-star pitchers that

not great here on my Christian Scott four innings, four runs. He still had six strikeouts, 14 whiffs on 82 pitches, and Bryce Elder, like, come on, man.

How many times are we going to fall for Bryce Elder? Seven earned runs over five innings, two homers allowed. He was much better before this. His previous four starts, 188 ERA and a one whip. But that also came with a

five FIP and a five FIP and a 433 XERA. So hashtag trust the process. So there were like, I'm not going to say Bryce Elder pitched well. You didn't it. But the stateline could have looked a lot better. There were a couple of weird things that happened in that first inning where he gave up five runs.

The most damaging of which was one run had scored at that point. And there was what should have been a strikeout, throwout double play to end the inning with just one run allowed. But instead of calling it strike three, the umpire called it ball four, which meant the thrown out runner didn't count either. He was allowed to advance for free. So instead of two outs right then, it was zero outs and an additional base runner then. And actually, Bryce Elder did tap his head, but with all the commotion of the stolen base, I guess the umpire didn't notice. And Elder wasn't particularly emphatic about it, so it didn't get challenged.

But if that challenge had been honored, it would have ended the inning. Brett Beatty wouldn't have hit a grand slam. And the stateline would have looked a lot better. So, you know, a little bit of a defense there. Just a game of inches example. But, yeah, Elder, not very good. And unfortunately, he ruined you the time you might have given half a thought to starting him. And I do want to tell people to hold on Noah Cameron.

I know the final line here was not great. It's also at the Dodgers, which is a really tough matchup. But he left this start with two earned runs over five and two-thirds innings. He had two runners on base. The reliever who came in allowed both of those runners to score. And Noah Cameron still had 13 whiffs on 101 pitches against the Dodgers. Velocity up on his secondary pitches. He doubled his slider usage.

He keeps fading this fastball. The slider looked really, really good. So if you picked up Noah Cameron, I know this first start of the week doesn't look very good. but I am here to tell you to hold on Noah Cameron. With that said, Scott, are you ready for Scottie as a no? As ready as I can be for something that's designed for me to fail at. Scottie doesn't know. Oh, Scottie doesn't know.

All right, here we are. I've got three different players. And up first, I was a top. For those who don't know the game, by the way, Scott has a no. I'm going to give Scott one statement a stat or a fact. and he has to try to guess who that player is, but it's virtually impossible. Maybe not as impossible today.

I kind of had to throw the rundown together, but we'll see. Top 10 hitter in fantasy last season, but my OPS has dropped from 9.59 to 712. That's bad. It's a big drop. Is it? I don't think he played today.

Did he play today? I'm going to say George Springer. Darn. Scott, God knows. I mean, I guess you had a 10% chance of getting it right if you know the top 10 hitters off the top of your head from last. I was like, yeah, you know what? Scott might get some of these.

I just kind of threw it together last second. But all right, well, we can't play the sound drop for that one. It is George Springer, and I just wanted to highlight. I didn't know if he played today, though. He did. He returned. He had a two-game absence. He's dealing with a shoulder injury.

But over his last 40 games, I know it's a disappointing season. Last 40 games, 273, six homers, 21 runs, 20 RBI, six deals. OPS is right around 800, and his fast swing rate is 38.5% during the stretch. Last year, it was 40%. So, I just thought that was encouraging that, like, he's not going to get back to what we wanted or where you drafted him. But if you held on to him this long, I'm just here to tell you that George Springer has actually look better. Look better over his last 40 games. I still don't know that he's worth it in a three outfielder league because he just seems to have reached the phase of his career where he's perpetually banged up

and in and out of the lineup. And it's less a matter of how effective he is than how often he plays. But for five outfields leagues, it's an encouraging development. All right, let's see. Let's see if we could get Scott with number two. I have a 338 ERA and a 109 whip on the season. But over my last three starts, I have a. sub 5% swinging strike rate.

Ew. Foster Griffin. We were looking for Casey Mize who bounced back in his second start with the Padres. He was home against the Brewers. Six innings, two runs, six strikeouts, but he only had six whiffs on 83 pitches. His velocity was down across the board,

like between a half and 1.5 miles per hour. on all of his pitches. His fastball and slider got hit hard in this one. The line was good. And San Diego is a good park to pitching. Casey Mize just hasn't really

looked as good, you know, over the past month or so. Where are you on KC. Mize right now? Well, the approach hasn't really changed. I know you mentioned the velocity was down a little in this one.

It was up a little in his first start with the Padres and he struggled with control. I get the sense he dialed back a little bit. He was amped up in that first start, wanted to prove himself for the new team, and had one of his worst starts. So he tried to dial it back a little and got a good result,

but good results without whiffs unless the ground ball rate is through the roof. I don't particularly trust them. I don't think it's reason to panic on Mize. I'm not dropping him over that, but I've been a little, I guess, tepid in my enthusiasm for him. even when we do see encouraging signs

because it's more it's more like it's just encouraging than it's ever just outright good, you know, even at his best. So he feels kind of like he'll have a difficult time breaking into the top 40 in fantasy at starting pitcher. All right, this last name up,

here we go. I have allowed three earn runs or fewer in all 11 of 11 of, my starts this season. Oh, come on. This feels like an easy one. It might be too easy. Logan Henderson.

Ah, it's Logan Henderson. Scotty does know. Here we go. You know, Scott, I've set you up for the past couple of years when Scott doesn't know. I thought I'd throw you a couple cookies, man. Yeah. And get you back in the good places. You made them today focused.

That was that you learned, you learned not to do that. Six West Coast games on a Monday night. I did want to apologize early on too because this was our latest start of the year. So thank you to everyone for being here. But six West Coast games on a Friday, on a Monday night with a lot of, not great pitchers,

but interesting pitchers that you need to take notes on. It just took me forever to get through it and make today's rundown. So that's why we started so late. And that's why I kind of fumbled to Scotty as a no. But you know what? Scottie does know.

I don't think it fumbled. I like that. Logan Henderson, a quality start at the Padre, six and a third, three runs allowed, seven strikeouts to one walk. He did allow two homers in this one. And he came back out for the seventh inning, something he hasn't done all season.

And he gave up a go-ahead two-run homer at the time. And it just kind of, I wonder if reinforces the way the brewers treat or feel about Logan Henderson. I just wonder about like a third time through the order or maybe even a fourth time through the order. you know, this fastball change of combination, which is so good for him, it just becomes more hitable,

the more that you see him. So, yeah, I just wonder about that with Logan Henderson. Basically, every pitcher I've ever looked at, their numbers the third time, third time through the order get much worse. But it's probably especially bad in a case like this where it's more about deception and he's got a limited arsenal.

And you'll remember when Gabe Kapler first started managing the Phillies, he kind of made a hard rule that no pitcher gets to face the lineup a third time through because of that tendency. And it didn't go over well. They had some big arms like Aaronola who were used to pitching a lot of innings. And Gabe Kapler didn't end up lasting along in Philadelphia. But there was validity to what he was saying. It was just probably two.

too heavy-handed of an approach. But yeah, there's justification for a lot of these pitchers that don't pitch deep into games. And that's what it is. And maybe Henderson's going to be one of those pitchers who rarely gets the opportunity to do that. It was still a quality start. I mean, it was still a start.

I think you'd rather have in your lineup than not in fantasy, even though the ERA was over four for this particular start. He's now made 16 career starts. He's in only three of those starts has the ERA been over four. So that's how consistent. Yeah. Consistently good. Logan Henderson's been.

Yeah. This was not meant to disparage Logan Henderson because I still really, really like him. But it's just a reminder of, you know, if he goes too deep into the starts, it's like, we kind of have this fine line that we need to walk with Logan Henderson. But he still has 11K per 9 on the year. He's under two walks per nine, I believe. as well. So he has been awesome.

And just last week, I moved him pretty aggressively inside of my top 36 starting pitchers rest of season, Scott. Yeah, that, I don't know exactly where I have Logan Henderson. I could look it up real quick, but that doesn't.

48. Oh, hater. Let's go, Scott. Get him up there. Get Logan Henderson up there. I could get him up some, Like I have Ian Seymour 42. I'm not going to move him ahead of Seymour.

But there's this cluster of injured pitchers like Tyler Glassnell, Carlos Rodon, Max Meyer. I have Henderson the first behind them. He should probably jump ahead of them. Yep. All right, let's wrap up here with some leftovers. I do have some fun hitters with arbitrary endpoints. And I will point out, Francisco Lindor hit his 11th home run,

three runs scored as well. 23 games in the second half. He's hitting 286 with six homers and a 924 OPS. I also wonder maybe he's only going off because Juan Soto is hurt and obviously they hate each other, so that's well documented. That is sarcasm by the way. Jackson Merrill Madness hit his 19th home run. Last 55 games, 293, 13 homers, 13 steals.

The OPS is over 830 during that stretch. Jung-Hoo-Lee, he had a great June. He had a down-July. He's back here in August. Two-for-five with his ninth homer. 20 games in the second half, 282, 3 homers, 2 steals, in 824 OPS.

I was surprised to see that Jung-Hul-Lee is still 81% rostered, but I think that's the right decision. Like, especially he's good in points leagues, so I'm happy that people stuck around with Jung-Hoo-Lee. Cags, Jack Caglione, he continued his heater, two for four with his 21st home run, 3 RBI, all of which came off of Terek Scoobel.

Very impressive stuff here for Cags. There are 5, 4 names. here, anything you'd like to touch on. Caglione, Jung Hu Lee, Jackson Merrill, and Francisco Lindor. Maybe Jung Hu Lee climbed over that 80% threshold because he was on the sleeper hitters list for this week. Boom. So far, so good.

You're right. CBS leagues are a little heavy on the points leagues, and that is Lee's best format. So I think that has something to do with the high roster rate. But he's having his best season, clearly. and I think deserving of roster spot in points leagues. Caglione, we talked about him yesterday with this hot streak. I think there's a good chance he gets to 30 homers this year. He'll have to stay hot obviously, but I see him finishing out the year strong.

Lindorr is back. It's going to take a while for the season numbers to, to, to round into form and the season may run out before they do completely, but he obviously looks like Lindorrigan, apart from the steals. He's not running much,

but in every other way, I think you should treat him as a stud for fantasy. All right, some pitching leftover, Sunny Gray, another quality start. This one at the Blue Jays, six innings, two runs,

four strikeouts to one walk. He went back the other way and threw his sinker more and just didn't get many whiffs. only five swinging strikes on 99 pitches, but it didn't matter. He has a quality start in 11 of his last 13. Mackenzie Gore, solid at the Angels,

five and a third, one run, nine strikeouts, 22 whiffs on 103 pitches. And over his last eight starts, he has a near 14% swinging strike rate. He also has an ERA over five during that span. Well, well, you know, I kind of dismiss every McKenzie, or start good or bad by saying he's a Charazard.

And he is a Charazard. But his best pitch is the change-up. And this was the third straight start where he basically doubled the use of his best pitch, the change-up. Got 12 of the 22 whiffs in this start. And those three starts with double the change-up use. 196 ERA.8.82-wit 10.8K per 9?

Maybe something's brewing there. Maybe Charzard is learning to trust ash catch them a little bit. Maybe. Hopefully. I love these references, but I can only imagine how many people listening are like, what are they talking about right now? Yeah. If you haven't played Pokemon, then you're probably a little confused.

But yeah. Yeah. Well, played Pokemon. It's more like, it's more the cartoon, right? Is that canon in the video games too, Charzard? Yeah, I guess it's more of the cartoon. You're right about that. Yeah, I'm right about that.

Thank you. Thank you. It's not just playing Pokemon. It's living Pokemon. It's a lifestyle, you know? And Reed Detmer's. He was solid on the other side of McKenzie Gore. Six innings, one run, six strikeouts to four walks.

17 whiffs on 88 pitches. And his velocity was up on the secondary pitches. And all the secondaries were awesome. The slider, the change of curve, everything working here for Reed Detmer's. You spoke about Gore. Do you have anything on Detmer's or Sunny Gray that you like to mention? I'll mention for Detmer's now in his last 14 starts, a 326 ERA, a 0.96 whip and 10.7K per 9. That's a long run of some ace-like numbers.

And yet, he did not get a win in this game, which means his win-loss record on the season remains 3 and 8. So that's really what's holding. a back in fantasy. And unfortunately, he still pitches for the Angels. We wanted that to change at the trade deadline. It did not. A couple of their pitching leftovers here. Freddie Peralta, a quality start at

the Athletics, six innings, three runs, five strikeouts here. And pretty rough landing spot with the raise. He's at the Rockies and at the athletics in his first two starts. So, look, we've made excuses for Freddie Peralta at times,

most of the season. But I want to see a couple starts in Tropicana, in Tampa Bay, and what Freddie Praalta looks like in those starts. Michael Soroka, solid in his return from the IL against the Rockies, four and a third shutout, three hits, three walks, four strikeouts for him, and a short outing for Trevor Rogers at the Twins. I didn't see anything about an injury, four innings, two runs, four strikeouts. His velocity was up quite a bit. He was pretty erratic as a result, only 57% of his pitches for strikes. Anything you'd like to add on Rogers, Soroka, and Freddie Peralta.

Yeah, pitch selection for Soroka seemed pretty normal. The characteristics seemed pretty normal. He just didn't throw enough strikes. And like that, he was dominating with the control prior to the season. That was the main thing he had going for him. So walking three and four to third innings, I don't think that's a formula for success for him. But we'll give him a pass since it was Soroka's first start back.

Peralta did not throw any more sloth. with the rays. Now, his first start was at Coors Field, so we can't really read anything into that, but now we see one with the rays away from Coors Field. Slider usage didn't

increase. He got rid of the curb ball, interestingly enough, really just hammered home fastball change-up. And got a quality start, but, you know, barely a quality start. I don't know that it's much reason for encouragement there, for Freddie Peralta, Roger,

was throwing harder, but had a so-so result. Not much to take from that start, really. The call to the bullpen for the Blue Jays. Louis Varland got the ninth with a one-run lead. He allowed a lead-off double, but was still able to lock up his 25th save. For the Phillies, Yohan Duran was unavailable. Jonathan Bolin picked up his first save.

For the Padres, Mason Miller picked up his 30th save. For the Giants, Dylan Smith got the ninth with a one-run lead. He gave up a run on a walk, a wild pitch, and then an RBI single. He took his second blown save and the Giants would lose in extras. For the Astros, Josh Hader picked up the win with two perfect innings and two strikeouts. For the Rangers, Jacob Latt got the 10th with a three-run lead. He picked up his 23rd save.

And for the Dodgers, Edwin Diaz, right back in there in the ninth inning. One-run lead, clean inning for his sixth save. Though he did allow a fly ball to the warning track. Andy Pahas right up against the wall there. So, still a little scary for Edwin Diazla. Let's get a strike out the side save. That's what I want to see from Edna.

Yeah, that'd be nice. Let's do it. To stream or not to stream on Tuesday, we have Patrick Sandoval at the Blue Jays, Martin Perez against the Mets, Brandon Young at the Twins, Bailey Ober against the Orioles, Andre Palante against the Phillies,

Cody Bradford at the Angels. Mitch Bratt gets the Rockies in Arizona and Walker Bueller home against the Brewers. I think I'd go Andre Palante followed by Martin Perez, followed by Cody Bradford.

Bradford's a little scary at the Angels and also he didn't work that deep in his first start back, so I don't know that he's equipped to yet, which is why I put him behind Martine Perez here. I would just swap those two. I would go Palante at the top

and then Cody Bradford and then I think Martine Perez and Brandon Young are okay as third options. On Wednesday we have Shane Boz at the Twins, Zebby Matthews against the Orioles, Kyle Leahy against the Phillies, Merrill Kelly against the Rockies in Arizona, David Peterson is at the Nationals, Zach Thornton at the Braves,

Tyler Malley gets the Mets, Rhett Lauer at the White Sox, and Luis Castillo, home against the Reds. Revenge game. So there's a bunch here that I don't hate, none of them I love. Shane Boz

at the twins feels like the best bet Kyle Leahy against the Phillies more just because of the way Leahy's pitched

lately a lot more strikes and a lot more ground balls and it's had a lot more success because of it.

Tyler Malley against the Mets probably my third choice but I could see that White Sox Reds matchup

I could see either of those pitchers Rett louder for the Reds and Louise Kestue for the White Sox

either one of them could get a quality start. I also like Merrill Kelly against the Rockies in Arizona. He left his last start with, I think it was some kind of leg injury or a glute or something, but he's already listed on MLB.com, so my guess is he's been cleared to make that start.

So, yeah, I think Merrill Kelly, getting the Rockies on the road, could work out very well. So I would go, Boz at the top, then probably Kelly second, and then I think Leahy third. But I agree with you.

I think Malley is all right, and I think Luis Castillo against the Reds is fine as well. Let's wrap up with Team Name Tuesday, and this one is from Sports Stoge on X. Who's Seymour Butts? Hmm. Have you seen the movie Heavyweights? I have.

I enjoy it. Enjoyed it. I haven't watched it in many years, so I don't remember the reference, but I think that that movie was my introduction to Ben Stiller. he plays a funny character in it. Yes, he does. It's a movie I've actually seen.

I've seen it quite a bit. Although I have not seen it in a long time, I wonder how it's aged, but I do remember it being very funny when I watched it as a young kid, as a young lad back in the day. This one has Kenan Thomas, Thompson in it too, Keena Thompson.

Yeah, I think it has a few of those kind of, that same, what crew was that? Like a Nickelodeon? A Mighty Ducks. Yeah, Mighty Ducks. Because it has Goldberg in it, the goalie from Mighty Ducks too, I think. Yeah, that's right. This one's from Jason on X.

Never gonna give you up. Never gonna give you up. It's hard to sing it all together, but shout out to Rick Astley there. Okay. From a different Jason via email. Augustine, everything after. Don't know that I get that one. I don't know.

Yeah, we always need Chris here for teenagers. Oh, come on. You're not supposed to put him. we don't get them, Frank. We get in trouble for that. Yeah, honestly, I didn't really, I didn't look too much into these. It's dangerous.

It is dangerous. Bart Summer. Okay. Bazanorama. All right. And pet shop boys. I believe that's a band. Yeah.

The pet shop boys. Okay. What song did they make? Oh, yes. The pop classic West End Girls is a song. I thought it was like pet shop birds, which... These are from Joel. I used to sell dog food in a pet store.

I didn't work for the pet store. I worked for a dog food company, and I approached customers in the pet store and try to win them over to our dog food. And this pet store I was set up and there was like a display of these parrots. They weren't in like a cage or anything. they were just on this perch

in a little island in the middle of the pet store and I'm kind of pacing around looking for people to talk to in this kid he has like he got too close to the display or something

and he got like six parrots on him they're like all over him and he's like ah and he looks at me like somebody help me and it's like well I don't I don't work for the pet store

I don't know that I'm supposed to be handling these birds but like I got to help this kid. And so, you know, I do the whole like, you know, put your finger up in front of the bird's chest, get it to step on you. But every single one of these birds with their giant parrot beaks like scissor bit me on the fingers before they stepped. It was, it was, I helped the kid,

but it was, you know, I took one for the team with all these bird bites. So pet shop Boyd's, if it was birds that it was referring, to brings back some, uh, a little bit of trauma there. What a gallant human being, Scott Williams. I know. Yeah. Was that your first job? Was that my, no, it wasn't my first job.

It was my third job. Got it. My first job was working at Arby's. Ah. Yeah. I started fast food to Dunkin' Donuts. Yeah. Just Dunkin.

Yeah. We've had this conversation before. I think we have, man. I consumed a lot of, they used to have this chicken, bacon Swiss sandwich with honey mustard. It was so good,

but lots of that was consumed that summer as a 16-year-old, Frank. These are from Joel. Tatsuya blew up imai ratios. Yep, he did. Haskins-Dobbins, rice Kramer, has Bertie Wan flavors.

Oh my gosh. Oh, you must have an admirable effort, but, whof, it's a lot. Early to Bednar, early to Arise. That's not so bad. Colby Jack Melton.

You know why that works is because only one of the names Bednar forces you to like contort the sound to get it to work. Because early just means early and arise, you know, it's obviously not spelled the same, but it's pronounced the same. Yeah, I like it. This next one, Colby Jack Melton on a burger. Okay, that's pretty good too. And these are Simpson themed, so you are on your own here, Scott.

Okay. Cattel's Quick E. Marte. Okay. Mono Raleigh. Yeah. Rice atopes win. Sure. That's a stretch, but sure. You shinsu, chew, choose me.

Yeah, that's a classic for team name Tuesday or whatever we used to call it in the Atomazer Days. and Max Powers Mm-hmm For sure Speaking of Adam Azer I'm going to lunch With him and Chris Towers tomorrow And I will read those Simpson-themed names to him

And see how he feels about them So I know he's a big Simpsons guy So we'll find out All right, that'll do We're gonna wrap there For Scott, I am Frank Thanks as always for tuning into fantasy baseball today Please make sure to follow

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