Fantasy Baseball Today - Projecting Julio Rodriguez, Struggling Rockies & Fill in the Blank! (9/15 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: September 15, 2022

Charlie Morton is slowing down again (1:15). ... Does Mark Mathias matter (7:45)? ... Gunnar Henderson keeps on hitting (11:38). ... Should you hold onto Charlie Blackmon and Brendan Rodgers despite their struggles (17:18)? ... Nick Lodolo and Drew Smyly keep producing (20:10). ... Is it time to drop Mike Clevinger and David Peterson (27:07)? ... News (31:53): Justin Verlander will return Friday. ... We have an angry email for Scott (36:30)! ... Let's do Fill in the Blank for Julio Rodriguez, Luis Castillo and others (43:25). ... We wrap with leftovers, bullpens and streamers (53:00). Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Get 20% off Fantasy Baseball Today merch: https://store.cbssports.com/collections/fantasy-baseball-today?utm_source=podcast-apple-com&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=buy-our-merch&utm_content=fantasy-baseball-collection 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

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. Where fantasy becomes reality. Now here's Frank, Scott, and Chris. How might we project Julio Rodriguez next season? Let's find out. Welcome in to Fantasy Baseball today on Thursday, September 15th.

Frank Stamphill joined by Scott White. and today on the show. We've got some fill in the blank, how to handle struggling Rockies. They've got seven home games next week. I just don't know if we want to play them. There's just some really bad hitters in their lineup right now. We'll get to those.

And I do have an angry email for Scott White. Are they angry with me? Oh, they are angry with you. Oh. Are you ready to defend yourself, Scottie? Probably not, but that's fine. fine. All right.

Anyway, let's jump in. Oh, my goodness gracious. Oh, my goodness gracious, Scott. A standout from Wednesday. Where would you like to begin? I'd like to begin with old Chuck. He stinks. Charlie Martin.

We were talking beforehand, Scott. It's just, he's so frustrating. But go ahead. Well, here's the thing. I think we've overlooked an aspect of Charlie Morton's season that's coming home to Roost right now because I know me certainly, but I would say all of us, everybody who analyzes fantasy baseball for a living tends to focus on whiffs.

I mean, that's the most important thing a pitcher can do is get strikeouts and a good indicator of how good a pitcher is it getting strikeouts is how many swings and misses he gets. And Charlie Morden's still done that at a terrific rate this year. And for a while, it looked like he was, recovering from that slow start to the season just like he did last year. It looked like he was following the same script. As K-per-9

is actually a little higher than than last year. He's got 10.7. And the X-FIP, 356 versus 331 last year. But here's what's changed for Charlie Morton.

Fewer ground balls. Like he has been... It's been kind of a I mean, he used to be a ridiculous ground ball pitcher back when he was more of a sinker baller with the pirates. And, you know, then obviously had that career transformation with the Astros, became more of a fastball, curveball guy, and more of a badmiss or a better asset overall. But was still a good ground ball pitcher just by virtue of his curveball. It generated a lot of ground balls, and that helped him keep the ball in the park.

Well, his ground ball rate this year is a career low 40%. and he's allowed 24 home runs. He didn't allow one in this start. That wasn't the problem here at the Giants. But now four earned runs are more in four of his last seven starts. And his 24 home runs allowed this year, Charlie Morton's, are career high by six. Six.

So in a year where home runs are going down, where pitchers are less vulnerable to them overall, Charlie Morden has been more vulnerable to them than ever. And I think that pretty much explains it. Because, like, that's going to impact ERA in a way nothing else can. And he's, he's ziggin while everyone's aggs in the worst possible way. And I don't know what it means for his prospects next year. I think he's talked about retiring before there's a chance we don't see him next year.

But if we do, it's going to be a tough player to analyze. Because, yes, it's out of character for him to allow this many fly balls and by virtue of that, this many home runs. But, you know, can't be sure how likely he is to bounce back either. Yeah, it's been a weird season for Charlie Morton. Obviously, coming back from the broken leg in the World Series last year, maybe that contributed to the slow start to the season, but he's just been really inconsistent.

He went through that stretch, like you said, Scott, where we just thought he was back, and, you know, he pitched very well during that. It was probably like an 8, 10-star stretch, something like that. But now, again, it's, you know, he's allowed exactly four earned runs in three of his last four starts. He's got a 5.29 ERA during that span. He's given up a lot of hard contact over those last four starts.

The home runs, you're absolutely right. Even if you look at home runs per 9, 1.37 is his highest since 2010. And that's, you know, back when he was a completely different pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates. So I don't know. A really bad pitcher. That was the worst year of his career. Yeah. I don't know that there's anything we could have done to see this coming.

It seems just kind of fluky when a pitcher's ground ball rate just dips that much. I remember Aaronnola, this happened with him last year where his ground ball rate out of nowhere. career low, giving up more fly balls. As a result, just more home runs went out of the park. And I just don't really know that there's anything we could have done to project it or see it coming. It's just kind of one of those. It's either a fluke or it's a skill change.

And those are things you can't predict. So I'm not going to be myself up over that. But in terms of what it means for rest of this season, I think, I don't think he should drop Charlie Moore. And he's still, you know, he's got 100. 87 strikeouts this year and he has a great supporting cast. But I think we do treat him as more of a matchups play down the stretch. And I know in a couple of my shallower leagues, I've been sitting him more than I've been starting him lately. Last point on, Charlie Morton, the walks are up this year as

well, 3.2 walks per nine. So you couple that with the home runs and obviously just bad things are going to happen. Then he looks like he's in line for two starts. I guess we'll find out for sure tomorrow, Scott, once you go through the schedules and we project next week. But If he does face the nationals and at the Phillies, like CBS says he will, would you start him in that two-star week? Yeah, probably. Certainly in points leagues,

in roto, you might weigh how much you need ERA and WIPP versus how much you need wins and strikeouts. But probably. Probably start Morton for that two-start week. And then maybe not again. well, it looks like he'll, so after the Nationals and Phillies next week,

looks like the next start would be against the Mets and then he may get one more against the Marlins during that extra long scoring period. So the final scoring period of the season will be a week and a half. So almost every pitcher

will have two starts, which will be interesting. But if one of Morton's is against the Marlins, you may have to think about it then too. So maybe you do end up starting in the next. next two weeks for all my talk of him being a matchup's play.

Oh my goodness gracious for me. I wanted to choose an obscure hitter and there was no shortage of those here on Wednesday, but Mark Matthias, I brought him up yesterday. I think we just kind of glossed over him. He followed up a double dong from Tuesday with a sock and a shoe on Wednesday, his sixth home run, his third steal, and he's now started, I believe it's three straight games and he wasn't playing before that. But he is now getting some run on a team that likes to run in Texas. And he had an interesting season in the minors. He's a journeyman type. He's 28 years old. But in 58 games down in the minors, he hit 32, 9 homers, 13 steals, a 940 OPS. He's only 1% rostered. He has second base and outfield eligibility. He's got six

games next week. Obviously, this isn't, you know, a standard league. a three outfielder league kind of play, but it's got in deeper leagues, five outfielder leagues, it's kind of hard to overlook what this guy has done the past two days. Well, who was he starting against today?

It was J.P. Sears, right? A left-hander. So the Rangers have faced four straight left-handers. He basically just starts against left-handers. And so, yeah, I'm willing to overlook it. Ah. All right. Well, I tried to go with an obscure hitter.

But it's just like two massive games in a row. But yeah, perhaps that is why he wasn't playing before. But you know what? This might have earned him more playing time, though. You know, putting together two games like this, but we'll see how the weekend goes for him. If he continues to play, then maybe he's someone we're adding over the weekend. Again, in those deeper five outfieler leagues, it's, you know,

outfield has been terrible. So I know some people are probably desperate in those formats. Looks like only one left-hander on the schedule for the Rangers next week. So if he starts sitting once the right he's come back, then we can probably ignore Matthias. Okay. I did have a few other deep league outfielders kind of in that same range. Seth Brown, he's only 35% rostered.

He went one for four with his 22nd home run. He has six home games next week in the launching pad, known as Oakland Coliseum. However, it looks like he is set to face Robbie Ray, Louise Castillo, George Kirby, and Jacob de Grom. So I don't know how excited I am to play Seth Brown. And Will Myers, quietly playing well.

He went three for four with a double and a run scored. He has started seven straight games for the Padres. And in 32 games since returning, he's hitting 290 with three homers, eight doubles, hitting the ball hard, 91 mile per hour, average exit velocity. He's 17% rostered six games next week, three of those in Cores Field. So, Scott, can I interest you in Will Myers or Seth Brown for? for next week. I mean, it depends how deep the league is.

You know, I look out there and I see Joey Menesis is still 52% rostered. I see Gunner Henderson is still 69% rostered. I see Oscar Gonzalez is still 44% rostered. He just homered again. Oscar Gonzalez now in his past 10 games, betting 410 with four homers, four doubles. If any of those guys are available, then obviously you're not. you're not thinking about Will Myers.

I imagine I'll come up with 10 sleeper hitters for next week that doesn't include Myers. But if you're talking about a deeper scenario than that, if he's got a series at Coorsfield and is playing regularly enough, then sure, it's possible he could factor. Okay. And Seth Brown, probably not with those matchups, right? Yeah, probably not. Okay.

And they're both ahead of Mark Matthias, I would imagine. Yeah. All right. Yeah, I just don't think the playing time is going to be there for Matthias. But as you point out, if that changes, then so does the math on that thinking. Let's talk about Gunner Henderson, because I was surprised to see that he was only 69% rostered, as you mentioned. He went two for four with a double and a triple. Actually turned into a Little League home run because there was an error in left field.

But he added four RBI. He's batting 320 with an 890 OPS early on here. And he's got seven games next week. three lefties on the schedule. Now, it looks like Gunner Henderson only has six at bats against left-handed pitching so far. I know he's mostly played every day,

but I just kind of wonder. I just kind of wonder if he's going to start all three against left-handed pitching. So it's just something in the back of my mind, Scott. Do you think Gunner-Henderson should be universally rostered more than just 69%?

So the Orioles have faced two left-handers since he got called up. He started against the first. He sat against the second one. That was Sunday. That was the only game he's the only time he hasn't been in the lineup. Would I sit him? I think if I was already inclined to start him,

I wouldn't be scared away by the three left-handers on the schedule. He may sit one or two of those games. It's a seven-game week overall for the Orioles. So I don't think that's a deal breaker if you need the production of somebody like Henderson. And if it's a standard head-to-head lineup, you know, you probably have short, third, second base covered without Henderson. And he's, you know, more somebody you're considering for your utility spot. Okay, maybe you sit him in that scenario. But if it's, again, if it's something where you're, you've had a problem at one of the positions where Henderson's available and he looks like the miracle solution for you, then, yeah, I would say go ahead and start him.

The two most added third baseman on CBS right now are Eduardo Escobar and Josh Young. Would you take Gunner Henderson over both of those? I would. I agree. Oscar Gonzalez, you already got to him, Scott. We mentioned him yesterday. He's extremely hot right now. His ninth home run, he's got four homers over his last six games.

He's 44% of roster. He's got seven games next week. So if you need an outfielder, I think Oscar Gonzalez is probably one of, if not the top hitter ads right now. So again, that is for next week, and I have a sneaky feeling. He'll be one of your sleeper hitters on tomorrow's podcast as well. Let's take a look at a few middle infielders here, Scott. Probably more so for 12-team Roto Leagues, maybe something even deeper than that. But Kyle Farmer went two-for-four with his 11th home run, and he's got six games next week,

two-tuff matchups against Corbyn Burns and Brandon Woodruff. Elvis Antrus just continues to turn back the clocks. He went two-for-four with his 10th steal. He's 40-per-Rositored. he's got six home games next week. Isaiah Kiner Folefa, specifically if you need speed, he went one for three with two steals.

He's now up to 20 on the season. And over his last 19 games, he's sitting 299 with two homers and five steals, eight strikeouts to seven walks. That is IKF. He's 36% rostered, six home games next week as well. Last one,

Rodolfo Castro, who we have not talked much about, and he's quietly doing some interesting things right now. He went two for five. with Asak in a shoe, his ninth homer, his fifth seal. His last 32, well, 32 games since rejoining the Pirates. He's hitting 263, 8 homers, three steals. He's only 5% rostered.

He's got second, third, shortstop eligibility. It looks kind of interesting right now. Scott, what do you think about these four? How would you rank them? Kyle Farmer, Elvis Andrews, IKF, Rodolfo Castro. Well, mostly according to their matchups next week, because that's the stage of the season we're in. And I'm looking at them right now.

Obviously tomorrow I'll be able to say with more confidence how the matchups look for each of these teams, but just at a glance here, it looks good for basically all of them. Kyle Farmer probably has the worst matchups facing Woodruff and Burns, it looks like. But Elvis Andrews has a three-game series against the Tigers.

Isaiah Kiner Folefa has the Pirates and the Red Sox. That sounds pretty good. Yeah. I'm going to rank them, Elvis Andrews, first, then Isaiah Kiner Folefa, then Kyle Farmer, then Rodolfo Castro, who don't have a ton of confidence in him. Definitely think he has more to prove still. Well, the others, they've shown they can give you a good week.

when they're rolling and the matchups are right. So yeah, again, that's Andrews, Kineuflefa, Farmer, and then Rodolfo Castro. I do have one catcher on the list. Danny Jansen went two for three with two doubles and two runs scored and in his last 15 games. He's hitting 386 with three home runs.

He's 22% rostered and he has six road games next week. And I don't know why this is, but his splits are much better on the road this season. Scott, another, you know, this is more of like a two-catcher, obviously, a second catcher in two-catcher leagues. Would you rather have Danny Jansen or Eric Hoss, who has popped up recently? I'll take Hoss.

But any interest in Danny Jensen? Or are you just not really buying this? I mean, he's fine as a second catcher, but, you know, it's hard to get excited about a second catcher on any level. He's fine. He's another option you can use in that spot. All right. I referenced this earlier, but what do we do with these?

two Rockies hitters in particular. Charlie Blackman now in the second half is hitting 2-17 with two home runs and a 550 OPS. Yet he's still 95% rostered. Maybe it's the name, value, whatever it might be. The Rockies have seven home games next week, which normally that's just, okay,

auto plug and play, but Charlie Blackman has had home games in the second half, and as I just referenced, his second half has been quite bad. Same thing could be said for Brenda Rogers, who over his last 30 games is hitting 222 with one home run and a 616 OPS, yet he's still 86% rostered.

Scott, is this just plug them in because it's seven games in Colorado, or I don't know, do we shy away because they've just been so bad? I think it's the former. I think he's still starting at Colorado. You don't have to start them. Obviously, if you have studs at the positions they play and you wouldn't have had much interest in them starting them. except for me saying, yeah, I should go ahead and start them.

If that's like your only rationale for doing it, then, you know, I'm probably not talking to you. But if you're thinking about setting them now because, oh, this guy's been killing me lately, I think the last full week at Coorsfield is not the time to do that. I think you go ahead and run them out there one more time and hope it goes better this time. The two most added outfielder on CBS, Jake McCarthy and Oscar Gonzalez. Would you drop Charlie Blackman for either or both? I'm going to say no because I, well, I know McCarthy has horrible matchups next week. Yeah.

And let me double check because you already told everybody Gonzalez is going to be in my sleeper hitters for next week. Double check those matches. Kind of middle of the road there. Probably will be among my sleeper hitters, but not a guarantee. I could see if it's a Categories League and you want home runs. specifically, then I would drop Charlie Blackman for Oscar Martinez. But otherwise, if it's a points league, if it's not home runs you're looking for, then I think stick with Blackman.

That's Oscar Gonzalez, by the way, Scott. You said, Oscar Martinez. Hmm. Yeah. I was trying to remember the first name and the nest of the last name. Oscar Gonzalez. Yeah, Oscar Gonzalez. Right.

You need home runs, Oscar Gonzalez, otherwise, Charlie Blackman. In terms of the middle infielders, I mentioned Eduardo Escobar has second base eligibility. Let's take a look at shortstop. Elvis Andrews, someone we've talked about a lot. Let's say those two, Scott. Elvis, Andrews, Eduardo Escobar, would you take either or both over Brendan Rogers for next week?

No. I'd go with Rogers. All right, so we're sticking with them through thick and thin. Let's take a look at some waiver wire pitchers. And we've talked about Nicodolo a bunch recently. you're probably tired of it, but, man, when you put up 11 strikeouts and back-to-back starts, you just got to keep talking about you. So he winds up with a quality start up against the pirates. He goes six and a third, three runs allowed, 11 strikeouts, 16 swinging strikes.

And over his last six starts, Nick Ladolo, 2.76 ERA, 49 strikeouts to just six walks. Over 39 and two-thirds innings pitched. He is 74% rostered and looks like he might have two starts next week up against the red Sox and the Brewers. Ross Stripling has now turned in six straight quality starts. This one up against Tampa Bay, and he went six and a third. He gave up one run with four strikeouts. These are more shallow league plays at this point.

78% rostered. Looks like he also has two starts at Philly and at Tampa Bay. And then Kyle Gibson, he's 74% rostered. He got back on track, solid start against the Marlins. I don't really think he's in this conversation. He's more of a streamer, if anything. And his matchups next week are the Blue Jays and the Braves. so don't really like that very much for Kyle Gibson.

But I guess, Kyle, let's just talk about Nicolodolo and Ross Tripling. What you saw from them, I think obviously if they do have two starts, we're going to be excited to add and start both of them next week. Well, yeah, I've been saying for a while now Nicodolo is the most attractive pitcher to pick up for down the stretch, looking at his matchups going forward. Obviously, well, did he come through in this pirate start? He gave you a bunch of strikeouts. He ended up taking the loss, though.

so that's unfortunate. But it clearly wasn't a bad start for your team. Just we would have preferred to see him get the win. Yeah, I mean, he's looked great. He looks like he's emerging as the kind of pitcher we hoped he could be. Of his 16 swinging strikes, and this one, 13 came on the curveball, which he threw 40% of the time. Normally, it's 30% of the time.

So he threw his best pitch more, which is normally a formula for success and just seems to get better and better every time out. So Nick Lodolo probably affixed your in your lineup down the stretch. Stripling, yeah, I'll take him if it's a two-star week. A little less confident in the ability, more concerned that it's smoke and mirrors. But if nothing else, like he has great control.

And now his whip is below one. ERA, he's kept it below three for a while now. And early in the season, I was riding him off because he wasn't going deep into starts. That's clearly not a problem anymore. Six straight quality starts for Ross Tripling, which of course means they were all six innings or more. I remember that exactly that you said, Scott.

And I think Ross Tripling might have been listening because as you mentioned, six-trade quality starts, the guy's going to do. Maybe. Is he, he's been on the podcast before? That's true.

He has been on the podcast. Friend of the show. I think I was working here for a month and we had Ross Stripling on and obviously I was nervous. I haven't done many podcasts with current athletes or anything like that. I think it went pretty well.

You could go back and listen to it on demand. But no, he was a nice guy. And he's pitching really well right now. So I think more of a high floor play than Lodolo. probably more of like a ceiling guy, but shripling has been awesome. So I absolutely trust him down the stretch here. A few other waiver wire pitchers, much more widely available. Talk about getting it done

down the stretch. Drew Smiley, another solid start at the Mets. Doesn't go too deep. Only five endings, two runs allowed, one earned run allowed, excuse me, five strikeouts in this one. And now over his last eight starts, a 2.25 ERA. 41 strikeouts over 44 and a third. 13.8% swinging strike rate. And as I mentioned, with the Cubs pitchers on yesterday's podcast, they have amazing matchups next week. CBS says Drew Smiley will face the Marlins and the Pirates.

Even if he doesn't have a two-star week, he's facing one of those teams. And those are both amazing matchups. So, man, if you need a streamer, Drew Smiley is 34% rostered, and he is widely, widely available. The other one I wanted to mention kind of in this same conversation,

Brian Beow, solid, some rough defense behind him. The Red Sox, I mean, looking like the bad news bears out there. It was inside the park home run. It was like a Little League home run that they allowed to Glaber Torres. But he goes five innings, three unearned runs, six strikeouts for Brian Beow. And now over his last five starts since returning, 2.87 ERA over a strikeout per inning, 50% ground ball rate, 14% swinging strike rate. that's exactly what you want to see from a young pitching prospect who is just kind of getting his feet wet.

So he's been awesome. And it looks like he might be at the Reds and at the Yankees next week. So two starts for him as well. Scott, what do you think? Drew Smiley and Brian Beow. Overall, Bejo's ground ball rate is more like 60%. So between that and getting the whiffs up, that change up looks like a standout pitch for him. Trending the right direction.

I don't think I don't think I'm going to be ready to use him this year because while he has looked better you know we're still talking about one start where he went six innings another start during the stretch I think he had four walks so that it's still still a little shaky but you see the talent beginning to come to shine through for Brian Beyo now and that that bodes well for next year yeah I agree with Smiley he's a he looks like a great pickup for next week with those two matchups

and 225 ERA in his last eight starts. Four of the eight starts, six innings or more. So it's not, it's enough volume to matter, at least half the time. Yeah, for example, if I have Kyle Gibson on my team and he's 74% rostered and he's the worst pitcher on my team, I would have no problem dropping him for Drew Smiley for next week. even if they both have two starts, Gibson's matchups are a lot tougher. Yep, I agree.

So yeah, Drew Smiley, 34% rostered. Last one I wanted to mention, I don't think there's anything here, but Kyle Freeland has allowed two earn runs or fewer in four straight. He was at the White Sox where he went six and two-thirds shutout with five strikeouts, and overall the numbers are still pretty bad. He's 18% rostered and has the Giants and Padres next week, but both are in Corsefield. Yeah, so you're not going to use them.

No. It's simple as that. Fair enough. The dropometer, Scott, it's been a while. One through 10. 10, you could drop this player anywhere. One, you're going to want to hold on to this player. Mike Clevenger was rocked once again.

He gave up six runs, over five innings pitched, three home runs allowed. And now over his last eight starts, he has a 6.61 ERA, and he's still 81% rostered. Where is Mike Clevenger on the dropometer? So I am looking at his matchups. and it's not looking good. It looks like Cardinals and then a trip to course field next week.

So I'm not going to use them for those two starts. Frankly, Scott, I don't know that it matters with how bad he's pitching right now. Well, if he had two great matchups, I might think about it, at least in a points league. Yeah. But, you know, if we were in June,

Mike Clevenger, I'd be like, all right, we'll just sit on him for a while, see if he can turn this around. But in September, I'm going to go to like nine on the dropometer. Yeah. I'm dropping him for shripling. I'm dropping him for Lodolo, obviously. Drew Smiley, I think I'm doing that one too.

Yeah, I agree. All right. Probably not for Beio, though. Eh, no. No, I just, I don't think Bayo, I don't think you can trust Bayo. And I'm not saying you can trust Clevenger, but who's more likely to do damage against you? Probably Clevenger. All right.

And the next one up here is David Peterson. He does not escape the first inning against the Chicago Cubs, who, by the way, they just swept the New York Mets. What is going on, Scott? I mean, obviously you're in a tight race here in the NL East, but... Yeah, Braves and Mets are playing Hot Potato. None of them wants to hold on to that division lead right now. I don't know what's going on.

I can tell you that here in New York, it is crazy, right now. Like, Mets fans are absolutely freaking out about what's going on right now. And, oh, we do this every year. We blow the division, blah, blah, blah, blah. But, you know, it has happened very often, unfortunately for them. It's kind of true. It doesn't mean it's going to happen this year.

Yeah. I hope it happens, if I'm being completely honest. But both teams are obviously going to be in the postseason. The one that doesn't win the division, I guess, will be the second seed in the NL. So that would give them a buy, which is a big deal. but you know, if you win the first round, then it's less of a big deal. So it doesn't mean the sky is falling if you don't win the division Mets fans or Braves fans. Well, anywho, the reason I brought up the Mets was because David Peterson, again, did not escape the first inning.

In fact, he recorded just one out. He gave up five runs on three walks and two hits, yet he's still 52% rostered, Scott. Where is he on the dropleter? 10. Why would you hold on to him at this point? He hasn't featured the slider since returning like he was earlier in the year and starting to look like an asset, and then Jacob de Grom came in,

bumped Peterson from the rotation, derailed all that progress he was making, and now since returning to the starting rotation, David Peterson has a 630 ERA in five starts, only one of those five starts is what I'd call good. So yeah, no reason to bother with him anymore. At some point, Max Scherzer's coming back too. And then Peterson will be out of a job again.

You know, Max Scher did make a rehab start here on Wednesday at AAA. I'll try and pull up his line. But in the meantime, we're going to take a quick break. And we'll get to the news and notes here on fantasy baseball today. The news and notes, Justin Verland, is in line to return on Friday against the Oakland A's. Scott, would you start him in daily lineup leagues? I didn't catch the name, sorry.

Justin Furlander. Yes, I would. I would. It might be a short start, but it's against A, so I would. Yep. Max Herzor did make a rehab start at AAA on Wednesday, and he went three and two thirds. He gave up one run with seven strikeouts. So it sounds like he could be back as soon as next week. There was a rumor, yesterday that he would be back on Monday. So if that's the case, we're looking at a two-star week for a good old Max Schroeser. And David Peterson, you're out of there. I actually have a perfect soundbite for that. He gone. He gone. And he gone. And he gone. Yordaun Alvarez. Is he gone?

Probably not. Hopefully not. He sat out Wednesday and said it was for maintenance purposes, not the recurring hand soreness. Not sure that I believe that, but... Hope you're all right. Trevor's story has missed two straight with left heel pain, but is likely to return Friday against the Royals. Reese Hoskins exited Wednesday's game after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand. X-rays were negative, thankfully. Sayas Suzuki is also headed for x-rays after being hit by a pitch on his left hand slash wrist. Luis Arise was pulled Wednesday due to left hamstring tightness. Tyler Malley is unlikely to return this season.

He's on the IL with shoulder fatigue. Jorge Polanco, who is on the aisle with a knee injury, could be activated at some point later this week. Hunter Green will officially return on Saturday against the Cardinals and is 63% rostered. Scott, would you look to pick Hunter Green back up? He has the Brewers next week. I wouldn't mind picking him up,

but I would not be looking to use him in that start. Okay. So I presume he's obviously behind Lodolo, probably behind Drew Smiley as well. Yes, he's behind both of them. I'd like to pull up his matchups and see what he has remaining if there's a realistic chance we would start him at some point. I'll do that real quick while you move on.

All right. Tyler Glassnell will require multiple additional rehab appearances before returning from the IL. Eric Lauer threw off flat ground on Wednesday, and manager Craig Counsel said the session was, quote, very positive. is on the aisle with elbow inflammation. A roll of Chapman is set to rejoin the Yankees on Friday. I don't think that will matter in the back end of the bullpen. Clay Holmes has basically regained that closer roll for the Yankees.

Sean Manaya will reenter the rotation and start Thursday against the debacks. No, you should not play him in any leagues or any daily lineup leagues, obviously. Aaron Savali will make a rehab appearance at AAA on Thursday. Could be back as soon as next week. and we do have a prospect call-up, Drey Jameson, a pitching prospect with the Diamondbacks, will make his debut Thursday against the Padres, which comes at an interesting time, Scott,

because the minor league numbers for Dre Jameson this season, 6.31 ERA, 1.49 whip, and nearly a strikeout per inning. 132 strikeouts over 132 and 2 thirds innings pitched. I assume this is just kind of a weight, and let's see what happens with Dray Jameson. Yeah, I mean, he's a prospect of some stature. Sorry, I was looking ahead to the angry email.

He's a prospect of some stature. And we've seen Ryan Nelson, who also had bad numbers at AAA for the Diamondbacks, come up and immediately dominate both the Padres and the Dodgers. So maybe Jameson will surprise us too. And it's just, you know, the upper levels of the Diamondbacks system are really awful places to pitch. But I would bet against it right now. And with the bad matchups coming up for the Diamondbacks overall, unlikely I'm going to be willing to use Jameson at any point to close out the season. All right, Scott. I don't ask you this often. Okay. Well, wait,

wait, wait, before we do that, I do want to mention Hunter Green. For that extra long final week of the season, he lines up to go against the pirates and the Cubs. So. and maybe worth stashing him for that. If he pitches horribly before then, you know, probably won't be, but you never know. All right, Scottie, close down the rundown.

You can't look at it. I don't want you to know what's coming here, all right? Okay. We've got an angry email from Jason. I have legit beef with Scotty Dobs. It's all in fun, but still. I'd like to start with this email,

this email with a player comparison. See if Scott can answer these. Player A, 267 batting average, 22 homers, 62 RBI, and three steals. That is player A. Player B is batting 242 with 24 homers, 52 RBI, and six steals.

Obviously, I'm not going to expect you to get these, Scott, but they are both outfielder's. I guess that's your only clue. Well, I mean, by the numbers you listed, the first outfielder has had Let's see Is it mainly 20 points difference In batting average three stolen bases difference

So I guess Yeah and 10 RBI Who has more? Player A has more Okay so player A said A little bit better of a season Player B according According to those numbers

Am I supposed to try and guess who they are I mean yeah it's it's completely unrealistic for you to guess them So I'll just give you the answer Player A is Jacques Peterson and player B is Juan Soto. Now Jason... How many runs difference?

That must be pretty massive, but I could pull that up for you. I imagine it would be a ton more for Soto. But that's interesting that he has, that Peterson has more RBI despite the playing time difference between the two. Jock Peterson has 50 runs scored

and Juan Soto, he must have a bunch more. That's probably why he didn't include it. Because that wouldn't go along with the argument. Yeah, Juan Soto has... Destroyes the narrative. Juan Soto has 84 runs scored, so, you know,

just a mere 34 run difference. Every season I listen to Scott, trash players who are outperforming expectations. Then just the other day, Juan Soto gets brought up. This was, I think, Thursday or Friday's podcast last week. Frank calls him a bust, and Scott has the audacity to sit there

and point out that, well, he's the number three outfielder in points leagues. Well, that's great. I don't care. I play in Roto leagues, and he's been terrible relative to expectations. So I have to listen to Scott trash players, like Peterson, for example, who are doing well, only to have him defend Juan Soto. Find me a bigger first round bust than Soto, excluding injuries in the last three to four seasons.

Well, if you're going to exclude injuries. Take that, Scott. Well, I mean, look, half of our audience roughly plays in points leagues. So I think it's fair to point out that he's been the third best. I don't know that that's still true. But I do think it's fair to point out. Is trashing players who are doing well something I'm known for? Is this part of my M.O?

I didn't know that was the thing. I do think that at times you are slower to come around on players, which I'm sure you have. Me, compared to like Chris? You're kidding me? Well, yeah, I mean, Chris is a whole different story. We could talk to Chris about that when he returns. I don't know, sometime in January or February. No, let's trash him when he's not here.

No, I'm just saying. But yeah, I mean, I think it could take you some time to come around on players. And, I mean, specifically for Jack Peterson, you know, he's just been around for so long. I will point, like, the stat cast data looked really, really promising early on in the season. And for the most part, he did fade. I think the bigger. Yeah, he disappeared during the middle of the season. He was hot early.

He's been hot more recently. But there was a long stretch where he just wasn't worth playing. The bigger point, I think, is if you play in a Roto or Categories League, if you just left Jock Peterson in your lineup all season, that's a pretty good stat line that he's provided you all year. Like, he's a top 120 player in Roto this year. And that was my takeaway is when I looked into where these guys ranked Soto is the 81st overall player, Jack Peterson,

and 114th. You know, if you just left Jock in your lineup all year, he's been really productive. I think his ADP was outside the top 250 or something like that. And looking at the monthly breakdown, July was a horrible month for him.

You had 133, no home runs. May, the batting average was low, but he still hit six home runs. Like, obviously, if you're talking about a head-to-head scenario, he's out of the lineup so much that it makes them harder to use, but if you're talking about a five outfielded Roto League, yeah, I mean, he would have been fine,

just planning him there. Yeah. So, I mean, that's my biggest takeaway, right? Like, Jack Peterson is the perfect example of someone who is better in a Roto format where, okay, just give me whatever his numbers are at the end of the season, but it's kind of, it's going to be rough getting there.

And a head-to-head league, you don't want that. You want someone that's more consistent throughout, you know, on a week-to-week basis, obviously. Well, I mean, also, Jack Peterson's batting average is a career high this year by 20 points. So that's, we can't, we can't leave that out, is that he's, he's done something he's never done before. Hey, it's the Giants Devil Magic. But just to put a bow on this email, I guess, Juan Soto has, has been a huge disappointment in Roto this year.

There's no doubt about it. I don't know what that will mean for his draft stock next year. He's still a first round player I believe in head to head points leagues You know is he more of like a First second round turn Or does he drop to the second round In a categories league

I find it hard to believe but I don't know I think there's gonna be people like What was his name? Jason who probably will shy away from Wansoto next year Yeah it'll be interesting to see where it goes I think I think he'll still be a first rounder in all formats

It might be a late first rounder in Roto. But, I mean, this is coming into the season, this is the guy I think most people would have said is the best hitter in baseball. Certainly, among the best in history, age 19 through 22. And I mean, anybody who walks 40 times more than they strike out, like, I mean, it's just hard to,

it's hard to fail when you have that good an eye and are capable of putting the ball over fence on any level. So, yeah, I expect a big bounce back for Juan Soto next year to the extent that he did disappoint this year. All right. Let's get into some fill in the blank here, Scott. And these are going to be more so geared toward next season. And I think it's a good idea and it's a fun idea to incorporate some of those things because some people who might still be listening, maybe they're out of their head to head playoffs or they're not really competing in their roto leagues. You know, we want a reason for you all to stick around.

So we'll have a little fun with some things here down the stretch. And first up, we have Julio Rodriguez, who had another fantastic game here on Wednesday. He went two for three with a sock and a shoe, his 26th home run, his 25th steal. So now officially a 25-25 season for him. But that is Julio's just, just his fourth steal since July 7. that is a 43 game stretch. So that is a 13-steel pace over 150 games. So, Scott, your fill in the blank is,

I would reasonably project blank steals for Julio Rodriguez next season. Oh, I don't think I can reasonably project anybody steals next season because of the rule changes. I think the landscape, that the stolen base landscape is going to change completely, as I've talked about recently here, and in ways that are going to be very hard to predict.

So if we just ignore that aspect of it, you know, the fact that he had 19 steals in the first three months versus six here in the last three months would suggest to me that he's going to be running less moving forward, as often happens with middle of the order bats. So, you know, if we're excluding the effect of the rule changes and however that might change the league landscape. I would comfortably predict 15 steals for Julio Rodriguez next year,

but it may end up being 30 because things change that much as far as helping base runners. And I think that's within his range of outcomes. We probably don't talk about this as much as we should, but Julio will have a very big range of outcomes, just being the young player that he is. It's kind of hard to project guys like that. He's a freak physically.

in terms of power. It wouldn't surprise me if he hit 40 plus home runs and stole 20 to 30 bases. But I think, Scott, you're in the right ballpark. I think 15 and 20. I mean, does it grow into being a 40, 40 guy? Is he Alex Rodriguez, you know? I mean, that doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility

looking what he's already capable of doing. He's so young. At his age, yeah. He is 21 years old. He's a 25, 25 player at 21 years old. So I'm asking you to do the near impossible. Scott, but if just heading into next season, if you draft Julio in a Categories League, I think you just kind of safely project 15 to 20 steals and anything more that you get

than that, that's just gravy at that point. Let's talk about his teammate, Luis Castillo. I mean, I think if things play out with the new rules like I think they're going to play out, he will have more than 15. But relative to the league, I mean, we're going to see increases all over the place. So it's just, it's going to be a major headache. for next year, as if we haven't had enough of those the past few years. Luis Castillo turned in a very strong start once again up against the Padres.

Six shot out with nine strikeouts. He had 16 swinging strikes on 99 pitches and in eight starts with the Mariners, a 2.38 ERA, 60 strikeouts over 49 and a third innings pitched. Scott, Luis Castillo will be a top blank starting pitcher drafted next season. Oh, without lining up all the names,

I have him in my top 10, I think, rest of season. But obviously there are going to be some others who I rank lower who will move ahead of him because of health and workload expectations being improved for them. I think Luis Castillo, I feel pretty good about him being drafted as, I'm only going to say top 20. It could be top 15, but I'm going to say, just to play it conservatively, top 20.

I think that's a good range as well. I thought I haven't 15th right now, but for the reasons you mentioned, yeah, I think 15 to 20. Once again, same thing as Julio Rodriguez, 15 to 20, sounds right for Luis Castillo. JT. Realimuto went two-for-four with a double-dong revenge game against the Marlins.

Now up to 18 home runs total, and it has been a tale of two seasons. First three months, J-T. Real-Muto hit 239 with a 677 OPS. From July on, he has hit three. 323, 13 of his 18 home runs, seven steals, and an OPS that is now pushing 1,000 during that time. So, JT. Real Muto is a top blank catcher drafted next season.

Let's say top three catcher drafted next season just because of the track record and, of course, the way he's come around this year. And because I'm not sure who the buzzy player is going to be a catcher next year. Like Adley Rushman would make sense. I guess Alejandro Kirk might make sense too. I was wondering who the data darling is at the position. It might be Kirk.

But I thought, yeah, I'm going to say top three for Real Muto. I don't know who exactly the other two are going to be. It could be any of probably like six players. Catcher is going to be a different, it's going to be a different world at Catcher next season because there are a lot of new options who have already emerged there. And I think it's going to keep getting deeper,

looking at some of the talent still to come. Carlos Rodon turned in a solid start up against the Braves. He went five innings, one unearned run with eight strikeouts. However, velocity down once again. I mean, it's a roller coaster with Rodon's velocity this year. Up and down, up and down. He still finds ways to be productive. So can't really complain.

But the fastball was down nearly two miles per hour, the slider down a mile 1.5 miles per hour. But still a great season. 2.84 ERA, 220 strikeouts. Just ridiculous stuff. Scott, Carlos Rodon will be drafted in round blank next season. Oh, you want a round? Yeah.

Obviously a big difference between points and categories. Or you could give me a round range if that's easier. Well, in points leagues, let's start with that. Carlos Rodan, I'll say round three in categories. leagues. I will say round hmm.

See, we're going to be back with the Giants next year. Yeah, two-year deal. I think he has an opt-out, though.

Oh. He had to get to a certain ennings limit or ennings minimum. Yeah, he met the innings minimum. Yeah.

So, yeah, good chance he opts out. Yeah, he's going to do that. I'll say between round five and six. In categories? Yeah. You think that's too high?

No, no. You think that's too low? Too low, yeah. I think he's probably just a round three pick regardless. Really? Yeah, I mean, he's... Where do you see him being among starting pitchers next year? I have him ranked as my, I think, sixth or seventh pitcher right now.

So I have him ranked ahead of Luis Castillo. Yeah, he'll be ahead of Luis Castillo, but will he be ahead of Verlander? He's not going to be ahead of McLanhan or Burns or Cole or de Grom if de Grom is healthy. Correct. Or Alcantara. I mean, how many pitchers are you going to draft? And I'm going to hit her crazy early in Roto League.

No, I'm not saying like where you will take them. I know, but I just, I don't think we're going to get deep enough into starting pitchers through three rounds for Carlos Rodon to go that early. That's my read on it. Let's say he, Wheeler's probably going earlier. Let's, let's say he's like the 12th pitcher drafted. That's probably round three or four. I would say.

I'm not sure Zach Wheeler would go earlier come to think of it. I think so. You think so? I'm gonna stick with round five. Okay, so round three in points, round five in categories.

Yep. That is Carlos Rodon, who I am seeing a little injury sign next to on CBS, so. Oh. Let me,

Oh, breaking news. I'll pull that up and see what's going on with him. The last one that I have here is Corbyn Carroll, who hit his third home run, and it was 107 miles per hour off the bat.

He is 100th percentile in sprint speed, according to statcast, yet he does not have a stolen base yet. I think those are going to come in bunches for years to come. He's 70% rostered. We mentioned we don't really like the Diamondbacks matchups for next week, but this is more about next season. Corby and Carroll will likely be drafted between rounds blank and blank.

So I'm giving you some leeway here. It's got a little bit of a range next season. Corbyn Carroll. between rounds blank and blank if he doesn't get any stolen bases that might suppress the cost now again I think he's going to be a big base dealer especially with the change is happening

rule-wise next year but let's say between 8 and 12 that's where Corby and Carol will go I was thinking between six and eight but that might just be in a category

league more than anything I think it'll be fine for a points league as well but I would not draft him that early I feel pretty confident saying that it does seem like he's the sort of player who could build up enough buzz to go that early especially if people are

thinking we got a big time base dealer here despite despite what's happened along those lines so far. Carlos Rodan, by the way, left his start with a blister on Wednesday. So perhaps that contributed

to the velocity being down. Hopefully he's good enough to make his next start. Or hopefully he's not because it's in Colorado. I don't really like that. But obviously... Yeah, I think he's of the caliber.

You still want him starting at Colorado. Yeah, that's true. All right. So some fill in the blank there. And let's wrap up with some leftovers here from Wednesday's action. Let's check in on Edward Cabrera.

It's been a while since we've talked about him. A solid start against the Phillies. He went five and a third. He gave up two runs. He had four strikeouts with 14 swinging strikes on 98 pitches. 2.70 ERA, 1.08 whip. However, the underlying number is not nearly as good. 4.60 FIP, 4.23 X-FIP for Edward Cabrera.

What have you seen, Scott, so far from Cabrera and I kind of think he's going to be in that mix with Ladolo as the young breakout, trendy, hype starting pitchers for next season. I think LaDolo is going to go earlier, unless Cabrera's just awesome in his last three starts or four, however many he has left, because there have been some good indicators, and I know there have been times where I've talked about more than others,

but just not efficient. enough is what it comes down to make some hard to use. And we don't expect the Marlins to be a great supporting, to provide him with a great support next year either. So that'll be a knock against him. And just, is he going to be able to go six innings consistently enough? Good ground ball skills, good bad missing skills. But yeah, this is now in his past four starts, he has 11 walks, 21 and 2 thirds.

Jennings. It's hard to succeed that way. Yeah, that's the biggest drawback right now. It's four and a half walks per nine. You might ask, why are the underlying numbers so much higher than the actual ERA? He has a 199 BABIP. That's not sustainable. He has an 89% strand rate. League average is 75-ish percent, something like that. So, yeah, he's been kind of lucky in that regard. He does do a really good job, limiting hard contact and obviously getting whiffs. I think he's going to grow as a pitcher. Oh, yeah. Working with Sandy Alcansfro.

Like, I watch Marlins games too much. Don't tell anyone that, but... I can't watch Marlins games. They talk about how Sandy has taken Cabrera under his wing in that he's, you know, a student of the game, and he's, like, trying to learn as much as he can from Sandy. I see a big jump coming. I think I'm probably just going to be higher than everyone else on Edward

Cabrera, but... I do like him quite a bit. Yeah, I mean, there's obviously upside there and he could take a huge leap. But, you know, you could say that about a bunch of pitchers. Sure, yeah. Some pitching standouts, part one. Christian Javier turns in his first quality start

since August 20th. He was at the Tigers. He went six shutout with eight strikeouts in this one. And I did see a sequence where he was pitching to Javier Baez, which was the worst played appearance I may have ever seen in my life, Scott. Christian Javier threw four sliders in a row

that were six inches to a foot off the plate. Javier Baez swung at each one of them. And it's not like he even, like, he didn't think twice about it. He just did it each and every time. It was prime Javier Baez stuff. Nester Cortez had a solid outing at the Red Sox. He went five innings, one run, seven strikeouts.

Sunny Gray probably haven't given him enough credit as he deserves. Tied a season high with seven innings pitched. up against the Royals. He went seven shutout with eight strikeouts in that one. His ERA is down to 2.91.

And then Corbyn Burns struggled early on in the start but did settle down. He went seven innings, three runs allowed with five strikeouts at the Cardinals. Anything you'd like to add

on Burns, Sunny Gray, Nester Cortez, and Christian Javier. Yeah. I thought I... Well, first of all, it's funny that you say that about bias

because he actually had a pretty good game otherwise, He did. He's had a solid month here, not enough to redeem his season, obviously. By the way, Ehayu Hanyoswara, we didn't mention him, six home runs in his past six games. And remember, he had a huge September last year, too, 3.55 with seven home runs. He's doing it again. So that I find interesting, obviously.

We've talked about him having a bounce-back season and becoming a useful fantasy option again. So in the second half, Sunny Gray, I was looking up this note, I was stalling there to find it. Second half, Sunny Gray now has a 198 ERA, 104 whip, 9.7K per 9. And probably means he's going to be overdrafted next year because that's always how this goes with him.

But looking pretty trustworthy right now. I'm not sure the matchups even matter that much. not he's not exactly must start but it would be hard to sit him let me see if i can pull up his matchups real quick so next week maybe a two-star pitcher white socks and tigers got to like that love it i mean that's all you know what that's all that's all that oh crap i jumped ahead a week again yeah so it's the angels and guardians next week uh okay yeah it's still pretty good yep But then the final week, that long week, it's white socks and tigers are all that the twins face. So you've got to like that for Sunny Gray.

I don't think that he's going to be overdrafted, Scott. I think he's still going to fly under the radar. I think enough people have kind of been burned by Sunny Gray. I could be wrong about that. No, you're probably right. I was kind of just making a joke. So I'm hitting leftovers. Don't worry, Scott.

I was getting there to Ehueheneos Juarez. He went one for four with his 31st home run, 11th most in Major League Baseball. So nice, impressive bounceback season for him. Jose Ramirez went two for four with his 27th home run. He has just one steal since July 27th, which I thought was pretty interesting. That is a 45-game stretch where Jose Ramirez has a sub-800 OPS. So I'm going to have to dive in.

I know he was dealing with an injury. I think it was like back in June or July that caused him to slow down. So who's going to be the first player drafted next year? It's not going to be Tatis. It's not going to be Acuna. You. I thought it was going to be Jose Ramirez, but he's been kind of shaky here.

I still think it's probably going to be him. It's not going to be Juan Soto. We've already covered that. Aaron Judge? I don't. That feels risky. Aaron Judge won over all to me. In Roto, it will be Trey Turner still, I think.

Okay. Yeah. I guess, I guess. I think Mookiee Betts is in that conversation again now. I mean, I'd rather have. Jose Ramirez than Trey Turner, especially since Turner will be back to being just a shortstop. But yeah, I guess Trey Turner's in that discussion. Is Kyle Tucker in that discussion?

He went two for four with his 27th home run. And in 36 games since the start of August, he is sitting 302 with eight homers and six steals. I think he's probably not in the first overall pick discussion, but he will be a mid to late first round pick. That is Kyle Tucker. Bryce Harper went one for three with his 17th home run. It's just his second homer in 16 games since returning from the IL. And as we mentioned, Dalton Varsho, two more hits, including his 25th home run. He now has seven homers over his last 11 games.

Can I rewind to what you said about Tucker mid to late first round pick? So are you saying then you would take Kyle Tucker over Juan Soto next year? In categories, for sure. For sure. For sure, yes. I don't think I would I mean 20 maybe I'm just overvaluing steel still Scott

but I mean Kyle Tucker's disappointed with the batting average too and not the way that Soto has though again I think you're underestimating how the steel's landscape is going to change Juan Soto has shown a willingness to run successfully in the past

but not nearly as much as I mean Tucker has over 20 steals this year right but if there's a democratization of stolen bases like we saw with home runs, I think SOTA will be taking advantage of those opportunities, at least nearly as... Maybe that's a little too strong to say,

I think this will happen, but I think he could take advantage of those opportunities just as often as Tucker will. Maybe I'm just paying too much attention to this season, but Kyle Tucker is a top 20 player in Roto this year. Well, yeah, but you're saying mid-to-late first-round pick. I mean, Juan Soto is... I'm not denying he's...

He's a second round pick. I think he's there. Personally, I think Tucker's there. Okay. Like, I could see him being drafted in the first round. I'm not saying that definitely won't happen, but I would rather have Soto. Calls of the bullpen for the Astros.

Ryan Presley struck out two for his 28th save. For the Rockies, Daniel Bard struck out the side legitimately this time. He didn't give up any base runners for his 30th save. For the Giants, Camillo DeVal struck out the side as well for his 23rd. For the Yankees, Clay Holmes gave up a run

but did pick up his 20th save. For the Cubs, Brandon Hughes was unavailable. Mark Leiter Jr. picked up his second save. Row and Wick pitched in the seventh. I told you they're just kind of done with Row and Wick in high leverage situations.

For the Cardinals, Ryan Helsley struck out two for his 17th. For the Rangers, Jose LeClerc entered in a one-run game and he gave up two runs. Only one of them was earned. But he did wind up with the blown save on the other side for Oakland.

They had a one-run lead, left-handed pitcher Sam Mole, that's M-O-L-L, recorded the first two outs, and then Domingo Acevedo recorded the final out for, I don't know what number save this is for him, but I'm sure it's not many. It is his first, first save of the season. Streamers, Thursday, J-T. Brubaker at the Mets,

Daniel Lynch at the Twins, Dylan Bundy v. the Royals, and Drey Jameson in his day. debut versus the Padres. I am going to take none of those guys. I agree. Discussed yesterday. Thursday, not looking good for streamers. I agree.

Friday, we have Hermann Marquez at the Cubs, Marcus Stroman versus the Rockies, Matt Manning versus the White Sox, and Mitch Keller at the Mets. I'm okay with Hermann Marquez at the Cubs. I'm okay on the other end, Marcus Strowman against the Rockies. Not saying either are musts,

but they're probably the best you could do in the next two days. By the way, Craig Kimbril, another disaster here today, here on Wednesday. Yeah, it looks like that happened in extra innings, came on for the save. He gave up three runs. Two of those earned his fifth blown save, sixth loss. ERA now over four for Craig Kimbrough. I don't think Dave Roberts is going to treat him like a closer in the playoffs. No.

That could be. He's stuck with him. all year because it hasn't mattered and I think he's trying to like get him right for the playoffs but I don't know that it's going to happen. All right, we're going to wrap there for Scott. I am Frank. Thank you all for listening and watching Fantasy Baseball today. We'll be back again tomorrow. Bye bye.