Fantasy Baseball Today - Weekend Recap, Waiver Adds & Start or Sit with Justin Mason! (9/6 Fantasy Baseball Podcast)

Episode Date: September 6, 2021

Frank Stampfl is joined by Justin Mason and they get things started with the legend Frank Schwindel (3:24)! Should you target his teammate Matt Duffy in deeper leagues? ... News and notes (10:31). We have updates on Clayton Kershaw, Jack Flaherty, Shane Bieber, Jacob deGrom and more. ... Thoughts on MacKenzie Gore getting placed in High-A (20:02)? ... Would you rather Ian Happ or Jo Adell (22:08)? Luis Urias or Jonathan Villar? ... What if I told you this before the season started (29:11)? ... Which waiver wire SP should you target from the weekend (39:32)? ... Should we add Glenn Otto or Michael Wacha in deeper leagues (45:18)? ... How did Freddy Peralta, Trevor Rogers, and Jose Urquidy look in their returns (49:12)? ... We wrap up with bullpen updates and streamers (58:38). 'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast from CBS Sports. I drive. Centerfield. What is magnificent? Got a fantasy question? Email Fantasy Baseball at CBSI.com. Get ready to win your league. Well, fantasy becomes reality.

Now here's Frank Scott, Chris and Adam. What's up, everybody? Welcome into Fantasy Baseball today on Monday, September 6th. Hope you're having a great Labor Day weekend. Frank Stamphill here to recap. that weekend. Get you the latest waiver wire ads and drops. We saw a few pitchers make their returns and much more. Here to help me do all of that is not Scott White, as Scott is out enjoying the long weekend with his family and he deserves it. But joining me in his place is a special

guest, the co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits, the Overlord of the Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. You listen to him on The Sleeper in the Bus podcast. It's Justin Mason. What's going on? Justin, how's everything going? Scott's ducking me. What is this? Where is he? It's just not here. No, enjoy your days off there, Scott. I'm doing well, Frank. Thank you for having me.

Yeah, man. One of the best in the business, 100%. Happy to have you on. Happy that you have the time. Your availability, honestly. I was thinking of someone on the West Coast because I was like, you know, we're crazy

that we stay up till midnight here and then we record the podcast. And you know what? I was like, Justin. Justin lives on the West Coast. Everything's going great right now for your San Francisco Giants, by the way, as well.

We'll talk about that in just a little bit. but yeah, very happy to have you here. Actually, let's just talk about the Giants now. How do you feel about the Giants? They just take two out of three from the Dodgers, first place in the National League West. I haven't been able to figure them out all season long, but it's just like a band of misfits,

great job by Gabe Capito this year, the front office. They're just getting the most out of every single person on that team. Like, how do you feel as a fan of the Giants? I mean, I kind of think about it in the same way think about my own marriage, right? I somehow ended up with a woman I don't deserve. And so, like, I at some point just stopped asking questions, like, why or how. And I went, you know what?

I'm just happy to be here. And I feel kind of the same way with Giants. Like, on paper, they're not the best team in baseball. I don't even think they're like a 500 team. Like, I think they're probably a bottom, you know, half team in baseball, like, on paper. But they have gotten it done really through a team. effort. Like, there's no, like, there's no superstar on this team. I mean, Buster Posey's old, Brandon Crawford's old. Yes, he's like a great glue guy, but like, you know, Gosman's good,

but he's not great. Like, there's no superstar on this team. They're just doing it together. And things have just kind of come together all season long. I mean, they've just been on this extended hot streak. And I'm just going to enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts and hope that it takes us all the way to November. Yeah, it's just been an awesome season. I think you hit it right there on the head. They don't have a superstar. They trade for Chris Bryant. But, you know, even his numbers have kind of tapered down as the season has gone along. They're still very good numbers, but you're right. I mean, just a collective effort there from the San Francisco Giants. We'll see how deep they can make a run into the postseason. Let's get into some weekend recap. Some, oh my goodness gracious

players from the weekend. Oh my goodness gracious. All right, the bad host that I am, I did not ask Justin beforehand what player he wanted to do. So I will give you the opportunity while I talk about my player, Justin, to figure out who you want to talk about. So, apologies. I should have done that beforehand. But people are probably tired of hearing us talk about Frank Schwindell. I feel like we talk about him every single podcast, but he's still only 39% rostered on CBS. And it's going to slow down at some point. I don't know when that point is going to be. It definitely helps when you face the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend. But nine more hits for Frank Schwindell this weekend, including three more homers. He now has a home run in six of his last seven games and is betting three 338 overall.

with 10 homers, a 1037 OPS. I mentioned 39% rostered. He has six home games this upcoming week. Justin, what is going on with Frank the Tank? I don't really get it. I mean, he's got been great in terms of his own contact, almost 90% zone contact. Swings outside of the zone a fair amount.

So I think the batting average is going to crater at some point. But he's going to play. Who do the Cubs have? They just have nobody else. So, I mean, he's going to play every day. and get a lot of opportunities. Like I said, I don't think it's going to stay this good for super long, but I mean, there's clearly some power on its bat.

They're giving them an opportunity, and you've got to kind of just roll with them and not leave them on your bench like I did in TGFBI. TGFBI, by the way, 15-team Roto in industry expert, a bunch of industry expert leagues that Justin sets up every single year. It's a lot of fun. But, yeah, you don't want to leave Frank Mendel on your bench. Definitely not in a 15-team league.

He makes a lot of content. He puts the ball in play. He puts the ball in the air a lot as well. So, I mean, those things are going to equal lots of extra base hits. I would expect the batting average is going to take a step back at some point. But this is someone who hit for a lot of power in the minor leagues. And I've followed him for a while now. And there's a few guys like this.

Christian Walker comes to mind where they're really like quad A players, I guess, or that's what they're labeled as. But, you know, sometimes they get an opportunity and they just kind of roll with it. So Christian Walker is someone that kind of reminded me of that a couple of years ago with the Diamondbacks. Since, you know, I mean, he was good last year. He's falling off this year. But yeah, Frank Schwindell, if you can, add him where he's available. And I have a segment coming up later on, Justin, where I'll pit some players up against each other.

Would you rather? And I'm going to do that right now. Frank Schwindell or Jamer Candelario, who went two for three with two RBI, a walk and a run scored on Sunday. He's having a monster second half. 311 batting average, seven homers, 19 doubles, a nine. 947 OPS in 47 games. Who would you rather have Frank Spindell or Jamer Candelario? I think I lean Candelario just because the team context is just a little bit better in Detroit,

which is not something I thought I would ever say about Detroit. But their team overall, I think, has just got a little bit better offense. And Candelario, I mean, he's always been one of those guys that, like, the underlying metrics, the stack has stayed, has always been really good on him. Just kind of been waiting for him to kind of take another step. And maybe he started to do it. Maybe this is a hot streak. I mean, it could both go cold for both these guys.

Yeah, 100%. I think I'll lean Schwindell there. I just think the upside's a little bit higher the way that he's playing. But yeah, I think sound reasoning for you, the Tigers team context being better than another team. But yeah, that is the Chicago Cubs. All right, so, oh my goodness gracious, a player, a standout for you from this weekend, Justin.

Let's talk about Shwindell's teammate, Matt Duffy. Like, where did a grand stand and then another home run and then throw his stolen base in for good measure. It goes three for five today. I mean, he's just been nowhere this year because he's been injured. You know, but he got hot early in the season. We were talking about, hey, maybe this is a guy who could play almost every day in Chicago. Well, now he's going to play every day.

Super, super deep leagues, right? If you're playing 10-team, 12-team leagues, you just ignore Matt Doffey. But 15-team leagues are deeper. He's going to play every day, I think, in Chicago. And there's a little something this about. We've seen some magic with him with the Giants before. He's going to get an opportunity in Chicago. Yeah, I think in deeper leagues for sure.

I picked them up in my NFBC main event league, 15-team, 5-5 Roto. Picked him up for $1 out of a $1,000 fad budget. So I don't have much money left, so I'm kind of scraping the bottom of the barrel here. I dropped Ronald Torres for him, so just to kind of give you some kind of context there. But yeah, an absolutely massive game on Sunday for Matt Duff. You mentioned three for five, a grand slam, two homers overall and a stolen base. He's only 1% rostered on CBS. I actually had a few deep league waiver wire hitters that I wanted to ask you about.

And we'll kind of lump all these together. And you give me maybe your one or two favorites here, Justin. But Kevin Pilar is going to have more playing time now with Brandon Nimmo, who is on the aisle with a hamstring strain. Pilar had six hits this weekend, two homers, one steel, 7% rostered, has seven games this week. Lane Thomas has three home runs over his last five games, and he's been leading off consistently for the Washington Nationals.

He's only 3% rostered. And then Anthony Alford, who is a former prospect with the Toronto Blue Jays. He's now with the Pirates. He had a double dong on Friday, two home runs in that game, and then he stole two bags on Saturday. And this season at AAA, 307 batting average, 14 homers, nine steals, albeit with a 35% strikeout rate. So definitely some issues there with contact.

He's only 2% rostered. How would you rank this group, Pilar, Lane Thomas, Anthony Alford, and Matt Duffy in deeper leagues? who I think I would go Lane Thomas Duffy Alford and then Pilar maybe Pilar and then Alford

I really want to like Anthony Alford but it just he's just never seen to be able to get it together at the major league level and not that Toronto gave him a ton of run or anything but I mean he couldn't crack the Pittsburgh lineup all year so like why do we think now at this point that he's

going to figure it out put it all together Thomas is, I mean, kind of a low-ceiling guy, but if he's going to play every day in Washington, and I don't think there's much reason why they won't play him every day, I think he could, like, just accumulate rest of the way. Pilar's just, he's short-side platoon, dude. Like, I know, like, I know he's going to play because Nimmo's out and stuff like that, but he shouldn't.

He just, at this point, he's career, he's still a very good defender, but that's about all that he is. Yeah, Lane Thomas, yeah, I mean, he's not great. I mean, we kind of know, maybe we don't know. maybe we don't know who he is at this point, but getting the opportunity, again, to lead off. So accumulating stats, as you mentioned, it's like the national lineup is not very good at this point.

They trade away, Tray Turner. Juan Soto is still doing his thing, but they've been, like, pesky for other teams. Like Josh Bell's still hitting pretty well. So Lane Thomas is going to have some opportunity to at least score some runs at the top of that lineup. Before we hit the news and notes, just want to remind everybody that you can listen to Fantasy Baseball today

on your smart speakers. Simply say, Alexa, play the last. latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, or Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, and boom, it plays. Easy Peasy. Be sure to try it out. News and notes, Clayton Kirshall will make a three-enning rehab start at AAA on Tuesday. He reportedly felt good after a sim game on Friday. Jack Flaherty is expected to begin a throwing program in the next couple of days. He's on the IL with a right shoulder strain. And Shane Bieber, apparently through a simulated game Saturday, there was no update on him.

anywhere. I searched through Twitter. I went to Cleveland Indians.com or whatever their MLB site is. I searched all over Google. Nothing. There's no update on Shane Bieber. So once we have it, we will get it your way. Jacob de Grom is still likely about 10 days from advancing to bullpen sessions. Justin, do you think that we will see Bieber, Flaherty, DeGrom, or Kirchardt? Well, how do you think... I think we'll see Kirshah. I don't think you want to work Kurtz lying with the rest of them. But honestly, I mean, if the Mets continue to stay in there, maybe we see DeGrom with one more start,

or maybe even two more starts rest of the way. But the rest of them, I don't think so. I think Flaherty's probably done as the Cardinals start to fall out of this. The Indians already out of this. I think Bieber's probably done. But yeah, I think we definitely see Kirchow for sure. I think DeGrom is very unlikely. I wouldn't roster them if I couldn't just stouch them on the IL.

Yeah, Cleveland, nine and a half games out of their division. I mean, I would assume that they don't really have a shot in the wild card either. They are. No, they're eight and a half games out of the wallet card too. I mean, the Mets are hanging around. They're seven and three in their last ten games. They've been hot recently. They are three and a half games out of their division.

So they're still playing for a lot. We'll see what happens there. I think for sure. Kirshaw will see at some point. Maybe DeGrom, one or two starts to close out the season. Max Scherzer completed a bullpen session on Saturday. and is expected to start Monday against the Cardinals. He left his last start a little early

due to hamstring tightness, so it looks like he's good to go. Two starts this upcoming week. Michael Paneda is expected to return Monday and piggyback Bailey Ober. They're going to try and get six to seven total innings out of that pair, which sucks, Justin,

because I was all over Bailey Ober. I picked him up at a bunch of my leagues. He's been pitching really, really well since he rejoined the rotation. A big, hulking human being, six foot eight. It's performing well, but I don't see.

see how you can start him now if he's only going to go three or four endings, right? Like, you don't even have the opportunity for a win from Bailey Ober. Yeah, it's super disappointing because I've got over in a few spots as well. And I'm probably going to end up having to start other guys just because it doesn't make sense to take the risk, especially on a bad team like Minnesota. Like, just take the risk that he could get blown up in three or four innings and not even have any potential for a win. So, yeah, it's unfortunate. I wish they were doing the other way around. Why not start Pineta so that way they can follow with Ober?

but is what it is. Yep, that would have gave us more of an opportunity for a win there. So if you do play in any shallower leagues, head-to-head leagues, I've put in to drop

Billy Ober in all of my fad leagues tonight on Sunday when we're recording this. Tony Gonsolin felt good after Saturday's rehab start and could be activated soon. He is 43% rostered on CBS. Daniel Lynch exited Saturday's start in the third inning due to a cut on his finger.

He was also getting destroyed, so maybe that contributed to that as well. Jake Myers and Chas McCormick will share center field throughout the month of September. Justin, does that mean that neither of them are rosterable, Jake Myers and Chas McCormick, if they're sharing time? Yeah, probably. Neither of them are like good enough

in terms of having a caring tool and fantasy that you can go, well, even in part-time duty, like they could make a difference for my team rest of the way. So I'd probably rather have a guy who's not very sexy but playing full-time. Yeah, I like what I've seen from Jake Myers, but you're right. I just don't think he's going to do enough

if he's playing half the time. even if it's two-thirds of the time, that's probably just not enough for Jake Myers. Luis Severino is reportedly doing well and is expected to return to mound work by next weekend. Do you think we get anything from Severino the rest of the way? No, I don't. I mean, can we really expect him to go deep into games at this point in the season? You know, last thing that comes back is command of control off these Tommy John guys. So it means like you could end up getting a guy who goes three innings and gives up three or four runs.

I love Severino maybe for next year. I think he'll be an underrated guy, especially if you don't get much from him this year. But this year alone, no, I'm not going after Severino. Yeah, as a Yankees fan, I think that they probably just want to build them up so that they can maybe use him as a multi-ending reliever in the postseason if they make it. I mean, if they get past a wild card game. But yeah, I think that's probably what's in the plans for the rest of the season. Miguel Rojas was removed Sunday with left trap soreness.

A bunch of players went to the IL this weekend. Lots of hamstrings, too, which is, I don't know, like, we're pretty late in the season. Come on, guys. Massage up. Let's figure this out. Lucas G. L. Strained left hamstring on the I.L. AJ Pollack with a grade two hamstring strain, and Dave Roberts said that he will miss a few weeks, which sucks because AJ Pollock was crushing it recently. So not great there. Connor is ugly. Yeah. Connor Joe, another one who we were, you know, banging the table telling people add Connor Joe. The guy's been awesome recently. Him and Frank Spindel. It feels like we talk about them every podcast. Connor Joe went to the aisle with a right hamstring strain, which means more playing. time for Rimal Tapia and for Sam Hilliard.

They have, it's either three or, I think it's three games at home this week and then four on the road for the Rockies. Willie Adamas went to the aisle with a strain left quad. He re-agravated that injury on Saturday. Jonathan Loisaga with a strained right rotator cuff. Austin Gomber went to the aisle with a back injury. He has really been pitching poorly recently, so that might have been contributing to it. Nick Povetto went to the COVID-I-L.

He tested positive. The Red Sox are having a little bit of a breakout right now. Not a little bit. I mean, it's... A lot. Yeah, it's when it's gone around their clubhouse. But they're getting some guys back. I know Hunter Renfro was back recently as well.

So we'll see. Hopefully they can get past... Justin Upton went to the I.L. with a right lumbar strain. Justin, would you start or sit these questionable players in weekly lineup leagues? Let's start with Carlos Rodon, who apparently will not start against Oakland

the time that he was supposed to the first time through the rotation, but there's a chance that he could be back next weekend against the Red Sox. apparently he's battling fatigue and soreness, recently came off the aisle. Would you risk it and start Carlos Rodon or just leave him on the bench? I think I'm going to leave him on the bench. It's not a great matchup to begin with.

And the chance that you could not pitch at all and you take a zero isn't worth the risk. So I'm going, I've got him in TGFBI. I've got him in a main event and I'm going to go a different direction. Yeah, I'm right there with you. Yurdan Alvarez fell the ball off of his knee. X-rays came back negative. Cross your fingers. he did not play on Sunday.

Obviously, the guy had dual knee surgeries last offseason. He's having an absolutely monster 2021 here. But didn't play on Sunday. Justin, what do you think about Yudan Alvarez? I mean, obviously, you want to wait to hopefully see him if he's in the lineup or not. But I would roll with him if I, you know, don't have an answer by the time lineups locked. So it's just been so good. I mean, I think he's going to be a second round player next year,

especially getting outfield eligibility back for 2022. Is he going to get to the 20 games this year? I know that he's played there quite a bit. Yep, he will. Oh, that is awesome. He might already even be there. I'll double check, but yeah. He's definitely going to be there because I talked about him recently on a podcast.

And yeah, he's already got 29 games played in left field. Oh, beautiful. Yes, let's do it. Second round, Yerdon for next year. That is awesome. Aaron Savali will return Tuesday against the twins. Not clear yet if he does have two starts this week. It depends if they continue to go with a six-man rotation with Cleveland.

Would you start Aaron Savali first? time back. I think so. Twins are a weak enough opponent that I think it makes sense. And Savali's was really, really good before getting hurt. I like Savali a lot. I think he's a good little bounce back. You may not get enough depth to get a win. So like if you're searching for wins, if that's what you're really going for, then you may want to look another direction because who knows if the let-up go five is first outing back. Yeah, especially if you play in a quality Star League too, which I mean, this season, the way that they've handled pitching, you should not have been playing in inequality start leagues.

I know that Savali got up to 71 pitches, his last rehab outing. So keep that in mind. Ryan Mountcastle is nursing a sore foot. He was out of the lineup Sunday. He's having a monster second half as well, Justin. Would you leave Mountcastle in the lineup? I would.

I would. Definitely, again, want to check the lineup, see if he makes it in. But if he, you know, if he's out, I think I'd still try to roll with him. Like he said, he's been a monster in the second half. After, like, putting up nothing in the first out, he's really just completely south.

season. So yeah, I think I would roll with him in hopes that he's going to play. All right. Last one I got for you here, Kbert Ruiz, who of course is one of the top pitching catching prospects in the game came over in the Max Scherzer trade. He was out of the lineup Sunday with knee soreness. What do you think about Kabor Ruiz? I think I would go a different direction just because he hasn't been playing well to begin with. And then you're talking about a guy who's banged up, a catcher, you know, having to, you know, crouch for an entire game.

I don't know that he's going to play very much this week. I think they might try to give him some extra days off. So I think I would, or they could send him the I L. So I think I would probably try to avoid it if I can. Yeah, definitely in one catcher leagues go in a different direction. Two catcher leagues, yeah, it's a little bit tougher. Let's see what happens. But yeah, one catcher, I think you avoid Cabot Ruiz.

I do have a quick prospect update. I wanted to get your thoughts on here, Justin. McKenzie Gore, assigned to High A. Fort Wayne on Friday. and he returned to game action with rookie level Arizona Complex League affiliate August 19th and has made three appearances since then during that time. He posted a 1.65

ERA 104 whip in 16 and a third innings pitch. I think the road back is pretty long here for McKenzie Gore. I mean, he's dealt with mechanical issues. He's kind of dealt with the yips and stuff. I know that our good friend Chris Welsh, aka the Welsh,

from in this league was at one of those starts. And I was listening to his prospect one podcast, and he wasn't really impressed from what he saw from McKenzie Gore. So do you have a feel here, Justin, on Gore? Obviously not for redraft this year, but if you play in Dynasty, right? Like, is there any hope for McKenzie Gore? Yeah, I think there's hope still. I never like to give up on guys who were formerly top prospects.

There were top prospects or reason. Like, he was really, really good in the low levels of the miners. And, you know, it sounds like a lot. of this isn't necessarily a talent issue, it's a mental issue. And hopefully it seems like he's starting to make some right steps in the right direction. I think if I could, I'd try to buy low on him and see if maybe someone does want to go up on, you know, people want to sell prospect pitchers all the time, right? The old tin stat, there's no such thing as a pitching prospect. So, yeah, I think I would try to buy low on him because, I mean, once he is, you know, worked his way up,

he'll be in that rotation next year. And I mean, he could be special. Yeah, and we know that, you know, production for prospects and the way that they develop, it's not linear. I mean, it's not just, you know, it could be different for all different kind of prospects. Some pitchers come up right away. They're awesome.

Others not so much. Lucas Gilito, obviously famous example, top prospect in the game. He had the worst qualified ERA the year before he broke out. So sometimes it just takes a little bit longer for these pitching prospects. I agree. If you could buy low on McKenzie Goren, Dynasty, definitely something I would look and is doing. Would you rather? We already talked about

Frank Spindell versus Jamer Candelario. Let's take a look at a few others here that I think are pretty similar players. And we'll start with Ian Hap or Joe Adele in a categories league. Ian Hap, seven more hits this weekend, 45% roster. He's having a pretty big second half. Two 60 batting average, nine homers, two steals. He's got an 821 OPS. Joe Adele had six hits this weekend, including a double dong on Sunday. Two homers in that game. He's 49% rostered. He has six games this upcoming week. Justin, would you rather, Hap or Adel? This one, like, hits me straight in the heart because I am a big fan of Adel. I'm a big fan of Ian App, and they've both disappointed me greatly recently. But they're both starting to hit. I think I go Hap. As much as I love Adele, and I do think, like, the ceiling is the limit for a guy like Joe Adele.

He's still swing outside the zone of time. He doesn't make a ton of his own contact. He could be, you know, have some really prolonged cold streaks. Yeah, when he's hot, he's going to be fun to watch and stuff. But there's still a lot wrong with the profile that he hasn't quite fixed yet at the major league level. So I'm going to go with my boy Ian Hap, who is another perennial disappointment. And I think they're pretty similar players overall too, right? Like a lot of swing and miss in the game, some power, some speed. Obviously, Joe Adele regarded as a higher prospect.

I mean, yeah, probably much higher prospect. He was regarded as one of the top prospects in the game. Ian Hap did have some prospect status there for a while as well, so I don't want to sell him short, but I'm with you. I'll take Ian Hap. I think it's pretty close, but let's pay attention to Joe Adele and see if he kind of builds off this big weekend here. In shallower leagues, Michael Conforto or Will Myers,

Michael Conforto, six hits this weekend, including a home run, and in August, 268 batting average, 876 OPS for Michael Conforto. He got the plate discipline back on track. 69% rostered. And then Will Myers over his last 15 games, 310 batting average, four homers, one steal. He's 74% rostered. The problem, the Padres only play five games this upcoming week. And Myers doesn't really play every day. He plays like 60 to 70% of the time. But who would you go with here? Conforto or Will Myers? I think you got to go to Conforto largely based on the fact that he's going to play more. He's just going to play more games and the volume is a bigger thing.

And I just couldn't understand why Michael Conforto was this bad all season. Like it just felt like at some point things had to turn around for Conforto. It seems like it's starting to now he's going to be a bargain hanging in the next year as well. Yeah, it's super interesting too because he's in a contract year. So I want to see where Michael Conforto winds up and what kind of contract he receives because obviously coming off this down year had a monster 2020 season when it was obviously a shortened season. But yeah, it's been a really weird one. and I agree with you.

It's nothing really looked that different in the profile for Comforto this year. I mean, not hitting the ball as hard, okay, but yeah, it's been weird. I'm with you all. Take Michael Conforto over Will Myers. Next one up here, Jonathan V.R. The Mets, I mentioned they're hot.

We're going to talk about a lot of Mets today. Jonathan V.R. 16 hits three homers, one steal over his last eight games. He's 41% rostered, has second, third, shortstop eligibility on CBS. Very quietly. VR is betting 268 overall. 18 homers, 11 steals.

That's a really good season for Johnny VR. And then Luis Arias, he had five hits this weekend as well. He added his 19th home run, 63% roster. I don't want to sell him short. He's going to play more now that Willie Adomis is back on the IL. Would you rather, VR or Arias? That's really tough. I think with Adomis out, I think I'll take Urius.

I just, you know, because he'll play, he should play every day. and I like the team context a little bit better, but I like the park a lot better. And so give me curious, it's close, though. I like VR, and he's, VAR's been surprisingly great this year. I wish I hadn't dropped him in my main event early on in the season.

I don't blame you, man. I mean, there was a stretch there where he wasn't really playing, but now that he's been hot, they use him all over the field. Nice little utility man there for the New York Mets. I think it also kind of depends what you need, right? So I think if you need a little bit more pop, Maybe a little bit better batting average. I think that could be a Rias.

If you need steals, maybe go in the direction of Jonathan VR. I know the Mets play seven games this upcoming week. The Brewers play six. So that could be a deciding factor for you as well. Last one here that I have, would you rather, Andres Jimenez or Lioti Tavares? Specifically, if you need speed in a categories league, Jimenez had four hits, three steals this weekend.

He's 12% rostered, seven games this upcoming week. And then Lioti Tavaris, over his last seven games, 296 batting average, two homers, four steals, he's 12% rostered. Justin, would you rather, Jimenez or Tavares? I mean, obviously, you know, if you're taking positional eligibility because Jimenez has the added eligibility, I think I'm going to go Tavares just because he's let off a few times. And in Texas, I think, wants him to lead off.

He's been really good since getting recalled. So I think I'm going to lean Tavares. but like both guys. Yeah, I do like both as well. I mean, there was, you remember, Justin, there was so much hype for Andres Amanda's coming into the season. And I thought for good reason, too. I mean, I kind of backed off as we got closer

because, I mean, the helium just kind of got out of control. In, you know, high stakes leagues, he was going inside the top, like 120 picks, maybe even top 100, which, you know, it got a little out of hand. But, yeah, I mean, he's kind of flashing a little bit now, especially that speed. And Cleveland lets their guys run.

So I think these are two names you could look at if you do specifically need some steals. But I'm with you. I do lean Leota Tavares just a little bit more. Let's take a quick break. When we return, what if I told you this before the season started? Let's get Justin's thoughts next here on fantasy baseball today. All right, Justin.

So if I told you before the season that Salvador Perez had 41 home runs on September 6th, what would you say? I want to know what you're smoking. Because that's insane. I mean, what he's doing is ridiculous. I was saying this earlier tonight. Like, I haven't run the numbers on it yet, but he's got to be like a top 10 hitter in two catcher formats this year

because you're getting like almost, you're going to get almost 600 played appearances. You may even get 600 plate appearances by the end of the season from a catcher. And that's ridiculous, especially because he doesn't have a batting average is going to take you. He will be completely over. overpaid for next year, but those of you who were willing to drop that top 80, top, you know, 90 pick on him. Good on you. I wish I had. Yeah, I wish I did as well. You know,

I liked grabbing one of the top 10 or 12 catchers, and it was really just whoever fell at a discount. So I wound up with a lot of Wilson Contreras. I thought, you know, was pretty good draft day price. James McCann, I got a lot of and, you know, that didn't really work out. Sean Murphy is another one I liked, and that hasn't worked out either. On CBS, If you play in a Roto League, you can actually go to all players and you could see where they rank for the season. Salvador Perez, 5 by 5 Roto, is the 12th ranked player.

Player, not just hitter. Overall, Salvador Perez in two catcher leagues is the 12th overall player. Just an absolutely fantastic season for Salvi. Justin, what if I told you before the season that on September 6th, Robbie Ray would have a 2.6L ERA, a 0.99 whip,

But 212 strikeouts over 166 innings pitched and is in top three contention for the American League Sy Young. I would not have believed the whip. Like that's, I mean, I would have thought you were like, oh, I can believe the strikeouts. I maybe even believe like the ERA and in the innings and stuff. But the whip, come on. This is Robbie Ray. But, I mean, he figured it out, I guess.

I just, I don't understand it. I mean, he started to trust his stuff, right? really tax its own now instead of nibbling. I think this has got to be a product of something in Toronto, right? The coaching staff said, hey, listen, you've got really good stuff. Stop trying to get people to swing outside of the zone and go after him inside of the zone. It's really worked for him. It's insane because I think he's going to be like a top 15 starter next year.

And I think that's probably right. Yeah, I think that is right as well in terms of ranking him. I don't know if I am going to want to pay that price for. for Robbie Ray next year. It's, I mean, it's just the old adage, right? Like, don't pay for a player coming off a career year. It's the same thing for Salvador Perez. So we'll see. But man, Robbie Ray, just 2.3 walks per nine this season where, I mean, you know, his days in Arizona, we were like up over four. I think we were up over five walks per nine a few times too. You're right. It's just the control has been awesome for him. Simplified his approach. Fastball slider

really makes up the most of his arsenal now. Attacking zone, as you mentioned. It definitely helps that the velocity has been up this season as well. So Robbie Ray, one of the biggest steals this season. Cedric Mullins, another one. He went two for four with his 25th home run on Sunday. He's batting 305, also has 26 steals. 25-25

season for Cedric Mullins. Justin, what would you say if I told you before the season? That's Cedric Mullins. I told you so. I told you so. I mean, I didn't think this was going to happen necessarily. Like, I think I wrote an article for

fan graphs and, you know, bold predictions piece. And I think I said he was, my bold prediction was he'd go 1525. So, like, I didn't think he'd have this quite kind of power. And I definitely didn't think he'd for this kind of average. But, I mean, he's just been absolutely amazing. And I am so glad that I got him on, I think, like 19 or 20 teams of my 29. It's been, it's been glorious. It's been keeping me afloat in some places.

and, you know, this will be a victory lap. I never stop running. No, that's good on you, man. Absolutely. I mean, I don't think I wound up with him anywhere. I have probably like 12 or 13 teams, and I have zero Cedric Mullins. So definitely, definitely good job on you there.

And I wonder if we see more hitters kind of ditch switch hitting after this because Cedric Mullins did that. It was either before last year or before this season. But yeah. Before this season, yeah. Right before this season. I think too, like if you're like me and you're already starting your prep for next season because you have an addiction and way too much free time on here, apparently.

You know, one of the things that clued me in on Mons was I was watching lineups in September. And he was leading off every game. Start looking at some of these teams and seeing what their lineups and seeing if you're seeing any kind of, you know, things that stick out to you, things like Lioti Tavares leading off. you know, in September or, you know, or other guys hitting in certain spots. You know, how are teams playing these guys down the stretch? Because it's not like previous years in which you had, you know, 40 million players on the roster in September,

and we couldn't really make what, of anything, at the end of the year. So right now it's a good time if you aren't as into baseball or aren't as into football and you're still 100% on baseball and really getting ready for next year, this is the time to really keep a close eye on things like that. Yeah, could give you a leg up on your competition heading into, next season. Really good point there from Justin. All right, last one here. I wanted to hit Kyle Seeger, hit two home runs on Saturday. Justin, what have I told you before the year that on September 6th, Kyle Seeger would have 33 home runs and 93 RBI? I mean, I'd ask you

if you had a time machine because this is ridiculous. I mean, this is, you know, I mean, most power he's had in his entire career. And it's, you know, one of the reasons why the Mariners have competed for as long as they have in the wild card in their division. So, I mean, good for Seeger. He's going to get a nice little contract at, you know, age with 32, 33 next year and on a different team. He's got a team option, but there are no way they're paying out that team option. So maybe ends back in Seattle if they kind of come to terms on a new deal. But if he leaves, it'll be a better hitting spot, right?

I mean, it would be better than Seattle. So good on Seeger. I'm glad that he is outperforming his little brother. Very nice there. Yeah, I mean, he's only betting 2.13, but of course, the power has been awesome. For Kyle Seeger, a few hitting leftovers from the weekend I wanted to mention. Adelberto Monasey has played three games since returning. In those games, he has four hits, one homer, four steals.

Justin, are you ready to draft him in the top three rounds again next year after a Monster September? So this is one where you really want to watch the usage, right? Because they said, well, he's only, you know, maybe he can't be a full-time player, and that's why he keeps getting hurt and stuff like that. And so I really want to see how many games is he playing down the stretch? Are they really going to only play him three out every four days or three out every five days? Because that'll really impact the price. But man, you see the tools.

You see it, right? We're getting sucked back in. I'm ready to be hurt again. I really am. I don't know that I'll take him in the first three rounds. But, you know, if he's sitting there, fourth, fifth, six rounds, something like that, it would be really hard to leave potential 50 stolen bases on the board. I know.

I mean, and there's people that are going to love. laugh about it. Ha! Why do you keep drafting Adelberto Monashy? But I mean, you see this. You see what he did last September and literally just wins people fantasy championships when he can stay on the field. So, especially if you play in a Categories League, the guy is such a difference maker. Those three games that he's played

in thus far, they have come over the course of a five game stretch for the Royals. So you're right. He has sat out. He's played one game, sat out, played one game, sat out, and then played another game on Sunday. So let's see what that playing time looks like rest of season. Nolan Aronado, a double dong on Friday. He's now up to 29,

homers and 88 RBI. Francisco Lindor, back-to-back days with a home run on Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully getting ready to finish strong because Lindor, Yelich, trying to figure out what to do with those guys for next year. Cody Bellinger, it's, I don't know, scratch my head, trying, we'll figure something out throughout the offseason for those guys. Javier, Byas, 4-4 on Sunday with a sock and a shoe. Justin, I don't know if you've ever heard this phrase that we have.

A sock and a shoe, that's a home run and a steal in the same game. It was made by our very own scout way. I think it's pretty good. I like it. It's good one. I tried to do sweet and salty for a little bit. People didn't like that, so I gave up on it. I don't know.

I love sweet and salty snacks. Like chocolate-covered pretzels, those are one of my favorites. Javier Baez, by the way, do you want to talk about getting paid? I mean, the guy is in a contract year. He's up to 28 home runs and 14 steals, so good on him as well. Markana is bouncing back over his last seven games. He's betting 308 with four home runs. So I think the further he gets away from that injury that he had that landed him on the I.

The better Markana is going to be. Lorde S. Guriel, five hits, two homers, 10 RBI this weekend. He's having a really big second half. Under the radar, Lorde S. Guriel, 310 batting average, 888 OPS in the second half. Wander Franco, two more multi-hit games this weekend. He extends his on-base streak to 35 games. And this is a fun one too, Justin. Scott and I were talking about it.

How early do you think Wander Franco goes next year? Because, I mean, he's undoubtedly going to be a top 50 pick. I just don't know how high it's going to get. I mean, I think he's a second rounder next year. That's my guess. I don't know that I'll be taking him there, but there will be people taking him there. Yeah, it's kind of like the Vlad treatment, right?

When he first came up and it's just kind of just selling out for that upside on what he could be. And we're already seeing it. The guy's 20 years old. He's got a 35 game on Bay Street. It's ridiculous. Ozzy Albi's returned on Friday, and he hit a home run three days in a row at Corse Field. So that was great to see.

Charlie Blackman also homered. three days in a row from Thursday through Saturday. Gary Sanchez, two homers on Sunday. He's now at 20 home runs overall. He is only batting 2-16 though. So a little bit of the Kyle Seeger treatment there for Gary Sanchez. Let's move over to pitching here. Talk about some waiver-wire pitchers, part one.

These are players who are rostered between 50 and 60% on CBS. Rich Hill was at the Nationals this weekend. Six shutout, three hits, two walks, four strikeouts. He's allowed just five earned runs over his last. three starts for Rich Hill. He's at the Miami Marlins this week, so obviously a good matchup there. Carlos Hernandez, another quality start. Six innings, two runs, three strikeouts, and since being put in the rotation mid-July, 2.94 ERA for Carlos Hernandez with the Kansas City Royals. He's at the Orioles this week, so another good matchup. Tanner Hauke, he was up against Cleveland, five shutout,

seven strikeouts to just zero walks. He had 15 swinging strikes in this start, 58% rostered. He's at the White Sox this week. So a tougher matchup for Tanner Hauk. And then Ranger Suarez, who we talk about quite a bit as well. He was at the Marlins, five shutout with seven strikeouts. He is at home versus the Rockies. That is the first game. The Rockies will be away from Cores Field. And we know that usually their bats lag behind that first game out of Cors. Ranger Suarez is 59% rostered. Justin, how would you rank this group? Rich Hill, Carlos Hernandez, Tanner Hauk, Ranger Suarez for the upcoming week. I think I'd go, Rich Hill, who really struggled with the sticky stuff after they kind of cracked down on it,

but it seems to have gotten together and hasn't had a blister since the sticky stuff has been removed. Then I would go, Ranger Suarez, getting Colorado on the road, and Suarez has been really, really good in the rotation, and really good before he was in the rotation. And then I think between Harkin Hernandez, I think the difference maker is, I think Hernandez better matchup against Baltimore, and I just don't trust Boston's usage of Halk. I mean, they've sometimes let him go,

and sometimes they've just said, hey, nope, you're coming out right now. You know, he threw five shutout, but, like, they only let him go five in a shutout. Like, he was pitching really, really well. So what if things go a little bit sideways? They're going to pull him out after three. Can't get a win, so.

Yeah, only 68 pitches, but, I mean, he's got nasty stuff. There's no doubt that. I think, I think Tanner Halk is going to be a pretty good pitcher overall, like, for the future. I'll be on the bandwagon next year. Next year, I will be on the Hauk bandwagon. But for the rest of this season, you're just not going deep enough in the games that you're going to get wins all the time.

Yeah, I think that makes sense. Ranger Suarez, I would put him at the top of this list for me. Seven starts and joining the rotation. He's got a 171-ERA, 63% ground ball rate. So that's been absolutely massive for him. But then I would go Rich Hill, Carlos Hernandez, and Tanner Hauk in that order.

Waiver-Wire starting pitchers, part two. These are names that are rostered in under, 50% of CBS leagues. Nestor Cortez was up against the Orioles, five and two thirds, one run, seven strikeouts. I don't really know how Nestor Cortez is doing what he's doing, but he's pretty fun to watch.

He's crafty, like, does all these weird movements on the mound. He, like, stalled. He does, like, quick pitching. Kind of reminds me of, like, Johnny Quato from the left-hand side, but he is 47% rostered, tough matchup this week up against the Blue Jays. Jesus Lazzardo, coming off that great start last time out, was up against the Phillies this weekend,

5 and 2 thirds, 3 runs, 3 strikeouts. Could not locate either fastball, the 4th team, or the sinker in this one. He's 40% rostered up against the Mets this week. Adrian Howser, where did this come from? Up against the Cardinals, three hit shutout, seven strikeouts to zero walks. He's 26% rostered. He has another solid matchup. He's at Cleveland this week.

And then Brady Singer up against the White Sox, 7 shutout with 6 strikeouts to zero walks. last four starts for Brady Singer. He's got a 1.49 ERA. He's at the Minnesota Twins this week, 26% rostered. Justin, how would you rank this group? Cortez, Lazzardo, Hauser, and Singer. Well, I can tell you to put him Lazzardo last, last, last, last.

Just not, no way. You couldn't pay me to start Jesus Lazzardo. So no way am I going to do that voluntarily. I think I would probably lead off with Hauser, even though I don't trust Milwaukee and their usage of him, I know he was fantastic, right? Complete game, first one of his career. That's all well and good. He's also recently had starts where he went like three and a third.

And like, you know, they're going to use them however they feel that helps benefit the team. And, you know, of any team in baseball, Milwaukee does not care at all about your fantasy team. And so, like, he could easily go four and a third and not get a win. I do like Hauser, though. I've always felt like watching his stuff, like that he could get some more strikeouts, but he just pitches so effectively to contact that he doesn't need to and tries to get out of the innings quickly. So I'll go Hauser-Cortez, who I really enjoy watching pitch.

He does have a little Johnny Quato in him, a little swagger, a little just kind of messing with playing mind games with the hitters. Then I'll go Singer and, like I said, Lazzardo, just stay away from. Just don't do it. Cortez, by the way, I love the mustache, too, right? A little mustache he's got going on. There's an awesome shirt from roto wear right now that they put out for Nestor Cortez, kind of mocking the Super Mario Brothers.

So that's awesome. Adrian Hauser, yeah, I'm with you. I would put him at the top of those list. Then Nestor Cortez. I mean, it's a toss-up for me between Lazzardo and Singer. Like, I don't think Brady Singer is very good. I mean, he's sinker, slider. I don't think he has much bad missing ability.

I do think Lazzardo's upside long-term is still much better than Brady's So you flip a coin between those, so I probably would take Lizardo ahead of Singer, but that's just for me. Deeper waiver wire starting pitchers. So these are, let's see what we got here. These are rostered in under, I want to say, 20%. Yeah, that would, yep, that would make sense for all of these names. And man, this is a real fun group. So get ready here, Justin. Michael Waka, up against the Minnesota Twins this weekend, six, six innings, two runs, seven strikeouts. I noticed a change in his pitch mix. He completely ditched a cutter, his last two starts, and he's opting for more fast balls, curveballs, and change-ups, which makes sense because the cutter was getting crushed this year for Waka. He's at the Tigers this week, so pretty good match up there. Antonio Sanzatella, I mean, we know.

He goes through stretches like this. It happened last year. His last five starts, a 2.94 ERA for Antonio Sinsettella. He's at home against your San Francisco Giants this upcoming week. Glenn Otto, his first two starts with the Rangers, nine and two-thirds, two runs, 11 strikeouts to just one walk. He is 11% rostered. Solid matchup at the Diamondbacks this week. Eli Morgan, don't really know where this came from. Five and two-thirds shutout. He had seven strikeouts.

19 swinging strikes against the Boston Red Sox. That was pretty interesting to see here. Overall, I don't trust him. Maybe you do Justin, but we'll find out just a second. Jesus, Jose Suarez, another one. Like, Adrian Hauser, complete game for Jose Suarez. Like, this guy had not thrown more than five and two-thirds in a start all season long. He goes out there.

throws a complete game against the Texas Rangers. He is at the Padres this week. And then Taylor Hearn, who pitches for the Rangers, he, over his last eight starts, over his last eight games, rather, six starts, two relief appearances. He's got a 307 ERA. Doesn't get many swinging strikes, lots of fly balls.

He does limit hard contact. That is Taylor Hearn. Justin, maybe give me just your two or three favorites. If you play in a deeper league, Waka, Sanzatella, Glenn Otto, Eli Morgan, Jose Suarez, and Taylor Hearn. I think Otto is the guy that I would most want to use. I like the match up.

He's been pretty good in his first few starts. I don't know how deep they'll go in the games, but the one walk is a really, really nice sign. And pitching in Arizona is a pretty good place to pitch, right? Going up against a national team in a good ballpark with the Humidor. So I think Otto is easily the national team. number one guy in this. I mean, I like Jose Suarez, but he's actually, he's going against Houston this week, not San

Diego. And I don't want to have anything to do with Houston at all. Just stay away. And there's nothing worse than roster, a guy who just had a big outing, and then he gets destroyed. And I think that has real potential. I like Eli Morgan a little bit, but the walks have been an issue. You know, he sometimes loses command within the zone.

Milwaukee, no, not wrong with that one. So if I got to pick another one, I guess I go Michael Walker, who I agree. I like this pitchmitch exchange, and I've fallen for the Michael Walker trick before. And I'm a lot like Charlie Brown, just going to kick that football one time. Oh, man, famous last words, right, Michael Walker, trust Michael Walker. Deeper Leagues, again, these are in deeper league. so he's only 12% rostered, solid matchup this week. Yeah, I would put Glenn Otto up at the top,

and I would put Michael Walker behind him. I think Antonio Sanzatella, like, in the right spots, you can use him at home in Corris Field against San Francisco, pesky lineup. They hit home runs. I don't think that that's the spot that I want to try and take a shot here on Sanzatella. By the way, Scott's not here,

but I'll play the little jingle because I do enjoy this with the little Glenn Otto that we do. 1,800 Glenn Otto. Come on. Pick up the phone. The call is. free. Very nice there. 1-800, Glenn Otto. Get them on your team in deeper leagues. We had a few pitchers

return this weekend, Justin. Wanted to get your thoughts on some of these. Freddie Peralta came back against the Cardinals. He gave up four runs over two innings. He only threw 53 pitches. He's up against the Phillies this week. Jose Orkitti made his return. He was at the Padres. Only goes four and a third.

Gives up two runs. The velocity I saw up on all the pitches here for Jose Orkidi. Nice match up this upcoming week against the Seattle Mariners. And then Trevor Rogers came back on Friday against the Phillies, four and a third, two runs, only three strikeouts. And he is at the Braves. So what did you think about Peralta, Orquite, Rogers in their returns and their matchups this week? I only really like the one for Arquite.

Yeah, I think I would go with Rogers. Atlanta hasn't been great against lefties this year. So I think Rogers, I would probably queue up. Erkiti, I think I would queue up as well. So Peralta, again, Milwaukee, they don't care about your fantasy team. They're just going to, you know, and they also got such a big lead in the division that they're not going to mess with things, right? They're going to keep these workloads really managed down the stretch, especially for a guy like Peralta, you know, shifting from being a bullpen guy to back into the rotation, dealing with an injury. So Peralta is one of those guys that I think he be dropped in shallow formats, even with that huge upside.

It's just, I think the chances that he's going to have a lot of innings rest of the way is pretty unlikely. So I think, yeah, I like him for extra, though. You know, I was right. And I'll take my L on him. If I take my victory laps on a guy like Cedric Mons, I'll take my L's too. I was completely wrong on Freddie Peralda. He has just been absolutely amazing this year. But I think rest of the way you could probably move on.

Yeah, no, I love that too. I mean, it's accountability here, right? Like, we're going to get some things right. We're going to get a lot of things wrong, too. So we like to do the same thing. I think when Vlad was going off earlier in the season, like we had Vlad on all of our bus list. And it was just because of the price, right?

Like, he hasn't done anything yet, and we're still drafting it inside the top, whatever, 70 picks. And loser right here. I mean, that did not work out. So I think specifically for Freddie Peralt's a good point there on really all players that we see playing time kind of taking a step back rest of season, kind of just like stripped the name off the back of the jersey.

Cody Bellinger was someone last week where we said, you can drop him. I mean, he's a platoon bat now. He's batting well under 200. He's been awful this year. It's clear he's playing through injury. Hopefully he gets back on track. You know, offseason, another year removed from that shoulder surgery.

He could be better for next year. But like bigger names that are not producing, it's, I mean, this is not the time to be holding on to names like that. So I think that's a really good point there from you, Justin. Start or sit. I got a bunch of names for you. Let's run through these. John Means.

He was at the Yankees this weekend. Five innings, two runs, five strikeouts. Would you start or sit? I believe he's only going to face the Royals. CBS, they have him scheduled for two starts, but he is pitching on Wednesday. It's an eight game week. Are they going to let him go on three days rest

from like Wednesday to Sunday? I don't think so. So if it's just KC, would you start or sit, Justin? Yeah, I think it's just going to be KC and then he'll have a two start next week. So I'm going to start in against Kansas City. Kansas City is not very good. Yes, they are quite bad.

They made Zach Plissack look like a good pitcher earlier in the week. So John Means, yeah. I mean, Means has got back on track a little bit here. The swinging strikes are still not where we want them to be. But, yeah, against the Royals, I can get behind that. Sean Mania, he was at the Blue Jays this weekend, really needed a bounce back start, and he got it. Seven innings, two runs, nine strikeouts.

Entering this one, his five starts in August. He had a 9.90 ERA. Would you start or sit at home against the White Sox this week? I think I would sit unless I was really desperate. I mean, the A should let him go because they're chasing down a wildcard spot or maybe even the division if they can get hot. But, man, that White Sox team is pretty good. And Manaya has been kind of all over the close. I think Mania's tired, man.

He just has not gone deep into seasons like this in a while. So I think Manaya is just starting to kind of wear down over the course of this, you know, extended season after only having 60 games last year. So, yeah, if you're really desperate, I guess, but I would try to avoid it. Yeah, it's a tough matchup, too. The White Sox sixth best in Wobah versus left-handed pitching this year. They are first over the last 14 days, so they've been hot. Alec Manoa this weekend against Oakland, five innings, gave up six runs, only had two

strikeouts to three walks. He is at the Yankees this week, 40% fly ball rate for Alec Manoa. It's pretty scary in Yankee Stadium, though his first first. Major League start was there and he actually performed well. So what do you think, Justin? Would you start or sit Manoa at the Yankees? Oh, this is a tough one. I think I would start him just because he's been so good this season.

I know the last game was bad, but I mean, for the most part, he's just been so dynamic. And, you know, I'm not as worried about a guy like Manoa going to Yankee Stadium because he already pitches in a really bad ballpark. He's pitching really bad ballpark all throughout this season, you know, with, with Toronto having to pitch in every single stadium that they have a contract with. So, yeah, I don't, I'm not as worried about the stadium. As long as he's, he's good to go. I think you should be able to put him back in your lineup.

Yeah, and the Yankees, after the 13 game winning streak, the bats have kind of cooled down here the weekend. I mean, they couldn't hit Baltimore pitching. Oh, my God. It was just so dreadful to watch. All right, we don't want to talk about the Yankees. But, yeah, I'm with you. I actually would still start Alec Mano. Kyle Gibson.

And I know for a long time, Justin, you were the Kyle Gibson guy. Like year after year, I would listen to you guys, and I know that you were pumping up Kyle Gibson. Over his last eight starts, he's got a 5.23 ERA. I think the wheels are starting to fall off a little bit here for Kyle Gibson. Would you start or sit at the Brewers this week? I think I would sit him. I mean, this is the exact same thing that happened to Kyle Gibson last time he was good, right? He had this really good start to the season and then fell off kind of at the end.

and we blamed it on the, I think it was ulcer of colitis. And we're like, oh, you know, that's what's going on here. You know, you got sick. But I think maybe he just tires out. And, you know, he's a volume guy. He needs to volume his way because he doesn't track out a lot of guys, like, to be successful for fantasy owners. And, you know, if the volume isn't very good right now, then it's probably time to move on. Kyle Hendrix, over his last eight starts.

He's got a 7.48 ERA, a 1.62 whip, 3.1 walks per 9. Kyle Hendricks is not right at the moment. Would you start or sit at home against the Giants? Against the Giants, you got to. I mean, come on. You got to sit him. He's been, I want to say he's been like the worst qualified pitcher this season. I could be wrong, but it's pretty close.

Either way, which is crazy because, I mean, I had him as a top 20 pitcher coming in the season. I just thought that if anybody can volume his way and give you good ratios, and it's got to be Kyle Hendrix. and the wheels have completely fallen off this season. And so I have a lot of my teams. How about Ian Anderson in two starts coming off to IEL? One of those was in Cores Field, so you give him a bit of a pass.

But eight and two thirds, four earned runs, six walks to zero strikeouts. I don't know what's going on with Ian Anderson right now. However, he's at home against the Miami Marlins this week. That's a good matchup. I just worry that he's not healthy yet. And that might be the issue here. And the Braves are kind of in a desperate spot where they're trying to hold on to this division and I think pushing him maybe farther than he should go.

I think you can roll him out. But just because it's the Marlin doesn't mean they can't. They just put up, you know, runs on Gibson, right? So like they could put runs up on Anderson as well. Last two here, Josiah Gray, his last two starts, he's given up 12 earned runs over six innings pitch. The swinging strikes way down during. that span as well.

He is still 75% rostered. I would ask if you want to drop him, Justin, but he's at the Pirates this week. So I think I would hold on for one more. Yeah, I think this is the deciding factor, right? If you can't use him against the Pirates, then you can't use them. He can't be on your team.

So I think you give him one more go. He's a really, really talented pitcher. He's had moments of brilliance and then moments where he loses kind of the command within the zone, which leads to home run. So if he can put, a good showing against the Pirates this week, then I'm going to continue

to roll of him. If he puts up another dud, he's got it at the wave wire. Last one. Corey Klobber returned this week. He made two starts, seven and two thirds, seven earned runs. Did have 11 strikeouts, so the swing and miss looks pretty good. He is at the Mets this week. Yeah, I don't think Klob is right.

He just doesn't look like the same guy he did early in the season when he was pitching for the Yankees. I mean, he was really, really bad in some of those rehab starts. And I don't really care about like the earn runs and stuff,

it was the walks and like the wild pitches and the hit batters and it just didn't look great in this first start back. So I'm not starting quote through that. I don't think it should be

rostered in most leagues. Let's wrap up with some bullpen updates from the weekend. I'll run through a couple of different teams here. But for the Cubs, Rowan Wick picked up two saves this weekend and has the last

three traditional saves for the Chicago Cubs. He is 5% rostered. Someone I think you could add in deeper leagues if you need saves, Justin. Yeah. If you need saves, I mean, it's hard to get them right now. And Rowanwick looks like the guy now that he's healthy.

Yeah. For Oakland, Sergio Romo came in on Friday with a two-run lead. He then gave up a three-run walk-off homer to Marcus Semyon. What an awesome game, by the way. I mean, Toronto was rocking in that game. Lordes Gereo hits the game. I believe it was game tying Grand Slam the inning before, and then they go down two runs.

And then Marcus Semyon with the revenge game. three-run Homer there in the ninth inning. Lou Trevino also only recorded four outs this weekend. He gave up seven more earned runs. Justin, who do you think gets the next save opportunity for the Oakland A's? Andrew Chaffin. Yeah. It's hard to argue with that, too.

I mean, he's been so awesome this year. Yeah. And I mean, I think this is a really, really fluid situation that's going to change hands a few more times. Rest the way, just be happy with what you got from Trevino, because you got a lot from him for nothing off the wave wire. Yep. For Boston this weekend, on Friday, Adavino entered in the seventh inning in a tie game, which was pretty random. There was a runner on first.

The top of the lineup was coming up, and then he struck out the two batters he faced. Garrett Whitlock recorded the final four outs for his second save of the season. And then on Saturday, Otavito gave up three earned runs. He took his third blown save, but did wind up with the win. He's 36% rostered. I still do think Adavino is the guy there for Boston. Matt Barnes is currently on the COVID-I-L as well.

For Tampa Bay on Friday, Andrew Kittridge got his sixth save, and he has Tampa Bay's last four traditional saves. I believe it was Sunday. He took the loss. I don't think it was a save opportunity. It might have been like a tie game, but he did pitch.

I mean, it's Tampa Bay, Justin. I don't know. Do you have a field? Do you actually trust Andrew Kittridge? No. I don't trust anybody in Tampa Bay. He's like, don't do it. No, don't do it.

For Colorado on Friday, Carlos Estevez picked up his fourth save on Saturday. He gave up a solo homer and picked up his fifth save. I think he's entrenched as the Rockies closer right now. It's Corse Field, which is not great, but Estevez is pitching well right now. For Seattle, Paul Sewald pitching the seventh inning on Friday. Then Drew Steckerrider pitched in the eighth. Johan, a gentleman named Johan picked up his second save of the season in the 10th inning.

And then on Saturday, Diego Castillo pitched in the ninth. He picked up his 16th saves. So he returned. There's a bunch of names. Justin, do you have any feel for the Mariners' bullpen right now? I think Castillo's going to be the guy, but I think it also could switch hands a bunch. They're just going to kind of ride the hot hand. I just think especially for next year, if you're kind of looking at,

because these are the situations you're going to kind of look at for next year. I think this is going to be another muddled situation coming into 2022. Yep, I mentioned the Reds on Saturday. Michael Lorenzen pitched in the seventh and the eighth inning. Michael Givens picked up his fifth save, but they've been hard to trust for the Marlins. Dylan Floral picked up his eighth. save of the season on Saturday. On Sunday for Baltimore,

Tyler Wells got his first save of the year. Cole Sulzer pitched on Friday and Saturday. They like to mix and match quite a bit. Baltimore doesn't win many games as it is. For the Tigers, Gregory Soto recorded the final five outs on Sunday for his 18th save for

the twins. Alex Colomay gave up two hits, a walk, and he picked up his 11th save of the season. He's 44% rostered. He's not very good. I don't think Calame is good, but if you play in a shallower category's league, he's their closer. So he's going to get saved opportunities. And then for the Cardinals on Sunday, an epic meltdown. Giovanni Gallegos enters with a four-run lead. He gives up three

hits, a walk, gives up one run. Alex Reyes comes in, gives up a walk-off grand slam to pinch hitter Daniel Vogelbach. I'm thinking they still go back to Gallegos next time out. What do you think, Justin? I think they do too. But I think again, this is a situation that's probably going to be pretty fluid. I mean, they even said when they were, when they kind of demoted Alex Ray's out of the role, that they were going to play matchups in the ninth. So I think they, I think it's going to be kind of fluid, but I think Gallegos gets the next to save opportunity. All right, to stream or not to stream, I'm going to throw a few names your way, Justin, who are rostered in under 70% of CBS leagues. And these are, if you play in daily lineup leagues, someone that you could pick up and

stream for that day. Just give me like your two or three favorites. A lot of the time, Scott doesn't like any of them, so he will literally just tell people like don't stream. You could do the same. For Monday, Ryan Yarbrough at the Red Sox, Kyle Freeland is at home against the Giants, Justin Steele at home against the Reds, Bryce Wilson is hosting the Tigers, A.J. Alexi at the Angels and Logan Allen is hosting the twins. Do you like any of these, Justin? I mean, not particularly. I guess if I'm going to give you two, I'll go Logan Allen, Minnesota, coming off of two decent starts,

both quality starts. So he went six. And then A.J. Lexi, I guess. But the other ones, I mean, Yarborough against a Boston team that crushes left. These, no things. Kyle Freeland at home versus my Giants, absolutely not. I don't even know who Justin Steele is. I just refuse to admit that he's.

an actual pitcher in baseball. All right, let's go on to Tuesday to stream or not to stream. We have Jake O'Dareasy at home against the Mariners. Logan Gilbert on the other side. He's at the Houston Astros. Willie Peralta at the Pirates. Edward Cabrera versus the Mets. Jackson Cowar at the Orioles.

And Eric Lauer versus the Phillies. All right. I'm going to go Eric Lauer versus the Phillies. Lauer is one of these guys that people just will not give any credit to. But he continues to just put up, good outing after good outing after good outing. And Phillies, you know, they're a good team, but they're not a great team. So I'll run it out there with Lauer.

The rest of the bunch, a little scary. I think Odorizzi, I guess, for Seattle, somewhat interesting for me. But no way am I starting Logan Gilbert, who's been struggling against Houston. And Edward Cabrera, I like him long term, but he's been kind of up and down so far. I really liked what I saw from Jackson Cowar, his first start back in the rotation last time out. So at the Orioles, I mean, it's not the best place to pitch in Camden Yards, but against that Orioles lineup, I think I could get behind that. But Eric Lauer and Jake Oteresey, a few other names there that you can look at. Co-owner of Friends of Fantasy Benefits, he is the Overlord

of the Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. Listen to him on Sleeper in the Bus podcast. Make sure you give him a follow on Twitter at Justin Mason FWFB. Justin. Thank you so much for joining me today. Hey, thanks for having me, Frank. It's always a pleasure. I also want to thank your wife for allowing you to to come hang out too, because I saw her on Twitter. She's like, you know, I better get some thanks on the podcast. So I do appreciate it. Yeah, yeah. She was very happy to loan me out, so she wouldn't have to hang out with me for the evening.

All right, man. Let's wrap up there for Justin. I and Frank. Thank you all for listening and watch Fantasy Baseball today. We will be back again on Wednesday. Bye-bye.