In lieu of a focused piece this afternoon, let’s compile some tips and tricks for the remainder of the season. I’ll categorize everything by platform or scoring type where applicable. We can discuss more ideas in the comments, and I’ll continue to build this post until we have something approaching a complete guide to the “second half.” I’m going to make a few assumptions to keep the bloating minimal. For example, I assume if you’re interested in ottoneu advice then you know the rules and quirks of that particular platform.

Read the rest of this entry »

The not terribly accurate “second half” starts today. If you’re anything like me, the All-Star game doesn’t do a helluva lot to satisfy the need to fill up those multiple box scores and follow the ridiculous number of rosters I have in fantasy baseball. So thank goodness the break is over and we can move on to more important things other than whether a pitcher not-so-gracefully curtseyed to a living legend. Who cares, we have titles to win here.

Read the rest of this entry »

Agenda

1. Yesterday’s Results
2. Daily DFS
3. Saturday Picks
4. Table

Read the rest of this entry »

In case you haven’t heard, Draftstreet was purchased by Draft Kings. Therefore, all things formerly Draftstreet are now Draft Kings; you can transfer your account easily using this link.

It goes without saying that this column will change now; it’ll be used to recommendations for Draft Kings now. If you’ve never played on Draft Kings, it’ll be a learning experience for a little bit. And I’ll be learning with you. I’ve dabbled with the site before, especially during hockey and basketball season, but used Draftstreet mostly for baseball considering I was writing about it. Read the rest of this entry »

These are dark times for Allen Craig owners.

It’s not just that those of us who drafted him realize he’s having a bad season — that fact became shriekingly apparent months ago — it’s that there aren’t a lot of signs that he’ll turn things around, and worse, such word is spreading throughout the fantasysphere, eroding his trade value.
Read the rest of this entry »

Ten years ago today HBO aired the first episode of “Entourage.” The show played a sizable role in my young adult life and I still drop quotes from time to time. With the film set to be released next summer, I’m sure I’ll end up binge-watching all eight seasons at some point.

On today’s agenda:
1. Dexter Fowler to return soon
2. Javier Baez, second baseman?
3. After today, go get Trevor Bauer
4. The daily five

Read the rest of this entry »

Episode 143

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is now live! RotoGraphs writer Brett Talley steps into the lineup with Nicholas Minnix to discuss the Seattle Mariners’ apparent interest in David Price and Ben Zobrist; a breakdown in talks for Ian Kennedy; and a trade rumor about Jonathan Papelbon. We then talk about players returning from absences: Jean Segura, Starling Marte, Evan Gattis, Emilio Bonifacio, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, and Geovany Soto. We discuss the health situations of Joey Votto, Miguel Cabrera, and Jordan Zimmermann. We then briefly get into some news about Kevin Gausman and Taijuan Walker before closing with a couple of previously requested pitchers, Yordano Ventura and Marcus Stroman.

As usual, don’t hesitate to tweet us or comment with fantasy questions so that we may answer them on our next episode.

Read the rest of this entry »

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

I’ve discussed fantasy baseball categories in this space on the last few Thursdays. Certain aspects of the traditional rotisserie formats (4×4 and 5×5) don’t appeal to me. I’m not a big fan of the fact that hitters and pitchers are valued a bit differently in traditional formats because hitters have only one ratio category and pitchers have two. That’s the main reason for my preferred 5×5 format.

I dislike the perceptible randomness of wins and, sort of similarly, saves and holds for pitchers. They are team-context stats, unlike runs and RBIs to hitters, for example, which aren’t necessarily reflections of a player’s skill. But the production of them does increase their team’s chances to win a little, just more or less depending on the context of the game. I’d prefer a couple of pitching statistics that can represent a pitcher’s contribution to his team’s chance to win a game a little more closely than wins, saves and holds do. Not everyone does, but I think that there are others who do, too.

Read the rest of this entry »

Agenda

1. Build Your Own Grind
2. Friday Picks

Read the rest of this entry »

It may be because he is teammates with Felix Hernandez, who has been the No. 1 pitcher on ESPN’s player rater this season. It may be because he was already 31 years old before he threw his first pitch in the majors. It may be because he missed the first month of the season with a finger injury. Whatever the case, Hisashi Iwakuma has dominated batters very quietly this season. He deserves some attention.

Read the rest of this entry »