Spoiler Alert: We’re going to tell you two sentences from now where we come down on the subject of Brad Miller, enigmatic Mariner. Jump to the next paragraph if you don’t want to know until the end of the article. Spoiler: We have no idea. The point of this piece is to call your attention to what we discovered when we started investigating this subject: we found that new, exemplary, state-of-the art, microscopic, persuasive explorations of Miller and his stats, in sickness and in health, by undisputed Fantasy All-Stars, wind up in opposite corners, and can’t be reconciled. Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s edition highlights two hitters who have just been freshly recalled from the minors. They could return there by the time you read this sentence or remain on the big league roster for some time! That’s the joy of picking from scraps in deep leagues.

Read the rest of this entry »

Congrats to the USWNT on their win yesterday and taking the group of death. Now to the round of 16 and beyond!

On today’s agenda:
1. Brock Holt’s big day
2. Thoughts on Alex (Chi Chi) Gonzalez
3. Doug Fister to return tomorrow
4. Streaming Pitching Options
Read the rest of this entry »

• A quick recap from last night: Greg Holland entered a non-save situation up six runs but ended up handing Wade Davis a save opp after allowing five baserunners and three earned without recording an out. Jeurys Familia has been quite good this year but he blew his second of the year. Similarly, Brett Cecil couldn’t hold onto the lead in the same game, blowing his second save chance as well. Cecil, unlike Familia, has not been particularly great this year and also hasn’t been handed many save opportunities, even with Toronto’s recent winning ways. A.J. Ramos (9), Jason Grilli (17), Shawn Tolleson (9) and Luke Gregerson (16) all recorded saves. Kevin Siegrist received and nailed down his second save of the year as Trevor Rosnethal was unavailable due to “tightness”.

• For the second game in a row Kevin Siegrist received a save opportunity and for the second game in a row he recorded a save. The tightness in Rosenthal was “a little sore after Saturday” but a DL trip is not likely at the moment for Rosenthal. We will take Matheny’s word and Rosenthal is said to be progressing but any injury to a pitcher is worthy of concern and I would pick up Siegrist in even shallow leagues. At worst you waste a roster spot vulturing for a save, but if Rosenthal’s arm doesn’t improve you could be picking up a high quality closer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Episode 242

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live!

In this episode, Paul Sporer and Eno Sarris discuss the news for Kyle Schwarber, Trevor Rosenthal, Delino DeShields. Then Eno gives his thoughts on Byron Buxton. We finish with a little game of sorts called Hype or Hold covering some high-expectation guys who haven’t quite lived up to the billing yet.

Read the rest of this entry »

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

We gather here today to mourn the loss of one of our dearly beloved. Jorge Soler‘s chances of earning the National League Rookie of the Year award recently walked off into the sunset, fading into a distant memory, albeit a fond memory at that. In light of Joc Pederson’s performance thus far, however, we maybe gather here today to mourn something that never existed. My heart struggles to understand how we could have possibly loved but never lost.

It seems like just yesterday that Soler was the Chicago Cubs’ safest prospect. As much was argued — nay, commanded — by our very own Scott Spratt. Indeed, another of our Scotts, surname Strandberg, once spoke of the Cubs’ embarrassment of prospect riches by leading with Soler’s name rather than Kris Bryant‘s or Javier Baez‘s or Addison Russell‘s or Arismendy Alcantara‘s or Albert Almora‘s or Kyle Schwarber’s. I think that the fault is neither Scott’s nor Scott’s; the greater fantasy baseball community had its eye on Soler. Indeed, I tabbed Soler as my NL ROY favorite. So, too, did Eno. We are all fallible.

Read the rest of this entry »

Episode 52 – Streaks Where He’s Mortal

The latest episode of “Field of Streams” is live!

In this episode, Dylan Higgins and Brad Johnson discuss the embarrassment of riches when it comes to options on Tuesday, responding to a question on Twitter about weather forecasting for DFS, a look at Matt Harvey’s recent struggles, hesitation when picking a pitcher opposite another strong pitcher, Carlos Correa establishing himself as a notable righty bat in the righty-heavy Astros lineup, Dee Gordon and Nate Eovaldi’s uninteresting potential link, and looking closer at Chi Chi Gonzalez.

Read the rest of this entry »

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

As Charlie Morton embraced his two-seam fastball and turned into a severe groundball pitcher, he has become a solid, but underrated fantasy asset. In 2013-14, Morton put up a 3.52 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 273.3 innings of work for the Pirates. He began the season on the DL recovering from hip surgery. It was his eighth trip to the DL in eight seasons, including five in the last three. Health will always be a concern with Morton, but his talent deserves attention.

Read the rest of this entry »

Where have Collin McHugh’s strikeouts gone? Only Shane Greene, Jesse Hahn, Alex Wood, and Phil Hughes have seen a sharper decrease in strikeout rate since last year without a change in role. We’ve covered most of those guys in one way or another over the last few weeks at The Change. Now it’s time to focus on McHugh, to see what we can learn.

McHugh is still top 30 in swinging strike rate. He’s 65th in strikeout rate. Something is amiss here.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Indians and the Orioles entered 2015 with higher expectations than the mediocre showings they’ve had so far this year. So it comes as no surprise that both teams have made some roster shakeups in June, calling up our two candidates this week who will get a shot to prove they can not just help their clubs, but fantasy owners as well. As usual, the players highlighted in this column are better suited toward mono leagues, and the ownership percentages are by way of CBS.
Read the rest of this entry »