Author Archive: Paul Sporer

National League Lineup Analysis

Taking a look at the recent trends in the Senior Circuit lineups:

(Check out Jeff’s work on the AL here)

Braves

  • Johan Camargo has jumped into the #2 spot the last four games with Ozzie Albies and Ender Inciarte both being pushed down to the latter third (alternating between 6th and 7th) and Dansby Swanson holding down the 8-hole.
  • Ronald Acuna is locked into the leadoff spot and has been amazing from that position. Among the 45 hitters with at least 150 leadoff PA, his .464 wOBA is tops (worth noting that Mookie Betts isn’t far behind at .445 in 2.5x the PA). At this rate, he’s going to push into some 1st rounds next year.

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Daily Starters – Tuesday, September 11th

Obviously, there are flaws for any SPs who are readily available for streaming, but today’s batch seems to be particularly volatile. I’m always down for a pitcher who can deliver that gem of 7+ innings with a  bunch of strikeouts, but when the downside is a sub-5 inning nightmare, you have to carefully calculate if you can take on the risk.

(I’ll be citing the FantasyPros roster rates)

Tanner Roark – WAS at PHI (47%)

The Cards hit Roark for his worst start in the second half last time out, but even with the 5 IP/6 ER dud, he still has a 2.91 ERA in 55.7 IP since the break. Roark has two quality starts, a dud (4.3 IP/6 ER), and a rain-shortened outing that had started well (3 IP/0 ER) against the Phillies this year. The Phillies have been a middling offense against righties since the break, sitting 18th in wOBA at .317 with a 23% K rate.

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The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 598 – 2018 Disappointments in 2019 Drafts

9/10/18

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 19, the best baseball strategy game ever made – available NOW on PC, Mac, and Linux platforms! Go to ootpdevelopments.com to order now and save 10% with the code SLEEPER19!

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 2018 Disappointments in 2019 Drafts

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01:06:23

The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 597 – 2018 Breakouts in 2019

9/7/18

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 19, the best baseball strategy game ever made – available NOW on PC, Mac, and Linux platforms! Go to ootpdevelopments.com to order now and save 10% with the code SLEEPER19!

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GET THE SLEEPER & THE BUST T-SHIRT FROM ROTOWEAR!

Audio is a little wonky perhaps due to a storm in my area. My internet was a little wobbly, too, so unfortunately it seemed to impact my audio as well. 

 Notable Transactions/Rumors/Articles

  • Shohei Ohtani needs TJ to pitch again; could hit all of ‘19 – 4:05

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00:55:09

Paul Sporer Baseball Chat – September 7th, 2018

Transcript is live! Thanks to those who came out!

2:34

Paul Sporer: Welcome everybody! Working on the pod and lost track of time, so pardon me on the delayed start. Let’s talk some baseball!

2:37

Balker Wuehler: Hey Paul! Will there be a September SP Rankings released? Really looking forward to them. Thanks!

2:38

Paul Sporer: I’m debating. It’s sooooo schedule specific, though, that I think I gotta come up with something besides a standard ranking

2:39

Paul Sporer: Should play regularly and I think he’s halfway decent. AL only mostly, but can see some deep league streaming capability

2:39

Mike: What do you think about Mikie Mahtook down the stretch?

2:39

Paul Sporer: Cool to answer the question before posting it. Sweet life.

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Daily Starters – Thursday, September 6th

Last September, Jeff and I spent last September highlighting daily starters you could consider picking up for your playoffs and roto stretch run. We’ll be doing the same again this year starting with tomorrow’s super-lite 4-game slate.

(I’ll be citing the FantasyPros roster rates)

Luis Castillo – CIN v. SD (49%)

Castillo entered July with a 5.85 ERA, but has since put together a 10-start run of 3.23 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 55.7 IP with a 26% K rate and 4% BB rate. Two 5 ER duds during the run push the ERA a bit, but he bounced back strong from each one. The Arizona one was kinda weird, too, because he bookended four perfect innings with the five runs in an inning and two-thirds.

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How is Trevor Williams Doing It?

I don’t really know. Thanks for reading!

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The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 596 – ScheduleCast Fireside Chat

9/2/18

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 19, the best baseball strategy game ever made – available NOW on PC, Mac, and Linux platforms! Go to ootpdevelopments.com to order now and save 10% with the code SLEEPER19!

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 Leveraging September Schedules

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00:43:44

Paul Sporer Chat – August 31st, 2018

Transcript is now live!

1:04

Paul Sporer: Good afternoon everyone!! Hope the day finds you well, let’s talk some baseball!!

1:05

Tony: Pick 1 to drop: Cody Allen, Kenta Maeda, Jose Alvarado

1:05

Paul Sporer: Allen

1:05

Farmer: What team has most impressed you this year?

1:07

Paul Sporer: Oakland. I picked them to make a wildcard spot, but that included Jharel Cotton & AJ Puk being instrumental and obviously they were done before the season started. Also impressed w/ATL & PHI staying viable all year

1:08

Mrs. Wojadubakowski: Paul, thanks as always. Last week, you were kind enough to advise keeping S. Gennett ($9) in my 12tm mixed roto keeper league ($260 budget). That said, I forgot I could have Matt Chapman for $10 also. Would you prefer Gennett or Chapman in this situation?

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The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 595 – So Much Fun w/ITL

8/31/18

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 19, the best baseball strategy game ever made – available NOW on PC, Mac, and Linux platforms! Go to ootpdevelopments.com to order now and save 10% with the code SLEEPER19!

Follow us on Twitter

GET THE SLEEPER & THE BUST T-SHIRT FROM ROTOWEAR!

 Our Guests:

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02:01:50