Author Archive: Paul Sporer

Here is my latest starting pitcher rankings update! Keep in mind that this is a narrower focus than just “rest of season” as I’ll be updating these again in mid-to-late August for the stretch run. Pitching is just too volatile to have confidence in a single ranking set for more than 4-6 weeks at a time. The tiers are what’s important.

I’ll reiterate again that the Must-Starts aren’t automatically the best pitchers, but rather the guys that you can’t sit with any confidence (they don’t have a platoon split or home-road split and their track record speaks more than the first three months of this season. Please leave your questions and comments below!

Previous Updates:

• March
• May
• June

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Chat transcript is below!

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7/9/17

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 18, 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 SLEEPER18!

Follow us on Twitter

• @sporer
• @enosarris
• @jasoncollette

Leading Off: Question of the Day

Which early round laggard is your pick to click in 2H? (9:00)

• Manny Machado
• Miguel Cabrera
• Jonathan Villar
• Trevor Story
• Rougned Odor

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After a two-hit debut that included his first MLB homer, Clint Frazier was just 1-for-12 until Saturday:

Walk-off, Clint Frazier! How 'bout these Baby Bombers?! #RedThunder pic.twitter.com/Pwg3VTjmqV

— Stadium (@Stadium) July 8, 2017

The walkoff three-run shot was his third hit of the day (single, triple) and gave him 4 RBIs.

On the Agenda:

• Stroman Strong v. Stros
• Teheran the Road Warrior
• Castillo Cruises in the Desert
• Polanco Heating Up
• Other News

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Chat transcript is below!

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No one has a chance against Mike Foltynewicz when he’s got 97 with armside run:

Mike Foltynewicz, 97mph Fastball Movement. No one is more impressed with it than he is. 😃 pic.twitter.com/5OsIodfVom

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 7, 2017

He was fantastic against the Nats (6 IP/2 ER/5 K), running his streak to four straight gems (2.16 ERA, 26 Ks in 25 IP). Going back to the start of June adds in a 3.3 IP/8 ER dud against the same Nats team, but still only pushes his ERA to 2.98 with a 1.25 WHIP, 23% K, and 9% BB in 42.3 IP.

On the Agenda:

• Final Vote Winners
• Faria’s For Real
• Anibal the Animal
• Lamet’s Lament
• Ray & Hill Duel
• Other News

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7/5/17

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 18, 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 SLEEPER18!

Follow us on Twitter

• @sporer
• @enosarris
• @jasoncollette

Leading Off: Question of the Day

• Justin Smoak hit his 23rd HR today; who hits the most HR at 1B rest of the way?
  • Smoak, Logan Morrison, Cody Bellinger, Eric Thames, Yonder Alonso

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Sean Newcomb finally had his first bad start of the season and unsurprisingly it came against the Houston Astros. They are third in wOBA against lefties at .347 and also have the third-lowest strikeout rate at 17%, a tough combo for the 24-year old rookie. Newcomb has actually shown a reverse platoon this year so six of the eight batters coming from the right side wasn’t necessarily a warning sign. Being Astros was the warning sign, let’s be real.

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When that Miller Park ice cream is just too tempting:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWBRzFWhM8P/

Orlando Arcia helped himself in a move reminiscent of Prince Fielder and Don Mattingly:

Prince Fielder finesses a nacho after a foul ball 👀💯 pic.twitter.com/h6IthHtCmn

— Athlete Action™ (@AthleteAction) August 20, 2016

Arcia is feeling great at the dish, too, with a .369/.407/.560 line, 3 HR, and 4 SB over his last 28 days.

On the Agenda:

• Frazier Goes Yard in Debut
• Taylor Grand Again
• LoMo with Two Mo
• Greinke Dominant at Home
• Cutch to stay in CF
• Other News

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7/1/17

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is brought to you by Out of the Park Baseball 18, 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 SLEEPER18!

Follow us on Twitter

• @sporer
• @enosarris
• @jasoncollette
• @iankahn

Watch Ian on AMC’s Turn, the first three seasons are on Netflix, too!

Notable Transactions/Rumors/Articles/Game Play

• Masahiro Tanaka (4:20)
• Gary Sanchez (10:13)
• Clint Frazier (15:30)

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