The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
I know the Cubs game is going already today, but here’s the rest of the weekend!
The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
Pardon me for missing my chat today, I had a doctor’s appt. (nothing crazy or worrisome) and that was the only window they could squeeze me into this week. I posted a notice on yesterday’s chart, but it wasn’t until the morning so I imagine that not everyone saw it and some were wondering where the chat was this afternoon.
The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
I will NOT be able to conduct my chat today. I have a doctor appointment (nothing crazy) and this was the one window they could fit me in this week.
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Board tonight, comments in the AM!
After a couple poor tune-up starts fresh off the IL, Kirby has 3.26 ERA/1.10 WHIP/19% K-BB in his L16
Eury had some hiccups in Aug, including a nightmare last night (0.7 IP/5 ER) but he still had 2 QS and logged 3 Ws; barring another mega-dud here, his WAS/DET 2-step next wk should be super appealing
Ray’s velo was down for his starts at MIL and at SDP, but it was back up to 93.7 mph (+0.2 v. season mark) last time out despite the poor results
Horton might actually deserve to be just behind Kirby if not #1 himself; since allowing 4 ER at MIN on July 9th, he’s allowed 4 ER in his L8 combined: 0.86 ERA/0.88 WHIP/16% K-BB in 42 IP
I’ve been cautious w/Shohei and I think rightfully so to this point, but he reached 5 IP for first time this yr and draws a great matchup to do it again! Always a risk to go fewer than 5 IP, but confidently putting him in the rotation again
Bieber’s had 2 great starts off the IL w/15 Ks and 0 BB… he’ll likely have a hiccup at some point as most injury returners do, but I can’t see sitting him anywhere right now
Springs hasn’t had the same crazy home/road splits like some of his Athletics teammates, but he is still better on the road (3.66 ERA/1.12 WHIP) and I don’t mind giving him a shot in STL
The Fermin/Bergert & Kolek trade was a small but impactful that both teams might end up very happy with when it’s all done. Bergert has continued his success w/KCR, posting a shiny 2.54 ERA/1.02 WHIP in 28.3 IP and while his 15% K-BB isn’t amazing, it is up nearly 5 pts from his SDP work (2.78 ERA/1.18 WHIP/11% K-BB)
Cortes/Houser/Littell are definitely dicier outside of the deeper leagues, but have enough intrigue to be viable-if-risky streamers in 12s and lower
Zebby/Povich/Mize/Ashcraft/Leiter are a group of interesting streamers with tangible upside, but substantial risk tied to their inconsistency, matchup, or both. Zebby’s date w/the White Sox is the easiest of the group but they aren’t the pushover they were in the 1H
Q is scary v. PHI and honestly if I’m giving him 1-x, I guess Nola can get 1, too… both are very scary with substantial downside where you’re really hoping whichever you use can snake a Win
Liberatore to Alexander contains some intriguing streaming names but I’m trying to avoid duds down the stretch to the best of my ability and all of these guys scare me for one reason or another:
Liberatore faded after a strong start and ATH offense is frisky
Cantillo’s WHIP is horrendous & BOS is a solid offense
May just isn’t someone I can trust anywhere so best of luck if you’re taking that plunge
Gallen is similar to May in that respect where his name value keeps people coming back and both have solid matchups, but their skills scare me entirely too much
The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
Board tonight, comments in the AM!
Top 3 guys are awesome and get solid matchups (though Woo and Ras are facing each other so only 1 can win)
Kershaw is the only other 3-x with a good matchup so he could be a little higher in a DFS situation, but he’s still essentially a 5-and-dive (7 starts of 6+ mixed in) and his Ks are awful at just 16%
Fried’s going to HOU to square off v. Framber… hopefully it’s a fantastic duel between the 2 southpaws
Webb’s headed to Coors where he’s logged the most innings outside of Oracle w/decent results: 4.44 ERA/1.16 WHIP/15% K-BB; COL is 4th in wOBA vR at home since the All-Star break, but I’m still running Webb comfortably
McLean will have his hiccup eventually, but he’s been absolutely dialed in for these 3 starts and I can’t see sitting him anywhere
Lodolo/Berríos is another fun matchup that could yield a duel or go sideways in Great American Ballpark
Darvish is an ERA risk (though he has a palatable 3.77 since the 8 ER at STL), but the 1.11 WHIP is very useful
I stopped short of giving Sevvy the 3rd x because while he is muuuuch better on the road with a 3.17 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, it comes with just a 9% K-BB which puts a lot of pressure on the .237 BABIP to stay great on the road
Cavalli was cooked for 7 ER at NYY, but that was an easy skip so I’m not going to hold the Dud against him too harshly and even though MIA is better than we thought they’d be this year, I’m comfortable taking another shot w/him here
Wells is debuting after over 10 months off (last start was 4/12/24) so I’d like to see one before diving in… he could look solid like Luis Garcia did last night as Wells’ 6-start rehab did go pretty well, but there’s a good bit of downside here, too… his 1-x is more to draw attention to his return and maybe pickup and stash instead of starting right away
Cecconi’s had his dips but mostly been a solid streamer this summer, L10 Game Scores: 55–66–45–54–54–59–26–17–59–52
I’m keeping an eye on SGL and would even be open to a pickup and stash with him, too, but I’m just not sure how many IP we can expect today and it’s a really tough matchup
The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
Board tonight, comments in the AM!
Jeez, what a tough board to open the week! Greene – our top SP – gets the AL East-leading Blue Jays. Gray and Cease get feisty offenses in ATH and BAL
Nelson is quietly having a fantastic season and has the best matchup of the Top 5
Mis went 5 IP last time out, notching 10 Ks… could do it again or go 3 IP but he’s tough to sit anywhere
Bello’s 5 ER in 5.7 IP at SDP is his only sub-6 IP outing over the L6: 2.12 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 13% K-BB in 38.7 IP
Strider dropped a solid 7 IP/1 ER gem after 3 straight duds, but still only had 3 Ks… kinda similar to Mis where you’re starting him damn near everywhere despite the remarkably volatile performance
Dropped an “x” off Castillo and Kikuchi as I’m open to skipping either in shallower formats… trips to TBR & HOU are scary
Bradish was amazing in his return to the mound, but that doesn’t mean he’s an automatic must-start after 6 good IP
We have to distance ourselves from the name value of Ober/Manaea relative to their brutal performances
Added a 2nd “x” to Morales, but didn’t shift the board; I would consider Morales behind Messick now
Baz terrifies me at home and I took off the 1 “x” he had as I just don’t see the upside of running him anywhere
The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
Board tonight, comments in the AM!
This is being put together before Thursday evening’s games even start since I have a fantasy football draft tonight, so I’ll try to stay on top of any switches in the morning since I’m locking the board so early but never hesitate to let me know if someone is switched out.
Skenes & Javier in for Burrows/McCullers Jr.
Can’t say I’ve ranked Skenes lower than 1 more than 2-3x this year (the day he and Skubal both went in the PIT-DET doubleheader, but not v. each other was one such day), but Kirby’s matchup is just SO much better
Peralta has a rough draw in TOR, but aces play v. anyone
Eury emerged from 3-start blip (6.14 ERA) w/TOR gem (6 IP/2 ER), instilling confidence to trust him everywhere again
Littell has failed to go 5 IP in 2 of his L3, but still has a fantastic 3.23 ERA/1.11 WHIP in his L20 starts (120 IP)
I’m probably finding the start for Biebs in 10 teamers, too, but I didn’t want to get toooo drunk on the 1 great start
Tolle/Tang debuts are going to be super interesting as both have major upside but also substantial risk
The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
Board tonight, comments in the AM!
Very light group of dependables and Ashcraft maybe shouldn’t even be there as a rookie, but I love the matchup
Love Warren but I’ll keep reminding to be careful w/the White Sox right now
Summer of George!! Alexander is probably more a Win chase than actual good ratio play
The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.
These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.
Board tonight, comments in the AM!
Fried & Framber get great matchups to flourish with and Framber in particular needs it!
Rasmussen has hit 6 IP in ea. of his L3 which is great and hopefully he can be a consistent 5+ down the stretch
Lauer has quietly had SUCH a fantastic season
Lodolo and Mize both have remarkably tough matchups in tough venues, I regret the 3-x on them and switched it to 2-x (I didn’t remake the board, but consider them both behind Priester, who also has a tough matchup).
The 1-x group is really interesting, but there’s a lot of uncertainty
McLean is a rookie v. PHI
Darvish just hasn’t pitched much this yr so he’s still a little scary start-to-start (Gems in 2 of L3, though)
Bergert is an intriguing young arm getting the upstart White Sox, who I don’t blindly start against anymore
BAL still scares me enough to stop short of 3-x on Bello, but I did jump to 2-x as he’s been mostly great of late
And then Shohei is just such a low bet to get 5 IP
