Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs should be in the middle of a breakout season. At least, that’s what his peripherals seem to suggest. Through 96 innings, Skaggs has posted a less-than-stellar 4.50 ERA. His 3.55 FIP, however, suggests that he should have been much better over the first half of the year. The main reason for the difference between the two stats appears to be Skaggs’ ability to pitch with men on base. Skaggs will have to figure out how to keep runners from rounding the bases if he wants to post a second half breakout.

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Today, we’ll gather around the TV and watch the All-Star game. Well, most of us will; some don’t care about the event very much. Either way, we’re without baseball for a few days after tonight’s ultimately meaningless home field deciding contest. So let’s take a look back at the Draftstreet All-Stars of the first half. I use wOBA more than anything else when choosing my daily lineup, mostly due to seeing people much better at daily than myself using it. Blake has long used it as a proxy for good daily production. In theory, it should work well. And as you’ll below, it works well in practice, too. Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday was the Futures Game at Target Field, and even though it wasn’t offered on MLB.tv or ESPN, it offered a glimpse of tomorrow’s potential superstars. Much like the Futures Game, the Roto Riteup offers a glimpse of superstar talent who haven’t put it all together yet.

On today’s agenda:
1. Joey Gallo leaves his mark
2. Derek Holland out until late-August
3. James Paxton to rehab Thursday
4. Robbie Ray to start Saturday

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Here for Blake today. Instead of talking about a specific player let’s talk about fandom, mine in particular.

I haven’t watched my favorite team [the Atlanta Braves] play a game in over two months. I’ve watched maybe five or six innings total of Braves’ baseball. It wasn’t a conscious decision. It just happened. Sure, I joked about not watching until B.J. Upton no longer hit leadoff, but I kinda just stopped watching because I wasn’t enjoying it any longer.

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Today is the final day of the 2014 World Cup. My pre-tournament pick (Brazil) lost their past two games by a combined score of 10-1, so add soccer to the list of things I thought I knew about, but actually don’t.

On today’s agenda:
1. A long and short day for Jimmy Nelson
2. Brett Anderson’s return
3. Is there a plan for Arismendy Alcantara?
4. Brock Holt: (almost) shortstop
5. The daily five

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Agenda

1. Strikeout Friendly Teams
2. Daily DFS
3. Monday Picks
4. Table

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Wade Miley was atrocious to begin the season, posting a 4.79 FIP in April. He turned it around in May, posting a 3.66 FIP. Then, the wheels fell off again, as he pitched his way to a 4.77 FIP in June. So far, he’s been very good in two July starts, seeing his FIP slot in at 0.77. Let’s go back to June, though; perhaps the wheels didn’t actually fall off completely.

Miley’s poor April and June numbers have one main driver: home runs. He allowed seven in each month. Considering Miley’s never been a strikeout artist, his HR/FB rate has kind of always told the story. In 2012, he didn’t allow many. He did in 2013 (along with more walks), and his numbers suffered. This year, he’s allowed homers at an even higher rate, and his numbers have fallen further, but something else has changed: his strikeout rate has shot up.

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Twenty-three years ago today the film “Point Break” was released. In my humble opinion the trailer does not do the film justice. It is a masterpiece of 90’s cinema.

On today’s agenda:
1. Thoughts on Jed Lowrie
2. Kevin Gausman to start tomorrow
3. A pair of NL outfielders return
4. The daily five

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Agenda

1. Leveraging Psychology
2. Daily DFS
3. Sunday Picks
4. Table

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Agenda

1. The Fringe Five as Fantasy Resource
2. Daily DFS
3. Saturday Picks
4. Table

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