Right now, the fantasy game has …. changed …. shifted … has gone just bizarre. It has only been a week and a half of games, but I’ve never dealt with so much uncertainty and the way I set these rankings reflects that change. I’m valuing MLB playing time and experience over potential whenever possible. I’m trying to limit the variation for now and will gamble more if a team starts falling behind in a couple of weeks.

As usual, I’m going to at least cover the players in demand using CBS’s (40% or less initial ownership) and Yahoo’s ADD/DROP rates. Both hosting sites have the option for daily and weekly waiver wire adds. CBS uses a weekly change while Yahoo looks at the last 24 hours. Yahoo is a great snapshot of right now while CBS ensures hot targets from early in the week aren’t missed. The players are ordered by my preference grouped by starters, relievers and hitters.
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The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. 1. 1. Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
      2. Injury News 
      3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
      4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.

1. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
2. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)

Read the rest of this entry »

The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. 1. 1. Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
      2. Injury News 
      3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
      4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.

1. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
2. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)

Read the rest of this entry »

I went through the few National League lineups to see if there was a change in a player’s value different from preseason expectations. Here are my thoughts on each team.

Braves

• They are using separate lineups against different handed pitchers. Matt Adams and Ender Inciarte are facing the righties and Adam Duvall and Johan Camargo are facing the lefties.
• Ronald Acuña Jr. has not got going yet with a (.143/.250/.179) slash line and 50% K% (25% SwStr% versus four-seamers).

Brewers

• Two handedness lineups with Eric Sogard (4 of 4) and Ben Gamel (3 of 4) facing righties and Jedd Gyorko (2 of 2) in against lefties. There is not an obvious sub with lefties.

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One issue I’ve had with pick up articles in the past is that so few ever recommend anyone to cut so which is arguably tougher than recommending who to pick. Sure, a player in question should probably be on a roster, but should it be your roster? I have a group of interesting free agents but also a player at each of those positions who you can consider cutting as well. Some of these are difficult cuts, but consider that we’re the equivalent of about 3 weeks in at this point so I think your bar for cutting someone needs to be lower than past seasons.

This article is designed mostly for 10- and 12-team leagues as a lot of these guys aren’t available in 15+ teamers and the recommended cuts are likely worth giving a bit more time to in deeper formats as well. I’m using ESPN’s roster rate for guidance.

Available Under 40% | Cuttable at 60%+

• C Danny Jansen – 15% | Yadier Molina – 68%

Pickings are a little slim behind the dish, but Jansen is off to a decent start after being highly touted in 2019 and failing to deliver on the hype. He’s hitting .235/.381/.412 with 1 HR and matching strikeout and walk rates at 19%.

Meanwhile, Molina has sputtered out of the gate at .222/.222/.222 in 18 PA. It’s obviously super early and veteran catcher will likely find his level, but he’s not so good that you must hang onto him in a 1-catcher league.

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We have a 12 game slate on DraftKings for Friday! Don’t forget to check your lineups before lock.

AGENDA
1. The Daily Overlay DK Contest
2. Casual Weather
3. Favorite Stacks
4. Favorite Hitting Plays
5. Favorite Pitching Plays

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I feel personally attacked by this poll:

Never Have I Ever: Fantasy Sports Edition –

1. Taken an early victory lap

— ThatMouthyWife (@MrsDSalinger) July 31, 2020

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The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. 1. Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
   2. Injury News 
   3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
   4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.

1. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
2. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)

Read the rest of this entry »

I went through the few American League lineups to see if there was a change in a player’s value different from preseason expectations. Here are my thoughts on each team.

Angels

• Albert Pujols has already sat in two of the six games.
• David Fletcher (1.022 OPS) is playing every day and leading off.

Astros

• Kyle Tucker (.188/.235/.313) started three straight games.
• It’s one of the more consistent lineups.

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07/30/20

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• @sporer – Host
• @justinmasonfwfb – Co-Host/Producer

NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES/RUMORS

• Nate Pearson sharp in debut (Max even better)
• Cristian Javier outduel Dustin May
• Jesus Luzardo sharp in relief, to start next time out
• Zach Plesac awesome (Aaron Civale great on Wed, too)
  • Brad Hand blows it (trouble?)
• Charlie Morton’s misleading 2nd start
  • Oliver Drake has 2 SVs, then pitched in 6th
• Rich Hill great in season debut

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