Archive for fantasy baseball

Some weekend IL moves could disturb the tranquility in the Rockies’ and Pirates’ outfields, while the Cubs have already made a notable shift there. Here’s the weekly NL lineup breakdown.

Arizona

Christian Walker has started seven games in a row, so even with Kevin Cron back up from the minors, there is no apparent first base controversy. Cron could fill the DH slot for this weekend’s series in Toronto, and it would not be surprising if he got sent down afterwards.
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The Giants are not exactly one of the tougher matchups for a pitcher, and especially not for a lefty, as they rank dead last in wOBA against southpaws. Even so, I did not see Jason Vargas tossing a complete-game shutout against them on Wednesday night.

Given the lack of resistance we have come to expect from the Giants’ lineup, that start alone probably would not have made me take notice of Vargas as a fantasy option going forward. Wednesday’s outing in combination with his previous start — a seven-inning, one-run affair on the road against the Dodgers — does give me reason to pause. Looking even further back, Vargas had been effective over a five-start run that was interrupted by an IL stint for a strained hamstring. During that stretch, he posted a 2.74 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, and though he did not last more than 5.1 innings in any of those starts, he recorded three game scores above 50 and never fell below a 45 game score.
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This week’s lineup analysis includes some not-so-great news for Keston Hiura, but some encouraging developments for Matt Carpenter and Kyle Schwarber…

Arizona

Christian Walker hasn’t lost much playing time to Kevin Cron, having started five of the seven games since the latter first baseman’s callup. Cron is now out of the picture, having been optioned back to Triple-A Reno after Thursday’s game. During the Cron Era, Walker was just 3 for 22 with six strikeouts, with two of those hits (including a home run) coming on Thursday.
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Pedro Strop is close to returning for the Cubs, but will he also return to the ninth inning? Because nothing is ever easy in fantasy baseball, the answer is not clear.

Joe Maddon has stated previously that he does not have to go with a single closer, yet he has leaned heavily on Steve Cishek in Strop’s absence. Still, that should raise some doubt about whether Strop will have save opportunities all to himself when he comes back from his IL stint for a strained left hamstring. His return could happen in a matter of days, as he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday and then may rejoin the team without having to go on a rehab assignment.
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You’ve been waiting for it…Gabe Kapler finally made a change to his lineup, and it’s not one of those one-and-done types of changes. That — and some changes impacting catchers — are among the more notable developments in National League lineups this week.

Arizona

There are no major changes here. With Wilmer Flores (foot) going on the IL, there is an opportunity for Ildemaro Vargas to get some starts against left-handed starters. Perhaps Ketel Marte will play a little more often at second base, giving Jarrod Dyson a slight boost in playing time in center field. Maybe Dyson’s start against left-handed Matt Strahm on Tuesday was more than just a random occurrence.
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The ground ball has been Luke Jackson’s best friend this season, and on Tuesday night it was his worst enemy. Jackson is one of only two qualified relievers to have a ground ball rate above 70 percent (Zack Britton is the other), and that had helped him to compile a 2.31 ERA with six saves heading into the Braves’ series in San Francisco. He was called on to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday night, and he began predictably enough by getting Evan Longoria to hit into a groundout. Then Brandon Crawford stung a line drive for a single, but Jackson struck out Steven Duggar to get on the cusp of his seventh save.

That’s when the parade of ground ball singles began. Kevin Pillar and Pablo Sandoval both got base hits on grounders that had xBAs of .250 and .090, respectively. Pillar’s single scored Crawford, and then both Pillar and pinch-runner Mac Williamson scored on a Joe Panik grounder that just eluded the outstretched glove of Ozzie Albies, giving the Giants a walk-off win.
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When you drafted Eddie Rosario a couple of months ago, you probably took him after the first 75 players were already picked. He may have even been the third outfielder you selected. Yet based on what Rosario has done over the nearly two months since opening day, you might rightfully believe you snuck a player with first-round value onto your roster, long after the elite hitters came off the board.

Rosario has played in all but two of the Twins’ 47 games to date, and his total of 13 home runs has him on a pace to finish in the 40-to-45 range. He is also on a trajectory to finish with more than 120 runs and 120 RBIs. Even putting those numbers into the context of this season’s power explosion, it’s clear that Rosario is having a dramatic breakout campaign, as those marks would obliterate his previous career highs (27 home runs, 87 runs, 78 RBIs).
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In Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, Chris Martin had just his second chance for a save since Jose Leclerc was moved out of the closer’s role nearly three weeks ago. Martin was working with just a 3-2 lead, and after Dexter Fowler launched a one-out solo homer, that lead was gone. Even though that was the only hit Martin allowed, already the clock is ticking on his time as closer.

That, however, has more to do with the recent improvements Leclerc has made. He was spotless in pitching the fifth and sixth innings on Sunday, striking out five of the six batters he faced, and Leclerc has induced swings-and-misses on 11 (or 20.4 percent) of his last 54 pitches. When asked about Leclerc’s proximity to getting back his old ninth-inning job, Chris Woodward replied, “he’s real close.” If Leclerc does not get the Rangers’ next save chance, it sure sounds as if he may get the one after that.
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For a change, the meat of this week’s lineup update on the Padres does not involve the outfield. Also, changes could be on the way for the Cardinals and Nationals. Read all about it in the team-by-team lineup breakdown for each National League squad.

Arizona

The Diamondbacks have faced only one left-handed starter in their last nine games, but that has not meant steady playing time for Jarrod Dyson. He and Wilmer Flores have been splitting time against righties (with Ketel Marte typically moving to center field when Flores plays second base), so Dyson has started only five of the last nine games.
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Remember when Joe Maddon had said that virtually every reliever in his bullpen could get a crack at some saves, with Pedro Strop (hamstring) on the IL? I’m starting to get a little skeptical.

Steve Cishek pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out the Cubs’ 4-1 win over the Brewers on Sunday night, and he has been Maddon’s choice to pitch in both save opportunities that have arisen since Strop sustained his injury. Maddon did show an openness to use other relievers in a closer-type situation on Saturday, when he summoned Brandon Kintzler and Kyle Ryan to pitch the top of the ninth in a 1-1 tie (with Cishek coming in for the 10th inning). However, it is looking clear that Cishek is Maddon’s preferred choice to close in Strop’s absence. For now, I am still designating the Cubs’ situation as a committee.
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