Congratulations to the H2H league winners that close the season one week early! Congratulations to those in the finals this week! I can’t believe we are already at the end of the season, this is going to be our last article of the season as we start rolling into 2024 fScores and offseason content.
What can you expect for offseason content: I’m going to be starting fScores as soon as the regular season ends. The fScores take me 300-400 hours every offseason (because I can’t code and have to manually input statistics into my smart sheet to generate the scores). There will be upgrades to the fScores, as there have been every season since they came out – including an emphasis on relating contact skills to quality contact skills and adding an emphasis on home to first speed, which leads to higher overall BABIPs so we get a better predictive tool toward batting average, rather than just having a good hit tool.
We will have updated prospect rankings before the next season starts as well, so keep an eye on that dropping.
As always with our weekly article, the goal is for us to give you the most fantasy relevant information all in one place for a variety of league types to hopefully be your one stop shop, or at least the shop you have to hit on the way to all the other shops for fantasy baseball information from news, to lineup and roster notes, injury updates, waiver recommendations for different lead types, prospect rankings, moves we made and a weekly deep dive into something relevant.
We hope you enjoy! Please subscribe to the Fantasy Aceball podcast and follow us on Twitter @fantasyaceball and @raymondatherton for more fantasy goodness!
Lineup and Roster Notes (as of FRI 9/22):
- Baltimore Orioles: It’s possible the Orioles lineup is better without Mountcastle, because now they are rocking a lineup with Kjerstad in a strongside platoon, rather than on the bench. Flaherty was moved to the pen and the Orioles are setting up for a playoff 1-2 combo of Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez.
- Boston Red Sox: Rafaela is now leading off more games than not, he’s not really in a platoon, but he does end up sitting still about 1 of every 3 games.
- Chicago White Sox: There might be some team that misses the playoffs and regrets not picking up Mike Clevinger on waivers, he’s been pretty good – despite seemingly being a bad dude.
- Cleveland Guardians: Why is Bo Naylor still hitting so low in the lineup? He should be hitting near the top. The Guardians have a nice playoff rotation… oh wait… ooops!!!
- Detroit Tigers: I’m curious to see who the Tigers call up to take the Eduardo Rodriguez starts moving forward. Are they just going to bullpen it? Brieske? Faedo? Or call up Ty Madden? E Rod was slated to start Sunday @ Oakland… if Madden were to get the call, he wouldn’t start until next week – he just started Thursday night winning the AA championship with his team.
Raymond: Miguel Cabrera’s last game ever is next Sunday. Not fantasy relevant, but he is a first ballot Hall of Famer on my favorite team. That deserves a few lines of this article.
- Houston Astros: The Astros are more or less fully healthy now, but they are going to have to play hard the last week of the season as they have a near three-way tie with the Mariners and Rangers. They have a fun series with the Mariners coming up early next week.
- Kansas City Royals: We are done here for the year.
- Los Angeles Angels: O’Hoppe is hitting cleanup and starting every day, while the Cat Jo Adell is on his fourth life and hitting fifth in the lineup while still striking out 40% of the time.
- Minnesota Twins: Thanks to injuries, Ryan Jeffers is hitting third and catching every day as the Twins stumble to the finish line. They will be hoping their stellar pitching can carry them in the playoffs and that Royce Lewis and Carlos Correa can get healthy.
- New York Yankees: Nothing new here – as I was early on Michael King.
- Oakland Athletics: Joey Estes… eww – good thing we are done here… finally.
- Seattle Mariners: It could be argued the Mariners should go 3 man rotation in the playoffs and let Miller and Woo pitch out of the pen. They have had a lot of innings this year as evidence by Miller limping through his Friday night start.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Junior Caminero is up! What!?! He didn’t start Friday night and why call him up if they aren’t going to play him? Cash is a corporate robot, so this couldn’t be a rogue manager lineup situation.
- Texas Rangers: Josh Jung is back and hitting fifth, while Evan Carter is killing it hitting at the bottom of the lineup.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Biggio hitting cleanup in a strong side platoon role is unexpected and Kirk hitting fifth at this point in the season as well, look for Chapman to move up the lineup if he continues to produce.
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Nothing new, but the D backs are in a decent position for a playoff spot.
- Atlanta Braves: Harris is hitting sixth with Murphy hitting seventh, the Braves catchers are running into some issues of late hitting-wise. The Braves might be one of those teams who come up a Clevinger short with Fried getting hurt, I would have liked to see Winnans or AJ Smith-Shawver come up rather than Vines.
- Chicago Cubs: Why did the Cubs call PCA up to ride the bench? So strange – Mike Tauchman… really?
- Cincinnati Reds: India is up at leadoff for now and Matt McLain is finally returning at the beginning of next week. It might be too late for the Reds, who really have floundered without their catalyst in the lineup. They were a year too early anyways.
- Colorado Rockies: Nolan Jones is hitting third for the Rockies now, while McMahon has dropped to fifth and Tovar has dropped to seventh.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Nothing new here, but the Dodgers are going to have to rely on some rookie pitchers in the playoffs thanks to Julio Urias being a terrible human.
- Miami Marlins: Soler is back, which adds some umpf to the lineup, making it a strong top five. Even without Sandy, the Marlins have a shot to push into the playoffs, but need to have a strong finish to the Brewers series this weekend.
- Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers can kind of walk into the playoffs at this point, they are only a few games away from making the playoffs and with some injuries – we might not see a hard push from this team the final week if they have a big series in Miami.
- New York Mets: Four rookies at the back half of the lineup… 6-9… Mauricio, Vientos, Baty, Alvarez. Mauricio and Vientos have been solid the last couple of weeks.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Alvarado should be the man moving forward for saves.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Connor Joe is leading off – one would think they would just play the kids to finish off the season.
- San Diego Padres: The Padres shuffled up the lineup and are one a roll right now and might luck themselves into the post season… it’s a long-shot, but not impossible. Bogaerts is leading off with Tatis, Soto, Machado behind him and Kim moving back to sixth, even though he has been great this season. The Padres rotation is going to be a mess next year.
- San Francisco Giants: The Giants have made a go of it this year, but they have a pretty weak team and have performed above expectations based on the paper lineup this season. Luciano is back for the end of the year.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Walker is cleaning up – finally hitting near the top of the order… only took Nolan Arenado and Wilson Contreras injuries.
- Washington Nationals: Nothing new. It will be interesting to see if the Nationals want to make a run next year, which would require some promotions and some big signings… or if they are targeting 2025 (apparently like the Mets).
Raymond’s Injury Notes (as of SAT 9/23):
It’s the season of veterans on crappy teams hitting the IL for “reasons”, and extended timelines as teams out of the playoff race are in no hurry to bring back players.
- Quick Hitters:
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- OF Brandon Lowe (Rays)- Placed on the 10-day IL with a fractured right patella. He is out for the season.
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- RP Kenley Jansen (Red Sox)- Activated from the COVID-19 IL Saturday.
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- SP Eury Perez (Marlins)- Placed on 15-day IL with left SI joint inflammation. He is out for the rest of the regular season.
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- SP Max Fried (Braves)- Placed on 15-day injured list due to a blister on the index finger of his throwing hand.
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- SS Royce Lewis- Placed on 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain. The Grade 1 strain is best case Ontario for this type of injury. It is really hard to have any faith in Royce Lewis playing more than 100 games next season, and I have been one of his biggest fans since he was drafted.
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- 3B Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)- The Cardinals placed Arenado on the 10-day IL with lower back spasms. This effectively means his season is over.
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- SP Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)- Sandy made a rehab start on Thursday, throwing four innings with four strikeouts. BUT, he left that start with renewed forearm tightness and he is heading back to Miami to be checked out by team doctors. He is out for the season as we hold our breath and hope that is all he is out for.
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- OF Riley Greene (Tigers)- Greene had TJ in his non-throwing elbow on Wednesday. He expects to be ready for the start of the year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers slow play things throughout the process. If he hit for more power I think I would be more concerned, but I expect him to make a full recovery relatively quickly. Just don’t be surprised if he gets off to a slow start next year.
Tim’s Top 8 Waiver Adds (12 Team Leagues):
NOTE: Under 70% Owned in CBS leagues
- 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pirates): Since August first, Hayes has a .320/.357/.576 slash with 9 homers (plus another one Friday night). He has a 42% flyball rate! He’s finally hitting the ball in the air.
- SP Michael King (Yankees): I’ve been talking about Michael King for weeks and now everyone else is finally talking about him too – the funny thing is I thought he was over the ownership quota, because he’s owned in every single league I’m in, but he’s not. Go get him for a two start week @ TOR and @ KC (but keep in mind, that last start could be skipped since it’s the last game of the season. In 28 innings as a starter (6 starts), he has a 34.2% K-BB rate and 2.39 SIERA.
- RP Ryan Helsley (Cardinals): Helsley has 5 saves and has not yet allowed a run since coming off the IL on September 1st. He’s rocking a 31% K-BB rate during this time, so he’s back and a nice add if you need saves.
- 2B / SS Matt McLain (Reds): McLain is coming back Tuesday, however the Reds only have a five game week next week – so the impact will be limited.
- SP Hunter Greene (Reds): Greene is owned in a bunch of leagues, but if someone dropped him – he has two nice starts he is slotted to make next week in an effort to close out the year with some innings built @ CLE and @ STL.
- SP Reese Olson (Tigers): Olson has a nice two start week next week against v KCR and v CLE, however some of this is a bit subject to change right now with E Rod apparently out for the season. The Tigers have not yet adjusted their rotation. In September, Olson has a luck driven 1.40 ERA in 25 ⅔ IP (4 starts) and with the easy starts, the luck should continue.
- SP Triston McKenzie (Guardians): McKenzie is coming back next week to make two starts and has a pitch limit of around 80 pitches, but with two starts and the need to confirm his health, he has a good chance to hit both of them.
- SP Shane Bieber (Guardians): Bieber gets Detroit next week and has been dropped in enough leagues he could be available.
- SP Jon Gray (Rangers): Gray is slated for two starts next week and the Rangers need to win, so he shouldn’t get the bench in the second start. It’s been rough for him lately, but if you are desperate for innings, this is a good play.
Raymond’s Top Waiver Adds (12 Team Leagues):
NOTE: I do not pick any of the same players as Tim.
- SP John Means (Orioles)- The strikeouts aren’t there yet, but I think they will come as he settles back in. However, you can’t complain about the numbers he is putting up since coming back. Across three starts he has thrown 17.1 innings and allowed 2 ER in his last two starts.
- 2. 2B Zack Gelof (A’s)- Gelof has exactly 13 homers and 13 steals across 61 games this season. At the time of this article he is also riding an 8 game hitting streak. He barely qualifies for this list (69% rostered), but it is worth looking to see if he is available.
Tim’s Top 8 Waiver Adds (15 Team Leagues):
NOTE: Under 50% Owned
- RP Jose Alvarado (Phillies): Alvarado looks like he is the man for the rest of the season and while there is some risk he doesn’t get every save opp with Kimbrel still around, he has availability in deep leagues and is a good bet for saves.
- OF Evan Carter (Rangers): Carter is rocking a .314/.432/.600 slash with 2 homers and 2 steals, while the BABIP is unsustainable, the plate skills are looking legit with an 18% walk rate so far – despite a near 30% K rate.
- SP Zach Thompson (Cardinals): Thompson is slated for two starts to finish out the year and with the Cardinals looking to build some pitchers up for next year, he should make both starts @ MIL and v CIN. Since becoming a starter after the trade deadline, he’s still rocking a 17.4% K-BB rate and 3.97 SIERA, despite the lackluster starts the last couple of times out.
- C Bo Naylor (Guardians): Since becoming the everyday catcher in late July, Naylor has a .254/.377/.465 slash line with five homers with most of that damage coming over the last month where he has been hitting an insane .328/.447/.656. If you need a catcher, he’s your guy.
- C Logan O’Hoppe (Angels): O’Hoppe has been a lot of boom or bust since returning from his injury and the power is unreal for someone coming of shoulder surgery who was not even supposed to return this season…this could be Josh Jung of 2022 repeating itself, so get ready for the breakout next season as O’Hoppe has 12 homers in 46 games this season.
- C Luis Campusano (Padres): The only question about Campusano is why did it take the Padres 3 years to finally start playing him. He has hit a legit .312/.352/.487 this season with 7 homers across 47 games.
- SP Kyle Harrison (Giants): Harrison had a decent start last time out and will finish the season with a tough start against SD at home. He has a high K upside though and could close out strong.
- 2B / SS Ronny Mauricio (Mets): The chase rate and ground ball rate have been bad, but Mauricio has shown the hard hit tool and speed are legit. If you need some steals from a MI spot, Mauricio is your man with 6 steals in only 17 games.
Raymond’s Top Droppable Players:
- Anyone you want
Tim’s Re-Draft Prospects (not promoted yet):
Final Week Potentials: Colt Keith, Justyn Henry-Malloy, Tyler Black, Kyle Manzardo, Ben Brown, Joey Loperfido, Jackson Chourio, Mason Montgomery, Connor Norby, Mike Vasil, Justin Foscue, Nick Frasso, Ty Madden
DEEP DIVE:
See Tim’s new top 150 prospects. He released them all on twitter as well as six podcasts for them in 25 player groups.
Moves We Made This Week:
TIM:
- TGFBI:
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- N/A
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- CBS MML:
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- N/A
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- OPL:
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- N/A
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- FAI:
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- Outbid Raymond by $2 for Max Scherzer ($27)
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RAYMOND:
- Has been eliminated in all of his baseball leagues for weeks now and is mostly focusing on Fantasy Football.
Raymond’s Stat(s) of the Day:
- I haven’t been on here in a while but here are a couple from a couple of weeks ago (September 10th) about Kyle Tucker-
- Kyle Tucker had no triples this season entering today. He tripled twice in the 6th inning.
- According to Elias, not only is Kyle Tucker is the first Astros player in history to triple twice in one inning, but it’s the 11th time it’s happened in MLB history, so about twice as rare as a perfect game.
Please find more of our work by listening to the Fantasy Aceball podcast on Apple Pods and Spotify and follow us on Twitter @fantasyaceball & @raymondatherton.
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