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Apr17_2026 BHQ Chat
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Ray Murphy
12:05
Happy Friday everyone! It's a long weekend here in MA, as we get ready for the annual Patriots Day weekend (annual reminder about your 11am ET lineup lock time on Monday!). We've got a full weekend of ball before then and a bunch of questions lined up, so let's get to it...
Fantasy Coach
12:08
What is going on with Michael Busch? 12 Team 5x5. Is it safe to look for someone else or should I keep waiting and wondering?
Ray Murphy
12:08
Looking at his PLink page, what jumps out is his QBaB (FCf) compared to last year's ABb. He's not hitting the ball hard, at all. Contact rate isn't bad. Cubs have also faced a decent chunk of LHPs, he's only got 50 PA vs RHP. I'd be patient.
Ron
12:10
Happy Friday, Ray.
18-team 5x5 league: How concerned are you about Senga's velocity drop over his last two starts? He went from sitting 97-98 early to 94-95 late against the Giants, then completely fell apart against the A's. In a deep league with limited SP options on the wire, is Garrett Taylor a good stash — someone who can give you 100+ innings of solid ratios with strikeout upside?
12-team 8x8, scores Ks, OBP, SLG: I picked up Jordan Walker and I'm a believer, but is it a no-brainer to move him in a package for a stud like Freeman or Harper while his value is high?
Ray Murphy
12:10
Senga: it's easy to overinterpet trends in 3 GS, but yeah, vel drop is a concern. Taylor's a good pitcher, have to figure CHW will use him in an important role. Sounds like they're leaning toward stretching him out.

Walker: I'm a believer too, but yes, I'd sell high for a stud in non-dynasty.
Camden Bird Watcher
12:12
NL-only rank these middle guys on chances of grabbing a closer role: Kilian, Winn, Morillo, Zerpa, Senzatela, Jaden Hill.  Tks
Ray Murphy
12:12
All very long shots. I think I mentioned on Monday that I think SF is a muddled mess all year. None of the other guys excite me even a little. Make me pick one, I'll go Senzatela. (and I can't believe I just wrote that)
Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo
12:14
I miss Patrick Davitt's podcast. Tell him he did a great job. Has then been any discussion if someone might step up to fill that role? It's a great tool especially during spring training while we do our prep.
Ray Murphy
12:14
I talked to PD the other day, actually. He specifically mentioned that he appreciated all the kind messages sent when he hung up the microphone.

We're discussing the future direction. No answers yet, but don't delete your BaseballHQ radio feed from your podcatcher.
Porcho Villa
12:14
Have to drop an SP to activate Rasmussen (12 team 5x5 QS). Who’s out: Burrows, Ryne Nelson, or Randy Vasquez?
Ray Murphy
12:14
Burrows.
Porcho Villa
12:16
Antonacci worth as a Colt Keith alternative with him in a platoon? OBP league
Ray Murphy
12:16
Alternative as in, drop Keith for Antonacci? I don't think I would do that. But if you're just adding him as an alternative/daily lineup partner for when Keith sits, sure.
Themistocles
12:17
AL only, standard rotis with keepers. W+QS as one category. Need to upgrade my bullpen and it comes down to dumping one of my two underperforming starters. Should it be Kyle Bradish at $7, or Sonny Gray at $17? Thank you as always.
Ray Murphy
12:17
Sorry, there's no way these are your two most droppable pitchers in an AL-only league.
Carl
12:19
Skills not roles is a mantra here.  Does Dalton Rushing test the limits of that mantra?   I mean, right now, he's one of the top catchers in the league, but he can't continue to hit a HR every game.
Ray Murphy
12:19
He has to be on the verge of breaking down the door and forcing his way into the lineup, at least a couple of times a week.
nL only
12:19
5 x 5 with saves, ROS, michael Harris or PCA? Abner uribe or Robert Suarez
Ray Murphy
12:19
PCA and Uribe.
will
12:20
Thank you Ray, if its your team, Grant Taylor starter or closer? same for Mason Montgomery and Jack Perkins?BONUS QUESTION..does Leasure starting and Kay relieving( he found out an hour before the game he wasnt going to start) make you wonder if CWS are just guessing instead of developing pitchers?i
Ray Murphy
12:20
This all seems a little harsh. I'd give the White Sox some credit for trying to ease Taylor in slowly. Sounds like they're trending toward starting him. But there's a role in today's game for multi-inning relievers too. Buy the skills and be patient, these things tend to work themselves out.
Pitching Woes
12:21
5x5 NL only league. Please rank ROS: J. Junk, C Mlodzinksi, B Sproat, L. Roupp, J. Taillon.  Thanks!
Ray Murphy
12:21
Roupp, then Mlod, then I start to lose interest.
Steve
12:23
What's Parker Messick's upside for 2026? Could he be a top 25 starter going forward?
Ray Murphy
12:23
That seems a little aggressive. I have a lot of faith in CLE and how they handle their young arms. But 21% hit rate, 89% strand are telling. 3.07 xERA is still very nice.... but I'm not sure there's enough stuff or elite command here to get him to top-25 territory. Nice mid-rotation piece? Sure.
Barry
12:24
Thanks for chat!  AL only 4x4 with OBP. I need two OF. Please pick two between Raley,Jackson (Bal 1game eligible), Antonacci, Cortez, Deluca and Dominguez (our next draft is May 3). Thanks
Ray Murphy
12:24
Not to be dismissive, but a lot is going to change between now and May 3. You'll probably be considering a totally different list of names that week.
Joey
12:28
Please rank Mick Abel, Randy Vasquez, Max Meyer and Jeffery Springs for this season only in standard 5x5.
Ray Murphy
12:28
Tough group. Some regression coming for all of them I think. I'll take Vasquez first (check out today's Arsenal Report), then Abel (command hadn't been there until last start, lets see that again before we hype him too much). I like Meyer quite a bit, worry about Springs in that park as it warms up. 17% hit rate propping him up so far.
Jordan Walker
12:29
How many homeruns do I finish the season with?
Ray Murphy
12:29
More than the 21 we're currently projecting. How about... 34?
Beano
12:30
Ray, how long a leash does one give Sasaki? I don't understand why LA doesn't send him down to get things worked out. I have him for $4 in an NL 10 team 5x5 and I am fearful of his numbers!
Ray Murphy
12:30
I said on Monday, I think to you, that I wouldn't touch him. I assume LA sends him down to work on his command at some point, but no reason you have to suffer through it. A complete stay-away for me right now.
Barry
12:31
please rank for potential closer AL 4x4 Silseth, Joyce, kuhnel, Tyler Roger’s or Uceta. Thanks for chat
Ray Murphy
12:31
Possession of even a share of the role being 9/10 of the role, Kuhnel first. Sounds like Silseth is moving up the latter in LAA. Rest are a ways away, I think.
Louie
12:31
Hey, Ray ... happy Friday! Who do you like better as a 3B IL stash -- Barger or Royce Lewis? Thanks!
Ray Murphy
12:31
Royce's ceiling is far higher, I'd say.
Art
12:33
Thanks for the chat! 10 team AL only standard 5x5 roto. How would you rank the following for the rest of this season? Butler, A Martinez, Valera and Beavers. Are they close or one or two clearly better? Thanks.
Ray Murphy
12:33
Would have said Butler before the season started and I'll stick with that. Pretty intrigued with Martinez, though.
Dan
12:36
Happy Friday, Ray! (I miss your "Happy Friday, PD!" BTW). 4X4 NL only and hurting for saves.  I have Walker if you want to call him a closer and Robert Suarez, hoping at some point he'll get some saves with Atlanta.  I have room for two of the group of three of Winn and Kilian of SF and Herget of COL.  Grab the two SF guys and try to lock in SF's saves (though who knows what Vitiello is doing) or grab the two best skilled guys which probably is Winn and Herget, hoping for some COL saves to fall in my lap?  Projections are all fairly similar.  Thanks!
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