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Ray Murphy
12:03
Happy Friday, everyone. Some good questions in the queue, I'll dive in and see how long you can keep me busy....
Themistocles
12:06
Thanks for these chats! AL only, standard rotis. What’s up with Zebby Matthews? Metrics on the site love him. Picked him up last year, and he almost wrecked my championship run. Same this year? Cut or hold?
Ray Murphy
12:06
He's a popular topic for sure, getting some chatter in our forums... probably for the same reasons. The command is there, but that was there last year too. The problem remains HRs... If he can get those under control, the rest of the skills can play. But that's a big IF...
Joey Jo Jo Junior Shabadoo
12:08
I usually abhor change. Havent cared much for many new rules that have popped up, extra inning runners, banning the shift, pitchers facing 3 batters, hell even city connect uniforms. But I really think ABS is a major improvement. Do you like it?
Ray Murphy
12:08
I do... hopeful it gets expanded. I'm not one of those "full robot umps now" people, but the biggest problem with ABS is the two challenges per game aspect. It shouldn't be a strategic decision to figure out if you should use a challenge now, or save it for later... when you only have a second to decide. I'm confident we'll see it evolve that way.
Gambler21
12:10
Hi Ray!  What PT% do you see Lawlar receiving once Gurriel returns?  AZ seems to have some PT available at DH.
Ray Murphy
12:10
Sounds like Lawler is back today. Gurriel wasn't hitting much before he got hurt, I'm not sure he's an obstacle if Lawlar hits. Waldschmidt's cooled off lately too. I don't think it will be too hard to keep Lawlar in the lineup. Hopefully he stays healthy for a stretch.
chuckp
12:15
Scoresheet league. Looking for up and coming AL only rookie relievers that stay under the 50 innings for the season
Ray Murphy
12:15
Always a fun quirk of Scoresheet. A little early to identify these guys, though... the rookie RPs who come to mind (Nunez in BAL, for instance) who have been up all year will likely clear 50 IP unless they get hurt or shut down. Keep an eye on our Callup Reports, there will be some guys who pop this summer.
Buff
12:18
11 team NL-only roto keeper. Looking for relievers mostly just to protect ratios and get K’s; any saves would just be a bonus. Any you would recommend out of Jonathan Bowlan, Jack Dreyer, Juan Morillo, Tejay Antone, Orlando Ribalta, Michael Petersen, Anthony Senzatela?
Ray Murphy
12:18
Relievers are so volatile, my cop-out answer is to use the Bullpen indicators charts to identify targets, but then to not get too attached to them... someone looks like their skills are slipping or they're wearing down, go back and get someone else.
Peter
12:18
Hi Ray, Always interested in these chats. Great stuff!

20 team 5x5 roto league with OBP and Sv+Hd/2. 12 keepers. My current list of keepers is: Wn. Contreras (C), Busch (1B), X. Edwards (2B)m Caminero (3B), Drake Baldwin (UT), Basallo (UT), Taylor Ward (OF), Colt Emerson (3B/SS?), Bryan Baker (Closer) and 3 SPs from Bradish, Sonny Gray, Ben Brown, Luzardo and Soroka.

I have been offered AJ Ewing for Basallo. OFers are my weak link and I have both Baldwin and Contreras to cover the catcher position. However, I believe Basallo is much the better hitter and while Ewing will give me more SB, he's going to hurt in the other categories. 

Have I got it right?
Ray Murphy
12:18
Yeah, you can and should trade 1-2 catchers, but look for a better return than this.
Kent
12:20
What are you expecting from Caglianone for ROS?
Ray Murphy
12:20
He's starting to heat up, of course... the best sign is that the ct% is rising. He's been hitting the ball hard all year, just now he's hitting it more often. Could be a banner 2nd half if the contact holds up.
Kenny_Powers22
12:22
Hey Ray! Thanks for your advice! NL Only TB/RBI/R/OBP/NetSB. In second overall but last in steals. Range between me and top of the category is 35 bags. Carrigg available on waivers and Luis Lara not owned but also not available to FAAB until being called up. I've currently got about 75% of my initial FAAB remaining. Thoughts on which of these guys could be an difference maker for me moving forward? Thanks!
Ray Murphy
12:22
Carrigg can run, as anyone who saw his triple the other night can attest. In terms of netSB, though, I don't think you're going to find a single silver-bullet solution. It might take a couple of roster adjustments to get you to jump up that category.
Beano
12:23
Hi Ray! NL 10 team 5x5 1. Is S Taylor going to hold the OF gig in San Diego and 2. Is it ok to start E Cabrera again?
Ray Murphy
12:23
SD does weird things, but I'd be surprised if Taylor is anything more than a stopgap in that OF. EdCab surviving Coors was a good sign, I think he's ok to activate now.
Guest
12:24
16 team. Mixed. QS instead of wins. Move on from C Rea? K Teng? Use MR who will not hurt ratios? Seems like C Rea & K Teng do not go 6 innings for a QS--much less are any help with ratios. However, I am inside looking out. What do you see?
Ray Murphy
12:24
Yeah, those aren't good targets for QS, and you're still exposed to the ratio downside. Go fish in the RP pool until a better SP becomes available.
Porcho Villa
12:26
Good morning Ray! I have some tough roster decisions to make with Drake Baldwin likely back next week. Will need to drop two of the following hitters: Ivan Herrera, Josh Jung, Benge, Bazzana, Antonacci, Perdomo, McLain, Caglianone, Bleday, Christian Walker. 12-team OBP, and my team has been power-deficient thus far with Tucker and Busch disappointing. Who would be your top two or three drops?
Ray Murphy
12:26
If Herrera becomes an extra catcher, drop him. After that, maybe Antonacci? The output is just a little empty in 12s unless you really need the bags.
Porcho Villa
12:29
Christian Walker's current extended slump is giving me flashbacks to his lost 2025. Given his age, anything to be worried about under the hood or just a cold stretch for a streaky hitter?
Ray Murphy
12:29
The latter, I think. Go to his monthly tab in PLink and check out his BABIP by month... it's all over the place. He's striking out a ton this month too, but that's a small sample. At least he's giving you power. I'd hold...
Kasey
12:29
Ray, thanks for the chat. Looking for any reason to keep Gallen in a deep NL only. Replacement SP consist of most of COL staff. Best thing available looks like Singer, Gusto, Giolito....or maybe go the middle RP route.
Ray Murphy
12:29
I'd hold him over that group... barely. None of those are appealing. Maybe MI time.
Lou
12:30
Greetings, Ray. NL-only, 12-team, dynasty. Sitting in second, in need of SB and runs. Drafted Carrig last year in supplemental round. Can he earn extended playing time, or do the returns of Freeman, Doyle, etc, limit his 2026 contribution? Would love to catch a little lightning in a bottle...
Ray Murphy
12:30
I'm the COL playing time guy on our staff, and even I don't know how to answer this question. If he hits, COL has every reason to keep him around. But if he doesn't, Moniak/Doyle/Freeman are all going to come back and push him back to the minors. What happens over next couple of weeks probably determines the answer to this question.
Guest
12:31
NL 5x5.  I've been hanging on to Mitch Keller hoping he gets things straightened out.  Am I wasting my time?  The only slightly interesting free agent SPs are  Brady Singer, Edgardo Henriquez, and Jake Irvin.
Ray Murphy
12:31
4.37 xERA isn't awful for Keller, or at least it's better than your alternatives. I'd hold until something more appealing comes along. Keep your eyes out for it, though.
Lou
12:32
NL-only, 12-team. Who is the better ROS trade target -- Webb or Luzardo -- for the combination of wins and Ks? Webb with a more stable track record, but his K rate seems to be lagging this year.
Ray Murphy
12:32
I'd target Luzardo for K's, and the better team context, both lineup and bullpen, to support the Wins.
Texasbob
12:34
What is your expectation for Y.Gomez MIN as closer?  His results seem to be much improved so far this year.  Has he changed his pitch mix or delivery?
Ray Murphy
12:34
Results are better, but skills (again, see PLink, look at xERA) are pretty much unchanged. Still walking way too many guys. That bullpen lacks alternatives, so he may hang on to the closer gig for a while, but it's going to be bumpy.
Vince
12:35
Hi! 12-tm, H2H, category w OBP … would you be holding Seager & Keaschall w likes if Antonacci and Dubon best on waiver? Thanks!
Ray Murphy
12:35
Would absolutely hold those guys over Dubon. Antonacci vs. Keaschall is a closer call.
Eric
12:36
What do you think are Edwin Arroyo's chances of sticking with Reds?
Ray Murphy
12:36
Unless someone else gets hurt, I assume he's sent back down when Elly returns.
Guest
12:39
I have been offered Betts Chapman & Nelson For Machado lawlar & Romero. 4x4 keeper league. What do you think.
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