You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Sep27 2021 chat
powered byJotCast
Brent Hershey
12:01
Here we are, crew ... all down to this. First up, thx so much for this Monday routine; hope it's been helpful. I know it's been fun for me. I'll do what I can to get to all the questions today. Hope your squads are all either in the running .. or set up sweetly for next season. Let's go!
Katman
12:05
Thanks much for these chats. Useful advice and good commentary from the community.Took a flyer on Mikolas for $1 last spring. He’s doing ok, velocity is good, although not missing many bats. He’s got a big contract for two more years, so a guaranteed roster spot. Worth a roster spot in the spring if he’s healthy, or has has ship sailed?
Brent Hershey
12:05
All about your expectations here -- and how deep your keeper lists are. For a $1 or cheap rotation filler, he works. Healthy, will accumulate innings, on a good squad, etc. I mean we all need these guys on most of our staffs. The thing is to not expect too much ... he's never been a high K guy, and nothing in his past or since has indicated that 2018-level ratios were legit. So yes, he fits depending ... but just keep expectations as a league-average starter.
Jim D
12:12
Hi Brent! A thousand thanks for this year's wisdom. Playing time this week: L Cain + KWong (Mil) Y Alvarez (houston) and Joey Votto - all sore at the very least (Cain just back), three with time to rest for playoffs, none with anything to play for. Do they each sit a couple times this week? Bonus question - Bobby Dalbec -  3 Balt lhp but then at Washington only 1 LHP - does he play vs the 4 LHP? Tx and good luck to your players!
Brent Hershey
12:12
You're welcome, Jim! Cain would be the one I'm most worried about as far as PT; seems like Wong and Alvarez they will want to keep sharp. And Votto, too, though obv no playoffs. I'd probably consider sitting Cain if I had other options, but not get too cute with the rest.
Bonus: yeah, think he's certainly in for those 4, and has been playing at times vs. RHP, too. Good matchups for him this week.
Jim D
12:16
Hi again - Chris Sale - player link projects a 1.4 whip this week. His underlying numbers look decent tho perhaps the command is still coming. 35% hit rate. Do you think he is a guy who is still continuing to ramp up and may continue to trend toward his stellar history or is he just as likely 4.50/1.40 risky? Thanks.
Brent Hershey
12:16
The ROS PlayerLInk projections at this point are really tough to quantify. I'd lean more on our game ratings to deploy starters this week -- and it's the same thing with Sale as earlier: He likely is still ramping up some, but I'd want to have him in there if I needed him. Been through this pressure before, A+ competitor, etc. Good luck!
HarrytheK
12:21
Need to cut 2 in keep-forever dynasty. Who will I miss the least among Tylor Megill, Kyle Hendricks, Michael Pineda and Jameson Taillon?
Brent Hershey
12:21
I'm hesitant to trust Megill so far even though the skills have been solid. So he's #1. And even w/ injuries, Taillon is the clear best one here; he stays. The other 2 are close -- I'd probably slash Pineda b/c of the injury history; think Hendricks is a better bet to rebound in what was admittedly an awful season. Can justify it the other way, though, too ...
Porcho Villa
12:23
Is Darvish worth the gamble as a streamer @LAD tomorrow? He has been maddening in the 2H but actually has performed well against the Dodgers, even post-sticky stuff crackdown. And is there any chance they run him out for a second start on Sunday?
Brent Hershey
12:23
Yeah, we've got Yu as a decent shot tomorrow, even vs LA. And can't argue that he's been maddening recently. Think you go there. A second start is possible vs SF ... MAYBE by then the West is settled and SF runs out its B lineup? But of course the question is ... do they have a B lineup, given all the SFG success this year? But yeah, I'd go with Darvish.
Ron
12:31
Hi Brent, thanks for the guidance all year long. I have some roster question for my weekly points league.
1. At C, do I start E. Hasse over E. Diaz, D. Janssen, or Trevino? Need HR and RBI.
2. At 2B do I start Kiki over C. Hernandez or E. Escobar?
3. At OF do I start these 4: J. Walsh, E. Rosario, S. Marte, A, Garcia over Blackmon and Tsutsugo on the bench?
4. For my 6 SP, where we get points for W and IP, do I start Rasmussen, N. Cortes, F. Peralta, J. Ryan, H. Ryu, Glenn Otto over Corbin, J, Kowar, and J. Steele?
Brent Hershey
12:31
Thanks, Ron!
  1. Think I'd go Diaz -- combining Sept AB for PT proxy and most hitter-friendly schedule
  2. Escobar
  3. Like Blackmon some, but not sure I'd start him over anyone but Walsh. Might not even do that.
  4. Yes, those are probably line up right.
Good luck!
Beano
12:33
Thanks again Brent! Love these Q&As.  Joc Pederson or A Alford for the last week? (NL 5x5)
Brent Hershey
12:33
Saw some decent swings out of Alford over the weekend v Philly. Neither plays full time, but 7 GS for PIT/6 for ATL. Slight lean towards Alford.
Guest
12:36
thanks for these weekly chats. I am fortunate to be in the race in my NL only 10 team league.  ERA, ratio and wins categories are key. For starters, what do you think about mitch keller on pitt (2 starts). i am also thinking about Stammon and Suter as relievers who can help but SD has many options. Any thoughts about these players or anyone else who is hot and can be helpful. thanks again.
Brent Hershey
12:36
There has been some signs of life recently, but still think Keller is pretty risky in your situation. Team context (for W) not positive, either. Stammen/Suter are good options in a league where ERA/WHIP to still be determined. Underutilized strategy at this point in the season when ratios are at stake.
JoshG
12:39
Thoughts on Ryu vs NYY and possibility of a 2nd start vs BAL to close the season?
Brent Hershey
12:39
So hard to trust Ryu w/ K rate and associated metrics down. Has manhandled NYY so far, but the roller coaster season, coming back from injury, and the fact of those big RH bats in NY lineup makes me wary. And projecting these second starts is a perilous exercise this week of the season.
Rich
12:41
Hi Brent. H2H finals. I can start either Sonny Gray at CWS or Chris Bassitt at Seattle this week. Which would you choose?  Bassitt isn’t fully stretched out, but he’s facing the weaker opponent in a pitcher’s park; Gray probably has a higher upside, as he could go deeper in the game, but also seems riskier.
Brent Hershey
12:41
Yeah, tough dilemma, and you laid it out well. I'd go Gray b/c of workload concerns with Bassitt -- but it's far from a no-doubter. If wins really swing things in your scoring, tough to hang that on Bassitt.
Rick
12:43
Bader, Nimmo, or De La Cruz in a Dynasty League if I am looking for all around talent?
Brent Hershey
12:43
Just did a double-take last night when I realized Bader was up to .270 on the season. I'd roll there, given mix of skills, multi-category, experience and improving contact rate. Could be an interesting play for 2022 for sure.
Jim D
12:48
hey - Buehler, Sale, Wainwright and Peralta are scheduled for the last day of the season. I assume Wainwright won't go, make sense? And Sale won't if the Sox are already in. If the NL West is settled going into Sunday does Buehler sit? And what about Peralta, a probable, maybe 80 pitches? Thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:48
Yeah, this is the exact stuff we're facing this week (and every final week). Just so hard to predict. Like w/ Buehler; it probably depends WHAT is "settled." Would it change if LA is settled in as #2 as opposed to #1?? I'd probably agree w/ your Wainwright assessment; and Sale, too ... but what if it comes down to the final day; then Sale is probably in, and you want him. out of the four, I'd say Peralta is the safest play, even at a limited # of pitches, in the sense that he's the one most unlikely to be pitched in a WC game OR at the beginning of the NLDS. So even though it may be a tuneup start, he'll still probably go on Sunday. Good luck!
JoshG
12:50
What's the likelihood of Kershaw making his start vs MIL this week?
Brent Hershey
12:50
Lots of these, lol. In Kershaw's case, he's lined up for Friday -- I'd say that one is likely, given a bit of the Peralta answer above.
Beano
12:51
One more? what are your thoughts on Delino DeShields? Will he get more PT than Friedl? Why? And if we need a few steals, is DeShields a target?
Brent Hershey
12:51
Maybe DeS as your final outfield spot. But very risky to assume CIN going to go with a vet like this when they might want to see Friedl, IMO.
Porcho Villa
12:55
Fishing for elusive quality starts on the wire. Tough to find any with many starters on pitch counts and some teams having nothing to play for. Who would you say is the best bet of this lot:
Darvish, Pineda, M. Keller, E. Hernandez, Ober, Lester
Brent Hershey
12:55
Going by our matchup scores for this week, Pineda, then Darvish (tho weekend start up in the air) or Lester. Good luck!
Jim D
12:56
Hey again - needing K's and no blow-up - Shane Baz at NY, Tylor Megill (good ratings, terrible last 5) home Miami, Alex Cobb at Texas? Thank you!
Brent Hershey
12:56
Baz the best mix of your needs by far.
Porcho Villa
12:58
In need of a bat for offensive depth with a tight roster and some of my regulars likely to sit here and there. Just looking for best all around production (5x5 OBP). Who do you like best: Bader, Kike Hernandez, Rodgers, Hunter Dozier, Siri, N. Gordon, Gleyber, J. Donaldson?
Brent Hershey
12:58
Bader stands out here. Best mix of guaranteed PT, on a roll, good skills this season.
Porcho Villa
12:59
Long time HQ subscriber-- thanks so much for doing these chats all year. Both the quality of questions and depth / nuance of responses have been hugely helpful.
Brent Hershey
12:59
Thank you ... for the HQ sub and your kind words. These chats have been a blast!
WayOffBase
1:01
Thanks for all your help this season. Has First Pitch Florida been scheduled, rough dates will do?
Brent Hershey
1:01
Of course. Dates for FPFLA have not been nailed down just yet, but best guess is either Feb 25-27 or March 4-6. Likely in Tampa/St Pete again. Spring training!
Porcho Villa
1:01
Looks like Taijuan Walker draws a high rating against the Fish this week, but he feels hard to trust given his recent run of blowups. Worth the dice roll in your view?
Load More Messages
Connecting…