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Sep6 2021 Chat
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Brent Hershey
12:05
Happy Labor Day, all! Four big weeks left; hope you're all in the hunt in some form. Let's get to the Qs ...
Lad9
12:12
Hi Brent.  Happy Labor Day.  Two parter today. H2H points league.  Need to pick 2 of these 3.  S. Alacantara, F. Valdez, or Triston McKenzie.  On the hitter side, need 2 of these 3. Jared Walsh. Edw Escobar, A. Verdugo.  Thank you.  Enjoy the day!
Brent Hershey
12:12
Pitchers: Whoa. Depends on whether you're making daily moves or weekly. If weekly, then McKenzie for one, and a straight-up pick 'em between the others (our ratings have Sandy/Framber dead-even). BUT, if you're daily transactions of some sort, the Sandy/Framber starts an easy step above both of McKenzie's. That make sense?
Hitters: Easy; LAA has worst hitter sched this week by our numbers. Escobar and Verdugo.
DrDave-BBHQ
12:14
Needing a few SB and can add just one September roster player.  Who do I take from Nick Gordon, Jose Siri, Jahmia Jones, Billy Hamilton or Max Kepler?  Need to choose before 1pm today when rosters lock.
Brent Hershey
12:14
If only SB, then I think Hamilton. Gordon/Kepler have more PT opps, but both of their SB totals are 1H-heavy.
Jim D
12:15
morning Brent - thank you for your Labor Day labors. does my research deceive me or has Andrew Kittredge gotten every Rays 9th inning save opportunity except 1 (Enns) since second week of August? Ergo - the Rays have a dedicated closer (and a skilled one at that)? tx
Brent Hershey
12:15
Thanks, Jim ... true research never deceives! It sure seems like they've committed to Kittredge for now, and really that's all that matters. Play him if ya got him the rest of the way.
Katman
12:16
Pablo Lopez done for the season?
Brent Hershey
12:16
No inside info, but would not surprise given overall workload concerns AND the fact that Marlins have other arms to look at ROS.
Jim D
12:21
Thanks again Brent - wondering about a trend - my TreaTurner/Albies/Arozarena, all contending teams, have been conservative on the basepaths while the team that just overtook me's Ohtani/Fletcher/Baez rang up 7 bags last week. I'm one bag down (10-team redraft, NLopez on my bench, no sb league points at risk) but wondering if I should not try to keep up with the fun-loving Ohtani/Fletch/Baez crew because they're going to keep having fun while my guys will be playing serious games and avoiding injuries for playoffs. Aside from my tactical decision, do you see any general trend that teams and players out of contention generate more offense in September because the important games are hotly contested? Tx!
Brent Hershey
12:21
I have not seen research to confirm that trend in September. And in your case, I'd push back a bit on the idea that contending teams are not running / will not run as much in September. In Turner/Albies' case, for sure, there is tons at stake in these individual games (playoff placement / playoff race). My hunch would be this is a once-off quirk; however ... KC is absolutely running more than other teams overall, and Lopez is a great card to hold in case you need him for SB down the stretch (tho sounds like you don't). Hopefully your team is in first or contending ... manage the categories thusly, and good luck!
Beano
12:22
No questions. Just a thank you for doing these and best wishes for a superlative Labor Day!
Brent Hershey
12:22
And ... a hat-tip back to you also, Beano! Enjoy the games and some good end-of-summer cuisine!
Jim D
12:25
And thanks again, Brent. Rosario or McCutchen this week? Atlanta 'hitting this week' -.94 (-.96 for rhp), 6 games, 4 RHP and Rosario started 5 or 7 last week including against one lefty. Neutral ballparks. Rosario seems to be hitting in short return. McCutchen weak month but strong last week; Phil hit-this-week rating .08, 7 games (2lhp, 4rhp) in hitter friendly parks. So likely 4-5 games Rosario, 7 games 'Cutch. I can use everything but hr/rbi very contentious. much appreciated and good luck in your leagues!
Brent Hershey
12:25
I'd go Rosario, who even if it's a straight platoon in ATL could get as many AB as Cutch, who's a joy to watch when he's hot but also needs some breathers physically. Good luck to you as well!
Tyler Z.
12:29
Happy Labor Day, Brent! Thanks for doing this on the holiday.

Quick question about buy-low targets in dynasty: What are your thoughts on Alec Bohm, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and Cody Bellinger?

Much thanks!

Tyler
Brent Hershey
12:29
No prob; Tyler; thanks for checking in .. I'd rank these targets as Bellinger (longest track record, highest ceiling, struggles most likely injury-related); then Hayes (just a solid hitter who I think will eventually lean into more power) and Bohm (think he'll also figure it out; power might come later). Hayes and Bohm are close to me, but Bohm is due for a position change (1B, or maybe OF) but that will put tons of more pressure on his bat. Which makes Hayes a more attractive target than him.
wildbillhagy
12:33
@PatrickDavitt has noted on BaseballHQ Radio how the Orioles Cedric Mullins was unranked coming into the season and has had a breakout year. Several analysts aren't buying it, but there is one thing that is different for Mullins this year. He gave up switch hitting, now only as a natural left-handed hitter. How much easier or harder will it be to sustain growth for Cedric Mullins having only to concentrate on hitting left-handed?
Brent Hershey
12:33
Given the wild success he's had with just having to concern himself with one swing instead of two, I'd have to think it's going to be easier for him to sustain this, and perhaps even throw in some additional growth, than if he was still switch-hitting. Realize that's kind of a "soft" analysis, and I'd be careful about projecting much short-term growth off of this year (IE, he's more likely to regress some in 2022 than take another step forward), but, wow, the impact he's had in 2021 is one of the best fantasy stories out there, it seems (apologies to Mr. Ohtani)
Ron X
12:34
Hi Brent! In H2H points league and looking for some help on 1B to start this week: Aguilar, Cron, or Candelario
Brent Hershey
12:34
Cron if you're looking for more thump than BA; Candelario if you don't need the power as much
Herschel
12:35
Hi Brent, I am trying to hold off several teams in Saves Plus Holds (1 pt for each) and just lost Loaisiga. Is Garrett Whitlock a good replacement option for this stretch run?
Brent Hershey
12:35
Yes, likely as good as any of your choices out there. The 1pt for holds makes a huge diff; as still don't quite see him getting more than a fluke save ROS.
Charles
12:38
Hi Brent. Thanks so much for doing these chats every week. Is Bobby Dalbec someone worth rostering in a 10-teamer if you need to make ground in HR and RBI?
Brent Hershey
12:38
You're hoping for a hot streak for sure; though he made better contact and had just that in August, so maybe in would continue?. I'd still wonder in a 10-teamer, though, if there aren't some other more appealing options. And as the COVID-Sox trickle back into the lineup, will Dalbec maintain his playing time?
Kyle
12:42
There's a month left in the season but I'm already looking towards next year. Has Robbie Ray played his way into keeper position in 10-team leagues? Other options that I have to consider are Merrifield, J.D. Martinez, Jesse Winker, Joe Musgrove and Frankie Montas. I've always liked Ray from his days with the Tigers but I'm still a little concerned that he'll turn back into a pumpkin.
Brent Hershey
12:42
Hear ya on the pumpkin comment .. but has has maintained this all season long, which can be read as it's a more legit transformation than what our cynical selves would like to admit. Guess it depends on how many keepers; the only one that you list here who I'd consider Ray over would be Montas -- and even then, I'd want to dig in some. The rest have longer track records and more safety (non-pitchers, esp)
Jim D
12:45
have sent more than my share of questions this week but depending upon you queue: Kyle Freeland, pitching great up to the brief injury, two starts this week. what  % chance that he will 1) hurt himself and only make 1 inning; 2) pitch just a few innings each start; 3) have a 2-start week as if the injury never happened? thanks!
Brent Hershey
12:45
I'm taking a bit longer to come around on Freeland; the fact that the 2 starts are at some vSF and @PHI concern me just as much as his injury risk. Personally, I might shy away here if had other options and didn't have pressing category needs.
Vinny
12:50
Brent, baby! Your money, and you don't even know it!

Just wanted to get your quick thoughts on the young pitching staff that I've put together in my dynasty league.

Flaherty, Peralta, Means, Manoah, Skubal, T. Rogers, and Kirby.

Am I good to go for '22 or what?

Thanks, man!
Brent Hershey
12:50
It's young, as you state ... which of course ups the risk/reward. If Flaherty gets through the winter healthy (IE, no surgery or issues coming into camp), then you've got a nice setup here -- some reliability at the top 3 (tho no 'true' ace yet) and the next trio all very good young starters w/ experience who could take the next step. I like this approach; especially given that we know not all of these guys will work out, but you've collected similar type of guys, any of whom could do that. Kirby a great prospect to have on hand, also -- he's close and should contribute in 2022. Good luck!
Mikey
12:52
Any of these AL starters able to contribute With wins and k’s and not hurt in era and ratio:  bubic, Ryan,kowar,Suarez,Alexay or Irvin       Happy Labor Day.
Brent Hershey
12:52
I'll rank these ROS, since I think that's your focus: Kowar, Alexy, Ryan, Bubic, Suarez, Irvin. Wins out of this group, though, really tough to project. Obv Irvin on the best MLB team, but Ks/ratios a bit riskier
Rich
12:54
Hi Brent.  Harrison Bader's CT% and HctX are both back up over the past two weeks after an abysmal first three weeks of August.  Reason for optimism?  Worth rostering Bader in 12-team mixed leagues for the stretch run?
Brent Hershey
12:54
Lots of Bader talk here all year long ... sure,  Bader could be a lightning-in-a-bottle guy  -- tough to read too much into 2 weeks of ct/HctX -- but on the other hand, at this point, we gotta play some hunches, right? Better him doing this than going the other way. Still prob borderline in 12s, but more viable shot than a couple weeks ago. Good luck!
GoTigers
12:57
Hi, everyone! Brent!

My boy, Baddoo. I like him as a 20/20 guy next year. You drinking the Akil kool-aid with me? :-)
Brent Hershey
12:57
Possible, but depends on how much contact he can sustain. Also  notable that he's had only 2 SB in his second half after 12 in 1H. DET has interesting (esp in terms of fantasy production) collection of young OFers right now; seeing who separates themselves between now and next Opening Day will be important issue to follow.
Katman
12:59
Picked up Brad Miller last week coming off a long slump, hoping he’d be the main fill in for Hoskins. Hasn’t happened, as Vierling has gotten most of the ABs.
Brent Hershey
12:59
Maybe wrong, but get the sense that Vierling has made impression on Girardi. Miller is so hot/cold. But ... Realmuto going to get a bunch of starts at 1B down the stretch, too ... 1B in PHI difficult situation to handicap right now for ROS
Jake
1:01
Need some players to help bolster my bench for a playoff. Jo Adell and Bobby Dalbec are available. Do you think their recent hot streaks are legit?
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