Fantasy Feud (Sara Sanchez, Shelly Verougstraete)

Sara and Shelly are joined by RotoWire's Jeff Erickson with one week to go before the trade deadline.

Discussions

24 teams still in, could that slow down the market?

Shohei Ohtani is having another monster season and if you took him in the first round you're thrilled with that decision, where were we on Ohtani and where will we be next season?

If the Marlins trade Jazz Chisholm Jr., Xavier Edwards, Otto Lopez and Vidal Bruján are all names to keep an eye on.

Don't look now, but another former Cardinals outfielder is mashing for a new team, are we in or out on Juan Yepez?

Victor Robles is having the best offensive season of his life in Seattle, is this a mirage or a real change?

Closer chaos in Los Angeles, what are you doing with Evan Phillips?

The Oakland Athletics have been one of the best hitting teams in baseball over the last two weeks, are you still streaming starters against them?

Love it or Leave it

Baseball needs to schedule the Futures Game and Draft better.

What's up with these so-called rivalries and why does it mean the Brewers and Twins only had two games immediately following the All Star Break?

David Ortiz & Adrian Beltré at the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony was delightful.

Guest: Jeff Erickson

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by FanGraphs' Ariel Cohen in this episode focused on projections

Discussions:

What's the best way to use projections in the preseason?

Is there positional scarcity in a particular spot this draft season?

According to ATC projections, Zac Eflin is an incredible target where he's going right now. What do the projections see and is it real?

Projection systems often miss on international players, what does that mean for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shōta Imanaga and Yariel Rodríguez?

Love it or leave it? We wrap up with the baseball news we're most into or out on each week.

Guest: Ariel Cohen

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Dave McDonald from Friends with Fantasy Benefits, Rotosaurus and EARTH joins Sara and Shelly for a series of debates as we enter the final two months of fantasy baseball.

Discussions:

Finding impact players on last place teams: We look at the Marlins and discuss Xavier Edwards, Jonah Bride and Jake Burger.

Late round impact bats: Both Brent Rooker and Brenton Doyle went after pick 200 and have been worth more than $20 this season, who would we rather have rest of season?

Second half studs: Four starting pitchers have been worth more than $30 in the second half, we debate Blake Snell, Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez and Bailey Ober rest of season.

White Sox Woes: Luis Robert Jr. has had a disappointing 2024, what does it mean for his 2025 draft capital?

The hot corner is heating up with news that top prospect Junior Caminero has been called up by the Rays. Would you rather take a chance on Caminero's upside or stick with the steady production Jake Burger has offered in Miami?

Sneaky good outfielders Daulton Varsho and Ceddanne Rafaela have similar production by wRC+, who are you more into rest of season?

Love it or Leave it:

Can managers just tell us what's going on with injuries?

The Olympics are great -- and will include baseball in 2028!

Shōta Imanaga fans brought heart-shaped Shōta fans to Cleveland and it was great.

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Shelly is off for her Tout Wars draft but Sara is joined by Justin Mason and Paul Sporer to make the cases for some of our favorite players this draft season.

Discussions:

Ronald Acuña Jr. had his surgically repaired knee evaluated for an irritated meniscus, is he still the 1.1?

Battle of the Reds 1B options, do you want Spencer Steer or Jeimer Candelario 100 picks later?

Are we drafting Corey Seager where he goes despite the injury risk?

Why are we into (or out on) Christopher Morel?

Was the Ke'Bryan Hayes breakout real and is there another level?

Is Yu Darvish a good value in 2024?

As you fuel up for your drafts are pancakes or waffles the undisputed king of breakfast/brunch?

Love it or Leave it?

Jason Benetti joins the Tigers as their play-by-play guy and that might be the move of the offseason

Matt Chapman signs in San Francisco

Tarik Skubal absolutely dazzles against the Red Sox

Guests: Justin Mason & Paul Sporer

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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We're just one week from the All Star Break and Lucas Biery joins the show to debate midseason decisions.

Discussions:

Which All Star snub do we think is having the best fantasy season Brandon Nimmo or Christian Walker?

Checking in on the run environment with some updated data from Jason Collette -- is this something you can adapt to or just data for consideration next draft season?

FAABapallooza for James Wood was a doozy, is it a better value to go for new prospects or save your FAAB dollars for known guys coming back from injury like Xander Bogaerts?

We put on our GM hats to debate whether the Royals should be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.

Oakland As prospect Jacob Wilson is popping on a number of metrics, are you into stashing him?

Injured pitchers are coming back we debate Kodai Senga, Jeffery Springs and Robbie Ray rest of season.

Love it or Leave it

Great piece from Cody Stavenhagen’s in The Athletic on the widely growing gap between AAA and MLB.

An Iowa State Representative filled in as an emergency pitcher and it was great.

Logan Gilbert calling his parents about the All Star Game is must see.

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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FTN Fantasy & Rotoballer analyst, Eric Cross joins Sara and Shelly to debate rookies and prospects in 2024 and beyond.

Discussions

The highest rated rookies by the FanGraphs Player Rater are currently Jackson Merrill ($21.6), Ceddanne Rafaela ($16.6) and Jackson Chourio ($16) -- who do we think will wind up with the highest value at the end of 2024?

Same concept but with starting pitchers. Paul Skenes ($19.8) and Shota Imanaga ($17.7) have both been excellent, who do we think will come out on top at the end of 2024.

Speaking of Shota, do players coming from international professional leagues have a different on ramp or set of expectations than rookies?

Let's look ahead, which pitching prospect who hasn't debuted will have the biggest impact in 2025?

Which hitting prospect who hasn't debuted will have the biggest impact in 2025?

When evaluating the five tools (running, throwing, hitting, fielding and power) which is most important as an 80-grade tool for fantasy position players?

Love it or Leave it

Logan O'Hoppe's father is cancer free and he invited 350 people, including the oncologist, to celebrate at Yankee Stadium.

Francisco Álvarez walked it off against the Orioles.

The Blue Jays did the rookie coffee run at Wrigley Field and it was great.

Guest: Eric Cross

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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That's a wrap on the 2024 regular and fantasy season and Chris Torres joins Sara and Shelly to debate:

The Giants new President of Baseball Operations is...Buster Posey?

Which ace worth more than $30 in 2024 are you most interested in drafting in 2025: Zack Wheeler, Tarik Skubal or Chris Sale?

Two pitchers who went after pick 300 have been worth $20 & $16 respectively: are you more interested in drafting Sean Manaea or Jack Flaherty next season?

High velocity pitchers are more prone to injury, given the list of dudes with the highest velocity pitches in 2024 who are you most worried about drafting in 2025?

In 2024 the HR/FB% dropped to 11.6%, are you changing your draft strategy for home runs at all?

Love it or Leave it

Grimace Mets run for the ages.

The Doubleheader on Monday was fire.

Kyle Hendricks -- long live dudes with great command, an 88 MPH fastball and a wicked changeup.

Guest: Chris Torres

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by Rotowire's Erik Halterman for an ADP deep dive as the MLB regular season kicks off in Korea.

Discussions:

Where do you want to draft? We hash out KDS and the benefits of drafting from the ends or the middle.

Pitching injuries abound and both starters and closers are being pushed up. We discuss whether you should follow the crowd or invest in bats while early pitching goes.

Our cases for round two  aces looks at Zack Wheeler, Corbin Burnes, and more.

When pitching gets up, bats move down we debate Nico Hoerner v. Matt McLain in the fifth.

O'Neil Cruz is rising, find out why Sara is still in and Erik is out.

The Devin Williams injury news creates save opportunities for someone in Milwaukee, are those saves going to Joel Payamps, Abner Uribe or would you be better off drafting someone else entirely?

Love it or Leave it?

Erik shouts out Nick Pollack on his well-deserved Lawr Michaels Award at Tout Wars, and there's no debate about this, everyone agrees Nick rules.

Shelly is very into the new MLB Spring Breakout and all of the prospect love from MLB this spring.

Sara loves that Sammy Sosa returned to Chicago for some Cubs adjacent interviews, which is (hopefully) a first step to Sammy being back in the fold  on the North Side.

Guest: Erik Halterman

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by Chris Towers to recap the DARF draft through a  series of debatable moments, moves and strategies during the draft.

Link to draft board

Discussions:

Alternate Categories: this league uses OBP instead of batting average, innings pitched instead of wins and saves+holds instead of saves. Do we love all the categories, some of them or do you just adapt to the draft in front of you?

How does a livestreamed/public draft impact decision-making and is it preferable to drafting online in a more private setting?

ADP is a useful tool but in an alternate categories draft players like Willson Contreras, Nick Pivetta and Seiya Suzuki went earlier than anticipated. How much should ADP inform your draft

Starting pitchers flew off the board with the league changing from 12-teams to 15-teams is it better to go with safe bets like Martín Pérez or upside plays like Edward Cabrera late?

Reliever strategy: how late can you wait in a saves+holds league?

Sara took Spencer Strider at number two overall, is that brilliant or mad?

Decision points: Sara was picking second and Chris was picking third which led to the following back-to-back picks: Francisco Lindor v. Corey Seager, Justin Steele v. Max Fried & Josh Jung v. Noelvi Marte. We break it all down.

Love it or leave it? We wrap up with the baseball news we're most into or out on each week.

Games are back and we are stoked!

Shelly & Chris are live drafting their LABR teams in Florida this weekend.

Cody Bellinger returns to the Cubs, we break down the deal and the Boras stare down with the league.

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Starting pitchers have been in the news dazzling us with their performances but also decimating us with an onslaught of injuries. Sara and Shelly are joined by the founder of Pitcher List, Nick Pollack, to debate all things starting pitchers.

Discussions:

There are more injuries, we can all see it, but what is causing the spike?

Max Fried has struggled to start the season, is it small sample noise or cause for concern?

We were all excited about Michael King's move to San Diego, but it's been a bit of a bumpy ride.

Were we a year (or two) early on Reid Detmers?

Javier Assad has a 2.96 MLB ERA in 158 IP -- is he legit or not?

Zack Littell has been outstanding in his first two starts, did the Rays do it again?

Love it or Leave it:

The Rogers Centre renovations have made it harder to track home plate lady and that's a loss for all of us.

There is a simple fix to MLB's ongoing quest for the perfect playoff structure.

The Red Sox brought back the 2004 crew to kick off their home opener and you will not want to miss any of it (yes, even if you're a Yankees fan).

Guest: Nick Pollack

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Derek Van Riper joins Sara and Shelly to look at players off to hot (or cold) starts to 2024.

Discussions

The best starting pitchers this season didn't generally go in round one or two. Two of the guys that went right after the general consensus aces are dealing -- would you rather roster Tarik Skubal or Tyler Glasnow rest of season?

The Phillies are the best team in baseball and two of the players driving that success are Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm, which player do we think can keep it up rest of season?

Three years ago we were sure the Blue Jays were an offensive juggernaut for years to come, but their bats are struggling again to start 2024. Is it the renovations to the Rogers Centre or something else?

Returning to a recent debate with more playing time information, we can't quit Richie Palacios or Jonny DeLuca, but does one of them have a clearer path to playing time on a crowded Rays roster?

A redraft league conundrum -- Jackson Chourio has struggled to start the season, but Jake Meyers has not. Are you ready to bench Chourio for Meyers?

Luis Gil and Seth Lugo are both off to amazing starts this season, who do you trust to keep up that production going forward?

Guest: Derek Van Riper

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Todd Zola of Rotowire, ESPN, Mastersball, Fantasy Index and Sirius XM Radio joins Sara and Shelly to debate topics inspired by recent Tout Tables.

Discussions

A.J. Puk returns to Miami in a bullpen role. He's really struggled this season walking more batter than he's struck out, but there's a non-zero chance he'll be in the saves mix for Miami. Are you holding Puk for the hope of saves or out given the skills decline?

Brandon Drury has been dreary to start the season in Anaheim and now he's on the IL with a hamstring issue. Is it bad luck that should turn around or are you dropping Drury?

It's been a rough month for corner infielders and if you lost Triston Casas he's hard to replace on the waiver wire. Are you holding Casas for the power upside later in the season or looking for alternatives on the waiver wire?

Japanese rookie pitchers are thriving in MLB this season, who would you rather have rest of season Shōta Imanaga or Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

To trade or not to trade? How aggressive should you be in trading and what's the best way to approach league mates for deals?

Performing outfielders on underperforming teams would you rather have Jo Adell or Bryan De La Cruz rest of season?

Love it or Leave it

Words mean things and Todd is begging everyone to abandon the term scuffling players and properly differentiate between command and control.

Jenny Cavnar and Julia Morales brought their daughters to work to broadcast an A's v. Astros game and it was adorable.

Statcast's new bat speed metrics are up and we are all loving the latest wave of baseball data.

Guest: Todd Zola

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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The MLB Player News writer from Rotoworld and Lead Dynasty Analyst from Fantrax, George Bissell, joins Sara and Shelly to debate key issues at the All Star Break.

Discussions

Rookie All Star snubs --  Should the Midsummer Classic do more to feature rookies like Wyatt Langford and Joey Ortiz?

One rookie who was on fire during the All Star Game was National League starter Paul Skenes, what can we expect from him in the second half?

FAAB-a-palooza Rece Hinds & Lawrence Butler edition, who were we in on and why?

Evaluating high-variance prospects like Spencer Jones or Victor Scott II.

Disrupting FAAB schedules -- would you rather it ran Sunday or do you like the one-offs around key events?

Love it or Leave it

The Futures Game

The Draft

Shohei Ohtani on the red carpet

Guest: George Bissell

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Jason Collette and Trevor Hooth join the show to discuss the early season run environment and how it's working out (or not) for some players.

Discussions:

Power and runs are down across the board, how will we adapt?

Rostering middle relievers, how do we find the guys who are vulturing wins and saves early like Reed Garrett?

Jordan Walker is off to a slow start again this season, are you riding it out or running away?

There's been a lot of discussion of José Abreu and his struggles, but what about Paul Goldschmidt? Are we worried about the Cardinals first baseman?

Heston Kjerstad is the latest Orioles prospect to get the call up, will they find enough playing time for him to justify the FAAB cost?

The Nationals rotation has been ripe for some enterprising prospects to grab a spot, but Mitchell Parker still caught us by surprise, are we adding him?

Randy Arozarena is off to a slow start but can be streaky, should you leave him in your lineup or bench him and risk missing the start of a hot streak?

Love it or Leave it:

Cole Ragans is still winless and Mason Miller is giving us reasons to watch the As.

Reese Olson looks really good for the Tigers.

Kyle Hendricks has been hit hard to start the season and just landed on the IL, let's look back on the career of a guy who  understood pitching.

Guests: Jason Collette & Trevor Hooth

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Some guys are thriving others are scuffling, Sara and Shelly are joined by Fantrax Senior Writer Lauren Auerbach to discuss how we're making roster decisions early this fantasy baseball season.

Discussions:

To hold or not to hold, which players are droppable and which are you waiting for more information on?

Michael Busch tied a Cubs franchise record with home runs in five straight games, is he a Dude or just a guy riding a hot streak?

Speaking of guys names Mike, Mike Trout is off to a hot start and stealing bases for the first time in years. 

Taylor Ward and Tyler O'Neill are both off to hot starts, who do we like more for the rest of the season?

Reid Detmers and José Berríos are both at the top of the FanGraphs player rater for pitchers, who do we believe in more?

Closers on bad teams can still rack up saves, we debate Mason Miller v. Kyle Finnegan.

Love it or Leave it?

Oakland on a bit of a series win streak and we love it that the As are sticking it to John Fisher.

The Red Sox defense has left a lot to be desired.

The Ippei Mizuhara case just keeps getting more intense and if you haven't read the charging documents you should.

Guest: Lauren Auerbach

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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There were a number of recent prospect call ups and demotions and Sara and Shelly are joined by Eric Samulski to debate the players we're most into or out on.

Discussions:

Super subs with super values, do we value multi positional eligibility guys like Luis Rengifo appropriately in draft season?

Saves have been scarce on the waiver wire. Only two of the 18 players with 10 saves or more were picked up after draft day in Jason Foley and Trevor Megill. If you're low on saves, when do you decide to punt?

There were a number of interesting pitcher debuts last week, we debate Hurston Waldrep and Max Meyer rest of season (with a shoutout for DJ Herz).

Pitching is scarce in deeper leagues, which middle relievers are you most interested in to bolster your rotation -- Jeremiah Estrada or Cade Smith?

It wasn't all call ups last week, Spencer Torkelson, Reid Detmers and Parker Meadows were sent down, who are we holding onto through the demotion and why?

Both Corbin Carroll and Michael Harris II are struggling this season, who do we believe in more rest of season?

Love it or Leave it?

Not loving Garrett Stubbs' slide into Luis Torrens during the London Series.

Cosmic Baseball is the coolest thing this side of the Savannah Bananas.

Wrigley Field hosted the Chicago Red Stars and it was the largest NWSL crowd in history (herstory?).

Guest: Eric Samulski

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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It's after Memorial Day and that means we should have enough data to make some decisions on some players. 

Discussions:

If you were lucky enough to draft number one overall, you had to make some tough decisions about who could fill in for Ronald Acuña Jr. after news that he tore his left ACL. We debate whether you should look to the Braves likely replacement in Adam Duvall or scour some other rosters for different options.

There have been some surprisingly valuable catchers this season but maybe no one as unexpected as David Fry. We debate whether he's a legit breakout or just riding a hot streak.

Back to Atlanta where one of the most valuable players in baseball is their designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Has the 33-year old found another level or should fantasy managers sell high?

Some promising young players have struggled early, we discuss some bounce back candidates in Royce Lewis and Austin Riley.

Father time is undefeated in baseball and we explore whether Freddie Freeman is still a first round candidate next season.

Cooper Criswell was a prominent pickup a couple weeks ago because he had two starts. He got lit up by Baltimore and did well against the Tigers. We take a closer look at when two-start pitchers are a good bet.

Guest: Jenny Butler

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by Randy Haines to recap the DARF draft through a  series of debatable moments, moves and strategies during the draft.

Discussions:

Elly De La Cruz in the third: the cost remains high, is his incredible upside worth the draft pick?

Corey Seager in the third: he's a proven fantasy contributor but will he be healthy for Opening Day? Does taking him have trickle down effects in your drafts?

Are you prioritizing hitting or pitching in a draft? Does the individual draft change that answer?

Slow drafts vs. fast drafts

How are we dealing with unsigned players this late into the offseason? Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell and more.

Shelly was drafting right after Randy, and you know where this is going: snipes! Bobby Miller, Bryce Miller, Jarren Duran and William Contreras were among the biggest snipes in this draft

Love it or leave it? We wrap up with the baseball news we're most into or out on each week.

We discuss the possibility of condensing the free agent window and expansion. 

We're into Terry Francona and Joe Maddon narrating a watch party of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series on Thursday night on MLB Network

We are out on the new MLB uniforms (and so are most of the players).

Guest: Randy Haines

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by the cohost of 90 Feet From Home, Joe Orrico. You also know his work from FantasyPros. With Father's Day in the rearview mirror they debate players to hold/sell-high on.

Discussions:

Replacing Mookie Betts is impossible, but is it better to find the best guy available or churn and burn?

Trade season creates fantasy opportunities. Should the Blue Jays sell and if so, would Vladito be on the move?

Young pitchers with innings limits are helping you win now, but should you be looking to trade guys like Paul Skenes or Garrett Crochet?

Format wars, would you rather play roto or head to head?

Does defense really matter in fantasy baseball?

Who do you want rest of season, Ceddanne Rafaela or Jarren Duran?

Love it or Leave it

Some aces are returning from early season injury.

Thursday's game at Rickwood Field should be a wonderful showcase of Birmingham's historic Negro League park.

How did the Dodgers somehow manage to get a mulligan on their City Connect uniforms and botch them a second time?

Guest: Joe Orrico

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Pitcher List's Director of Data and Analytics, Kyle Bland joins Sara as the MLB trade deadline wraps ups.

Discussions

Using PL Pro tools like Rolling Process+  to inform your fantasy decisions.

 The Revenge of James Click, did the Astros get fleeced in the Yusei Kikuchi deal?

Orioles add Trevor Rogers and Eloy Jimenez -- are these good additions?

Did the Dodgers or Cardinals win the big three-way deal with the White Sox?

Jed Hoyer makes a challenge trade with the Rays sending Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge & prospect Ty Johnson to Tampa Bay for Isaac Paredes -- who's the winner there?

Jazz goes to the Bronx where he'll hit lower in a much better lineup, how does that impact his fantasy value?

Love it or Leave it

Consultant ball is the worst, y'all.

Jazz needs to keep his swagger in New York and fans need to get over themselves

Guest: Kyle Bland

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Pallazzo Podcast  co-host (two L's, two Z's!) Britton Allan joins Sara and Shelly for some debates inspired by Narrative St.

Discussions 

Some second basemen you got super late are crushing it this season, who are we more into next season between Brice Turang and Luis García Jr.?

Rookie centerfielder showdown, Jackson Merrill is the presumptive rookie of the year but the Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming on strong in the second half, who are you more likely to draft?

Catcher corner: William Contreras has been the best catcher in baseball and it is not close, but second place is the ageless wonder, Salvador Perez. Are you investing in the old veteran catcher or the hottest bat as a backstop next year?

Rookie pitcher showdown, there really aren't two more different guys than Kumar Rocker and DJ Herz, are you looking for that deGrom upside in Rocker or the late round safety of Herz?

Battle of the Designated Hitter with Kyle Schwarber and his prodigious bat squaring off against Brent Rooker who is putting together a 170 wRC+ season in Oakland.

Love it or Leave it:

If you are on the fence about First Pitch Arizona get off the fence and make plans to join us all in Mesa this fall.

Heliot Ramos hit the first ever oppo taco splashdown and we have some problems with the fan who's not sure Ramos "deserves" the ball.

Isaac Paredes has a night at Hispanic Heritage night at Wrigley Field  and it was ALMOST a World Baseball Classic in Miami vibe. We're laying the ground work now for a Latino Baseball meetup in Miami at the next World Baseball Classic.

Guest: Britton Allan

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by the Senior Manager of Fantasy Content at Rotoworld, D.J. Short to discuss the Tout Wars 15-Team Mixed League draft Shelly and D.J. participated in last week.

Link to the draft board.

Discussions:

Are you a standard draft type of player or do you prefer a salary cap draft/auction league instead?

Two players in this draft used two of their first three picks on pitchers stacking Corbin Burnes and Logan Webb in one instance and Gerrit Cole and Tarik Skubal in another. Late injury news aside, we discuss pocket aces as a strategy this draft season.

Would you rather start big power or a mix of power and speed? We discuss D.J.'s Aaron Judge/Pete Alonso start

How early are you taking closers this season? We discuss Devin Williams, Adbert Alzolay, José Alvarado and more.

How early are we drafting Kyle Schwarber in an OBP league?

Catcher strategy in 15-teamers, how early do you want two guys?

Love it or Leave it?

Jackson Merrill makes the Padres roster and is heading to Korea for the early season opener.

We are all over pitching injuries this week.

Joey Votto returns to Canada on a minor league deal with the Blue Jays and this is just good for baseball.

Guest: D.J. Short

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are thrilled to welcome the head of MLB content at FTN Fantasy Vlad Sedler to the show. Vlad writes the essential "Trust the Gut" FAAB column each week and joined Fantasy Feud for some FAAB-centric debates.

Discussions:

Edwin Díaz was ejected from Sunday night's game minutes after FAAB ran for most NFBC leagues, how should you go about replacing him?

Starting pitcher injuries continue to mount, which teams and situations are you most likely to turn to for streaming?

How much FAAB should you have at the midpoint of the season? 

In weekly leagues how do you make decisions about sitting/starting guys based on schedule differences like 5-game v. 7-game weeks?

One week wonder showdown: Would you rather have Colton Cowser or Luis Matos rest of season?

Love it or Leave it

Tread lightly on trade deadline content

Waiting on Max Meyer in Miami

Sticky stuff ejections are weird in-person

Guest: Vlad Sedler

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by Scott Chu in this debut episode with some of the most pressing fantasy baseball debates we're encountering so far this draft season.

Discussions:

Why we're all about debate on this show.

Fantasy Format Wars - Favorite ways to play this game including 12 v. 15 team leagues, head-to-head formats and the Tout Wars alternate categories league (5x5 Roto with innings pitched instead of wins, saves+holds instead of saves, and on-base percentage instead of batting average). 

Player debates:

Elly De La Cruz in round two or Oneil Cruz 60 picks later?

Traded for each other and you could be picking between them in the middle rounds of your draft, we debate the possible outcomes for Vaughn Grissom and Chris Sale with their new clubs.

The Contreras brothers are right in the middle of the top two tiers of catchers and shockingly similar players, we debate whether William Contreras or Willson Contreras are most likely to make it onto our rosters this season.

Love it or leave it? We wrap up with the baseball news we're most into or out on each week.

Guest: Scott Chu

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Where did the season go? It's closing time for the MLB regular season so reliever expert Greg Jewett joins the show for some closing thoughts and closer debates this week.

Discussions

One previously elite closer hasn't thrown an MLB pitch this season but should be healthy next season are you in on drafting Liam Hendriks next season and if so where?

The Oakland A's are playing their last game in the Coliseum this week and their future home is still murky at best, what should the A's do? Sell the team? Stay in Oakland? Something else?

There is a wild competition for AL MVP between Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., we debate who we think should win the league's most valuable player award.

Two young players in the American League were worth right around $15 this season in Vinnie Pasquantino and Riley Greene -- who would we rather roster in 2025?

Young corner infielders who broke out in 2024, are you more interested in Michael Busch or Mark Vientos in 2025?

Rookie closers to keep an eye on next year, we debate Porter Hodge, Justin Martinez, Edgardo Henriquez and Justin Slaten.

Love it or Leave it

Jackson Jobe call up.

Colton Cowser little kiddo cuteness.

Philly celebration vibes.

Guest: Greg Jewett

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Mike Carter is a reliever expert and fantasy baseball analyst at FanTrax and RotoBaller. He's the co-host of the excellent Fantasy Baseball Beat podcast and joins Sara and Shelly in the waning weeks of the 2024 regular season.

Discussions

Are the White Sox the worst team ever?

Closer madness continues -- the reliever with the most value by the FanGraphs player rater is Emmanuel Clase, second is...Ryan Walker? Is it time to rethink closer draft strategy?

The hot corner is sizzling with Eugenio Suárez & Manny Machado raking down the stretch, who do we trust more rest of season?

Corbin Carroll or Matt Olson, who will be the bigger bounce back in 2025?

Justin Verlander is struggling as a starter, how (or should?) the Astros deploy him down the stretch?

The NL Wild Card race is a doozy, who do we think is going to falter down the stretch?

Guest: Mike Carter

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Sara and Shelly are joined by the Director of Podcasts at Pitcher List, Adam Howe to recap the GLARF draft through a series of debatable moments, moves and strategies in the episode.

Discussions:

Pitcher Run in the 4th Round: When there is a run do you change your strategy or stay the course? Is Tarik Skubal an SP1 and should you pivot if you're not in love with one of your earliest picks?

We've all been sniped and this time it was Adam Howe in the 13th round with Christopher Morel, leading Sara to take Tommy Edman and then snipe him right back with Nolan Gorman. How  do you react to players you love going right ahead of you with a fast clock?

Paul Skenes has thrown 6.2 innings of minor league ball and while the Pirates seem to be accelerating his development is he really a 17th round pick? How long can you stash him? Wouldn't you rather have Nestor Cortes instead?

Catcher strategy in two catcher leagues: Do you need two studs? If you find yourself somewhere after Alejandro Kirk and Shea Langeliers can late round darts on guys like Yan Gomes and Iván Herrera make up the gap?

Drafting prospects in the middle rounds Jackson Chourio went 12.12. Wyatt Langford went 13.15 and Jackson Holliday went 14.5. Are you drafting prospects with all that major league talent still on the board?

Closers are like catchers, do you need two studs and if you don't have them, how do you make it up later? Is Adbert Alzolay a stud? How secure does anyone feel about José Alvarado in the 12th round given the way the Phillies mix and match at the end of games?

How much does ADP influence a draft in the early rounds and should it?

Love it or leave it? We wrap up with the baseball news we're most into or out on each week.

Jenny Cavnar will be the A’s primary play-by-play announcer. First woman in MLB history to serve as a club’s primary, regular play-by-play voice.

Thrilled to see players like Vlad Guerrero Jr  winning their arbitration cases, but I’m over the whole process and bad blood it causes

Justin Steele shouting out Shōta Imanaga pitches and buying his cards

Guest: Adam Howe

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Baseball is back and with it come a bunch of decisions, we'll debate them today with Michael Govier from the Pallazzo Podcast.

Discussions

Ronel Blanco has the first no-hitter of 2024, are we in on Blanco long term?

Shōta Imanaga made his shutout MLB debut and shoved, but there was a lot of hard contact in this two hit shutout outing - are we worried about what happens when the wind is blowing out at Wrigley?

It wasn't all great starts, Bailey Ober threw 1.1 innings with eight earned runs. Are we already over Ober?

Two early round picks with similar early lines: who has the better overall roto season: Luis Robert Jr. or Elly De La Cruz?

Milwaukee closer watch: Abner Uribe gets his third save as we're recording, does he have a lock on the job long term?

Oswaldo Cabrera has gotten an opportunity to start and is not missing his shot, you could do worse at your CI position.

Love it or Leave it 

Govier is overjoyed with all of the baseball news and this is why he's fantasy baseball's number one hype man.

Is the Red Sox rotation good, actually?

This is probably a love it for some and a leave it for others, but man Juan Soto looks like he was born to be a Yankee (sorry, Shelly)

Guest: Michael Govier

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Ryan Bloomfield from BaseballHQ & Bubba and the Bloom joins Sara and Shelly for debates inspired by his Bloomboards.

Discussions:

FAAB market watch process

The Rockies have struggled on the road but they've also struggled at Coors Field, are we streaming or fading the Rockies hitters going forward?

To stash or not to stash? Jackson Holliday was sent to Triple-A. Where are we still holding on to Holliday.

Struggling hitters: it's early but Alex Bregman has struggled is this just a cold streak or is there cause for concern?

Post, post, post hype sleepers: Jo Adell is off to a great start this season are we back in?

Relievers converting to starters is a trend in 2024, would we rather roster Jordan Hicks or Reynaldo López rest of season?

Salvador Perez is off to another hot start, beyond helping your fantasy teams this season, could he keep this up for long enough to make a Hall of Fame case for himself?

Love it or Leave it

The MLB jerseys are going back to what we know and love after player and fan pressure on Nike.

Elly De La Cruz is unbelievable and must-see TV

The Cubs visited Fenway Park over the weekend and we all agree baseball fans deserve another Cubs v. Red Sox World Series.

Guest: Ryan Bloomfield

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Kevin Hasting from Pitcher List and the "On The Wire" podcast joins Sara and Shelly to discuss some key player takeaways one quarter of the way into the MLB season.

Discussions:

Blue Jays hitters have underperformed since the renovations to the Rogers Centre and Bo Bichette is off to a particularly slow start. Is there cause for concern or is it just a cold stretch?

William Contreras is the fourth most valuable hitter in baseball according to the FanGraphs player rater, is this a breakout or just a hot streak?

Closer chaos: closers get pushed up every draft season, but the most valuable closers so far weren't in the top tier during draft season. Are early closers a good investment? 

The Rays are Raysing and this time Jonny DeLuca and Richie Palacios find themselves fighting for playing time -- who do we like more rest of season?

Michael Massey has been hot recently would you rather take a chance on Massey or stick with a proven guy like Jeff McNeil?

Jack Flaherty is off to a great start, is it sustainable?

Love it or Leave it

Baseball is better when everyone competes and we love seeing the Nationals, Tigers, Royals, Athletics and other teams hovering around .500.

Gunnar Henderson had an epic Star Wars bat for May the Fourth be with you celebrations.

Dexter Fowler was drafted out of high school but  promised his parents he'd finish his degree. He kept his word and graduated from Penn State this week.

Guest: Kevin Hasting

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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It's baseball eve and Yahoo's Andy Behrens joins Sara and Shelly as we discuss some of our hottest takes heading into baseball season.

Discussions

Ceddanne Rafaela has been red hot this spring, is a breakout season on the horizon?

Kutter Crawford is the pitcher everyone thinks Brayan Bello is.

Nelson Velázquez is a 35+ home run bat as the designated hitter for the Royals.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be in the Cy Young conversation right up there with Spencer Strider.

Is Jared Jones a streamer, a DUDE or a bust?

Richie Palacios is the next great ex-Cardinals outfielder

Love it or Leave it (one thing from baseball each week we are into or over)

We hate injuries but with Dylan Carlson out to start the season, Victor Scott II will get a chance to steal some bags and make spectacular plays in center for the Cardinals.

Shōta Imanaga will be making his MLB debut at the Wrigley Field home opener on April 1 and that's just magic.

Draft season is over! Now all the fun begins.

Guest: Andy Behrens

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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Brian Entrekin (aka KC Bubba) from Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, The Bubba and the Bloom podcast and Benched with Bubba joins Sara and Shelly for a series of debates inspired by the first 11 rounds of Rob DiPietro's "Way Too Early Meatball Draft." 

Discussions

Shohei Ohtani goes 1.1, would we draft Ohtani 1.1 or opt for a player like Aaron Judge or Bobby Witt Jr. instead?

Young outfielders in the second round, Corbin Carroll goes 18th overall and Jarren Duran goes 20th overall, who would we rather take in the second round?

Massive closer run in the third, would we rather take Emmanuel Clase, Edwin Díaz or another closer in this group?

Lots of injured starters taken in this draft, which pitcher are you most into who hasn't thrown a pitch in 2024 between Shane McClanahan and Brandon Woodruff?

It's the first NFBC draft of the year how are we balancing risk, upside and reliability?

Biggest surprises of the draft? From James Wood to Sandy Alcántara and Zach Neto to Seth Lugo what caught our eye?

Love it or Leave it

Joey Votto should return to Cincinnati for one day so we can send him off the way he deserves, and can he maybe take Rob Manfred's job next?

The Portland Seadogs' Emma Tiedemann and Rylee Pay became the first female duo to broadcast a Red Sox game.

Guest: Brian Entrekin (aka KC Bubba)

Hosts: Sara Sanchez | Shelly Verougstraete

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