Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Ellis Canady reviews last night's MLB box scores (8/14) and provides fun opinions on a variety of topics to help fantasy baseball owners with their lineups.

Welcome to the August 15th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox.

Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss topics but also look to improve our teams as well as the teams of our fellow fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Everyone has their own perspectives which are not to be cast off as frivolous. They should be used as a method of expanding our own knowledge.

In this article, I review the previous day's boxscores and provide my opinion on a variety of topics. Some will be random, some will be fun, and some will be stat-driven. It's a soapbox so I may rant from time to time as well. So without any further delay, below are my thoughts on August 14th games. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.

• Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
• BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
• PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
• Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
• Daily MLB starting lineups
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
• Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard
• Fantasy baseball injury reports

Daily Musings

• Trea Turner can put some giddy-up into that ball (113 MPH). No, there’s been no SB. Stop asking.
• Operator, won’t you help with this call? Jose Altuve’s AVG is low and fading.
• Brandon Lowe festivities continue (sixth HR, three RBI). Is this Coachella or something? Where did all these people come from?
• It’s a piñata party. Today’s victim: Joey Gallo w/ four K.
• How much does Anthony Rendon love his new home? Let me count the ways. HR in four-straight days. **Stop staring at his .192 AVG.
• Ok, ok. Stop rubbing it in my face. I should have more than two shares of J.T. Realmuto (eight HR)
• No denying Teoscar Hernandez is streaky. Batted .230 in seven games before Thursday. Then, three HR in two days, including a 459-foot Monster Jam. Anyone hitting the ball that hard (98 MPH on LD/FB) deserves attention. 53% owned.
• Stephen Strasburg doesn’t go an inning. Left with possible nerve irritation. Nothing we can do but wait…and do Yoga.
• The Jays hit six long balls in Buffalo. Even Rowdy Tellez (three) and Randal Grichuk (one) set off their own fireworks.
• “I won’t hit a HR unless you do, Brother.” Cavan Biggio & Bo Bichette both got five on it…together.
• Daily Trivia (Yeah, I know it just started today):
  • Which one of these guys lead MLB in RBI: A: Charlie Blackmon. “No.” B: J.T. Realmuto. “No.” C: Aaron Judge. “YES, that’s the one.” D: Anthony Santander. “Who? No.” Hmmmmm. The magic number is 20 for all.
• If he’s got five long balls and has been hitting terrible, how many will Christian Yelich hit if he were hitting well? I hope we find out.
• Robinson Cano busts off the IL w/ second long ball. Don’t let the age fool you, he’s still got a step. 112.4 MPH Max Exit Velocity.
• This isn’t your daddy’s John Olerud, this is Dominic Smith batting .321 w/ four homers in the last week.
• Hitting .364 in the last week, Gleyber Torres is heating up. One homer will quickly start multiplying. Hmm, where is BAL on schedule?
• The wheels in the sky keep on turning. So does Andres Gimenez (sixth SB).
• Gerrit Cole dominates. He also didn’t donate. It was Verdugo (four) who demanded a HR.
• **Tap-Tap-Tap on my shoulder** “I hit a homer too.” Yes, Gary Sanchez, you did but I don’t have you on any of my teams. Since it was a  457-ft thing of beauty, you get the “THUNDAH."
• Rafael Devers continues to sit in a rut (.174 AVG).
• When given playing time, he’s got the magic tauch (don’t correct my spelling or pronunciation…you know what I stretching to say). Mike Tauchman. 3-for-5, four RBI.
• Aaron Civale (6, IP, 4 ER, 3K) needed help from his friends for the W.
• Is it age? Carlos Santana w/ career-low 85.4 Exit Velo. The xwOBA (.389) and BB rate (31%) are encouraging.
• Stop! Stop reading this and go check to see if Jesse Winker (30% owned) is available in your leagues. This is nonsense. Ride the wave.  5 HR, 7 RBI, .650 AVG over last week.
• “Welcome to Chick-Fil-A (not a sponsor), how can I help you?” I’d like a 'Niko Goodrum.’ “What is that, exactly?” Check your meal sheet. It’s a deluxe Chicken sandwich with crispy waffle fries and a sweet tea…COMBO MEAL!
• One is the loneliest number. So, look to grab another HR real quick, Bryan Reynolds.
• Nasty Casty does it again. Nick Castellanos adds another long-distance salute (eight).
• Can someone reach down and help Josh Bell up? .278 xwOBA and 32.4% strikeout rate don’t look good.
• Sonny Gray rechecks his azimuth and is back on course towards Cy Young bid. 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 10 K.
• Pablo Lopez was masterful in controlling the braves. 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 K. *You do know there was no Ozzie Albies & Ronald Acuna Jr., right?” Stop downplaying.
• David Peralta. 56% owned. That’s all I’m going to say.
• Slick Jonathan Villar w/ two stolen bases, but still trails a rookie.
• Freddy Peralta (W) might be better suited for a follower/mop-up role.
• Lance Lynn unlocked the mystery of Coors. Step one: Fastball. Step two: Fastball. Step three: Fastball.
• Framber Valdez w/ W. (6 IP, 1 ER, 5 K) blessed with a nine-run lead in first.
• Cody Bellinger (four HR) gets greedy. He’s not satisfied with one. He wants the Chicken & the Waffle. Trust me, I get it. Delicious.
• Worth the wait. Yordan Alvarez slices his first souvenir into the stands.
• Edwin Rios w/ playing time. His Chase (34.4%), SwingStrike (17.9%), and 0% BB rates keep his price dirt cheap.
• With a 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 K stat line, you’re not a loser in my book, Dinelson Lamet.
• You keep asking yourself, “Is Jesus Luzardo ownable?” I believe the Giants gave you your answer. 6 runs in 3.1 innings.
• Robbie Grossman still only 12% owned. 3 HR/4 SB. Everyone's rosters must be loaded with studs in the OF.

• Endgame
  • Josh Hader (four). Steady as she goes.
  • Liam Hendriks (six). Smooth sailing.
  • Kenley Jansen (five). One out? Sure. Another great day on the water.
  • Joakim Soria (W) isn’t the closer (yet), but still providing value.
  • Trevor Gott. 0.1 IP, 5 ER. I hope you weren’t affected.
  • Hector Neris snuck in a run so he could improve his Win tally.
  • Anthony Bass in eighth of blow-out game. Jordan Romano time?
  • The Wolf is coming. Drew Pomeranz ready to take the seat while Kirby Yates deals w/ elbow pain.
  • Ken Giles w/ clean MRI. Don’t wait around for him.
  • Seth Lugo w/ 0.1 IP, 1 ER. This is a simple excuse to give Edwin Diaz a chance next time.
• Have a great Saturday everyone. Dodge the rain, make your own sunshine, & give someone a Win. Don't forget to get your FAAB ready.
• No Fear, Just Fantasy.

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