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Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox (6/18/19)

Welcome to the Tuesday, June 18th 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 June 18th. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:

 

Daily Musings

  • Masahiro Tanaka 10-4 in 17 starts w/3.06ERA, 0.91WHIP vs TB. Yep. Domination.
  • When I move, you move. Just like that. When I HR, you HR. Just like that. Mike Trout(20) & Shohei Ohtani(9). Fifth game this year they’ve HR in same game.
  • Edwin Encarnacion w/o beard is like….....baby smooth.
  • Cavan Biggio w/two HR. Let’s look under the hood. .233AVG. 28%K Ugh. .378OBP, .517SLG, 19%BB. Ok. looking good. 51.3%FB. OH YEAH!! Drank that fly-ball kool-aid. 18.6-degree launch angle. 92mph avg exit velo. Oooh-Weee. He ain’t gonna run after you (11.9% chase). He doesn’t swing & miss (7.6%). Plus, Biggio Loves The Lefties (.294); keeps it on the ground (50%). Vs righties, all five HR, 66.7%FB leading to .182BABIP. Short story long, me likes.
  • Michael Brantley batting .185 over last week. Everyone has dry spells.
  • Yonny concert was beautiful (6IP, 3ER, 6K vs NYY). Yonny Chirinos gets OAK next.
  • Why is Tyler White getting at-bats?! Two HR, .196AVG last 30 days. And you say there’s no room for Kyle Tucker.
  • Luis Castillo (7-1) must love Derek Johnson about now.
  • Ever notice how people say they were totally right about something and they told everyone so. Like the FAABpocalypse, everyone’s coming out of woodworks saying they said Brendan Rodgers, Nicky Lopez, Keston Hiura, etc were a waste of money. Nobody knows for certain what’s going to happen. That’s why we love baseball. I’m sure the story of validity would be the same if the opposite players had performed well.
  • Speaking of, Yordan Alvarez. People love him. No one down on him, at all. Anywhere. Are these truthers gonna show up if the 63% contact, 13.7% swinging strike, and 28%K leads to some dry periods? People don’t always have to be right or wrong. Enjoy the game as it is, both real and fantasy.
  • Aren’t we glad the Ronald Acuna-as-a-cleanup-hitter plan didn’t last? At leadoff, 10HR, 27RBI, 7SB, .323AVG in only 16 more plate appearances than the four-hole (7HR, 21RBI, 2SB, .278AVG).
  • Oscar Mercado is a breath of fresh air in Cleveland. 4HR, 4SB, .304AVG. Only 24% owned. Good add. In Texas now & vs. DET next.
  • Mike Clevinger stumbles in first outing back (4.2IP, 5ER, 7K). DET next, at home. All-in.
  • Hunter Pence on IL and Nomar Mazara hobbled, Danny Santana is poised to excel w/a week at home followed by series in DET. He chases ALOT 40.6% w/13.6%swinging strikes. Despite that, he has 5HR, 8SB, .305AVG (.402BABIP). Santana only 11% owned.
  • Carlos? Carlos Carrasco? Are you here?
  • Elieser Hernandez (6IP, 1ER, 6K, 0BB vs STL). I’ll save a couple of dollars for you this weekend. Keep your head down in Philly.
  • Matt Chapman w/only one HR in last two weeks. 29%K in June. C’mon Matty boy.
  • Ian Kennedy is the closer in KC? *palm to forehead*
  • Manny Machado. You were born in July. Can’t celebrate in June(4HR, .448AVG last week). Trying to double the first couple of months of production.
  • Joey Lucchesi, you mesmerize me. Seven scoreless w/five K vs MIL. Should I just mark you down for a W in PIT?
  • Flock to Joc when he's hitting HR. Avoid otherwise. We are in Avoid Joc Pederson mode now, except he has six righties in the next nine days. Damn.
  • Yes, bad teams do get saves. Shane Greene(20) & Will Smith(19).
  • Dust off Giancarlo Stanton shares. Back today. Maybe he'll match Justin Upton's return output (2-for-4, HR).
  • That sideways look my dog gives me. He must have heard Tyler Beede beat Kenta Maeda.
  • Enjoy your Tuesday baseball, maybe even with some tacos.

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Spencer Knight

Shuts Down the Wild on Thursday
Adam Fantilli

Scores Two Goals in Victory
Francisco Alvarez

Pulled Early Thursday With Back Tightness
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Exits Early with Ankle Sprain
Daeqwon Plowden

Moves Into Starting Lineup Thursday
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

the WR1 Overall in Fantasy After Career Year?
Noah Clowney

Won't Play Friday Vs. New York
Patrick Mahomes

Is Patrick Mahomes No Longer a Trustworthy QB1 in Fantasy?
GG Jackson II

Unlikely to Play Against Boston
Naz Reid

Could Sit Again Friday
Josh Hart

Ruled Out Friday Against Brooklyn
Jalen Brunson

Set to Play Against Brooklyn
Brice Sensabaugh

Out Against Milwaukee
John Konchar

Out Thursday Against Bucks
Kyle Kuzma

Ready to Play Thursday Vs. Utah
Myles Turner

Set to Return Versus Jazz
Kevin Porter Jr.

Sidelined Against Utah
Donovan Mitchell

Ruled Out, Jaylon Tyson to Start Thursday
Auston Matthews

Ruled Out for 12 Weeks
Austin Reaves

Cleared to Play Thursday
Yaroslav Askarov

Still Out Thursday
Luis Severino

to Start for A's on Opening Day
Stephon Castle

Ruled Out Thursday Against Suns
Michael Porter Jr.

to be Re-Evaluated in 2-3 Weeks
Kirill Kaprizov

Won't Play Against Blackhawks
Nique Clifford

is Downgraded to Out
Kawhi Leonard

Ruled Out Against New Orleans
Alex Tuch

Expected to Return Thursday
Grayson Allen

to Miss Second Straight Game
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Good to Go Against Miami
Noah Laba

Unavailable Against Blue Jackets
Daniss Jenkins

Moves into Starting Five
Andrew Copp

Returns From Three-Game Absence
Josh Anderson

Won't Play Thursday
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Still Looking for Receiver to Complement Terry McLaurin
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Named Mariners Opening Day Starter
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Jose Ramirez Back in Cactus League Lineup on Thursday
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Pirates Officially Name Paul Skenes Their Opening Day Starter
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Will Justin Herbert Have Higher Fantasy Ceiling in New Offense?
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Eagles Agree on One-Year Deal With Dameon Pierce
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Officially Suspended for Entire 2026 Season
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Trending Up Despite Frustrating Rookie Season
Tee Higgins

Solidified as a Weekly Fantasy Contributor with QB Healthy
Evan Engram

Faces a New Challenge in 2026
Ladd McConkey

Has Terrific Opportunity to Bounce Back
Jaydon Blue

Destined for More Volume in Second Season?
Carson Williams

"Likely" to Be Rays Opening Day Starting Shortstop
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Will Open 2026 on the Injured List Due to Shoulder Impingement
Oronde Gadsden

Mike McDaniel to Maximize Oronde Gadsden's Skill Set?
Keaton Mitchell

Could "Thrive" in New Offensive Scheme in L.A.
Jake Elliott

Eagles Rework Jake Elliott's Contract
Carson Wentz

Vikings Re-Sign Carson Wentz to One-Year Deal
Tylan Wallace

Browns Agree to Terms With Tylan Wallace
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Posts Another Three-Point Performance in Victory
Jackson Blake

Collects Three Points on Wednesday
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Cole Hutson Scores in NHL Debut on Wednesday
TreVeyon Henderson

Establishing Himself as a Fantasy RB1?
Caleb Williams

Looking to Build Off Second-Year Breakout
Elijah Arroyo

Stuck in Depth Role for the Foreseeable Future
Tre Tucker

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Max Fried

to Start on Opening Day for Yankees
Jack Bech

Still Trending Up Despite Increased Competition?
Arizona Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Not Naming a Closer to Begin the Season
Adrian Kempe

Could Return Thursday
Mason McTavish

Sits Out Second Consecutive Game
Ross Johnston

to Miss 3-4 Weeks
Jonathan Drouin

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Eric Robinson

Rejoins Hurricanes Lineup
Shayne Gostisbehere

Sits Out Another Game Wednesday
Sidney Crosby

Returns to Action Wednesday
Matthew Liberatore

Named Cardinals Opening Day Starter
Roki Sasaki

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Akshay Bhatia

Withdraws From Valspar Championship
José Berríos

Jose Berrios has Stress Fracture, Won't be Ready for Opening Day
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Alberto Mendoza Drawing Positive Reviews at Georgia Tech
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Impressing in Nebraska's Spring Practices
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Bags a Shutout in Vegas
J.J. Spaun

Offers Upside Despite Poor Course History at Innisbrook
Brock Boeser

Logs Three Assists Tuesday
Jeremy Peña

Opening Day "Not Ruled Out" for Jeremy Pena
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Johnny Keefer

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Valspar Championship
Billy Horschel

a Volatile Play at Valspar Championship
Ben Griffin

Looks to Rebound at the Valspar Championship
Corey Conners

Brings Elite Ball-Striking to Valspar Championship
Cole Ragans

Named Royals Opening Day Starter
Xander Schauffele

Trending In The Right Direction For Valspar Championship
Sahith Theegala

Has Shot to Challenge at Valspar Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Looking to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Nicolai Hojgaard

Finding Rhythm For Valspar Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Hot Start to 2026 Heading to Valspar Championship
Pierceson Coody

Heads to Valspar Championship Following Two Missed Cuts
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch in Cactus League Game on Wednesday
Seiya Suzuki

has Sprained Knee, Opening Day Availability Unclear
Seiya Suzuki

Diagnosed With Strained PCL
Zach Neto

Making his Return on Tuesday
Wyndham Clark

Searching for Momentum at Valspar Championship
Justin Thomas

Is Justin Thomas Back Ahead of This Week's Valspar Championship?
Jordan Spieth

to Bounce Back at Favored Valspar Championship?
Brooks Koepka

is Starting to Find His Groove Again Ahead of Valspar Championship
Viktor Hovland

is One of The Best DFS Plays at Innesbrook
Rasmus Hojgaard

to Get Back on Track at Valspar Championship
Tony Finau

is Again a Scary Option at Valspar Championship
Blades Brown

Continues PGA Tour Run at Valspar Championship
Josh Emmett

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Kevin Vallejos

Scores First-Round TKO
Amanda Lemos

Drops Back-To-Back Fights
Gillian Robertson

Extends Her Win Streak
Andre Fili

Drops Decision on Saturday
Denny Hamlin

Dominates and Gets His Third Career Las Vegas Win
Chase Elliott

Earns Runner-Up Finish at Las Vegas
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Wins A Stage and Finishes Third at Las Vegas
Christopher Bell

Finishes Fourth at Las Vegas After Strong Run
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Fades to Seventh Despite Leading Laps Early at Las Vegas
Andre Fili

Jose Delgado Edges Andre Fili in Split-Decision Win
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Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
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Returns To The Win Column
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CJ Carr Enters Sophomore Season as Heisman Favorite
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Aaron Philo Not a Lock to be Florida's Starting QB?
CFB

George MacIntyre the Favorite to Win Tennessee Quarterback Battle?
CFB

Keelon Russell, Austin Mack Battling for Alabama QB1 Duties
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption, Wins Pole at Las Vegas
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Should Contend for Another Vegas Win
Chase Briscoe

Qualifies 18th Despite Toyota Dominating at Las Vegas
Chase Elliott

May Fly Under the Radar at Las Vegas
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Ross Chastian Has Been As Solid As They Come at Las Vegas
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Brad Keselowski

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Kyle Larson

Should Kyle Larson be Considered A Favorite for Las Vegas?
William Byron

Could Compete for a Top-Five Finish at Las Vegas
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Is Ryan Blaney Worth Rostering in Tournament DFS Lineups for Las Vegas?
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Could Continue his Top-10 Streak at Las Vegas
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Should DFS Managers Underestimate Joey Logano for Las Vegas?
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher Worth Rostering For Las Vegas DFS Lineups?
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Bubba Wallace is A Risky DFS Option Who Could Pay Off at Las Vegas
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Has Plenty of Upside for Las Vegas DFS Lineups
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Scores his First Las Vegas Top-10 Starting Spot in Qualifying
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