Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

April 8, 2021

Ellis Canady reviews last night's MLB box scores (4/7) and provides fun opinions on a variety of topics to help fantasy baseball owners with their lineups.

Welcome to the April 8th 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 the April 7th games. Enjoy them. You can even respond with your own thoughts on Twitter @EllisCan2.

Daily Musings

• Say Alec Bohm, Bohm, Bohm (one)...let me hear you say way-ooh. Way-ooh! & a combo?! Ooh-la-la.
• Jose Ramirez takes the cattle drive twice around open prairie..unimpeded.
• Healing thoughts go out to Max Fried (hit with comebacker). Healing thoughts to those who started him (2 IP, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). MIA could be next if you're ready.
• First basemen get tired of being your workhorse power/avg bat. They want to be more. Freddie Freeman, Nate Lowe, Jose Abreu.
• Please don't say Trea Turner (second HR) "has finally arrived" or "is putting it all together." He demonstrated these skills already.
• Starlin Castro (.364 AVG) batting 4th / 5th for Nats.
• Nick Castellanos (4) (your NL HR Champ). Oh, you already wrote it down the first time I said it?
• Yes, Eovaldi is this good. 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 K.
• Every year...every single year, there is a Beast to start the year. People overpay or trade for them...only to watch them fizzle for the rest of the year. Is Tyler Naquin (four) that guy this year?
• Yes. Victory. 7 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K for Matthew Boyd. No he didn't win. The point is the stellar line with 0 BB vs. MIN. HOU next will be tough as well.
• Ah, Tupelo Honey. Brandon Woodruff brings happiness (7 IP, 8 K). The bullpen does not.
• Louisville's slugger. Nick Solak provides balance with 1st homer (to go with two SB).
• New & Improved! Marcus Semien w/ 15% Barrel, 109.5 Max EV. Third long ball.
• Jeckle & Hyde. Kyle Gibson. 6 IP, 1 BB, 8 K, W. TB & BAL next. Intriguing?
• I feel bad. Red Sox didn't have to do Yarbrough like that. 5 IP, 6 ER.
• Catcher-HR day. Salvador Perez, Christian Vazquez, Wilson Ramos
• Wait, what?! Cain? Lorenzo Cain (two HR) with Wrigley's double your pleasure, double your fun?!
• Phillip Evans trying to hold it down for the Pirates.
• "Will Smith (C) is so great." Do his seven comrades he left behind agree?
• J.T. Realmuto (HR) is doin' it...doin' it...doin' it well. He rocks the mic for the first time.
• Ramon Laureano just wants to skip 2020 too. Four SB & the masses are happy. Stay healthy, please.
• Nicky Lopez, "To the Minors with you....wait..wait. Can you hang out & hit .438 for us?" Sure.
• I know you're giddy about Keston Hiura w/ 1B eligibility. You still want a hit from 1B though, right?
• Matt Chapman drops the bass for the first time.
• Rhys Hoskins mashing taters w/.417 AVG. Fully loaded!
• Darin Ruf w/delicious Whataburger' honey chicken breakfast biscuit combo meal. Beasting! Keep in mind: career .290 vs southpaws. .212 vs righties.
• *Top of the ninth...bases loaded..Dylan Carlson to the plate." Just like he drew it up as a kid. Three hits, three homers. Very efficient too.
• We love the rebound, Flaherty (W, 6 IP, 6 K). However, try to limit your generosity (4 BB)
• STOP! Conforto is a patriot, but he left 9 men behind. Will Smith is off the hook.
• Connor Brogdon fighting for rights of middle relievers (3-0).
• How rude. Jonathan Villar had three hits & no one noticed...or cared?
• Snap ya fingers! Do ya step! Garrett Hampson can do it all by himself. (three SB).

Swing & Misses

• Shane Bieber 23
• Nate Eovaldi 17
• Hyun-Jin Ryu 17
• John Means 17
• Trevor Bauer 16
• Kyle Gibson 15
• Stephen Strasburg 13
• Kenta Maeda 13
• Matthew Boyd 13
• David Peterson 13
• Chad Kuhl 13
• Brandon Woodruff 12
• Luis Castillo 12
• Ynoa 12
• Blake Snell 11
• Jack Flaherty 11
• Jameson Taillon 11
• Dallas Keuchel 11
• Kevin Gausman 10
• Aaron Nola 10

Endgame

• Sean Newcomb (1)
• Nick Wittgren (1). Clase (W) tackled the big-timers.
• Alex Colome (2).
• Ian Kennedy (2).
• Josh Hader (W, 2-0).
• Amir Garrett. (1 IP, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K). There will be plenty of wins in CIN, but Committee city isn't good.
• Brad Boxberger (1).
• Jake McGee. Collecting W & SVs. Some people are getting an early lead.
• Craig Kimbrel. For all the stress, he's got three clean innings.
• Fry (1)

Closing Thoughts

• It's Wednesday. For many, you're halfway there. Your day shouldn't dictate the quality of your motivation or effort. Give your best effort.
• Don't forget to give someone else a Win today. It will help recharge you.
• (No Fear, Just Fantasy)

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