Nationals outfielder slash heartthrob slash wait-he-did-what Alex Call came through for Washington with a walk-off single in extra innings for Nats. Jesse Winker who is right! Call also scored the game-tying run in the 8th inning and is now batting a real sweaty .459 (17-37) since being re-Called to the big league roster. Through those 11 games (ELEVEN), he’s also rocking a .535 OBP and 1.184 OPS! Yes, please, you can’t tell me you don’t have a middling fantasy team in need of some juice like that? He notched three hits Friday night en route to his fourth straight multi-hit game and he’s now hit safely in every game he’s started since his return. He also homered in his first game back and has stolen three bags in that stretch, since stealing bases is now a Nats player’s prerequisite. A career .213 MLB hitter, the right hander was slashing an impressive .415/.516/1.082 with a homer and four steals in 53 games at AAA Rochester before the call up, so Call it what you want to but this isn’t completely out of nowhere. Dude has been hot potatoting all year long! I’m not saying Alex is going to carry you to fantasy glory but he’s leading off and hitting and Grey told you to BUY. I think I speak for most of us when I tell you I haven’t answered my phone in about 10 years, but Alex might be a Call you want to answer. Just Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae? At least listen to the voicemail and then text them back! A higher Calling! A Call to arms! A wake up Call! Again, Call it what you want, Alex should continue to play every day as long as he’s hitting all the baseballs and Friday night’s walk off might not be the last Alex Call-ed game we see while AC is hotter than a Ukrainian track star. Now let’s Call it a day!
Here’s what else I saw in fantasy baseball Friday night:
Bailey Ober – 6.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 12th win. Bailey keeps doing it Ober and Ober again. That’s four wins in a row and nine straight quality starts for Bailey. Yes, this BO smells like success! Outside of one start versus the Royals back in May, he really hasn’t had any disastrous outings and his 3.52 ERA, 0.97 WHIP reflect that. Drafting players like this wins your fantasy leagues.
Anthony Rendon – 3-f0r-5, SB (5). That’s now five hits for Anthony since returning last week. Check if he’s available in your league, if he’s not, he’s probably rostered on the last place team still in their IL spot.
Jose Soriano – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, BB, 7 K. I’m not really a Soriano guy unless it’s an Alfonso and he’s 40-40’ing for me. Is 40-40’ing a verb? It will be once Ohtani does it. Anyway, the bullpen blew this one for Jose, who pitched really well, his ratios are really nice, too (3.36 ERA, 1.19 WHIP). He’s just not for me! I’m sorry! I can’t love all the players!
Colton Cowser – 1-for-5, HR (18), slashing .249/.330/.463. Lead off jack four pitches into the game. Moooove over ROY the year race Colton looks to be running away with this thing. Seems to have really thrived in the leadoff spot, hitting .337 with 6 homers and 2 steals over the past month. Pitchers better steer clear of this Cowser, he’s prime beef! Udderly unstoppable. On the other hand, Gunnar Henderson (0-for-4) has been struggling since being removed from the lead-off spot. Coincidence!? Probably.
Zach Eflin – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, BB, 7 K, 8th win, ERA at 3.83 ERA. That’s Eflin right! I wrote a thing when he was traded to the O’s saying it could resurrect his season and he’s 3-0 so far with Baltimore and last night’s revenge game against his old team was probably his best start all year. I wouldn’t call it a revenge game though, he should probably be thanking them.
Eloy Jimenez – 3-for-4. He’s hit safely in every game he’s started for the O’s (five games) and I’m sure the power will come eventually. If he wasn’t a DH only I would grab him. But now I’m just making excuses.
Dylan Carlson – 1-for-4, HR (2). Last week he hit his first homer of the year, so I might as well show you his second. He hasn’t played every day but he’s hit safely in all the games he’s started. Need to see Carlson daily before I make a total request live, but he should get plenty of play.
Cedric Mullins – 2-for-4, HR (12). I criticize the O’s for playing the “old” vets instead of the kids but these guys are only like 28 years old. But to be perfectly honestly, these wily vets, Mullins, Hays even Santander are remnants of a 110 loss team. They are losers to be blunt. And if the O’s are ever getting over the hump they need to move on. How’s that for a spicy take?
Jose Berrios – 7.0 IP, 6 hits, ER, BB, 8 K, 10th win, ERA at 3.97. Nothing like the A’s to make Berrios and the Blue Jays actually look good. In my most competitive league, ie my baby, the only team I care about, the only thing I care about, etc. I own Berrios, Rodon and Kutter and they are the top three pitchers in home runs allowed. Just wanted to share that it’s been a tough year for all of us. But mostly me.
Darell Hernaiz – 2-for-4, HR (1). Have a day, rook! His first MLB home run in ever! A shot too! Gives you that good ol’ fashioned hometown community feeling. He’s actually the A’s number 4 prospect so he’s worth monocle’ing even closer than a disappointing HotD finale. Is it a spoiler to say it’s disappointing? It is!? Sorry!
George Springer – 1-for-4, HR (14). It’s going yard! I’m yelling Springerrrrr! I forgot that you existed. Maybe don’t bat the guy hitting .220 leadoff all year? He’s still probably good for a 20-20 season.
Spencer Horwitz – 3-for-4, HR (5). He’s hitting .300 in the past week with below average power and if you’re trying to field a team of all Spencers he’s an obvious add. Otherwise maybe not.
Ernie Clement – 3-for-4. Ernie was a BUY and he’s hitting .320 in the past week with three steals, he could be worth an add if only to make Burt jealous.
Tanner Houck – 6.0 IP, 4 hits, ER, 3 BB, K. Pitched well enough for the win but Lucas Sims blew his shot giving up 4 ER in 7th including a 2 run homerun by Jose Altuve (15). Houck Tuah spit on that thang and may have limited the damage but the lack of strikeouts is concerning and looks as though the innings or the league has caught up to him. He gets an easier matchup with the Rangers next week but I am concerned.
Nick Sogard – 2-for-3, 2 runs, SB (1). The rookie has reached base in all seven of his games played and is hitting .333 with a steal. His switch hitting should keep him in the lineup as long as he hits, which he has. The Red Sox have the best offense in the league since the break, despite allowing more runs than any other teams, and Sogard has already racked up 7 runs in six games. He could be worth a look for the counting stats alone.
Yainer Diaz – 2-for-5, HR (11), 2 RBI. The Astros scored 8 runs on 16 hits including the Diaz bomb, which was an absolute tank over the monstah. The number three catcher on the player rater, and only catcher batting over .300, Diaz is batting .434 with 3 homers over the past two weeks and might be the third best hitter in this stacked Stros lineup.
Jake Burger – 2-for-4, HR (20). He’s hitting about four homers a week and has led the league in jacks since July 1st. What else do you want? Do you want fries with that Burger?
Jonah Bride – 1-for-3, HR (4). BUY. Here comes the Bride! I’m not sure what to make of his success but even some of the best marriages end in divorce. Add him during the honeymoon phase.
Edward Cabrera – 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. The E-Cab resurgence was not on my August Bingo card but Edward turned in his best start since April Friday night stopping a hot San Diego team in their tracks. He’s leaning on his filthy changeup and it’s working as he’s allowed three runs or fewer in four starts since the break. It’s a lost season for the Fish but E-Cab has certainly brought himself back into the streaming conversation and gets the Mets next week
Martin Perez – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do sometimes. Going from California to Pittsburgh is the stuff dreams are made of unless you’re Brandon Aiyuk, I guess. Outside of back-2-back bombs to Burger and Bride Perez was efficient enough to notch his third straight quality start and he gets a revenge game vs the Bucs next week. I could see it!
Jackson Merrill – 3-for-4, 3 runs, HR (16), 2 RBI, 2 SB (13). Unreal. NL ROY is so obvious at this point. My dude has a .294/.325/.482, 16 homers, 13 steals. No one else is close. It’s a runaway! Just give Paul Skenes the award already.
Garrett Crochet – 2.1 IP, 9 hits, 7 ER, 5 K, 4 HR. Ahh, the old banana in my fantasy pipe. It’s unclear if the White Sox would even let him go more than four innings if he pitched well. I’m dropping you. I hope I will not regret. I’m mad though and this is the only way you’ll learn.
Jameson Taillon – 5.0 IP, 9 hits, 5 ER, 4 K, 8th win, ERA at 3.50. You should not be proud of this win.
Cody Bellinger – 3-for-4, HR (12), 2 RBI. Carry me Cody! He’s got a 1.007 OPS since coming off the IL and maybe he should break more of his fingers? I know a guy who will do it on the cheap. Don’t mention my name.
Isaac Paredes – 2-for-5, HR (18), 2 RBI. Ian Happ (19) and Nico Hoerner (5) also homered. It was a Parades of Nations for the Cubbies and this felt a little like beating up on your younger brother. It’s giving, USA and their 30+ medal lead vibes. At least it’s fun for someone. Anyway, after a slow start to his Cubs career Isaac appears to be coming around to do exactly what they acquired him to do, mash dingers.
Andrew Benintendi – 2-for-4, 2 HR (13). I’d link to the Benni bombs, but I know no one wants to see that. His .214/.267/.370 is one of the best on the team! Well not really, but you get it. Andrew Vaughn, who also hit his 14th homer, leads the team with a .235/.289/.397 and all the categories that matter. Wow, that’s depressing!
Pete Crow-Armstrong – 3-for-4, SB (23). PCA has got a seven game hitting streak hitting .409 in that stretch! The steals have been there all year but if he’s also hitting baseballs so I’m much more intrigued!
Aaron Civale – 6.1 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. His first win since April 9! APRIL NINTH! StreamONator liked this start but I need a bit more from Civale before I can trust him again. I’ve been burned, and the start versus the Dodgers next week doesn’t exactly scream rebound candidate.
Willy Adames – 1-for-4, HR (21), 3 RBI. Sent it! This one squeaked through. That’s four homers in four games and the BrewCrew is looking like a wagon, ya’ll! Must be those CityConnect unis cause they are snatched. Did I use that right?
Alex Cobb – 4.2 IP, 9 hits, 4 ER, BB, K, 1st L. Corn cobb’d!
Josh Naylor – 1-for-4, HR (26), 3 RBI, slashing .243/.322/.484. I hardly know her! Josh has turned into one of the best value picks in all of fantasy and his 85 RBI is good for fourth in the league, only 20 behind Aaron Judge, whoever that is!
Will Smith – 0.1 IP, 1 hit, 2 ER, BB, 4th L. James McArthur (0.2 IP, 2 K). Royals bullpen is an absolute mess, and Will Smith should probably retire at this point, Bad Boys 3 was just okay. Oh, the baseball player Will Smith should probably retire too. Grey told you to BUY Hunter Harvey but Manager Quatraro seems hell bent on making James McArthur a thing. It’s a bold move, Cotton, let’s see how it plays out for him.
Ryan Helsley – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, BB, SV (37). The 37 saves lead the league and it’s not that close. His ratios aren’t nearly as elite as runner-up Emmanuel Clase but you probably drafted him at least five rounds later. Another league winning pick!
Willson Contreras – 3-for-4, 2 HR (15), 4 RBI. Alex Burleson also homered (20). He couldn’t let his brother have all the fun this week. This was a beautiful bomb too that extended the Cards lead in the ninth and was Willson’s first multi-homer game of the year.
Victor Vodnik – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, K, SV (7). Okay, I’m convinced we should probably add VV, because he’s been vv good. I don’t care if he sounds like a Marvel villain, he’s got four saves in the past two weeks.
Brenton Doyle – 2-for-4, HR (20), 2 RBI. Oh, Doyle rules! On his way to a 20-20 season! Not bad for a guy who bat .203 in 126 games last year!
Jorge Soler – 2-for-5, HR (13), 2 RBI. Soler power! His first home run as a Brave was a game-tying missile. For a second I thought this could be a big whiff for Anthopoulos, who does not whiff and whose Braves have lost five in a row, but Soler should be fine. Not sure he should be leading off though.
Marcell Ozuna – 1-for-4, HR (34). Speaking of RBI kings, Ozuna’s 89 is good for third and was tied with Ohtani for the NL home run lead. I know Ozuna kind of a POS but is Ohtani so far and away a better MVP candidate that we don’t even mention Ozuna in the conversation? The answer is yes.
Zack Wheeler – 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. His ERA actually went up with the start and he’s now struck out 17 in his past two outings. Someone is getting hot at just the right time for my fantasy run! Even if the Phillies keep losing.
Ryne Nelson – 7.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, BB, 9 K. I mean, I would never have even considered Ryne Nelson as an add or even a stream but he’s got a 2.79 ERA over his past three starts with a 25/5 K/BB and 0.83 WHIP, and has made it six innings in four of his last six starts. There’s your flowers, Ryne, are you happy? He also gets the lowly Rays next week and yeah, I could see considering the prospect of maybe thinking about mulling over the possibility of contemplating whether or not I should review the option of potentially picking him up. I still don’t know for sure though!
Justin Martinez – 1.0 IP, 1 hit, K, 5th win. A.J .Puk came in in the 8th to bail out starter Ryne Nelson and Martinez got the ball in the ninth with the game tied. Grey told you to BUY and this could be a revolving door of Martinez, Ginkel, Thompson, and Puk but if yesterday’s game was any indication J-Mart seems to be the favorite at the moment. Dbags keep winning so owning their ninth inning guy should be valuable and I’d add him everywhere.
Joc Pederson – 1-for-2, HR (19). Roc and Joc! Someone call Dan Cortes! He’s got six bombs in his last 13 games, and someone is ready for their fantasy football draft! Grey told you to BUY and I know he’s in a platoon, but they seem to find at bats for him daily regardless.
Adrian Del Castillo – 3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI. Walk-off home run, the first career home run for the rook in just his second game in ever! Look at my arms! Goosies! The sweetest of sassy molassys! Look at my neck! Chills! The 24 year old was slashing an impressive .319/.403/.608 with 24 home runs in AAA so this isn’t completely out of nowhere either. Much like last year, Zona seems to be getting hot at just the right time, I’ve already called them a wagon, but a rookie backstop batting .571 through his first two games just adds to the lore. Go Snakes! So Rep TV coded!
Bryce Harper – 1-for-4, HR (26). We need more from you, B-Ryce! Team is struggling!
Robbie Ray – 6.0 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. Of all the fresh-off-the-IL pitchers this month to take a shot on I think RobRay is your best bet. He’s been kind of wild but the Ks are there and the pants are as tight as ever!
Jason Foley – 0.1 IP, BB, R, 4th L. I can safely say I own all the worst closers in baseball. Why is this happening to me?
Ryan Walker – Manager Bob Melvin has named Walker the closer, with Camilo Doval being sent down. This is not a thing Manager’s tend to do anymore. They like to leave things foggy as possible. So he’s either trolling us fantasy nerds good, or Walker’s an add everywhere immediately. Either way, let’s do our nerd thing and add Ryan Walker wherever we can. Yes, I would drop Foley for him.
Bryce Miller – 6.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, BB, 6 K, 9th win. Shut down the surging Mets and now has four quality starts in his last five. The 3.46 ERA is nice, as is the 119/31 K/BB. Yes, please. He doesn’t allow home runs really. And his stats are mid enough that I can probably draft him everywhere next year. And I probably will. This kid’s gonna be a star!
Jeff McNeil – 2-for-4. He was a BUY and if you show them McNeil’s AARP card you can get a decent discount on your FAAB.
Mitch Keller – 4.0 IP, 7 hits, 7 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Well, it appears the Dodgers have woken up. Just in time for Mookie Best’s return.
Oneil Cruz – 3-for-5, HR (18), 2 RBI. Cruz Missile honing in on a postseason berth for my fantasy team! Please please please, Sabrina Carpenter. Make it happen!
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – 2-for-4, run. Interesting to me only because he’s leading off and shawarmas really on trend right now. Thank you Deadpool! No spoilers!
Jack Flaherty – 5.2 IP, 9 hits, 4 ER, BB, 10 K, 9th win. I mean, not exactly sparkling but 10 Ks from a newly acquired arm in a trade, I’m very happy with this if I’m a Dodger fan.
Joey Bart – 1-for-5, HR (10), 3 RBI. I read Razzball’s The Real Joey Bart’s H2H Streamers article every week, it is incredibly helpful. But the fake fake Joey Bart deserves some praise, too. He was a BUY and he’s slashing .267/.349/.514 and hitting .300 in the past week with three home runs! What’s your catcher doing?
Freddie Freeman – 2-for-3, HR (17), SB (6), slashing .292/.396/.503 . He’s been other worldly since I told him to get better. Yes, you’re welcome. The slam & legs! That one was for Max! For an emotional dude, Freddie definitely knows how to make any grown man cry. It’s so dusty in here! We’re all rooting for you, Max!
Shohei Ohtani – 1-for-4, HR (35), 2 RBI. Brohei just toying with them at this point. He probably heard Ozuna caught him in home runs so he had to reclaim his lead. I can’t wait to see him do this against Paul Skenes. I haven’t been this excited for a batter/pitcher match up since the last time they faced each other! And we know how that turned out? Oh, you don’t let me refresh! In MLB history there has been just one strikeout on three consecutive pitches of 100+ mph. That was Skenes and Ohtani’s first meeting on June 5th. In Ohtani’s second plate appearance versus Skenes he took him deep to center 2-run bomb-o. This is baseball at its absolute best, and if you can’t appreciate that we can’t be friends.
Thanks for reading! Questions? Problems? Complaints to management? Advice, small gifts or large bribes? Please leave it in the comments below. Join us next Saturday for another Friday recap as fantasy baseball continues next week, all week long!
