Sports
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 1454 – Final FAAB of 2025
In Episode 1454 of The Sleeper and the Bust, hosts discuss the final FAAB of the 2025 season, analyzing player injuries, potential pickups, and strategies for the last week of fantasy baseball. Key pl...
The Sleeper and the Bust Episode: 1454 – Final FAAB of 2025
Sports •
0:00 / 0:00
Interactive Transcript
spk_0
Welcome to episode 1453 of The Sleeper and the Bust. I am just missing. Join this always
spk_0
by Jason Glitt. How you doing my friend? I am doing well. Happy September 21st to all those
spk_0
to celebrate Earth and Wind and Fire Day. So it is one of my favorite days of the year because
spk_0
that's such an amazing song and it's the day after my birthday. So I'm feeling pretty good today.
spk_0
I'm a year wiser. Let's see if that helps you in your final week. But I am and you see I've
spk_0
beat the tar out of tarheels. So they're just now the UNC heels. No more tar or billbell
spk_0
check. Yeah, I can't believe he actually took that job. But you know what? People want to try
spk_0
something new. I guess. Happy birthday to you, my friend. I'm not even a minute in. I've already
spk_0
made my first mistake of the episode. It is episode 1454. That's okay. You haven't muted yourself yet.
spk_0
Yeah. By the way, guess where I'll be taking my daughter next Saturday. Let's see. Are you going
spk_0
to go see a commander's game? No way. No. Saturday. We're going to UNC Chapel Hill for a college
spk_0
visit. I'm just going to probably wear my night shirt. If you like, I guys, they get thrown off
spk_0
campus. Yeah. You really you really put your daughter behind the eight ball there already. Yeah.
spk_0
It's okay. It's not the school she she wants. She's very interested. And I think when she goes
spk_0
she'd be like, oh, maybe I will be interested. But yeah. So we're going there next week because it
spk_0
won't interrupt Sundays. Good. I mean, now we can actually start talking playoffs and accountability.
spk_0
We can look back at our what bolt predictions we made and like, hey, you know, where do we scare you
spk_0
all in the right direction? And where did we like, hey, my bad. Sorry about that. But I think overall
spk_0
this show delivered this year. Yeah. I think we're going to have some good things to talk about. Some
spk_0
bad things to talk about for sure. Don't go away this off season. We are going to continue to be
spk_0
moving forward. It may not be every week, but we will definitely be here regularly. Plus we have the
spk_0
big first Pichera Zona podcast that we'll be doing live from Arizona. If you've never been
spk_0
last plug, we're like, I think five weeks away from first Pichera Zona. It is a ton of fun.
spk_0
If you've never been, it is totally worth going. We're going to have amazing panels. There are
spk_0
live podcasts from this podcast and some of your other favorite podcasts around the industry. You
spk_0
get to hang out with us. Watch baseball with us. Play poker with us. It is a lot of fun weekend of
spk_0
November 8th. November the 6th of the 9th. That's 6 days away from the day we're recording.
spk_0
You know, I'm doing a session on how to work with AI tools to help your fantasy game. There's
spk_0
a few different notice. I didn't say use AI. It's work with because you are still the operator.
spk_0
You know, baseball doesn't throw itself. You still need to do it. And so I'm leading a session on
spk_0
that and my daughter is coming with me this year. So, you know, usually the running joke has been
spk_0
I've been father of the year because I've missed her birthday every year. And well, no, most years,
spk_0
I have, but this year like she turns 18 the weekend prior. And so her president was she wanted to
spk_0
come with me this year and see why I keep skipping out in her birthday. So she is coming with me this
spk_0
year. That'll be a lot of fun. I've only missed one kid's birthday for F pass, but it was their
spk_0
first birthday and they don't remember it. So I literally ran to the airport from her first birthday.
spk_0
Like we had it outside and a thing was like, blah, the candle, the pictures right by.
spk_0
All right. Let's we're going to talk some fab. Not really. I mean, there is news to talk about,
spk_0
but almost all of it is this player has been put on the IL and is done for the season. So there's
spk_0
really no application other than if a player is on the IL or hurt right now, just drop them.
spk_0
There's going to be six games left for every team after today. So anybody's hurt is cutable at
spk_0
this point. So let's just jump right into fab. Talk about I sock parades who is who has returned
spk_0
from the IL. And if you need some power, this guy's going to be wildly available. He was dropped
spk_0
in a lot of leagues, including the ones where I had him. Are you picking up I sock parades right now?
spk_0
Yeah. Yes, I would be, especially if I had in the league where if you lost your Don Alvarez this
spk_0
week, if you have any money left, that's great. I mean, this is honestly a big surprise. This was not,
spk_0
he was expected, he was expected to miss all of the postseason and here he is back. So massive
spk_0
surprise and it may benefit. Let's see what they can, you know, see what you can do for the
spk_0
last week of the season. I'm looking at the Astros schedule and it's a very favorable schedule for
spk_0
hitting. They only have six games. What's three against the angels and three against the ace.
spk_0
Yeah, that's favorable. Yeah. And the A series is in Sacramento where we know that ball loves to
spk_0
fly and you're getting to go up get he's getting to go up against Jeffrey Springs GTGin
spk_0
and Luis Severino. Severino in Springs have both struggled in that park. So badly. So yeah,
spk_0
it's it's a really like if you need power like this is the guy to go all in on this week. I sock
spk_0
parades. So moving right along Moises, Ballastero is going to be getting some playing time down the
spk_0
stretch for the Cubs. This is only if you're probably in a two catcher league, but are you picking up
spk_0
Moises, but the Serios three against the meds three against the Cardinals. I'm not looking at
spk_0
home or away. They're wrapping up the series against the red today. So another six game week type of
spk_0
guy. I hope there's no lingering effects to him taking that liner off the head at 105. That was
spk_0
pretty scary. Yeah. Then we were talking about like why wasn't he ruled out? And I guess because
spk_0
he didn't interfere like the ball. He was behind the fielder and the first baseman who at you
spk_0
of the ball went by him, but there was no way a fielder behind him because my first reaction was
spk_0
wait, he got hit by a bad ball. Why is he not out? But he did not interfere with the process of
spk_0
out happening. Yeah, it was really, really scary. Like I mean, he got hit. It was 110 miles an hour or
spk_0
something like that like out of that ball. Somehow stayed on his feet and continued to run to second
spk_0
base, which which was absolutely insane. But it's a pretty good schedule, especially when you
spk_0
look at the individual pictures. That's what I was just going to ask because he's sitting again
spk_0
today against a life. And he sat Friday against a lefty. So I was just going to ask how many
spk_0
the lefties starters are on the schedule for him. He has David Peterson as a lefty that will lead
spk_0
off that series versus the match. And then he has Matthew Liebertor. So he'll at least get four
spk_0
games more than likely. But they're four pretty good matchups against the against the Cardinals.
spk_0
The end this season, Miles McElis, Michael McGrivie, those aren't guys you really afraid of. And then at
spk_0
the start of the week, he gets Jonah Tongue who has not been great. No one McClain who has been. So
spk_0
it's really kind of three games you're looking to start him for. So this is a lower-end C2,
spk_0
but a guy that you could try to stream in there for fairly cheap if you are in like dollar days
spk_0
right now in terms of your fat. Right. Moving along, we got Zach Cole, any interest there?
spk_0
I'm not particularly. Okay, we can probably. Yeah, I mean, at this point of the season, you're just
spk_0
looking for a body that's going to play. I think part of the problem is I don't know how much
spk_0
Zach Cole is going to play in Houston this week. So I may also just kind of pass there if
spk_0
unless you are pretty desperate in a really deeply. But a more interesting guy is Bryce Eldridge.
spk_0
Bryce Eldridge is the top prospect for the Giants. He has made his major league debut. Got his
spk_0
first hit last night in the loss to the heartbreaking loss to the Dodgers, which pretty much
spk_0
has could have really had some fun in the division. Had you had you pulled that off last
spk_0
weekend and won today? Yeah, I mean, as I told Paul on Friday, like we needed to win two of these
spk_0
games kind of out, you know, out of this series to have a real shot. We're now four games back with
spk_0
six to play. So in for the last wildcard spot. So it's not going to happen for the Giants.
spk_0
That being said, Eldridge is a premier power hitting prospect. He's the 11th overall prospect on
spk_0
fan grass, the number one prospect within the Giants, the Giants farm system, a ton of power,
spk_0
70 grade game power, 80 grade raw. The question will always be with him is he going to strike out
spk_0
too much to kind of tap into that power. But he does walk. He walked at a 10% rate this year in
spk_0
AAA, struck out 30% time 25 home runs in 433 play appearances. For me, this is the backup Tysock
spk_0
parade. So if I can't get I suck parade is I'm going to take a gamble on Eldridge, especially with
spk_0
the Giants having kind of the schedule they have down the stretch. They get St. Louis for three,
spk_0
again, McGreevy, Andre Pante, Sonny Gray, and then they get the Rockies for three. Her man,
spk_0
Marquez, Kyle Freeland, and Cade McBrown, any interest in Bryce Eldridge for this week? So that means
spk_0
he should start five of those six games because like like by Starros, he has sat against the lefty so far.
spk_0
So that would be there's a six game week for San Francisco. He's going to be in five of them. So
spk_0
yeah, I agree that would be a nice backup for parade. I was looking at my FBC my two fab leagues. I
spk_0
have one in zero dollars. So yeah, I won't be getting either of these. One in zero. So oh well.
spk_0
I mean, you might be able to get Eldridge. He's all been all been the one dollar. He'll be back up.
spk_0
But it's not going to come. It's not going to happen. It's probably not. But like yeah, this is
spk_0
a guy with a ton of power. He likes it. He's going to strike out. If you need batting average,
spk_0
obviously you're going to go in different direction. But I think they're going to give him a shot to play
spk_0
at least in five of these games. If not against the lefty as well, especially because that lefty
spk_0
matchup against Kyle Freeland comes at the end of the week, right? It comes on Saturday.
spk_0
At that point, they're probably already eliminated. Why not give him a shot versus a lefty and kind of
spk_0
stuff? Yeah, I was going to make the same point. It's like you're probably eliminated. You want to see
spk_0
what the kid can do. Why not use this week as a this is the way it used to be. I know we talked
spk_0
about this couple of weeks ago back when it was a bigger roster expansion. Well, September was
spk_0
fun because you could see some things. It's like the year that Jose Batista, the year before he
spk_0
busted out, he had a good September. You could see some things happening for him. The year Benzobr
spk_0
busted out. You could see some things happening for Benzobr's that season and different the season
spk_0
prior. So some things used to happen now. We don't really get that opportunity anymore. These kids
spk_0
barely get to come up and do some stuff instead of being a factor in in the whole month of September.
spk_0
I mean, Eldridge just got called up type of situation. So it's that I do miss that part. But at the
spk_0
same time, this final week, like I said, it could be anything. You're going to throw all the rules
spk_0
out. All right, kids, go out there and play. And let's see what you got. And Kyle Friedland,
spk_0
there could be worse matchups than going up there against that type of lefty. And here's the thing,
spk_0
the giants have very shown they're kind of willing to do this. They let Drew Gilbert face off
spk_0
against Clayton Kershaw. You know, and Gilbert has been pretty much in a strict platoon since he's come
spk_0
up. But the other night they let him they kind of knew they're hey, we're we're pretty much done.
spk_0
Let's let's see what your Gilbert can do against the lefty. So yeah, I think the giants could give
spk_0
Eldridge an opportunity to just play all six of these final remaining games. And so if he's
spk_0
available in your league and you need power and you can't get parades, then I think Eldridge is a guy
spk_0
that I would be targeting here just on the chance that he had a couple bombs here in the last week.
spk_0
What about Nate Eaton? You know, playing for playing for the Red Sox first base, I believe,
spk_0
oh, sorry, third base in Outfield eligible in most formats, hidden 299 353 390 with a home run
spk_0
in eight stolen bases. You need some speeder. You picking up Nate Eaton. Yeah, I'm glad you put him
spk_0
down here. He had four steals this week. Yeah, half of those and he's getting time in the lineup.
spk_0
Now that they, you know, with with the injuries, he's getting time out there. It's not a
spk_0
clea platoon. Ref Schneider still finding some time out there. Romi Gonzalez is still finding some
spk_0
time in the lineup. But Eaton has had a steal in each of the past three games here. The final
spk_0
game can say athletics in the two here at against the raise. And I'm sure he'll have another one
spk_0
today just because you could run on the raise. So it's a good situation. I was joking. I think
spk_0
I want to see Nate Eaton pitching a game this week for those that don't know. Go look on YouTube.
spk_0
Nate Eaton has thrown a 94 mile an hour fastball in the major leagues. Because he pitched in college.
spk_0
I believe that the Air Force Academy, what I believe is service academy guy, but he's throwing
spk_0
a 94 mile an hour fastball in the major leagues off the mound. But yes, for a speed play, you know,
spk_0
you and I believe that we were talking off air about this, but I'm going to lead the pays out
spk_0
category winners. And I have a two stolen base lead in my A alone. I wish I had Nate Eaton
spk_0
on our roster so I could try to keep that keep that money coming my way. Because I'm going to
spk_0
finish third and that league and I have the batting average wrapped up. So that's one category.
spk_0
And I'd love to have a second category wrap up as well. But yeah, speed play, he's getting the
spk_0
opportunity to get in the lineup and you look at what Boston's got this week for schedule. Boston
spk_0
has three against the J's and three against the Tigers. That's not an easy schedule.
spk_0
And but running wise, that's a pretty average. You know, the the A's in the raise present
spk_0
opportunities to run the Tigers and the J's run defense. A stolen base prevention is pretty good.
spk_0
So it may not like if you got four, maybe he gets two this week, especially you can hope for.
spk_0
Yeah, yeah, if you're looking for speed, I think this is a kind of a long shot gamble here.
spk_0
Like I said, four stolen bases in the last week that that tells you he's going to run when he gets
spk_0
on base and he is getting on base at a pretty damn good clip right now. So I think Nate Eaton is a
spk_0
guy that you want to be targeting if you need some stolen bases here down the stretch.
spk_0
What about Adley Rushman? I believe he is still on rehab, but he should be potentially back here
spk_0
over the course of the next couple days. Any chance you're going to take a gamble that he comes
spk_0
back and maybe gets to play five games or something like that. I said, I'd rather have bio-stero.
spk_0
So we're going to talk about like a camping catchers type of situation. So we're talking.
spk_0
The Orioles have the final homestand against the raise starting on Tuesday and then they go to
spk_0
New York to close the season out. By then, one would assume that New York knows what their future is
spk_0
because they're currently the Yankees are currently two games behind the J's and they have
spk_0
Yankees have the white socks and the Orioles. They have a seven game week. So like the Yankees
spk_0
overall are kind of attractive in that type of situation where the J's, we mentioned the J's,
spk_0
they have... Why do I always... Every time I go to look, I'm like, I can't find... There we go.
spk_0
They've got the red socks for three and the Orioles for three. So this is going to be a very
spk_0
interesting week in the A-Least and Ruchman could have the opportunity to do some damage. But that said,
spk_0
if he's not actually back, like if he's back, you could take the chance with what you have,
spk_0
but if he's not back on Tuesday, I'd rather have bio-steroes for the week.
spk_0
Yeah, I think that is probably fair. You know, he did hit a home run in his rehab assignment last
spk_0
night. So it seems like he's healthy and kind of ready to go. I think is a pretty good chance
spk_0
that he is back. The question is, are they going to let him play full time? Or are they going to
spk_0
kind of just say, hey, we're going to give you a couple games and let you just finish the season
spk_0
healthy? I think I'm about the same spot as I would be with Bosteros. I don't know that either
spk_0
has a huge leg up over the other. I mean, obviously Ruchman is the better talent. But Bosteros
spk_0
may get more games this week. So I think that it's kind of up to what you need here. Do you need
spk_0
a couple bombs? Because maybe that is where I lean Ruchman because I just believe in that talent a
spk_0
little bit more. If you need volume in terms of like runs and RBI's, then maybe I lead Bosteros there.
spk_0
So why were we here on the Orioles though? A quick note. The Ruchman situation is absolutely
spk_0
sucks for those ahead in this year, right? He was going as high as the third, fourth round. That's
spk_0
one of my things. The only silver lining on this is Sammy Bostario just got game 20 on Friday night.
spk_0
Sammy Bostario will be catcher eligible in draft season. And that's huge because if he would have
spk_0
been utility only, that would have been ugly. That would have been a thing, but he just got game 20
spk_0
on Friday night. So congrats to him and congrats the fantasy managers that could now draft him as
spk_0
a catcher instead of having to call it lock up your utility spot. That's huge because prior to the
spk_0
Ruchman injury, we were saying like, hey, he's going to be UT only. But Bostario getting that
spk_0
catcher eligibility for next year in 20 game eligible leagues is going to be massive. I also think
spk_0
that Ruchman is one of these guys that I'm going to buy back in on. I think his price is going
spk_0
to completely crater. I think you're going to be able to get him as like the eighth or ninth
spk_0
catcher off the board. And he was really unlucky this year. Like 255xBA is almost 30 points higher
spk_0
than his actual BA. Nine home runs and 348 play appearances. If you can get back to being a 600
spk_0
play appearance guy, then you're talking about another 20 home runs maybe even more because we know
spk_0
that there's a ton of power in that bat. The Orioles is a whole of just been a dumpster fire.
spk_0
And you got to think the team is better than it was this year next season. I think Ruchman is a
spk_0
guy that I'm going to be buying back in on a lot next year. So what do you say related to him though,
spk_0
he's entering his first year of arbitration. This isn't a cost thing. But out of Bostario and Ruchman
spk_0
co-exist in the same franchise, right? If you think one's like one was your cat, you looked at one
spk_0
as your catcher of the future 12 months ago. And now this season may have put some uncertainty in your
spk_0
head. One of them got to play you figure maybe one place first base, whatever. It's like my
spk_0
thought was I'm wondering if Ruchman is still an Oriole after this off season. I don't think they'd
spk_0
move Ruchman honestly. I think they move Bostario. That'd be interesting. I mean, Ruchman is the
spk_0
better catcher, right? Defensively behind the plate, Ruchman is the better guy. I think they want
spk_0
that in the organization. He's also kind of been propped up as one of the faces of this kind of
spk_0
young rebuild part of the organization. I think if they moved one to be Bostario. And I also don't
spk_0
think they necessarily can't even play Bostario at first base regularly because they have Kobe Mayo,
spk_0
another guy who's in their top rods. I think there is a chance one gets moved, but I also think that
spk_0
Bostario could just be the backup catcher who D.H. is on his day off, which honestly, you kind of
spk_0
love to see from a fantasy angle. Yeah. Yep. That's I mean that's just for Cal Raleigh this year.
spk_0
Yeah. That'd be my guess is what happens. The other thing that they could do obviously is do
spk_0
the thing that they should have done the last few seasons, which is trade a guy like Bostario
spk_0
for starting pitching. You know, it'll be really I'm really interested to see what happens.
spk_0
In Baltimore, I'm really interested in what happens in Minnesota in terms of is there a shakeup
spk_0
within the organization because my bold predictions, fan graphs, the fan graphs staff writers,
spk_0
not just the fantasy side, but the entire fan graphs staff. Everybody did one bold prediction and
spk_0
then did a huge right up for it. And because it wasn't fantasy related, I couldn't just do like,
spk_0
you know, this player steals 50 bases or whatever. I had to do something like, you know, that was
spk_0
real baseball. And my prediction was the Baltimore Orioles would miss the playoffs and that
spk_0
Elias would be fired. And I got a lot of heat for it. And I'm feeling much better about my
spk_0
prediction. I don't know if he's going to get fired or not, but I'll be interested to see kind
spk_0
of what happens here in Baltimore this off season. Who was it? Was it also you? Oh no, I was talking to
spk_0
my craft brand the other day yesterday. And like he did something at the All Star Break and he
spk_0
asked for a prediction. And he he actually said the guardians are going to be contending for the
spk_0
Aale Central by the end of the season. Holy crap. That's hell of a prediction. That was right.
spk_0
That was a great question. Yeah, it's like this is what I love about. Yeah, the race suck right
spk_0
now and it pisses me off right. But Cleveland coming out of nowhere to be one game behind one game.
spk_0
One game. Yeah. One game and they just keep winning and can't. They sweep the double header yesterday
spk_0
because I was obviously a bit. I believe they did. Yeah, they did. They not only swept one six zero eight
spk_0
zero. Wow. I mean, they're scoring runs. They're now one game. I love this. And the fact that the
spk_0
Aale East and the Aale Central and the Aales West, all three divisions are unsettled going into the
spk_0
final week of the season. The only crapping part is only the Tigers and guardians are playing one
spk_0
another Houston. Yeah, I'll wrap up today. And Yankees and the blue jays are done. They don't play
spk_0
each other again. Yeah, I mean, and I was about to alluded to that. The fact that the the guardians and
spk_0
the Tigers start a series on Tuesday against each other three games that that will likely
spk_0
determine the division, right? That is that's that's a massive series. It's going to be a really
spk_0
fun week. So if your fantasy teams out of it, that's what you lock into this week. Yeah, you'll
spk_0
you'll lock into that series in particular. It does suck that the Mariners and Astros were done
spk_0
today and the jays and Yankees aren't playing one another, but the Yankees like favorable
spk_0
schedule. I know this is non-phan as I mean, but I mentioned earlier, Yankees have seven games and
spk_0
they have seven games against bad teams and the jays are they've got the red socks. We're still
spk_0
trying to do something and avoid 2011. And the race is certainly helping them avoid 2011 right now.
spk_0
And then they've got the the race. It's Toronto does. So they got the red socks and the race this
spk_0
week and the race. Yeah, they've been trying to play spoiler, but I wanted them to finish 500 and
spk_0
they got to have a five on one week to do that or six on one week. That ain't happening. Yeah.
spk_0
All right, moving right along. We have Will Benson getting some playing time back. It's
spk_0
said I feel like we talked about Will Benson a few times a year. And then and then he goes back to
spk_0
being irrelevant. But is he relevant this week? Ah, you know, we the reds with three against Milwaukee
spk_0
who has nothing left to play for in three against the pirates. And honestly, it depends who what the
spk_0
pirate's going to put on the mount. Yeah. Yeah. What what do they do that particular week? Because if
spk_0
you can beat up on bullpen days, that would be fun. And same thing will walk you. What do they have left?
spk_0
You know, Benson did have two home runs. Uh, Sunday and Monday, they were both at Sacramento. And then
spk_0
he went three for the week around that. Uh, it hasn't stolen a base. So the home runs came in a
spk_0
little bit of a pocket on the West Coast trip, one against the Padres and two against the athletics
spk_0
against that. But if he can, if he gets to beat up on the back half, the B squad of the pirates
spk_0
and the, and the burgers. Yeah. I'm interested. Yeah. I have my option C with my one dollar when I
spk_0
don't get paratists and I don't get Elders. Maybe Benson's my guy. I mean, Benson's one of those
spk_0
guys can three hit three home runs in a week. You'd also just not get three hits in a week. But he
spk_0
could, I had three home runs a week. So if you're looking for a boom bus play of a guy who can hit
spk_0
home runs and steal some bases like Will Benson makes some sense farther down your waterfall. Maybe a
spk_0
little bit safer option of a guy is Zander Bogart who is coming off the IL after being there since
spk_0
the end of August with a foot issue. Uh, it looked like he was potentially even going to be
spk_0
activated this last series. It hasn't happened yet. But he should be pretty close to being on the
spk_0
field to play any chance you're picking up Zander Bogart's for some extra runs, maybe some stolen
spk_0
bases and batting average. So a six game week, uh, himself, he has the, uh, has the brewers and the
spk_0
diamond backs, uh, for things. And then if you figure where he's going to play thing is when you
spk_0
put him in the lineup, you're probably, he's going to be down. So I don't know how much run
spk_0
play you're going to get. I don't, I don't know if the Padres adjust the Tati's junior Raya's
spk_0
Machado Jackson Merrill spot of the lineup. So we're still talking about a guy in the bottom half
spk_0
of the lineup. Hopefully plays every day. And that's where the, that's where the value is right now
spk_0
was the he should get all six games type of situation and let him play the six. Uh, yeah, he's one
spk_0
of the more attractive names for this particular period. But I don't know if I am, it's more if I'm
spk_0
trying to fill a hole in my roster than trying to, uh, move anybody like I wouldn't if I had a good
spk_0
everyday player already at the, up the middle, I'm not dropping him to make this move. Yeah, I mean,
spk_0
I think the nice thing about Bogart is, uh, you know, aside from the fact that he can help out in
spk_0
multiple categories like runs, uh, and, uh, and batting average and stolen bases is the fact that
spk_0
the Padres play on Monday and there are not very many teams. I think there are only six teams
spk_0
playing on Monday, um, which means if you have a like a weekly lineup lock, you'll know on Monday
spk_0
whether he's playing or not. It's not a matter of like, oh, I got a guess and see if he's going to be
spk_0
here. If he, he's not in the lineup on Monday, then you don't need to put him in your lineup in
spk_0
a weekly lock lineup. Uh, like, uh, I actually like this, uh, looks like he is going to likely be
spk_0
activated on Monday for that series. He does have kind of a tougher series to start against the
spk_0
Padres with Brandon Woodruff and Freddie Peralta leading off, but after that, they're going to be,
spk_0
going, uh, or they're going to be having Arizona come to town, uh, where they're going to get
spk_0
Eduardo Rodriguez, uh, Nabilka, Chris Matt and Brandon fought three pictures. You would love to
spk_0
target here, uh, as well as the last picture, um, in the, uh, where did him good his last
spk_0
outing? But that's the thing about thought, though, like he can look great and then he can be
spk_0
absolutely terrible. And I don't know if you've heard the, the Friday podcast, uh, yeah, but, uh,
spk_0
fought has a 748 road ERA this year. Sweet. So he has been fantastic at home. Like, I want to,
spk_0
doing this off top man, I don't remember the actual stats, but I believe it's 351 home ERA and
spk_0
like a 748 road ERA this year. I was gonna, uh, you mentioned, I didn't really, I knew he had his
spk_0
issues again, it's lefties. He actually has. Yeah, he actually actually hasn't had like the big lefty
spk_0
righty split. Mostly because he's giving up back some gains against righties, but sorry,
spk_0
I'm gonna correct myself. 315 home ERA 729 road ERA this year. So you're all, you weren't that far
spk_0
off 742 729. He's giving up 21 and his 24 home runs on the road. Wow. That's so, wow. Like,
spk_0
yeah, it's been really, really stark and thought does have to start to be he will get started in a
spk_0
lot of leagues, but they're both on the road. And so like, I'm like, I've got fought in a league.
spk_0
There's no way he enters my line up. Yeah, even on two start. Uh, so you mentioned
spk_0
Peralta. The only thing I was, we've, we've, uh, hinted at a couple of times, like, what are
spk_0
these teams that have nothing to play for? What are they gonna do? Like Peralta, I was just looking
spk_0
at his game log. He has gone five or six and every one of his starts since the beginning of August.
spk_0
This final one, do you think he does anything more than one time through?
spk_0
I mean, here's the thing, you know, and I think we've talked about this. I know I've talked about it
spk_0
with Paul. I think I talked about it with you. And I think you actually kind of alluded to it
spk_0
earlier in the podcast is this isn't the old days, right? Like, they don't have 40 guys to choose from
spk_0
to kind of like say, okay, you're going to go three innings here. Um, you know, because
spk_0
they only have a 28 man roster right now. So that would still tax the bullpen.
spk_0
I got a nine man bullpen, though. This is true. I mean, in my, in my confidence, in my confidence
spk_0
that Peralta and Woodruff are going to go five or six. No, but I'm more confident that they have
spk_0
the ability to do that early in the week as opposed to later in the week. I think for sure,
spk_0
you know, if, if we've got a guy like Peralta who has a two-start this week, his start versus
spk_0
it's not. Peralta goes today. No, I'm sorry, you're right. Peralta's got Monday. I'm my apologies.
spk_0
Yeah. I would say that there is no chance Peralta goes five or six on Sunday versus the Reds.
spk_0
Even if he starts, there's obviously a chance they just say, you're not even going to start,
spk_0
right? We're going to, we're just going to enjoy the playoffs here. Um, so, but I think here's
spk_0
a little bit better chance. He can go five. He definitely won't go six. I don't know. The only
spk_0
thing I kind of hang my hat on, uh, if I'm looking at something, if I am on, if I am a
spk_0
Freddie Peralta fantasy manager, you know, the burrs have a three-game lead on top seed.
spk_0
So it's like, that's not wrapped up yet, but it will be by the weekend. Uh, yeah, the other
spk_0
factor. So, but I, I still feel that Peralta is going to pitch Saturday because remember,
spk_0
they get that first round by. So if you, you know, see, do you really want him sitting around a week
spk_0
and a half? That's a good point. The guy, the breachers, I have it. So I could see him coming in and
spk_0
at least pitch in like three innings on that Saturday, since that maybe his last adding for a
spk_0
week. Yeah. Yeah. That's actually a really good point as well. So, uh, moving right along, we have,
spk_0
going back to my giants, we got Patrick Bailey, uh, who's been hitting the ball fairly well.
spk_0
There's the third catcher on the, on the list today. Where would you rank him among the other
spk_0
catching options in Richmond about, uh, about Starros? Hmm. Hmm.
spk_0
We looked at, we saw a schedule with the, I think I'd rank him one with that strength of schedule,
spk_0
six games with the Rockies and the Cardinals. That's pretty damn favorable. I think I would too,
spk_0
because I think he's also going to play quite a bit, uh, you know, buying the play probably gets,
spk_0
uh, you know, just an obligatory day off here, uh, somewhere for Patrick Bailey, but, uh, I mean,
spk_0
he has played five of the last six, um, and with only one lefty on the docket, I got a feeling like,
spk_0
hey, they're going to give him that day off against, uh, Kyle Friedland, um, but that he probably plays
spk_0
five of these six games, uh, and he has been hot, uh, as of late, showing some power hit a grand slam
spk_0
the other day. So I think that, uh, Patrick Bailey, he's not a guy that I love long term as an offensive
spk_0
guy. He's much better just real life, buying the plate kind of catcher. But I think this week,
spk_0
yeah, I think he is, uh, streamable, especially as the C2. Yeah. Uh, then we've got, uh, a former giant
spk_0
in Kyle Harrison, and he's just there. Kyle, uh, here's the thing, but I was looking at his
spk_0
game lock. Now, his last three games, he had to spread it out because, you know, he was with,
spk_0
with your giants, then he was in AAA, then he's been with Boston, but his last three starts have
spk_0
been at Colorado at Sacramento and at Tampa Bay, arguably three tough parts to pitch in overall.
spk_0
He's allowed two home runs. They both came at Colorado when he was with the giants. No homeers
spk_0
in Sacramento, no home runs yesterday, uh, against the raise. So he's pitched well. And that's a
spk_0
257 year right over those starts 13 strikeouts and 14 innings has allowed four runs. Two of them
spk_0
have come up the home runs. So yes. And then we looked at the map. We talked about the matchup
spk_0
earlier with Boston. Boston has three against Toronto three against Detroit. So the Toronto is
spk_0
the tougher of those two matchups right now. And I didn't see how he aligns up where he's,
spk_0
which team he's going to start or is he is he a two-step or this week? Uh, he is going to be
spk_0
facing Detroit at home. Yes. So yes. Right. Since he pitched yesterday, he's only going to be a
spk_0
one guy. Uh, and yeah, I am, I am interested in Kyle Harrison this week. Yeah. I think I am
spk_0
too. Uh, I'm glad you pointed out the fact that he has not been giving up the home runs
spk_0
since he's returned. But I also want to kind of extend that into his minor league work
spk_0
in while being with Boston, right? Uh, he threw 50 uh, innings in a third in AAA, uh,
spk_0
Pawtucket. I think it's Pawtucket. It's, uh, it's Worcester. Oh, Worcester. That's right. AAA
spk_0
Rooster. Um, only gave up five home runs. That's a soft park. That is a park. It is a very tough
spk_0
park. And, you know, I say this all the time. I love Boston's, you know, uh, uh, uh,
spk_0
pitching coach, right? I love Andrew Bailey. I like the, I like their pitching development
spk_0
in Boston and Kyle Harrison, former top tier pitching prospect. Uh, I think this is a really
spk_0
interesting pickup, especially in those leagues where you're like, you know, like, hey, you can,
spk_0
you know, keep a guy next year for a dollar if you pick him up off of the wire in a deeper format.
spk_0
Like, I think this is a guy who's going to be potentially in that rotation next year, uh,
spk_0
and has a lot of prospect. Predigree. I think this is, but you, especially if you're in a deeper
spk_0
league, maybe 10 or 12 team leagues, you're not doing something like that, but a 15 team or deeper
spk_0
than that. Yeah, I'm picking up Kyle Harrison. I think I'm starting him this week as well.
spk_0
Uh, let's, uh, let's kind of go to a different pitcher, uh, Steven Coleck, who's a guy who's had
spk_0
some really interesting, uh, kind of bouts of relevancy this year, but, you know, kind of up and
spk_0
down, uh, between the majors and the minors, uh, any interest in Coleck here? Uh, yes, because
spk_0
he's facing the angels. Uh, that's a staff. If he also doesn't get a lot of strikeouts,
spk_0
that's kind of a problem. Uh, so it really depends on what you're looking at there. I was just looking
spk_0
at where the angels line up against lefties there, but low league average against, uh, I'm sorry,
spk_0
not he's not lefties righty. It's just the Matt. It's just the overall situation with,
spk_0
I don't know why I had Coleck in my head as a lefty. Uh, but the, it's just a favorable matchup
spk_0
for him. And even then the angels are even, they're still below average against against
spk_0
righties. So yes, this is a favorable matchup. It's not a two-start, but this is a good matchup.
spk_0
Yeah. And since being, uh, uh, called up by the royals, uh, remember he was, uh, moved to the
spk_0
royals, uh, at the deadline, he has a 167 ERA in 27 innings with 19 straight cuts. Like he said,
spk_0
you're not going to get a ton of strikeouts from the guy, but he's pitching really, really well
spk_0
right now. And last, last start, uh, went seven and a third, uh, in that start. So you know,
spk_0
they're going to give him an opportunity. He's actually gone over six innings in his last three
spk_0
starts, seven innings, six and two thirds and seven and a third. So if you're looking for some
spk_0
ratio help, right? And the, and the ratios can move still a bit here at the end of the season.
spk_0
I think Coleck is actually a really nice sneaky pickup here, even with just one start.
spk_0
What about, uh, Treyis Savage, uh, any interest there? A lot. Uh, I got to watch his debut.
spk_0
He looked fantastic. Uh, it kind of, his delivery reminds me of Dean Kramer a bit, but the,
spk_0
you mean the arm slot, his, his release point is one of the high. It just, it looks fantastic.
spk_0
And the, the thing I'm really curious about has Toronto, have they tried to get him post-season eligible
spk_0
because remember, he got called up after the deadline. Uh, and they're looking, I was looking at
spk_0
the story. No, do what I was going to say they put Chris Bassett on the I.L. So I believe they can
spk_0
technically replace him with anybody that's on the 40 man. They said, rule state that only players
spk_0
on the 40 man or 68 injured list as of 1159 on the 31st year eligible for the post season.
spk_0
And then however a player that doesn't meet that criteria can still be added to the team's roster
spk_0
in a post season, be a petition to the commissioner's office if the player was in the organization
spk_0
and is replacing somebody on the injured list who has served a minimum, uh, and has served the
spk_0
minimum amount of time required for activation. So to your point, if Chris Bassett is taking one for
spk_0
the team here with back problems is what they put him on the I.L. with. But yes, I didn't know if that,
spk_0
so the only reason I was bringing that up because if he's not going to be post season eligible,
spk_0
then pitch the hell out of him this week. These pitch and pitch in today against the,
spk_0
the royals and these got to start against the what's left of the raise. And he's already dominated
spk_0
them one time. So yeah, very interested, even if it's a one-start week because they want to,
spk_0
you know, if he's not going to be eligible for the post season, then go let him pitch his final game.
spk_0
I let him do as much as he can against the team. He's already fully dominated. And then let him
spk_0
sit back and soak in the post season if they can't use him. Give the bullpen a break.
spk_0
I think they will be able to use him. I think I think that is one of the reasons why they,
spk_0
you know, put a bassit on the I.L. to give him the opportunity to be eligible here for this first series,
spk_0
wherever it's going to be. And I agree. I mean, there's a ton of strikeout upside here. You look at
spk_0
what he has done. What you said, it's just done in the minor leagues. We're talking about a guy
spk_0
who had a 41.1 percent strikeout rate this year in between four levels. He started it and he started
spk_0
it in a low A, made it all the way up to the majors this year. A lot of strikeouts. You know,
spk_0
the question will be like, what is the walk rate? He had a 10 percent walk rate overall in the
spk_0
A.L. to be able to, you know, not walk too many guys and get himself in trouble. But a lot of
spk_0
upside in the arm. So I think I'm definitely willing to take you in, especially in strikeouts right
spk_0
here. 169 strikeouts and 43 walks and 100 and three eightings of work this year.
spk_0
Pretty crazy. I mean, the thing is, as we bring that up, if you rewind just a few weeks ago,
spk_0
we were talking about the ridiculousness of Jonah Tongue's numbers too. Yeah. And, you know, he has
spk_0
been up and down to his starts. But, you know, the, what was the outing? Who was the team that took
spk_0
18 straight pitches against Tongue to open? Was that the Phillies? Somebody took 18 straight pitches,
spk_0
did not swing at a pitch and made him come into the strike zone type of thing. But, you know,
spk_0
having watched your savages outing against Tampa Bay, it's like the uniqueness of where his
spk_0
arm angle is, how high his release point is and everything. It's just really tough to pick his
spk_0
stuff up. And you can see why he was piling up these strikeouts in the minors as he did. So,
spk_0
yeah, like I said, we know what we're getting into. He's going to pitch against the royals today.
spk_0
That's a great match up for him. And then Saturday, he's already gone against that lineup and they
spk_0
couldn't do a damn thing. Yeah. Then we have a Brad Keller. He's been getting some work as a
spk_0
closer in Chicago. You picking up Keller. Yeah. We talked, we talked a little bit about it last
spk_0
week. And the funny thing was then, then, uh, Kitchwich went out and ripped off a couple of
spk_0
saves. But we did, I did say last week, I like Keller. And that's, and then he ended up getting the
spk_0
save back to back. He got Monday and Tuesday after Kitchwich picked up a couple of saves. So, it's
spk_0
like, I believe it's three Kitchridge and two Keller here. But the problem is the Cubs haven't had a
spk_0
save opportunity since since the 16th. And so we don't know who's going to be the next guy up
spk_0
with the situation. So Kitchwich did throw 19 in yesterday's game. And Keller has not pitched
spk_0
since his back to back saves. But yes, I would, if I'm in a tight and I need one or
spk_0
potentially two saves, I will throw a thing on Keller. Just like I said, I would do last week.
spk_0
Yeah, I think what you said is, is actually the only problem is we don't really know which ones
spk_0
the guy. And there may not be a guy they could split these down the stretch. But if you're taking
spk_0
a dart throw, he got the last two Brad Keller did. So why not take the dart throw on Keller.
spk_0
And then let's finish out with, oh, no, actually we got two more. Kyle Finnegan is back from the IL
spk_0
and should be going right back into his role as the closer where you at with Kyle Finnegan.
spk_0
Back in my lineup, massive. I mean, he got, I'm going to lead where I have an outside shot at first
spk_0
and it saves plus half a point for holds. And I got that hold yesterday, which was nice.
spk_0
For Finnegan, but we already alluded to it's a big week for Detroit. The three three against Boston,
spk_0
three against Cleveland. This is a very big week. They could be a lot of late close games.
spk_0
And wouldn't surprise me if he pulls some type of the way, if he could pull what what was it?
spk_0
Tanner Scott that one year with Miami, we pulled all these saves really late. I think he won you a
spk_0
league based off that or somebody I know wanted to know if it was you. But yes, there's going to be
spk_0
a lot of late and close games this week. Big big spotlight on him. And I want Kyle Finnegan
spk_0
everywhere I can throw him in. I know what is the risk. I don't care. I'm just I'm just hunting
spk_0
for shapes. And you know that he's the guy, right? Like the whole issue with Teller and then the next
spk_0
situation that we're going to talk about is is Finnegan is going to be the guy in the ninth
spk_0
when the when the Tigers are up. So he's going to have an opportunity here. He could rack up two or
spk_0
three saves down the stretch. He could get zero. But you know as well as the Tigers continue
spk_0
to sputter and lose. But yeah, Finnegan would be my top kind of closing option of the week.
spk_0
Let's finish out with the A's closing situation, which has been, you know, like kind of up in the air
spk_0
pretty much since they traded away Mace and Miller. Any interest in maybe a guy like Hogan Harris
spk_0
or Michael Kelly here. Again, if I if I'm hunting for the saves, yeah, I mean Harris has two saved
spk_0
had two saves this past week. Kelly had one, but he had two opportunities. Plus he had a hold.
spk_0
If you're in a saves plus hold league, that plays out. So one of the other, you know, you may not be
spk_0
able to get both. You don't want to roster both. But Harris left the Kelly righty. I'm going to
spk_0
default to the righty. I didn't look. I can't see what the matchups were. Why Harris was the guy
spk_0
they brought in and why it was Kelly the other and maybe it was just because Harris through 26
spk_0
pitches on the on the 18 and Kelly and that made Harris unavailable. So if I got five bucks,
spk_0
four on Harris, one on Kelly based off based off usage just last week. I can't go back and see
spk_0
what it was the prior week. But just the way this reads this to me seems like Harris is is C1
spk_0
and Kelly is C1 and a half. Yeah, I think that is probably where I'm at too with the A situation.
spk_0
I just don't have any games. They're going to win and I believe not a great schedule. Yeah, not
spk_0
just a great schedule, but at all at home too, where it's free against Houston,
spk_0
free against Kansas City. Yeah, yeah. So I don't I think this is kind of the the longest of
spk_0
dart throws. But if you're going to take it, yeah, I guess Hogan Harris would probably be the guy
spk_0
I'm leaning towards, but not feeling a strong one. Where are the other? All right, that is going to
spk_0
wrap us up for our last fab show of the season. Like I said, at the top of the show, we're going to be
spk_0
going in the off season. Won't necessarily be every week, but we will be back here regularly over
spk_0
the course of the end of the season, especially to kind of talk about like, hey, what happened?
spk_0
We're going to we'll do labor and Tatt Oars wrap up, maybe a TGFBI wrap up and an earth wrap up
spk_0
and then we'll start getting prepped for 2026 because hey, we work hard in the off season to make
spk_0
sure that everybody's ready to go at the start of the season. Jason might have already where you
spk_0
could reach and what you're working on. If you're working on anything, because it is the idea.
spk_0
So if I'm in blue sky, Jason Collette this last week, I did an article looking at, you know,
spk_0
we talked about it a little bit last week about sprint speed and how that Josh Nailer and a
spk_0
single digit sprint speed has 27 steels and one one so to and Victor Scott have the same amount
spk_0
of steels and you know, night and day kind of thing, but just looking at who's running and some of
spk_0
that. And then the next piece I wanted to go back and look at spring training. We talked about it
spk_0
a couple of times about how teams kind of tip their hat and spring training. I want to go now that
spk_0
we have season stats wrapping up who was running in the spring as a team and did that translate over
spk_0
to the regular season. So we can take a look at that and then it's accountability season. I want
spk_0
to start looking back at the bold predictions I made and see which ones, which ones worked out
spk_0
like Kyle Schwarver hit in 50 home runs, Lenin Sosa having fantasy value and being the being what he's
spk_0
doing for the white socks, things like that and in which ones sucked. And there are a good amount of
spk_0
both. But you know, every year I try to aim try to get about a third of the bold predictions right and
spk_0
don't go for the safe ones. And I think I did pretty well over the overall this year, but I want
spk_0
to look back and you know, celebrate the ones where I did and see what lessons can be learned from
spk_0
the ones I didn't. I do want to skip the the labor and talc recaps because I sucked in both this
spk_0
year just when you're starting your when you're labor, we draft remember we draft labor kind of
spk_0
early in the season for like early March, eriegetti, McClanahan and somebody else like my top three
spk_0
starters, I think through five pitches for me all year. But I mean, those are like those are the
spk_0
leagues that are the most important to recap, right? Because it gives and like one of my favorite
spk_0
things to do at the end of every season is I do my whole series on like I call the just the
spk_0
Justin Mason apology tour, right? It's break down all the teams that did not do well that we're
spk_0
not successful and break down why it's it's how you learn like where you've gone wrong here.
spk_0
100% we for sure will be covering all those including my last place labor team.
spk_0
My only intent. So yeah, suck it Justin.
spk_0
You can know you can see why when you look at my lineup, I have so many guys on the IL and I just
spk_0
by the end of the season, I just wasn't even I just gave up in terms of set my set my lineup
spk_0
and stuff like that. But yeah, we'll be covering our all those kind of industry league teams
spk_0
as well as kind of getting crap for for 2026. I have I am writing it fantasy pros and
spk_0
fan guys. I'll be writing fan graphs in the off season fantasy pros. Pretty much my last
spk_0
articles will be done today and tomorrow. So I just submitted my last two step article.
spk_0
And then I'll be recording here and on the Friends of Insight. But if it's podcast, become
spk_0
there is only 46 46 days away. It's really really fun. I just bought my tickets last week.
spk_0
Daniel and I will be arriving very early Thursday morning. So if someone wants to go get breakfast
spk_0
at the end house across the street. Let me know when we get in. My daughter and I get in about 10 o'clock.
spk_0
Yeah, I think I think I think we get in around nine. We get in about 10. I know Adams making it
spk_0
back this year. And he gets in right about the same time he texted me. And so yeah, a few of us
spk_0
will be getting in. So yeah, between the end house and the donut shop next door. I love those donuts.
spk_0
Yeah. Yeah. It's there's some great places to eat some great fun to be had. And it's the
spk_0
lot of things to learn. And a lot of great fantasy baseball talk to be had. So if you have never
spk_0
been to Arizona and you're on the fence, jump off the fence, meet us in Arizona here in about 46 days.
spk_0
We're going to have an absolute blast for Jason myself. Thank you for listening.
spk_0
Have fantastic end of your baseball season. Indeed.