Let's chit chat here and keep everything on this thread for both games today. Here are the starting pitcher matchups for both games followed by the starting lineups for both clubs for Game #1:
Q: if you had a pitcher who will serve as an "opener" would you keep them in your lineup that day? In question is Matt Strahm (PHI) and I believe he will only be the opener today and I'm not sure much good can come from that. he can't get the win since he's not going 5, and he can't get the save obviously. What would you do?
I can replace him in my lineup with a reliever like Bryan Abreu (HOU) or Jorge Lopez (MIN) - both middle relievers with W/S potential and decent ratios (my league has ratios like WHIP, K/BB as pitcher categories).
take this opinion with a grain of salt bc i retired from fantasy baseball before the era of openers so never really contemplated, but i think id make the switch you are describing. astros on an 8 game winning streak but against brewers, twins on a losing streak but against sfg. both teams are favored so like you said either one could grab a save or win.
worth noting, McNeil did recently have a day off but... annually McNeil deals with leg soreness/fatigue and annually they kind of leave it murky... would not surprise me if he's dealing with that right now.
RE: RE: Quick fantasy baseball question - I hope no one minds
Q: if you had a pitcher who will serve as an "opener" would you keep them in your lineup that day? In question is Matt Strahm (PHI) and I believe he will only be the opener today and I'm not sure much good can come from that. he can't get the win since he's not going 5, and he can't get the save obviously. What would you do?
I can replace him in my lineup with a reliever like Bryan Abreu (HOU) or Jorge Lopez (MIN) - both middle relievers with W/S potential and decent ratios (my league has ratios like WHIP, K/BB as pitcher categories).
take this opinion with a grain of salt bc i retired from fantasy baseball before the era of openers so never really contemplated, but i think id make the switch you are describing. astros on an 8 game winning streak but against brewers, twins on a losing streak but against sfg. both teams are favored so like you said either one could grab a save or win.
I like Strahm and would probably keep him there. It wasn't too long ago he was in the rotation, and he was successful. And 12.8 K/9 and the sub-1.00 WHIP thus far, so that should help even if he only goes 4 IP. I could see him getting to 5 if he has some quick innings.
1- If you're not starting Escobar today, then when? He's CRUSHED Smyly
2- If Escobar starts at 3b, then the complaint is that you're sitting Baty.
3- They are letting Baty face a lefty vs. a stupid platoon
4- They are hitting Vientos 5th
5- Yeah, McNeil could have started over Pham in LF but McNeil is 0-5 vs. Smyly and now is the time to trot Pham out there in clear "facing lefty" situations and/or find out if they need an upgrade from him. If not now, when?
6- Keeping McNeil's legs fresh isn't the worst idea given his history of leg issues
7. I don't expect much from Gary Sanchez but he's the kind of bat a guy like Barnes/Hinske might want to work with. A guy who is "talented" but never really figured it out. Let's not forget 2016-2017 Gary Sanchez over 175 games had a .923 OPS, 2019 he had an .841 OPS. He's not a complete zero for his career.
escobar has also been very good in may. 8/22 with 2 homers. 3ks/3 walks.
obviously sss but that's a .636slg%, 1.076+ ops, and 199 rc with matching 12% walk/krate. and now a favorable matchup against a guy he crushes.
mcneil is obviously an established player who isn't going anywhere so a game off when a backup is playing well is not a big deal.
worth noting, McNeil did recently have a day off but... annually McNeil deals with leg soreness/fatigue and annually they kind of leave it murky... would not surprise me if he's dealing with that right now.
also a great bat to have on the bench for a big spot if you need him.
yes this is self sacrilege but if vientos is on an 0-3 with 3 k's and they bring in a righty in the 8th with men on, mcneil is a nice option to have behind alonso so they cant pitch around him so easily.
worth noting, McNeil did recently have a day off but... annually McNeil deals with leg soreness/fatigue and annually they kind of leave it murky... would not surprise me if he's dealing with that right now.
Good point about McNeil and his leg soreness/fatigue.
Questions for you Dan (opinion related):
In the future, when (no longer if) Mauricio comes up, can you see McNeil adjusting well to LF, perhaps even RF, despite his defensive excellence at 2B?
Also, how would Jeff playing in the OF affect his annual leg soreness vs. playing the infield? Is this better for him in the long-term or should the Mets still find a way to get Mauricio into one of those two corner OF positions going forward?
don't think the Mets plan on making McNeil a full-time OFer. He's good/solid out there but he's an above average 2b and as we know, his legs for whatever the reason routinely give him issues. It appears "for now" Mauricio is only seeing time at 2b but the stated plan is to get him comfortable at 2b, 1b, OF, 3b. Sure, if Mauricio is crushing at the big league level, the obvious way to get them both into the lineup is McNeil playing more LF, but I doubt it becomes an every day thing.
don't think the Mets plan on making McNeil a full-time OFer. He's good/solid out there but he's an above average 2b and as we know, his legs for whatever the reason routinely give him issues. It appears "for now" Mauricio is only seeing time at 2b but the stated plan is to get him comfortable at 2b, 1b, OF, 3b. Sure, if Mauricio is crushing at the big league level, the obvious way to get them both into the lineup is McNeil playing more LF, but I doubt it becomes an every day thing.
Thanks. Mauricio must have been REALLY bad in the OF for them to not try him out there this year at 'Cuse. Do you see the Mets putting their OF plan with him into action this coming offseason? Mauricio has improved a lot these past two offseason in Winterball. Hopefully that'll help him turn this corner so the Mets can keep Squirrel at 2B.
I have Wandy Peralta as a speculative hold for potential of him taking over the closer role for the Yankees. I think he's their best option, but they are still doing committee.
I have Miguel Castro available and Bobby Miller. We have 3 spots for closer (no Holds category). I could use a guy like Miller if he pans out, but I have plenty of young upside starters (Eury Perez, Pfaadt, Logan Allen, J.P. France, Bailey Ober).
My closers are Iglesias and Kimbrel (with Alvarado in IR spot), but I have one more spot for a RP/closer, which I have Eury Perez in at the moment, semi-punting on saves.
Does dropping Peralta for Castro or Miller make sense?
don't think the Mets plan on making McNeil a full-time OFer. He's good/solid out there but he's an above average 2b and as we know, his legs for whatever the reason routinely give him issues. It appears "for now" Mauricio is only seeing time at 2b but the stated plan is to get him comfortable at 2b, 1b, OF, 3b. Sure, if Mauricio is crushing at the big league level, the obvious way to get them both into the lineup is McNeil playing more LF, but I doubt it becomes an every day thing.
one of the things Eppler has been right about is the value of versatility. mauricio and mcneil are keys to that. if you want to give lindor a day off or dh him, mauricio slides over. vientos/alonso/baty can all work the same way. they are depth before you even have to get someone up off the bench.
eppler's fringe moves (and inability to get buck on board with kids) have driven me near crazy but i give him credit for hanging on to all the kids to this point and if we want a silver lining at least so far the adjustment curves for all of them have been relatively painless (in part because they were overly patient bringing them up).
all of us debated swapping a kid for a marlins pitcher or contreras or montas and all of them for soto or signing conforto and right now im glad we have all of them and as much available PT as possible.
Castro got 3 of the last 4 save opps, but last night he pitched the 7th in the meat of the Phillies' order, and Chafin got the 3-run Save in the 9th. Hard to know what the D-Backs are doing there, but it seems like the Yankees are treating Peralta the same way as they are Castro in Arizona, high-leverage spots against the dangerous parts of the lineups late, whether that is in the 7th, 8th, or 9th innings.
don't think the Mets plan on making McNeil a full-time OFer. He's good/solid out there but he's an above average 2b and as we know, his legs for whatever the reason routinely give him issues. It appears "for now" Mauricio is only seeing time at 2b but the stated plan is to get him comfortable at 2b, 1b, OF, 3b. Sure, if Mauricio is crushing at the big league level, the obvious way to get them both into the lineup is McNeil playing more LF, but I doubt it becomes an every day thing.
Thanks. Mauricio must have been REALLY bad in the OF for them to not try him out there this year at 'Cuse. Do you see the Mets putting their OF plan with him into action this coming offseason? Mauricio has improved a lot these past two offseason in Winterball. Hopefully that'll help him turn this corner so the Mets can keep Squirrel at 2B.
He's never played a single game out there and (I could be wrong) I've never even heard them working with him in the OF in drills etc so he very well may never have seen *any* time out there. It's one thing to believe he can play out there but another to expect him to go from ZERO OF experience to MLB ready.
I have Wandy Peralta as a speculative hold for potential of him taking over the closer role for the Yankees. I think he's their best option, but they are still doing committee.
I have Miguel Castro available and Bobby Miller. We have 3 spots for closer (no Holds category). I could use a guy like Miller if he pans out, but I have plenty of young upside starters (Eury Perez, Pfaadt, Logan Allen, J.P. France, Bailey Ober).
My closers are Iglesias and Kimbrel (with Alvarado in IR spot), but I have one more spot for a RP/closer, which I have Eury Perez in at the moment, semi-punting on saves.
Does dropping Peralta for Castro or Miller make sense?
I would keep Peralta. If he can get a stranglehold on the Yankees closer spot that is more upside than either Castro or Miller IMO.
don't think the Mets plan on making McNeil a full-time OFer. He's good/solid out there but he's an above average 2b and as we know, his legs for whatever the reason routinely give him issues. It appears "for now" Mauricio is only seeing time at 2b but the stated plan is to get him comfortable at 2b, 1b, OF, 3b. Sure, if Mauricio is crushing at the big league level, the obvious way to get them both into the lineup is McNeil playing more LF, but I doubt it becomes an every day thing.
Thanks. Mauricio must have been REALLY bad in the OF for them to not try him out there this year at 'Cuse. Do you see the Mets putting their OF plan with him into action this coming offseason? Mauricio has improved a lot these past two offseason in Winterball. Hopefully that'll help him turn this corner so the Mets can keep Squirrel at 2B.
He's never played a single game out there and (I could be wrong) I've never even heard them working with him in the OF in drills etc so he very well may never have seen *any* time out there. It's one thing to believe he can play out there but another to expect him to go from ZERO OF experience to MLB ready.
there was a mention a couple weeks ago from one of the beats that they are discussing putting him in the OF internally. first id seen that acknowledged.
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
In addition to second base, which Ronny Mauricio played in a minor league game tonight for the first time in his career, Buck Showalter indicated that Mauricio could see some time at first, third and in the outfield.
The long-awaited defensive migration of Mauricio has begun.
6:30 PM · Apr 21, 2023
RE: looks like it was a month ago straight from buck
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
In addition to second base, which Ronny Mauricio played in a minor league game tonight for the first time in his career, Buck Showalter indicated that Mauricio could see some time at first, third and in the outfield.
The long-awaited defensive migration of Mauricio has begun.
6:30 PM · Apr 21, 2023
Around the world! Turn him into Kevin Mitchell!
RE: looks like it was a month ago straight from buck
Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
In addition to second base, which Ronny Mauricio played in a minor league game tonight for the first time in his career, Buck Showalter indicated that Mauricio could see some time at first, third and in the outfield.
The long-awaited defensive migration of Mauricio has begun.
6:30 PM · Apr 21, 2023
Eric,
I’m a bit confused. I said the stated plan was for him to play all over but so far he’s seen 0 OF time.
Q: if you had a pitcher who will serve as an "opener" would you keep them in your lineup that day? In question is Matt Strahm (PHI) and I believe he will only be the opener today and I'm not sure much good can come from that. he can't get the win since he's not going 5, and he can't get the save obviously. What would you do?
I can replace him in my lineup with a reliever like Bryan Abreu (HOU) or Jorge Lopez (MIN) - both middle relievers with W/S potential and decent ratios (my league has ratios like WHIP, K/BB as pitcher categories).
take this opinion with a grain of salt bc i retired from fantasy baseball before the era of openers so never really contemplated, but i think id make the switch you are describing. astros on an 8 game winning streak but against brewers, twins on a losing streak but against sfg. both teams are favored so like you said either one could grab a save or win.
Quote:
but we have some good baseball people on here.
Q: if you had a pitcher who will serve as an "opener" would you keep them in your lineup that day? In question is Matt Strahm (PHI) and I believe he will only be the opener today and I'm not sure much good can come from that. he can't get the win since he's not going 5, and he can't get the save obviously. What would you do?
I can replace him in my lineup with a reliever like Bryan Abreu (HOU) or Jorge Lopez (MIN) - both middle relievers with W/S potential and decent ratios (my league has ratios like WHIP, K/BB as pitcher categories).
take this opinion with a grain of salt bc i retired from fantasy baseball before the era of openers so never really contemplated, but i think id make the switch you are describing. astros on an 8 game winning streak but against brewers, twins on a losing streak but against sfg. both teams are favored so like you said either one could grab a save or win.
I like Strahm and would probably keep him there. It wasn't too long ago he was in the rotation, and he was successful. And 12.8 K/9 and the sub-1.00 WHIP thus far, so that should help even if he only goes 4 IP. I could see him getting to 5 if he has some quick innings.
2- If Escobar starts at 3b, then the complaint is that you're sitting Baty.
3- They are letting Baty face a lefty vs. a stupid platoon
4- They are hitting Vientos 5th
5- Yeah, McNeil could have started over Pham in LF but McNeil is 0-5 vs. Smyly and now is the time to trot Pham out there in clear "facing lefty" situations and/or find out if they need an upgrade from him. If not now, when?
6- Keeping McNeil's legs fresh isn't the worst idea given his history of leg issues
7. I don't expect much from Gary Sanchez but he's the kind of bat a guy like Barnes/Hinske might want to work with. A guy who is "talented" but never really figured it out. Let's not forget 2016-2017 Gary Sanchez over 175 games had a .923 OPS, 2019 he had an .841 OPS. He's not a complete zero for his career.
escobar has also been very good in may. 8/22 with 2 homers. 3ks/3 walks.
obviously sss but that's a .636slg%, 1.076+ ops, and 199 rc with matching 12% walk/krate. and now a favorable matchup against a guy he crushes.
mcneil is obviously an established player who isn't going anywhere so a game off when a backup is playing well is not a big deal.
also a great bat to have on the bench for a big spot if you need him.
yes this is self sacrilege but if vientos is on an 0-3 with 3 k's and they bring in a righty in the 8th with men on, mcneil is a nice option to have behind alonso so they cant pitch around him so easily.
Good point about McNeil and his leg soreness/fatigue.
Questions for you Dan (opinion related):
In the future, when (no longer if) Mauricio comes up, can you see McNeil adjusting well to LF, perhaps even RF, despite his defensive excellence at 2B?
Also, how would Jeff playing in the OF affect his annual leg soreness vs. playing the infield? Is this better for him in the long-term or should the Mets still find a way to get Mauricio into one of those two corner OF positions going forward?
Thanks. Mauricio must have been REALLY bad in the OF for them to not try him out there this year at 'Cuse. Do you see the Mets putting their OF plan with him into action this coming offseason? Mauricio has improved a lot these past two offseason in Winterball. Hopefully that'll help him turn this corner so the Mets can keep Squirrel at 2B.
I have Miguel Castro available and Bobby Miller. We have 3 spots for closer (no Holds category). I could use a guy like Miller if he pans out, but I have plenty of young upside starters (Eury Perez, Pfaadt, Logan Allen, J.P. France, Bailey Ober).
My closers are Iglesias and Kimbrel (with Alvarado in IR spot), but I have one more spot for a RP/closer, which I have Eury Perez in at the moment, semi-punting on saves.
Does dropping Peralta for Castro or Miller make sense?
one of the things Eppler has been right about is the value of versatility. mauricio and mcneil are keys to that. if you want to give lindor a day off or dh him, mauricio slides over. vientos/alonso/baty can all work the same way. they are depth before you even have to get someone up off the bench.
eppler's fringe moves (and inability to get buck on board with kids) have driven me near crazy but i give him credit for hanging on to all the kids to this point and if we want a silver lining at least so far the adjustment curves for all of them have been relatively painless (in part because they were overly patient bringing them up).
all of us debated swapping a kid for a marlins pitcher or contreras or montas and all of them for soto or signing conforto and right now im glad we have all of them and as much available PT as possible.
Quote:
don't think the Mets plan on making McNeil a full-time OFer. He's good/solid out there but he's an above average 2b and as we know, his legs for whatever the reason routinely give him issues. It appears "for now" Mauricio is only seeing time at 2b but the stated plan is to get him comfortable at 2b, 1b, OF, 3b. Sure, if Mauricio is crushing at the big league level, the obvious way to get them both into the lineup is McNeil playing more LF, but I doubt it becomes an every day thing.
Thanks. Mauricio must have been REALLY bad in the OF for them to not try him out there this year at 'Cuse. Do you see the Mets putting their OF plan with him into action this coming offseason? Mauricio has improved a lot these past two offseason in Winterball. Hopefully that'll help him turn this corner so the Mets can keep Squirrel at 2B.
He's never played a single game out there and (I could be wrong) I've never even heard them working with him in the OF in drills etc so he very well may never have seen *any* time out there. It's one thing to believe he can play out there but another to expect him to go from ZERO OF experience to MLB ready.
I have Miguel Castro available and Bobby Miller. We have 3 spots for closer (no Holds category). I could use a guy like Miller if he pans out, but I have plenty of young upside starters (Eury Perez, Pfaadt, Logan Allen, J.P. France, Bailey Ober).
My closers are Iglesias and Kimbrel (with Alvarado in IR spot), but I have one more spot for a RP/closer, which I have Eury Perez in at the moment, semi-punting on saves.
Does dropping Peralta for Castro or Miller make sense?
I would keep Peralta. If he can get a stranglehold on the Yankees closer spot that is more upside than either Castro or Miller IMO.
Quote:
In comment 16122070 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
don't think the Mets plan on making McNeil a full-time OFer. He's good/solid out there but he's an above average 2b and as we know, his legs for whatever the reason routinely give him issues. It appears "for now" Mauricio is only seeing time at 2b but the stated plan is to get him comfortable at 2b, 1b, OF, 3b. Sure, if Mauricio is crushing at the big league level, the obvious way to get them both into the lineup is McNeil playing more LF, but I doubt it becomes an every day thing.
Thanks. Mauricio must have been REALLY bad in the OF for them to not try him out there this year at 'Cuse. Do you see the Mets putting their OF plan with him into action this coming offseason? Mauricio has improved a lot these past two offseason in Winterball. Hopefully that'll help him turn this corner so the Mets can keep Squirrel at 2B.
He's never played a single game out there and (I could be wrong) I've never even heard them working with him in the OF in drills etc so he very well may never have seen *any* time out there. It's one thing to believe he can play out there but another to expect him to go from ZERO OF experience to MLB ready.
there was a mention a couple weeks ago from one of the beats that they are discussing putting him in the OF internally. first id seen that acknowledged.
@AnthonyDiComo
In addition to second base, which Ronny Mauricio played in a minor league game tonight for the first time in his career, Buck Showalter indicated that Mauricio could see some time at first, third and in the outfield.
The long-awaited defensive migration of Mauricio has begun.
6:30 PM · Apr 21, 2023
@AnthonyDiComo
In addition to second base, which Ronny Mauricio played in a minor league game tonight for the first time in his career, Buck Showalter indicated that Mauricio could see some time at first, third and in the outfield.
The long-awaited defensive migration of Mauricio has begun.
6:30 PM · Apr 21, 2023
Around the world! Turn him into Kevin Mitchell!
@AnthonyDiComo
In addition to second base, which Ronny Mauricio played in a minor league game tonight for the first time in his career, Buck Showalter indicated that Mauricio could see some time at first, third and in the outfield.
The long-awaited defensive migration of Mauricio has begun.
6:30 PM · Apr 21, 2023
Eric,
I’m a bit confused. I said the stated plan was for him to play all over but so far he’s seen 0 OF time.