fantasy baseball advice

Howard Bender and Adam Ronis discuss everything happening in the early stages of the fantasy baseball season, including hit and cold starts, injuries and micromanaging MLB managers

Matt Stroup and Chris Crawford look at 10 of the biggest surprises — breakouts and bounce-back players — from the 2019 season, including Ketel Marte, Pete Alonso, Jorge Soler, Shane Bieber and Lucas Giolito. We dive into what made them spectacular in 2019, and attempt to forecast what we should expect from them in the future.

Matt Stroup and Rotoworld prospects guru Chris Crawford discuss some prospects making noise late in the season, and determine what it means for their fantasy outlook in the near- and long-term future. The five names we hit in detail are: Jesus Luzardo, Gavin Lux, Kyle Lewis, Nico Hoerner and Sean Murphy. We discuss Luzardo's unfair arsenal, Lux's potential conundrum next year, Lewis and Hoerner's increased power since arriving from Double-A, plus an impressive power surge from Murphy.

Matt Stroup and George Bissell run through some players on the rise in September and try to determine whether or not we can trust them in fantasy leagues over the final few weeks. Jesus Luzardo, Joc Pederson, Wil Myers, Kolten Wong and Sean Manaea are among the names we hit.

Matt Stroup and Nate Grimm look at some notable late-season hot streaks — ranging from Mark Canha to Willie Calhoun to Nick Ahmed — and try to determined what to expect from each of them down the stretch. Also on this episode, we break down the potential impact of Dodgers shortstop prospect Gavin Lux if he gets the call to join the big league club in September.

Matt Stroup and Chris Crawford examine 10 recent trends (five hitters, five pitchers) and weigh their fantasy relevance. Among the names we hit — "The Punisher", Aristides Aquino, who has hit 11 home runs in his first 17 big league games. We also discuss some intriguing young upside arms, including Dinelson Lamet, Griffin Canning and Aaron Civale.

Matt Stroup and Rotoworld prospects guru Chris Crawford discuss the arrival of some notable prospects, including Dodgers right-hander Dustin May (aka "Gingergaard"), a surging Bo Bichette (who hit his third home run on Monday) and Marlins top prospect Isan Diaz. We consider the fantasy outlook for all of them down the stretch, and discuss what to expect from Trent Grisham, Willie Calhoun, Mike Foltynewicz and Aaron Sanchez over the final two months of the season.

Matt Stroup and George Bissell discuss the long-awaited breakout from Jose Ramirez (.344 average, nine home runs, four stolen bases so far in July), and what we can learn from his tumultuous season so far. Plus, what to expect from Bo Bichette now that he's been called up to the Blue Jays, and the fantasy implications of Marcus Stroman getting traded to New York.

Matt Stroup and Nate Grimm run through a wide range of pitching and hitting trends, including the surprise renaissance season for Lance Lynn, who struck out 12 Astros over the weekend. Plus, what to expect going forward from a surging Oscar Mercado, and why we simultaneously can and cannot trust A.J. Pollock in fantasy.

Matt Stroup and Drew Silva look at the fallout from recent injuries to MLB stolen base leader Adalberto Mondesi and surging outfielder Eloy Jimenez (11 homers since the start of June), as well as Jay Bruce and Byron Buxton. We also analyze hot streaks for Keston Hiura and Ramon Laureano, and consider what kind of impact Nathan Eovaldi might have when he returns as the Red Sox closer.

Matt Stroup and George Bissell consider some recent waiver wire options, including a surging Mallex Smith (17 steals since late May), a hot-hitting Keston Hiura (.308 with three homers in July) and Rays prospect Nate Lowe, who had five home runs in his last eight games at the start of this week. We also discuss whether Andrew Cashner is worth the risk now that he's with the Red Sox, what to expect from Daniel Ponce de Leon going forward and the outlook for fire-throwing Padres reliever Andres Munoz. Plus, why Emilio Pagan should be added immediately if he's still available in your league.

Matt Stroup and Drew Silva run through some takeaways from the All-Star break, including the outlook for Shane Bieber, Joey Gallo, Michael Brantley and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Can Shane Bieber continue to pitch like a fantasy ace after his All-Star Game MVP? Did Joey Gallo deserve the award himself? And will Vlad Jr. use the Home Run Derby as a springboard to a monster second half? Also on this episode: an update on the injured/struggling Jake Arrieta, and some significant injury news from the Tampa Bay bullpen.

George Bissell of Rotoworld and special guest Rob Silver of Baseball Prospectus discuss the fantasy fallout from the Jordan Hicks injury (7:00), Frankie Montas suspension (10:00), impressive debut performances from Zac Gallen and Adbert Alzolay (13:00), Yordan Alvarez's future value (18:00) and a handful of players and situations they're monitoring over the remainder of the season (30:00).

George Bissell of Rotoworld and Mike Gianella of Baseball Prospectus discuss the fantasy impact of the Yordan Alvarez in Houston (1:30), the Braves signing Dallas Keuchel (5:00), latest injury updates (8:00) and the biggest mid-season risers including: Lucas Giolito, Jake Odorizzi, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Mike Soroka, Adalberto Mondesi and Josh Bell (14:00). Finally, they analyze recent hot streaks from Brian Dozier, JaCoby Jones, Adrian Sampson, Nick Pivetta, Pablo Lopez, Zach Plesac, Frankie Montas. Cesar Puello and more (40:00).

Matt Stroup and Rotoworld prospects guru Chris Crawford check in on some of the notable names that have been called up this season, including hard-hitting rookies Austin Riley and Michael Chavis, and how likely they are to continue mashing in 2019. Plus, why Eloy Jimenez is still a big-time breakout candidate for this season, the potential home run ceiling for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and why Angels right-hander Griffin Canning is a high-upside arm for this year and beyond.

Matt Stroup and George Bissell break down some recent fantasy trends, including what to expect from Cavan Biggio with the Blue Jays, and what to make of the sudden power surge from 36-year-old Hunter Pence. Also on this episode: an impressive season debut from Andrew Heaney and his fantasy potential going forward, and the outlook on Pirates prospect Mitch Keller. Plus — the Twins have become a true fantasy factory, and we examine what to expect from Miguel Sano, C.J. Cron, Jake Odorizzi and Kyle Gibson the rest of the way.

Matt Stroup and Nate Grimm look at an impressive wave of recent big league arrivals, including hard-hitting recent call-ups Austin Riley, Keston Hiura and Brendan Rodgers. Plus, what to make of a dynamic month of May from Byron Buxton, a dominant 15-strikeout start from Shane Bieber and a stolen base binge from Nick Senzel. Also on this episode: We examine a post-hype breakout from Lucas Giolito, and will Miguel Cabrera ever rediscover his home run power?

Who are the biggest surprises of the season so far? And which players have been the biggest fantasy letdowns? Matt Stroup and Chris Crawford come up with a top five list for each category, including Tim Anderson, Austin Meadows and Josh Bell surging, with Jose Ramirez, Matt Carpenter and Daniel Murphy struggling to live up to preseason billing. We also try to put Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s early struggles in perspective, consider the arrival of Corbin Martin in Houston, and track an insane power binge for Braves prospect Austin Riley. You can check out Chris' latest top-10 prospects report right here.

Matt Stroup and Nate Grimm discuss the immediate success and season-long upside of recent Reds arrival Nick Senzel, plus the emergence of future Braves ace Mike Soroka and the re-emergence of Tyler Skaggs. Also on this episode: what to expect from Shohei Ohtani and Matt Olson as they return from injury, and we go hunting for saves in the Texas and Atlanta bullpens.

Matt Stroup and George Bissell run down a wide range of recent trends for starting pitchers and hitters, including what to make of the Mike Minor renaissance (a career-high 13 strikeouts on Saturday night), and the ongoing struggles of aces ranging from Chris Sale to Corey Kluber to Jacob deGrom. Also on this episode — we look at what could be a very lofty home run ceiling for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this season, and consider the upside of other young middle infielders including Carter Kieboom, Hunter Dozier and Michael Chavis.