Fantasy Baseball Today

The one thing we know for sure about 2020 is that it's going to be a weird season. With that being said, what has changed most when it comes to pitchers (1:58)? Should we be devaluing innings eaters? How about Zack Greinke? ... Frank explains why he's avoiding volatile starting pitchers like Trevor Bauer, Robbie Ray and Eduardo Rodriguez (8:16). ... In our email of the day, we're asking about hitter strikeouts (13:20). How much do they matter in H2H points vs. Roto? What does a player need to do to overcome a high strikeout rate? Why is Chris out on Ryan McMahon because of this? ... In our news and notes, we take a look at the 114-game proposal from the MLBPA (23:10). Also, are we forgetting about Griffin Canning? ... So, how should you draft pitchers in a shortened season (31:41)? Frank shares some of his findings, which lean towards devaluing elite starting pitchers. Why should we target more of those breakout types? ... The guys also like targeting AL Central starting pitchers because of their scheduling in 2020 (45:38). Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the show we're taking a closer look at xERA and analyzing some forgotten players but first, how do we feel about actual leftovers? Scott wrote an article recently about xERA so what is it (4:05)? Like other ERA estimators, xERA could be helpful for Fantasy Baseball but how? Why does Aaron Civale have a better outlook because of xERA? ... Who are some of the winners and losers using this new stat (11:42)? Scott tells us how Julio Urias, Tyler Glasnow and a pair of Twins pitchers benefit. ... Leftovers Part 1 (23:11)! These are the players we haven't talked enough about yet this offseason. ... What's the outlook for Max Muncy (24:15)? ... Why is Max Kepler so similar to Muncy (26:36)? ... Can Mallex Smith bounce-back (29:10)? ... Why aren't people more excited about Scott Kingery (32:15)? ... Does Jean Segura have anything left in the tank (35:18)? ... What is Starlin Castro's upside (39:00)? ... Can Jorge Alfaro ever take that next step (41:10)? ... Why is Adrian Houser such a popular sleeper (43:40)? ... Will Jon Berti play enough to be relevant (45:05)? ... Put some respect on Wil Myers' name (47:07)! Why is NOBODY talking about Gregory Polanco (49:15)? ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're talking about sophomore slumps and whether or not they're real! Speaking of sophomores, what were the guys like back in high school? ... Which sophomores are we worried about most in Fantasy this season (5:20)? Is Bo Bichette's ADP too high? ... Our email of the day asks about risers and fallers in keeper leagues (14:37). Is it as simple as veteran players fall while younger players rise? ... What's the deal with the latest MLB proposal (21:36)? Max Scherzer isn't having any of it. Also, Byron Buxton is finally 100% and should be on your radar. ... Getting back to sophomore slumps (33:07), are they real in baseball? Frank shares some data from the past five years on the topic. ... Which sophomore is Adam targeting (40:40) plus what do we do with Fernando Tatis? ... Who are the three sophomore hitters Frank typically targets (46:40)? ... Plus, we have a prospect evaluation for Logan Gilbert, starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners (50:10)! ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got rankings debates but first, which batting stances did you imitate most growing up? If your answer isn't Gary Sheffield, you're wrong. Alright, why the discrepancy in Bryce Harper ranking (4:07)? Frank is buying into the adjustments Harper made the final four months last season. Who should be drafted higher between Harper or Springer? ... Next up we have Hyun-Jin Ryu, whom Scott is higher on than Frank (13:50). How much should we worry about the change of scenery and Ryu's injury history? ... Why does Scott hate Raisel Iglesias (22:33)? Was Iglesias really as bad as his 2019? ... On Wednesdays we like to do some strategy discussion so is the buy-low/sell-high dead in Fantasy Baseball (30:34)? It's much easier said than done nowadays. Why is Adam starting to "buy-high" (34:40)? Should you be doing the same thing? Should we try and sell prospects as soon as they're called up (44:18)? Frank thinks it's a risky proposition. ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A few weeks ago, we had former Marlins President and host of Nothing Personal David Samson on the show to discuss the MLB proposal so we thought it was time to hear a former player's perspective! We start off asking Will Middlebrooks what the biggest hurdle is at this point (3:50) and what the concern level is for current players. ... What would Will do if he were the owners or head of the players union (7:16)? ... Will the shortened season be tougher on hitters or pitchers (11:05)? Will the pitchers have enough time to get ready for the season? ... What are Will's thoughts on the universal DH (13:09) plus why would they ban the high-five? ... Will stud players still play everyday in the shortened season or will they rest more (16:30)? How about if there are doubleheaders? ... With teams set to face just their division and the same geographic division in the opposite league, whom does that favor (21:06)? What would Will's approach be in a shortened season? ... What are his thoughts on the cheating scandals surrounding the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox (25:56)? ... How would Will Middlebrooks describe Mike Trout in his own words (29:43)? ... What's the deal with the Red Sox mascot (35:30)!? We end the show answering your questions! ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're talking players who are expected platoon but first, how much do splits matter in Fantasy Baseball? Surprise, surprise, Aaron Judge is back in the news (4:00). Will he ever play again?? Also, Brent Honeywell suffered another setback. ... We transition into platoons and start off with Tommy La Stella (9:25). Will he actually be in a platoon? ... What should we expect with Jesse Winker, Nick Senzel and the rest of the Reds (12:15)? ... Why does Ozzie Albie struggle so much against right-handed pitching (20:08)? Is there any hope? ... Frank and Adam debate Rafael Devers and whether or not he can improve against lefties (24:55). Never forget that home run he hit off Aroldis Chapman as a rookie. ... Chris shares some thoughts on Carson Kelly and Austin Riley's splits (32:19). ... What's the deal with Kevin Cron on the Arizona Diamondbacks (35:46)? Can he ever make an impact? ... We're answering your questions and start with how much FAAB to spend on Rich Hill, Spencer Howard, and Alex Wood (40:17). ... What happens when you go hitter-heavy in a H2H points league (45:32)? ... Chris provides some great baseball-related dog names throughout the rest of the show! ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're taking a closer look at National League pitchers and ADP but first, what is a Fat Boy? Which NL starting pitchers are affected most by DH (2:49)? Should it drastically affect our rankings? ... Can MacKenzie Gore really start the season with the Padres (10:52)? We've seen them be aggressive with Fernando Tatis and Chris Paddack just last season. ... Our email of the day asks if AL designated hitters like Nelson Cruz and Yordan Alvarez gain value playing in NL ballparks (16:15). ... Which players' ADP has changed the most since the pandemic started (21:39)? Why is Yordan Alvarez trending down? ... Jesus Luzardo is on the rise but should he really be SP24 (25:10)? Pitching prospects like Nate Pearson and Spencer Howard are also big movers (32:21). Can either or both start in the majors? ... Why are middling Fantasy starters like Madison Bumgarner and Zack Wheeler trending down (36:30)? ... We end with a prospect evaluation of Tetsuto Yamada and your emails (41:30)! ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we're revealing our pitchers to avoid this season but first, how do we evaluate pitching for Fantasy Baseball? What stats do each of Scott, Adam, and Chris look at? ... How much has a pitcher's workload changed over the past few seasons (12:15)? Has 180 innings become the new 200 innings for starting pitchers? ... Our email of the day asks how we're handling injuries in the shortened season (16:27). Does it change how you look at Mike Clevinger or Carlos Correa? ... Finally, which pitchers are on our DO NOT DRAFT teams this season (28:30)? Why is Chris avoiding Mike Clevinger? ... Scott and Frank seem to be off of Blake Snell (36:15). Is it all injury related? ... Are the second-round pitchers overpriced this year (40:37)? ... Mike Soroka broke out in 2019 but Adam seems wary (43:43). Who's the most accurate long-term player comp for Soroka? ... Scott delivers a FANTASTIC Michael Caine impersonation (51:45). ... We end with the relievers we're avoiding for 2020 (53:49). ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the show we're revealing the hitters we typically avoid in 2020 but first, Adam explains how to identify those hitters. Catcher is generally a lackluster position but who are we avoiding there (3:37)? Both players actually come from pretty potent offenses. ... At first base, we're mostly avoiding power bats (7:48). Adam isn't buying in on one of Frank's favorite hitters. ... Why should you avoid Whit Merrifield this season (17:19)? ... At third base, Scott and Frank agree on Kris Bryant (23:34). Adam is out on Rafael Devers as a third-round pick. ... Of course, Manny Machado is a popular answer at both third base and shortstop (27:14). Frank once again tries to defend Machado. Carlos Correa is somebody who's consistently dealt with injuries and that can hurt you more with a shortened season. ... Who are the outfielders you shouldn't draft in 2020 (38:57)? ... Why is Adam out on Victor Robles. The guys also seem split on what to do with Eloy Jimenez. ... We wrap up with a brief conversation on Joey Gallo and why Chris hasn't typically drafted him (55:11). ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the show we're trying word association for random baseball teams but first, which shows made you happy or sad when they ended? ... Frank has some St. Louis Cardinals updates (3:37). What's the latest on Miles Mikolas and Matt Carpenter? ... Here's how MLB team word association is going to work. We spin a virtual wheel and whatever team it lands on, Scott or Chris have to think of a player for us to talk about! First up, we have the Oakland A's (9:23). Chris wanted to talk about Ricky Henderson but we opted for somebody a little more recent. Can said player bounce-back in 2020? ... Second, we have the Boston Red Sox (14:28)! Chris thinks this player is a decent breakout option. ... Third it's the Seattle Mariners (20:15)! No, we're not talking about Franklin Gutierrez. Instead, we have a deep sleeper at starting pitcher! ... Fourth, the Milwaukee Brewers are up (26:25). Is it starting to end for this veteran? ... Fifth, we're talking New York Mets baseball (32:16). This player was dreadful in 2019 but Chris and Frank are optimistic about a bounce-back. ... Lastly, we have the Pittsburgh Pirates (40:15). Are we really doing this again? ... We end with your emails, including one about Anti-SPARP leagues. ... Email us at fantasybaseball@cbsi.com.'Fantasy Baseball Today' is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @CBSFantasyBB, @AdamAizer, @CTowersCBS, @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_FrankJoin our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtodayFor more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/Download our printable Draft Kit from CBSSports.com/draftkit! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices