July 2nd, 2009 by jzak
First, a little brain teaser.
You are going to take a seven-day trip to the beach. Checking the long-range weather forecast, six of the days will be sunny and hot. Not a cloud in the sky. The other day will bring steady, heavy rain. As you finish packing, you realize you only have room for one more item. You are left with sunscreen and an umbrella. Which do take along?
Now, you may be wondering what this has to do with fantasy football. Bear with me. It’s my poor excuse of an illustration on why I hate — no, loathe — a certain age-old fantasy drafting axiom. Continue reading ‘One mistake to avoid in your next draft [FFB]‘
July 2nd, 2009 by ep
The Chinstrap Ninjas are American, but we have no biases. We know foreign countries aren’t as good at beer league softball as us, but they occasionally pop out a player who makes a somewhat minimal difference in fantasy baseball circles.
Aroldis Chapman is expected to be next. According to a report from ESPN the Magazine, Chapman defected from Cuba by walking out of his hotel room in the Netherlands. Doesn’t sound that official to me, but whatever works.
Chapman, 21, has touched 100 MPH on the radar gun and is considered the best left-handed prospect in the world in the minds of many. I hadn’t heard of him, but I do now.
He’ll cause a big hype train when he signs with a pro squad, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him helping some Chinstrap Ninja on a pro diamond by the end of the year.
He wasn’t the only international prospect who made headlines in the Major Leagues today, but he’s the only one we’re going to talk about. There’s a lot of other stuff going on in fantasy baseball:
Continue reading ‘Ninja notes: The international edition [FBB]‘
July 1st, 2009 by ep
How much money could you have won if you had bet that Russ Ohlendorf was going to outpitch Johan Santana. … ever?
Santana got ruffed up for 6 ER in 6 IP, to complete a woeful June (6.19 ERA over the 30 glorious days).
Meanwhile, our boy Ohlendorf threw seven shutout innings and struck out eight.
Let’s not dump on the Johan, it wasn’t a great day for star pitchers. Cleveland’s Cliff Lee gave up 7 R and 11 H in just 3 IP, his worst outing in forever. The recently rejuvenated Cardinals’ SP Chris Carpenter gave up 6 R and 11 H in 5 IP.
Clayton Richard was good, I’m sure that’s comforting. The White Sox pitcher gave up four runs and four hits while striking out six in a complete-game wi… OK. It was a rainshortened game, but still CG W for Richard and he’s the one who beat Lee. Yes, he’s good for a spot-start,.
Ohlendorf, on the other hand, is a very spotty starter.
Some other news and notes from yesterday around baseball:
Continue reading ‘Ninja notes: The Bizarro edition [FBB]‘
June 30th, 2009 by sockonfl
I was diligently researching the fantasy footballs this summer and I may have uncovered the elusive Holy Grail in drafting strategy for running backs.
In looking at running back stats over the past 5 years I found a few statistical consistencies that could provide a radical new approach to drafting running backs in fantasy drafts for years to come.
What do these players all have in common?
- 2004- Corey Dillon – Patriots
- 2005- Lamont Jordan – Raiders
- 2006- Frank Gore – 49ers
- 2007- Jamal Lewis – Browns
- 2008- Michael Turner – Falcons, DeAngelo Williams-Panthers
Continue reading ‘A revolutionary RB draft theory [FFB]‘
June 28th, 2009 by ep
Stealthy Ninjas are back on time this week, and bringing a dose of San Diego pitching with them.
I’m referring to Kevin Correia, of course. Based on his ownership rates in Yahoo leagues you have no idea who he is.
Check out the statistical performance from his last five starts: 4-1 in 33.2 IP, 29:3 K:BB and he’s dropped his ERA more than a point from 5.37 to 4.23.
In case you were uncertain, I’m telling you to add Correia now. He could regress, but five starts is a good enough sample for me to turn into a believer.
As far as the Stealthy Ninja part of it, he won both starts last week, struck out 16 in 13.2 IP and K’d a career-high nine in his last start. Oh, and he’s available in 92% of fantasy leagues.
What other unowned commodities were impressive last week? Let’s take a look: Continue reading ‘Introducing Kevin Correia, he’s a Stealthy Ninja [FBB]‘
June 27th, 2009 by jzak
For 144 days, I stayed clean from my addiction.
It wasn’t easy. The withdrawal symptoms. The sleepless nights. The cold sweats and headaches and need to satisfy my craving. Through it all, I stood strong. I resisted the urge.
That is, until Friday night. During my dinner break at The Daily Item, I had an innocent yearning to check out the magazine rack at Weis Markets across the street.
That was my first mistake. Continue reading ‘Falling off the fantasy magazine wagon [FFB]‘
