2024 Closer Preview

(2:19) – Top Headlines: Jordan Walker demoted, Blake Snell to IL, update on Tristan Casas and Merrill Kelly injuries(21:21) – More News & Notes: Cody Bellinger dealing with rib issue, Lance Thomas likely landing on IL, Garret Cole’s timeline, rehab stints for Max Scherzer and Bryan Woo (31:48) – Positive Early Exit Velocity: Jordan Westburg, Matt Chapman, Ryan Mountcastle, Oneil Cruz, Starling Marte, Riley Greene, and Josh Naylor(55:08) – Low Rates of Early Exit Velocity: Luis Arraez, Steven Kwan, Andres Gimenez, and Evan Carter 

April 22: Eric Samulski (@SamskiNYC) and Scott Pianowski (@scott_pianowski) break down this weekend’s news and top waiver adds. Can you hold onto Francisco Alvarez in all leagues? How worried should you be about Merrill Kelly and Cristian Javier? Why you should believe in Luis Garcia Jr. and Bryan De La Cruz and why it may be time to be concerned about Aaron Nola, Nick Castellanos and more. (4:00) – Top Headlines: Tristan Casas adds to list of Red Sox injuries, Francisco Alvarez placed on IL, Max Kepler, Nathaniel Lowe, and Michael Massey activated off IL(21:45) – More News & Notes: DL Hall and Christian Javier land on IL, Merrill Kelly scratched from latest start, Louie Varland and Victor Scott optioned to minors(33:50) – Weekend Winners + Most Added Players: Luis Garcia Jr., Wilyer Abreu, Dalton Varsho, Bryan De La Cruz, Kirby Yates, and Hector Neris (59:45) – Popular Starting Pitcher Adds: Mitchell Parker, Albert Suarez, and Jose Soriano(1:06:00) – Players Who Have Us Worried: Jackson Holliday, Aaron Nola, Will Benson, Nick Castellanos, Nolan Gorman, and Jonathan India

(1:24) – Top Headlines: Jack Leiter back up with the Rangers Thursday, Dodgers call up Kyle Hurt,  Landon Knack, and Andy Pages(12:21) – Notable Injuries: Ozzie Albies, Seiya Suzuki, Rafael Devers, Garrett Whitlock, and Tyler Wells(27:09) – Pitchers with increased Whiff%: Reid Detmers, MacKenzie Gore, Bryce Miller, Graham Ashcraft, Clarke Schmidt, Ryan Weathers + notable relievers(49:43) – Relievers with dip in Whiff%: Alexis Diaz, Tanner Scott, and Raisel Iglesias(52:04) – Breaking News: Yu Darvish placed on IL and Eduardo Rodriguez moves to 60-day IL(56:55) – Starters with a drop in Whiff%: Kevin Gausman, Hunter Brown, and Aaron Nola

Eric Samulski (@SamskiNYC) and Scott Pianowski (@scott_pianowski) break down the most recent news and transactions, including Bobby Miller, Carlos Correa, and Jake Burger headed to the IL with Justin Verlander and Jameson Taillon returning. They also break down some of Yahoo formats' most added/dropped players. Is it time to add Michael Busch and Brandon Marsh in more formats? Why didn't MacKenzie Gore rostered more widely? Is it time to move on from Jose Leclerc and Tanner Scott? They discuss all that and more. (1:30) – Why you don’t want to overreact to slow starts from Cody Bellinger and Bryce Harper + Colton Cowser’s recent hot streak(11:00) – Top Headlines: Bobby Miller lands on IL, Framber Valdez update, Justin Verlander and Jameson Taillon nearing return(19:15) – More News & Notes: Michael Lorenzen called up, Jose Butto impresses, Yariel Rodriguez’s MLB debut, White Sox bring up Nick Nastrini + more notable players to IL(35:00) – Popular Waiver Wire Hitters: Colton Cowser, and Brandon Marsh(42:50) – Trendy Waiver Wire Pitchers: Seth Lugo, MacKenzie Gore, Triston McKenzie and Hunter Brown

(0:45) – Top Headlines: Orioles bring up Jackson Holliday, Nick Pivetta and Chase Silseth land on IL, Yoan Moncada suffers leg injury (21:10) – More News & Notes: Jose Miranda called up, Spencer Arighetti joins Astros as Framber Valdez lands on IL, Mets bring up Jose Butto + more intriguing young arms (33:20) – Improved Plate Discipline: Evan Carter, Christopher Morel, Corbin Carroll, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Tyler O’Neill (54:00) – Dip in Plate Discipline: Max Muncy, Christian Walker, Luis Arraez, Adolis Garcia, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Nolan Arenado

Eric Samulski (@SamskiNYC) and Scott Pianowski (@Scott_Pianowski) discuss the recent string of pitching injuries and whether baseball can fix the issue. They then discuss some of the added and dropped players over the weekend. Can Jose Siri and Jose Caballero help fantasy managers in need of speed? Does Michael Busch warrant an add? Are we finally getting the Reid Detmers breakout? What should fantasy managers expect from Ronel Blanco and Cody Bradford and much more. (1:00) – Top Headlines: Spencer Strider, Shane Bieber, Eury Perez out with elbow injuries + growing concerns over pitcher health(28:00) – More News & Notes: Pending returns of Sonny Gray, Nick Lodolo, Aaron Ashby, Walker Buehler, and Braxton Garrett + Luis Robert and Trevor Story sidelined(41:30) – Popular hitters on the Waiver Wire: Brendan Donovan, Brice Turang, Oliver Dunn, Heston Kjerstad, Jose Siri, and Brett Baty(55:10) – Intriguing Waiver Wire arms: Reid Detmers, Ronel Blanco, Spencer Turnbull, Tanner Houck, Zack Littell, and James McArthur

(4:50) - Top Injuries: Josh Jung fractures wrist, Alek Thomas lands on IL (10:30) - More News & Notes: White Sox sign Mike Clevinger, Dodgers claim Taylor Trammell off waivers, Pirates trade for Joey Bart (19:40) - Key Waiver Wire Rules: Adding 10+ strikeout pitchers, targeting multi-pitch starters, prioritizing early saves and speed players (40:00) - Notable Weekend Series: Lightly-rostered players to target in Rays-Rockies, Mets-Reds, Phillies-Nationals, White Sox-Royals and more

(2:00) Breaking down some of the early injuries to notable players such as Royce Lewis, Justin Steele, Eloy Jimenez, Sean Murphy and DJ LeMahieu(29:00) Standout Performers - Esteury Ruiz, Anthony Volpe, Bryce Turang, CJ Abrams, Lourdes Gurriel, Michael Conforto, Mitch Haniger (46:00) Pitchers who caught our eye – Bobby Miller, Tanner Hauck, Zach Gallen, Jack Flaherty, Garret Crochet and more. (1:07:10) – Waiver Wire players to keep an eye on – Will Benson, Jake Fraley, Nick Martini, JD Davis, Mark Cahna, Parker Meadows, Tyler Friedman and more!

2:11 - Player news: McLain surgery, Sewald starting on the IL, Montgomery to the D-backs15:45 – Pitcher Big Bold Predictions17:05 - Yankees have a losing record19:35 - DL Hall finishes as a Top-40 starting pitcher22:11 - Two Mariners Cy Young candidates23:47 - The Tigers have 5 SP in the Top-70 starting pitchers, Win AL Central29:20 - Logan Webb wins 20 games31:57 - Shota Imanaga has a better fantasy season than Yamamoto36:20 – Hitter Big Bold Predictions36:40 - Gleyber Torres finishes as the 3rd best 2B38:55 - Anthony Volpe top 10 MVP40:00 - Ke’Bryan Hayes goes 20/2043:00 - Zach Neto goes 20/2044:01 - Parker Meadows finishes as a top-40 OF46:00 - Lawrence Butler finishes as a top-40 outfielder48:33 - Kutter Crawford top 40 SP49:43 - Victor Scott top 3 NL ROY, Cardinals finish in last place again

3:56 Concern level with Kevin Gausman starting today, might not miss a start.9:25 Jordan Romano has no more inflammation but will be delayed. Worried?13:20 Jared Jones has made the Pirates rotation. Where would you draft him?16:19 Max Meyer will start in the rotation. Can he outlast others when Garrett/Eury return?21:49 Colton Cowser makes the Orioles. Can he push Austin Hays?27:20 TJ Friedl will be out just 6-8 weeks. Worth an IL stash?35:00 What hitting stats do you pay attention to in the first couple of weeks? 45:58 What pitching stats do you pay attention to in the first couple of weeks? 48:48 Is there a draft pick cut-off that makes a player who you drafted “safe” to you despite early struggles?53:20 How much do you worry about “team need” versus the best player available off the wire?56:40 What players are you adding to your watch list?