by Ray Kuhn

For the last time this season, here we go. It has been a long ride. One that for a lot of you, myself including probably didn’t start too long after the 2017 ended to be honest. While there are still four games left to be played as the last two division winners are determined, but all 10 playoff teams are set, let’s take a trip through the last full day of the season and any performances that may stand out. Congratulations to all of the champions, and good luck to those still sweating out the last two games.

1) Versatility Matters
While Kike Hernandez may not have a steady, full-time position, it is clear that he has a regular role with the Dodgers. We have to walk a fine line of not overrating a player because of multi-position eligibility, but it helps them find playing time, and in today’s game, it is a valuable skill; especially in daily leagues. Hernandez saw time in three positions on Sunday, left field, center field, and shortstop, while going 3 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored. He finishes the season batting .256 in 399 at bats with 52 RBI and 66 runs scored. As long as you don’t overrate the fact that Hernandez can play all over the diamond, and expect a repeat of his 21 home run performance, he can be valuable late round addition to your team. Read more

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

David Wright made his final appearance for the Mets, as the one time great will officially retire and end his playing career.  While he was obviously a non-factor over the past few years, thanks to injury, he was once one of the greats and a surefire first round pick.  What else happened on the field, on a day dominated by pitching stories?  Let’s take a look at the next to last day of the 2018 season:

1) Miles Mikolas finishes his breakout season in style…
It was the cherry on top on what was a great season from start to finish, allowing 1 R (0 earned) on 5 H and 0 BB, striking out 6, over 8.0 IP to defeat the Cubs.  Mikolas finishes the year with a 2.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 146 K over 200.2 IP.  While we’d all like to see a few more strikeouts, something that could come down the line, his combination of elite control (1.35 BB/9 entering the day) and groundball ability (50.3%) translated extremely well.  Couple those numbers with nothing unrealistic in his luck metrics (.281 BABIP, 76.1% strand rate) and what’s not to like?  If he had a strikeout rate more in the 7.5ish range he’d be considered a borderline elite, and those who drafted him in the late rounds have reaped the benefits. Read more

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

The end is in sight…  After a long season you don’t want to take your eye off the ball for the final few days, whether you are battling for a title or looking ahead and planning for 2019 and beyond.  What do we need to know coming out of yesterday’s games?  Let’s dive into the box scores and take a look:

1) Is it time to believe Luke Voit is for real…
For the rest of 2018 absolutely, as he simply continues to rake.  He went 3-3 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 2 R yesterday, putting him at .331 with 12 HR and 30 RBI in just 125 AB as a member of the Yankees.  Before we assume that he’s a product of Yankee Stadium, he’s hitting “just” .288 with 6 HR over 59 AB there so he’s actually been more productive on the road.  Long-term we all need to realize that he’s simply not THIS good, as he entered the day benefiting from a .365 BABIP and 36.7% HR/FB as a member of the Yankees while swinging and missing far too much (15.4% SwStr%).  Ultimately he’ll be exposed, there’s simply just not enough time in ’18 for it to happen.  Ride him for the rest of this season, though he could get some rest as the Yankees prepare for the playoffs, but don’t make the mistake of overvaluing him heading into 2019. Read more

by Ray Kuhn

As the season winds down, we are beginning to see the last of some players for 2018; especially pitchers. And even playing time for position players is beginning to get scarce in some situations, and roster depth is important if you are look to maximize games played. We have to evaluate some of these results differently based on the competition, but everything is important to take into account. Let’s take a look at some of the performances that stood our from a busy day and night around the league:

1) Devers Goes Nuts
While Rafael Devers did play in both ends of Wednesday’s double header, it is the first game that we will remember. Devers had a five effort, missing the cycle by a triple, while driving in six runs. Boston had a complete offensive explosion, posting 19 runs, so there were many contributors, but it was a good sign for the young third baseman who is hitting just .243 on the season. It’s important to remember that the third baseman is still just 21 years old, but it is clear we are seeing the early stages of what he has to offer. Through 440 at bats, Devers is at 21 home runs and 66 RBI as he looks to finish the season strong. Read more

by Ray Kuhn

With the Astros now officially clinching the AL West for the second straight season, games with playoff implications are beginning to dwindle. We have the NL Central race as well as the race for the second NL Wild Card spot, and that is it. All that means, is that fantasy owners still in contention need to become even more vigilant when keeping an eye on playing time. Let’s take a look at some of the fantasy worthy performances from last night:

1) Max Makes History
Even though it’s quite possible he isn’t the most deserving pitcher for the Cy Young, it really is no fault of Max Scherzer’s. If this was indeed his last start of the season on Tuesday, the right-hander certainly finished 2018 off on a high note. Entering drafts for next season, Scherzer will likely be the first pitcher off the board, and it is very much well deserved. It was Scherzer’s 18th victory of the season last night as he limited the Marlins to just one run in seven innings on five hits while not allowing a walk. With 10 strikeouts, Scherzer reached the 300 mark for the season and with a 2.53 ERA, and the only thing slowing him down is the end of the season. Read more

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

It was a big day for Anthony Rendon, who went 2-4 with 1 HR, 4 RBI and 1 R to help lead the Nationals to a W.  Corey Kluber turned in a dominant outing, tossing 7.0 shutout innings allowing 4 H and 1 BB, striking out 11, to defeat the White Sox.  Trevor Story made his return to Colorado’s lineup, going 2-5 with 1 R.  What else happened on the field that we need to know about?  Let’s dive into the box scores and take a look:

1) Sandy Alcantara stumbles against Washington…
It was his second straight start against the Nationals, so you have to at least question if there was a familiarity factor at play.  That said he allowed 6 ER on 7 H and 5 BB, striking out 3, over 4.0 IP and it’s not like he was good in his previous outing (9 ER on 13 H and 11 BB over 8.0 IP in the two starts).  His big issue in the Majors has been poor control, with 21 BB over 27.0 IP, something that had been a question prior to ’18 (he had a 3.88 BB/9 over 125.1 IP at Double-A last season).  He also has struggled to get strikeouts (6.85 K/9 in 115.2 IP at Triple-A and only got 4 swinging strikes last night) and hasn’t been fooling hitters (23.8% O-Swing% entering yesterday).  There is some upside once he figures it out, but for now he’s a complete hands off proposition. Read more