You can reach Ray Flowers on Twitter (@baseballguys).

Did Carlos Rodon turn a corner? Is Pittsburgh a fresh start for Ivan Nova? Which would you go with rest of the season?
@Mike_Santulli


Rodon has underperformed expectations a bit this season, no doubt about that, but he’s trending in the right direction and has an arm that could bring elite results. Speaking of results… over Rodon’s last 10 starts he’s posted a 3.62 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 8.90 K/9 and 2.41 BB/9 rate. Those numbers play, and if his BABIP wasn’t so unreasonably high (.343), his WHIP would be much lower. He’s been even better of late. Since the calendar flipped to August he’s made four starts with four quality starts being the result. It’s better than that. In four starts he’s allowed five runs, four earned, leading to a 1.46 ERA. He’s also walked only six batters leading to a 2.19 BB/9 and a 1.01 WHIP.

I did a video this morning about Nova. Breaks down all my thoughts so I would check out the Daily Dive to see/hear what I think.

I’m taking a shot on the better talent, the one who also has the strikeout upside, so give me Rodon.

Dustin Pedroia or Alex Bregman in an OBP for the rest of the season?
@marcs797


I’m having a really hard time trying to figure this one out.

Let’s talk performance.

Bregman appeared in his first game on July 25th. Let’s compare his work to that of Pedroia since that point.

 

AVG

HR

RBI

RUNS

SB

OBP

SLG

Bregman

.230

4

14

16

0

.285

.407

Pedroia

.301

2

14

16

0

.360

.417

On the season Pedroia is batting .305 with 12 homers, 55 RBI, 81 runs scored, five steals and a .369 OBP. So again, I’m still not seeing how anyone could favor Bregman over Pedroia.

Pedroia is in a better hitting park.
Pedroia is in a better lineup.
Pedroia has the experience.

I play for the known, not the what could be. That means I go Pedroia over Bregman.

Dude, I traded my Wil Myers and Danny Salazar (bad feeling) for Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rick Porcello, thoughts?
@DavidFrnandez

Myers has slowed of late (.215/.325/.346 with four homers and 12 RBI in the second half), but let’s look at the big picture. The guy has gone 20/20 with 72 RBI and 81 runs scored. Do you know how many players in baseball have gone 23-72-81-22? The answer is one – Myers. He is the only man in baseball to have hit all four of those numbers. He also qualifies at first base and the outfield to add some extra value.

Salazar recently spent some time on the DL with an elbow issue. He’s returned and the velocity has been the same as always. However, the results have been terrible as he’s allowed nine runs over five innings. At this point I could see him headed to the DL as easily as I could see him return to his formerly studly form. I would lean a bit more to struggles though as we have to be honest and admit that his arm may not be right as his last four starts he’s allowed 19 runs over 11 innings.

Bradley’s nickname should be rollercoaster. Here are his monthly OPS marks this season: April (.807), May (1.175), June (.805), July (.839) and August (.622). There’s honestly no way to predict who will show up in September. I will point out that his slash line since the All-Star game is terrible at .230/.302/.422 and that he hasn’t stolen a base since June 28th, a span of 47 games. I’m not a big fan.

Porcello isn’t this good, but he’s been at this level virtually all year, so there it is. Over his last five starts he’s allowed five homers, but he’s walked just four batters. He’s also gobbled up at least seven innings each time out on his way to a 4-1 record, even if his K/9 rate (6.69) and GB/FB rate (45.4) are decidedly average stuff. There’s no planet that Porcello is more talented than Salazar, but he carries less concern at the moment.

I understand the deal. I don’t love it, you’re undoubtedly giving up the two best players here, but I understand it. Salazar has been a total mess for a solid month now, and that’s very concerning.

Is Yordano Ventura worth an add over Joe Musgrove? Last three starts really awesome for Ventura, 22:4 K:BB.
@GzzPato7

Ventura has been pretty darn good for a while now, a lot longer than three starts actually. Ventura hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in 9-straight starts. In that timeframe his ERA is a mere 2.79. He’s also struck out 50 batters in 58 innings providing a solid strikeout rate. He’s also kept the walks in check issuing but one free pass in five of the nine outings on his way to a 2.95 BB/9 rate in that time. The result is a nine game stretch with a 1.14 WHIP. He’s always prone to a blow up, but he’s pitching very well right now.

As for Musgrove, he’s been a disaster of nearly epic proportions of late. After allowing one run his first two outings everyone was scrambling to the waiver-wire to add him at all costs. Their reward? Musgrove allowed two runs over seven innings against Toronto, so folks got one good start. However, he’s been historically bad his last two outings. Check out the brutal numbers: 13 runs, 19 hits, four homers, and just four strikeouts over 9.1 innings.

Take a shot on Ventura. He has the experience and is simply pitching better.

Do you think Carlos Gomez is worth an add?
@JagGraf


I gave my thoughts on Gomez, Ian Desmond and Nomar Mazara in this edition of Daily Trends.

Drop Kevin Gausman, Ian Snell or Joe Musgrove for Ivan Nova in a H2H points league?
@Beldingsbrother


Why would you drop Gausman? Over his last five starts he has a 3.03 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 29.2 innings. I know the WHIP is a bit elevated at 1.35, but he’s allowed two or fewer earned runs in 4/5 outings.

Snell, I broke down his suckitude in Pitchers That Are Worth It?

I wrote about Musgrove above.

We produced a video on Nova that you can access above in the first question.

If you wanted to drop Musgrove for Nova that’s fine, but it’s not really an answer.

Finally, just cause…

For all you Giancarlo Stanton lovers... his average season is .267-29-77. Jay Bruce is .248-26-84. The 2016 ADP for both men follows: Stanton (10.1) Bruce (189.1)

Finally, just cause two…

2016 FANTASY FOOTBALL OVERALL RANKINGS - The Top 60 Overall.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 8 PM EDT, on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 11 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).