Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

[asprout]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

I have done a few fantasy drafts where I end up with the number 1 or 2 pick and take Mike Trout. I've noticed there are no aces left on the board by the time of my next pick so I have changed my draft strategy. In past games my strategy has always been to mainly focus on position players and I can still put together a pretty good rotation and bullpen but it seems pitching goes faster than ever in this years game. Another part of my usual strategy is to have both a RHP and LHP in each part of my bullpen. Here is my most recently drafted team that I am pretty excited about:

Rd 1: SP Max Scherzer
Rd 2: SP Stephen Strasburg
Rd 3: 3B Matt Bryant
Rd 4: RF Yasiel Puig
Rd 5: CF Jacoby Ellsbury
Rd 6: CP Jonathan Papelbon (Not a fan but closers were completely diminished by the 6th round)
Rd 7: RP Dellin Betances
Rd 8: RP Andrew Miller
Rd 9: SS Didi Gregorius
Rd 10: CF Delino DeShields Jr
Rd 11: SP Luis Severino
Rd 12: C Blake Swihart
Rd 13: SP Zack Wheeler
Rd 14: RP Adam Warren
Rd 15: RP Kevin Siegrist
Rd 16: RP Addison Reed
Rd 17: 2B Javier Baez
Rd 18: 2B Omar Infante
Rd 19: 1B Mike Napoli
Rd 20: SS Stephen Drew
Rd 21: RP Hector Santiago
Rd 22: 1B Jon Singleton
Rd 23: C AJ Ellis
Rd 24: LF Dalton Pompey
Rd 25: SP Matt Moore

Projected Rotation/Bullpen:
S1: M Scherzer- RHP
S2: S Strasburg- RHP
S3: M Moore- LHP
S4: L Severino- RHP
S5: Z Wheeler- RHP
LR: A Warren- RHP
LR: H Santiago- LHP
MR: K Siegrist- LHP
MR: A Reed- RHP
SU: A Miller- LHP
SU: D Betances- RHP
CL: J Papelbon- RHP

Projected Lineup vs RHP:
CF J Ellsbury- L
RF Y Puig- R
3B K Bryant- R
1B J Singleton- L
DH M Napoli- R
SS D Gregorius- L
C B Swihart- S
2B O Infante- R
LF D Pompey- S

Projected Lineup vs LHP:
CF J Ellsbury- L
LF D DeShields Jr- R
RF Y Puig- R
3B K Bryant- R
DH M Napoli- R
2B J Baez- R
1B J Singleton- L
C A Ellis- R
SS S Drew- L

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Why I love Jorge Mateo:

1st pitch of the game, double.
2nd pitch of the game, Mateo steals 3rd (went on his own, too)


Why I hate the rest of this offense sometimes:

Mallex Smith, K

Miguel Sano, Pop out foul (thanks a lot, Mr. Triple Crown watch)

Joey Gallo, 4-3 out

*sigh*

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

The Red Sox continue their muddle-along play, now going 4-6 in their last 10 and an 8-8 first half of August. The team is currently on a 3-game skid, including losing both of a two-game series against the 2nd place O's.

That little losing streak has brought the O's back to the oh-so-familiar 4 games back mark that they've been at for seemingly the entire season to this point.

Alex Reyes and Tanner Roark continue to be the weakest links in the rotation, though Roark's start was lost in the bullpen. Chapman had a rare failure, allowing the O's to walk-off in a 4-3 win, pushing Chapman's ERA to the lofty level of...1.72.

Reyes, however...that was just another disaster. In all, the Red Sox got beat 11-0, so he wasn't the only one who played horrible. Draw a line through it, indeed.

The offense has been very mixed, perhaps starting to slow down from the insane first half. Miguel Sano is having his first legitimate slump of the season (effect of eyes being on him for a potential Triple Crown?), while Carter is still fighting it a bit and Schwarber is starting to slip. Gallo's been about the most consistent recently, so the pressure is on him until his buddies in the middle of the order can get back on track.

The bottom of the order is still a "if you get anything, it's a bonus" situation. Russell is decent enough, but Buxton continues to struggle while Gary Sanchez has not been much better.

Mallex Smith might be starting to get his sea legs as he jumps over the Mendoza line with a hot week or so. He and Jorge Mateo are trying their best to be the spark.

On the pitching side, Sale got plastered in his last start so the Sox are hoping he's not hitting a wall. Roark might have hit that wall. He went just 70 pitches before looking fatigued last time out. Walker is holding his own - that's encouraging. Maeda finally lost in a Sox uniform...in a 2-0 contest.

Alex Reyes? Well...yeah. Moving on...

In all, the Sox are sitting at .588, so hardly suffering, per se, but limping along down the stretch is not what you want to see.


Fun stat: Jorge Mateo has 61 stolen bases (in 69 attempts). That's more stolen bases than 18 teams have.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

After constantly being irritated and not liking the team's I have drafted, I have finished a draft, that I am quite pleased with. This go-around, I focused on the Larger picture & took paper to pen, writing down the Rotation/starters/bullpen/bench of all three levels of my team. The end result has me quite pleased, and should set the team up to withstand injuries (such as the season ending I received in spring training). I will send out two posts one of the majors & top 10 prospects & a 2nd with my AAA & AA depth chart / rotation.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Draft Day thru Opening Day

"With the Fifth Pick in the MLB Organizational Draft, the Atlanta Braves select...Jake Arrieta, Starting Pitcher" - commissioner Manfred said to the delight of Braves fans everywhere. The Atlanta Braves attempted to get back to their winning ways, and focused quite heavily on Pitching in the early rounds of the draft.

During spring training, veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski, was lost for the season due to a torn ACL. This was a huge disappointment, as it was rumored this very well may be A.J.'s final season. Going along with that, A.J. was looked to to be the Braves starting catcher this season.

Many in the media were wondering what the Braves new General Manager, Joe Smith, would do in response to the injury. Smith stayed within the Organization, and after consulting with the rest of the team management, decided John Ryan Murphy would fill the void in the majors.

<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"><link href="http://dynasties.operationsports.com/css/depth_chart.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></head><body><div id="depthchart"><div class="teamheader" style="background:#0F4871;">Atlanta Braves - Opening Day - Depth Chart - 2016</div><div class="depthchart"><div id="catcher"><ul><li class="title">Catcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#12 J.R. Murphy (R)</b></li><li class="even">#10 Ryan Hanigan (R)</li></ul></div><div id="first_base"><ul><li class="title">First Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#11 Chris Colabello</b></li></ul></div><div id="second_base"><ul><li class="title">Second Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#15 Corey Spangenberg</b></li><li class="even">#37 Kelby Tomlinson</li></ul></div><div id="third_base"><ul><li class="title">Third Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#26 Danny Valencia</b></li></ul></div><div id="shortstop"><ul><li class="title">Shortstop</li><li class="odd"><b>#7 Trea Turner</b></li><li class="even">#13 Brad Miller</li></ul></div><div id="left_field"><ul><li class="title">Left Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#38 Chris Denorfia</b></li><li class="even">#5 Brandon Guyer</li></ul></div><div id="center_field"><ul><li class="title">Center Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#18 Randal Grichuk</b></li></ul></div><div id="right_field"><ul><li class="title">Right Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#66 Yasiel Puig</b></li><li class="even">#6 Jake Marisnick</li></ul></div><div id="rightcol"><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Starting Pitcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#49 Jake Arrieta</b></li><li class="even">#28 Corey Kluber</li><li class="odd">#29 Scott Kazmir</li><li class="even">#46 Cory Rasmus</li><li class="odd">#58 Todd Redmond</li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Relief Pitcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#48 Andrew Miller</b></li><li class="even">#60 Hunter Strickland</li><li class="odd">#55 Jared Hughes</li><li class="even">#43 Phil Coke </li><li class="odd">#51 Matt Bush</li><li class="even">#26 Gavin Floyd</li></ul><ul><li class="title">Closer</li><li class="odd"><b>#44 Trevor Rosenthal</b></li></ul></div><div id="leftcol"><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Disabled List</li><li class="odd">C A.J. Pierzynski 6+months</li></ul></div></div></div></body></html>

Opening Day Lineup
2B Corey Spangenberg (L)
RF Yasiel Puig (R)
CF Randal Grichuk (R)
1B Chris Colabello (R)
3B Danny Valencia (R)
LF Chris Denorfia (R)
C J.R. Murphy (R)
SS Trea Turner (R)
SP Jake Arrieta (R)

TOP PROSPECTS
#1 SP Ross Stripling (R) - Stripling could be in the majors right this very moment, but Atlanta has decided to give him some time to refine his game in the minors. If someone slips or is injured, he's likely to be the first one to get a look.(B Potential)#2 SP Michael Fulmer (R) -Fulmer is an ace in the making with 5 pitches, from 95 to 80 mph and just 23 years old. He will start the season in AAA. (A Potential)
#3 1B Josh Bell (S) - The switch hitting 1st baseman from Texas has the bat to stick in the major leagues. The biggest concern is his glove and durability. Atlanta is hoping he can build on that this season.(A Potential)
#4 LF Jesse Winker (L) - Winkler projects as a middle of the order bat, and constant all-star thanks to his bat. (A Potential)
#5 C Kyle Farmer (R) - At 25, some hesitate to still call Farmer a prospect. With Fulmer's hit tool, strong arm and blocking ability, combined with the injuries in the Major's. Farmer may play his way to the show.(C Potential)
#6 UTL Taylor Motter (R) - Motter is another fringe prospect. His ability to play everywhere but 1st & C combined with his speed, glove, and arm make Motter an obvious call-up in the event of an injury.(B Potential)
#7 UTL Chesny Young (R) - Young is very similar to Motter, although he is 3 years his younger. Look for the young Georgian to continue to improve his defense and contact.(C Potential)
#8 CF Boog Powell (L) - At 23 Years old, Powell is knocking on the door of the majors. His contact, plate vision / discipline and speed all look to be major league ready. His weakness is his defense.(C Potential)
#9 SS Mike Miller (R) - At 26, Miller doesn't look to ever reach superstar potential. He has a replacement level bat, but his true value comes in his ability to play 4 different places on the diamond. (C Potential)
#10 SS Kevin Newman (R) - Just 22 Years old, Newman is very raw. Scouts rave about his Speed & Contact ability.(C Potential)

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

AAA/AA Updates

GWINETT BRAVES

<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"><link href="http://dynasties.operationsports.com/css/depth_chart.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></head><body><div id="depthchart"><div class="teamheader" style="background:#0F4871;">Gwinnett Braves (AAA)- Opening Day - Depth Chart - 2016</div><div class="depthchart"><div id="catcher"><ul><li class="title">Catcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#15 Jordan Pacheco (R)</b></li><li class="even">#38 Chris Gimenez (R)</li></ul></div><div id="first_base"><ul><li class="title">First Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#18 Josh Bell (S)</b></li></ul></div><div id="second_base"><ul><li class="title">Second Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#12 Tyler Pastornicky (R)</b></li><li class="even">#14 Mike Aviles (R)</li></ul></div><div id="third_base"><ul><li class="title">Third Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#6 Jeff Bianchi (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="shortstop"><ul><li class="title">Shortstop</li><li class="odd"><b>#38 Taylor Motter (R)</b></li><li class="even">#15 Brandon Hicks (R)</li></ul></div><div id="left_field"><ul><li class="title">Left Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#23 Jesse Winker (L)</b></li><li class="even">#3 David DeJesus (L)</li></ul></div><div id="center_field"><ul><li class="title">Center Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#16 Chris Owings (R)</b></li><li class="even">#24 Grady Siezmore (L)</li></ul></div><div id="right_field"><ul><li class="title">Right Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#6 Marlon Byrd (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="rightcol"><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Starting Pitcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#8 Kevin Slowey (R)</b></li><li class="even">#68 Ross Stripling (R)</li><li class="odd">#56 Ramon Hernandez (R)</li><li class="even">#65 Casey Sadler (R)</li><li class="odd">#32 Michael Fulmer (R)</li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Relief Pitcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#52 Brad Hand (L)</b></li><li class="even">#44 Dale Thayer (R)</li><li class="odd">#29 Chasen Bradford (R)</li><li class="even">#41 Buddy Boshers (L)</li><li class="odd">#40 Kameron Loe (R)</li><li class="even">#14 Ryan Vogelsong (R)</li></ul><ul><li class="title">Closer</li><li class="odd"><b>#12 Trey Haley (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="leftcol"></div></div></div></body></html>

Lineup

CF Chris Owings (R)
SS Taylor Motter (R)
1B Josh Bell (S)
RF Marlon Byrd (R)
LF Jesse Winker (L)
3B Jeff Bianchi (R)
2B Tyler Pastornicky (R)
C Jordan Pacheco (R)
P Kevin Slowey (R)

MISSISSIPPI BRAVES

<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"><link href="http://dynasties.operationsports.com/css/depth_chart.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></head><body><div id="depthchart"><div class="teamheader" style="background:#0F4871;">Mississippi Braves (AA) - Opening Day - Depth Chart - 2016</div><div class="depthchart"><div id="catcher"><ul><li class="title">Catcher</li><li class="odd"><b># 17 Kyle Farmer (R)</b></li><li class="even">#2 Matt Kennelly (R)</li></ul></div><div id="first_base"><ul><li class="title">First Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#10 Ben Paulsen (L)</b></li><li class="even">#38 Michael Morse (R)</li></ul></div><div id="second_base"><ul><li class="title">Second Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#3 Chesny Young (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="third_base"><ul><li class="title">Third Base</li><li class="odd"><b>#7 Gordon Beckham (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="shortstop"><ul><li class="title">Shortstop</li><li class="odd"><b>#5 Kevin Newman (R)</b></li><li class="even">#10 Mike Miller (R)</li></ul></div><div id="left_field"><ul><li class="title">Left Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#1 Brandon Barnes (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="center_field"><ul><li class="title">Center Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#40 Boog Powell (L)</b></li><li class="even">#1 Michael Bourn (L)</li></ul></div><div id="right_field"><ul><li class="title">Right Field</li><li class="odd"><b>#16 Paulo Orlando (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="rightcol"><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Starting Pitcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#55 David Buchanan (R)</b></li><li class="even">#58 Daniel Winkler (R)</li><li class="odd">#37 Mike Pelfrey (R)</li><li class="even">#40 Jimmy Reed (L)</li><li class="odd">#32 Dallas Beeler (R)</li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Relief Pitcher</li><li class="odd"><b>#50 Michael Kirkman (L)</b></li><li class="even">#66 J.C. Ramirez (R)</li><li class="odd">#54 Caleb Cotham (R)</li><li class="even">#56 Franklin Morales (L)</li><li class="odd">#33 Dustin McGowan (R)</li><li class="even">#55 Joe Blanton (R)</li></ul><ul><li class="title">Closer</li><li class="odd"><b>#39 J.R. Graham (R)</b></li></ul></div><div id="leftcol"><ul style="margin-bottom:5px;"><li class="title">Designated Hitter</li><li class="odd"><b>#7 Doug Bernier (R)</b></li></ul></div></div></div></body></html>

Lineup

CF Boog Powell (L)
2B Chesny Young (R)
1B Ben Paulsen (L)
C Kyle Farmer (R)
LF Michael Bourn (L)
RF Paulo Orlando (R)
3B Gordon Beckham (R)
SS Kevin Newman (R)
SP David Buchanan (R)

[Armor and Sword]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

I owe a big update. I was going to do a May monthly recap.....but I am playing so much I am already at Fathers Day and looking to sweep the first place Texas Rangers.

Without a doubt this franchise is ranking in my top 3 all time. I am addicted to it. I will be playing this one for a long time (just like my 1987 Yankees Franchise in year 2). I never felt so invested in a team and undoubtedly it is due to the fact I built this from the ground up in the draft.

So a full update will come at the all-star break.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

OFF WITH A BANG

The Braves have started the season off 4-1 at Turner Field. Opening Day was all a fan could hope for, as Jake Arrieta (1-0 0.00) outdueld Stephen Strausburg (0-1 2.57). Yaisel Puig provided all the offense in a 2-0 victory with 2 solo home runs.

As expected, the pitching staff looks lights out across the board. The only blemish to the homestand was a 7-0 defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals. Home runs were the name of the game, as knuckleballer Steven Wright pitched a complete game shutout for the Red Birds.

NEXT UP
The Braves (4-1) travel to Washington (2-3) for a 4 game series, followed by a 3 game series in Miami (2-3). The road trip will end with a day off before returning to Atlanta.
Projected Starters
Jake Arrieta (1-0 0.00) vs Stephen Strausburg (0-1 2.57)
Corey Kluber (1-0 1.29) vs Taijuan Walker (0-0 1.50)
Scott Kazmir (0-1 7.20) vs Raisel Iglesias (0-0 7.11)
Cory Rasmus (0-0 0.00) vs Brandon Finnegan (0-0 2.08) *Both pitchers were pulled in the 5th Inning of their last start, due to minor injuries, and are looking to bounce back.

[J_smith2190]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Series Split

The Braves split the series in Washington 2-2.

Results / Highlights:
GM1: Atlanta 8 Washington 5 - WP Jake Arrieta (2-0 0.64)
GM2: Atlanta 1 Washington 4 - WP Taijuan Walker (1-0 1.38)
GM 3: Atlanta 6 Washington 4 - WP Phil Coke (2-0 0.00)
GM 4: Atlanta 1 Washington 5 - WP Brandon Finnegan (1-0 1.35)

Next Up
The Braves (6-3) look to finish out the road trip on a strong note after splitting the series with Washington (4-5). A three game series vs Miami is next.

Pitching Matchups
Todd Redmond (0-0 0.00) vs Matt Wisler (1-0 1.42)
Jake Arrieta (2-0 0.64) vs Trevor Bauer (0-1 11.25)
Corey Kluber (1-1 3.55) vs Joe Ross (1-0 2.25)

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Scouts Not Getting Mateo Down
No Love Despite 22-Game Streak, .300 Average

The scouts are not buying Jorge Mateo right now.

They have been reluctant to increase their grades on the plucky 20-year-old shortstop. They have continued to focus on what they see as negatives and are ignoring, at least to this point, what Mateo has actually done on the field.

Mateo isn't letting him bother him, though.

"I don't worry about other people think. Just the guys in the clubhouse, the guys that count on me. That's all I can think about on the field. Doing my job, using my ability, helping us win games, " Mateo spoke.

Part of that on-field play is an on-going hitting streak, now up to 22 games after a 3-for-4 performance in an 8-6 win over the Rays. He's pulled his batting average back over .300 (.304) in the process, and the extra base hits are starting to come as well. He's now up to 15 doubles and his OPS has broken over .700.

The other part of that is his 65 steals in 74 attempts for an 89% success ratio.

What's not to like about Mateo?

Scouts point to his .370 BABIP and say he's just been lucky so far.

"No way that's his actual ability level. When that cools down, either next year or, perhaps worse, if the team makes the playoffs, the real young hitter full of weaknesses will emerge, " one scout spoke, "See what Mallex Smith or Byron Buxton has been doing? Mateo is closer to either of them than what he's doing now."

They also point to his 80 strike outs.

"He can't connect regularly on good pitches. He probably chases a few too many also, probably trying to just put it in play. I think that's a bad habit, especially for a lead off man", an analyst commented.

The other problem, and this is probably a legitimate concern - his defense. Sometimes his play gets erratic, especially fielding the ball.

"Some plays he's showing off range and some plays he doesn't get to a ball 2 steps away from him. Some plays he boots routine grounders, misses easy throws, it's hard to know what you'll get from him in the field, " a scout commented.

Still, does this warrant the complete lack of credit any of Mateo's good play has received?

Perhaps the biggest thing is he's been completely unconventional and, thus, hard to evaluate.

That's the theory his manager, John Farrell is going with.

"He doesn't fit into a neat box. He's a lead-off guy that doesn't break his neck to take a walk, thinking he has better odds of getting on first by slapping a ball and beating it out. Mateo will strike out, but also can steal second and third easily, sometimes in the span of two pitches. He's starting to find the gaps, is a pull hitter that loves the third base line despite having little power, they [the scouts] don't know what to do with that on their checklists, " Farrell commented.

Maybe the scouts will catch up sooner than later.

[Dynasty Legend 99]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

MAY 1ST UPDATE



The Tampa Bay Rays are 15-9 we head into the Month of May.

Here is a Spreadsheet that contains all the info you could ask for.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing


Let me know what you think, I'll probably do a huge update here on OS once I hit the All-Star Break.

FEAR THE COWBELL

[statdude]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

MAY 1ST UPDATE



The Tampa Bay Rays are 15-9 we head into the Month of May.

Here is a Spreadsheet that contains all the info you could ask for.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing


Let me know what you think, I'll probably do a huge update here on OS once I hit the All-Star Break.

FEAR THE COWBELL

Wow, that's awesome! That spreadsheet is awesome! Do you have any plans to upload a blank spreadsheet like that? I'd love to be able to do that with my franchise.

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

The injury bug bites again...but it's not a pitcher this time.

However, it's an equally deplete position group...outfield.

Bryon Buxton attempted a dive on Tampa Bay's turf and ended up with a strained MCL that will keep him out of action 2-3 weeks.

The Sox lost the game 5-4 in a tense contest. Mikael Franco ended up with a triple on the play and would score.

Complicating matters is the fact that John Andreoli, the likely next man up, is also on the DL in AAA for another week or two. Jesse Winker's defense isn't up to snuff just yet, so he won't get the call.

That caused the Sox to purchase the contract of Brett Eibner. He will play RF, and he at least has the arm for the job. The bat will be a problem, but he will hit either 8th or 9th, so it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

Hopefully.

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Sox Limping to the End of August
Mateo's Streak Snapped at 24, Boston Loses 3 of 4

Looks like the Sox are going to hit another funk of sorts to end August. The team just lost 8-1 against the Rays to lose the 3 of the 4 games in the set.

The pitching is starting to falter, and that's going to be an issue if the bats keep going south as well. The offense has shown little pop in recent games, and each of the starters has been getting knocked around. Sale did the best this trip through the rotation, giving up 3 runs in 6 1/3 innings. That's the BEST the rotation mustered.

The bats aren't helping. Mateo lost his 24-game hitting streak by taking an 0-for-4. Mallex Smith is back on the downward spiral after showing promise for a while. Gallo, Sano, Carter, Schwarber...they've all started to flag. And now Buxton is gone for a while, removing a speed threat.

They'll need to figure it out. While the lead is semi-comfortable at 6 games over both the O's and Rays, a month and a week of baseball is plenty of time to make up that ground.

In the personal achievements department, it looks like Sano might not be chasing a Triple Crown come September. The A's Xander Bogaerts has shot up the batting charts, sending his average soaring to .360. That's 18 points higher than Sano's .342, so that might be too much ground to make up unless Bogaerts falls off. Sano is also trailing Jose Abreu by one home run while remaining the only AL batter with over 100 RBI.

[KBLover]

Re: Official MLB The Show 16 Fantasy Draft Franchise Progress Thread

Not what I want to see heading towards September. They need to straighten it out, pronto.




In other news, Gary Sanchez has been benched until further notice. He's been questionable at the plate all year, but it's just gotten bad, even for him, in August. He's down to a .226 average and routine has made big outs and failed to execute with the game on the line.

Mike Zunino will take over duties behind the plate in most situations, not that he will likely tear the cover off the ball...but it can't be too much worse and he's also capable defensively.

In non-DH vs right-handed starters, Schwarber will don the tools in order to keep his bat in the lineup.