Fantasy Alert: Tanner Scott Seizes Dodgers Closer Role
Fantasy Baseball Weekly Breakdown: Field of Dreams Edition
ELI5 Alert: This article explains fantasy baseball like you’re 5 years old! We’ll break down complicated stats into simple ideas.
The Field of Dreams Game: Fun but Missing Data
The special Field of Dreams game in Iowa was charming and fun to watch — like a baseball movie come to life! But for fantasy managers, there was one big problem: No Statcast data.
What’s Statcast? (ELI5 Version)
Imagine if every pitch had a tiny robot watching it that could tell you:
- How fast the ball flew
- How much it spun
- Exactly where it crossed the plate
- How hard the batter hit it
Statcast is that robot system. Without it, we’re guessing instead of knowing.
Two Starting Pitchers, Two Very Different Nights
Aaron Nola (Phillies) — The "Turn Back the Clock" Game
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Innings | 5 |
| Runs Allowed | 1 (solo homer) |
| Strikeouts | 9 (season high since April!) |
| Recent Trend | 3.28 ERA, 21 K’s in 19.2 IP over 4 starts |
What changed? Nola threw fewer curveballs, more changeups lately. Did he keep that up? We don’t know! No velocity readings, no pitch mix data.
Important Callout: My hunch: Nola just got "locked in" against a beatable lineup. It happens! Don’t rush to add him yet.
Taj Bradley (Rays) — The Rough Night
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Innings | 4 |
| Runs Allowed | 5 |
| Hits | 7 (including 2 homers) |
| K/BB | 3 K’s, 4 walks |
| Recent Trend | 3rd bad start in a row — 12 K’s vs 10 BB’s in 15 IP |
Red flags waving: 19 walks in last 6 starts (5.2 BB/9). That’s a lot of free passes.
Important Callout: Bradley’s having his best career year, but this control wobble is scary. Can’t ignore it, but also can’t "sell high" right now. Wait for more data.
Pre-Game Lineup Card: What You Might Have Missed
Think of this as your "catch-up corner" — links to other helpful articles from CBS Sports.
- Trade Values & Rest-of-Season Rankings — Trade deadlines coming up! Know who’s worth what.
- Prospects Report: 15 Possible Call-Ups — Future stars who might help now.
- Matchup Analysis: 20 Best Pickups for Easy Schedules — Soft opponents = good fantasy weeks.
- Salary Cap Debate — How MLB might change money rules without a war.
- Trend Watch — Can Yordan Alvarez win the Triple Crown? Plus other hot topics.
Hitting the Waiver Wire: Top Targets from Thursday
1. Tanner Scott, RP, Dodgers (56% rostered) — MUST ADD
- Why? Edwin Díaz melted down (11+ ERA, 2.50 WHIP). Dodgers will make a change.
- Proof: They did this exact thing with Scott last year!
- Verdict: Grab him now in any league counting saves.
2. Walbert Ureña, SP, Angels (65% rostered) — CRIMINALLY UNDER-ROSTERED
- Stats: Sub-3.00 ERA, similar to José Soriano (who’s way more owned)
- Skills: Good K’s, limits hard contact, but walks guys
- Schedule: Astros → Guardians/Phillies (two-start week!)
- Action: Just go add him. Seriously.
3. Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, Nationals (10% rostered) — POWER SURGE
- Hot streak: 4 HR in 11 games, 1.122 OPS
- Thursday: 2-for-4, 4th HR + 3 hard-hit balls
- Platoon alert: Hasn’t faced a lefty yet, but 6 righties coming in Week 22
- Move: Start him vs righties immediately.
4. Keider Montero, SP, Tigers (rostered % N/A) — THE MYSTERY MAN
- Latest: 6.1 IP, 0 runs, 3 hits, 1 BB, 0 strikeouts
- Season: 3.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP — all weak contact, no K’s
- My take: I don’t buy it, but he’s working. Use vs Pirates + two-start week if desperate.
Three Up, Three Down: Trending Players
THREE UP (Trending Good)
| Player | Why They’re Hot |
|---|---|
| Braxton Ashcraft (SP) | 10 K’s, 1 run, CG vs Marlins! Curveball had 4 extra inches of drop. First quality start since June. |
| Cade Cavalli (SP) | 98 mph fastball (2nd highest), 10 K’s, 3rd this year. Curve + sweeper = filthy. 28% K-rate since All-Star Break. Watch: 136.2 IP already — most since 2021. |
| Caleb Durbin (3B) | Was worst hitter 1st half. Last 66 games: .309, 11 HR. Grand slam Thursday! xwOBA says "regression coming" but still starter-worthy. |
THREE DOWN (Trending Bad)
| Player | Why They’re Cold |
|---|---|
| José Ramírez (3B) | Back from hand surgery in 6 weeks (no rehab games!). .197, 0 XBH in 18 games. Missed time last week with soreness. Not 100%. |
| Kevin Gausman (SP) | 5.91 ERA since June 1 (70 IP!). 3 good starts before Thursday, but only 14 K’s in 18.2 IP. 35 years old — may not be "the guy" anymore. |
| Jacob deGrom (SP) | Pulled after 2 IP — "triceps fatigue." Testing coming. Also faded late last year (shoulder). 38 with injury history = red flag city. |
Extra Innings: Max Muncy Makes Dodger History
Fun fact time! The Dodgers have been around since 1890. Hall of Famers. World Series titles. Iconic stadium.
But get this: They’ve never had a 400-HR hitter. Eric Karros is 3rd all-time with only 270.
Last night: Max Muncy became the all-time HR leader at Dodger Stadium.
He’s also 5th in franchise history — just 10 behind Roy Campanella!
Weird, right? Muncy’s great, but franchise HR leader at the most famous park? Baseball is funny sometimes.
Summary: What You Need to Do Right Now
- Don’t overreact to Field of Dreams starts — no data = no good decisions
- ADD TANNER SCOTT — he’s the new Dodgers closer (56% → 100% soon)
- ADD WALBERT UREÑA — best under-owned pitcher in fantasy (65% is too low)
- START ABIMELEC ORTIZ vs righties — 6 coming in Week 22
- Monitor Cavalli & Ashcraft — both flashing ace upside
- Be patient with Ramírez, Gausman, deGrom — all have real health/age concerns
- Enjoy the weird history — Muncy atop Dodger Stadium HR list is a great trivia nugget
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What is Statcast and why does it matter?
Statcast is MLB’s high-tech tracking system (cameras + radar) that measures everything: pitch speed, spin, exit velocity, launch angle, sprint speed. Without it, we can’t see if a pitcher’s velocity dropped or if a hitter got lucky. It’s the difference between guessing and knowing.
2. Should I drop Taj Bradley after three bad starts?
No. He’s still having a career year. But don’t trade for him hoping he’s fixed. The walk rate (5.2 BB/9) is a real skill issue. Hold if you have him, avoid if you don’t.
3. Is Walbert Ureña actually good or just lucky?
He’s good at not getting hit hard — that’s a real skill. But his walk rate is bad, and he doesn’t strike out enough guys to be elite. Think: solid #3/4 fantasy starter, not an ace. Worth rostering in 12+ team leagues.
4. Why is Max Muncy the HR king at Dodger Stadium?
Short version: Dodger Stadium historically suppresses home runs (big outfield, marine layer). Muncy hits fly balls to the pull side — the one place the park gives up homers. Plus longevity + consistency = record holder. It’s weird but real!
5. When should I panic about Jacob deGrom?
Now-ish. Two straight years of late-season arm fatigue at age 38 with his injury history isn’t "bad luck" — it’s a pattern. Keep him if you have IL spots or are contending now, but don’t bet your championship on 30+ healthy innings.
Final Thought: Fantasy baseball is a marathon with sprints. This week? Sprint for Scott & Ureña. Marathon-patience on everyone else. Good luck!