Derrick Rose's torn meniscus does not seem to be holding him back, as he had little trouble being present in Chicago's comeback win over the Heat Thursday night. Though his numbers may not have been too strong, his athletic movement indicates that he should be able to contribute heavily in the postseason once the rust wears off.
An outsider staring at statistics may see Rose's fantasy NBA performance as subpar, as he scored 12 points on just 5-15 shooting from the field, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 turnovers. However, there were several times where his body language did not mimic that of a broken down scoring guard and has-been one of the best NBA players around.
One play in particular, a give-and-go with C Joakim Noah, gave the audience a glimpse of what Rose is able to do. Rose passed the ball to Noah, cut behind him, then received a pass back and converted with a dunk from the baseline. He looked very agile, and the knee did not seem to be getting in the way of his decision-making.
Should he stay healthy, Derrick Rose could certainly lead the Bulls to at least a conference championship match up, and possibly even a spot in the NBA Finals. It'll be important to monitor Rose's minutes, and ensure his availability for the postseason, so he can play a pivotal role down the stretch.
For the most comprehensive and latest fantasy basketball news, keep reading ASL!
- Greg Pokriki - Fantasy Focus
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers
Tis the season for overreactions, and here is quite possibly yet another. Adam Lind’s first four games with the Brewers are telling of a bigger, looming successful season with true MLB fantasy value.
So far this season, Lind is 8-13 with a HR and four walks. I’m not great at math, but I think that works out to a .615 batting average. You say ridiculously small sample size? I say he’s setting a precedent of being a MLB fantasy difference maker.
Now the question becomes whether or not he can hit 54 home runs register 162 walks with a .600 average over an entire season. The answer of course is no, but that doesn’t eliminate him from having a workman like season worthy of a roster spot on your fantasy team.
In seasons where Lind has played in more than 100 games, he has consistently hit more than 20 home runs, topping out at 35 in 2009. His 2014 campaign was shortened to 96 games, but in 2013 (playing in 143 games) Lind hit 23 home runs and batted .288.
Lind also had a 2.3 WAR in 2013. In 2009 Lind actually received MVP votes and a Silver Slugger award. You say dated, dusty awards on a mantle over his millionaire fireplace, but this guy deserves a chance.
He’s traditionally had problems dealing with left-handed pitching, but it looks like he may have turned the corner on these issues coming into 2015. If your league is a standard 5x5 league he’s a strong addition, depending on the rest of your roster. When picking up Lind, understand that you aren’t signing up for a MVP season, but you can expect a solid bat at first.
Stay tuned to ASL for the best fantasy baseball news and advice!
- Tim Haberin - Fantasy Focus
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers
Lance Lynn showed off his MLB fantasy value on Wednesday against the Cubs even though he couldn't squeeze out the win. In six-plus innings of work, the Cards right-hander allowed one earned run on two hits, walking one and striking out nine. He provided MLB fantasy owners with virtually everything they could have asked for except a win, which the St. Louis offense did little to capture against a very effective Jake Arrieta.
The 27-year-old has been no stranger to wins during his four seasons in the majors. In 2012, he netted 18 of them on the way to All-Star honors, and the two following seasons saw him earn 15 apiece. His offensive support should typically be much better than it was in this first start, and if he stays healthy Lynn will get his fair share of victories. He has been a dependable fixture of the Cardinals rotation, throwing over 200 innings in each of the last two seasons. If he continues to do so, MLB fantasy owners will have many reasons to smile.
Lynn posted the lowest ERA of his career last season (2.74) and though a repeat performance might be ambitious (see 3.35 FIP), a sub-3.50 mark is a good bet. Other pitchers may help you more in terms of WHIP (1.26 last year), but Lynn should offer plenty of strikeouts. He has maintained at least an 8.0 K/9 rate every season of his career, and he appears quite ready to keep that streak alive if the nine batters he fanned on Wednesday are any indication.
If your league counts quality starts, Lynn's value only grows. Last year he enjoyed a quality outing in 73% of his starts and put up a career-high of 24. Over the last three seasons he has averaged 20. It's a decent consolation on days like this when weak run support squanders win opportunities.
MLB Fantasy owners can take away many positive observations from Lynn's first outing against an improved division rival. Look for him to be a top-30 starting pitcher in 2015.
For the latest fantasy baseball news, keep reading ASL!
- Greg Pokriki - Fantasy Focus
Fantasy Baseball Sleepers
Michael Brantley is a fantasy owner’s dream player with unlimited MLB fantasy value. His well-rounded skill set fits perfectly into the fantasy scoring system, especially if your league follows the standard 5x5 format.
Last season Brantley hit 20 home runs, a number that becomes even more impressive when thinking about the speed and average he maintains. Brantley finished 2014 with a .327 batting average to go along with 23 steals.
Brantley is the real deal finishing last season just shy of 100 RBI, tallying 97 total. With an improving Indians lineup, Brantley could finally break the century mark. His 94 runs scored last season ranked him tenth in the league – a number that could also rise by the end of the season.
During 2014, he finished third in MVP voting. He had the sixth best season based off of WAR, putting up a 7-win season. Brantley turns 28 next month, which should translate into some of the best numbers of his career.
The Indians are legitimate playoff contenders and Brantley is the biggest reason why. While most others in your league likely will underestimate the centerfielder, make sure you properly evaluate and respect his numbers.
With the lack of attention Brantley attracts, you may even be able to consider him a steal for his average draft place or dollar number during an auction. Brantley is a piece to build your team around. Don’t be afraid to go all in on Brantley or the Indians.
Stay tuned to ASL all season long for the best fantasy baseball news!
- Tim Haberin - Fantasy Focus
Fantasy Baseball News
Drawing conclusions from one game out of 162 is a misguided exercise at best, but MLB fantasy owners can't help but speculate on a player's MLB Fantasy Value. Opening Day 2015 certainly gave nervous fantasy owners several things to chew on as the new season kicks into gear.
Tanaka Struggles: After an impressive first two innings, it appeared that Masahiro Tanaka was going to coast to the kind of effortless outing he enjoyed many times in 2014. Things fell apart in the third, however, when he surrendered five runs, four of them earned. Tanaka made little use of his fastball, instead relying on off-speed pitches to mixed results. Like last year, he was most effective working the edges of the strike zone with his slider or getting hitters to chase the ball down, evidenced by the six strikeouts he accumulated over his four innings. When he left his fastball elevated, he got hit hard: see Edwin Encarnación's two-run blast. Tanaka owners can take heart in the fact that he made it through the game by all accounts pain-free, a concern that will persist in light of last season's elbow injury. If he can refine his control going forward, his slider showed enough of its signature bite to keep missing plenty of bats this season.
New-Look Cubs Shut Out: The Cubs didn't fare much better on Opening Night than fans searching for a bathroom amid the renovations-in-progress at Wrigley Field. Cardinals pitching, led by Adam Wainwright through six shutout innings, held them to five hits and no runs in a rather uneventful commencement to the 2015 MLB season. Jason Heyward owners hoping a move to St. Louis would see the young outfielder really start to deliver on his potential were likely encouraged by his performance on Sunday night. He went 3-for-5 with two doubles, stole a base, and scored a run in the victory. Batting second in the Cards lineup should give Heyward ample opportunity to have more days like this where he can showcase his multi-faceted talent.
Colon Shines: Just like everyone predicted, Bartolo Colon outdueled Max Scherzer at Nationals Park on Opening Day. The 41-year-old Mets starter gave up three hits and one run in six innings, fanning eight and walking one against a capable Washington lineup. As usual, Colon kept things simple, working fast and throwing his fastball for over 80% of his pitches. While you shouldn't expect this kind of performance to be the norm, pitching-needy MLB fantasy owners might consider picking up Colon as a one of their fantasy baseball sleepers to see if he can go on a little run to start the season. Though he pitched to a 4.09 ERA last year, his FIP was about a half-run lower at 3.57.
Royals Hammer ChiSox: The reigning AL Champs got off on the right foot, routing the White Sox 10-1. Chicago's big offseason pitching acquisition had a debut to forget, as Jeff Samardzija gave up five earned runs in six innings, walking three to just one strikeout. Mike Moustakas (2-for-3, solo home run) and Alex Rios (3-for-4, 3-run home run) led the way in the Royals' offensive outburst. Moustakas has largely underwhelmed at the big league level but this type of game might persuade MLB fantasy owners that the 26-year-old third basemen is poised for a turnaround batting out of the second spot in the Royals lineup. Also worth noting: Moose's homer was the first opposite-field shot of his career.
Basketball News
Hornets C Bismack Biyombo has taken over for the injury-plagued star Al Jefferson and has stepped BIG-TIME for Charlotte. As the regular season comes to a close, fantasy NBA owners can not deny his sudden fantasy basketball value when it comes to blocks and boards.
Biyombo has come and seized the opportunity with his extra run at center with Al Jefferson out and is proving to be both consistent and reliable. During his last 6 games, he's had at least 2 blocks in every game, averaging 2.8 blocks over the span. In that same time frame, he's also averaged 8.3 rebounds per contest. Biyombo should continue to see major minutes as he and the Hornets look to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Though his situation seems ideal, the Hornets' tough schedule could limit Bismack Biyombo's immediate upside. Charlotte has to face the Rockets, the Heat, the Hawks, and the Raptors twice, leaving the team's game against the Pistons as the only plus matchup for Biyombo.
At just 22-years-old, Biyombo continues to improve and his ceiling to become one of the better NBA players at his position has to be very high due to his size and athletic ability. He looks to be a decent add for the remainder of the season, as well as a possible sleeper in dynasty leagues. For fantasy relevance for the playoffs, Biyombo should hold mid-round value since Jefferson will likely miss the rest of the regular season to avoid aggravation.
- Greg Pokriki - Fantasy Focus
Justin Verlander- Detroit Tigers
In other fantasy baseball news, the Tigers announced that Justin Verlander will be start the MLB season on the DL. However, the organization seems confident that he will be ready to return quickly. Manager Brad Ausmus said it’s simply a matter of carrying a complete roster into opening day, not a long-term situation. With that in mind, Verlander’s drack stock should not be heavily penalized in your league. He’s a natural competitor and will likely return quickly. He also knows he has something to prove this season after a down 2014. The Tigers are counting on Verlander this season, and you shouldn’t have any reservations doing the same for your fantasy team.
Coco Crisp- Oakland Athletics
Coco Crisp had successful surgery on his elbow on Friday and is out for at least the next 6-8 weeks. The best advice for handling Crisp in the fantasy world would be to avoid him in the draft. If you have a deep enough bench after the draft and feel comfortable using a wasted spot for two months on him, grab him out of free agency. However, at 35-years-old and injured you must understand the risk. Unless you can snag him for a cheap price in an auction format, avoid Crisp in the draft.
Curtis Granderson- New York Mets
Unfortunately, Granderson is very familiar with the injury bug. Even further, Granderson is familiar with being hit by pitches forcing him to miss time. Thursday Granderson’s old friend revisited him, as he was struck on the knee by a Lance Lynn pitch. His fate is now uncertain. “We’ll see how it feels tomorrow,” Granderson said. This is one situation to monitor very closely when deciding if and when to draft Granderson. He has put in a phenomenal spring training. He’s parked three homeruns and is hitting .435. If healthy, it seems Granderson is primed for a big year. He’s also somewhat flying under the radar, giving him steal potential for your fantasy team. Keep an eye on his knee, but stay confident on a healthy Granderson.
Bruce Rondon- Detroit Tigers
Rondon is no stranger to the DL. He spendt all of 2014 watching from home after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Now, Rondon returns to the DL with bicep tendinitis. Concern luckily remains low and optimism high around Detroit. Apparently the injury is very common for pitchers, specifically when picking their game back up in spring. The Tigers are not expecting this to be a long-term situation. With their generally weak bullpen and softened starting staff from last season, a good campaign from Rondon would be ideal for the Tigers. His fantasy stock should remain around the same area for now, but be sure to monitor his next throwing session before over committing.
In QB fantasy news, the Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement with QB Tony Romo to restructure his contract and open up nearly $13 Million in cap space.
The Cowboys couldn't reach a deal with their All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray and now the football world is speculating on whether or not they can afford to land All-World running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson has stated that he would love to play for America's Team, but even with fantasy QB Romo's new deal, it doesn't seem very likely. Minnesota insists that they won't part ways with Peterson without getting a great deal in return.
Dallas recently signed Greg Hardy ($11.3 million) and Rolando McClain ($3 million) to one-year deals which means Romo would need to take a pay cut to land Adrian Peterson if the Vikings are even willing to trade him.
The Cowboys would love to have Peterson running behind the offensive line that paved the way for DeMarco Murray to rack up 1,845 yards, but the odds are very long that Dallas can scrape up that kind of money. Some experts still feel that Peterson could end up in Big D because Jerry Jones may do whatever it takes to land A-P. Even without AP, Romo remains a great QB fantasy football option.
Peterson landing in Big D would likely make him a top three fantasy running back next year. The addition of Peterson would make the Cowboys one of, if not the best offensive team in the NFL and a tough team to beat in the playoffs.
For the most up to date QB news, stay tuned with ASL!
Basketball News
Wizards Center Marcin Gortat has been clashing with his teammates during the past two weeks, but he's also had his best fantasy basketball stretch of games all season long. His fantasy NBA value has fluctuated a decent amount on a nightly basis, and he should not be counted on for predictable and consistent production at this point.
Gortat is coming off a great showing against the lowly Sixers, scoring 23 points in addition to 14 points and 2 blocks, but that should not be hyped up too much. Playing against the Sixers allows for breakout performances on a nightly basis, so his success is not all that encouraging.
The reality is that Gortat has scored 8 points or less in 4 of his last 6 games, but has been racking up the rebounds and the block totals. He hasn't posted back-to-back double digit scoring nights since March 14th and 16th, and his inconsistent play is concerning for fantasy owners looking to succeed in the playoffs.
Evaluating the Wizards' strength of schedule, the team is only playing 2 weaker opponents out of the 7 remaining contests, with those opponents being the Knicks and the 76ers. Those games offer major upside for Gortat's fantasy basketball owners as he should be able to score and grab boards with ease, but he might need to be avoided for the other 5 games left this season. Consider Marcin Gortat one of the riskier fantasy NBA players going forward, with potential to put up solid lines against the weaker teams.
- Tim Haberin - Fantasy Focus
Clay Buchholz ended his Spring Training on a positive note, holding the Twins scoreless over four innings of work. The Red Sox righty struck out four in the outing but also appeared to lack some sharpness, giving up six hits and walking one. The performance was representative of Buchholz's spring as a whole, one in which he looked much better than he did in a dismal 2014 though not quite flashing the form he reached earlier in his career.
Last year was one to forget for Buchholz; in 28 starts he put up a 5.34 ERA, managing an 8-11 record on a Boston squad that finished at the bottom of the AL East. The Sox expect to fare better this season after adding Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval over the winter, and Buchholz hopes to reap some benefit backed by that improved lineup. Advanced statistics also suggest that he wasn't quite as bad as his 2014 numbers show. His 4.01 FIP was significantly lower than his ERA, meaning some better luck and supporting defense could make a big difference in this year's results. Buchholz's case would also be helped by last season's .321 BABIP and 62% strand rate returning to league-average levels.
Despite some reasons for optimism, it remains difficult to feel truly bullish about Buchholz's prospects. He's been inconsistent throughout his career, so while you shouldn't count on a repeat of 2014, neither should you bank on the 12-1 record and 1.74 ERA of the season prior. Injuries have been a concern as well: Buchholz's sterling 2013 was shortened by a neck strain, and he underwent knee surgery at the end of last September. It's unclear how much you can reasonably expect him to rebound and whether he can be relied upon to make it though a full season as he turns 31 this year.
If you're inclined to take a gamble on Buchholz, look to pick him in the last round of your draft. However, you would probably be better served by waiting to see how he does in his first few regular season starts before deciding if he can contribute to your 2015 MLB fantasy team.
