Episode 863 - Lessons Learned
Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald

Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/EgWHcYXyZnI?feature=share

Recent MLB News

• • Rafael Devers traded to SF
  • Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks traded to Boston
  • Ohtani back to pitching
  • Lance McCullers to the IL
  • Giancarlo Stanton back from the IL
  • Brady House called up
  • Jacob Misirowski debuts
  • Christian Moore debuts
  • Royce Lewis to the IL
  • Justin Martinez to get TJ
  • Kodai Senga to the IL
  • Cole Ragans to the IL
  • Logan Gilbert back and dominant

Overall, what has been going as expected, and what hasn’t? Any early lessons learned this year so far?

• • Still think I need to de-emphasize ADP even more
    1. Don’t force CES if I like Aranda, O’Hearn, Tork, and Rice
    2. Don’t force Pfaadt if I like Bubic, Warren, Roupp, Boyd, Taillon just as much/more later
  • STOP DRAFTING SP STARTING ON THE IL/in the minors NO MATTER WHAT
    1. Manaea - opportunity cost was way too high
    2. Bubba Chandler

 

• Draft guys with bat to ball skills
  1. Jacob Wilson
  2. Yandy
  3. Geraldo Perdomo
  4. Luis Garcia
  5. Jung Hoo Lee
  6. JRam

Topic of the day: Safe SP vs perceived safe SP

• • A narrative my buddy Chris Torres keeps trying to drive
  • Perceived safe, but actually not safe whatsoever coming into 2025
    1. Logan Gilbert
    2. Nestor Cortes
    3. Corbin Burnes
  • Perceived risky, but not actually risky
    1. Chris Sale
    2. Robbie Ray
    3. Joe Ryan
    4. Jacob deGrom (risk was with effectiveness, not health as much)

EARTH Update 

Episode 862 - Biggest Surprises in 2025 So Far!
Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald

Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/CTjbOY0hgcc?feature=share

1. Biggest Surprises At Each Position (Each pick one)
   • Catcher
     1. Justin: Cal Raleigh’s BA and SBs
     2. Dave: Yainer hitting .237
   • 1B:
     1. Justin: Christian Walker
     2. Dave: Naylor 9 SB
   • 2B:
     1. Justin: How terrible the entire position has been (COLT KEITH)
     2. Dave: Kody Clemens turning into Wallner-lite
   • SS:
     1. Justin: Jacob Wilson
     2. Dave: Perdomo/Pena = studs, Seager = dud / lack of depth on wire
   • 3B: 
     1. Justin: Mark Vientos
     2. Dave: Maikel Garcia / Miguel Vargas
   • OF:
     1. Justin: Pete Crow-Armstrong
     2. Dave: Trent Grisham - 13 HR?!
   • SP:
     1. Justin: Kris Bubic
     2. Dave: Tyler Mahle
   • RP
     1. Justin: The entire pool’s volatility
     2. Dave: Raisel/Ryan Walker flopping (other than that it’s playing out pretty much as I thought)

EARTH and NFBC Updates!

Episode 861 - We Are Back!
Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald
Guest- Eric Samulski

1. Recent MLB News
   • Ryan Weathers to the 60 day IL with lat strain
   • Michael King - first reported as slept on his shoulder funny, not a long-term absence - over 2 weeks later still hasn’t started throwing yet
   • Logan Gilbert supposedly returning from elbow flexor strain (usually precursor to TJ) after 1 more rehab start after his last one the velo was way down
     1. I’m gonna go ahead and doubt this one
   • Pablo Lopez out 8-12 weeks
   • Nick Kurtz returns from the IL
   • Jac Caglianone makes debut
   • Roman Anthony called up
     1. Wilyer Abreu to the IL
   • Eury Perez to return from TJ
   • Zebby Matthews to the IL
     1. David Festa to be recalled
   • Hunter Greene getting second opinion

Episode 860 - BARF, GLARF, and Main Event Analysis
Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald

Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=share

Topics:
Breakdowns of the BARF, GLARF and the first two NFBC Main Event drafts!

Episode 860 - Auction League Strategies

Host: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFB
Guest: Ariel Cohen @ATCNY
Guest: Matt Frank @MarmosDad

Justin Mason is joined by Ariel Cohen of FanGraphs and Matt Frank of Razzball to discuss auctions on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 858 - Post Hype Players

Host: Pierre Camus @EndGamePierre
Guest: Erik Halterman @erik_halterman
Guest: Matt Morris @Matt_E_Morris
Guest: Anthony Kates @akfantasybb

Pierre Camus of Fantasy Endgame, Erik Halterman of RotoWire, Matt Morris of Dynasty Dingers and Anthony Kates of Fantasy Ethos discuss post hype players on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 857 - Draft Strategies

Host: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFB
Guest: Brant Chesser @BrantChesser
Guest: B-Don @RazzBDon



B-Don of Razzball and Brant Chesser of Baseball HQ join Justin Mason to discuss draft strategies for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 856 - Favorite Targets

Host: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFB
Guest: Chris Towers @CPTowers
Guest: Jordan Eisen @FOV_Sports
Guest: Mike Virginia @_MikeVA

Chris Towers of CBS Sports, Mike Virginia of the Pallazzo podcast, and Jordan Eisen of Field of Vision Sports joins Justin Mason to discuss their favorite players to target this draft season on Podapalooza2025!

Episode 855 - Hitting Sleepers and Busts
Host: Sam Wirsching
Guest: Jamie Steed @Jimbo_Baseball
Guest: Ray Kuhn @Ray_Kuhn_28


Sam Wirsching of The Dynasty Guru, Jamie Steed of RotoBaller, and Ray Kuhn of Fantrax discuss hitting sleepers and busts for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 854 - Dynasty Leagues and Prospects

Host: Eric Cross @EricCrossMLB
Guest: Tim Kanak @fantasyaceball
Guest: Doc Eisenhauer @DocHollidayDyna



Eric Cross of RotoBaller, Tim Kanak of Fantasy Pros, and Doc Eisenhauer of Scout the Statline discuss prospects on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 853 - Starting Pitchers Sleepers and Bust

Host: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFB
Guest: Eric Samulski @samskinyc
Guest: Paul Williamson @paulw_34



Eric Samulski of RotoWorld and Paul Williamson of Fantasy Ethos join Justin Mason to discuss pitching sleepers and busts!

Episode 852 - Dynasty Leagues and Prospects

Host: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFB
Guest: George Bissell @GeorgeBissell
Guest: Chad Simpson @CaoChadTTV
Guest: Donovan Miller @SpittingSeedsBB



George Bissell of the Buzz, Chad Simpson, Donovan Miller of the Dynasty Guru join Justin Mason to discuss dynasty leagues on Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 851 - Undervalued/Overvalued Players Based on ADP

Host: Sara Sanchez @BCB_Sara
Guest: Mattew Peppler @D4RKSH33P_
Guest: Mike MacGregor @DraftBuddy

Sara Sanchez of Pitcher List, Matthew Peppler of Stack Dingers and Mike MacGregor of Draft Buddy give Bold Predictions for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 850 - Undervalued/Overvalued Players Based on ADP

Host: Justin Mason @JustinMasonFWFB
Guest: John Laghezza @JohnLaghezza
Guest: Henry Wilson @Henry13Wilson13

Justin Mason is joined by Henry Wilson of Fantasy Alarm and John Laghezza of The Atheltic to discuss undervalued and overvalued players based on ADP for Podapallooza 2025!

Episode 850 - Developments and WERF
Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald


Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=share

Recent MLB News

• • Nick Pivetta signs with SD
  • Kutter Crawford behind schedule w/ right knee tendinitis
  • Brayan Bello shut down for a few days w/ sore shoulder
  • Frankie Montas shut down 6-8 weeks w/ high grade lat strain
  • Phillies want JT Realmuto to have more days off at catcher
  • ARZ wants to give Lourdes Gurriel more days off
  • Stanton discomfort in both elbows
  • Trevor Megill delayed by mysterious undisclosed “minor health issues”
  • Jon Gray will start
  • Acuna says he’s going to take it easy on the basepaths
  • Devers refusing to move off 3B - what will BOS do with Bregman there too? Lots of talk they want Campbell to start at 2B, move Bregman over to 3B and have Devers play 1B/DH
  • Dodgers will have 5 man rotation prior to Ohtani’s return to the mound
  • Matt Shaw “day to day” with oblique issue
  • Mike Trout and Angels coming up with plan to keep him healthy - moving to RF and DHing more… apparently that’ll do the trick
  • Gavin Lux looking like a super utility player rather than a starter
  • The Tigers could let Kerry Carpenter face more left-handed pitchers

Offseason developments

• • CJ Abrams added 10 pounds of muscle, feels "faster, bigger, stronger." Showed up to camp early
  • Jordan Hicks added 14 pounds to prepare for a full season starters workload
  • Clay Holmes has a new "kick Changeup"
  • Cristopher Sanchez adding new pitch - cutter?
  • Jackson Jobe adds two pitches (curveball, sinker) as he looks to generate more swing-and-miss in two-strike counts.
  • Ryan Weathers lost 20 pounds
  • Adolis Garcia adjusted swing, healthy after knee injury that he played hurt through last year
  • Nick Lodolo came to camp in the Best Shape of His Life and healthy for the first time
  • Kevin Gausman is "sturdier" aka fatter
  • Alejandro Kirk best shape of his life and will be counted on to catch more than he ever has before
  • Trevor Rogers FB currently sitting 93 MPH (supposedly) - at 93 MPH he's MUCH more effective than 92 or lower
  • Kyle Harrison had velo dip last year, corrected issues with his delivery and says his velo is back where he wants it now
  • Jackson Holliday looking bigger/stronger
  • MJ Melendez swing/approach change
  • Francisco Alvarez revamped his swing
  • Miguel Vargas lost weight and went to the gym regularly this offseason - added 20 pounds of muscle
  • Max Meyer added a sweeper
  • Jacob Young "looking jacked"
  • Bryce Miller added a cutter (didn't really throw it last year)
  • Paul Skenes tinkering with adding 2-seam FB and cutter
  • Griffin Canning will throw less 4-seamers and more sinkers and secondaries
  • Eloy Jimenez lost 25-30 pounds this offseason
  • Webb added cutter in Sep and it was phenomenal
  • Elly de la Cruz tweaked batting stance to "help him cut down on strikeouts"
  • Colt Keith made offseason swing adjustments including a more prominent leg kick
  • Michael McGreevy added 15 pounds of muscle
  • Sal Frelick put on 25 pounds of muscle

NFBC Round by Round (Pick your favorite players and fades) 

• • Draft Champions ADP 2/ 3 - 2/17 (last 2 weeks, 10 Drafts)
  • Round 11 150-165
    1. Dave - Adolis / Alexis Diaz
    2. Justin - Luis Rengifo/Reynaldo Lopez
  • Round 12 ...

Episode 849 - Worst Investments in Fantasy Baseball
Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald


Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=share


Recent MLB News

• • Yoan Moncada to the Angels
  • Tommy Pham to the Pirates
  • Pete Alonso back to the Mets
  • Ben Gamel to the Astros
  • Harrison Bader to the Twins
  • Randall Grichuk to the Diamondbacks
  • Ramon Laureano to the Orioles
  • Strider could be back by late April
  • Javier Assad oblique
  • Nico Hoerner “won’t miss much time”
  • Jon Gray closer?

NFBC Round by Round (Pick your favorite players and fades) 

• • Round 6: 75-90
    • Dave - Luis Robert / Raleigh
    • Justin - Spencer Schwellenbach/Sasaki
  • Round 7: 90-105
    • Dave - Christian Walker / Josh Naylor
    • Justin - Marcus Semien/Max Fried
  • Round 8: 105-120
    • Dave - Jake Burger / Spencer Steer
    • Justin - Trevor Megill/The Rest of the Round lol
  • Round 9: 120-135
    • Dave - Luis Garcia / Kirby Yates
    • Justin - Shea Langeliers/Bryan Woo
  • Round 10: 135-150
    • Dave - JT Realmuto / Jasson Dominguez
    • Justin - David Bednar/Kodai Senga

Worst Investments in Fantasy Baseball

• SPs coming off TJ/internal brace
• SPs coming off 2nd TJ/internal brace
• SPs coming into the season injured (especially w/ arm injury)
• SPs who ended the season hurt w/ an arm injury (esp forearm/elbow)
• Hitters coming into the season injured
• Hitters coming off wrist/shoulder surgery (esp. Power hitters)
• Players coming off career years after finally staying healthy for the first time and now having to stay healthy to pay off draft cost
• Left-handed hitters who aren’t stars and struggled vs lefties (esp w. History of struggles vs lefties) like Gorman, Mullins, Lux
  • Stott
  • Cowser
• SB-only guys who aren’t good hitters
• SB assets who have a history of lower body injuries
• SB assets in early-mid 30s

EARTH

• TURF Draft

Episode 848 - We Are Back!
Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald

Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=share

• Getting Ready for your drafts

• • How do you start your prep?
  • How important is ADP this early?
  • Do you mock draft or early draft?
  • KDS Approach
  • How do you approach the first five rounds of the draft?

• NFBC Round by Round (Pick your favorite players and fades) 
  • Round 1:
    1. Dave - Witt/Yordan
    2. Justin - JRam/Betts
  • Round 2
    1. Dave - Merrill/Jazz
    2. Justin - Trea Turner/Acuna Jr
  • Round 3
    1. Dave - Ketel/Devers
    2. Justin - George Kirby/Michael Harris II
  • Round 4
    1. Dave - King/Bautista
    2. Justin - Mason Miller/ Yanier Diaz
  • Round 5
    1. Dave - Butler/Cole
    2. Justin - Willson Contreras/Ozzie Albies

• EARTH
  • NERF Draft Recap

Episode 847 Closer Chaos and More!

Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald

Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=share

1. Closer Chaos
   • Tampa: who closes w/ Fairbanks out? Looks like Manuel Rodriguez
     1. Uceta/Cleavinger other options
   • Detroit: recent usage looks like Foley
   • Arizona: Justin Martinez the guy? WIll Sewald get it back?
   • LA Dodgers: Kopech taking over? Committee?
   • Baltimore: Seranthony the man now? Will Kimbrel get it back?
   • KC: Erceg closer? Used in 7th yesterday, Schreiber closed today… will Harvey reclaim it when he returns?
   • Philly: Is Estevez the full-time closer or will others get opps as well?
   • Miami: Faucher is the guy
   • Colorado: Vodnik is the guy - finally bringing stability to Coors?
   • Cubs: Will Neris be shut down/not used to close games out before the end of the year due to his contract stipulations?
     1. Porter Hodge next in line?
   • White Sox: Does it even matter?

1. Main Event
   • My Main - 75th
   • Me and Tony’s Main - 14th
   • Justin’s Main - 256th
   • Almost every team in the top 15 has either Ohtani or Witt. One team (me) has JRam/Harper, another has Betts. Can you win the overall without Ohtani?
   • 1st place overall Clarke Olson running away with it - Snell was only dropped in 1 league and it was there and he got him. Fish dropped him. Jake celebrated Olson “wasting his money” on Snell

1. EARTH

• GLARF still CRUSHING (some things never change)
  • Highest point total of the season
  • Corrected the course after getting one person to be active
• CERF still in 2nd in cluster w/ NERF WHARF SLARF TURF all close
• SCARF coming up
• Barf werf tarf tanking
• Ian Swirka of SCARF 1st overall
• Justin 35th / Dave 109th
• Others in top 10
• Side Pit leaders
• 2025 Draft Weekend Dates

Episode 846- Back From The Dead!

Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Dave McDonald

Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/ttUCIPifuMQ?feature=share

1. Recent MLB News
   • Austin Riley done
   • Cobb to IL
   • Ketel to IL
   • Fairbanks to IL
   • Hayes to IL - played through herniated disc all season
   • HS Kim having MRI on shoulder today
   • Freddie Freeman getting CT Scan of his finger today
   • Jazz supposedly isn’t having surgery now and says he can return after a min IL stint - believe him?
   • Verlander back Wednesday
   • deGrom starting rehab assignment Thursday
   • Norby called up
   • Innings limits for Crochet, Skubal, Skenes?
   • Grant Holmes and Ryne Nelson out of the rotation?
     1. Reynaldo rehab start wasn’t great; IP limit?
     2. Nelson is their best SP right now - can’t last if they do send him to pen

1. How do you approach the end of the season?
   • Look ahead / Make schedules
   • Play by half weeks, use splits
   • September Call-Ups
   • Conserve FAAB especially for the last 2-3 weeks with how much changes

Episode 845- Back From Vacation!

Host- Justin Mason 
Co-Host- Ray Kuhn 

Watch the pod on youtube: https://youtube.com/live/fhi5ojoC--Q?feature=share


News

• Alek Manoah leaves start with elbow issues
• Lars Nootbaar has an oblique injury
• Tyler O’Neill to the IL with a knee injury
• Edwin Diaz to the IL with a shoulder injury

Topics

• FAAB Prep
  • Mets closer job
    • Reed Garrett/Jake Diekman/Adam Ottavino
  • Nick Gonzales
  • Spencer Schwellenbach
  • Ben Brown
  • Matt Waldron
  • TJ Friedl Returns
  • Tylor Megill
  • Jose Miranda
  • Patrick Bailey
  • Cole Irvin
  • Mark Vient