Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:02 AM)

Good morning everyone! Lots to talk about today, what with this being the final "week" -- 10 days -- in fantasy baseball championship matchups, as well as Week 3 of the fantasy football season. We'll go heavy on both sports, but as football is in the front of so many people's minds, please, if you have a baseball question, make sure to begin it with "BASEBALL" in caps, so it's easy to find.Here we go!

Doug (KC)

Do you see Leshoure as a solid RB2 ROS?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:04 AM)

No, but let's say I came away more impressed with him in Week 3 than I had initially expected. First of all, he got about double the touches that had been advertised, he looked like a much more powerful back than I could've expected in his NFL debut, and now the Lions have some questions about Matthew Stafford's health, which could thrust the spotlight onto him. I'm with you on RB2 being Leshoure's ceiling, and he's a must-add/own. But for now, I say he'll more likely be in my flex-play class in the upcoming rankings, between 20-25 at his position.

Z (DE)

Any word yet on the injuries for Stafford or Spiller?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:07 AM)

Nope. Stafford is due an MRI on his leg on Monday, and for those unfamiliar with how that process works, it takes some time, a few hours, and you're going to hear the report just about at the same time that we do. (If the Lions are fully forthcoming with the results, that is.)Meanwhile, our own Adam Schefter tweeted this morning that the Bills believe C.J. Spiller only has a sprained shoulder joint, though he'll also have an MRI today to confirm. Could be that he dodged a bullet and will miss only a week.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:08 AM)

Reaction to the Stafford injury: Prepare to make Shaun Hill a top pickup this week, because I don't regard him as a much less capable quarterback for that offense as I did Stafford. No, they're not equal in the talent department. But Hill was pretty darned good as a fill-in a couple years back and certainly would be an every-week starter in two-quarterback leagues given the chance.

Dru (NJ)

Would you use a waiver wire pick up on the Cardinals def. ?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:08 AM)

Yes. I buy this.

Norman (NY)

Why Chris Johnson why???

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:11 AM)

Perhaps the best question of the year, as Johnson -- the football one, not the Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman -- has easily been the most disappointing player of 2012 in my book. Now, I'll say this in his defense: What I saw in Week 3 was a player who had more reason to point fingers at his offensive line than the one from the two weeks before it. He broke off a couple respectable runs. But it was still a mediocre effort absorbing the full 60 minutes, and that O-line doesn't look like it's improving at all. Johnson is clearly a low-end RB2 at this stage, and I think his owners have reason to be both upset and concerned.

Isaac (St. Louis)

I got laughed at when I took Jamaal with the 2nd pick in the 2nd round of my 10 tm league (took Rice at #3 overall)....who's laughing now!!!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:12 AM)

Get laughed at one week, do the laughing the next. That's how this game works.

Titus Young (Right Place Right Time)

I'm an obvious sell high right?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:14 AM)

Again, the bouncing ball goes from floor to ceiling, and you cannot play this game -- the fantasy football game -- that way. A week ago I had people screaming, "Can I drop Titus Young," so no, this week he cannot fit the "sell-high" description. The question likely asks if that performance was legit; that crazy hail mary catch of 46 yards pretty much fueled his stat line. But he's WR4 material at best. My mind hasn't really changed, other than varying between if he's WR4/5, which is a negligible amount.

Samer Salama (Houston, TX)

Who is next in line to run the ball for Denver?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:17 AM)

A committee including Ronnie Hillman, Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball, and just to point out how unattractive the group, Moreno was a healthy scratch in Week 4, Hillman had just two carries in his NFL debut and Ball had a 2.3 yards-per-carry average in Week 3 and has been unable to truly break through for a bigger role in 2-plus years in Denver. I'd be looking elsewhere if need be. We'll see how Willis McGahee's ribs hold up.

Stephen (South Dakota)

BASEBALL- Sultan, do you expect anything from Carlos Gonzalez going this last week? I need him to win a championship!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:18 AM)

I think at this point, with all Gonzalez's setbacks with his hamstring, the Rockies must be thisclose to shutting him down for the season. I'm pessimistic, I'd expect at best half the Rockies' games played and certainly at a performance level beneath 100 percent, and that's probably a sit for you.

Frank (Boston)

Vick an every week starter? Or now just a match-ups play? Can you comment on your ROS outlook for him?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:21 AM)

Well, I wasn't terribly optimistic about him in the preseason, either, ranking him behind, say, Eli Manning (many people had Vick first). But Vick's downside isn't really matchups consideration; it's health risk. That is, he's a risk to leave games early, costing you a horrendous fantasy point total. Forgive him a bit for that poor matchup, and say that his typical basement is 10-12 point (so long as he's healthy the full 60). But the ball-control issues bother me. If I'm doing a rankings set he's probably close to 10th, and that's one of the worse starters in our standard leagues.

Jon (PA)

Daniel Thomas or Lamar Miller in Miami?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:21 AM)

Personally I think it's Thomas, but that's also because I think Miller has things to learn, particularly pass protection.

Mitch (Vermont)

Are you concerned about McCoy

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:22 AM)

No. Other than "Hey, Eagles, give him the darned football more."

Bob (Ft. Lauderdale)

I missed the Denver/Houston game, T.C. Your comment about McGahee's ribs....did he get hurt yesterday?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:22 AM)

Rib issue knocked him from the game about two-thirds of the way through. No clear update about his status going forward, yet.

Showtime (Chicago)

TD or not TD? What's the verdict on Big Ben's completion/Antonio's fumble/fumble recovery for TD?!

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:25 AM)

I'll investigate, but in the live scoring (which is always unofficial until Tuesday morning) he's been credited with it. It depends what the NFL scores that play.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:26 AM)

I'm going to guess it'll wind up a TD because that's how the box score reads, but remember, scoring can change.

Matt (Philly)

BASEBALL: any word on Stanton returning this week? Any recommended potential OF/UTIL waiver adds just in case?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:28 AM)

Another case of the day-to-day injury at the worst time. Oblique issue, day to day, he was out Sunday, and I must be pessimistic accordingly. Oblique issues can often result in DL stints; though at this stage of season the DL is largely irrelevant. If it's my team and I have a strong bench, I'm sitting him.Alejandro De Aza available in your league? How about Nate McLouth or Starling Marte?

Matty (Harrisburg)

Thoughts on Choice as a one week pick up (assuming Spiller sits and FJax is still out)?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:30 AM)

I might be OK with Tashard Choice as a one-week, desperation flex-play, and I think he does warrant a little more respect than he has gotten throughout his career. But he's hardly an elite back, not even close, and I don't think the Patriots represent the best of matchups for him. Pats could clobber that pass D and take the run out of the equation early. Plus, let's not forget that Fred Jackson could, in a miracle scenario, suit up.

Doc Terminus (Passamaquoddy)

Kevin Smith droppable in 10 team league?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:30 AM)

With byes on the way and probable needs for many teams, yes, I can build you that case.

Devin Brooks (Detroit)

Tristan, Do you think Andre Brown is the starter week 4?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:32 AM)

Knowing Tom Coughlin, if Ahmad Bradshaw is healthy enough to practice and then play -- and I stress both, not just "oh, he's not inactive" -- Bradshaw's going to start. I envision a scenario in which Bradshaw is what he was in 2010-11, with Brown serving in a bit of a Brandon Jacobs role from those seasons, so plan accordingly.That said, I've been wrong about Brown before. Say, this past Thursday.

DJ (MKE)

I have Pitta and Graham. Is it safe to trade Graham?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:33 AM)

If you can net something elite -- and I mean a certain top-25 talent overall -- sure. At this point Pitta is a starting fantasy tight end in any format, judging by the way he's being used.

baseball (Baseball)

Must start 2 in championship... Holland, Kuroda, Griffen, Big Erv.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:34 AM)

Always most easily answered in my Forecaster rankings, so this provides the opportunity to add the link: Forecaster Week 24.

Jerome Simpson (MN)

I'm back, baby! And ready to flip into the end zone each week. What type of year do you expect from me?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:36 AM)

I'm glad you asked, because I think Simpson has been unfairly forgotten in many instances. Let's say WR4 potential for now, meaning a rank somewhere between 30 and 45, but that's someone who already warrants either bench or track-him consideration despite his not having played the first three weeks.Remember, Christian Ponder has performed a bit better than expected, and he has done it without much in the way of deep threats. I'm a huge Percy Harvin fan, and like Kyle Rudolph, but I'm sorry, the rest of the Vikings' receivers have been awful. Great opportunity here.

Ichiro (2 Hole)

Will I stay hot this week away from the Bronx or will I drop off and would you drop Hunter for me? Chen - Gem today? Championship time baby, please answer?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:38 AM)

Well, Ichiro's hot streak isn't a stadium byproduct; the power is but the hits production is not. Ballpark seems irrelevant to me and he's largely a "streaks" player. Ride it!As for Wei-Yin Chen, yes, I am game, except in the most shallow mixed formats imaginable. Only the truly picky -- cap folks -- need fret. Think QS min or slightly more, but the K potential solid.

Steve (NY)

Thoughts on Ryan Mathews first game of the season?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:41 AM)

I made some horrible calls this week. Jamaal Charles and Andre Brown stand out. But Ryan Mathews was dead on, and yes, I'm claiming credit for that. He did almost exactly what I expected, certainly the workload/touches was dead on, exactly 15. And for that reason I stick to the plan of action I had when I ranked him a flex play: Bench-and-monitor in Week 3 if you can, this workload gets his wheels back and he's a certain start for Week 4. Two days off, I have a sneaking suspicion he'll be in my top 10 backs, barring some terrible setback reported in the next 48 hours. And I don't see that happening.

Tom (KC)

Is Charles a sell-high after yesterday's game?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:41 AM)

Absolutely not. All it did was slam his buy-low door completely.

Michael (Cali)

MJD a top 5 back ros?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:41 AM)

Yes.

Daniel (VA)

Did Michael Turner look like a real RB or are the Chargers just terrible?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:43 AM)

I think the Chargers are just terrible. Turner's TD potential is going to be right up there with any back's, but I think the 14 carries are about right for a weekly expectation. He's low-end RB2/high-end flex material for me. Always has been.

Mike (San Diego)

Speaking of buy low doors. Ryan Mathews? Good time to buy?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:44 AM)

Absolutely, but I don't think his owners are going to bite. They drafted him knowing this would be the pace of the comeback process. If they didn't, shame on them for having poorly analyzed the situation.

Ryan (Chicago)

Assuming they don't shut him down, do you trust Halladay to start for you during your league championship week?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:45 AM)

No, not really. I mean, I do based upon my rankings, which accounted the risk, but the fact that the Phillies haven't officially decided their rotation beyond Wednesday speaks to their wondering about Halladay's health. If they think they're out of the race by mid-week, I think they shut him down.Wish I could tell you rotations and ranks were not fluid in such an important week. I would be lying to you if I did.

Ryan (Ontario)

Hey TC, did you see any reason why Sproles got 0 receptions yesterday?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:47 AM)

Actually saw less of that game than expected so difficult for me to fully weigh in, but I'm told he missed a few plays after getting shaken up, not to mention the Saints didn't exactly possess the ball on offense an especially large amount of the game. I'd be bothered about how poorly the team is playing if I'm a Sproles owner, a little bit, but I wouldn't sweat that one game log just yet.

Stevan Ridley (New England)

NonPPR--In a vacuum, would you trade Stevan Ridley for Antonio Brown?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:47 AM)

Uh, yes. Ridley's a Patriots running back. I've sung his praises all preseason as the one I'd pick if asked, but I never, ever said I saw him as a top-15 fantasy running back.

Dave (Dallas)

Thoughts on Ryan Williams? Sounds like he looked good after Beanie went out.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:49 AM)

Yes, impressive performance, but not the kind of outrageous one that locks up a starting job for the kid. (Beanie's injury, obviously, has influence.) Remember, Williams looked dreadful the first two weeks. Seriously dreadful, every time I was watching him. He's in the flex class, and let's say he's now snuck ahead of Wells in the ranks.

Dianne (Virginia)

Was that Jammaal Charles best game this year or does he have more like it???

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:50 AM)

He will have another game of similar impact this season, health willing. Count on it. Bet heavily on it coming after Oct. 15. If it comes before, I will answer this question again with, "it will happen again."I love and have always loved Charles' skills. I've never had any question besides the challenge of recovery from ACL surgery. Huge question answered right there.

Karl (Michigan)

BASEBALL - Mark Reynolds or Pedro Alvarez this week to give me some power without killing my batting average?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:51 AM)

The proper answer to your question is you need to be looking elsewhere. Use of either player risks your batting average, period. That's the correct answer on any given day of any given season for either player. I do think the risk, however, is worth it for Mark Reynolds this week, but it's a risk, period. Cross your fingers!

Larry Fitz (Back on the radar)

Whats my trade value in ppr leagues? I have an easy schedule up coming (Mia, Stl, Buf), should my owners hold off trading me for now?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:52 AM)

Bingo!

Mike (Cleveland)

Can I be done with Dez now? PLEASE??

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:53 AM)

How can you be "done" with a kid this talented? It's not like his stat line was totally wretched. I'll go down with the ship with a kid skilled as Bryant is on my bench, at the bare minimum, not cutting him. No way.

Baseball (Baseball)

BASEBALL Championship week!!! I got issues though, I have Jacoby Elsbury and Josh Hamilton but they were out most of last week with injuries, any update? Start or sit them I have Nate McLouth and De Aza as possible back ups.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:56 AM)

Hamilton was discussed before. As for Jacoby Ellsbury, his injury is more mysterious making it all the more difficult to get a read. Three straight missed games and a last-minute Sunday scratch bothers me, and I think playing conservatively is wise in most instances. Therefore: De Aza > Ellsbury.

Tim (NY)

Does Big Ben's ROS projection move up, are the Steelers a better passing team than you had projected preseason?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:58 AM)

Well, that was a heck of a favorable matchup for him in Week 3, so let's not go overboard yet. But I'd say Ben Roethlisberger makes a compelling top-10 case at this point. Maybe at 10 exactly. Pitting him against Vick is an intriguing debate, and the answer is up to each individual owner's willingness to deal with health risk.

Fernando (Charleston)

What do you expect from Jennings tonight considering he's declared he is definitely playing?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (11:59 AM)

A 5-60 kind of line. I'm not that optimistic, say WR3, accounting for playing at perhaps beneath full health and the matchup mediocre.

Lee (Dallas)

If you were going to buy low on one RB right now who wouldi it be?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:00 PM)

Adrian Peterson.I'll give bonus names: Trent Richardson, Doug Martin.

Paul (PA)

RE: Baseball keepers, and the "always keep the hitter strategy"...are there any SPs you'd keep over hitters?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:01 PM)

"Always" is too definitive. Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Cole Hamels, Clayton Kershaw, and that's just four off the top of my head in random order. And it's all individual examples. I just try to keep the hitter over the pitcher, if the values are close.

Matt (Boise)

BASEBALL - How many starts do you see Kershaw getting these final 10 games? Do you think he's a must start in those games?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:04 PM)

Dodgers are three games out in the wild-card race, and that's almost certainly going to decide this. One more start if the Dodgers don't rally, and two if they do, with him needing to start the Oct. 3 finale or an Oct. 4 tiebreaker.I would base my plans upon one start, if I were you.

David (Hotlanta)

Sell now QB's?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:05 PM)

First guy who comes to mind is Joe Flacco. I view him a clear QB2, but the nature of the Ravens offense and his hot start might have some people warming to the idea that he's more.

Strasburg (National's Bench)

I think you omitted me ...

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:05 PM)

Thank you, Stephen, you are correct. That was an informal list, by the way.

Doug (KC)

REVIS OUT FOR YEAR ... where does that put jets D?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:06 PM)

It is a crushing blow to that defense, and it makes them an unquestionable sell-high defense. I'd say they're maybe 10th at this point, and while that sounds like I'm saying they're still a weekly starter in ESPN standard leagues, remember that I really think only 6-8 defenses are actually worthy weekly starts in any format in any year. I match up a lot at the position.

Shawn (MO)

Would you keep Rizzo for $4 or Bruce for $21? My other keepers are Hamilton $22 and Holliday $21. Can only keep 3.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:07 PM)

I can't justify three $20-plus outfielders. Anthony Rizzo's is a good price, though I might suggest you keep Jay Bruce over Matt Holliday. Personal preference thing.

Sean (Pittsburh)

Thoughts on Kyle Rudolph ROS, solid option as a backup TE?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:08 PM)

Yes. In fact, I don't think he's far off being a weekly fantasy starter, it's just that the position remains somewhat deep. High-end TE2.

Kevin (Pittsburgh, PA)

Last week of the playoffs I have both Latos and Gio does either get 2 starts this week or should I look for other options?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:10 PM)

The Reds and Nationals rotations are lined up such that both would pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 3, but I cannot see how it happens. Without information as to how they're shuffling I can't project differently, but I've said both in Forecaster and on Twitter that I don't believe either pitches that day.

Lee (Dallas)

Baseball- Would you keep Medlen over Goldschmidt or Reddick as next years 24th and 25th pick in draft?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:10 PM)

I'd keep Kris Medlen over Josh Reddick, yes.

Jared (MSP)

With a 2 point lead do I sit Packers D?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:11 PM)

Read your rulebook. I don't believe in leaving open spots -- lineup spots with no listed player -- so I'm not going to endorse any plan that does that. But I know some leagues allow it specifically in the rules. Best I've got for you. I play in leagues that require a full lineup.

Scott (Pittsburgh)

Need to end with a football question! Mendenhall's value will be?

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:12 PM)

Flex-play-class matchups consideration whose value skews from nada in the coming weeks to perhaps low-end RB2, Michael Turner-esque value in the season's waning weeks.

Tristan H. Cockcroft

  (12:13 PM)

Ok, time to wrap things up for today. Thanks for all your questions, and sorry if I couldn't get to yours. Take care everyone, and best of luck to you in your championship matchups and in the Monday night game!