The batted ball distribution metrics, for both pitchers and hitters, are some of the most stable statistics around. A pitcher’s ground ball rate stabilizes after just 70 batters faced, which is basically just three starts. So what this means is that when we see a significant change in a player’s batted ball mix, we have to take it seriously. Let’s take a look at the starting pitcher’s who have enjoyed the largest surges in their ground ball rates and see if we could uncover an explanation.

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If you were expecting a return to David Wiers at the Roto Riteup, I am here to make your day so much better.

On today’s agenda:
1. The Yankees had a day
2. A couple minor leaguers of note
3. Various news and notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

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Episode 36 – Is Bartolo Colon Benjamin Button?

The latest episode of “Field of Streams” is live!

In this episode, Dylan Higgins and Matthew Dewoskin discuss Matt’s Herculean accomplishment, acknowledging Mike Wright, no Carlos Rodon talk, Williams “The Typo” Perez, the return of Shaun Marcum, figuring out what we know about Phil Klein, welcoming back Jose Reyes, Matt not believing in any breakouts, and Joc Pederson’s platoon splits.

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Agenda

1. Performance vs. Projection
2. Daily DFS – Ross
3. GB / FB Splits
4. Tomorrow’s Targets – Happ, Danks, Tomas, Aoki
5. Factor Grid

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I hope you are not reading this Roto Riteup as soon as it’s published, because you should be sleeping in and preparing for libations on this American holiday.

On today’s agenda:
1. Taijuan Walker’s struggles
2. Fun with arbitrary endpoints
3. Various news and notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

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In one of the few save opportunities that we saw on Sunday, Jason Grilli struck out three Brewers and earned his thirteenth save of the year. I don’t think anyone has any illusions about the where the Braves will be at the trade deadline, so Grilli likely won’t be saving games in Atlanta in August and September. The difference between fantasy owners of Jason Grilli and the Atlanta Braves, is that his trade value could be very different depending on where and if he gets moved. If he’s traded to a team that is going to use him in the eighth, then you’re going to be missing out on saves. Maybe now is the time to look at moving him if you have him, while you know that he’ll be saving games for a few more months at least, and the prospect of his saves drying up is still well off in the distance.
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It’s Sunday, so get your lineups in shortly after reading today’s Roto Riteup!

On today’s agenda:
1. David Wright diagnosed with spinal stenosis
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

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Today’s Roto Riteup marks the beginning of Memorial Day weekend, and may yours be filled with animal parts stuffed into other animal parts and adult beverages.

On today’s agenda:
1. Wily Peralta and his oblique
2. The Mets’ six-man rotation
3. Various news and notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

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Agenda

1. Daily DFS – Strasburg, Wright
2. GB / FB Splits
3. Tomorrow’s Targets – Gonzalez, Sanchez, Castillo, Burns
4. Factor Grid

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Drew Storen is having a tremendous year closing games for the Nationals. He recorded his thirteenth save of the year, and lowered his ERA to 1.04 on Friday night. His FIP is 1.39 so he’s not fluking his way into anything. His K%-BB% is sitting at 28.1%, well above his career mark of 15.9%. His pitch mix and velocity haven’t changed much, but he’s getting more takes on pitches in the zone, with a Z-swing% of 56.1% which is well below the league average of 66.6% for relievers, and is down from the 61.5% mark he’s compiled over his career. And it’s not as if Wilson Ramos is stealing a pile of extra strikes for him, as he’s sitting 20th amongst catchers in extra strikes. His Z-contact% is way down too, so guys are missing the pitches that they do swing at in the zone. It’s sitting at 73.4%, way down from his career mark of 86.6% and the league average of 85.0%. Storen is having a heck of a year so far. In other Nationals news, Casey Janssen has been reinstated and he’s replacing Tanner Roark on the grid, as Roark is being tabbed to potentially start next week. Read the rest of this entry »