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Roto Riteup: September 11, 2023

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September 11, 2023

In a big upset, we’re apparently still making Sal’s:

On the Agenda:

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Streaming Pitchers

Read the rest of this entry »


Roto Riteup: September 7, 2023

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September 7, 2023

Can I get my taco with a side of oppo sauce, please?

On the Agenda:

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

Shohei Ohtani missed another game on Wednesday after imaging revealed he was dealing with inflammation in his oblique. Those rostering Ohtani should be currently hearing the “Jaws” theme in their heads/making other plans for their UT slots.

Gary Sánchez has a fractured wrist and is done for the season, finishing exactly as you might expect, with a .217 AVG and 19 HR in 267 PA.

James Paxton will have his turn in the rotation skipped this week and won’t pitch again until Tuesday against the Yankees. Paxton has a 4.50 ERA for the year but has been getting lit up lately, most recently lasting just 1.1 IP against the Royals while giving up 6 ER.

Mason Miller (elbow) was activated from the IL on Wednesday but won’t be headed back to the rotation, with manager Mark Kotsay saying he’ll be used in the middle of games and will be limited to 50 pitches. Typically, this would render someone mostly useless in fantasy but that might not be the case with Miller, depending on your league and the circumstances of the current standings. If you’re looking for excellent strikeouts with a side of ratios, Miller might still be your guy. For example, in his return to action last night, he pitched two clean innings, striking out three, with the heater averaging 99.6 mph and hitting 102.4 mph.

Jarred Kelenic could be activated soon after playing in full games in the field on his rehab assignment on back-to-back days, going 4-for-9 with a home run and three doubles.

The Dodgers canceled Julio Urías’s bobblehead night on Wednesday due to him being a complete and utter loser who won’t pitch again this season and probably not next year either. At least, not in MLB. Imagine loving domestic violence more than 100+ million dollars.

Bumps and Bruises

The Marlins might still be in the Wildcard hunt and are currently on a six-game win streak but things just got a whole lot more difficult. Sandy Alcantara (forearm) and Jorge Soler (oblique) were both placed on the IL on Wednesday with what could be season-ending injuries considering the state of the calendar. Edward Cabrera and Dane Myers were recalled to take their places. Cabrera is obviously the most interesting from a fantasy view and has trucked along in his five starts at Triple-A since being demoted at the start of August, posting a 2.22 ERA over 28.1 IP, with 30 strikeouts. But sledding could be really tough early on, with his first two starts currently scheduled to come at Philadelphia on Sunday and at home against Atlanta next Friday.

Things just keep getting worse for the Texas Rangers – Adolis García was removed in the second innings of last night’s loss to the Astros with knee discomfort after landing awkwardly following a failed attempt to bring back a Michael Brantley home run. Consider him day-to-day.

Giancarlo Stanton hit his hardest ball of the season on Wednesday – unfortunately, the 119.5 mph liner ran directly into the foot of Detroit pitcher, Matt Manning. Manning, who already missed over two months earlier in the season after being hit with a comebacker on the same foot back in April, is out for the season. He’ll finish his year with a 3.58 ERA (4.81 FIP) over 78 IP, with 50 K.

Corbin Carroll was pulled in the fifth inning of Arizona’s 12-5 win over Colorado last night after taking a hit-by-pitch to the wrist. X-rays were negative but consider him day-to-day.

Andrew McCutchen is officially done for the season after imaging revealed a partial tear in his Achilles tendon from running out a double on Monday. Expect Pittsburgh to replace him with someone who is in no way fantasy relevant.

Glass Joe Tim Anderson was scratched with a stiff neck on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day.

Lane Thomas (back) missed his second game in a row on Wednesday but will get another day off today to try and get right for the weekend.

Streaming Pitchers

Streaming Pitcher for Today: Ryan Pepiot, LAD @MIA – Mr. Up-and-Down has a solid streaming matchup on a short-slate Thursday, even if the Marlins are currently rolling. In three appearances in the majors this season (1 start, 2 bulk relief), Pepiot has a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, including one against these same Marlins on August 19 when he allowed 1 ER over 5 IP, with one walk and five strikeouts.

High Risk for Today: Adam Wainwright, STL @ATL – Ba-hahahahaha, we are laughing. Only if you’re playing in a reverse fantasy league.

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Reese Olson, DET vs CHW – Olson has allowed just 1 ER in his past two starts, including his most recent one where he blanked these same White Sox over seven innings, allowing just four hits and walking none.


Roto Riteup: August 31, 2023

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August 31, 2023

Ya know, I’m starting to think Sarah Langs might just be onto something – baseball really is the best:

On the Agenda:

  1. ‘Tis the SZNs
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Comeback Trails
  4. Streaming Pitchers

‘Tis the SZNs

With New York hopes of contending far in the rearview and center fielder, Harrison Bader, recently placed on waivers, top prospect Jasson Domínguez will be called up in time for this weekend’s series against Houston. The 20-year-old whetted our fantasy dreams with 15 HR and 37 SB over 507 PA at Double-A this season and has put up a .494 wOBA and 187 wRC+ over a brief eight-game sample at Triple-A.

Dominguez will be joined by catcher, Austin Wells, who has 17 HR and 7 SB across three levels this year, most recently slashing .262/.355/.467 over 141 PA at Triple-A.

Ronny Mauricio is expected to be called by the Mets this weekend. Mauricio has laid waste to Triple-A this season, slashing .295/.349/.511 over 527 PA, with 23 HR and 24 SB, with a .371 wOBA.

Ceddanne Rafaela got his first start in the bigs at shortstop on Wednesday, with Trevor Story getting the night off, going 1-for-4, with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Rafaela has dominated at two levels this season (.302/.349/.520, 20 HR, 36 SB) but doesn’t necessarily have a path to everyday playing time.

Bumps and Bruises

Julio Rodríguez missed his second straight game on Wednesday with a pinched nerve in his foot, with manager Scott Servis hopeful he’ll be able to return in time for this weekend’s series against the Mets.

Salvador Perez was scratched with a tight back on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day.

Lane Thomas was pulled in the seventh inning yesterday with a balky back. Consider him day-to-day.

After getting pulled on Tuesday with a hip issue, Jorge Soler was out again on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day for now but do be aware that hips don’t lie and Soler also had issues with his in 2022.

Comeback Trails

Ranger Suárez (hamstring) will be activated to start Philadelphia’s series finale in Milwaukee on Sunday.

J.D. Martinez (groin) is expected to start a brief rehab assignment soon before rejoining the Dodgers this weekend. Martinez has been out of action since August 19, having slashed .262/.338/.446 in the second half, with 3 HR in 76 PA.

Ryan Helsley (forearm) is likely to be activated from the IL on Friday. Considering he hasn’t pitched in the majors since early June and has had multiple starts and stops to his rehab track, it’s hard to assume he’ll immediately move back into the St. Louis closer role.

Marcus Stroman (rib) got some long-toss in on Wednesday but is running out of time to rejoin the Cubs rotation for any meaningful amount of fantasy contributions before the regular season ends.

Streaming Pitchers

Ahh, the shortest of the short-slates…We have a whopping four games today!

Streaming Pitcher for Today: Umm, no.

High Risk for Today: Joan Adon, WSN vs MIA – Look, we’re picking bones here. Adon has a 5.25 ERA (4.64 FIP) for the year but will get a rematch against a Marlins team that he just shut out for six innings in his last start, allowing three hits and striking out three.

Matt Manning, DET @NYY – Since allowing a total of 19 runs (17 ER) over an earlier three-start stretch, Manning has been solid for his most recent three starts, allowing just 1 ER (4 R) over 17.2 IP. But being backed by a languid Detroit offense that has only scored a total of 11 runs over their current five-game losing streak and a miniature 15% K%, Manning’s value ceiling is extremely limited.


Roto Riteup: August 28, 2023

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August 28, 2023

Corbin Carroll is very fast – but if “Real Genius” taught me anything, it’s that you can’t outrun a forking laser:

Well, that and the fact that it’s not only possible but also extremely hilarious to get revenge on someone by filling their house with popcorn.

On the Agenda

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Comeback Trails
  4. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

After signing him to a 1 yr/$8.75 million contract in the offseason, the Rockies released Jurickson Profar over the weekend and called up first baseman (who can also catch and play outfield), Hunter Goodman. Goodman had only just been promoted to Triple-A a few weeks ago but had been absolutely crushing it, slashing .371/.418/.903 over 67 PA, with 9 HR (and six doubles), 15 R, and 33 RBI. My maths ain’t always so good but 33 RBI in 15 games isn’t too shabby, right? Over a larger sample at Double-A (91 games, 400 PA), Goodman slashed .239/.325/.523, with 25 HR and 24 doubles. He might have a below-average hit-tool but Goodman had some of the biggest raw power in the minors and could be a solid source of fantasy production for your September runs.

As expected, David Robertson seems to be out as closer in Miami after blowing another Save over the weekend (and two in his last three chances), with Tanner Scott coming in to close out their 2-1 win over the Nationals on Sunday. Robertson had a 2.05 ERA (3.59 FIP) over 44 IP with the Mets but just couldn’t stop getting blown up after being traded south, blowing three of his seven Save chances and running a 7.20 ERA (6.17 FIP). This was, by far, the Mets best move this season.

Bumps and Bruises

Rafael Devers wore one on his wrist on Saturday and ended up missing Sunday’s game but the X-rays came back clean, with manager Alex Cora anticipating that Devers will be able to play against the Astros today.

O’ Canada got a little less healthy yesterday. Matt Chapman was pulled in the sixth inning with inflammation in the same right middle finger that caused him to miss three games a few weeks ago after he pinched it in the weight room and Bo Bichette left as a precautionary measure with a tight quadriceps. Chapman’s issue appears to be the more serious of the two but missed time by either could herald the return of the everso-brief Cavan Biggio SZN we were treated to while Bichette was on the IL at the start of August.

Yandy Díaz missed his second straight game on Sunday after being hit with a pitch on his forearm but clean X-rays seem to indicate that he’ll be back sooner than later. Consider him day-to-day.

Adrian Houser made it just two innings in his start against the Padres on Sunday, being pulled with forearm tightness. But don’t worry – it’s minor!.. Supposedly.

Tyler O’Neill was scratched yesterday with left knee discomfort, with Richie Palacios taking his place in center field. Like most of his career, consider O’Neill day-to-day.

Comeback Trails

Byron Buxton (hamstring) is scheduled to run the bases later today and face live pitching on Tuesday, moving him that much closer to a rehab assignment. Unfortunately, the 1st Law of Buxton Dynamics tells us that the closer Buxton moves to return from the IL, the closer he’ll necessarily move to his next IL trip. It’s science.

Ranger Suárez (hamstring) will throw live batting practice on Monday and could return to the Phillies rotation by early next week.

The San Francisco outfield is about to get a lot more crowded, with Mike Yastrzemski (hamstring) and Mitch Haniger (forearm) likely to return during their upcoming series with the Reds. Let the clocks on Luis Matos, Wade Meckler, and Heliot Ramos, begin!

Lars Nootbaar (“abdomen”) is expected to return next week to a Cardinals team that continues to circle the drain, having now lost nine of their last 11 games. Boo birds.

Michael Brantley (shoulder) is finishing up another rehab assignment and should (finally) return to Houston this week to make his season debut. If your team is screaming for some part-time empty batting average, he’s your huckleberry.

Streaming Pitchers

Oh my goodness – I feel rich! Not only do we have a full slate of games but a whole mess of starters are likely available on your waiver wire, with some of them set up for a Week 23 two-stepper.

Streaming Pitcher for Today: Johan Oviedo, PIT @KCR – Oviedo gets the almost always juicy matchup of the Royals in late August and will finish his two-step by letting the Cardinals continue to Show-Me (us) some bad baseball over the weekend. The Royals have lost 10 of their last 12 games and are 26th in wOBA vs RHP in 2023 and in two starts vs STL this season, Oviedo has allowed 2 ER in 12 IP, with 15 K.

High Risk for Today: Kyle Harrison, SFG vs CIN – The whiffs are for real but the risk comes from how likely Harrison is to go deep into his start/be eligible for a win. He lasted only 3.1 IP in his major league debut at Philadelphia but struck out five while allowing 2 ER on 5 hits and a walk. But he’s also scheduled to start against the Padres on Saturday so you could end up with a week’s total of 7-8 IP and double-digit strikeouts.

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Brandon Williamson, CIN @SFG


Roto Riteup: August 24, 2023

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August 24, 2023

We now go live to the saddest person in baseball:

I just want to know how much their social media person laughed ruefully while typing “#GoHalos”.

On the Agenda:

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

Aaron Judge went full triple-dong on Wednesday, in what’s known colloquially in fantasy as, “too little, too late”. But 27 HR, 55 R, and 54 RBI are still pretty decent for someone who has played only 72 games.

Ryan Pepiot will be recalled from Triple-A to start against the Guardians today after making his season debut last week (5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 5 K). Pepiot had a 3.47 ERA over nine starts in the majors last season and should get a chance to stick in the rotation for the rest of the year with Tony Gonsolin now unlikely to return to action.

Paul DeJong had himself a day in his first game as a Giant, going 3-for-5 with a two-run home run after going just 3-for-44 in his brief time as a Blue Jay. Expect him to last in the lineup right about until Brandon Crawford returns from the IL at the end of the month.

José Abreu (back) was activated from the 10-day IL yesterday, going 1-for-5 with an RBI. Barring a reaggravation of the injury, expect Abreu to continue being a massive fantasy disappointment for the rest of 2023.

Yordan Alvarez could return to the Astros lineup on Thursday, according to manager Dusty Baker, after missing the previous two games with a slammed (door) left index finger.

Joe Ryan (groin) is expected to return from the 15-day IL on Saturday for a start against the Rangers. After throwing 71 pitches in a rehab start last Friday, he shouldn’t have any workload concerns. The Rangers offense, on the other hand, remains concerning for most pitchers.

Oneil Cruz has had his running program shut down as he works to return from ankle surgery. Cruz could technically return prior to the end of the season but the Pirates director of sports medicine also said ominously that “we’re running out of days”. In other words, everyone who stashed him for a September push can go ahead and drop away.

In more positive Cruz newz*, Elly De La Cruz went bonkers in the first game of a doubleheader yesterday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, triple, and six RBI. In fewer than 300 PA, De La Cruz now has 11 HR, 59 R, 33 RBI, and 21 SB. The only question that remains is, just how high will he go in 2024 drafts?

*I’m sorry.

Bumps and Bruises

Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again this season after tearing the UCL in his right elbow, departing his start yesterday after throwing just 26 pitches. But because his full name is actually, “baseball demigod, Shohei Ohtani”, he talked himself into playing the second game of their doubleheader and hit his 44th home run of the season. Further plans are still unknown (will he be Harper or Story?) but at this point, Angels fans must feel like every season is just a neverending series of swift kicks to the nethers.

Speaking of nether kicks, Mike Trout will head back to the IL after playing in just one game following his return from a nearly two-month absence. Swinging in the game on Tuesday apparently resulted in too much soreness so Trout will now be shut down for 10 days in the hope of getting him back before the season ends.

In more world-class bummer news, Stone Garrett was badly injured trying to rob a home run last night, being carted off the field after remaining down for five-plus minutes. We, of course, won’t know until we know but this doesn’t look great for his rest-of-season prospects:

Kenley Jansen was pulled last night against the Astros with hamstring tightness. Consider him day-to-day.

Michael Kopech was pulled in the fifth inning of his start yesterday with leg cramps. Consider him day-to-day.

Streaming Pitchers

Streaming Pitcher for Today: None I’m confident recommending.

High Risk for Today: Ryan Pepiot, LAD @CLE – The matchup is fine, as is the talent but Pepiot’s ceiling is probably five innings and Cleveland rarely strikes out vs RHP (18.5% K%, 1st in MLB). That makes for walking a thin line to value if rolling with a stream.

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Griffin Canning, LAA @NYM


Roto Riteup: August 21, 2023

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August 21, 2023

Tag, you’re it:

31 Funny First Day of School Memes for Parents to Celebrate ...

On the Agenda:

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Comeback Trails
  4. Streaming Pitchers

Read the rest of this entry »


Roto Riteup: August 17, 2023

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August 17, 2023

Rays gonna Ray:

On the Agenda

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Comeback Trails
  4. Streaming Pitchers

Read the rest of this entry »


Roto Riteup: August 14, 2023

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August 14, 2023

Somewhere near San Francisco, there is a Mason with pants currently tighter than Robbie Ray.

First Cedric tooketh:

Then Cedric gaveth:

On the Agenda

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Comeback Trails
  4. Streaming Pitchers

Read the rest of this entry »


Roto Riteup: August 10, 2023

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August 10, 2023

Just when you thought there weren’t any more ways for Fenway to resemble a carnival game:

No word on whether Yoshida later pulled out a baseball, or $10K worth of chowda, Punch-A-Bunch style. Read the rest of this entry »


Roto Riteup: August 7, 2023

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August 7, 2023

Like there was any chance we’d start with something else:

On the Agenda

  1. Waking Up Tim Anderson
  2. News and Notes
  3. Bumps and Bruises
  4. Comeback Trails
  5. Streaming Pitchers

Read the rest of this entry »


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