Since I know you’re all waking up early to catch some Premiere League games, why not read about your fantasy baseball team too?

• Even prior to yesterday’s 2-for-3 game, Brennan Boesch was hitting .286 over the past week. He’s been mired in a slump for most of the season, but it seems as though he’s picking it up for the stretch run. If you need a player who must have playing time, Boesch has hit fifth or sixth in the lineup 13 out of 14 times since August 23. With plenty of chances to drive in runs with Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera batting in front of him, Boesch could really rack up some counting stats in the closing weeks. His ownership rate is 20% in ESPN leagues and 24% in Yahoo! leagues.

• After hitting his third home run of the season, hopefully Domonic Brown will see some more playing time. He is sporting is usual strong plate discipline skills — 10.7% rate thus far — and his ISO is up to .129 on the season. His wRC+ is just 93 yet, but that is in sporadic playing time. I’m still mildly optimistic for him next season, and for now I’ve grabbed him in a league where I badly needed an OF. He should be free to pick up in over 95% of both Yahoo! and ESPN leagues.

• If you’re looking for help at third base (and who isn’t?) then Lonnie Chisenhall could work. He was on base three times in yesterday’s game, twice via hits and once via a walk. The walk is most significant because Chisenhall has never really been one to draw the free pass. Even in the minors, his BB% never reached above 10% at any level for any amount of time. The upside is that he rarely strikes out and he does posses solid power. Cleveland doesn’t have anything to play for other than to look ahead to next season, so expect Chisenhall to get plenty of playing time. You can pick him up in about 97% of ESPN or Yahoo! formats.

• Another option at third base is Manny Machado. He also reached base three times in his game yesterday and while his rate stats aren’t anything to brag about, his counting statistics do impress. With four homers and two steals over just 127 plate appearances bode well for his future fantasy value. Machado is owned in about 30% of Yahoo! leagues and almost 40% of ESPN formats. For the rest of this season, I’d take Machado over Chisenhall.

• Kris Medlen is good. I feel like 13 strikeouts in seven innings kind of speaks for itself.

For those of you who play daily fantasy games like FanGraphs: The Game, or just like to stream players, here are a couple matchups you may be able to exploit.

A Pitcher for Today: Shaun Marcum vs NYM
Well, Fiers got touched up for four runs in the first two innings yesterday, but I’m feeling good about playing against the Mets today. He hasn’t been great since his return from the DL, but I like him today.

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Brandon Morrow vs BOS
I am such a sucker for Morrow. Dat career SwStr%!! Unf.

A Hitter for Today: Garrett Jones at CHC (Jason Berken)
Sure the Pirates have slid to just one game over .500, but Jones is doing his job against right-handed pitching. Jones brings his 140 wRC+ against righties into Wrigley today. I like my chances here.

Today’s Roto Riteup was filmed in front of a live television audience. Just kidding. But I guess I could set up my webcam for you guys…

• Looking for a middle infielder with some pop and some speed? If so, then Kelly Johnson could be the player for you. Johnson swiped two bags yesterday, putting him at 13 on the year. He currently has 14 homers, so a 15-15 season is within his reach. Johnson’s rate states aren’t going to impress anyone, but at this point in the season counting stats are usually easier to gain points in than rate stats. If you happen to play in a Head-to-head league, then A. I’m sorry and B. tell your league to switch to rotisserie next year.
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With an average of 20 games remaining for most American League teams, finding the right player (that is still available) to help you in Head-to-Head playoffs or the final weeks of the Roto season is a difficult — if not nearly impossible — find. Luckily for you, dear reader, doing the nearly impossible is what RotoGraphs thrives at. That, and being basement dwelling nerds. Take your pick.

The following is a list of scarcely owned outfield eligible players that should recieve enough playing time and accumulate enough counting numbers to be worth owning.

Jonny Gomes – Gomes is now up to 16 homeruns in less than 300 plate appearances on the year. He has 42 runs and RBI’s and if you play in an OPS league, he is now up to .866 on the season. His strikeout rate is pretty severe at over 30%, but he is hitting for enough power to make it livable. Gomes is owned in just 2% of Yahoo! leagues and all of 0.4% of ESNP leagues. He has been averaging two or three games per week throughout the season and has produced very well despite the partial playing time.
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Is it me, or is there something special about having a month with five Saturday’s in it. Either way, we’re now through 40% of our September allotted Saturdays.

• The FanGraphs team is like a big family. A big, nerdy, baseball loving family. The first cap here is thanks to our own Jeff Zimmerman for pointing out to me what a great debut Brock Holt is having. Brock initially started the 2012 season in Double-A, but he hit is way to Triple-A and then earned himself playing time in the big leagues this season. He has filled in admirably for Neil Walker at the keystone and might make for a solid replacement at shortstop for Clint Barmes. Sure, Holt has a .500 BABIP (in 21 plate appearances no less) but at this late of a point on the season, any hot hitter is worth riding. Holt is hitting .368/.381/.421. Holt has hit — and hit well — at every level in the minors, save for 32 PA’s back in Rookie Ball. Keep an eye on his playing time and where he starts defensively. If he makes room for himself at shortstop, he could be a nice late round draft pick for next season. In Yahoo! and ESPN leagues combined, Holt’s ownership rate is 0.1%. I just wish his first name was “Steve.”
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Since there were only five games yesterday, once may reasonably expect today’s Roto Riteup to be a bit scaled down. It’s a good thing that there was plenty of action in said five games. I actually found myself cheering for the Royals to beat the Rangers, if only so that my beloved A’s could creep a half game closer to the mighty Rangers. If you’re wondering how to cheer for team outside of your favorite club, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash offer a clinic:

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I’m sorry I don’t have any fantastic baseball gifs to share. I have some lovely My Little Pony gifs, but I’d rather not have Eno make me disappear with his probable mob connections.

• Post All-Star break Howie Kendrick is hitting like a man possessed. I guess I should clarify that: a man possessed by a really good hitter. He is hitting .317/.363/.437 since the break and has even chipped in seven stolen bases. In about half the at-bats as the pre All-Star break, Kendrick has just four fewer extra-base hits so far in the second half. There is still almost a full month of baseball yet to play. It’s pretty safe to think that Kendrick has rediscovered his BABIP. If your league will allow you to trade for him, I would go ahead and do so.
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It’s almost Labor Day! As baseball fans, we all know what this means: no more wearing white jerseys.

• Last night’s 2-for4 performance that was highlighted by his two home runs should persuade those of use with corner infield woes that Mark Reynolds can still sock some dingers. Reynolds’ AVG is putrid, but with only a month left in the season, rate statistics like batting average and on-base percentage should take a back seat to raw counting stats like HR and RBI’s. It will (probably) take a titanic turn around for your fantasy team to gain points in those rate stats, but counting stats can gain you just as many points. Reynolds should be available in about 70% of both ESPN and Yahoo! formats. Of course, the one caveat to throwing out rate stats applies to those of you in head-to-head leagues. The playoffs will be starting for those and you need every advantage you can get. If you do play H2H, that makes the Reynolds choice much more difficult, but I’d still probably grab him if you’re still unhappy about the power on your team.
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Zach has really been fattening you all up with so many roto stories lately. I’d be careful; I’m pretty sure he is a witch. He turned me into a newt…I got better.

• I hope by now that you’ve all been paying attention to Jonathan Lucroy. His seasonal line (though only 243 plate appearances so far) is .a robust .332/.384/.555. If he qualified, that triple slash equates to a .398 wOBA that would be second among catchers behind only Buster Posey. Last night Lucroy had himself a 3-for-5 night with a home run and seven RBI’s. He is still owned in less than half of all Yahoo! formats and not even 44% of ESPN leagues. Grab him. Now.
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This week’s American League Stock Watch has a little bit different of a flow. With September right around the corner — and thus September roster expansion and call ups — there should be a strong infusion of minor league talent about to jump onto the scene. To help you get a jump on your leaguemates regarding some of these soon-to-be-available outfielders, here is a list of AL club outfielders that are already on their respective 40-man rosters.

Michael Taylor – He happens to have a top 10 wOBA among Pacific Coast League outfielders and already had a brief stint with the A’s. During his time in Sacramento this year Taylor has amassed 506 plate appearances and although he only has 12 home runs, his triple slash is a robust .289/.406/.449. His power might have waned a bit but his speed is still intact. His SB/CS ratio is a very strong 17/3 mark. His strikeout rate won’t ever impress, but given his combination of plate discipline, still solid power and above average speed, Taylor makes for a potentially intriguing pick up. The only downside to Taylor would be playing time. The A’s are currently juggling Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, Yoenis Cespdes, and Jonny Gomes on a regular basis. That doesn’t leave too many PA’s for Taylor, especially with the A’s in the playoff hunt and most likely unwilling to give PA’s to a still unproven player.
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Apologies to the dear reader; this will be a bit of an abbreviated Roto Riteup. It being the weekend and all, I’m sure you understand. People over the internet are always the most caring and compassionate, right? Don’t answer that.

• Even though Brandon Belt won’t be used very much in the outfield in the wake of the Melky Cabrera fallout, that doesn’t matter much. Belt already has outfield eligibility and perhaps more importantly has been hitting recently. Over the past two weeks Belt has hit a robust .366 in 41 plate appearances. With regular playing time secured at first base, Belt deserves to be picked up. He is owned in less than 20% of ESPN and Yahoo! formats. I’d go grab him.
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