Today marks the 14th anniversary of Zoolander being released. The line “But why male models?” slays me to this day, and I still slip it into conversation from time to time.
On today’s agenda:
1. Ryan Braun’s season is over
2. Sonny Gray’s hip injury
3. Quick thoughts on Ender Inciarte
4. Streaming Pitching Options
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The author hopes you enjoy this birthday edition of the Roto Riteup.
On today’s agenda:
1. Various news and notes
2. Streaming Pitcher Options
Various news and notes
Stephen Strasburg is on fire, posting his fourth straight start with double-digit strikeouts. Strasburg carried a 5.16 ERA in the first half, but before yesterday’s start, had a 2.24 ERA in the second half.
After being pulled from Friday’s start with tightness in his right shoulder, Carlos Martinez is now out for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. Martinez ends his campaign with a 3.01 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, and struck out nearly a quarter of the batters he faced.
Derek Holland got rocked by the Astros yesterday, allowing three homers over five innings of work. Three other Rangers took the hill in relief, and each of them allowed a homer, as well. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa hit two homers each, with Colby Rasmus and Chris Carter providing the remaining two.
A pair of Red Sox are now out for the year: third baseman Pablo Sandoval and pitcher Steven Wright. Sandoval ends the season with a .245/.292/.366 line, but a .266/.317/.427 line against right-handed pitchers. Wright ends his year with a 4.09 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in his nine starts and seven relief appearances.
The Mariners are slotting Vidal Nuno into the rotation for Tuesday’s game against the Astros, which won’t be a slaughterfest at all and will be a perfectly happy day for Seattle fans.
Adam Wainwright could once again be St. Louis’ postseason weapon out of the bullpen, as he prepares himself to be physically ready to go in October. Wainwright will need to get some MLB action before the playoffs to show management that he’s truly healthy,
Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for today: Henry Owens vs BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez)
If you can pick up Luis Severino for a reasonable cost, he’s the superior play, but Owens may be a slightly better value.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Brandon Finnegan at WAS (Tanner Roark)
Young lefties were all the rage just two months ago, so why not now?
Today’s Roto Riteup comes on the second-to-last Saturday of the regular season.
On today’s agenda:
1. Various news and notes
2. Streaming Pitcher Options
Various news and notes
Carlos Martinez couldn’t even make it through 10 pitches last night before having to exit the game due to discomfort in his throwing shoulder, which I’m sure is totally normal and healthy and not at all a sign of impending doom. Martinez is a key piece of the Cards’ playoff rotation, so if he gets hurt, it may be a sign that the devil’s magic is losing its potency.
The Diamondbacks are going to give Zack Godley another go around in the rotation, as he will step in Sunday to start in the place of Jhoulys Chacin. Godley’s been serviceable as a big league pitcher this year, working predominantly with his trio of fastballs. An arsenal like that could bode well for a back of the rotation starter, but not really one who is fantasy relevant.
If you own Jose Iglesias, it’s officially time to drop him, as the Tigers aren’t expecting him to take the field again this year. Iglesias has proven he does have some skill with the bat, hitting .287 over 919 career plate appearances. He doesn’t steal many bases, and his place in the batting order prohibits him from scoring runs, so fantasy owners would be wise to avoid his entirely empty batting average.
After missing his scheduled start on Wednesday, Zack Greinke is now on pace to start Monday against the division-rival Giants, which will mean a lovely two-start week for those in Head-to-Head playoffs. Greinke was scratched due to a calf issue.
Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Barry Zito vs SFG (Tim Hudson)
Long may they reign.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Henry Owens vs BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez)
If you can pick up Luis Severino for a reasonable cost, he’s the superior play, but Owens may be a slightly better value.
Yesterday was the 18th anniversary of Blink-182’s Dammit (warning: language) being released. If that doesn’t make you feel old, I don’t know what will. Now get off my lawn while I listen to my vinyl and then go to bed at 9:30.
On today’s agenda:
1. Delino DeShields Jr. continues to hit
2. That’s a wrap for Hanley Ramirez
3. Looking at Asdrubal Cabrera’s strong second half
4. Streaming Pitching Options
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I began reading The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins the other day. So far it’s been a very fast read, and one that grabs your attention. I’m not yet done with it, so please don’t spoil anything in the comments, but man, it’s been outstanding thus far.
On today’s agenda:
1. Jonathan Lucroy’s pending return
2. Time to drop Carlos Gomez
3. Andrew Cashner and I set personal bests
4. Streaming Pitching Options
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Today the Tottenham Hotspurs — and noted goal scorer Son Heung-min — square off against Arsenal in the League Cup. I doubt many normal starters open the game on the field, but perhaps Son will come on as a sub and score in his third consecutive game.
On today’s agenda:
1. Some good news for Yadier Molina
2. Matt Moore’s strong start (again)
3. Billy Hamilton’s season ends
4. Streaming Pitching Options
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I’m late to the Rick and Morty party, but man, that show slays me. My favorite episode thus far is probably Meseeks and Destroy, though Total Rickall is a pretty outstanding story too.
On today’s agenda:
1. Yadier Molina’s busted thumb
2. The Good Samardzija shows up
3. Streaming Pitching Options
Yadier Molina’s busted thumb
If it seems like the Cardinals have been hit with a lot of injuries lately, you wouldn’t be wrong. Between Matt Holliday still nursing a hamstring to Randal Grichuk’s shoulder woes and Matt Adams still not playing full games in the field, the Cards starting position players are pretty banged up. Adding Molina to the list of injured players is the latest, and arguably one of the gravest. He’s caught 134 games — of which he started 131 — however given his torn ligament in left thumb, we may have seen the last of Molina until the playoffs. For fellow Yadi owners scrambling for a replacement, I just picked up Tom Murphy. After his home run on Monday, Murphy is up to 22 dingers on the year between Double-A, Triple-A and the bigs. Don’t count on great rate stats from him, however playing at home this week gives him a chance to shine in Coors Field. After this home stint the Rockies are on the road in another hitter friendly park in Arizona then San Francisco to wrap up the season, so other than the final series, he’s hitting in favorable parks. Murphy is available in 98 percent of CBS formats and over 99 percent of Yahoo! or ESPN leagues.
The Good Samardzija shows up
After scuffling through a lot of innings this year, Jeff Samardzija pitched a gem in the opener of a double-header in Detroit. He allowed a lone hit and zero walks to go with six strikeouts during his complete game shutout. The Shark needed just 88 pitches to finish the nine innings, with 10 pitches going for swinging strikes. Even with the terrific outing he owns a modest 5.04 ERA/4.18 FIP/4.30 xFIP on the year, and while you can’t expect only one of 22 balls in play to fall for a hit every start, it’s at least a good sign from Samardzija after he tossed five clunker starts in a row. Unfortunately the remaining schedule for him doesn’t get any easier as he’ll pitch in Yankee Stadium in his next start before hosting a rematch against the Tigers in Chicago for his season finale. For a more complete breakdown of his season, be sure to check out Mike Podhorzer’s write up of Samardzija from last week.
Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for today: Robbie Ray at LAD (Alex Wood)
The Dodger offense looks good against lefties on the year, however they’ve been pretty average in the second half. I like Ray’s changeup and yeah, he burned me in his previous start, yet I’m still confident he’ll gets some whiffs and be effective today. He’s a bit of a risky start, but Ray is available in 70 percent of CBS settings and more than 90 percent of ESPN or Yahoo! formats.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Marcus Stroman vs NYY (Ivan Nova)
Ain’t no brakes on the Stroman hype train! For some reason he’s still unowned in half of CBS leagues, 60 percent of ESPN formats and 70 percent of Yahoo! settings. The Yanks have a strong offense, but I’m breaking character and going with a “momentum” pick here. It helps that Stroman is pretty darn good.
Today’s Roto Riteup comes on the heels of a thrilling football weekend, and on the eve of some fantasy baseball semifinals.
On today’s agenda:
1. Fun with arbitrary endpoints
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options
Today’s Roto Riteup provides some white hot first hand scouting notes.
On today’s agenda:
1. Peter O’Brien and Catching
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options
The Roto Riteup’s College Gameday signs are strong.
On today’s agenda:
1. Brandon Finnegan gets a start
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options