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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Roto Riteup in three, two, one…

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Today’s Roto Riteup should help you brush off your Labor Day hangover with a sprinkling of Hot GIF action.

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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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Another five stories in today’s Roto Riteup? What is it, Christmas?

• Joey Votto is going to be returning this weekend if things go well during his current rehab assignment in Single-A. Votto was on pace to have one of the greatest offensive seasons in the history of Major League Baseball before he was sidelined, so here’s hoping his knee doesn’t flare up again in the next day or two. Todd Frazier will be moved to the bench to accommodate Votto’s return.

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Five stories in today’s Roto Riteup means you’re getting all the facts.

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Did you miss us? There was a Roto Riteup written yesterday, but the editors decided not to run it due to the inordinate amount of racial slurs it included. And no, they couldn’t just be changed out without completely ruining the post, you stupid <censored>.

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