Roto Riteup: April 11, 2023

I have found my new nemesis:

https://t.co/yxFvsZEKBs pic.twitter.com/M2pnQtyiw7

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) April 11, 2023

On the Agenda: 

1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
2. Closer Chaos
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest

On most Tuesday’s and Friday’s and some other days, Paul Sporer and I will be doing a $5 draftkings game for anyone that is interested. 

 

Closer Chaos

Pete Fairbanks pitched a clean ninth inning to register his first save of the season. In spite of the Rays starting the season with nine straight victories, this was their first save opportunity and it was good to see it go to Fairbanks. That being said, it still remains to be seen whether or not he will share the role, but this is a step in the right direction for him. 

 

Quick Hits

Seth Brown was placed on the IL with an oblique strain. Typically these injuries take about six weeks to return from. Kevin Smith was called up to take Brown’s spot on the roster. Smith was raking in AAA, hitting .300/.382/.833 with five home runs and four stolen bases. However, Smith has struggled to make consistent contact in the Majors with a career 28.3% strikeout rate and that was on display on Monday night when he struck out three times versus the Orioles. If he can curtail those K’s, then he could be really interesting, but I am not buying it. 

Aaron Civale was placed on the IL with an oblique strain. He is expected to miss around six weeks. This is bad timing for the Guardians who moved Triston McKenzie to the 60-Day IL on Monday as well. 

Oneil Cruz had surgery on his injured ankle and is expected to miss about four months. He is droppable in all redraft formats. 

Adam Duvall was placed on the IL with a wrist fracture. While surgery is not needed for the fracture he is expected to miss at least a month, but this could be a multiple month absence. He is droppable in all formats as well. 

Mitch Garver was placed on the IL with a knee sprain. The injury is not considered serious so this may be a minimum stay. 

Tim Anderson left Monday’s game with knee soreness. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

German Marquz left his start on Monday with forearm tightness. The Rockies characterized it as mild, but it is always concerning to hear this as forearm issues are often a precursor to Tommy John surgery. Consider him day-to-day for now, but I would be worried. 

Joe Musgrove suffered a setback while doing fielding drills in AAA. Musgrove fell on his shoulder and received a cortisone shot. He reportedly feels better and is hoping to play catch on Wednesday. He is hoping to return next week. 

 

Various News and Notes

Max Muncy went 3-for-3 with two home runs (including a grand slam) and a walk in the win over the Giants on Monday:

MAX MUNCY GRAND SLAM SECOND BOMB OF THE NIGHT https://t.co/kxklqckE0V

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 11, 2023

In my chat Monday morning, I got a lot of questions about dropping Max Muncy and this is why we try not to overreact to small samples early in the season. Muncy has struggled prior to Sunday when he hit the first of his three home runs this season, but it looks like he is breaking out of the slump pretty quickly.

Brandon Marsh went 3-for-5 with a home run in the victory over the Marlins.

Brandon Marsh – Philadelphia Phillies (2)
pic.twitter.com/4FkwLp2num

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 11, 2023

Marsh has been great so far this season, hitting .385 with two home runs and a stolen base. Marsh is a former top prospect that has struggled with contact in Major League time, but he is making a lot of zone contact and not chasing the ball out of the zone right now. This could be the breakout we have been waiting for.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: None

Some really interesting high risk options, but none that I feel great about. 

High Risk Options: David Peterson vs SD, Josiah Gray at LAA, Matt Manning at TOR, Kyle Muller at BAL. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Clarke Schmidt vs CLE

I know that Schmidt struggled in his first two starts, but the matchup is decent and I believe in the talent. 

High Risk Options: Eduardo Rodriguez at TOR, Brad Keller at TEX, Dean Kremer vs OAK. 

 

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from the recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”