Roto Riteup: April 19th, 2012

• Last night Bartolo Colon held the Los Angeles Angels to 4 base runners over the course of eight frames while striking out five. Colon hasn’t had a SwStr% that was within 2% of the league average since 2005, but nonetheless has managed to post strikeout rates that approach average. Don’t expect him to start fanning eight batters every time he takes the mound, but he limits the walks and keeps the ball in the park. He’s owned in less than one fifth of Yahoo! leagues. He’s a very handsome streaming option. And yes, that is the first time that someone other than his wife has called Colon “handsome” in quite some time.

• Jayson Werth has seemingly put his struggles of 2011 behind him. Though his nine game hitting streak came to an end yesterday, he did have an RBI and a stolen base after one of his two walks. Though he is yet to rediscover his home run swing, Werth does have three doubles and one triple already. The stolen base yesterday was the first of 2012, I think Werth still has the power and speed to go 25-20. Looking at his current Pitch f/x plate discipline, Werth is swinging at less pitches outside the zone and more pitches in the zone. Essentially his discipline has reverted back to what is was in 2010, and that is a good sign for fantasy owners. I’d look to buy low on whomever is currently owning him.

• Jonathan Sanchez was much better in his latest start. Though he didn’t factor into the decision, five innings and two earned runs was a huge step in the right direction after his disastrous first start. He still has more walks than strikeouts on the year, but Sanchez is at least showing signs of life. Sanchez walked three on the day, but also struck out four. I wouldn’t roster him just yet, but depending on the match-up, he could be a useful stream option in the future. I’ll be monitoring his outings very closely.

For those of you who also play FanGraphs: The Game, here are several match-ups that should help. For those of you that don’t, you ought to. It’s free, fun, FanGraphs, and to keep the alliteration going, it is first-rate.

A Pitcher For Today: Edwin Jackson (WAS) vs HOU
Without going into too much detail, the Astro’s aren’t a very good offensive ball club. Their 44 runs scored rank them 19th in MLB. I fully expect Jackson to cruise through that lineup.

A Pitcher For Tomorrow: Lance Lynn (STL) at PIT
Lynn misses bats and the Pirates have the 3rd highest K% in the MLB. The Pirates also rank dead last in runs scores, OBP and wOBA. Lynn should have a very nice outing against them.

A Hitter For Today: Bryan LaHair (CHC) vs Homer Bailey (CIN)
Arguably LaHair’s best tool is his power. It is impossible to ague that Homer Bailey limits the home run. LaHair socked 38 dingers last year in the PCL. Bailey allowed 18 home runs in barely 130 IP. LaHair already has 2 long balls this year. Bailey has given up 3 home runs. Advantage: LaHair.