Roto Riteup: April 22, 2015

If anyone ever wanted to see Ike Davis pitch, well, last night was your lucky night. Unless you’re an Oakland A’s fan.

On today’s agenda:
1. Drew Smyly may return Friday
2. Take note of Michael Saunders
3. Zack Cozart’s big day
4. Streaming Pitching Options

Drew Smyly may return Friday
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times opines Smyly may be ready to start for the Rays on the day after tomorrow, though no official word has been handed down from the club. Smyly has been rehabbing in the minors due to shoulder tendinitis and would square off against a talented Toronto Blue Jays offense. The southpaw has cruised when facing left-handed hitters by holding them to a .238 wOBA, though struggles — relatively — as righties hit for a wOBA 90 points higher. The Jays are loaded with powerful righties and while I like Smyly in the long run, there are very few starters I take against Toronto. Skip this start for Smyly but be sure to place him in your lineups come next week as he is at worst a spot starter in standard mixed leagues. He is already owned in 80% of CBS leagues, however he can be picked up in over 30% of Yahoo! and 40% of ESPN formats.

Take note of Michael Saunders
Balancing out the previously mentioned righties in Toronto will be Saunders, who may return to face Smyly on Friday. Saunders has dealt with injuries of his own — both this season and past — but as our Adam McFadden noted almost a month ago, Saunders possesses power and speed potential. Count on him getting the majority of playing time in left field going forward, at the expense of Kevin Pillar. In deeper mixed leagues and certainly AL-only formats, Saunders makes for a capable bat joining a very strong offense. One can him available to pick up in over 85% of the three major sites.

Zack Cozart’s big day
As a part of the 16-run outburst the Reds put on the Brewers yesterday, Cozart cracked two home runs during his 3-for-5 day. He filled up the box score as he also nabbed his first steal of the year. Cozart’s reputation as a light hitting middle infielder isn’t without merit, as he owns a career wRC+ 24% below league average. To his credit, Cozart has flashed minor and major league power before, particularly in the form of back-to-back double digit home run seasons in 2012 and 2013. Now with four long balls in 55 plate appearances, Cozart has tied his home run tally from last season’s 543 PA’s. Without much of a walk rate or a strong batting average to help his offensive game, don’t count on Cozart to be a mixed league player yet. He could be a decent option for a nearly exhausted budget in DFS if his swing can produce a few more power outbursts.

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Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Jeremy Guthrie vs MIN (Mike Pelfrey)
Guthrie isn’t known for his strikeouts, however facing a Twins team that has struggled in the early phase of the season should benefit him. The Twins are ranked 28th in wRC+ and own the third highest K% against right-handed pitching is a solid recipe for Guthrie.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Kyle Hendricks at PIT (Jeff Locke)
Hendricks induces ground balls and should be able to gather a few K’s against a Pittsburgh team who has struck out at the sixth highest rate against righties in the first three weeks.