Roto Riteup: April 22, 2022

This has been one of the best takes I have seen on this.

Paid attendance for the A’s tonight was:

2,703

On Tuesday it was:

3,748

This commentary below is absolutely accurate. pic.twitter.com/6JCWiNEOYh

— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) April 21, 2022

On the Agenda: 

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

 

Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest

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

 

COVID Issues

Manager Alex Cora tested positive for COVID-19. Cora will miss the next few games at least. This is just the most recent case of COVID in the Boston clubhouse. 

 

Closer Chaos

Emilio Pagan pitched a clean ninth inning to register his first save of the season. The Minnesota bullpen is a cluster since they traded Rogers on Opening Day, but Pagan figures to be in the mix along with Tyler Duffey. Jhoan Duran is a dark horse with amazing skills, but this feels like a committee at least for now. 

Dany Jimenez threw a clean ninth inning for the Athletics on Thursday to register his second save of the season. With Lou Trivino on the COVID IL, Jimenez has emerged as the closer until he returns. He is worth picking up for short term saves. 

Chris Stratton threw a scoreless ninth to get the save in the victory over the Cubs. Stratton and David Bednar are clearly sharing the role in Pittsburgh, which is somewhat disappointing as there won’t be a ton to share. That being said, if you are desperate for saves, Stratton will get his fair share of them. 

 

Quick Hits

Steven Duggar left Thursday’s game versus the Mets with an oblique injury. It looked pretty painful. I would expect him to hit the IL. 

Luis Robert left Thursday’s game with a groin injury. The White Sox characterized the injury as minor. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Roansy Contreras was optioned to AAA by the PIrates. This is disappointing, but not super surprising. It is clear Contreras is ready to be in the rotation for the Pirates, but we will have to wait a while to see it. 

Jon Gray was placed on the IL with an MCL sprain. This is disappointing news with him just returning from a blister issue. The Rangers reportedly do not think he will be out long. 

 

Various News and Notes

Cooper Hummel went 2-for-5 with a two run home run in the victory over the Nationals on Thursday. 

Cooper Hummel – Arizona Diamondbacks (2) pic.twitter.com/vkYHGpoJo3

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 21, 2022

Hummel has a .154 average, but has a .353 on base percentage due to his massive 23.5% walk rate. He has also led off four times already this season. His hit tool is better than the average says and while I wouldn’t expect a ton of power, he could get enough time in the leadoff spot to become interesting in deeper OBP leagues.

Daniel Vogelbach 1-for-4 with a home run and a walk in the victory over the Cubs on Thursday.

RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER

Daniel Vogelbach just hit this ball into the clouds for a 2-Run Home Run!#LetsGoBucs | #Pirates

pic.twitter.com/Jgq0mey1Lw

— MLB Gambling Podcast (@MLBSGPN) April 22, 2022

Vogelbach has quietly started out really hot, hitting .316/.395/.579 with three home runs. He has always had a great understanding of the strike zone and contact skills, but was limited defensively and at times was too passive. In Pittsburgh, he should get the chance to play regularly and can be a real asset in OBP leagues and if he were to get more aggressive, he could become viable in all formats.

Michael Pineda threw five scoreless innings in the win over the Yankees, allowing no walks and just three hits while striking out two.

Michael Pineda is an absolute wagon https://t.co/jJsOSFOmnz

— Prospects 365 (@RayButler365) April 21, 2022

The line says more about how pathetic the Yankees looked than Pineda looking good. He did get some soft contact, but he is no longer the pitcher he once was. He didn’t give any bombs or walk anyone, but there wasn’t may swings and misses either. There is some massive regression coming, but it is nice to see him back in the big leagues.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Reid Detmers vs BAL

Lots of great options today, but Detmers has one of my favorite matchups.

High Risk Options: Bailey Ober vs CHW, Patrick Corbin vs SF, Drew Smyly vs PIT, Nick Martinez vs LAD, Michael Wacha at TB, Antonio Senzatela at DET, Bruce Zimmermann at LAA.

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  None

Some decent high risk options if you are desperate, but none I am truly confident in. 

High Risk Options: Dylan Bundy vs CHW, Dakota Hudson at CIN, Elieser Hernandez at ATL, Adrian Houser at PHI, Austin Gomber at DET, Zach Thompson at CHC, Rich HIll at TB. 

 

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.”