Roto Riteup: April 28, 2021

Me skirting responsibilities:

Always be prepared. pic.twitter.com/1rb1SxVyZq

— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 28, 2021

 

 

On the Agenda: 

1. Closer Chaos
2. COVID Issues
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos

Manager Rocco Baldelli stated that Alex Colome will be moved to lower leverage outings for the time being. Colome has struggled as the closer for the Twins, but Baldelli stuck with him for quite a while. It seems like Taylor Rogers will be next man up, but Hansel Robles could factor in at some point. 

Sean Doolittle registered a perfect ninth inning to get his first save of the season versus the Dodgers. Both Lucas Sims and Amir Garrett have been struggling which has opened the door for Doolittle who has the longest track record among the trio. However, this appears to be a fluid situation that may change hands a few times before the end of the season. 

 

COVID Issues

Luis Robert was placed on the COVID IL. Robert woke up with cold symptoms and the White Sox are being cautious while they wait for test results. He could be back fairly quickly like teammate Dylan Cease was earlier this year or out for longer if he does test positive. Keep a close eye on this. 

 

Quick Hits

Jazz Chisholm was pulled from Tuesday’s game with a hamstring injury. This is disappointing because Chisholm was playing so well. Consider him day to day for now, but initial reports are not promising. 

Kole Calhoun left Tuesday’s game with a hamstring injury. He is expected to undergo further testing on Wednesday. 

 

 

Various News and Notes

The Giants traded Wandy Peralta to the Yankees for Mike Tauchman. Tauchman has been a favorite of multiple FanGraphs writers over the years as a guy that could break through with regular playing time which was never going to happen in New York. San Francisco is not a great place to play, but he should be able to find regular at bats since he can play all three outfield positions. This does beg the question if Mike Yastrzemski is not going to be back as soon as maybe it was first reported he would. 

Garrett Richards threw seven innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits while allowing no walks and striking out 10. Richards lived in the zone in this one and was able to freeze Mets hitters by being aggressive. I have always had a soft spot for Richards because when he is able to locate, he is great, but he does struggle with control from time to time. He has a nice schedule coming up, so he is a decent streamer for the time being, but there is risk here. 

Vlad Guerrero Jr. hit three home runs versus the Nationals on Tuesday. Guerrero has been fantastic this season, hitting the ball hard while lifting it for the first time in his career. There are a lot of people taking well deserved victory laps and I wish I had bought in the way they did. 

Tyron Taylor went 3-for-4 with a home run versus the Marlins on Tuesday. Taylor is now hitting .474/.565/.895 with two home runs in 23 plate appearances. He has been hot as a fill in, but he is likely to be sent back down once Christian Yelich returns and hasn’t even been playing full time in Yelich’s absence. He is mostly a DFS play in favorable matchups. 

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: J.A. Happ at CLE

I don’t love guys coming off of huge games, but he is my favorite guy on this slate along with Cobb. 

High Risk Options: Alex Cobb at TEX, Mitch Keller vs KC, Nick Pivetta at NYM

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

High Risk Options: Luke Weaver vs COL

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” but I may add them at some point.