Roto Riteup: April 5th, 2012

Did you know baseball started yesterday? Because I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t until a certain RotoGraphs editor sent me a profanity laced email for not including player recommendations in yesterday’s Roto Riteup. Today’s edition does have recommendations, though, so that’s pretty awesome.

–  Josh Johnson may have had shoulder problems last year, but he was easily in the 90s during last night’s start against the St. Louis Cardinals. He struggled a bit with his location, though, and the Cardinals took advantage. Johnson is a top-5 pitcher when healthy, and at the price he went for this year, owners could end up with big time value.

–  In the sans-Albert Pujols era, the Cardinals lineup looks a little weird. Carlos Beltran hit second behind Rafeal Furcal, with Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman and David Freese to follow. I love that Beltran is hitting second, and he’ll be able able to score plenty of runs with Holliday and Berkman hitting behind him. Unfortunately for owners of Freese, Yadier Molina is hitting behind him, and while he’s a good player, he’s not exactly a run producer.

–  It was revealed yesterday that Juan Pierre will be starting some games for the Philadelphia Phillies this year. Pierre’s speed is still a dangerous fantasy weapon, but he probably would not be leading off in the city of Brotherly Love. The Phillies’ first base and left field situation is going to be a bit of a cluster F until Ryan Howard returns, at which time Charlie Manuel will have to make some more decisions. I won’t forget you, Dominic Brown, even if the rest of the organization does.

A Pitcher for Today: Edinson Volquez (SDP) vs LAD
Volquez is the likely the lease owned starter today, and he’s at home against the Dodgers lineup.

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Jeremy Guthrie (COL) at HOU
The Astros lineup makes me laugh at times, and Guthrie away from home could be pretty good.

FanGraphs: The Game
We’re currently figuring out how to integrate The Game into the Roto Riteup. Stay tuned.