Roto Riteup: August 16, 2022

I wish players were mic’d up every game.

We mic'd up FOUR players for Play Loud this week, and things got Rowdy!

Watch the full episode ➡️ https://t.co/ReYm0hL0iU. pic.twitter.com/uD9MnOYdE1

— MLB (@MLB) August 15, 2022

On the Agenda: 

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

 

Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest

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

 

Quick Hits

Luis Guillorme was placed on the IL with a groin injury. He is expected to miss 3-6 weeks which would make him droppable in most formats. 

Walker Buehler is expected to undergo elbow surgery that will end his season. There is no confirmation as of yet what the surgery is, but if it is Tommy John surgery, he would miss all of 2023 as well. 

Carlos Carrasco left Monday’s game with an apparent side injury. This is disappointing news as Carrasco has pitched very well. Typically these type of injuries take 4-to-6 weeks to return from if it is an oblique strain which would make him droppable in most formats.

Josh Naylor left Monday’s game with ankle soreness. This sounds precautionary as it is the same ankle he injured last season. Consider him day-to-day at this time.  

 

Various News and Notes

Chris Woodward was fired by the Texas Rangers on Monday. This is a bit surprising as he had just received an extension through the 2023 season. With Woodward out in Texas, it will be interesting to see how the running game is affected. The Rangers have led the Majors in stolen bases since Woodward became the manager in 2019. This could have an effect on the fantasy values of guys like Marcus Semien, Nathaniel Lowe, Leodys Tavares, and Adolis Garcia. 

Alex Cobb threw six innings versus the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five. 

Alex Cobb, Painted 97mph Back Door Two Seamer. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/cX8vzXL6WQ

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 16, 2022

The line looks a lot better than the start did. While Cobb actually threw the fastest pitch of his career in the outing, his secondary stuff was not sharp and he struggled with his control and command. Ultimately he was bailed out by an atrocious Diamondbacks lineup that only registered six hits with one of them being their #5 hitter bunting for a single in the sixth inning before Cobb got a double play to end the inning. Cobb has outpitched his surface numbers this season, so it is nice to see him get some good luck even in an underwhelming outing.

Aaron Civale threw six innings versus the Tigers, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out ten.

Aaron Civale's Beautiful Curveballs. 😍

7Ks on Curveballs. pic.twitter.com/MSxpTOCU7s

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 15, 2022

Now this was the Civale we thought we could get when we drafted him this year. He had an unbelievable 64% CSW on his curveball and threw it more in this outing and his last outing than he had all season. It is still against the Tigers, so I don’t want to get too excited, but he is widely available and should be scooped up in most formats.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Jose Suarez vs SEA

This feels risky, but Suarez has been great as of late. 

High Risk Options:  Justin Steele at WAS, Edward Cabrera vs SD, Zack Greinke at MIN, Mitch Keller vs BOS, JP Sears at TEX, Ryan Pepiot at MIL. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Drew Smyly at WAS

Smyly is coming off his best start of the season and has a nice matchup. 

High Risk Options:  Domingo German vs TB, Dakota Hudson vs COL, Zach Davies at SF, Daniel Lynch at MIN, Cole Ragansvs OAK. 

 

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.”