Roto Riteup: August 24, 2018

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August 24, 2018

What does high score mean? Is that good?

 

On the Agenda:
1. Closer Conundrums
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

Closer Conundrums
The Brewers decided enough was enough with former closer Corey Knebel on Thursday, as they demoted him to Triple-A Colorado Springs.


Knebel has posted a 6.64 ERA and 1.62 WHIP since the calendar turned to July and hasn’t earned a save since July 27th. The Brewers removed him from the closers role with the hopes of him regaining his old form, but he’s gone on to allow 7 ER in his last five appearances (3.1 IP). The good news is his K%, S-Strike%, GB%, and velocity have all been in tact this month, so he should be back up in the next couple of weeks barring injury or something else behind the scenes. Fantasy owners holding on to him pretty much anywhere can let him go though. As the Bullpen Report noted yesterday in their table, Jeremy Jeffress and Josh Hader have been strong in a committee thus far, with Jeffress converting his fifth save just two days ago. He’s posted a 1.66 ERA and 27/8 K:BB over 22 IP since July. Hader has three saves this month and has been unscored upon in nine of-his-last 10 outings (1.47 ERA/0.77 WHIP this season). The wrinkle in this whole situation however, is the impending return of Joakim Soria.


The Bullpen Report will likely cover this situation and give their very good thoughts on this, but in my opinion, Soria needs to be added in most formats if he’s available. He has an extensive history in the closers role and his latest injury was to his thigh – nothing arm related. He has a 2.44 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 55/13 K:BB ratio over 44 IP this season. The Brewers are in the middle of a playoff race and will likely continue to go with a committee approach here, but Soria can certainly gather saves in bunches if he gets 65-70% of the opportunities.

A day after Seranthony Dominguez blew a save against the Nationals, Pat Neshek came in and converted his fourth save of the season – capping a brilliant performance by Aaron Nola. The Bullpen Report has been on top of the Philadelphia closing situation, but with Seranthony Dominguez encountering some struggles as the second-half has wore on, Pat Neshek and Victor Arano are becoming nice pick-ups, especially in deeper formats.

Kirby Yates suffered his first blown save and third loss of the season on this play:


Yates only has three saves in the second half thus far, but his skills have been great. Despite the end result yesterday, he’s still a strong back-end reliever option in mixed leagues based on his effect on ratios alone.

Trevor Hildenberger allowed a home run to Jed Lowrie in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game against the Athletics, but was able to convert his fourth save of the season. Taylor Rogers snagged his 11th hold in the same game – only two days removed from converting the Twins latest save chance. This is still a committee with Hildenberger sitting as the lead man.

 

Various News and Notes
Matt Holliday was called up to the Rockies, started in left field, and went 0-for-3. Gerrardo Parra came in to relieve him after Padres starter Joey Lucchesi exited the game. The Rockies will likely platoon Parra, Dahl, and Holliday – with the latter receiving the majority of his playing time against southpaws. The most interesting player of the three is Dahl. He’s recorded multi-hit games in four of-his-last six and homered in two of those contests – including yesterday. He’s only 11% owned in ESPN leagues. Garrett Hampson was sent back down to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move.

According to Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area, Jeff Samardzija could be back in the Giants rotation by the end of next week. He allowed one hit over four innings in a rehab start on Wednesday, and by all accounts should only need one more tune-up before he’s ready. With that said, he’s a major question mark and is only a viable option in deeper-mixed formats right now.

Justin Bour was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a left oblique strain. It’s a shame, as he just had a nice game against Stephen Strasburg. Oblique injuries are always tricky, so this could be a multi-week absence. Carlos Santana will continue to man first base. Andrew Knapp was promoted in a corresponding move, but he won’t get a ton of playing time.

Jay Bruce is expected to be activated from the disabled list today.


Bruce has done well during his rehab assignment and is in line to receive the majority of his playing time at first base moving forward. That move will eat into Wilmer Flores and Jeff McNeil’s at-bats more than likely.

Welington Castillo has served his 80-game suspension for PED’s, but has been placed on the 10-day disabled list due to shoulder inflammation. There is no timetable for his return.

Christian Villanueva’s season could be in jeopardy after he was placed on the disabled list due to a fractured right middle finger. The ailment is expected to sideline him for three-to-four weeks, but if he hits any roadblocks the Padres will likely just call it quits. Wil Myers will take over full-time third base duties, with Cory Spangenberg getting a bigger workload as well at second base. Carlos Asuaje and Jose Pirela figure to mix in at times as well, but Spangenberg has shown flashes of usefulness in the past and could do so again as the season winds down.

Michael Wacha had a successful rehab outing with High-A Palm Beach on Thursday.


This was a welcomed sight as he struggled mightily in his first start back from an oblique injury. He’ll need at least another outing before being recalled by the Cardinals. Either way, he should be returning soon.

Mitch Moreland exited Thursday’s game against the Indians due to a left knee contusion. Blake Swihart replaced him and he’s currently day-to-day.

Danny Duffy allowed 2 ER on 6 H to go along with 7 K and 2 BB over 5 IP in the Royals loss to the Rays on Thursday. He essentially missed two starts with a left shoulder impingement.

Devin Mesoraco is set to undergo an MRI on a neck injury that he suffered on Thursday against the Giants. Kevin Plawecki will see an increase in playing time while Mesoraco is sidelined.

Michael Fulmer is set to be activated from the disabled list today after missing almost a month. He did well over two rehab starts.
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Tommy Pham is still experiencing “soreness” in his dislocated finger, but is expected to return in a few days.

According to Ned Yost, Adalberto Mondesi is dealing with a slight hamstring injury and is currently day-to-day. He’s been a nice source of cheap steals this season.

Kris Bryant update:


Bryant should be close to heading out on a rehab assignment. Fantasy owners have been disappointed with his output this year, but those who are still competing can hopefully activate him and accrue some positive results during the stretch run.

According to Bob Nightengale, Yu Darvish does not believe he’ll require surgery on his elbow/triceps injuries, and thinks he’ll be able to come into 2019 “fully healthy.” His draft cost will certainly be depressed due to his 2018 season. This will be something to monitor in the offseason.

Scott Schelbler is expected to return from his shoulder injury on Saturday. He’s been sidelined since the All-Star break due to the ailment. With his return, Mason Williams and/or Preston Tucker’s will see a dip in playing time.

 

Streaming Pitchers

A Pitcher for Today: Joe Musgrove at MIL/ Derek Rodriguez vs TEX (If available)

High-Risk Option: Matt Harvey at CHC
Harvey has allowed 4 ER in 11.2 IP with a 10/2 K:BB over 2 GS against the Cubs this season. The Cubs offense has been great at home, but they also sit 24th in wRC+ this month (84).

 

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Wei-Yin Chen vs ATL
Chen has a 2.05 ERA and 1.04 WHIP spanning 57 IP at home. His results over 3 GS against ATL this season aren’t optimal, but he allowed 3 ER with 4 K over 5 IP in his lone outing against them in Marlins Park. The Braves rank 18th in wRC+ this month.

High-Risk Option: Lucas Giolito at DET
Giolito has allowed 3 ER or less in three of his last four, and he’s posted a season’s best 9.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in August. The Tigers are 26th in wRC+ this month (80) and despite being better offensively at home (4.2 RPG), they rank in the bottom-10.





 

Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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Pirates HurdlesMember since 2024
6 years ago

Just a FYI for Harvey, he could be traded to MIL by 1:30 today and miss his start.

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Mike Werner
6 years ago
Reply to  Pirates Hurdles

He did pretty well!

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