Roto Riteup: August 6, 2024
I need one of these.
Tired of not being able to hold your hot dog, have a drink, AND catch a home run ball at the same time?
Meet the Munchie Mitt – only in @MiLB. pic.twitter.com/jyiyF9gELN
— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2024
On the Agenda:
- Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
- Closer Chaos
- Quick Hits
- Various News and Notes
- 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.
Closer Chaos
Justin Martinez threw a scoreless tenth inning versus the Guardians to register his first save of the season.
Justin Martinez, Filth. pic.twitter.com/LjVORa4Dhr
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 6, 2024
Martinez came into the game in extra innings because Ryan Thompson blew the save in the ninth inning. Martinez has great stuff but struggles with control at times. The Arizona closer role is up for grabs, but this has all the makings of a committee between Martinez, Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and AJ Puk.
Quick Hits
Reynaldo Lopez was placed on the IL with forearm inflammation. The move is retroactive to August 2nd. There is no timetable for his return, but his MRI showed no structural damage so there is a hope that Lopez can return after a minimum stay. Bryce Elder was called up to take Lopez’s spot in the rotation.
Gabriel Moreno left Monday’s game with a groin injury. Consider him day-to-day but it looked like something that may require an IL stint.
Various News and Notes
Tyler Fitzgerald 2-for-4 with a home run in the victory over the Nationals on Monday.
Tyler Fitzgerald is on a GENERATIONAL hot streak right now 🌡️
That's 11 homers in the last 17 games. pic.twitter.com/G1nLxRdGLD
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 5, 2024
Fitzgerald has been on an insane run over the month, hitting .350 with 11 home runs. However, the underlying contact skills aren’t overly impressive. He has a 79% zone contact and a 14% swinging strike rate. This doesn’t seem to be a massive skills change, but an unreal hot streak.
David Festa threw five scoreless innings versus the Cubs allowing just two walks and two hits in the victory on Monday.
David Festa racks up a career-high nine strikeouts 🔥
MLB's No. 87 prospect (@Twins) scatters two hits and two walks across five scoreless innings. pic.twitter.com/AhhauXye8N
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 6, 2024
Festa struggled in his callup before being demoted, but he has looked much better in this go around, allowing only three earned runs over his 14.1 innings of work while striking out 22. Festa has good stuff, but is exhibiting really improved command and if can continue to do so, this will be a nice second half breakout.
Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)
Pitcher for Today: Jonathan Cannon at OAK
Cannon has pitched well as of late and gets a bad Oakland team in a good park.
High Risk Options: Kyle Freeland vs NYM, Tyler Mahle vs HOU, Bailey Falter vs SD, Bryce Elder vs MIL, Davis Daniel at NYY.
Pitcher for Tomorrow: Joey Estes vs CHW
Estes has been great at home and faces a bad White Sox offense in Oakland.
High Risk Options: Javier Assas vs MIN, Paul Blackburn at COL, Trevor Rogers at TOR, Ryan Feltner vs NYM.
Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.
Am I just wishcasting or does it feel like Arizona’s closer role comes back around to Sewald after he pitches a few more clean low-leverage innings?