Roto Riteup: August 9, 2022

by
August 9, 2022

This is art:

On the Agenda: 

  1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
  2. COVID Issues
  3. Closer Chaos
  4. Trades!!!
  5. Quick Hits
  6. Various News and Notes
  7. 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. Will add a link once available. 

 

Closer Chaos

Rowan Wick threw a scoreless inning versus the Nationals on Monday, allowing one hit while striking out two to register the save. This is the Cubs first save opportunity since the deadline, so it is reassuring to see that Wick was the guy for the ninth. Wick has struggled this season, but he seemed like the most likely closer since he is the only one in the Cubs bullpen with the experience. He may not keep it for long, but if you are desperate for saves, there does not seem to be much competition in Chicago. 

Ian Kennedy threw a scoreless inning versus the Pirates, allowing one walk while striking out one to register the save. A night after Mark Melancon got the save for the Diamondbacks, Arizona stayed true to their declaration that they would be operating a committee. Kennedy has been decent and has experience in the role so it would not be surprising if he runs with the job at some point, but if the Diamondbacks are going to share it the rest of the way, there may not be enough wins to make anyone interesting. 

 

Quick Hits

Franmil Reyes was claimed by the Chicago Cubs on Monday from the Cleveland Guardians. Cleveland had designated him for assignment after the trade deadline and the Cubs will pick up the 27-year-old that is just a season removed from a 30 homer campaign. 

According to team president Jed Hoyer, Jason Heyward will not play for the Cubs again this season nor will he play for them next year. This is a bit weird considering the Cubs have Heyward under contract for another season at $24.5 million next year and while he has disappointed tremendously, he has been a positive value player over the course of his career due to his defensive value. He is currently injured, so we may have to wait until the Cubs officially move on. 

Mike Moustakas left Monday’s game with a calf issue. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Jonathan India left Monday’s game with a hamstring injury. India has struggled this season with injuries so this is disappointing. The Reds said the move was precautionary. Consider him day-to-day, but the Reds will likely be very cautious with him in what is a lost year. 

Jesse Winker left Monday’s game with a back issue. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Matt Carpenter left Monday’s game after fouling a pitch off his foot against the Mariners.

Carpenter was in obvious pain and x-rays revealed a fracture in his foot which would likely end his season. This is extremely disappointing as he had been having a huge resurgence for the Yankees. He is droppable in most formats.

 

Various News and Notes
Nelson Velasquez went 3-for-4 with a home run in the victory over the Nationals on Monday.

Velasquez has been on fire since the All-Star Break, hitting .346 with four home runs for the Cubs and playing pretty much every day. With the Cubs sending down Frank Schwindel, he should find himself in the lineup regularly and while his contact profile during this time is likely going to bite him at some point, there is no shame in riding the hot streak in deeper formats.

Jose Suarez threw seven scoreless innings versus the A’s on Monday, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out eight in the victory.

Suarez has been fantastic as of late, which has coincided with him debuting a new changeup and increased usage of his slider. Suarez has always been a bad fastball guy, but the changeup becoming good again could help him stay in the rotation long term. I don’t want to get overly excited because he has faced A’s twice and the Royal once in his last three starts, but his next two starts aren’t bad versus the Mariners and at the Rays. 

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  James Kaprielian vs LAA

Kaprielian has pitched well of late and has a nice matchup here. 

High Risk Options: Zach Thompson at ARI

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Madison Bumgarner vs PIT

The Pirates are one of the worst offenses in baseball versus lefties with a 26.4% strikeout rate and an 82 wRC+. 

High Risk Options: Mitch Keller at ARI, Justin Steele vs WAS, Kris Bubic vs CHW. 

 

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.”





 

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.

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