Roto Riteup: July 18, 2017

The Astros had a funeral for Carlos Beltran’s glove on Monday ?

Pay your respects.

Story: https://t.co/adgVoacVUA pic.twitter.com/86MmJltOQi

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 18, 2017

The bat is still kicking, though. He went 2-for-4 with his 12th homer in Monday’s 9-7 loss to the Mariners.

On the Agenda:

• Lindor Heating Up
• Mariners Back to .500
• Lester Bounces Back
• Phillips Stays Hot
• Pham Out of His Mind
• Whiff Watch
• Other News
• WTWT

Lindor Heating Up

Francisco Lindor has gotten a little power hungry this year and his batting average sank under .250 on the Fourth of July after an 0-for-3 (.246), but four games with 3+ hits over his last nine could be the start of a turnaround. Two of the four have come back-to-back with a 4-for-4 on Sunday and 3-for-5 on Monday. He’s now hitting .262 and his batted ball profile looks more like his career level:

• Season to Date: 39% GB, 42% FB, 19% LD
• Last Nine Games: 45% GB, 34% FB, 21% LD
• Career: 47% GB, 32% FB, 21% LD

I feel like I can get my power elsewhere, so I’d much prefer a AVG-focused Lindor, especially because his SBs would likely go up if he starts collecting singles in bunches again. I doubt there’s any substantial discount, but I’m definitely buying Lindor where available.

Mariners Back to .500

The Seattle Mariners were a popular pick to compete this year, but they’ve underperformed after starting the season 2-8 and spending most of the season a couple games under .500. They’ve won five straight and six of seven, including a 9-7 thriller in Houston on Monday to get back to .500. Starting pitching has been a major issue all year. At one point, 80% of their Opening Day rotation was on the DL. Hisashi Iwakuma is still sidelined and Drew Smyly recently had Tommy John surgery. They’re definitely in contention, sitting just 1.5 games back of a wildcard, but they’ll need to add some SPs to stay in this.

Lester Bounces Back

Jon Lester entered the All-Star break with a sour taste in his mouth after getting trounced for 10 runs (4 of them earned) in just two-thirds of an inning against the Pirates on July 9th, but he bounced back in style with a 7 IP/1 ER gem against the Braves on Monday night. He allowed just three hits and a walk while fanning six. He’s been up and down this year with the Pittsburgh shellacking and four other outings of at least 5 ER, but even with all that he still has a passable 4.07 ERA. I expect a 3.60ish level the rest of the way with a strikeout per inning and of course very real upside to do even more. I’d take a shot if I’m looking for pitching via trade.

Phillips Stays Hot

Brandon Phillips got one of the hits off Lester and got another off Wade Davis, putting up his third straight multi-hit game and continuing what has quietly been a strong season. The 36-year old second baseman has a .294/.339/.444 line with 8 HR and 7 SB. A .290, 15/15 season would be pretty solid, especially since most teams that have him are using him at middle infield in deeper leagues.

What Up, Pham?

Tommy Pham has turned into a bona fide stud and should be used in all formats until further notice. The 29-year old outfielder has dealt with injuries and a degenerative eye issue, but a new approach at that latter has Pham seeing and destroying baseballs. He’s toting a .311/.398/.530 line with 12 HR and 12 SB in 254 PA. With both Stephen Piscotty and Randal Grichuk on the DL, his playing time is guaranteed, though with numbers like his, he’d play even everyone was healthy. Of course the Cardinals have a guy playing with an eye condition that doctors suggest should be impossible:

If somebody would tell me an individual could play Major League Baseball with keratoconus, I’d say, ‘Absolutely not.’ Only Tommy Pham. I think Tommy is one in a million.”

Of f’n course they do. #CardinalsDevilMagic

Whiff Watch

A quick look at the top swing-and-miss starters from yesterday:

• Stephen Strasburg had 20 whiffs and a 19% SwStr v. CIN
• Jake Odorizzi had 14 and a 14% at OAK
• Eduardo Rodriguez had 14 and a 13% v. TOR
• Jon Lester had 13 and a 13% at ATL
• Jordan Zimmermann had 13 and a 13% at KC
• German Marquez had 13 and a 13% v. SD
• Adalberto Mejia had 11 and a 14% v. NYY

It was Strasburg’s fourth game of 20+ this year. His teammate Max Scherzer has the league high with 30 against MIA on June 21st. Carlos Rodon’s 26 against Oakland on July 3rd is the high for the month.

Other News

• Roberto Osuna saved his 22nd straight (0.86 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, 43 Ks in 31.3 IP during the run)
• Martin Prado to DL with a right knee sprain
• J.D. Martinez left Monday’s game with lower back tightness
• Carlos Correa left Monday’s game a jammed thumb suffered on a swing
• Stephen Vogt suffered a knee injury in a home plate collision with Chad Kuhl, he’s day-to-day
• David Dahl may not return to the majors after all as he rehabs from a rib injury

WTWT

Here’s what to watch tonight:

• Vince Velasquez, Junior Guerra, Matthew Boyd, Brian Johnson, Adam Conley, and Bartolo Colon all return to the mound tonight.
• Mike Clevinger and Michael Wacha look to stay hot at SF and at NYM, respectively.
• Brad Peacock has won four straight and gone 6 IP in each of his last two, can he stay hot vs. the streaking Mariners?
• Struggling youngsters Blake Snell, Dylan Bundy, and Sean Newcomb all go tonight
• Edwin Jackson is starting for a first place team tonight, making his return to the Washington Nationals. He’s somehow only 33 years old.
• Oh ya, and that Kershaw dude is throwing!