Roto Riteup: July 18, 2023

Live video of me returning to work after taking a vacation:

The tarp monster stays undefeated. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/b3dJBX7KI1

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 18, 2023

On the Agenda: 

1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
2. Closer Chaos
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. 

 

Closer Chaos

Hunter Harvey was placed on the IL with an elbow strain. This doesn’t sound good at all. Kyle Finnegan is expected to regain the closer role, but he has been a popular name floated in trade rumors this summer. Mason Thompson could be a sneaky guy the take the role if Finnegan is traded. 

 

Quick Hits

Kevin Newman was placed on the IL with a stomach issue. 

Wade Miley was placed on the IL with elbow discomfort. There is no timetable for his return. 

 

Various News and Notes
Christian Encarnacion-Strand made his Major League debut on Monday, going 0-for-2 in the game versus the Giants which was suspended due to weather in the eighth inning. He is a top power prospect that has been blocked from making his debut until now. There is a ton of power in the bat as he hit 20 home runs in 316 AAA plate appearances this season and he has made gains in limiting the strikeouts. However, there are concerns about his contact ability at the Major League Level. This does lead to an issue about playing time for him and other Reds hitters, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them move a hitter or two before the end of the month for some pitching in order to make sure Encarnacion-Strand and other Reds hitters have full playing time.

Quinn Priester threw 5.1 innings versus the Guardians, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two in the loss.

Quinn Priester, Nasty 80mph Curveball. 😨

1st MLB K pic.twitter.com/fMihgqsmmJ

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 18, 2023

The line looks way worse than Priester pitched. He had three perfect innings before giving up a two run home run in the fourth, a walk and a double in the fifth and then getting destroyed in the sixth. Priester was the talk of fantasy circles a couple of seasons ago before his hype died off. He has a nice arsenal and Pittsburgh is a nice place to pitch so this is a nice buy low opportunity.

Endy Rodriguez made his Major League debut on Monday, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the loss to the Guardians. While it was a disappointing debut, Rodriguez is considered one of the top catching prospects in baseball. He doesn’t have a carrying tool for fantasy but profiles as an all around contributor. He should be a popular pick up in two-catcher formats.

Nick Pivetta threw six scoreless innings versus the A’s allowing just two walks and no hits in the victory over the Oakland A’s on Monday.

13 STRIKEOUTS FOR NICK PIVETTA! pic.twitter.com/0ejIML9Vv8

— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 18, 2023

The Red Sox threw an opener in the outing which allowed Pivetta to come in to begin the third inning. He was fantastic, getting a 37% CSW on his fastball and a 38% CSW overall. He has been great since moving to the bullpen and is a viable team streamer moving forward.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Logan Allen at PIT

Pittsburgh has been struggling especially against lefties and it is a nice park. 

High Risk Options: Daniel Lynch vs DET, Jameson Taillon vs WAS, Trevor Willims at CHC. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Cristopher Sánchez vs MIL

Milwaukee has been one of the worst teams in baseball versus lefties and Sanchez has pitched well for the Phillies. 

High Risk Options: Graham Ashcraft vs SF, Patrick Corbin at CHC, Ross Stripling at CIN. 

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 my recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”