Roto Riteup: July 23, 2021

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July 23, 2021

This is was pretty funny:

But not as funny as when Cruz wore Sano’s pants in Spring Training:

Sano went 1-for-3 and a stolen base, so he may be wearing Cruz’s pants again tomorrow.

On the Agenda: 

  1. Closer Chaos
  2. Trade!!!
  3. Quick Hits
  4. Various News and Notes
  5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos

Kenley Jansen blew the save on Thursday, allowing four earned runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out two. Jansen should have never blown the save. There was a blown check swing call that led to the tying run getting to the plate instead of ending the game. That being said, this is his second blown save in as many games and his underlying numbers aren’t close to as good as his surface stats and the Dodgers could make a move if his struggles continue as he is in the last year of his contract. 

 

Trade!!! 

Nelson Cruz was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays for Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman. Cruz is a huge get on an expiring contract and landed in one of the best possible spots for his fantasy value. Ryan and Strotman are older pitching prospects that have been performing well this season, but likely don’t have a ton of fantasy upside in spite of being close to Major League ready. 

 

Quick Hits

Isaac Paredes was placed on the IL with a hip strain. This is disappointing since he was just recalled. There is no timetable for his return. 

Jon Berti left Thursday’s game after being hit in the back of the head with a pitch.

Berti was diagnosed with a concussion and will likely be placed on the 7-Day IL.

Nick Castellanos will likely be placed on the IL with a microfracture of his wrist. He has been trying to play through it and stated he feels about “50 percent”. This is disappointing news with the Reds in the playoff race, but they likely won’t want him to make the injury worse.

 

Various News and Notes

Tanner Houck threw 4.2 innings in the no-decision allowing no earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out eight. 

Houck allowed an unearned run before the outing was shortened by rain, but he was very impressive especially with the slider which had a 52% CSW in the outing. Houck should be rostered in all formats and is still available in almost 80% of leagues on CBS.

Andrew Heaney threw seven innings in the victory over the Twins, allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven. Heaney was very good in this one, exhibiting great command with the fastball. I don’t want to overreact as the Twins lineup isn’t great right now, but this a step in the right direction for the soon to be free agent pitcher.

Luis Patino threw 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four. Patino struggled in this one with his control and command and served up a meatball for an easy home run for Franmil Reyes.

On the plus side, his stuff was still really good and he was able to get to 98 pitches which is very encouraging. There is a ton of talent in the arm if he can control it.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Alex Cobb at MIN

Cobb has been really good lately and has a nice matchup versus a disappointing Twins team.

High Risk Options:  Johnny Cueto vs PIT, Josh Fleming at CLE, Wily PEralta at KC, Chad Kuhl at SF. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Patrick Sandoval at MIN

No Buxton, No Cruz? Sign me up. 

High Risk Options: Merrill Kelly 켈리 at CHC,  Alec Mills vs ARI, Spenser Watkins vs WAS. 

 

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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