Roto Riteup: July 23, 2024

Hunter Greene with some razzle dazzle!

Hunter Greene made this look way too easy 😮 pic.twitter.com/B7T3wRL6JJ

— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2024

On the Agenda: 

1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
2. Trade Rumors!
3. Closer Chaos
4. Quick Hits
5. Various News and Notes
6. 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

According to GM Jed Hoyer, the Cubs are likely to be sellers at the deadline. Jameson Taillon and Hector Neris seem like they will be the big names that are definitely going to be traded, but Cody Bellinger has been another name mentioned in rumors along with fellow outfielders Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Mike Tauchmann. Both Chicago teams appear to be the big movers in terms of the trade deadline. 

 

Closer Chaos

Daniel Hudson registered the save for the Dodgers over the Giants on Monday. With Evan Phillips struggling, the Dodgers will move back to a committee it appears with Hudson leading the way. It seems likely that the Dodgers will add a closer at the deadline, but for now, Hudson has value. 

 

Quick Hits

Whit Merrifield signed a contract with the Braves on Monday. With Ozzie Albies out for two months, Merrifield will provide added depth for the Braves in the short term. Merrifield did hurt his finger in pregame warmups on Monday, but x-rays were negative.

The Dodgers designated James Paxton for assignment. Paxton has been up and down, but this is a bit surprising. The Dodgers will be activating Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow from the IL soon, so they feel good about their starting pitching depth.

German Marquez was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. Marquez just returned from the IL after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery so this is concerning. He is droppable in all formats.

Various News and Notes
River Ryan threw 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out two in the no-decision versus the Giants on Monday.

River Ryan, 97mph Paint. 🖌️🎨

1st MLB K pic.twitter.com/Lpar8HocQj

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 23, 2024

Ryan wasn’t overpowering in the outing, but he did throw six different pitches and kept the Giants off balanced throughout the outing. He has shown a ton of swing and miss stuff in the minors, but can struggle with command and control. It will be interesting to see if he will keep a rotation spot once the Dodgers get Glasnow and Kershaw back.

Tyler Fitzgerald went 1-for-4 with a home run in the loss to the Dodgers on Monday.

Tyler Fitzgerald has gone deep in FOUR straight! This one ties it in the seventh pic.twitter.com/KwBr7ZOFd7

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 23, 2024

Fitzgerald has been on fire recently, hitting home runs in four consecutive games to give him five on the season along with seven stolen bases and a .299/.365/.552 triple slash in 96 plate appearances. He is taking more time away from Thairo Estrada recently and could be carving out a regular role.

Sam Hilliard went 1-for-5 with a home run in the victory over the Red Sox on Monday.

Sam Hilliard erases the deficit with a 450-foot blast. 💥 pic.twitter.com/in85YQE9ub

— MLB (@MLB) July 23, 2024

Hilliard has been great since the beginning of July, hitting .281 with three home runs and two stolen bases. Hilliard has shown hot streaks in the past and the Rockies have a long homestand coming up that he will be good for streaming for.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Albert Suarez at  MIA

Suarez has been great this season and has about as good of a matchup that you can get. 

High Risk Options: Lance Lynn at PIT, Jose Quintana at NYY Jose Soriano at SEA, Simeon Woods Richardson vs PHI, Alec Marsh vs ARI, Landen Knack vs SF. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Some interesting high risk options but none that I feel great about. 

High Risk Options: Mitchell Parker vs SD, Cal Quantrill vs BOS, JP Sears vs HOU, Yariel Rodriguez vs TB, Griffin Canning at SEA, Ryne Nelson at KC

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.”