Roto Riteup: July 26, 2022

This makes me feel like I could still make the Majors:

Daniel Vogelbach went second to home in less than 8 seconds. 😳 pic.twitter.com/oO7RklVBra

— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2022

On the Agenda: 

1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. 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. 

 

Quick Hits

Both Mike Zunino and Kevin Kiermaier will undergo season ending surgery. With both players out, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Rays address these positions at the trade deadline. 

MacKenzie Gore left the game on Monday with elbow soreness. Gore was working with reduced velocity as well in the outing. That is not good news as obviously that would be a symptom of a UCL issue. Consider him day-to-day but prepare for the worst.

Jose Iglesias left Monday’s game with a foot injury after fouling a pitch. X-rays were negative following the game so it appears he avoided serious injury. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Dallas Keuchel was signed by the Rangers to a minor league contract on Monday. Keuchel has now been on three teams this season after being released by both the White Sox and Diamondbacks and has no real value if he makes it back to the Majors. 

Jake Odorizzi left Monday’s start with a blister issue. Apparently he started struggling with it in the second inning, but pitched through the fifth inning to try and help save the bullpen. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

 

Various News and Notes

Nick Lodolo threw six scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and two walks in the win over the Marlins. 

Nick Lodolo, K'ing the Side.

6ip, 9Ks. 👍 pic.twitter.com/gPk79q3COa

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 26, 2022

This is the Lodolo that we have been waiting for! All of his pitches sported a 30+% CSW, but the curve was the star of the show. His command and control were not pristine, but he did enough to keep a Marlins lineup that struggles against lefties at bay. I am not yet ready to believe this is the breakout, but I am definitely encouraged.

Josh Rojas went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases in the victory over the Giants. That was embarrassing for the Giants as the run game prevention was almost as bad as the at bats they took during the game. Rojas is quietly putting together a nice season, hitting .279 with five home runs and 11 stolen bases while striking out 20% of the time and walking at a 10% clip. It seems like there probably isn’t a ton more power in the bat, but if he can keep up the average and steal 15+ bases, there is some value in most formats with his multi-positional eligibility.

Skye Bolt went 2-for-3 with a home run in the victory over the Astros.

Skye Bolt caps off a five-run inning with a bomb 💣 pic.twitter.com/SE3TKHdjaP

— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 26, 2022

Bolt is hitting .231 with three home runs in 56 plate appearances in the Majors this year and while he seems to be getting some run here, he struggles against breaking pitches, with zero hits against them in the Majors this season. If he can’t show something against them, he won’t be in the Majors long.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Spenser Watkins vs TB

Watkins has quietly been very good this season and has a nice matchup at home. 

High Risk Options: Mitch White vs WAS, Dane Dunning at SEA, Jose Suarez at KC. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Only four players qualify and none of them are enticing.

High Risk Options: Brad Keller vs LAA, Chris Archer at MIL. 

 

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.”