Roto Riteup: July 4, 2015
Today’s Roto Riteup would like to wish America a happy birthday, but it doesn’t know where to send the card.
On today’s agenda:
1. Garrett Richards is back, baby
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options
Garrett Richards is back, baby
After undergoing knee surgery late last season, Richards was somewhat of an enigma heading into 2015. Was his 2014 somewhat of a mirage? If not, would he be able to repeat after his injury? Other than a poor stretch at the end of May and the beginning of June, Richards has been up to the task.
First six starts: 39.1 IP, 36 K, 17 BB, 1 HR; 2.29 ERA, 1.02 WHIP (.220 BABIP)
Next four starts: 19.1 IP, 12 K, 9 BB, 4 HR; 7.91 ERA, 1.91 WHIP (.338 BABIP)
Last five starts: 35.1 IP, 26 K, 8 BB, 2 HR; 2.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP (.260 BABIP)
Richards’ velocity isn’t quite at 2014 levels, but he’s still sitting 95 and holding it throughout his outings while generating more whiffs than he did last season. You may have been scared to start Richards just a couple weeks ago, but be scared no longer.
Various news and notes
Miguel Cabrera is headed to the DL for the first time in his career with a calf injury. Miggy should be back shortly after the All-Star break, if not immediately after. Update: Cabrera will be out six weeks, pegging his return around mid-August.
Carlos Correa is now up to six homers and a .300 average in 103 plate appearances. Those numbers will dip once pitchers get a better scouting report, but his power is the big plus sign. 20-year-olds don’t usually pace for 36 homers in a full season.
Hisashi Iwakuma will return to the Mariners on Monday, replacing Roenis Elias in the rotation. After Mike Montgomery’s recent brilliance, it was clear that Elias had become the odd man out.
Matt Harrison will make his 2015 debut on Tuesday, just his seventh start since his breakout 2012 season.
Ervin Santana has been activated by the Twins and will start tomorrow against the the Royals.
Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for today: Kendall Graveman vs SEA (Felix Hernandez)
It may be hard for Graveman to pick up a W, but the rest of his numbers should be more than satisfactory.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Mike Montgomery at OAK (Chris Bassitt)
Ride the Magic Mike train.
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
In a bit of a DL pickle with Miggy going down, as I also own Rendon, Pence and Andrew Miller. Are any of those guys droppable, since right now I have one bench bat? My most droppable pitchers are Montgomery, Brett Anderson and Roberto Osuna (3rd Closer).
My waiver options arent terrible since another owner is in a similar injury spot and had to cut loose Yelich, Tomas and Colabello. Between those three guys, which guy should I put the highest bid in for?
Also, any thoughts on Gerardo Parra? Guy has been on fire since taking over for Khris Davis as an everyday player. It feels like a long time ago since he was a useful fantasy player, but he’s still just 28 and has been hitting at the top of the Brewers lineup lately which has obviously boosted his Runs potential. I don’t expect the power to keep up, but am I crazy to think if he can keep a starting job he could put up similar numbers that we all expected out of Melky Cabrera this year? A little bit of pop, 10 or so steals, a nice runs scored number and a good batting average? Seems pretty useful for a lot of OF help hungry fantasy teams.
Drop Monty or Anderson for Yelich. Or better yet drop both for Yelich and another pitcher on the wire.
Don’t understand the infatuation with low-K, fluky ERA pitchers, especially those two. Fine to stream, not worth owning.
I’d drop Osuna, honestly, mainly because Toronto’s closer situation can change within a shoe drop.
Montgomery is droppable, I’d keep Brett Andersen until he gets hurt.
Parra is meh, as a fantasy player-not enough of anything to play everyday. He’s the upgraded Ruben Tejada of outfielders, good in real life, and okay as a 4th outfielder in fantasy. I’d rather pick up David Peralta of the Dbacks, if you need a 4th OF.
Drop Osuna lol. Quit trolling