Roto Riteup: July 8, 2015
Yesterday the USMNT narrowly edged out Honduras by a 2-1 score. Both the defense — specifically the center and right side — looked shaky, though the 4-4-2 formation (with a diamond midfield) in the attack at least showed decent signs of life. I might be overly critical here, but that looked and felt like a pretty lucky three points.
On today’s agenda:
1. Cesar Hernandez, starting second baseman
2. Jake Odorizzi’s rehab progresses
3. Good news for Gerardo Parra owners
4. Streaming Pitching Options
Cesar Hernandez, starting second baseman
If you’ve been holding out hope for a big Chase Utley comeback, you have to stop holding your breath. In a curious move, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. gave the keys to second base to Cesar Hernandez. Apparently even when Utley comes back in about three weeks, Hernandez will continue to be the starter. Hernandez does offer good speed — he already has 12 bags in 15 attempts — and to be fair the improved walk and strikeout rates are at least encouraging. I’m just not convinced he’ll keep up his .365 BABIP, especially considering his 23.5 percent Hard% is more than five points below the non-pitcher 28.9 percent league average mark. Basically, I’m not buying too much Hernandez stock just yet, even with this announcement.
Jake Odorizzi’s rehab progress
The 25-year-old hurler is set to return to action with the Rays on Saturday after an encouraging outing Monday night. Pitching in High-A Charlotte, Odorizzi tossed 73 pitches across 5 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out six. He’s schedule to face the Astros this weekend, so I’d recommend sitting him for that start before reinserting Odorizzi back in your lineups.
Good news for Gerardo Parra owners
As a follow up to yesterday’s Roto Riteup, new light has been shed on the Brewers outfield playing time questions. Khris Davis was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Monday and was inserted into the starting lineup, though the team faced a left-handed pitcher. Yesterday Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reports that Parra will continue to be the primary left fielder, and I’m interpreting Counsell’s comments as basically saying LF is now mostly a platoon situation.
Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for today: Mike Fiers vs ATL (Julio Teheran)
Fiers is up against a Braves team that has been about league average against right-handed pitchers thus far. They don’t strikeout very often, but I still like Fiers to post a solid day. He’s free to stream in about 40 percent of CBS and Yahoo! settings as well as over 75 percent of ESPN leagues.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Nate Karns at KC (Yordano Ventura)
Another starter who may not rack up the strikeouts, Karns is up against a solid Royals squad. He has a solid 22.9 percent strikeout rate despite a league average swinging strike rate, so count on more of a quality start than anything too special. One can find Karns free to pick up in 40 percent of CBS formats and 75 percent of ESPN or Yahoo! leagues.
You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.
Is that actually how people talk about soccer games? It sounds like you Googled terms about soccer and forced them into a paragraph.
Yes, David knows what he’s talking about. I saw Pele, the Man City 69 champs, and the Leeds United 72 champs play. Oh, and the 1990 World Cup final in Rome.
I saw Pele play too as a 12 year old. Magnificent display of football and athletic ability when his Santos team visited Washington D.C. in 1968.
I’ve also had the pleasure of watching the incomparable Johan Cruyff play in Washington for two years before that football league broke up.
I think there’s no doubt that Pele and Messi rank #1 and #2 as the greatest football (soccer) players of all time.
I know some people believe either Ronaldo or Maradona rank as the third best. You could make a case for them.
For my money, Cruyff is at least their equal in greatness. He had remarkable vision as a midfielder, distributing the ball with uncanny precision. But he also possessed amazing dribbling skills as well, and he could easily break down defenses with his talent. You can see some of his finest moments on YouTube.
Finally, Cruyff was the creator of the system, when he managed Barcelona, that Pep Guardiola essentially reintroduced to Barca to make them great again.
Too bad Cruyff was an idiot off the field, making some absurd comments in later years.
It’s almost like when a pitcher is tossing a gem of an outing as his uncle charlie curve is really on that day.
Yeah, sports terms are a thing.