Roto Riteup: July 9, 2017

After a two-hit debut that included his first MLB homer, Clint Frazier was just 1-for-12 until Saturday:

Walk-off, Clint Frazier! How 'bout these Baby Bombers?! #RedThunder pic.twitter.com/Pwg3VTjmqV

— Stadium (@watchstadium) July 8, 2017

The walkoff three-run shot was his third hit of the day (single, triple) and gave him 4 RBIs.

On the Agenda:

• Stroman Strong v. Stros
• Teheran the Road Warrior
• Castillo Cruises in the Desert
• Polanco Heating Up
• Other News

Stroman Strong v. Stros

Marcus Stroman lasted just five innings in his Monday start at the Yankees after a developing blister, something he believes is due to the ball and happening far too much in the league this year. His fingers were just fine on Saturday as he dominated the league’s best offense (Houston has 5.8 runs per game), going seven innings and allowing just one run on six hits and three walks. He also fanned six. Even with a 4 IP/7 ER thrashing at Texas, he has a 2.96 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 12 starts (73 IP). He wasn’t shy about saying he should be at the All-Star Game, either. He may not get to Miami for the festivities, but he’s must-start in all formats.

Teheran the Road Warrior

Julio Teheran needed seven scoreless at Washington to bring his ERA back under 5.00 as his issues in Atlanta’s brand-new stadium have gotten plenty of attention (7.58 ERA, 1.64 WHIP in 46.3 IP), but his effort on Saturday was just a continuation of dominance on the road: 2.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 57 IP. Teheran is a worth spot-starter for road starts, but he’s hard to trust at home outside of the most favorable matchups (QS v. SD, PIT, NYM, and SF at home).

Castillo Cruises in the Desert

I can’t get enough of Luis Castillo, the 100-mph flamethrower for the Reds. I knew very little about him beyond his name and his involvement in some trades prior to this season, but now he’s on my Must-Watch list every fifth day. He had a devastating two-start setup at both Colorado and Arizona, but came out of it brilliantly with a 2.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts in 12.3 innings thanks in large part to six and two-thirds shutout frames against the hot-hitting D’Backs on Saturday night.

Best of all, he walked just two all week. The upside alone makes him worthy of a roster spot in all formats and if he’s not giving out free passes, he’s damn near a Must-Start for me even acknowledging that there will be ups and downs for the rookie. For more, I wrote him up earlier this week.

Polanco Heating Up

Gregory Polanco was set to be one of my biggest breakout picks coming into the season, but then a long-term shoulder issue returned in late-March and made me gun-shy about investing across the board, especially since I was projecting a power surge and shoulder injuries almost always hamper power. Perhaps the shoulder is feeling 100% of late? He’s on an eight-game hit streak and has 3 HR in his last 10 games, including his eighth of the year on Saturday. He has a .359/.381/.641 line during the surge, but still just a pedestrian .723 OPS on the season.

Other News

• Cody Bellinger blasted his 25th homer on the season, but Joey Votto popped his 26th to take the NL lead
• Both Yonder Alonso and Justin Bour joined the 20-HR club on Saturday, marking 22 players to do so this year. Charlie Blackmon, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, and Ryon Healy can join the party with a homer on Sunday.
• The Yankees are said to be pursuing Bour via trade.
• The Cardinals Devil Magic is in full effect with Tommy Pham (129 wRC+), Paul DeJong (131), and Luke Voit (165) carrying the offense and helping aid the team to a 9-5 record over the last couple weeks.
• Dallas Keuchel will throw off a mound for the first time since being DL’d back in early June.