Roto Riteup: June 20, 2015

In case you had forgotten, today’s Roto Riteup reminds readers to purchase their Father’s Day gifts for tomorrow.

On today’s agenda:
1. The author watches Lance McCullers’ defense fail him
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

<!–more>The author watches Lance McCullers’ defense fail him
As a resident of the greater Seattle area, your author has a nightly opportunity to watch the Seattle Mariners disappoint him. This time around, it was the Astros who were disappointing, failing to support Lance McCullers in the first inning with an error and a misplayed bloop single. Catcher Hank Conger also dropped a third strike in the second inning, allowing fellow backstop Mike Zunino to reach base.

McCullers looked like his usual self against the Mariners; arms flailing, the ball flying to the plate in the mid-90s, and an effectively wild approach. McCullers’ changeup tails off like a digressing professor, and his curveball dives out of the zone with ease. His command is going to hurt his WHIP for at least the remainder of this year, but if he can improve just a little bit, he’s nasty.

The Astros defense has been solidly in the bottom half of the league this year, though the addition of Carlos Correa could bump them up a smidge. Be wary of a couple of extra hits getting through, even if that hasn’t been the case with the likes of Dallas Keuchel.

Various news and notes

Hisashi Iwakuma will begin his minor league rehab assignment with the Mariners A-ball affiliate, and is scheduled to throw about 50 pitches. Iwakuma will likely need at least three starts in the minors, and will replace Mike Montgomery in the M’s rotation when he returns.

The legend of Joey Butler continues. The Rays’ “phenom” hit a homer yesterday, giving him six on the year with a .336 batting average. Think of Butler as Bryan LaHair and stay away.

Ike Davis has been activated by the A’s and should take his spot back at first base. Davis was a different man before getting hurt, cutting his strikeout rate to 14% and hitting .282 with not much pop to speak of.

Jose Altuve claims to be feeling well despite missing the Astros last few games. He could return as early as today.

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Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Anthony DeSclafani vs MIA (Tom Koehler)
While a Reds starter at home can be a risky proposition, the Marlins are a bottom-three offense against righties.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Vincent Velasquez at SEA (J.A. Happ)
Velasquez will square off against a middle lineup (at best) in a pitcher’s park. If the defense holds up, so should he.