Roto Riteup: June 5, 2017

The Roto Riteup would like to know, which is worse:

The rare baseball somersault. pic.twitter.com/vYM0AChjc8

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) June 3, 2017

Or

Looks like a bad time. #Filthy pic.twitter.com/iNV9ZaSz15

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) June 3, 2017

Vote in the comments section!

On the Agenda:

1. Fun with Small Samples! (Pitcher Edition)

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

Fun with Small Samples!

The leaders in k/9 for starting pitchers for the month of May were: Chris Archer (13.05), Alex Wood (13.02), and Chris Sale (12.94). However, Max Scherzer led the Majors in strikeouts for the month with 60, followed by Archer and Sale with 58 each.

The leaders in xFIP for starters for the month of May were: Alex Wood (1.48), Dallas Keuchel (1.99), and Jeff Samardzija (2.33). Wood and Samardzija also were in the top three in lowest starter FIP at 1.11 and 2.06 respectively, but were joined by Randall Delgado with a 1.89 FIP, though some of that came as a reliever. It was Lance McCullers that ended the month of May with the lowest ERA with 0.99.

The fastest average fastball velocity for starters during the month of May was held by Luis Severino at 97.4. Carlos Martinez and Charlie Morton were the only two other starters both averaging 96+. When you add in relievers, Trevor Rosenthal edges out Aroldis Chapman by .2 at 99.4mph. When you look at the slowest average fastball velocities, you get R.A. Dickey, Jason Vargas, and Kyle Hendricks.

The highest BABIPs during the month of May for starters were owned by Rick Porcello (.403), Matt Boyd (.398) and Masahiro Tanaka (.398). The lowest were owned by Ervin Santana (.153), Jose Berrios (.167), Mike Leake (.192), and Lance Lynn (.194).

The highest hard contact percentages given up by Matt Boyd (44.4%), Rick Porcello (43.1%), and Trevor Bauer (42.7%). The highest soft contact percentages given up were Drew Pomeranz (30.5%), Clayton Kershaw (28.1%), and Tyler Chatwood (26.7%).

Finally, there were four pitchers that gave up double digit home runs in the Month of May: Hector Santiago (11), Masahiro Tanaka (11), Mike Fiers (10), and Julio Teheran (10). During that time, Michael Fulmer and Alex Wood gave up zero homers in 37 and 28.1 innings respectively.

Various News and Notes

Terry Collins stated that Steven Matz and Seth Lugo will rejoin the Mets rotation next weekend. With a doubleheader slated for during that series against the Braves, one pitcher will start the top half of that doubleheader on Saturday while the other will start Sunday. It is to be determined who will start which day.

According to manager Bryan Price, neither Scott Schebler nor Billy Hamilton should require disabled list trips for their respective shoulder injuries suffered over the weekend. They are both considered day-to-day at this time.

Devon Travis was removed from Sunday’s game after being hit on the wrist with a pitch. The result of x-rays came back negative after the game. He is considered day-to-day at this time.

Justin Verlander was removed from Sunday’s start with groin tightness. It appears that was just a cautionary move by the Tigers as manager Brad Ausmus alluded to after the game. Verlander is expected to make his next start.

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: NONE

There are only six pitchers that are eligible for this section and I am not starting any of them.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Daniel Norris vs. LAA

The Angels have a depleted lineup without Mike Trout and Cameron Maybin that only has 3 players on their active roster with wOBAs .275 or above against left handed pitchers.