Roto Riteup: March 31, 2023

Did we have the play of the year on Day 1?

 

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<b>https://twitter.com/MattWi77iams/status/1641643012861116416?s=20</b>

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On the Agenda: 

1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
2. Closer Chaos
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest

On most Tuesday’s and Friday’s and some other days, Paul Sporer and I will be doing a $5 draftkings game for anyone that is interested.

 

Closer Chaos

Michael Fulmer pitched a clean ninth inning to seal the victory for the Cubs. Fulmer entered the game with a four run lead, but his main competition for the closer role, Brad Boxberger, entered in the eighth, so you can assume that Fulmer is the lead candidate for saves for the Cubs. 

Daniel Bard was placed on the IL with anxiety. With Bard out the Rockies will turn to Dinelson Lamet or Brad Hand most likely for saves. 

Dany Jimenez pitched the ninth inning on Thursday, allowing just one walk and striking out one to register his first save of the season. Jimenez led the A’s in saves last season, but that only meant 11 total saves. He is definitely in the mix, but if Oakland shares the job with other options, there won’t be enough saves to matter in most formats. 

 

Quick Hits

Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-Day IL with a teres muscle strain. This was unexpected, but it is being characterized as a minor strain. He will miss at least two weeks, but this is the same injury as Triston McKenzie injured that has McKenzie expected to miss a month or two. 

Max Fried left his start on Thursday with hamstring discomfort.

#Braves Max Fried injured on this play. Walked off under his own power. Replay showed him wincing at the end in discomfort. pic.twitter.com/dnzOfrg0Iq

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) March 30, 2023

The Braves stated that Fried will miss his next start and is likely headed for an IL stint. Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder are the names in contention to fill in for Fried.

Ryan Pepiot was placed on the IL with an oblique injury. Typically these injuries take 4-6 weeks to return from. Michael Grove was recalled to take Pepiot’s spot on the roster.

Willson Contreras left with a knee contusion after being hit with a pitch while catching.

Willson Contreras had to leave the game earlier after being hit in the knee with a Jordan Hicks pitch pic.twitter.com/E97UDV238x

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 30, 2023

X-rays were negative following the game. Consider him day-to-day for now.

 

Various News and Notes
Eduardo Rodriguez threw 5.1 innings against the Rays, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five in the loss on Thursday.

Jose Siri – Tampa Bay Rays (1) pic.twitter.com/Vud3W6nQkt

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 30, 2023

E-Rod was pitching really well if you excuse the home run given up to Jose Siri until he tired in the sixth inning. Rodriguez was really good in spring training and could be a nice waiver pickup if he can continue to pitch well.

Brendan Donovan went 3-for-6 with a home run in the loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.

Brendan Donovan – St. Louis Cardinals (1)
pic.twitter.com/Gy7wt4xsOG

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) March 30, 2023

Donovan spent the offseason adding power to swing and it appears to have paid off with a hot spring and a homer in the opener. He is hitting high up in the order in one of the best lineups in baseball and he has multi-positional eligibility. If he is still available in your league he should be a priority pickup.

James Outman went 2-for-3 with a home run in the victory over the Dodgers.

The first of many at Dodger Stadium for James Outman! pic.twitter.com/sktqSYz5dr

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2023

Outman has power and speed, but can struggle with contact. He has a regular job in the Dodgers outfield for right now and if he can make even league average contact, he could be a really big add off of the waiver wire.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: David Peterson at MIA

Peterson gets the Marlins in Miami which is a nice way to kick off the season. 

High Risk Options: Nick Martinez vs COL 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Some interesting high risk guys, but no one I am truly comfortable with. 

High Risk Options: Tylor Megill at MIA, Aaron Civale at SEA, Josiah Gray vs ATL, Dean Kremer at BOS. 

 

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from the recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”