Roto Riteup: May 11, 2015

Hopefully you enjoyed your Mother’s Day weekend, because it’s time to go back to work for the man. Today’s Roto Riteup should help ease your transition back into being a productive member of society.

On today’s agenda:
1. Jung-ho Kang and the Pirates infield
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

Jung-ho Kang and the Pirates infield
The Korean import had a good day yesterday, hitting a homer and collecting another hit to bring his line to .333/.377/.521 on the year. His .387 wOBA is certainly better than expected — ZiPS pegs him at .307 and Steamer at .314 — but even his projections are better than current starters Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer are producing. Kang has been starting more in recent days, and that’s a trend that’s likely to continue. Kang’s BABIP is unsustainable, but his power is real and he’s walking at a league average rate. Harrison was an All-Star last year and Mercer is a solid shortstop, but they shouldn’t stand in the way of progress much longer.

Various news and notes
Michael Pineda was in full #BigMike yesterday, striking out 16 Orioles over seven innings of work. Pineda had a 2.97 ERA and career best 22.4% K-BB% going into the game, but now his numbers are as clean as a mountain stream with a little bit of pine tar in it. All that’s left is Pineda to stay healthy for a full season and show the league just how great he is.

David Price is getting a little bit of break, having his next start moved back until Saturday to give the left-hander an extra couple days of rest. Price has been struggling with a hamstring issue and hasn’t looked like himself in his last four starts.

Ladies and gentlemen, Bartolo Colon leads the National League with six wins. Bartolo didn’t even deliver a quality start against the Phillies yesterday, but he won the game, and that may be all that matters. Bartolo has walked just one batter in 46.1 innings this year.

With the Padres having an off day, starter Odrisamer Despaigne will be skipped in the rotation, taking the mound next weekend. Despaigne has struggled this season, showing little of the intrigue that he brought to the team last season.

Cory Spangenberg started his sixth straight game yesterday, striking out twice in three plate appearances while failing to reach base. Spangenberg is hitting .271/.340/.375 on the year in 55 plate appearances, much better than Will Middlebrooks’ .189/.235/.337 line. Look for Spangenberg to continue playing most days against righties until something changes.

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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: Alex Colome vs NYY (CC Sabathia)
If you believe in Colby Lewis’ recent stretch, he’s also an option at home against the Royals.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Noah Syndergaard at CHC (Jake Arrieta)
As if I was really going to suggest someone else.