Roto Riteup: May 12, 2023

As a proud member of the Never Bunt Club, I approve of this one:

🚨 WALK-OFF BUNT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/xH2cbA5CPz

— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2023

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. 

 

Quick Hits

Max Kepler left Thursday’s game with a leg issue. The Twins stated that it was just a cramp and that the move was precautionary. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

TJ Friedl injured his side during the game on Thursday versus the Mets. He is expected to undergo an MRI, but it sounds like he is headed to the IL. If it is an oblique strain, typically those take 4-6 weeks to return from. 

Yasmani Grandal left Thursday’s game with a hamstring issue. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Austin Slater was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. There is no timetable for his return. Bryce Johnson was called up to take his spot on the roster. 

Wander Franco left Thursday’s game with neck tightness. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

 

Various News and Notes
Josh Lowe went 2-for-5 with a home run in the victory over the Yankees on Thursday.

Josh Lowe – Tampa Bay Rays (8) pic.twitter.com/Y03JsYRdfM

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) May 12, 2023

Lowe has been fantastic this season, hitting .314/.369/.637 with eight home runs and six stolen bases. Most impressively Lowe has dropped his strikeout rate to 21.6% down from his career 29.4% in the Majors. He is still making below league average contact and his swinging strike rate is higher than you would expect from a guy striking out that little. I am sure he regresses back to the mean, but if he can keep some of these gains and the playing time, he could have a massive fantasy season.

Casey Schmitt went 4-for-4 with a home run in the victory over the Diamondbacks.

You don’t see many homers hit there. That was Bumgarner In Batting Practice territory for Casey Schmitt: pic.twitter.com/VyS3RrHqmE

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) May 12, 2023

Schmitt has been on fire since being called up, hitting .667/.667/1.333 with two home runs and just one strikeout in 12 plate appearances. He is lifting the ball pretty well which is Schmitt’s main concern. He is going to go for a ton of FAAB this weekend, which is understandable, but I have some concerns that in spite of the fast start, he doesn’t have a very high ceiling.

Luis Medina threw six innings versus the Rangers on Thursday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks while striking out three in the loss.

Luis Medina, 98mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/R2M773DZAA

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 12, 2023

Medina was up and down in the start and while he let in a run with a wild pitch, he was able to keep men off base via the free pass which is a good sign. Medina has great stuff with a plus fastball and plus curve, but he struggles with command and control. He is at best a streamer in good matchups.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Eury Perez vs CIN

Definitely some risk here with it being his Major League debut, but it is at home and he has a ton of talent.

High Risk Options: Tylor Megill at WAS, Johan Oviedo at BAL, Tyler Anderson at CLE, Mathew Boyd vs SEA, J.P. France at CHW, Ross Stripling at ARI. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Brandon Bielak at CHW

Bielak isn’t an overpowering pitcher but he pitched well in his first start and this isn’t a bad matchup. 

High Risk Options: Joey Lucchesi at WAS, JP Sears vs TEX, Trevor Williams vs NYM, Adrian Houser vs KC. 

 

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 my recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”