Roto Riteup: May 15, 2016
Today’s Roto Riteup officially advocates for the use excessive force against insects.
On the agenda:
1. Various News and Notes
2. Streaming Pitcher Options
Various News and Notes
After a good night, Adam Duvall is now hitting .267 to go along with his half-dozen homers. Duvall’s strikeout rate is still a couple percentage points higher than one would like, but it is lower than last year by quite a wide margin, and the power isn’t a mirage. Factoring in all new information, Duvall seems like a good 20 homer, .250 average candidate who can contribute heavily in NL-only leagues.
Cincinnati is on the road to getting two starters back. Raisel Iglesias has started throwing again after hitting the DL with a shoulder injury, and Anthony DeSclafani threw off a mound for the first time this month. Iglesias will likely miss the remainder of May, but there is a path for DeSclafani to make a start before June. It’s a narrow path, but it exists.
Two straight impressive starts from Mike Foltynewicz; what is this demonry?! Folty only struck out four in his eight innings yesterday, but he didn’t allow a free pass or a homer against a solid Royals team.
Jhonny Peralta is all set to start a rehab stint next week, and the Cardinals are emphatic that he will be back in the big leagues as a shortstop, which could mean the end of Aledmys Diaz as a quasi-everyday player. Diaz has been awesome in the place of Peralta and deserves to continue playing, but after paying Kolten Wong this spring, there’s not an obvious spot. Perhaps Matt Carpenter will play some first and allow Diaz to get some PT at third while also filling in at both middle infield spots.
Good news for Jacoby Ellsbury owners: the Yankees are planning to re-integrate him into the lineup today. The left-hander hasn’t had an AB in over a week, but did serve as a defensive replacement last night.
Wil Myers may not be in the Padres lineup today after leaving yesterday’s game with a leg injury, apparently suffered while running to first in the ninth inning. Luckily it’s just being diagnosed as a cramp, but the Friars may want to be cautious.
After some recent outings that were less than award worthy, Jake Arrieta came out firing yesterday, striking out 11 Pirates in eight innings, walking two. Arrieta’s walk rate has been a concern this year — and by concern I mean that his ERA would be in the mid-2s instead of the high-1s.
Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.
A pitcher for tomorrow: Tyler Duffey at CLE (Trevor Bauer)
We’re through 13 starts over two different seasons. Are the Twins finally ready to commit to the Duff Man in the long run?
A pitcher for tomorrow: Adam Conley at PHI (Jerad Eickhoff)
While having to be in Philly rather than Miami is not ideal, Conley should still have a solid outing on a day without a full slate of games.
Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
I realize bullpen report is probably a better place for this, but what’s the story with Tolleson? Is he still closing? Worth owning Dyson?