Roto Riteup: May 25, 2013

As a contractual obligation, the present author would like the reader to be aware of that fact Andrew Cashner is starting today. Plan your fantasy roster and baseball game viewing pleasures accordingly.

On today’s agenda:
1. A solid month from Melky Cabrera
2. John Lackey continues to impress
3. Anibal Sanchez’s gem
4. John Danks‘ return from the DL

A solid month from Melky Cabrera
Over the past month Melky Cabrera has hit .294 and has chipped in two home runs. Though power was never a huge part of Melky’s value, one can reasonably expect double digit home runs from him. In addition to the long balls, it is great to see Melky’s average finally coming around. He may very well hit 10 home runs and steal 10 bases while hitting over .290 for the rest of the season, numbers that should play in just about any league or format. With Jose Reyes still out with an injury and his own hot hitting, Melky has worked his way to the top of the lineup. Since being moved to the lead off spot, Cabrera has scored ten runs in 11 games. He won’t set the world on fire, but Cabrera still makes for a very sound fantasy outfielder.

John Lackey continues to impress
John Lackey was masterful yesterday as he shut down the Cleveland Indians for seven innings. He allowed just one (unearned) run to score and had a mere five base runners allowed on the evening. Lackey struck out eight and now has a 40:11 strikeout to walk ratio on the season. His 2.72 ERA/2.92 FIP/3.02 xFIP is excellent and his velocity has been consistent all season. The time is now to buy low on Lackey, as time may be running out to get him on the cheap. Don’t expect sub-3 ERA the rest of the season, but he is better than a mere stream candidate and deserves to be rostered. He is currently available in 87% of ESPN leagues, 85% of Yahoo! leagues, and 66% of CBS formats.

Anibal Sanchez’s gem
If Lackey’s outing yesterday was masterful, then Anibal Sanchez was utterly sublime. Sanchez hurled a complete game shut out — a one hitter with just four base runners allowed — and fanned 12 along the way. Sanchez now boasts an 80:17 strikeout to walk ratio and has a K/9 above 11. As noted by J.P. Breen, Sanchez has enjoyed a huge uptick in his strikeout rate, however it has come against teams that have whiffed among the most in baseball. If someone in your league is willing to overpay for Sanchez, don’t get in their way.

John Danks‘ return from the DL
In his season debut — and his first major league start since May 19 of last season — John Danks turned in a six inning, three run performance. He struck out five and didn’t allow a walk, though he did allow a two-run homer. Danks probably won’t be a star for you, but he does make for a worthwhile stream or even spot start option. His four-seam fastball averaged almost 90 mph and touched 91 on occasion. Shoulder injuries are always particularly worrisome, however at least in the early going, Danks seems ready to and able enough to stream.