Roto Riteup: May 3, 2015

The Roto Riteup is the unanimous victor of the 7:15 and 10:15 am time slot.

On today’s agenda:
1. Corey Kluber’s “cold” start
2. Injury Updates in Tampa Bay
3. Various news and notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

Corey Kluber’s “cold” start
When drafting Klubot this year, you were expecting a Cy Young worthy performance, or at the very least something between what he accomplished in 2014 and his full-season debut in 2013. Thus far, Kluber owners have been disappointed, but is a slow start normal for the Indians ace? Let’s look at how his first six starts across the last few years.

2015: 39 IP, 39 K, 9 BB, 3 HR, 4.62 ERA; 2.99 FIP, .366 BABIP
2014: 37 IP, 35 K, 10 BB, 2 HR, 4.14 ERA; 2.83 FIP, .367 BABIP
2013: 36.1 IP, 38 K, 7 BB, 5 HR, 4.95 ERA; 3.41 FIP, .350 BABIP

Perhaps it’s how he prepares for the season, or perhaps it’s just random bad luck, but Kluber seems to start each season on the slow side, depending on how you look at it. If an owner in your league is looking to sell the Cy Young winner, buy as fast as you can. Other than watching him hang a few curves yesterday, he’ll be fun to own.

Injury Updates in Tampa Bay
Desmond Jennings looks to be slated for the disabled list any time now with a sore left knee, having last played on April 26 and not getting back to full strength as quickly as the Rays expected. Jennings hasn’t played as the Rays expected, but he’s been a fine fantasy option when hitting atop the lineup — which he’s not doing this year. With Jennings out, Brandon Guyer has grabbed most of the playing time, and he’s a good fill-in in AL-only leagues.

Jennings has gone down, but Nick Franklin is coming back for the Rays. The second baseman is expected to begin his rehab assignment tomorrow, and should be up with the big league clubs after seven or 10 days. Until he shows his contact issues are a thing of the past, the 24-year-old isn’t fantasy relevant, even as he looks to play often as part of the club’s second base, shortstop, and DH rotation.

Various news and notes
So Nelson Cruz is pretty awesome, huh? Cruz smashed homers 12 and 13 in the Mariners loss to the Astros, and is slugging a blistering .811 through 102 plate appearances. Through a similar point last year, Cruz had hit “just” seven homers and was slugging .580 on his way to a 40 donger season. Could we someone see Cruz match — or better — that mark in Safeco field? That, my friends, would be impressive.

Blake Swihart recorded his first major league hit in his debut yesterday afternoon and drew a walk, but struck out in his other two plate appearances. Swihart had a long AB against Nate Eovaldi, and despite not wearing batting gloves, didn’t look dumb at the dish. Projecting him to hit over .250-.260 this year is still a bit foolish, though.

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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: Jarred Cosart vs PHI (Severino Gonzalez)
Cosart isn’t a play if you’re looking for strikeouts, but he’ll keep his ERA low and get a win against a non-MLB caliber opponent.

A pitcher for tomorrow: David Phelps at WAS (Jordan Zimmermann)
I’m a Phelps apologist, and would be interested even if he doesn’t pick up a win. Travis Wood at the Cardinals is another intriguing option, if that’s more your speed.