Roto Riteup: May 8, 2015

Since the May 10 Roto Riteup falls on a day where the despicable capable Zach Sanders is responsible for it, I’ll use today to note The Starting Line’s second album, Based on a True Story, was released on May 10, 2005. Somewhat off-topic, Sanders made a joke on Twitter the other day about the two of us creating a podcast and I begrudgingly decided to hear him out. I’m just not sure the world is ready for our potential podcast.

@davidwiers Roto Riteup Radio! And in every episode I introduce myself as host and say that unfortunately you’re joining me.

— Zach Sanders (@zvsanders) May 5, 2015

On today’s agenda:
1. Don’t panic over Corey Kluber
2. Michael Bourn to be platooned
3. Yasmani Grandal’s big day
4. Streaming Pitching Options

Don’t panic over Corey Kluber
Despite dropping to 0-5 on the year in the wake of yesterday’s bumpy start, no need to sound the alarm over Kluber just yet. He’s generating whiffs at a high rate — 13 swinging strikes in 104 pitches yesterday — and he’s been unfortunate with his batted ball rates and sequencing. Kluber currently sports a .364 BABIP and a corresponding 62.3 percent strand rate, numbers that should regress over time. A 3.12 xFIP compares closely with last season’s 3.02 mark and I’d feel comfortable going after Kluber in a trade if his current owner is frustrated enough to sell-low on him. For my teams, he remains an automatic starter no matter the match up.

Michael Bourn to be platooned
As I’m buying one member of the Cleveland Indians, I’m selling another. Via Paul Hoynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group, Bourn was reportedly told on Tuesday he will be platooned. Count on him in the lineup against righties, however the center fielder will be on the bench when the Tribe square off against a southpaw. Since signing with Cleveland in the 2012-13 off-season, Bourn’s 73 wRC+ against lefties ranks 135th out of 147 qualified batters. Even his numbers against right-handers over the same time frame are uninspiring as his 94 wRC+ is still tough to swallow. To be fair, Bourn has been drawing walks a solid 9.8 percent clip and he’s been haunted by a .246 BABIP this season, but at best he makes for a cheap option against right-handers in DFS right now. In my May version of AL OF rankings (where there was some really good movie discussions), I had Bourn near the bottom of the seventh tier, and if he can’t turn some of these numbers around, he may not appear at all in June’s version.

Yasmani Grandal’s big day
Grandal posted a perfect game at the plate yesterday, going 4-for4 with a pair of dingers, eight RBIs and two walks. Even before the monster day he was hitting a solid .261/.370/.420, good for 28% above average. The switch hitting — technically he bats both, but I digress — catcher does his best work against right-handed pitchers and yesterday was no different, taking two different righties deep. Grandal owns a career 126 wRC+ when a righty is on the mound and a decent enough 103 wRC+ when facing a southpaw. For a catcher who is at worst league average on any given day, his ownership rates are awfully low. One can find him freely available in 42% of CBS formats and over 60% of both ESPN and Yahoo! leagues.

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Streaming Pitching Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Tim Lincecum vs MIA (Jarred Cosart)
While yesterday’s Hudson pick didn’t go so hot, Timmy is another right-hander facing a Marlins team that has rated below average against righties thus far. He’s available in over 50% of CBS leagues as well as more than 70% of Yahoo! and ESPN formats.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Carlos Rodon vs CIN (Johnny Cueto)
Rodon will be making the first major league start of his career against the Reds. I still worry about his fastball command and lack of an effective changeup in the long run, though he is worth a start tomorrow. The highly touted left-hander is available in just 35% of CBS leagues and 56% of Yahoo! formats, but can be picked up in over 85% of ESPN leagues.