Roto Riteup — Presented by DraftKings: June 12, 2014
That’s me in the corner. That’s me in the spot-light, crying like a baby. Trying to write for you, and I don’t know if I can do it.
Oh, hi there. The Roto Riteup is below.
On today’s agenda:
1. Uh oh, Adam Wainwright’s Elbow
2. The Bauer-Ventura Duel
3. Phil Hughes is on fire
4. Fun with arbitrary endpoints
5. The Fine Five
Uh oh, Adam Wainwright’s Elbow
The Cardinals ace went into the MRI tube on Wednesday, and he came out with a diagnosis of tennis elbow, which is actually great news. As a former recipient of Tommy John surgery, the greatest fear would have been a recurrence of UCL problems. The present author has suffered from tennis elbow in the past as a result of playing, well, tennis, and can say that while it’s not fun, it’s certainly not fatal (#analysis). Wainwright’s status should be made known in time for weekly owners to set next week’s rosters.
The Bauer-Ventura Duel
Yesterday, fans were lucky to experience a Trevor Bauer and Yordano Ventura matchup, and in the daytime no less. Even against a poor Kansas City offense, Bauer couldn’t make it out of the sixth, striking out just one of the 24 batters he faced. Ventura was much better, throwing seven strong despite striking out just three, though he walked only one.
Other fun pitchers on the mound yesterday were Marcus Stroman and Tyler Matzek, making Wednesday far more enjoyable, even if they didn’t all perform so great. The next starters I’m excited about — in no particular order — are Jonathan Gray, Archie Bradley, and Noah Syndergaard.
Phil Hughes is on fire
Homer-prone Hughes faced off against the Blue Jays on their home turf yesterday, and he somehow managed to keep the ball in park for all seven innings. Hughes fanned nine, walking none, and allowing seven hits. Hughes is in the middle of what is easily his best stretch since 2009, and though he will likely give up more dongers going forward, what he’s done can’t all be considered a fluke of sorts.
Fun with arbitrary endpoints
All stats are through Tuesday unless otherwise noted.
Khris Davis, last 30 days: 104 PA, .315/.385/.609; 6 HR, 19 K
Chris Davis, last 30 days: 118 PA, .216/.322/.451; 7 HR, 38 K
Matt Garza, May and June: 43.1 IP, 35 K, 19 BB, 3 HR; 3.95 ERA, .291 BABIP
Fernando Rodney, last nine outings: 8.1 IP, 7 K, 1 BB, 3 H, 0.00 ERA
The Fine Five
SP: Kyle Kendrick | $6,800 | vSD
SP: Chase Whitley | $6,400 | @SEA
C: Carlos Ruiz | $3,900 | vSD (Eric Stults)
OF: Khris Davis | $4,100 | @NYM (Jonathon Niese)
OF: Marlon Byrd | $3,900 | vSD (Eric Stults)
For the hitters, you’re getting platoon advantage out the yin-yang. Kendrick should be fine, even in Philly, and Whitley has been outstanding thus far and Eno loves him more than his own son.
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Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.
Since you mentioned rookie pitcher’s you’re excited about, what are your thoughts on Jimmy Nelson and Alex Meyer making impacts this year?
With Estrada trying to set the HR/9 record and the Twins staff outside of Hughes and Gibson being a full on dumpster fire, you’d think the opportunity would be there.
I like Meyer, not quite sold yet on Nelson.
OK, so what about Matzek’s start didn’t you like?
I never said that.
“even if they didn’t all perform so great.”
Matzek had a great start.
If I had to guess, he wasnt talking about Matzek at all. Stroman, Bauer and Ventura all had ‘not so good’ outings by their standards. Low Ks, low innings. Matzek was the best of the bunch, so if I had to guess Z-Man wasnt talking ’bout him.
Raise your hand if you cut Phil Hughes from your fantasy team right before his hot streak/transformation began — come on, no judgments here at Waiver Wire Anonymous
I picked him up right before, so boom.
In the last week or so, I’ve benched Shelby Miller, Jaime Garcia, and Phil Hughes because I wanted no part of any of them pitching @ Toronto.
So, of course, they combined for 23 shutout innings.
I cut Miller and my opponent picked him up for his start against the Jays. That worked out well for me.
I like the recommendations – but you still have to spend money somewhere today. Give me Samardzija, and I’m avoiding Kendrick at home, personally. Love the other recs.
Any concerns about Oscar Tavares? I know it’s an extremely small sample size, but he has struggled quite a bit since his call up and now Adams is due back this weekend. Would I be crazy to think of trying to sell him for someone like Josh Willingham who injuries aside, has a clear path to playing time? Or is he due to a George Springer type run that makes me foolish for ever doubting him?
Don’t hate. Appreciate.