Roto Riteup — Presented By DraftKings: May 27, 2014

I hope everyone who got a three day weekend enjoyed it. Maybe you did some grilling, played some golf or just sat on the deck and watched baseball (which is what I did). Regardless, back to work and back to the Roto Riteup.

On today’s agenda:
1. Tommy Milone gets his third win
2. I’m buying Carl Crawford
3. Thoughts on Brandon McCarthy
4. The Daily Five

Tommy Milone gets his third win
After tossing 6.2 shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers, Milone evened his record at 3-3. Milone surrendered just four hits and a pair of walks while striking out six on the day. He may never be a fantasy stud but Milone does offer a good chance at a win every time he takes the mound at home. His extreme fly ball tendencies — just a 35.9% ground ball rate thus far — makes him a risk in smaller ballparks, but the home run suppressing confines of the Coliseum help. I’d feel comfortable starting him at home and on the road in bigger parks, e.g. Seattle, but be cautious of the occasional three home run game allowed by him. Overall I’d at least stream him in 12-team mixed leagues and roster him (in order to spot start him) in any format deeper than that. Milone is owned in 30% of CBS formats but less than 10% of both ESPN and Yahoo! formats.

I’m buying Carl Crawford
Though Crawford is currently hitting a less-than-stellar .265/.288/.401 thus far, I’m inclined to grab him now. Crawford posted a miserable 37 wRC+ in 76 April plate appearances but his 141 wRC+ this month is encouraging. Yesterday he managed to go 2-for-4 with his ninth stolen base of the year as well, further adding to his strong May. As one would suspect with such a large varience, Crawford’s .230 BABIP in April hurt and his .317 BABIP in May has helped. As the owner of a .326 career BABIP, I think Crawford can hit .270 and finish the season with 25+ steals. It’s a good thing he was never an RBI type guy as his spot in the lineup is still up for debate. Crawford has hit up and down the batting order, though he may have settled into the sixth hole. Regardless of his RBI totals, Crawford is showing he isn’t done just yet. His current 5.8% SwStr% is the lowest of his career and if this new selectivity translates to more walks, even better. You’ll have to trade for Crawford in ESPN leagues as he is owned in 95% of them, however he is available in over 40% of both Yahoo! and CBS leagues.

Thoughts on Brandon McCarthy
As much as I disdain the “Keep calm and ___ on” shirts, with McCarthy, I have to adopt that slogan. Relax, keep calm, and know he can’t keep serving up home runs at this type of frequency. He served up two more home runs yesterday and allowed five runs total and now owns a 4.87 ERA on the season. He didn’t allow a walk — he’s only given up 12 walks in 68.1 innings thus far — but now his 11 home runs allowed is the fifth most in baseball. Curiously his sinker has been averaging more than 93 mph this season, more than two full ticks above his previous three seasons. McCarthy clearly still has strong control and his 21.2% HR/FB% will go down with time. Now is a great time to buy low on McCarthy in NL-only formats and deep mixed leagues. He is available in over 60% of the three major fantasy sites.

The Daily Five
Starting pitcher: Tim Hudson — $8,700
Huddy is at home against the Chicago Cubs. The northsiders still can’t hit right-handed pitching.

Starting pitcher: Wade Miley — $5,600
Left-handed pitchers have held the San Diego Padres to an 88 wRC+ thus far. I don’t love Miley as a pitcher, but he is a lefty and the price is right.

Infielder: Garrett Jones — $4,600
Jones holds the platoon advantage over Blake Treinen and has a 156 wRC+ against opposite-handed pitchers.

Outfielder: Mike Trout — $5,800
The benefits of saving some money on starting pitchers is now you can afford a player like Trout.

Other hitter: Aaron Hill — $4,200
Hopefully Hill gets the start as he would be facing a left-hander in Eric Stults.

Remaining budget: $21,100

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