Roto Riteup — Presented By DraftKings: September 12, 2014

Today is National chocolate milkshake day! Rather than debate the worthiness of dedicating a day to milkshakes, instead kick back and enjoy a pre-weekend frozen treat.

On today’s agenda:
1. Giancarlo Stanton struck by pitch
2. Four straight quality starts from Clay Buchholz
3. Mookie Betts to second base
4. Jake Peavy likes the National League, probably
5. The daily five

Giancarlo Stanton struck by pitch
Yesterday the star slugger was hit in the face by an errant fastball from Mike Fiers and went down hard. Stanton was carted off of the field and was taken to a hospital for X-rays and a CT scan. The game of baseball will certainly miss Stanton’s hitting abilities. Let’s hope he can be healthy and fully recovered for next season as the remainder of this year “doesn’t look good” according to Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond. Joe Frisaro, Marlins reporter for MLB.com reports the gruesome details of Stanton’s injuries.

Four straight quality starts for Clay Buchholz
I’ve been burned by Buchholz in the past, but finally (maybe) he’s turned a corner. In the wake of yesterday’s 6.1 inning, three runs (two earned) allowed, Buchholz has lowered his numbers to a 5.19 ERA/4.00 FIP/4.07 xFIP in 152.2 innings. He sat down seven Kansas City Royals on strikes while gathering 12 whiffs on 106 pitches. Buchholz surrendered three walks and his 3.01 BB/9 isn’t doing him any favors in the WHIP department however he has given up just seven walks in his past four starts, spanning 30 innings. If you’re looking for pitching help, consider rolling the dice on Buchholz. He’s available in over 50% of CBS and Yahoo! formats as well as over 75% of ESPN leagues.

Mookie Betts to second base
Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters Betts will “fairly regularly” get starts at the keystone down the stretch. With Dustin Pedroia out for the remainder of the season after undergoing hand surgery and Brock Holt dealing with injuries of his own, the second base job falls to Betts. Ideally he’ll make enough starts this year to be 2B/MI eligible next year and it sounds as though that may be the case, though the club does see him as an outfielder long term. As the linked article suggests, this move also would clear up room for Cuban Rusney Castillo to make his major league debut this season. Betts is already owned in 81% of ESPN leagues as he’s been hot since re-joining the big leagues, but he is free to grab in 35% of CBS formats and over 50% of Yahoo! leagues.

Jake Peavy likes the National League, probably
In his ninth start in the senior circuit this season, Peavy posted another strong start. Although yesterday didn’t qualify as a quality start — he lasted just 5.2 innings — Peavy managed to strike out eight while scattered six hits and zero walks. The most runs he’s allowed in a single start as a member of the San Francisco Giants is four and he’s kept opposing teams to two runs or fewer five times. I do worry a bit as Peavy’s ERA isn’t anywhere close to his xFIP, mostly due to his minuscule HR/FB rate as a Giant. For now I’d pick him up as a spot starter, a step above stream candidate for me, and trust him at home and in favorable parks on the road. He is available in 40% of Yahoo! leagues, 35% of CBS formats but just 25% of ESPN leagues.

The daily five
Starting pitcher: Cole Hamels — $10,600
Even before losing Stanton, the Marlins rated in the bottom half of teams in terms of wRC+ and K% when facing a left-handed pitcher.

Starting pitcher: James Paxton — $8.600
I’m picking against my Oakland A’s here, but the team has been in a nose dive lately.

Infielder: Mark Trumbo — $3,400
Trumbo holds the platoon advantage over Eric Stults, who holds a 1.48 HR/9 and will be pitching in Arizona today.

Outfielder: Mike Trout — $5,800
Trout will face Brett Oberholtzer, a lefty, and the Anaheim Angels crush southpaws at the highest rate in baseball.

Other hitter: Chris Iannetta — $3,400
Another Angels hitter who will have the platoon advantage over Oberholtzer.

Remaining budget: $18,000

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