Roto Riteup — Presented By DraftKings: September 5, 2014

Just in case you missed it, yesterday we launched the latest addition to the FanGraphs family, TechGraphs. I urge you to take a look around or at least read the intro post.

On today’s agenda:
1. Michael Wacha’s return
2. Chris Owings continues to hit
3. Another quality start for Jake Odorizzi
4. The daily five

Michael Wacha’s return
It has been nearly three months since Wacha last started a major league game so the St. Louis Cardinals made the decision to ease him into things. Yesterday the 23-year-old pitcher was limited to three innings and threw 50 pitches. Wacha scattered three hits and a walk and gave up a run to the Milwaukee Brewers while striking out three. The plan is to continue to ease Wacha back and slowly increase his pitch count 15-20 pitches per start. In 158 career innings Wacha owns a sub-3.00 ERA and sub-3.00 FIP plus a strikeout rate north of 8.50 K/9. For anyone looking for a boost in their rate stats down the stretch, consider starting Wacha. His velocity — in an abbreviated appearance of course — on his four-seamer sat at 95.9 mph but he only threw 27 of them. Shoulder injuries on pitchers terrify me but I do like what I’ve seen from Wacha in this start. He is mostly owned as his lowest ownership rate is 70% in ESPN formats but if you already own him, feel comfortable giving him some starts.

Chris Owings continues to hit
In his third game since being activated from the disabled list, Owings went 2-for-5 and now owns a .278/.312/.452 line in 265 plate appearances. After missing two months with a dislocated shoulder he hasn’t missed a beat and has made two starts at second base and one appearance as a pinch hitter. Owings has hit second in the lineup in both starts and should continue to do so, thus gathering plenty of PAs along the way. He offers a little average, some pop and maybe even some steals so standard 5×5 players should pay close attention. If you’re looking for MI help, Owings could provide some useful numbers to your fantasy team. He is available in almost 80% of CBS formats as well as over 90% of ESPN and Yahoo! leagues.

Another quality start for Jake Odorizzi
For the fifth time in his past six outings, Odorizzi posted a quality start. Yesterday he took a no-decision after holding the Toronto Blue Jays scoreless after spinning 7.1 innings and allowing just three hits and zero walks. Odorizzi sat down three Blue Jays on strikes while gathering nine swinging strikes on his 95 pitches. He hasn’t allowed a run to score since August 25 and has lowered his rates to a 3.84 ERA/3.50 FIP/3.74 xFIP line to go with a 9.66 K/9. Odorizzi is still an extreme fly ball pitcher and his 30.4% ground ball rate is the second lowest in baseball among qualified starters. Despite the strong numbers and the great strikeout rate, Odorizzi is still largely available as his ownership rate in both ESPN and Yahoo! leagues is below 45%. His CBS ownership rate is a hefty 82% and I’ve gone from merely streaming him to rostering him.

The daily five
Starting pitcher: Matt Shoemaker — $9,000
The right-hander faces the Minnesota Twins and their 21% strikeout rate, ninth highest in baseball.

Starting pitcher: James Shields — $8,700
Shields is up against the New York Yankees today, the team with the 21st ranked wRC+ versus righties.

Infielder: Robinson Cano — $4,700
He’ll hold the platoon advantage over Scott Baker. Baker owns a 5.32 ERA/4.43 FIP/4.48 xFIP and is allowing a .352 wOBA versus left-handed hitters.

Outfielder: Kole Calhoun — $4,000
My adoration for Calhoun knows no bounds. He should fare quite well against Ricky Nolasco today.

Other hitter: Kyle Seager — $4,600
Another Mariner hitter. This may be the first time I’ve ever recommended two Mariners hitters for DraftKings.

Remaining budget: $19,000

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