Roto Riteup: September 16, 2020

Now I know how I would fare if I was a Major League pitcher:

DJ LeMahieu hit a 48.7 mph pitch for a home run.

That's the slowest pitch hit out of the park in the entire pitch-tracking era (since 2008). h/t: @_dadler

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/WHbmFj2M7v

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) September 16, 2020

On the Agenda:
1. Closer Chaos
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos
Amir Garrett recorded his first save of the season for the Reds over the Pirates on Tuesday. Both Archie Bradley and Rasiel Iglesias were unavailable to pitch in the contest after pitching in the previous days and Michael Lorenzen was used as the opener in the contest. Garrett wasn’t even that good in the outing so it seems unlikely he gets another save rest of the way.

Jeremy Jeffress blew a save opportunity on Tuesday night versus the
Indians. He ended up getting the win after the Indians bullpen returned the favor. Jeffress has been pretty good this season and should continue to work with Craig Kimbrel as the main closers as long as he doesn’t blow anymore games.

 

Quick Hits
Danny Duffy was scratched from his start on Tuesday. This was not injury related, but because he apparently missed the team flight. This is an odd situation and Duffy does have a history of off the field issues, but it appears that he is back with the team and there shouldn’t be any further issues.

Jake Arrieta left his start on Tuesday after straining his hamstring in the sixth inning. After the game manager Joe Girardi stated that Arrieta wasn’t overly concerned about the injury. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Carlos Correa left Tuesday’s game with an ankle contusion. This was a scary looking injury as Correa could not get off the field under his own power, but it appears he has avoided serious injury. The Astros are pretty close to being a shoe-in for a playoff spot, so don’t be surprised if they play it safe with Correa the rest of the way.

 

Various News and Notes
Nate Lowe went 2-for-4 with a home run and a stolen base. Lowe is getting more playing time with Ji-man Choi on the IL with a hamstring injury. Lowe is a former top prospect but has been blocked by the deep Tampa Bay offense. The Rays will ride the hot hand and Lowe is hot right now, so he is worth riding along with for now.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tommy Pham could return from the IL any day. Pham has been on the IL after hamate bone surgery. Pham hit just .207 in his first 23 games before the injury, but racked up six stolen bases and two home runs and should be rostered in every format once active.

Jose Urquidy threw seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven. Urquidy also did not issue a walk in the contest. He was slow to start the season due to COVID issues, but he looked very good in this one. With all the injury issues to the Astros this season, Urquidy should be locked into a rotation spot rest of the way and lines up with two nice remaining starts against Arizona and Texas. He is available in a fair amount of shallower formats.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)
Pitcher for Today: Brady Singer at DET
Singer is coming off his best outing of his young career and gets a great matchup against the Tigers.

High Risk Options: Caleb Smith at LAA, Tarik Skubal vs KC, Trevor Rogers vs BOS, Keegan Akin vs ATL

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Griffin Canning at ARI
Canning has been better of late and has a nice matchup in Arizona.

High Risk Options: Yusei Kikuchi vs SF, Josh Fleming at BAL, Dean Kremer vs TB