Roto Riteup: September 28, 2012

Today’s Roto Riteup is being unofficially sponsored by the Magic Hat IPA that I’m currently enjoying.

• As far as injury concerns go, Chris Iannetta was pulled from yesterday’s game in the eighth inning due to leg cramps. Since the first of September, Iannetta has started 23 games — all of which have been at catcher. The Angels travel to Texas to play the Rangers today and of course don’t have a scheduled off day until a potential play off situation. I expect the Angels to announce that Iannetta will receive at least one day off. He isn’t owned in a ton of leagues however, so you should be able to proceed as per usual when setting your roster.

• Brett Lawrie hit his tenth home run of the season yesterday during his 2-for-4 game. He also scored two runs and drove in two. After missing the vast majority of August with an oblique strain, it is encouraging to see his first home run and just his sixth extra-base hit of September. In regards to next season, Lawrie’s stock hasn’t diminished in my eyes much — if any.

• Our own brilliant Jeff Sullivan tackled Doug Fister’s amazing feat of nine consecutive strikeouts already (warning: lots of gifs), but here it is with a fantasy spin. Overall, Fister struck out 10 batters in 7 2/3 innings while giving up three runs overall, but just two earned runs. Fister has more or less proven himself to be a quality pitcher. He may lack the raw (and vague) term of “stuff” but he makes up for any lack of “stuff” with excellent command and control.

• The combination of power and speed is always a top priority among fantasy players. Yesterday, Carlos Gomez was a perfect five category player. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and a stolen base. He has 17 homers and 36 stolen bases at this point. His batting average is only .258 and his poor OBP, .303, hurts his overall chances at running. Gomez has only been caught stealing six times this season. Looking to 2013, if you are looking for a cheap source of steals that simultaneously will give you a little pop, Gomez could be the poor man’s B.J. Upton.

• Todd Frazier got the start at third base for the Cincinnati Reds again last night and hit number 19 in the home run department. Thus far in September, Frazier has gotten three starts at first base and 13 starts at third. Not that it particularly matters in fantasy terms, but Frazier’s long ball came with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. With Scott Rolen’s deal set to expire after this season, it seems more and more likely that Frazier will operate the hot corner full time in Cincinnati.

• Michael Morse launched two home runs yesterday in a win over the Phillies. This is big in the fantasy and real world. The loss drops the Phillies into a tie with the Diamondbacks, but both teams are still behind the Dodgers, Brewers and Cardinals. As far as the roto realm, those two home runs double Morse’s September long ball total. If he can get on a roll for these last six games, the Nationals could clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. For fellow Morse owners, lets hope he does get white hot.

• So Paul Goldschmidt stole two bases yesterday. Before you laugh, consider that he now has 18 bags on the year and has only been caught three times. The stolen base adds an extra wrinkle to his fantasy value. He is now just one home run and another two stolen base day away from a 20-20 and a near .290 average season.

• Josh Reddick laughs in my face when I think he’s in a slump. He hit two home runs yesterday to put him at 31 on the year now with 11 steals too. I’ve written plenty of gushing words about Reddick, so I won’t wax poetic on him anymore. Unless he has a few more two home run games in him yet.

For those of you who play daily fantasy games like FanGraphs: The Game, or just like to stream players, here are a couple matchups you may be able to exploit.

A Pitcher for Today: Ryan Vogelsong at SD
That park plays very well for Vogelsong. Okay, fine, that park just plays well for anyone standing on the mound.

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Dan Straily vs SEA
Speaking of being a fanboy, I am a huge Straily fanboy. Not just because he pitches for my favorite team, but because he pitches amazingly well for my favorite team.

A Hitter for Today: Josh Willingham vs DET (Drew Smyly)
The Pork has been crushing it all season. I expect him to hit this left-handed pitcher quite well.