Roto Riteup: September 4, 2020

Here at the Roto Riteup, we recognize greatness:

Tom Terrific 🔸 The Franchise 🔹 Baseball Hall of Fame 🔸 Mets Hall of Fame 🔹 1969 World Champion 🔸 1967 NL ROY 🔹 3x Cy Young 🔸 12x All-Star 🔹 3x ERA Titles 🔸 3,640 K 🔹 311 Wins 🔸 231 CG 🔹 61 SO 🔸 2.86 ERA 🔹 98.84%-1st ballot 🔸 4⃣1⃣ Retired 🔹 41 Seaver Way 🔸 #RIP41 pic.twitter.com/FwY5bkZQVT

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 3, 2020

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

 

COVID Issues
The Oakland A’s have been cleared to resume playing games and will have their weekend series versus the Padres.

Yoan Mocada stated that he is still dealing with repercussions from his bout with COVID-19. He said that he is still struggling with his energy and strength levels. Moncada has struggled mightily this season and this gives us a little insight into why. He may be a buy low opportunity in keeper formats, assuming that he can get back to full strength in the offseason.

 

Closer Chaos
Felix Pena got the save on Thursday with a perfect inning in the victory over the Padres. The Angels have struggled to keep a closer in the role this year, but Pena has been fantastic this year and it looks like he could take this job and run with it.

 

Quick Hits
Jose Altuve left Thursday’s game with a knee injury. The injury was suffered when he slid awkwardly into third base. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Friday. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Justin Smoak was designated for assignment by the Brewers. Smoak has struggled mightily for two seasons now and while he may latch on with another team, he is no longer fantasy relevant. Daniel Vogelbach was claimed off of waivers and he will take Smoak’s place on the roster.

Ian Happ left Thursday’s game with an eye injury. The injury occured when he fouled a ball that took a bad bounce into his face. X-rays came back negative after the game. Consider him day-to-day for now.

David Fletcher was placed on the IL with an ankle injury. Taylor Ward was brought up to take his spot on the roster. The move was retroactive to August 31st.

Adam Eaton left Thursday’s game with a knee injury. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Friday. Consider him day to day for now. Michael Taylor replaced him in the game and went yard. If Eaton is going to miss time, Taylor is a nice add.

 

Various News and Notes
Andrew Heaney shut down the Padres for seven scoreless innings and striking out six. He brought his ERA down from 4.62 to 3.89 with this effort and has put together two straight fantastic outings after a rough three game stretch.

Luke Weaver was dealt a tough luck loss, throwing 5.1 innings allowing two runs while striking out five. Weaver has been awful this season, struggling with home runs and walks, but he has been better over his last four starts only allowing one home run and four walks in 19 innings.

Teoscar Hernandez hit a game winning home run in the 10th inning versus the Red Sox. Hernandez is now tied for the most homers in baseball and he is hitting .311. While Hernandez will regress some, he always had a ton of upside and just needed full-time playing time and he now has that.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)
Pitcher for Today: Deivi Garcia at BAL
Garcia was impressive in his first start and has a nice matchup in Baltimore.

High Risk Options: Josh Fleming vs MIA, Tyler Anderson vs ARI, Taylor Clarke at SF

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

High Risk Options: Griffin Canning vs HOU, Tarik Skubal at MIN, Trevor Cahill vs ARI