Roto Riteup: September 5, 2015

Today’s Roto Riteup wishes you and yours a happy holiday weekend.

On today’s agenda:
1. Let’s talk strategy
2. Various news and notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

Let’s talk strategy
With most H2H leagues starting their playoffs in a week or two, it’s time to get serious about identifying potential keepers and giving yourself options for 2016. The way I see it, there are a few scenarios that could come into play.

One, you could be a team that’s in the playoffs or currently sitting in the money in your roto leagues. In this case, it’s easy to just stay the course as much as possible to keep hope alive and set yourself up for a productive finish. However…maybe you have a bench spot or two that really isn’t needed for you to succeed; why not consider grabbing a September call-up and stash him for next year? If injuries crop up you can always release him.

Two, you are on the fringe of making the playoffs, but believe you have a good chance to win the league if you can just squeak in — as you should, because H2H playoffs are, for the most part, a crapshoot. Perhaps, as above, you fill that extra unproductive spot with a keeper for now, and commit to another player or two if you fall out of the postseason.

Three, you’re on the outside looking in, and realize it’s unlikely — or impossible — that you’ll make your way into the postseason. Stack your bench with keepers.

Four, you’re a sad sack who’s parents are even disappointed in his utter failure this season. Any fringe player you have this year should be cut in favor of someone with potential keeper value.

You’ll notice I do not advocate for dropping your entire roster to improve keeper value. Don’t be that dick who influences playoff races by making good players available.

Various news and notes
There were an unusual amount of bad pitching performances yesterday. Aaron Brooks, Edgar Olmos, Kris Medlen, Drew Hutchison, Kyle Lobstein, Adam Morgan, Mike Pelfrey, Carlos Martinez and Zack Godley all struggled. While you may not recognize a few names on that list, it is still weird to see so many names.

Josh Tomlin continues to be a favorite of mine, mostly because he’s nearly impossible to explain. For three years Tomlin was just a run-of-the-mill starter who couldn’t strike anyone out and gave up a ton of homers. Now, after 104 innings last year and 35-plus so far this year, he’s struck out 94 and 32 batters, respectively, while actually lowering his walk rate. The homers are still an issue and always will be, but why does Tomlin not have a solid job as someone’s fourth or fifth starter. It’d be awesome to see Tomlin in Oakland, Seattle, or another locale that suppresses offense to see just how good he could be. Tomlin isn’t vested into free agency yet, but entering his age-31 season, there’s no reason for the Indians to keep jerking him around.

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Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Danny Duffy vs CWS (Jose Quintana)
Kris Medlen didn’t fare so well yesterday, but I like Duffy to keep the White Sox offense from going off.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Jerad Eickhoff at BOS (Eduardo Rodriguez)
Eickhoff has been solid thus far, and though he has to face a DH, he does get to pitch away from Citizen’s Bank.