Roto Riteup: September 6, 2016

When you slide into the DMs and get shot down but she doubles back after thinking about it for a minute:

On the agenda:
1. Dozier stays hot
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

Dozier stays hot
Brian Dozier homered for the fourth consecutive game, then did so twice more. Give him 21 home runs over his last 35 outings and 38 (!) on the season, tying him for second in the majors. Even the biggest of Brian Dozier fans couldn’t have expected this kind of output, nor could those who made him the fourth second baseman off draft boards (he’s been the No. 2 producer, behind Jose Altuve). The 29-year-old owns a 338 wRC+ over the last week, somehow still trailing Rougned Odor and Mike Trout despite his eight home runs. Also high up the list of super-hot bats? Alex Bregman, who continues to impress with the Astros.

While we’re here, a moment for Trout. Dude owns a 298 wRC+ over the last two weeks and has been worth an estimated 1.6 wins in that span, pushing him to 8.2 on the year. It’s entirely possible he’ll finish 2016 having posted five MVP-caliber and top-five fantasy seasons and yet walk away with just a single MVP.

Various News and Notes
The Astros scratched Dallas Keuchel from a scheduled start Tuesday, then took it a step further, shutting him down from throwing. Keuchel continues to deal with inflammation in his shoulder (which caused his Friday start to be bumped back) and will now head to Houston to be evaluated more thoroughly. It’s unclear how long the would-be ace could be on the shelf, and the Astros, just 2.5 games out of a wild card spot, will be waiting eagerly while hoping the bit of rest helps get him right. You can’t really drop him until you get an update, even if you’re thin on DL spots.

Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, is claiming he’ll never get injured again “because it’s awful.” While I understand the sentiment, this sounds a lot like me every time I’ve vowed “never hungover again.” At least I have a bit more control than Kershaw, who is a professional baseball pitcher and as such is subject to a litany of potential injuries. Still, it’s good he’s so adamant, and it’s awesome that he’ll be returning to the rotation Friday. He remains firmly in the Cy Young mix based on overall value despite starting just 16 games, creating a bit of a conundrum for potential voters, especially if he closes the season strong.

The Rays may shut down Matt Duffy, who’s been dealing with foot soreness caused by an earlier Achilles strain. The sides are discussing a potential surgery to shave his heel bone, a procedure that would end his season now but have him at 100 percent for spring training. I’m dealing with a foot issue of my own, so I feel for you, Duffy.

Maybe it’s best Zack Greinke isn’t pitching at Dodger Stadium anymore. Entering with a sub-2.00 ERA at his old park, Greinke got lit up for five home runs by his old team, including four in the fifth inning alone. Woof.

Matt Shoemaker underwent emergency surgery Sunday night, after a skull fracture from a 105-MPH line drive earlier in the day produced brain bleeding. He’s reportedly resting and recovering well enough, but what a terrifying situation.

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: Tyler Anderson vs SF (Jeff Samardzija)
I’m pretty much all-in on Tyler Anderson at this point, and even on a day where only two starters are 90-percent owned and there are 23 sub-50 percent options (gotta love September), I’m comfortable rolling with Anderson at Coors. Yes, even against the Giants, who have struggled quite a bit at the dish over the last 30 days, to the tune of an 88 wRC+, and who are a little below-average against southpaws. The former first-round pick owns a 3.43 ERA with peripherals to match and a 16.3-percent strikeout-minus-walk ratio. He’s the real deal, and he’s available in 77 percent of leagues.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Mike Montgomery @ MIL (Matt Garza)
Still a little unsure what to make of Alex Meyer for the rest of 2016, I’ll eschew the zero-percent ownership option here and tap Mike Montgomery, who you can still find in 88 percent of leagues. Montgomery and his 2.80 ERA over 83.2 innings as a swingman draw the Brewers, the league’s most strikeout-friendly team and an offense that’s posted a 90 wRC+ over the last month and ranks as average against lefties. I’d understand concern about streaming a swingman with a large FIP-ERA gap at Miller Park, but Montgomery keeps the ball on the ground and has kept his strikeout rate around 20 percent as a starter.