Roto Riteup: September 6, 2017

The Red Sox were accused of cheating and there were some hot takes on twitter:

Cheating with an Apple Watch is the closest MLB has ever come to trying to market to millennials https://t.co/gFUqb9esw5

— Anthony Vitale (@antsvitale) September 5, 2017

[looks at Apple Watch] this Red Sox game is taking way too long

— Dave Lozo (@davelozo) September 6, 2017

(cut to Terry Collins whispering furtively to a Speak & Spell tucked under his jacket)

— Patrick Dubuque (@euqubud) September 5, 2017

lmao an apple watch.

“Siri, how do I manage a bullpen” – John Farrell, probably

— Inkling Pez (@PezDOY) September 5, 2017

Are we really surprised the Red Sox got caught cheating? Every day, there were Betts in the clubhouse

— Mike Gianella (@MikeGianella) September 5, 2017

 

 

On the Agenda:

1. Fun with Small Samples! (Pitcher’s Edition)

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

 

Fun with Small Samples! (Pitcher’s Edition)

It is time for another edition of Fun with Small Samples!

In the month of August, six qualified starters had a k/9 over 11: Chris Sale (12.89), Chris Archer (11.57), Luis Severino (11.45), Brad Peacock (11.44), Rich Hill (11.30), and Dylan Bundy (11.25).

The best FIPs in MLB for the month of August were owned by Dylan Bundy (2.30), Chris Sale (2.40), J.A. Happ (2.52), and Charlie Morton (2.57). The best xFIPs were owned by Sale (2.74), Corey Kluber (2.83), Patrick Corbin (2.88) and Chris Archer (2.90).

Four starters had average fastball velocities 96 miles per hour or faster: Luis Severino (98.2), Luis Castillo (97.1), Chad Kuhl (97.0), Jon Gray (96.4), Carlos Martinez (96.4), Jameson Taillon (96.3), Charlie Morton (96.3), Jacob DeGrom (96.1) and Gerrit Cole (96.1).

The highest BABIPs for the month of August were owned by Jimmy Nelson (.396), Brad Peacock (.392), Kendall Graveman (.381), and Jameson Taillon (.380). The lowest BABIPs were owned by Corey Kluber (.173), Dinelson Lamet (.190) and Justin Verlander (.196).

Only one pitcher gave up double digit home runs during the month of August: Ariel Miranda with eleven long balls allowed.

 

 

Various News and Notes

The Tampa Bay Rays announced that Chris Archer has no structural damage to his injured pitching arm. Archer left a start last weekend with the dreaded “forearm tightness”, but appears to have avoided any serious issue.

J.P. Crawford was called up for his Major league debut on Tuesday, going 1-for-5 while playing third base. Crawford is considered the shortstop of the future for the Phillies, but could enter next season as a third baseman in fantasy leagues if he plays more games at the position than he does short. This would lower his initial cost, but give him added flexibility once he regained shortstop eligibility in-season. Crawford has reclaimed some of the lost prospect shine that he had at one point and profiles to be a solid fantasy shortstop for years to come.

According to manager Bryan Price, Luis Castillo will be shut down after his next start after reaching his innings cap for the season. Castillo has been impressive in his MLB debut and will likely be a popular sleeper heading into next season.

Jake Arrieta has been diagnosed with a mild hamstring strain and will likely miss his next turn in the rotation according to Patrick Mooney. The Grade 1 strain will sideline him for about 7-10 days, but is not considered serious at this time.

Buster Posey left Tuesday’s game with a finger injury. Posey took a foul tip off of his hand in the eighth inning against the Rockies and was removed after appearing to be in pain. He was diagnosed with a contusion on his ring finger after the game and is considered day-to-day at this time.

 

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Doug Fister vs Tor

Fister has gone three straight start where he has pitched at least seven innings and get the Blue Jays at home. He is worth a start if you are chasing wins.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Kyle Gibson @ KC

This could definitely blow up in my face, but the Royals have scored the third fewest runs in the Majors over the last two weeks and Gibson has been serviceable over his last three starts including a six inning shutout of KC.