Roto Riteup: August 9, 2016

I’m passing up the obligatory “sliding into the DMs like” from the Buster Posey highlight to hit you with a “me, reading your tweets,” courtesy of Collin McHugh:

But also, sliding into the DMs like:

On the agenda:
1. ERA-FIP gap
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

ERA-FIP gap
While looking at potential streaming options, I happened to find myself looking at the ERA-FIP gap leaderboards. Given how much we’ve learned about pitching, simply expecting regression to defense-independent rates isn’t exactly a sound strategy, but in can be instructive as to where to direct further analysis. Specifically, if others have given up on these names but you see a reason to keep the faith, these could be pitchers worth a late buy-low if your deadline hasn’t passed or a waiver add if they’ve been dropped. Again, these are just names deserving of further investigation, not sure-fire bounce-back candidates down the stretch. Here are the qualified starters with FIPs at least a half-run lower than their ERAs:

Name	Team	K%	K-BB%	BABIP	LOB%	ERA	FIP	E-F	Ownership
Michael Pineda	Yankees	27.5%	20.9%	0.335	68.7%	5.17	3.89	1.28	70%
Robbie Ray	Diamondbacks	27.9%	19.3%	0.365	70.7%	4.83	3.76	1.07	14%
Sonny Gray	Athletics	18.1%	9.9%	0.318	63.7%	5.74	4.68	1.06	71%
Adam Wainwright	Cardinals	18.7%	12.5%	0.326	68.7%	4.34	3.33	1.01	95%
Chad Bettis	Rockies	17.6%	11.1%	0.326	66.6%	5.13	4.14	0.99	8%
David Price	Red Sox	24.2%	18.8%	0.333	70.2%	4.34	3.42	0.92	98%
Collin McHugh	Astros	22.6%	16.2%	0.364	73.4%	4.69	3.78	0.90	62%
Marcus Stroman	Blue Jays	19.1%	12.9%	0.312	66.8%	4.76	3.86	0.90	83%
Drew Smyly	Rays	24.3%	18.3%	0.311	65.8%	5.14	4.30	0.84	46%
Mike Leake	Cardinals	17.1%	13.9%	0.310	63.6%	4.80	3.97	0.84	41%
Michael Wacha	Cardinals	19.1%	11.4%	0.324	67.2%	4.45	3.69	0.77	80%
Ricky Nolasco	Angels	17.6%	12.3%	0.309	64.4%	5.23	4.47	0.76	2%
Dallas Keuchel	Astros	20.3%	13.0%	0.304	68.3%	4.56	3.87	0.69	94%
Jose Fernandez	Marlins	35.7%	28.3%	0.330	76.6%	2.81	2.20	0.61	99%
Edinson Volquez	Royals	17.1%	8.4%	0.310	67.6%	4.99	4.42	0.56	47%
Matt Shoemaker	Angels	21.9%	17.1%	0.316	72.9%	4.07	3.52	0.55	48%

Various News and Notes
Carlos Gonzalez was removed from Monday’s game with a sprained left ankle, taking a seat before his first turn to the plate. The Rockies are saying this is unrelated to the injury that sidelined him last week, but it’s hard not to be concerned given the history here. CarGo missing any time would be a big hit to owners, who are enjoying a resurgent season from the 30-year-old. Gerardo Parra and Ryan Raburn would likely form a platoon if Gonzalez needs a few days off.

Also a big hit: Michael Brantley reportedly suffered yet another setback in his return from shoulder surgery, as he’s still feeling lingering pain when trying to swing. The Indians have been hoping on a Brantley return to solidify their outfield ahead of the playoffs, but could instead have to make do with the patchwork group of Rajai Davis, Abraham Almonte, Brandon Guyer, and the excellent-but-slumping Tyler Naquin taking up two outfield spots. There are worse groups, to be sure, and the Indians have a top-five offense largely without Brantley, but the Tigers are knocking.

While the move to the 60-day DL was mostly procedural, Trayce Thompson provided some bad news Monday, telling reporters a recent X-ray revealed two fractures in his back. Out since July 16, Thompson is still hopeful he can make it back for the team’s final push (he’s not eligible until mid-September). If you’re skeptical and need the roster spot, well, he had cooled off before going down, anyway, and probably wouldn’t have a major role in those final weeks. Fun season for him, though.

In other DL news, Blue Jays centerfielder Kevin Pillar is headed there with a thumb injury the team is hoping only requires the minimum 15 days. Melvin Upton Jr. should find his way to regular at-bats over the next couple of weeks as a result, a nice chance for him to find his footing in Toronto.

The Mariners optioned Taijuan Walker to the minors just one start after he returned from an extended DL stint. Still in the wild card race, the Mariners apparently feel they’re best off with Walker rediscovering his form in Tacoma while sticking with Ariel Miranda and Wade LeBlanc in the rotation

Have yourself a night, Brandon Crawford. The Giants shortstop tied an NL record with seven (!) hits in the team’s 14-inning game, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat since 1975. Still no Johnny Burnett, though.

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: Hector Santiago vs HOU (Mike Fiers)
I’m still getting used to 41-percent owned Hector Santiago not playing for the Angels, even though he was only there two-and-a-half years. Now with the Twins, he draws an Astros team ranking a little below average at the dish with a friendly 24-percent strikeout rate. Santiago’s numbers for the season – and in his Twins debut – are hardly remarkable, but he pitched well in July and has always been one to outperform his peripherals, as he is now. It’s a bit of a risk here, but the entirety of the streaming slate is risky.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Robbie Ray @ NYM (Bartolo Colon)
Robbie Ray might be pushing some sort of historical territory for strikeouts versus ownership. Still down at just a 14-percent tag, the lefty has struck out 152 batters in 121 innings on the year. The issue, of course, is that he’s still somehow managed a 4.83 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, giving him the second-largest ERA-FIP gap in the majors. You can’t just expect that to regress on its own, but a matchup against a middling Mets offense that’s prone to the strikeout is a decent place to look for it.