Roto Riteup: June 16th, 2012
I’m not a betting man (that’s a lie), but if I was, I’d wager that this is the best Roto Riteup that has been published in the past 24 hours. And if isn’t the best, then I’ll wager that it is at least the most recent.
• If it seems like I was just touting and recommending Justin Masterson last week, it’s because you have an excellent memory. It’s tough to read into a single start against the Pirates, but a nine strikeout and three walk performance is always nice regardless of the level of opposition. The same caution applies to Masterson as last week, but he is seemingly began to reshape into himself of old. His ownership rate in both ESPN and Yahoo! is still just 41%.
• Late last night Alex Rios continued to show encouraging signs as we smacked a pair of solo homers in Dodger Stadium. He now sits at a .297 batting average, eight home runs and even seven stolen bases. He’s also been producing a healthy number of runs and RBI’s this season. With huge seasons from both Paul Konerko, who happens to hit third cleanup with a .438 OBP and Adam Dunn who hits fourth third with his .370 OBP, expect the RBI chances to continue. Rios has been penciled in as the fifth hitter for 21 straight games, so as long as he is hitting behind those on-base machines, expect plenty of RBI’s. Rios is still available in one third of Yahoo! Act accordingly.
• Juan Pierre stole a pair of bases last night in the Phillies’ loss at Toronto. Although it was in a losing effort, Pierre now has 13 stolen bases on the year to just two caught stealing. His average is about as empty as .325 can possibly get, as his ISO is a mere .047 on the season. Of course you didn’t target Pierre for his RBI count, so to see his average well above .300 and to see him still able to run at a reasonably well rate, he makes for a useful fantasy option. Even though he is limited to a fairly strict platoon as far as starts go, his ability to pinch run can lead to plenty of opportunities to run despite not reaching base on his own accord. A 15% ownership rate in Yahoo! and 17% in ESPN.
For those of you who play daily fantasy games like FanGraphs: The Game, or just like to stream players, here are a couple matchups you may be able to exploit.
A Pitcher for Today: Doug Fister vs COL
Fister is pitching at home, but more importantly that means that the Rockies are the on road. In 36 home games the Rockies have scored 225 runs for an average of 6.25 R/G. On the other hand, in 27 road games the Rockies have scored just 91 runs for an average of just 3.37. I’m taking a flier on Fister.
A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Zack Greinke at MIN
I don’t care how expensive Greinke will be. I am 100% buying him in this match-up.
A Hitter for Today: Andre Ethier vs CHW (Philip Humber)
Ethier crushes right-handed pitching. Humber has given up 12 homers this year, of which nine were against left-handed batters.
I doubt many people who play in a “go pick up Alex Rios” league are reading you. Any player over 50 percent ownership is only going to be unowned in very thin or dim leagues, or abandoned leagues. Write about guys who can actually help your audience.
I’m glad you can talk in such absolute terms for any and every Yahoo! league. That talent must have taken quite a while to acquire.
In all seriousness, I’ll see if I can’t stick to 40% and under though. Thanks for the feedback.
I have found many of the mentioned 50 percent plus players unowned in my league. I appreciate the fact that you cover news that applies to all leagues.
I count eleven players on the waiver wire above the 50% mark that I won’t pick up. Alex Rios is owned in my league, and I wouldn’t trade a bench slot for him.
And congrats on getting Masterson right. “I called it” is the lowest form of journalism.
Considering this bit of writing is suppose to be predictive (i.e. an OPINION piece, instead of a reporting piece, were the emphasis is on “re.”) I find it highly appropriate to point out his predictive track record.
Also, its not New York Times.
Lester, David, Zach and the others are not journalists, they are at most bloggers at best.
Whoa, I was going to say that myself just now.
I actually did late last night on twitter: https://twitter.com/davidwiers/status/213861058711011331
Lester Bangs, fantasy guru….I’ve read all your stuff….in the comments sections below actual fantasy writers with real websites…that they devote their time and hard work to and who don’t deserve the snippy comments from the anonymous protection they provide. Like the user name…rock and roll journalism and fantasy baseball go..um…hand in hand.
FYI- Konerko bats fourth and Dunn third.
Whoops! I guess I went dyslexic fit a moment there. I’m on my phone , but I will edit it .
Dunn hits 3rd in the typical line up and Konerko hits 4th.
I realize the “Pitcher for Tomorrow” is for both The Game and streaming, but is it possible to get a pitcher for tomorrow that is largely unowned? Guys like Greinke and Lincecum are not available to stream.
Wei-Yin Chen (23% Yahoo!, 20% ESPN) at Atlanta would seem to be pretty decent too. Chen is a pretty heavy fly-ball guy and so far this year Turner Field has the 6th best pitcher HR rate of 0.78.
I try to mix in stream-type players and FG: The Game players on my posts. I’ll see if I can lean a little more towards streamers though. Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks to RollTribe for grasping the point I’ve been trying to make.
“For those of you who play daily fantasy games like FanGraphs: The Game, or just like to stream players, here are a couple matchups you may be able to exploit.”
read it a couple of more times guys
And that’s why you aren’t a journalist.