Roto Riteup: June 29, 2016

The city of Cleveland may never lose again. The Cavaliers won an NBA championship, Stipe Miocic won the heavyweight title, and even their AHL team won a title. Now, the Indians have won 11 in a row, pushing to 46-30 overall. Is it time for a Cleveland heat check?

On the agenda:
1. Giolito impresses in debut
2. Injured aces updates
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

Giolito impresses in debut
As it turns out, there’s good reason Lucas Giolito is considered the Nationals’ top prospect and perhaps the best pitching prospect in all of baseball. Given the nod in place of the injured Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday, Giolito allowed just one hit and two walks over four innings in what was his major-league debut. Unfortunately, the Nationals and Mets were hit with a long rain delay, ending Giolito’s night at just four innings and 45 pitches. Even with only one strikeout and two whiffs, there was a lot to like here – Giolito stuck mainly fastball-curveball, sitting in the mid-90s with the heater and dropping the curve in much slower, while also throwing one slider he may have been keeping in his pocket for the next time through the order. There’s no guarantee he gets a second start but it’d be surprising if he’s not on the hill against Cincinnati this weekend.

Injured aces updates
This daily write-up is a lot more fun when all the best pitchers aren’t injured. But they are. Let’s hit them quickly: Zack Greinke left his start with oblique tightness, which is mildly terrifying given the nature of oblique injuries. The team hasn’t provided an update as of yet; Clayton Kershaw has been flown back to L.A. to get examined by a back specialist. The Dodgers are hoping he won’t miss a start but his back hasn’t been improving since Sunday; The Mets admitted that Noah Syndergaard does have a bone spur in his elbow but called it “insignificant.” Syndergaard isn’t expected to miss a start, while fellow bone spur-haver Steven Matz has had his start bumped from Wednesday to Thursday.

Various News and Notes
Hey, cool, more injury stuff!

Phil Hughes is done for the season, with shoulder surgery set for next week to help with thoracic outlet syndrome. He’s on the books through 2019, so the Twins have to hope the procedure can get him right for next season.

Joc Pederson paid the price for making a ridiculous catch against the Brewers, leaving the game with a bruised A/C joint that has him listed as day-to-day.

The Royals may be down an outfielder, too, as Lorenzo Cain was forced from a game with a left hamstring strain and is set for an MRI.

Oh, we’re not done: Jon Jay is off to the DL with a broken forearm, an injury the team initially hoped was less severe after initial X-rays were negative. That effectively takes him off the trade market; Aledmys Diaz will miss a few games after fouling a ball off of his face Monday; Joe Panik will continue to undergo concussion testing after experiencing symptoms three days after being hit in the head.

What a depressing day of updates. At least Julio Urias got a win, the Jays and Rockies played a very Coors-ish game after a long delay, and the Cubs and Reds made things fun.

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: Archie Bradley vs PHI (Zach Eflin)
Since returning from the DL in late May, Archie Bradley has with control and, until his two most recent starts, the long-ball. He’s also struck out nearly a quarter of batters. More importantly, he draws the Phillies, owners of a 78 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers and maybe the least likely lineup in baseball to exploit his control problems. This should be a good test for the sophomore.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Wei-Yin Chen @ Atl (Mike Foltynewicz)
It’s been a minute since I’ve gotten to pick on the Braves in this space, and I really started to miss that 71 wRC+. Wei-Yin Chen’s ownership is a little higher than I’d like to recommend at 49 percent, but on somewhat of a thin day, he gets the nod. If you need to go a little deeper, A.J. Griffin (26-percent owned and just now settling in after years on the DL) draws a sputtering Yankees lineup that’s struggled to do much damage against righties.





Blake Murphy is a freelance sportswriter based out of Toronto. Formerly of the Score, he's the managing editor at Raptors Republic and frequently pops up at Sportsnet, Vice, and around here. Follow him on Twitter @BlakeMurphyODC.

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Jenju
7 years ago

Concerning kershaw, looking to trade for him in a yahoo 14 team h2h, 10×10 league. Kluber and carpenter for kershaw and r zimmerman. Carp’s 2b eligibility and 9th place season to date rank make me leery of the deal. Leaves me with no 2b and poor options. I have extra OF would you do Polanco (ytd 23) or Springer (ytd 33). Wanted villar with kersh. Not sure that’ll happen. Thoughts? Thanks.