Daily Dr. Roto — April 9, 2018
Fantasy Baseball News and Notes
— Atlanta Braves SP Sean Newcomb threw a gem on Sunday going six innings letting up only five hits to go along with nine Ks. This is part of Newcomb’s up and down season. Some of his starts will be amazing, and some will end up with him letting up six runs in the first three innings. It’s important to stay patient with young pitchers and look to see if they become more consistent before relying on them regularly. Or better yet — wait for him to have two or three good starts in a row and then trade him.
— I feel like Braves SS Dansby Swanson is like Juju Smith-Schuster was in Fantasy Football last season. I told everyone to pick up Juju for weeks and then when people finally listened to me it was too late. So, I will tell you again — Swanson will have a post-hype, breakout season. Get him now while you still can.
— Astros RP Brad Peacock got the save on Sunday, and it might be a telling sign moving forward. Astros Manager A.J. Hinch is starting to get fed up with Ken Giles and has been using him in non-save situations recently. It wouldn’t shock me to see the Astros go with a bullpen by committee until Giles gets back on track.
— If you are looking for saves down the line, here’s a name — Rays RP Jose Alvarado. There’s about a 100% chance that the Rays trade Alex Colome by the All-Star Break. Alvarado has the best arm on the staff and has looked pretty good in a setup role thus far. He will have the first chance to close games for the Rays when the opportunity finally arises.
— There is no doubt that the Astros won their trade with the Pirates by getting SP Gerrit Cole, but 3B Colin Moran who the Pirates got back in that same deal is starting to look like he could be a successful everyday player for the Bucs. He was available in two of my leagues this weekend before I scooped him up as I think he could go 20-80 this season.
— I can only hope that the injury to Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts is not serious. He was crushing the ball in spring training and was hitting .371 with two HRs to start the season. He might be irreplaceable right now for both the Red Sox and his Fantasy owners.
— It will be very interesting to see if the Cincinnati Reds call-up 3B phenom Nick Senzel now that starting 3B Eugenio Suarez is out with a fractured thumb. The Reds have been using Senzel at SS and are waiting for his Super Two timeclock to elapse before bringing him up to the majors. However, this injury to Suarez might move up his timetable quickly. Will the Reds cave into pressure? Watch within the next 24-48 hours as Senzel is a must pickup in all formats if he becomes available.
— Mariners 1B Ryon Healy twisted his ankle post-game on Saturday and is undergoing an MRI on Monday. The team has already said that he will miss the first series of the week against Kansas City. 1B Dan Vogelbach will most likely play in Healy’s absence. Voglebach has torn up the minors only to be overly aggressive in the majors which had led to tons of strikeouts. If he can figure out a way to become more consistent at the plate (and hit home runs as he did back in spring training), he might be able to keep Healy at bay for the long haul.
DFS Plays
Pitchers
- Max Scherzer — He’s going to cost you big bucks, but his upside is immense.
- Noah Syndergaard — A tad cheaper than Scherzer, but still worth it.
- Jake Junis — Looked good in his first start. Wish he was a bit cheaper on FD.
- Ben Lively — If you are looking for the “Erasmo” play (a cheap pitcher who allows you to get your bigger bats in, then he might be your guy tonight).
Stacks
- Washington Nationals (you all know how much I detest Julio Teheran)
- Colorado Rockies (at home against Clayton Richard)
- Philadelphia Phillies (Cody Reed is a disaster)
- Los Angeles Angeles (Doug Fister is a disaster)
Sneaky Stacks
- San Diego Padres (Love to use the opposing team at Coors)
- New York Mets (Could this be the night that Bruce and Frazier get it going?)
Visionary Plays
- Bryce Harper — Harper, has eight HR in 39 at bats against Teheran.
- Nolan Arenado — Arenado is 10 for 16 against Richard in his career.
- Pedro Alvarez — Should play tonight against LHP and has prodigious power when he connects.
