It’s week 10! Yes my loyal readers, we have now reached the point of redundancy and rule changes. I have no problems including the over 50% rostered, as well as I have no problem mentioning the same player week in and week out. If you don’t want to pick up Lucas Sims, and you hate saves, I get it. *side note, if you haven’t welcomed back @roto_wan for his SAGNOF series, give it a read. Fellow bullpen guys need to stick together. I digress….I can’t emphasize enough how much a couple category wins can mean for the entire season. Category wins get tighter than Robbie Ray’s pants, and end of season standings get stickier than spider tack. And with that, I hand down this article to you like previous generations before me.
Runs/SB
Cesar Hernandez, 2B, CLE-15% rostered in Yahoo- It’s not surprising that we don’t think of Cesar Hernandez as the prototypical lead off hitter, with his .220 AVE, .300 OBP, and 0 SB’s. What is surprising is that he is still in the top 12 in the league in Runs (33) and top 10 in HR among 2B. The Indians will play 7 this week against the Orioles and Pirates, both teams that are susceptible to huge scoring outputs.
Manuel Margot, OF, TBR– 26% rostered in Yahoo- Margot is starting to get into a little more of a rhythm at the plate, and on the base paths. Hitting safely in 5 of the last 6 games, with 2 HR’s. Over the past 30 days, he has a decent .264 with 3HR and 2 SB. Let’s hope that this 7 game stretch vs the White Sox and the Mariners will get the SB’s that we covet. The Sox and Mariners rank 2nd and 3rd in most SB’s allowed.
Honorable Mention: Victor Robles, OF, WSH- It is so difficult to recommend Robles considering his offensive woes on the season. The speed, tho, is the one true skill that he possesses currently (he has more SB’s than RBI). On a positive note, he has (2) multi-hit games in his past 3, and has an upcoming series against the Pirates and Mets (without DeGrom).
HR/RBI
Justin Upton, OF, LAA-45% rostered in Yahoo- Justin Upton must love hitting out of the leadoff spot! Currently registering a hit in 12 of the past 14 games with 6 HR’s and 12 RBI, there is no reason for over half of the leagues to see him on their waiver wire. The Angels have 7 games this week and will see a hefty amount of lefties. J-Upside is rolling…go get him.
Avisail Garcia, OF, MLW-50% rostered in Yahoo- With 6 HR’s over his past 13 games, Garcia is on a mission. Looking ahead to this week against the Reds and then Brews in Coors!! I am drunk with eagerness.
Honorable Mention: Freddy Galvis, SS, BAL- Galvis has settled in nicely in the cleanup role for the Orioles. The power on the road is favorable as he takes a trip to Cleveland (no Bieber), and then he heads home to face a set of lefties who he has hit much better than righties.
Wins & Ratios
Robbie Ray, SP, TOR– 68% rostered in Yahoo- Yes, I realize that Ray is above the 50% rostered mark, but there is no excuse (outside of NL only) that Robbie Ray is less than 95% rostered. Since May 1st, Ray is 1st in K/9, 7th in BB/9, has a 2.30 FIP, and 2.35 SIERA. He gets the Orioles on Friday for the 1st time this season.
Tarik Skubal, SP, DET-40% rostered in Yahoo- Since May 19th, Skubal has been electric. 37K’s across 21 innings with a 2.14ERA. The only blemish is a 1.24 WHIP, which I will gladly take if I can get a 42% K%. Skubal will face the Royals who were swept by these Tigers last time they faced.
Ranger Suarez, RP, PHI-1% rostered in Yahoo- If you are looking to just plug in a middle reliever who can help calm down your ratios, Suarez has been one of the best over the past month. He is being used in multi-innings consistently and has still yet to allow a run on the season (20.1 innings).
Saves and Speculation
Kendall Graveman, RP, SEA– 57% rostered in Yahoo- Graveman made his rehab assignment and is looking like he will return very soon from his COVID-19 hiatus. How he will return is to be seen, but so far on the season he has 5 saves and hasn’t allowed a run yet. Consider this the jinx, but as long as he is getting those SV’s, I am good.
Josh Staumont, RP, KCR– 38% rostered in Yahoo- A la Kendall Graveman, Staumont took a trip to the IL (not COVID related tho) and has since returned. It was thought that there might be a committee type approach, but since his return he has been talked up in regards to returning to the 9th inning role he was showing so much promise with.
Lucas Sims, RP, CIN– 43% rostered in Yahoo- I know that we all have PTSD with Reds closers, but I feel like it is Sims’ job to lose now. Antone is still the high leverage guy, which could include some 9th inning duties, but for the bulk of the games, I expect Sims to close them out. I feel like I have mentioned him every week, but oh well. Since last weeks’ recommendation, he has recorded 3 saves.
Mentionables: Paul Fry- Got the vote of confidence from Brandon Hyde, which Hyde never does. Pay attention to Hunter Harvey also, who returned from the IL
Adam Cimber-MIA-Since his recent call-up, he has looked amazing. Still some arms in front, but could be the closer later in the season if trades happen.
