Well, the season is upon us! Injury season! As if last year wasn’t bad enough, we get another chance to drive ourselves mad over the increasing number of injuries, covid vaccine complications, and even video game-related injuries. I remember one time when I was just a young lad, probably no more than 10 years old when a certain video game was introduced to me! “Leisure Suit Larry”. If you are not familiar, it is a graphic adventure game where you play the role of a 38-year-old virgin who still lives in your mothers’ basement. With only $98 in your pocket, a sweet ass Leisure Suit, you have to move up the ranks and seduce the likes of a sex worker, a bar drunk, a girl next door, and finally the perfect 10! For a teenager, this was the holy grail of video games. Nudity on a video game, STD’s, etc! How does this story correlate to today? Glad you asked! Jesus Luzardo injured his hand while banging the coffee table, and there was a time when I had this game and I injured my hand while banging……..wait. Let’s get back to baseball!
As the title may have given it away, there are roughly 227 players on the injury report. This is only Week 5! Speaking of Week 5, here is your NSFW list of categorical gigolos who will help you outscore your opponent!
Runs
Mike Tauchman, OF, SFG-5% rostered in Yahoo- The Giants traded for Mike Tauchman and the playing time has really paid off! Tauchman is leading off for the Giants, and over the past 7 days, he has 6 runs scored, to go along with a .304 average. As long as Yaz is sidelined with the oblique injury, look for Tauchman to remain atop the lineup. Next week the Giants play 6 vs the Rangers and Pirates, in which they are set to face 5 RHP, which is of benefit to the LH Tauchman.
Nick Madrigal, 2B, CWS-49% rostered in Yahoo- There is definitely a trend to these recommendations it appears. Since Luis Robert landed on the IL (please let the IL soften his landing), Madrigal has been moved into the 2 hole. In the last 7 days, Madrigal has scored 5 runs and hit a robust .438! Not likely to contribute in all 5 categories, he is very capable of helping you win the Runs and Ave. Throw in the fact that they are scheduled to face 3 lefties, which Madrigal has hit .450 against on the season, and I am running to the wire to grab him.
Honorable Mention: Austin Hays, OF, Bal-Has been hitting 2nd for the Orioles, and is one of the few 7 games scheduled players next week.
HR/RBI
Josh Rojas, 2B/OF, ARI-43% rostered in Yahoo- Over the past 7 games, there have been few hitters as hot at the plate! Rojas, the Spring Training darling, started off slow but has made the owners who dropped him regret it. Since April 29th, Rojas has gone 7/4/6/.348. The D’Backs have 7 games this week at home, and should be in line to face 6 of 7 RHP!
Brandon Belt, 1B, SFG-18% rostered in Yahoo- If you were lucky enough to have grabbed and started Belt this past week, you would have been rewarded by his visit to Coors. While he doesn’t get the luxury of hitting in Denver, he does get the benefit of facing a lot of RHP in Texas and Pittsburgh. If there is anyone who absolutely destroys righties, Belt has 6 HR and 15 RBI vs RHP on the season.
Honorable Mention: Mitch Garver, C, MIN-If you are streaming catchers, this might be the week to grab Garver. Still rostered in only 43% of leagues, Garver has been heating up lately. It wasn’t long ago that Garver hit 31 HR’s in only 311 ab’s. Set to face 3 lefties, put Garver in your lineup.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Naquin, OF, CIN-The Reds are set to face 6 RHP next week, which should have Naquin salivating. His 5 Hr and 16 RBI vs RHP is prime for a easy pickup, seeing as he is rostered in only 50% of leagues. The recent news of Votto’s broken finger should keep his bat in the lineup as well.
SB
Robbie Grossman, OF, DET-4% rostered in Yahoo- Firmly entrenched at the top of that Tigers’ lineup, Grossman has taken advantage of the early season .375 OBP. With 6 steals on the season, and 0 caught stealing, he is confidently getting the green light. Grossman stole a base on 4/29 vs the Royals the last time they squared off.
Sam Haggerty, OF, SEA-2% rostered in Yahoo- Haggerty has seen an increase in playing time over the past few weeks, and he has rewarded the Mariners on the basepaths. The threat of power and speed (5 sb’s) is encouraging, but it is his approach as a LHH v RHP that should give him playing time next week against 5 righties.
Wins
Aaron Sanchez, SP, SFG– 16% rostered in Yahoo- The Giants are lined up to face the Rangers and the Pirates next week. I really don’t have to say anything else, but I will. Sanchez has looked good on the season. 28ip, 3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 1 WIN, 24 K’s. Sanchez had his shortest outing of the season in Colorado, but that ballpark has a way of doing that to pitchers. The one thing to pay attention to is the return of Johnny Cueto, but Sanchez should still line up for his 2 starts.
Wade Miley, SP, CIN– 37% rostered in Yahoo- Not all 2-start pitchers are worth recommending, so I will direct your attention to one of my favorite single-stream options! Miley has the pleasure of facing the Pirates and their 29th ranked OPS. Miley has gone at least 5ip in each start and has only given up 2 ER on the road. Combine that with the Pirates’ .226 average v LHP, and you have the recipe for an easy W.
Ratios (ERA/WHIP/K)
Giovanny Gallegos, RP, STL-46% rostered in Yahoo- When looking for possible ratio builders, I never expected Gallegos’ name to appear under the 50% rostered threshold, but alas, here he is! Gallegos has been the guy for Mike Schildt over the course of this young season. His 16.2 innings rank in the top 10, while his k/9 is above 11.0, to go along with a 2.16 ERA/2.46 xERA. Add in the fact that Jordan Hicks is on the IL, Gallegos could be asked to jump into a save situation here and there.
Craig Stammen, RP, SD– 2% rostered in Yahoo- Stammen has been an absolute workhorse this season. Already having pitched nearly 20 innings across only 12 appearances, Stammen has been asked to go multiple innings in more than half of those games. With the Padres truly deploying a 4 man rotation with a rover, it is Stammen that Jayce Tingler has called upon. It’s the ability to find the strike zone that has backed up the confidence (5% BB%). If you are looking for solid innings with the lack of stud 2-starters this week, look no further than this Padre.
Saves
Jeurys Familia, RP, NYM– 5% rostered in Yahoo- This is just a hedge bet on Diaz’s health. Diaz has a little scare with some back tightness and has yet to have a situation to appear in a game. It remains to be seen if the removal was precautionary or something to pay attention to. Familia would appear to be next up in that case.
Tejay Antone, RP, CIN– 46% rostered in Yahoo- Antone has definitely been the lone bright spot in an otherwise dull Cincy bullpen. What was supposed to be their strength, has turned into a “who’s on first” routine, usually resulting in a person on first. Sims needs to get his control, under control? Amir is battling suspension because Javy Baez was semi-charging at the Reds. It’s a big mess. Antone could easily fit into the saves or the Ratios portion of this article. Regardless, he needs to be rostered on your team.
