The rocky start to our baseball season continues. The Cardinals are fighting outbreaks. Cleveland is grounding pitchers for breaking protocols. Fernando Rodney is preparing to debut. Cats and dogs living together. Mass hysteria. Sorry, I went full Venkman for a second. Let me wipe the ectoplasm off. There. Now to the prognostication.
- You can write Rafael Montero’s name in pen as the Rangers closer. He’s been the only one they’ve called to close out games since his return. Seems rash I know. Welcome to fantasy baseball in 2020. Raf may have been everyone’s least favorite TMNT but he may be the best reliever to pop in the SAGNOF scene all year if he stays healthy.
- It may be a committee but Taylor Williams sure seems to be the favorite in it. I know I said last week that you may be better off staying away from this bullpen. I hedged that with, “Until someone shows some reliability.” Well, with a quarter of the season over a week is what serves as a reliable sample.
- The wind seems to be blowing Seth Lugo’s way in New York. Edwin Diaz hasn’t been melting down but that may be due to him handling the eighth. Dellin Betances still doesn’t seem all the right. Lugo is still the fireman of the pen but his usage is now determined with the likely blaze that he ninth becomes if he’s not in it.
- We seemed destined to touch on Brad Hand each week here. He gave up a hit, a walk, and a run before Oliver Perez was called upon to get the last two outs of the tenth Sunday. James Karinchak and Nick Wittgren had already pitched in the seventh and eighth of a close game. Barring an IL stint, we may be doomed to relive this series often. I’d still prefer Karinchak of the bunch.
- Luis Robert has wasted no time making his mark with the White Sox with two homers and four steals. They’ve rewarded him with the opportunity to lead off. Pitchers are starting to feed him off-speed offerings. He’ll need to show the ability to handle them. If you’re the sell high type in season-long this may be your best window. Make it very high, though.
- Willson Contreras has yielded six stolen bases in only 74 innings while throwing out just two base stealers. He’s always been in the top half for catchers being run on. Perhaps teams are pressing the issue in the shortened season.
