Roto Lunch – April 26
Posted by Rob McQuown on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 12:44 am
Season Moves:
- I picked up Joel Zumaya on both my teams where he was available. I know he’s not the closer yet, but he’s clearly the best pitcher in that bullpen, and who knows what will happen? I may end up cutting him, but for a few days he should be worth the roster spot.
- You can probably get away with picking him up and cutting him, but new Atlanta catcher David Ross has shown tons of power against lefty pitching in his career. His career line is just .233/.321/.464, but that includes 24 HR in 453 PA (390 AB). His 3-year splits are even more Napolian: .258/.345/.527, with 19 HR in just 256 AB. Keep a constant eye out for lefty SP going against Atlanta!
Pitchers:
- Jarrod Washburn against the Vlad-less Angels seems like a must-play, even on the road against a pretty good SP in Jered Weaver. The Angels are hitting .229/.253/.350 against LHP, and Washburn’s peripherals actually look decent again this year for the first time in a couple years.
- If you need rate stats, the Andy Sonnanstine/Dana Eveland matchup should be low-scoring, with both teams having better defenses than offenses. But the decision is as likely to come from the pen as the starters.
- In a pinch, Kenshin Kawakami is a pretty good pitcher and the Reds aren’t great, but pitching at Cincinnati isn’t a good thing, and while Owings may not beat him with his arm, it’s like facing an AL team due to his bat.
- Aaron Laffey could do okay against Minnesota, though it’s hard to predict what will happen in Twins games. If your pitching is looking good, take a pass on him.
- STAY AWAY FROM: Both pitchers in the NY/BOS matchup, Jamie Moyer, Manny Parra, Jordan Zimmermann, Todd Wellemeyer, Glen Perkins. Sure, at least one of these guys will have a good day, but the risks are just too high. It’s tempting, for example, to think that the toothless Cubs will go easy on Wellemeyer, but even without Aramis and Milton, they have some guns, and the Cardinals pen has not been good.
Batters:
I’m considering benching all my White Sox, even Quentin, against Halladay. He’s just that rough.
A few fun platoon matchups appear today, if you need middle infielders…
- Jeff Keppinger has hit .345/.402/.502 the past three years against lefties, and Parra isn’t very good.
- Jason Bartlett can steal, as we all know, and he also hits lefties well. Normally, that’s not a great combo, as many lefties can suppress the running game. But Eveland needs his big curve to be effective, and it’s easy to run against. Don’t be surprised if Bartlett gets on base twice and steals at least one.
- Brendan Harris has always hit lefties well, and Laffey isn’t exactly a world-beater.
- Asdrubal Cabrera hits lefties well, and though he won’t likely do much besides single against Perkins, that’s better than a guy going hitless.
Some other decent plays for Sunday:
- Kelly Shoppach against Perkins
- Endy Chavez against Jered Weaver (who is much worse against LHB, and also not good at preventing SB).
- Hank Blalock against Bergesen
- Ken Griffey and Russell Branyan against Weaver
- Ryan Church against Zimmermann.
- Ivan Rodriguez against Parra (check to make sure he’s playing after Saturday’s ejection).
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia against Bergesen (check to make sure he’s playing, Sunday is a frequent off-day for catchers).
- Cody Ross against Moyer. Heh – who would have guessed he had 8 runs, 3 HR, and 12 RBI already?
