Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP-NYM): Matsuzaka, who signed with the Mets on Thursday, is scheduled to start today against the Tigers. Dice-K sported a 95:39 K:BB ratio and a 3.92 ERA through 103 and 1/3 innings at AAA this season. He displayed better control in his past 10 starts, allowing only 14 walks in those 65 and 2/3 innings. With the injuries in the rotation piling up, Matsuzaka is likely to stick for the remainder of the season. He makes for an immediate add in all NL-only leagues, and makes for an intriguing spot-starter when the matchups are there (given his extreme flyball tendencies) in deeper mixed leagues.
Brandon Beachy (SP-ATL): Beachy has apparently suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and will have his next start skipped to visit Dr. James Andrews. This is a disappointing development for fantasy owners, as Beachy looked to have turned a corner in his last 3 starts, posting a 14:1 K:BB ratio and allowing 5 earned runs across 20 innings. The results of this visit will be crucial to determining his value for 2013 and for 2014, so stay tuned...but it doesn't look promising.
Joe Kelly (SP-STL): Kelly picked up the win after allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings. After a rough stretch to start the season, Kelly has righted the ship and, at least on the surface, looks much more comfortable in the rotation than in the pen. However, his peripherals suggest some regression is in order, as he has a 2.15 ERA/4.42 xFIP as a starter with a troublesome 27:19 K: ratio in 46 innings. He could be a useful spot starter, especially when you take into account the reverse split (righties have posted a wOBA 30 points higher than compared with lefties). But be careful with him.
Rafael Betancourt (RP-COL): Betancourt blew his 3rd save of the season and had to exit with an apparent elbow injury before finishing the inning. He is expected to undergo an MRI over the weekend, so stay tuned, but all of the signs, including his diminishing velocity, point towards a significant injury here. Rex Brothers will reclaim his closer job. While he walks too many batters (11.6%), his excellent 25.9% K-rate and the improvements he has made against righties makes him a viable option down the stretch.
Anthony Rizzo (1B-CHC): Rizzo continued his tumultuous 2013, going 0 for 6 with 2 k's. His line now sits at a disappointing .229/.322/.432 with 20 homers, 68 RBI, 59 runs, and 5 steals. However, he has improved his ISO and EYE, and has made incremental gains against lefties (30 point increase in his wOBA against them). The big issue has been the spike in his flyball rate, which has lead to a 59-point drop in his BABIP. To me, this screams trying to do too much with a new contract and a poor lineup around you. Put it all together and I see Rizzo as a value play in 2014/keeper leagues.
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