Osvaldo Bido, SP, OAK (CBS: 6% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered)
Last week, we recommended Osvaldo Bido based on a strong effort against the Jays. This week, he shut down the Giants on six shutout, one-hit innings. Next week, he faces the Rays in another favorable matchup. Does he make it three solid outings in a row?
Matthew Boyd, SP, CLE (CBS: 19% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
The long-time Tiger returned to the field this week and held the Cubs in check, allowing three hits over 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts. Next up, he has the Yankees and Rangers in a tough two-start week. It’s a good time to be buying in on Boyd and, at the same time, a good week to have him on your bench, especially against the Yankees.
Oswaldo Cabrera, 1B/2B/3B/OF, NYY (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 8% rostered)
The Yankees have turned to Oswaldo Cabrera to fill the vacancy created by the elbow injury suffered by recently acquired Jazz Chisholm. The power/speed potential is there. In the short term, there is an opportunity to garner regular playing time.
Andres Chaparro, 3B, WAS (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Chaparro hit well at Reno, but most do. He also slugged four homers at Rochester after being acquired in a deadline deal by the Nats. A steady diet of at-bats awaits at First Base in Washington. In deeper Redraft Leagues, especially those using OBP, he’s worthy of our attention.
Tommy Edman, 2B/SS/OF, LAD (CBS: 55% rostered, ESPN: 23% rostered)
Tommy Edman is looking to return from the IL this week, and center field looks to be where he’ll receive the bulk of his playing time. He’s averaged low-teen power and 30 stolen bases over the past three years and will push Kevin Kiermaier and possibly Miguel Rojas into part-time roles.
Grant Holmes, SP, ATL (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Since moving into the rotation, he has pitched well in three-of-his-four outings. The only blemish was a start at Coors, and he wasn’t the first nor the last to struggle in Colorado. Those strikeout rates are intriguing and could come in handy down the stretch.
Niko Kavadas, 1B, LAA (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Acquired from Boston in the deadline Luis Garcia deal, Niko Kavadas was enjoying a great year on the farm, slugging 17 homers with a .975 OPS in 263 at-bats at Triple-A Worcester. The Angels outrighted Willie Calhoun to Salt Lake City, making at least the good side of a platoon at DH in Kavadas’ future.
Bobby Miller, SP, LAD (CBS: 54% rostered, ESPN: 40% rostered)
The Dodgers are struggling to find healthy arms, and with Tyler Glasnow returning to the IL with right elbow tendinitis, they have called up Bobby Miller. He was far from impressive yesterday, allowing four runs over 4 1/3 innings against the Cards. The four wild pitches he threw yesterday are not a good sign, are they? Necessity has forced the Dodgers’ hand, but it doesn’t have to force ours. Be careful, play the matchups, and hope for a return to form.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B, DET (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 31% rostered)
After 2 ½ months down on the farm, Spencer Torkelson has finally returned to Detroit. A double and triple in his first game back is a good way to reintroduce yourself. Let’s hope we see a return to the form that saw the 24-year-old slug 31 homers and drove in 94 runs as a rookie last year.
Jordan Walker, OF, STL (CBS: 32% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered)
Four months down on the farm and in a very crowded Cardinals outfield, Walker is off to a 1-for-13 start. The long year continues for the youngster. Bid small and hope for a hot streak.
Weston Wilson, OF, PHI (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Wilson has hit three homers and stolen two bases, which is not shocking considering he was a 30-30 player at Triple-A last year. He still strikes out too much, but not enough to force Brandon Marsh to the bench against Southpaws.
The Closer Report
Aroldis Chapman, RP, PIT (CBS: 21% rostered, ESPN: 10% rostered)
David Bednar’s struggles continue, as he has allowed runs in 6-of-his-past-7 appearances. The Pirates have stuck with him so far, but their infinite patience might be tested at some point.
Seranthony Dominguez, RP, BAL (CBS: 18% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
Craig Kimbrel’s last save was on July 7. The inconsistencies have forced the O’s into looking at one-time Philly Seranthony Dominguez in the ninth inning. He’s now 2-for-2 since being acquired at the trade deadline, with a very high likelihood of more saves in the immediate future.
Tyler Holton, RP, DET (CBS: 8% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
Holton has opened, closed, and yesterday went three clean innings in a middle-relief role. His portfolio shouldn’t be ignored if you’re scrambling to find arms.
Cole Sands, RP, MIN (CBS: 2% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Rocco Baldelli has been utilizing incumbent closer Jhoan Duran all over the place this year, affording save opportunities to the traditional setup men. Cole Sands pitched a clean ninth last night for his 4’th save of the year. There will be more.
