Anthony DeSclafani (SP, Cin): DeSclafani was effective in his first start of the season, tossing six one-run innings with eight hits, three walks and two strikeouts. The K:BB ratio obviously doesn't portend good future results, but he showed in the second half of last season that he can limit walks and get K's at an above average rate (8.28 K/9 in the second half of 2015, 1.51 BB/9). The Reds are a cellar dwelling team, so those in standard roto leagues that are perpetually in the search for more wins won't likely see a ton of them, but DeSclafani flashed the skills of a solid #3 starting pitcher in the second half of last year and should be rostered in anything deeper than a 10-team mixed league. He threw 184.2 innings last season as well, so in points leagues he's a guy that can generate value by pitching fairly deep into games. He's only owned in 26% of Yahoo leagues at the moment, so he should be readily available in many leagues. He'll be worth starting in a friendly matchup against the Braves at Turner Field in his next start.
Jeremy Hellickson (SP, Phi): Hellickson continued to get killed by the long ball, giving up three home runs in his start on Friday against the Nationals. He gave up seven earned runs on nine hits and three walks in six innings, fanning only two. He fell to 4-4 with the start, and while it's tempting to look at his strikeout (8.56) and walk (2.41) rates and be interested in the profile, the simple fact is he just can't keep the ball in the park. He's now given up 14 bombs on the season, good for a 1.69 HR/9 and lending to his 4.34 ERA. His xFIP likes him at 3.64, but that's regressing his HR/FB rate down from his current 20% mark down to league average, but he's always allowed a ton of fly balls and had an elevated HR/FB. Stream him in matchups against poor offenses or in spacious ballparks only. He'll have a home matchup with the Blue Jays his next time out, which you'll want to avoid.
Junior Guerra (SP, Mil): Guerra continued his improbable success against the Mets, requiring only 83 pitches to roll through six and two-thirds innings. He allowed only one earned run on five hits and three walks, striking out two, but was stuck with a no-decision. Guerra has gone at least six innings in all but one of his starts this season, and at this point is very viable in mixed leagues. His ERA now sits at 3.31, though he's realistically more of a mid-to-high three's ERA starter, factoring in some regression from his current .267 BABIP and lack of elite stuff. His next scheduled start would be against the Giants, but Matt Garza's return might shift things around in the Brewers rotation. There should be no way Guerra loses his spot in the rotation before Wily Peralta given the way they've pitched, but keep an eye on their rotation heading into next week.
Trevor Rosenthal (RP, StL): Rosenthal blew only his second save of the season in an extra innings affair with the Pirates, and his ERA sits only at 3.43, but his peripherals should have his owners looking for handcuffs. He walked two batters on Friday with two hits and gave up an earned run in his sole inning of work. He's now got 18 walks in his 21 innings of work this season, though his 31 strikeouts have kept the damage to a minimum. If we're looking for handcuffs, Kevin Siegrist has been good for the Cards, but he's a lefty and managers often prefer to keep those guys available for matchups. Seung-Hwan Oh has been the primary setup man for Rosenthal, and has been an excellent addition for the Cardinals bullpen thus far; he owns a 46:8 K:BB ratio with a 1.60 ERA this season. He's the handcuff here, and the wise Rosenthal owner would pick up some insurance by adding Oh.
Jake McGee (RP, Col): McGee blew up in grand style in the ninth inning against the Padres, taking his third blown save and second loss of the season after allowing four earned runs on four hits. His ERA ballooned to a mighty 4.98 on the season, and if you weren't worried before, you should be now. His strikeout rate is way, way down, from 11.57 K/9 a year ago to 6.23. If you're going to handcuff him, there aren't a lot of great options in that bullpen, but the current handcuff is Carlos Estevez. He's got a 4.66 ERA himself, but is at least striking out batters at a 10.24 K/9 clip.
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