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Roto Roundup: Jose Fernandez, Corey Kluber, Yovani Gallardo and others

Ray offers his thoughts on some of the top fantasy performers from Thursday's roto action, including Jose Fernandez, Corey Kluber, and others.

By Ray Guilfoyle

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Jose Fernandez returns from Tommy John surgery

I wrote about Marlins ace Jose Fernandez a few weeks ago as he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in the minors. Here is an excerpt:

I see a Matt Harvey-like performance once he gets back to pitching in the big leagues. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball before the injury and I don't see that changing when he returns. He will need a few starts to get to that point, but I think it won't take too many.

Well, Fernandez didn't pitch like an ace yesterday, but he pitched well enough to win, as he gave up 3 runs on 7 hits, no walks and 6 strikeouts in 6 innings in the Marlins 5-4 win over the Giants. Fernandez gave up two runs on three hits in the first inning, so he settled down afterward, giving up a run on just four hits over the next five innings. Fernandez may have some hiccups along the way, but it was a good sign to see him not walk anyone in his first outing of the season.

I believe we will see Fernandez get back to the ace he was before the injury, and think he can be a top 12-15 starter the rest of the season.

For more on Fernandez and the Marlins, check out Fish Stripes, SB Nation's Marlins fan site.

Roto Roundup

Indians starter Corey Kluber is one of the best pitchers in the game, and he was his old dominating self on Thursday afternoon, limiting the Rays to 3 runs on 7 hits, a walk while striking out 14 but left with a no decision once again in a game the Indians won. Kluber is just 3-9 on the season, which is a very odd record for such a dominating starter. He owns a 3.54 ERA, a 2.45 FIP, a 1.14 WHIP and a 141-24 strikeout to walk rate in 118.1 innings. He has struck out 12 or more batters in four of his last ten starts.

Twins starter Kyle Gibson is he opposite of dominating, the anti-Kluber if you will, but he has been very effective this season. Gibson shut out the Royals on 4 hits, 4 walks and 7 strikeouts in 8 innings in the Twins 2-0 win last night. The win moved Gibson's record to 6-6 with an excellent 3.04 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 65-33 strikeout to walk rate in just over 100 innings on the mound. Gibson, an elite ground ball pitcher,  induced 14 ground ball outs yesterday, and has given up two runs or less in six of his last ten starts.

Twins third base prospect Miguel Sano batted sixth in the Twins lineup last night, going 1-4 with two strikeouts. He has big time power, so he will eventually move up in the Twins order. I like that the Twins batted him in the sixth spot in the lineup, allowing him to get comfortable with big league pitching, but in a lineup that has few power hitters, he will move to the cleanup spot in due time, assuming he can make enough contact.

Who saw this from Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo this season? I sure didn't. Gallardo shut out the Orioles on 2 hits, 3 walks and 2 strikeouts in 6 innings in the Rangers 2-0 win last night, stretching his scoreless inning streak to 26.1 innings. Actually, he has given up two runs or less in nine of his last ten starts, but is doing so with very few strikeouts. Gallardo has changed from a being a big strikeout pitcher to more of a finesse pitcher, inducing ground balls at a 50%+ rate. He is 7-6 on the season with a 2.56 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 1.14 WHIP and a 72-31 strikeout to walk rate over 102 innings. He has to be considered a surprise for the Rangers with all the injuries they have sustained to their rotation this season. He is still available in about 36% of leagues right now and I would grab him if I could.

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