Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Burch Smith is not likely to be cleared to return for the club this season after having sustained a forearm strain last week. Manager Bob Melvin provided an update Thursday, saying that he believed that it would be tough for Smith to make it back this season. Smith had quickly become one of the clubs vital cogs in its relief corps, having opened the year with five consecutive scoreless appearances. He secured his first big league save in addition to ...

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Burch Smith has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right forearm, paving the way for righty James Kaprielian, the clubs No. 13 prospect, to earn the call to the Major League roster. Smith had yet to be scored upon in 2020 prior to his outing Saturday; prior to his exit, he struck out three batters, giving him 13 Ks through 12 IP this year. Kaprielian boasts a power arm in his own right, having averaged 10.3 K/9 across three Minor ...

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Burch Smith entered play Saturday against the Giants not yet having allowed a run in 2020. Before his night was done, he would yield three runs and exit due to injury with righty Lou Trivino taking over for him. Smith has turned himself into a staple of the Oakland relief corps, having earned his first career save last Sunday with zero runs allowed in his first 10 frames. His fastball velocity dipped abruptly during his second inning of work, which could...

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Burch Smith is being moved to the bullpen in favor of Jorge Lopez, who will start against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Lopez was acquired in the trade that sent third baseman Mike Moustakas to the Brewers. In his last three starts, Smith allowed 18 hits (five home runs) and 16 earned runs over 10 2/3 innings to raise his season ERA to 6.97. He's obviously not a fantasy option. Lopez, a right-hander, had a 2.75 ERA, 1.48 [...]

You know what it is--it's my updated starts/sits column for Week 20! Your friendly neighborhood @Roto_Dubs is back again this year with his weekly starting pitcher matchups. This is our fifth year now writing this weekly column, helping fantasy baseball managers pick the best pitchers weekly. Below are the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 20, and our recommendations on whether to start or sit each pitcher.  If you've got any questions about which pitchers can capitalize on a j[...]

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Burch Smith got roasted again on Friday as he was run out in the second inning after already giving up five earned runs. Smith has now given up five or more earned runs in three straight starts, and his season ERA sits at a frightening 6.97. Smith was a feel-good story after a long absence from the majors, but the team's experiment with using his as a starter has failed miserably. Smith had seemed to have found his groove as a reliever in June and had five st[...]

You know what it is--it's my updated starts/sits column for Week 19! Your friendly neighborhood @Roto_Dubs is back again this year with his weekly starting pitcher matchups. This is our fifth year now writing this weekly column, helping fantasy baseball managers pick the best pitchers weekly. Below are the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 19, and our recommendations on whether to start or sit each pitcher.  If you've got any questions about which pitchers can capitalize on a j[...]

You know what it is--it's my updated starts/sits column for Week 18! Your friendly neighborhood @Roto_Dubs is back again this year with his weekly starting pitcher matchups. This is our fifth year now writing this weekly column, helping fantasy baseball managers pick the best pitchers weekly. Below are the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 18, and our recommendations on whether to start or sit each pitcher.  If you've got any questions about which pitchers can capitalize on a j[...]

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Burch Smith posted a stellar outing against Detroit on Tuesday to pick up his first major league win since 2013. It was also a record-setting performance for lowly Kansas City because it made the third-straight day in which a rookie started a game and went six innings while allowing three hits or fewer and striking out six in the performance. Apparently, that was a major league first. Smith has had some ups and downs so far as he's being transitioned into a s[...]

You know what it is--it's my updated starts/sits column for Week 16! Your friendly neighborhood @Roto_Dubs is back again this year with his weekly starting pitcher matchups. This is our fifth year now writing this weekly column, helping fantasy baseball managers pick the best pitchers weekly. Below are the projected starting pitching matchups for Week 16, and our recommendations on whether to start or sit each pitcher.  If you've got any questions about which pitchers can capitalize on a j[...]