Sunday’s Roto Roundup: Wainwright Wins #19

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright is on the verge of a 20 win season after winning his 19th game of the season on Sunday. Wainwright held the Padres to one run in 8 innings while giving up 8 baserunners and striking out 7. Wainwright has a 2.45 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and has struck out 206 in 224+ innings this season. He is one of the top 5 starting pitchers in baseball and should be drafted in rounds 2-4 in mixed league drafts in 2011.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera blew his 4th save of the season on Sunday by giving up a game tying HR to Orioles outfielder Luke Scott. Even still, Rivera should be the first closer off draft boards in 2011.

Red Sox starter Jon Lester won his 18th game of the season on Sunday, shutting out the Blue Jays on 4 hits in 7 innings. Lester has a 3.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 212 strikeouts in 197 innings. Lester is a top 10-12 starting pitcher going into 2011 drafts.

Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel earned his first major league save on Sunday, as manager Bobby Cox decided to rest closer Billy Wagner after he saved the last two games. Kimbrel gave up a hit, but struck out Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Chris Carter to earn the save. Kimbrel, who is the Braves closer of the future, has struck out 12 and walked none in the 5 innings since getting called up in early September. Kimbrel is a must have in keeper leagues.

Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla his his 31st HR of the season on Sunday. Uggla is hitting .282-.367-.506 with 31 HRs and 96 RBIs and is having the best year of his career. He has steadily improved his walk rate every year and is one of the more consistent power hitters in the game, as he has hit 30+ HRs in each of the last 4 seasons.

Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth went 3-5 with 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and a game winning, walk-off HR off of Nationals closer Drew Storen on Sunday. Werth is hitting .292-.381-.521 with 24 HRs, 76 RBIs and 11 SBs. Even with the drop in power and speed this season, Werth will likely earn a hefty payday this offseason now that he is represented by the best agent in all of sports, Scott Boras.

For his second outing in a row, Dodgers former closer Jonathan Broxton has little, if any, control, as he walked 3 batters, and gave up a hit while getting 2 outs on Sunday. On Friday night, Broxton walked 3, gave up 2 runs on 2 hits in 2/3rds of an inning. He either is injured or has no confidence on the mound. The Dodgers may look to sign a closer this offseason, or give the job to Kenley Jansen, who has struck out 32 and walked 12 in 21+ innings this season.