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Closing Time: Lucas Giolito gets the call

The Washington Nationals have called up Lucas Giolito, finally (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
The Washington Nationals have called up Lucas Giolito, finally (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

Because the Washington Nationals care deeply about your fantasy team’s pitching needs (and also because Stephen Strasubrg is dealing with a slight back/rib malfunction), the team is calling up elite pitching prospect Lucas Giolito for a Tuesday start against the Mets. As most of you already know, this is an actionable fantasy event.

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Giolito, 21, is a gigantic right-hander (6-foot-6) with upper-90s heat, plus a big-breaking curve and excellent change. He’s posted a 3.17 ERA (3.22 FIP) at Double-A this season, striking out 72 batters in 71.0 innings. When he’s right, he’s almost untouchable. When he’s not-quite-right, he can walk as many batters as he whiffs. So he’s your standard-issue blue chip pitching prospect, basically.

We won’t go so far as to guarantee a monster outing from Giolito on Tuesday, but he’s the sort of guy you want to add on potential. There’s a clear opportunity for him to run away with a rest-of-season gig, because veteran starter Gio Gonzalez has been mauled in his last seven starts (0-6). Add Giolito where you can, just in case. Even if you don’t need another arm, he’s at least a quality trade chip.

  • Take a victory lap if you own Kris Bryant, because there’s a very good chance you’ll win your head-to-head week. We rarely mention a universally owned player like KB in Closing Time, but it’s not every day we get a 5-for-5, three-homer, two-double performance from any batter. Highlights here. That was obscene. Two of the bombs landed in the upper-deck at Cincy.

  • The Rays mauled Eduardo Rodriguez on Monday, chasing him back to the minors. He allowed 11 hits, nine earned runs and two homers in just 2.2 innings. Dustin Pedroia gave him an in-game earful before he was pulled. Five different Tampa Bay hitters had three-hit nights, including new arrival Oswaldo Arcia.

  • Danny Duffy was great again, earning a win over the Cards, allowing just two runs and striking out eight batters over 8.0 frames. No walks for Duffy on Monday, who’s reduced his walk-rate from 9.5 percent (career) to 6.0 while his Ks have jumped.

  • Vincent Velasquez made a triumphant return from the DL, striking out seven Diamondbacks over 5.0 scoreless innings, earning a win. Add as needed. For the year, Velasquez has a 3.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, with 80 Ks in 66.2 innings.

  • Daniel Mengden took another solid turn for Oakland, finally picking up a win. The 23-year-old right-hander went 7.2 innings against the Giants, limiting them to four hits and two runs while punching out five. Mengden’s WHIP sits at 1.17 after four starts, and he hasn’t yet allowed more than three runs in any outing for the A’s. He’s approved for use in mixers.