Julio Teheran may be one of the best two-start options this week. Photo: USA TODAY
The All-Star Break turned week 16 into 3 days and although some leagues consider this an extension of week 16, for the sake of the consistency, we’ll call this week 17. Either way, it’s time to get your lineups set for a full week of baseball and we’ve got the links to help you out. Whether it’s two-start options, hitting matchups, streaming choices or volume plays, we’ve brought you all the angles to make sure you’re prepped.
ROTOPROFESSOR: TWO START PITCHERS: IS THIS THE WEEK TO TAKE A FEW GAMBLES?
After the All-Star Break, the top pitchers usually pitch in those first few games which leaves week 17 with less options. That being said, Eric Stashin (Rotoprofessor) grades out this weeks two-start pitchers from his Tier 1 “The Elite” to Tier 6 “Not a Chance” guys. On top of that, he provides his thoughts on pitchers that may raise some eyebrows such as Justin Verlander falling in his Tier 4. Visit Rotoprofessor to find out why Verlander landed where he did and to view all of your two-start options for this week. In the meantime, here are Stashin’s Tier 2 “Not Quite Elite” and Tier 3 “More Risk, But Among The Better Options”.
Tier 2 – Not Quite Elite
Julio Teheran (MIA, SD)
Scott Kazmir (HOU, @TEX)
Hyun-Jin Ryu (@PIT, @SF)
Tier 3 – More Risk, But Among The Better Options
Mat Latos (@MIL, WAS)
Doug Fister (@COL, @CIN)
Cliff Lee (SF, ARI)
CBS SPORTS: START AND SIT HITTERS FOR WEEK 17
Scott White (CBS Sports) has his position-by-position breakdown for Week 17 so fantasy players can know which hitters to start/sit. In addition, he provides his sleepers for the upcoming week as well as the best and worst hitting schedules. Obviously there are some players that you won’t sit regardless the situation and in those cases, White has them outlined under the “Too obvious” category. Players such as Victor Martinez will have three games in Arizon which means the Tigers will have to get creative in ways to get him in the lineup. Even without the DH spot in play, Martinez falls into category above among first basemen. Let’s take a look to see who isn’t on the “too obvious” list among first and third basemen.
| Three Best Hitting Schedules | ||
| Detroit Tigers | @ARI – 3 | @LAA – 4 |
| Chicago White Sox | KC – 3 | @MIN – 4 |
| Cleveland Indians | @MIN – 3 | @KC – 4 |
| Three Worst Hitting Schedules | ||
| Tampa Bay Rays | @STL – 2 | BOS – 3 |
| San Francisco Giants | @PHI – 4 | LAD – 3 |
| Cincinnati Reds | @MIL – 3 | WAS – 3 |
First Base
Too obvious: Miguel Cabrera, Paul Goldschmidt, Jose Bautista, Jose Abreu, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rizzo, Freddie Freeman, Todd Frazier, Victor Martinez, Brandon Moss, Jonathan Lucroy, Justin Morneau, Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Adams, Eric Hosmer
Start: Mark Teixeira, Yankees
The Yankees will play at home all week where Teixeira is slugging 60 points higher than on the road. He’ll face homer-prone pitchers like Miles Mikolas, Scott Baker, Colby Lewis, Drew Hutchison and J.A. Happ which should give him plenty of opportunity to take advantage of the short right field. Start Teixeira over the likes of Mike Napoli, Allen Craig and Ryan Howard.
A .218 batting average since mid-June and a Week 17 that see’s the likes of Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett, Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound doesn’t bode well for the Giants 1B/OF. Add the fact that Morse is batting .196 against left-handed pitchers (he’ll face four in week 17) and there are surely better options out there such as Mark Teixeira, Lucas Duda and Steve Pearce.
Third Base
Too obvious: Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre, Anthony Rendon, Todd Frazier, Josh Donaldson, David Wright, Evan Longoria, Kyle Seager, Matt Carpenter, Ryan Zimmerman, Manny Machado, Carlos Santana, Pedro Alvarez
Start: Conor Gillaspie, White Sox
Hitting over .300 all season isn’t enough for Gillaspie as he has been on fire in July batting .378 with four home-runs. The White Sox at times sat Gillaspie and usually it has been against lefties. The Sox will face two this week, but both are very hittable (Bruce Chen and Kris Johnson). Gillaspie should feast on Jeremy Guthrie, Kevin Correia and Yohan Pino in his other games. Play Gillaspie over Pablo Sandoval, Lonnie Chisenhall or Casey McGehee.
Although Arenado seemed to be finding his groove after missing six weeks and is playing six games at home, he has a few factors working against him. The first factor includes facing Doug Fister, Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg. The second factor is that Arenado is one of the few Rockies who plays better on the road (.254 avg at Coors Field). This week just might not be the week for Arenado, consider others such Aramis Ramirez, Martin Prado or Brock Holt.
ROTOWORLD: WEEK AHEAD: BREAK OUT
Coming out of the All-Star breaks means most teams will be running out their No. 4 and 5 starters on Monday and Tuesday. That being said, Nick Nelson (Rotoworld) will give you his sneaky plays for Week 17 that can give your team a boost. Considering two-start options are limited this week, streaming may be a better option and in that case, Nelson has his “Stream City” list for you as well. Have a look below to see who some of those options are. For the full pitching rundown in Week 17, head over to Rotoworld.
Sneaky Two-Start Plays
- Miguel Gonzalez – He’s scheduled for a couple road starts but has pitched well lately and showed his stuff in his last two starts prior to the All-Star Break.
- Jacob deGrom – deGrom has a 3.18 ERA and averages a strikeout per inning in 12 starts with the Mets. He’ll hit the road twice which isn’t ideal, but he’s worth the risk.
- Jake Odorizzi – 10.3 K/9 rate and 2.79 ERA since the start of June. Pick him up if he’s out there.
- Eric Stults – He has a 3.07 ERA over his last 5 starts and is widely available. He’s at least worth a look.
Streamer City
American League:
Edwin Jackson vs. SD (Thurs 7/24) – A home game against the Padres should get Jackson back on track
Dillon Gee @ MIL (Thurs 7/24) – A healthy Gee sports a 2.56 ERA and 1.06 WHIP
John Danks @ MIN (Fri 7/25) – Danks is 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA in his last four starts
ESPN: FANTASY FORECASTER: WEEK OF JULY 18
Whether your league uses a 10-day scoring period due to the All-Star Break or not, there are many who can adjust their lineups throughout the week. Tristan Cockcroft (ESPN) provides his fantasy forecaster for the period of July 18 – July 27. Due to the extended week and increased number of games, there are certain factors to keep in mind when adjusting your lineup. One of those factors is the MLB non-waiver trading deadline. Certain players such as David Price, Ian Kennedy and Jake Peavy all are rumored to be on the trade block which can affect their scheduled starts. Other factors that are more in your control are hitting advantages for teams and players this week. Below you’ll find Cockcroft’s “volume plays” for the week which are teams that play the most home games, or games against right- or left-handed starters. For the rest of his fantasy forecaster, visit ESPN.
Volume Plays
Home Games:
- Los Angeles Angels – 10
- Minnesota Twins – 10
- New York Yankees – 10
- Atlanta Braves – 10
- Seattle Mariners – 7
- Toronto Blue Jays – 7
- Milwaukee Brewers – 7
- Philadelphia Phillies – 7
Versus RH:
- Los Angeles Angels – 9
- Toronto Blue Jays – 9
- Baltimore Orioles – 8
- Detroit Tigers – 8
- New York Yankees – 8
- Oakland Athletics – 8
- Los Angeles Dodgers – 8
- Milwaukee Brewers – 8
- New York Mets – 8
Versus LH:
- Pittsburgh Pirates – 7
- San Francisco Giants – 5
- Cleveland Indians – 4
- Houston Astros – 4
- Kansas City Royals – 4
- Minnesota Twins – 4
- Philadelphia Phillies – 4
