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MLB Weekly Planner: Week 16 (7/25 – 7/31)

MLB Weekly Planner: Week 16 (7/25 – 7/31)
Since his season-debut in June, Anthony DeSclafani has yet to lose a game and has recorded six straight quality starts

Since his season debut in June, Anthony DeSclafani has yet to lose a game and has recorded six straight quality starts

Jamie Calandro breaks down the top matchups and streaming options for the upcoming week.

This piece is part of our article program that features quality content from experts exclusively at FantasyPros. For more insight from Jamie head to Fantasy Team Advice.

Welcome to this edition of fantasy baseball’s planner for Week 16 (7/25 – 7/31). Whether you play in a league that offers weekly or daily lineup changes, you can still gain a distinct advantage by scouring the matchups for the week ahead and planning accordingly. This is the time to get your FAAB bids in or to make your waiver claims, and I’m here to help target to right guys.

In my DFS work on Fantasy Team Advice, I often write about the benefits of stacking your lineups against certain pitchers (or the reverse – targeting pitchers against certain lineups). While I don’t recommend piling on a ton of hitters from one team in seasonal leagues, you’ll find that the analysis of the selections is similar if you’re a DFS player.

NOTE – This is the last week before the trade deadline. Some potential deals could drastically affect some of these plays, so pay very close attention this week.

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STREAMING PITCHERS

TWO START OPTIONS

Michael Pineda (NYY) – @HOU, @TB
I think Pineda is primed for a big-time bounce-back in the second half, and his two starts this week are ripe with upside. His xFIP is 3.25 which is a full two runs lower than his ERA, and he is posting an elite 10.75 K/9 this season. The Astros and Rays both strike out in the top five against RHP, and the matchup in Tampa is a big park boost for Pineda.

Anthony DeSclafani (CIN) – @SF, @SD
There is no point whatsoever in owning Reds’ pitchers long term, but DeSclafani has pitched to a 2.50 ERA with a 15:1 K:BB ratio over his last five starts. The park boost in his favor can’t get any better as these two teams play in the two most pitcher-friendly parks. You always want to stream against the Padres as well as they rank 28th in wRC+ against RHP while striking out the second-most against them.

Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) – @MIA, @ATL
Eickhoff has fairly wide platoon splits, so these are pretty friendly matchups to attack. Both the Marlins and Braves are stingy in the strikeout department, but Miami throws out a very right-handed lineup (more so with Justin Bour out) and the Braves rank last in the majors in wRC+ and ISO against RHP. He also gets two solid park shifts in his favor.

ONE START WONDERS

Aaron Nola (PHI) – @ATL
This follows the same strategy from Eickhoff’s blurb, and Nola is a better pitcher. The time off seems to have done him good as he posted a gem in his first start out of the break, and the Braves are the worst offense in baseball against RHPs.

Adam Conley (MIA) – vs. PHI
I love Conley as a streamer this week. Control problems keep him from being an every-week starter, but he has a solid 8.86 K/9 this year, and the Phillies rank dead last in wRC+ against LHP while striking out the sixth most against them.

Robbie Ray (ARI) – @MIL
Let’s be clear on one thing – there is nothing safe about this pick whatsoever. It’s all about upside. Ray has struggled with hard contact this year, but he has an elite 10.52 K/9 and the Brewers strike out the most in the league.

STREAMING HITTERS

START

Chris Carter (1B – MIL)
The Brewers are scheduled to face four lefties right now (one of which is the aforementioned Ray) and Carter packs some serious platoon punch. He has a .362 wOBA and .329 ISO vs. LHP this season and will get the benefit of his hitter-friendly home park.

Cheslor Cuthbert (3B – KC)
The Royals get park boosts in their favor this week, and Cuthbert has been getting some solid lineup spots of late (second, fifth, etc…). He has speed to go along with a .937 OPS in the month of July. Ride it while you can cause it ain’t gonna last.

SIT

Adam Lind (1B/ DH – SEA)/Seth Smith (OF/DH – SEA)
The Mariners are a tricky team this week as they play five games in NL parks. That always poses a problem for AL teams as they lose their traditional DH. For them that’s Cruz, but I have a hard time believing they’ll sit him since he’s capable of the playing the outfield. That leaves Lind and Smith getting boots to the bench, especially since the Mariners are scheduled to face three LHPs.

Brandon Guyer (OF/DH – TB)
This is the same idea as above. The Rays have a series with the Dodgers in an NL park, so you have to watch the DH situation. Since the Rays are not scheduled to face a Dodgers’ lefty (barring a Julio Urias callup), Corey Dickerson would seem to get the nod with the platoon edge over Guyer.

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