The calendar ticks over to May on Wednesday. That means fantasy managers should begin seriously evaluating their teams. Are you deficient in a category? Do you need to fill in for a significant injury to your squad? Take stock of your team and make the necessary adjustments.
One way to gain an advantage in head-to-head leagues is by maximizing games played. Here is a look at the schedule to help accomplish that.
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A Look at the Schedule
Week 5 brings fantasy managers a slate of opportunity. Thirteen teams (Braves, Red Sox, White Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Brewers, Twins, Mets, Padres, Cardinals, Rays, Nationals) play seven games. There are 11 organizations (Diamondbacks, Cubs, Indians, Tigers, Angels, Marlins, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates, Mariners, Rangers) with five contests this week. The remaining six teams have six games.
In a weekly lock league, it is difficult to start anyone ranked outside the top-50 playing five games. It’s wise to take advantage of two additional opportunities for stats. Here is a look at the top streamers to add who are playing seven games and are owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Top Pickups
Ryan McMahon (1B/2B/3B – COL): 45% rostered
The Rockies only play three of their seven games at home, but McMahon is a player eligible at three infield positions who has power, speed, and on-base ability. It would not be shocking to see him be a 25-home run hitter with 15 steals and a .350 OBP if he stays healthy. McMahon also has the platoon advantage in six of the seven games in Week 5.
Ian Desmond (OF – COL): 47% rostered
Desmond is another power and speed option available in too many leagues. If he stays healthy, expect him to finish with over 20 home runs and 20 steals this season. With three games at Coors and four at Miller Park this week, add Desmond and hold him if you need stolen base help.
Jose Martinez (1B/OF – STL): 41% rostered
Martinez is batting .344 on the young season. He has started the Cardinals’ last eight games in place of the injured Harrison Bader, who returned from the injured list on Wednesday. If Martinez keeps receiving playing time, he is a contributor in both average and on-base percentage with 20-homer pop. He has strong splits against pitchers of either handedness and remains a standout add for Week 5.
Mitch Moreland (1B – BOS): 20% rostered
Moreland once again finds himself near the top of the streaming hitter’s list. The Red Sox play seven games (three in Boston before visiting the White Sox for four games). They are also scheduled to face all right-handed pitchers.
For his career, Moreland has batted .254/.323/.460 with 134 home runs against righties. His pace per 600 at-bats is 29 home runs. Moreland should be a consideration in any league.
Jesse Winker (OF- CIN): 45% rostered
Winker can be a difficult player to recommend in these articles. He is a career .309 batter against right-handed pitching with a .400 on-base percentage and 18 home runs in 446 plate appearances. However, he does not play against lefties.
The Reds are scheduled to face five right-handers next week, and Winker is batting third in the order against them. Add him with confidence, but be aware that he will likely only start those five games.
Jose Peraza (SS – CIN): 48% rostered
Peraza, who hit .288 with 14 home runs and 23 steals last year, is one of the top middle-infield adds for Week 5. Although struggling this month, the free swinger has enough power and speed to rebound as a worthwhile starter. The Reds travel to New York to face the Mets for four games before returning home to battle the Giants.
Yonder Alonso (1B – CWS): 15% rostered
The White Sox has seven games at home in Week 5, hosting the Baltimore Orioles for three and finishing up with a four-game set against the Red Sox. Alonso hits well against right-handed pitching (.271 average and .344 on-base for his career), and Chicago is facing four righties this week.
Kevin Kiermaier (OF – TB): 26% rostered
The Rays travel to Kansas City and Baltimore for seven road games in Week 5. Neither squad has an outstanding rotation this year. Kiermaier is an annual 20-homer and 20-steal threat if he can ever stay healthy for a full season. Add him for what should be a productive week.
Avisail Garcia (OF – TB): 17% rostered
An All-Star in 2017, Garcia batted .330 with 18 home runs. The 28-year-old is a fixture in the middle of the Rays’ order for the Rays this season. He can hit and should drive in plenty of runs.
Max Kepler (OF – MIN): 45% rostered
The Twins have four home games before heading to Yankee Stadium for a weekend set. They are scheduled to face five right-handed pitchers, and that is where Kepler excels. He is a 20-home run hitter who hits .246/.329/.450 against righties for his career.
Marwin Gonzalez (1B/2B/3B/SS/OF – MIN): 29% rostered
Gonzalez is off to a slow start, but the position flexibility is a plus. While he does not have fantastic power or speed, he should be a solid across-the-board contributor going forward.
Jorge Soler (OF – KC): 19% rostered
Playing every day in right field for the Royals, Soler already has six home runs and 15 RBIs. Kansas City has four home games before heading to Detroit over the weekend. Add Soler in deeper leagues or if you need power in Week 5.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (OF – BOS): 27% rostered
In 2018, Bradley Jr. hit .251 with 11 home runs and 15 steals in 404 plate appearances against right-handed pitching. The Red Sox are scheduled to face only righties in Week 5, which presents an opportunity for the outfielder to wake up from an ice-cold start.
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Tyler Watts is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Tyler, follow him @tylerpwatts.
