The hitter and pitcher notes are robust this week, filled with both injury news and free-agency happenings that will impact fantasy leagues. After only one team was stuck with just five games this week, five draw the short stick and appear in this week’s notable matchups section. They are joined by the three teams playing in Rocky Mountain air next week.
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Notable Matchups
Reds at Indians (2), vs. Rangers (3)
Not all short weeks are created equal, and Cincinnati’s is better than most. Two of its five games are played in hitter-friendly Progressive Field. The Tribe’s home park has the fourth-highest park factor for runs (1.095) and also boosts homers (1.040). Additionally, the Reds will have the luxury of using a designated hitter for those two contests. They’ll close the week in their hitter and homer-friendly home park. The pitching matchups are ho-hum and shouldn’t dissuade gamers from using Reds hitters.
Indians vs. Reds (2), at Tigers (3)
The hits keep coming — and not the type the Indians would like — this season, and more is to come on that. A short week that includes facing Luis Castillo is no bueno for Cleveland’s bats.
Astros vs. Brewers (2), vs. Blue Jays (3)
Houston’s supremely talented trio of George Springer, Jose Altuve, and Carlos Correa remain on the mend, and the remaining healthy members of the injury-depleted roster have a short week. On the plus side, the pitching matchups are soft. Having said that, all five games next week are in Houston, and Minute Maid Park has the third-lowest park factor for runs (0.866) and also keeps homers in check (0.945 park factor for homers).
Brewers at Astros (2), at Giants (3)
The Brewers are one of the aforementioned Astros’ opponents next week, and they’ll pick up the services of a designated hitter for two games in Houston against righties Brad Peacock and Justin Verlander. The tough pitching matchups and pitcher-friendly park factors outweigh the positives of using a designated hitter instead of the pitcher for Milwaukee’s offensive outlook. They close the week against three straight southpaws in another pitcher-friendly stadium, Oracle Park (0.956 for runs). Making matters worse, San Francisco’s home also has the lowest park factor for homers (0.688) by a wide margin.
Giants vs. Padres (2), vs. Brewers (3)
Speaking of Oracle Park, the Giants are home for their five-game week. San Francisco’s already bad offense was dealt a blow that I’ll elaborate on more below, and there isn’t anything about its offense that screams fantasy-friendly.
Padres at Giants (2), at Rockies (4)
The Friars are San Francisco’s other opponent next week, but hitting in the spacious park for two games will be more than offset by Coors Field’s dreamy hitting conditions. All five of San Diego’s currently projected opposing starters are right-handed hurlers.
Cubs at Rockies (3), at Dodgers (4)
The Cubs open the week with three in Colorado. A trip to Coors Field always results in the arrow pointing upward for the hitters traveling there. The pitching matchups for four games in Los Angeles against the National League West rival Dodgers dampens the outlook a bit, but Coors Field for three and a full complement of seven games brings the tally to two checks in the pros column and just one in the cons column for the Cubs’ hitters next week.
Rockies vs. Cubs (3), vs. Padres (4)
The Rockies have six games on the road this week, but next week is a dreamy one with seven games at home. Fire up your Rockies hitters and enjoy the offensive fireworks.
Hitter Notes
Andrew McCutchen (OF – PHI)
Jay Bruce (OF – PHI)
McCutchen, unfortunately, tore his ACL in his right knee earlier this week. He’ll be out for the remainder of the season. Philadelphia traded for Bruce to serve as depth before McCutchen’s season-ending injury, and the deal will help ease the blow of the former MVP’s absence. Bruce should play an everyday role in left field for his new club. His lone fantasy calling card is his fence-clearing power, and this one-trick pony’s one trick will get a lift from Citizens Bank Park’s left-handed park factor of 1.229 for homers, fourth-highest in MLB. He’s a batting average liability, and his walk rate isn’t high enough to help him much in OBP leagues either. However, gamers who need some pop should give Bruce a look.
Buster Posey (C – SF)
Posey’s return from the concussion IL was short-lived, and he’s now on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain. An MRI revealed that the injury is minor, and it’s possible he’ll return in the minimum number of days on June 12. Gamers in leagues with weekly lineup changes would be best served keeping him in an IL spot or on the bench even with a potential return in the middle of next week possible.
Robinson Cano (2B – NYM)
Cano was more fortunate than the aforementioned Posey, as the veteran second baseman will avoid a return trip to the IL for a left quad injury. He was out of the Mets’ lineup Thursday, but he’ll be reevaluated Friday and should avoid an IL trip. According to Mike Puma of New York Post, Cano informed manager Mickey Callaway his quad felt “OK” Thursday after working out at Citi Field. It’s possible he could be back in the lineup Friday if the reevaluation goes smoothly.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (SS – SD)
Tatis Jr. was activated from the IL before Thursday’s game and slotted into the leadoff spot. Get him back in fantasy lineups.
Charlie Blackmon (COL – OF)
Didi Gregorius (NYY – SS)
Usually I reserve clumping the analysis of multiple players together for teammates exclusively, but this is an exception. Both Blackmon and Gregorius are expected back from the IL Friday. Blackmon should be re-inserted into fantasy lineups immediately, but Gregorius can be kept on benches to shake off the rust a bit more after performing poorly in his Triple-A rehab assignment.
Pitcher Notes
Carlos Carrasco (CLE)
Mike Clevinger (CLE)
The Indians have placed Carrasco on the 10-day IL with a blood condition. The veteran righty is sifting through treatment options, and although he doesn’t have a timetable for his return, the team expects him back at some point this season. Clevinger threw 58 pitches in two innings at the Triple-A level as part of his rehab. The start was up and down, including a clean first but messy second. The Indians haven’t released details about his second rehab start yet, but a return to the parent club before the end of June appears probable.
Craig Kimbrel (CHC)
Dallas Keuchel (ATL)
The wait to sign with new clubs is over for Kimbrel and Keuchel. The former inked a three-year deal with the Cubs and will serve as their closer, and the latter has reached an agreement with the Braves. Both will require some time to get up to speed before helping their new teams, but both should be added immediately in leagues in which they’re available. As of Friday morning, Kimbrel is available in 15% of Yahoo leagues and 32% of ESPN leagues, and Keuchel is available in 28% of Yahoo leagues and 49% of ESPN leagues.
Framber Valdez (HOU)
I wrote about Valdez earlier in the week, and to update my analysis, he’s joining Houston’s rotation and starting Saturday against the Orioles. He can be streamed in leagues as shallow as 12-team mixers for his favorable start and has potential sticking power with another favorable matchup against the Blue Jays the following Saturday.
Matt Strahm (SD)
Strahm was placed on the IL with a rib strain. He’d been pitching through the injury, and it’s not considered serious. He’s expected to miss just 10-12 days, per manager Andy Green.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
