As soon as we returned to normalcy, the schedule fell apart. Week 1 of the 2020 season was supposed to have more games than any other for the remainder of the year. By Sunday, we had seen the Yankees, Phillies, Orioles, and, of course, Marlins cancel games for non-weather related issues. Such is life in 2020.
We’ll do what we can given the circumstances. We now know how fragile and flexible the schedule can be, and we have to accept all possibilities. There isn’t necessarily a way around it, but it might be wise to diversify the games and teams we are targeting.
Notable Matchups
Milwaukee Brewers vs. White Sox (2), at White Sox (2), vs. Reds (3)
We will never get away from the importance of volume in 2020. The Milwaukee Brewers have said volume in Week 2, and they are the first team to highlight. Not only are they filled with a seven-game schedule in a seven-day span, but five are at home and the two road games are in Chicago against the White Sox. Both venues — Milwaukee and Chicago — are excellent for home runs.
Colorado Rockies vs Giants (4), at Mariners (3)
It’s difficult to imagine a week in which we don’t mention the Colorado Rockies. At one point, they are almost always guaranteed to play at home — and, as a result, be primed for an offensive explosion. This week, they have four games in their own ballpark, but this isn’t the only reason for the highlight.
At the time of this writing, the Rockies are 4-1 and lead the National League West in winning percentage. Their next seven games are against the Giants and Mariners, both of whom currently have losing records.
Cleveland Indians at Reds (2), vs. Reds (2), at Brewers (3)
If the Rockies are mentioned because of their impressive record, then the same is true about the Cleveland Indians. We’ll take it one step further with Cleveland, however, as they aren’t only winning games, but doing so with completely dominant pitching performances.
To date, the only team that has allowed fewer runs than Cleveland is, surprisingly, Colorado. The Indians do, however, lead the league in ERA. With a full seven-game schedule — including five in hitter-friendly ballparks — it will be interesting to see if Cleveland can continue to thrive on the mound.
Miami Marlins vs. Phillies (3), at Mets (3)
There’s no way around mentioning the Miami Marlins and COVID-19. They are part of the “Notable Matchups” section strictly because we don’t know what to expect and we must pay attention. As of now, the Marlins have five games scheduled, but we know how quickly this might change. The good news is that games could be added in the near future, so we have a chance to catch up with some counting statistics if Miami were to return to play with a heavy schedule.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Red Sox (2), vs. Yankees (4)
While there is no distinct advantage or disadvantage worth mentioning with the Tampa Bay Rays’ Week 2 schedule, it is noteworthy because of the opponents. The Rays — currently with a winning record — will play host to two division opponents over the next six games. The term “play host” is not a throwaway comment. Tampa Bay will be home for all six matchups.
Hitter Notes
I wrote about him last week, but I’m running the highlighter over his name one more time. Trent Grisham is sliding onto all fantasy radars as he is finding success in the first half of the San Diego Padres’ lineup. To date, he sits in the top-30 of all hitters for offensive value thanks to his two home runs, five runs scored, and four runs batted in. We should be grateful that he remains in front of Manny Machado and is still available in many leagues.
If you had JaCoby Jones being tied for the league lead in home runs after the first six games of the season, you’re the one! Congratulations on your foresight. Otherwise, marvel at the fact that JaCoby Jones is tied for the league lead in home runs after the six games of the season. He also hasn’t walked, which is a surprisingly good sign for his aggressiveness. It won’t always work out, but we may be looking at a player throwing caution to the wind in order to make noise in an unorthodox season.
Tommy Pham (OF – SD) and Trevor Story (SS – COL)
It was quite clear that speed was going to be a concern in a short season. Not only is the entire league running less frequently, but we have fewer games for stolen base leaders to separate themselves from the pack. We are seeing this in both the leader of the category and those who have swiped more than one bag. That is, after six games, only four players have at least two stolen bases. The big names in this category are Tommy Pham and Trevor Story.
Story makes the list for already holding a multiple-stolen-base tag as a player also capable of leading the league in home runs, but Pham is highlighted for his league-leading four steals. If we’re being technical, that’s at least a 300 percent increase over everyone else in Major League Baseball except Story, Teoscar Hernandez, and Shed Long. Maybe the league leader will separate from the pack.
Daulton Varsho was officially promoted to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he becomes one of the more interesting prospects for 2020. He can hit and run, but the critical piece to his fantasy game is the eligibility at catcher. Why is he not a must-add? Playing time. Varsho will initially be used off the bench or in select spots, but he doesn’t have a guaranteed starting position. Still, keep close tabs on him and, if you have an extra roster spot to burn — or if you are lost at catcher — then fill the void with Varsho.
Get ready. It looks like Nick Madrigal will soon by joining the Chicago White Sox. This matters for multiple reasons.
Chicago was a hot pick to be a surprise team in 2020, and the slow start is certainly not comforting for an organization with higher expectations. Bringing up Madrigal basically puts the future of the team together now. This is similar to what the Blue Jays did last year, and we’re already seeing it pay dividends for Toronto.
The other reason why Madrigal matters is name value. He’s extremely popular among many diehard fantasy baseball circles, and he will carry a premium in the near future. If you want him, now is the time to pounce.
Pitcher Notes
I’m starting to think Lance Lynn reads my articles and is performing solely out of spite. He continues to prove me wrong.
Lynn has now gone through two starts — twelve combined innings — and allowed a total of three hits. He has walked six in these two starts, but it’s clear that Lynn refuses to get beat by hitters. At the time of this writing, he also has the lowest batting average against — 0.077 — of all pitchers with two starts. He is also one-of-two-pitchers to not allow a single run over the first two starts of the season.
Shane Bieber is the second-of-two pitchers to not allow an earned run over two starts, and he is the only pitcher currently more impressive than Lynn.
Through two games, he has not only amassed 14 shutout innings, but tallied a ridiculous 27 strikeouts. Forget pitchers; this ranks above two teams – Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies. Granted, Miami and Philadelphia have only played three games, but Bieber has also only appeared in two.
To put into context how incredible of a start to a season this is, we’re looking at a historical performance by Bieber. According to Elias — via MLB — Bieber set an American League record and tied a Major League record with 27 strikeouts in the first two starts of a season. As of right now, we do not need to look any further for the American League Cy Young favorite.
The American League clearly has some exciting pitchers to watch in 2020, but arguably the most exciting was Nate Pearson in his Major League debut. Pearson struck out five batters, allowed two hits, and walked two through five scoreless innings. The numbers don’t tell the story, though. Pearson was comfortable and confident on the mound, and it’s undeniable that he belongs at the highest level.
In terms of fantasy potential, Pearson is lined up for two starts in Week 2 — likely at Atlanta and at Boston — and must be owned and started in basically every format.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows from pitchers in the American League, as we turn our attention to one of the troubling arms. Hyun-Jin Ryu has simply been bad to start 2020, and it’s not necessarily likely to change.
In 2019, Ryu allowed a career-high line drive percentage, but a career-low fly ball percentage. This likely contributed to the lowest home-run-per-nine-inning ratio of the last four years. In addition, Ryu’s ERA was impossibly low — under 2.40 for back-to-back seasons — with a FIP of at least 3.00.
What we’re seeing now is the culmination of numbers sliding back into place. This is the output that is more aligned with Ryu’s actual data. He has proved that he can be effective without strikeouts — he only finished one Major League Baseball season with a strikeout ratio of at least one-per-inning — but the short season may not allow him the time to erase the poor start.
Week 2 Hitter Matchup Ratings
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