Only one team is scheduled for five games next week. A dozen teams have six games on the docket. Meanwhile, a whopping 17 teams are scheduled to play a week-high seven games.
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Notable Matchups
Tampa Bay Rays at WSH (2), at TOR (3)
The Rays have the dubious distinction of sitting at the bottom of the games-scheduled ladder next week with only five. They have some challenging pitching matchups, too, and three southpaws on the schedule. The short week coupled with facing three lefties and only two righties is especially damaging to the value of left-handed-hitting Brandon Lowe.
San Diego Padres at CIN (3), at PHI (3)
I didn’t expect to feature one of the 12 teams playing six games next week when 17 are scheduled for seven games. The Padres get my attention, though, because their lineup gets a massive homer-potential boost, playing three games at Great American Ball Park and three at Citizens Bank Park. According to the FantasyPros MLB Park Factors page, Great American Ball Park has the highest park factor for homers (1.347) and Citizens Bank Park sits third (1.202).
Cincinnati Reds vs. PHI (1), vs. SD (3), vs. CHC (3)
The Reds are home for a full complement of seven games next week. According to FanGraphs, they rank fourth in wRC+ (122), second in ISO (.215), and first in wOBA (.357) at home this year. Their pitching matchups are potentially challenging. However, the volume of games and home park factors more than makes up for the pitching matchups.
Colorado Rockies vs. PIT (3), vs. STL (4)
In addition to MLB’s second-most hitter-friendly park hosting seven games next week, its most hitter-friendly park, Coors Field, is host to seven games. These are the weeks you love rostering Rockies’ hitters. Further, the pitching matchups are exceedingly favorable, adding to the appeal of using Colorado’s bats next week.
Houston Astros vs. BAL (3), at CLE (4)
MLB’s top offense is set to feast next week. The Astros have seven games, and they don’t have a single challenging pitching matchup among the seven probable pitchers.
Los Angeles Angels at NYY (4), vs. BAL (3)
The Angels are scheduled to play all seven of their games next week in American League ballparks. Shohei Ohtani’s pitching matchup is scheduled to be against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, and the pitching matchups for Los Angeles’s offense are non-threatening. If you’re in a league with weekly lineup changes and have the option to use Ohtani as either a hitter or pitcher, this is easily a week to fire him up as a hitter.
Pittsburgh Pirates at COL (3), vs. MIL (4)
A trip to Coors Field and seven games overall next week is a plus for the hitters on the Pirates. Their stock is up for that scoring period.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. ARI (3), at COL (4)
Like their National League Central nemesis the Pirates, the Cardinals play at Coors Field next week. They get an extra game in MLB’s premier hitting venue compared to the Buccos. Further, their pitching matchups for the entire week are Charmin-soft. The Red Birds should pile up offensive statistics next week.
Hitter Notes
Byron Buxton (MIN)
Byron Buxton’s been electric when on the field. Unfortunately, injuries have derailed his season. He recently returned from a hip injury, and now he’s slated to miss extended time with a left-hand fracture.
Luke Voit (NYY)
Luke Voit’s wasted no time getting back into the swing of things, returning from the injured list this week and muscling up for a couple of homers. He needs to be back in fantasy baseball lineups immediately.
Adalberto Mondesi (KC)
Adalberto Mondesi hit the injured list for the third time this year earlier this week. A left oblique strain sidelines him this go-round.
Alex Bregman (HOU)
Alex Bregman will be sidelined “at least two to three weeks or more,” according to manager Dusty Baker.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)
Ronald Acuña Jr. was scratched from the lineup Wednesday with back tightness and remained out of the lineup on Thursday.
Ronald Acuña Jr. still has back tightness, will get another day to rest and see if he’s ready Friday. Heredia (wrist) is available to pinch-hit tonight.
– David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 24, 2021
Stay tuned for updates entering the weekend.
Franmil Reyes (CLE)
Franmil Reyes has begun a rehab assignment at the Triple-A level. Before beginning the assignment, Zack Meisel of The Athletic tweeted the club would re-evaluate him at the end of the week.
Franmil Reyes will get three at-bats tomorrow for Triple-A Columbus as he begins his rehab assignment. The team will re-evaluate him when they return to Cleveland from their roadtrip at the end of the week.
– Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 21, 2021
Gamers could have him back as soon as next week.
Pitcher Notes
Aaron Civale (CLE)
Aaron Civale is on the injured list with a sprained middle finger that’s expected to keep him off the diamond for four to five weeks.
Luis Severino (NYY)
Luis Severino is on the mend from a groin strain that’s halted his return from Tommy John surgery. It appears he’s making progress from the groin strain.
Luis Severino continues to move around well, working back from his groin strain.
He’s been out here stretching and doing mobility drills pretty much every day this homestand. pic.twitter.com/TW9Mr7ORGE
– Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) June 24, 2021
Looks like Luis Severino is running at a full sprint now, another good sign as he works closer to returning to his rehab assignment. pic.twitter.com/euwE6rnREg
– Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) June 24, 2021
Max Fried (ATL)
Max Fried is on the injured list with a blister. The Braves held out hope he’d be healed in time for Wednesday’s scheduled start. However, that didn’t come to fruition. It’s possible that’s the only start he misses.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
