We’re now in the second half of the season. It kicked off with a bang, featuring the promotion of one of the game’s fastest-rising prospects, who appears in the hitter notes section below. This piece will look at the fantasy week ahead, starting Monday. Three teams are scheduled for a week-low five games. There are 13 teams scheduled to play six games, and another 13 are scheduled for seven. At the top of the heap is one team scheduled to play eight.

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Notable Matchups

Milwaukee Brewers vs. KC (2), vs. CWS (3)
It’s a suboptimal week for the Brewers next week. First, they’re one of three teams with only five games on the docket. Second, three are against the White Sox. The Pale Hose have the eighth-lowest team ERA (3.58), per FanGraphs.

Colorado Rockies vs. SEA (2), at LAD (3)
The Rockies also draw the short straw next week. Further, they face a Dodgers squad with the lowest team ERA (3.17). However, it’s not all doom and gloom. At least they play two games at Coors Field to open the week. The Mariners aren’t included among the teams featured in this section. However, gamers in leagues with daily changes should consider streaming from Seattle’s widely available hitters for their two games in Colorado.

Kansas City Royals at MIL (2), vs. DET (3)
The Royals are the third team scheduled for a week-low five games next week. They’ll also lose the services of a designated hitter for two games in Milwaukee. Overall, it’s a less-than-ideal situation for a lineup lacking in fantasy-relevant firepower.

Cincinnati Reds vs. NYM (3), vs. STL (3)
The Reds have a ho-hum six games on the agenda next week. However, those six games are at home, enhancing the appeal of using their hitters. According to FanGraphs, Cincinnati has the seventh-highest wRC+ (114) at home and the second-highest wOBA (.349).

New York Mets at CIN (3), vs. TOR (3)
The Mets also play six games next week, and their offense will get a pick-me-up from three games at Great American Ball Park. It has the second-highest park factor for runs (1.106) and the highest mark for homers (1.347). Additionally, New York’s lineup is becoming more potent by the day, with players returning from the injured list of late.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. SF (4), vs. COL (3)
The Giants present the Dodgers a potentially challenging start to the week, ranking second in team ERA (3.26). Still, seven games for one of the game’s best offenses more than offsets that concern. The Dodgers rank third in team wRC+ (111).

San Francisco Giants at LAD (4), vs. PIT (3)
I could almost get away with copy and pasting the Dodgers’ analysis here. The Giants have the unenviable task of facing the team with MLB’s lowest ERA (3.17) for four games. On the other hand, they’re scheduled for seven games and face the Pirates’ dreadful pitching staff. Pittsburgh has the sixth-highest team ERA (4.88). Also, San Francisco’s offense has been one of the best, ranking tied for fourth in wRC+ (110). The good outweighs the bad.

Minnesota Twins at CWS (4), vs. LAA (4)
A Monday doubleheader against the White Sox helps push the Twins to a week-high eight games next week. They’re in American League ballparks for all eight games, which is good news for Nelson Cruz. I noted Chicago’s pitching staff is top-10 in ERA above. However, the Angels provide them a soft matchup, posting the fifth-highest ERA (4.89) this season.

Hitter Notes

Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL)
The first half of the MLB season ended on a dour note. Ronald Acuna Jr. suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Given the timing of the injury, Acuna’s availability at the beginning of the 2022 season is in question.

Buster Posey (SF)
Buster Posey is on the injured list with a bone bruise to his thumb. However, he’s optimistic he’ll be ready for reinstatement to open the second half.

Jarren Duran (BOS)
Jarren Duran received his much-anticipated call-up for the Red Sox. He’s raked at the Triple-A level this year, greatly enhancing his long-term outlook. He’s a five-category contributor I recently discussed as a stash candidate ahead of the All-Star break for The Game Day. He should be rostered immediately in leagues as shallow as 12-team mixers.

J.D. Davis (NYM)
J.D. Davis’s activation from the injured list is imminent, and he ripped the cover off of the ball on his rehab assignment for Triple-A Syracuse. He mashed earlier in the year for the Mets, too. If he was cut loose in your league, he’s worth snatching up in leagues as shallow as 12-team mixers.

Pitcher Notes

Yu Darvish (SD)
Blake Snell (SD)
Dinelson Lamet (SD)
Three members of San Diego’s rotation find themselves on the injured list. First, Yu Darvish was placed on the injured list Sunday, July 11, with left hip inflammation, with the placement retroactive to Friday, July 9. Next, Blake Snell’s on the injured list retroactive to Tuesday, July 6, with gastroenteritis. Finally, Dinelson Lamet’s on the injured list with forearm inflammation as he continues to attempt to pitch through an ulnar collateral ligament strain.

Trevor Bauer (LAD)
Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave has been extended to July 27. Given the serious nature of the domestic violence restraining order filed by a woman he had sexual encounters with, it’s anyone’s guess how this will play out. I’m not going to hazard a guess.

Carlos Carrasco (NYM)
Carlos Carrasco is nearing a return from a significant hamstring injury that’s kept him on the injured list all year for the Mets. A timetable should come into clearer focus after seeing how he responds to Thursday’s rehab start for High-A Brooklyn.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.