There are no five-game schedules next week. However, there is a quartet of teams with eight games and one with a week-high nine contests. The remaining teams play six or seven games, with 14 teams playing the former and 11 teams playing the latter.
Notable Matchups
Atlanta Braves at ARI (3), at COL (4)
It’s a luscious layout for the Braves next week. First, they play seven games. Second, the pitching matchups are favorable. Finally, they cap the week with four games at MLB’s premier hitting venue, Coors Field. As a result, all of Atlanta’s hitters get a value boost. Further, gamers should consider scooping up William Contreras in leagues as shallow as 12-team mixers — even single-catcher formats.
Colorado Rockies vs. MIA (3), vs. ATL (4)
It is wheels up for Colorado’s hitters. They should take off in flight next week, playing a seven-game week at home.
Miami Marlins at COL (3), vs. SF (4)
The Marlins are an attractive team for streaming from next week, namely in leagues with daily lineup changes. They’re the first visitors to Colorado. Still, even in leagues with weekly changes, the seven-game week enhances the value of the Marlins. Only Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jorge Soler are on 65% of Yahoo! rosters or more. The best widely available streaming option is Jesus Aguilar.
Detroit Tigers vs. MIN (5), at NYY (3)
The Tigers are one of four teams with eight games on the docket. Sadly, they don’t have many fantasy options. However, Spencer Torkelson and Miguel Cabrera might be streaming options in 14-team mixers using a corner infielder and utility.
Milwaukee Brewers at CHC (4), vs. SD (4)
Next, the Brewers also play eight games next week. Thankfully, they have more fantasy options than the Tigers. Luis Urias, Kolten Wong, and Andrew McCutchen are fringe-useful players gamers should feel good about using. The pitching layout is split down the middle, featuring four lefties and four righties. Cutch has been great against lefties. Thus, he gets a lift from half the games in the upcoming scoring period against southpaws.
Minnesota Twins at DET (5), at TOR (3)
The Twins are the third team of the quartet with eight games on the agenda in fantasy week eight. Minnesota will face at least four righties, with two spots in Detroit’s rotation up in the air. Therefore, Max Kepler and Luis Arraez will have the platoon advantage in at least half of Minnesota’s games. As a result, gamers should get them in their lineups.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. SD (3), at CHC (5)
The Cardinals are the last team with eight games next week. A pair of rookies, Juan Yepez and Brendan Donovan, are available in more than 40% of Yahoo! leagues and should be scooped up. At worst, they’re short-term streamers. However, they might hit enough to stick around on fantasy rosters.
Chicago Cubs vs. MIL (4), vs. STL (5)
The Cubs are atop the heap next week with a robust nine-game schedule. The volume provided by nine games alone enhances Chicago’s hitters’ value. However, with any luck, they’ll also be treated to a few games of the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field next week. Ian Happ is an outstanding starting option in leagues of all sizes. Gamers who can stomach the batting average risk and need power can start Patrick Wisdom. Additionally, Christopher Morel and Jonathan Villar are streaming options. The former is especially exciting since he’s crushing the ball in his big-league debut.
Hitter Notes
Eloy Jimenez (CWS) & Luis Robert (CWS)
Jimenez should begin a rehab assignment this weekend. Unfortunately, gamers should prepare to be without Robert for the rest of the week.
Rick Hahn said both Lance Lynn and Eloy Jimenez should start rehab assignments by the end of the weekend. Luis Robert expected to miss the next week of games: a three-game series against the Red Sox and a two-game set against the Cubs.
– Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) May 24, 2022
Adames has resumed defensive work and batting practice.
From the better news department: Willy Adames is out on the field for defensive work and BP today. He won’t be activated for the Cardinals series, but there’s progress. pic.twitter.com/WEgW9LYpEr
– Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) May 24, 2022
Thus, gamers should monitor his status over the weekend if he’s activated from the Injured List (IL) for Milwaukee’s upcoming eight-game week.
Sadly, Bryant’s back issue that caused him to miss 21 games earlier this year has resurfaced, resulting in another trip to the IL. So now, it’s fair to wonder if they’ll linger throughout the remainder of the year.
Gamers will be without Stanton for at least next week. The Yankees placed the slugger on the IL on Wednesday with ankle inflammation.
Pitcher Notes
Baz is on a rehab assignment and is first eligible to be activated from the IL on June 6.
Sale is progressing through rehab for the stress fracture in his right ribcage. The most recent hurdle he cleared was throwing a 15-pitch bullpen session that included fastballs, sliders, and changeups. Nevertheless, he’s multiple hurdles away from a return for the Red Sox.
Lynn is approaching a rehab assignment and will need at least three starts to be completely ready to return.
Lance Lynn said he’ll need at least three starts at Charlotte. He threw around 36-38 pitches in his last live BP, so he’s scheduled for roughly three days innings, 45 pitches in his first rehab outing.
– James Fegan (@JRFegan) May 25, 2022
Unfortunately, Peralta will be on the IL with a posterior shoulder strain for a “significant” amount of time. Gamers with an open IL spot are encouraged to stash him. However, cutting Peralta isn’t entirely unreasonable in shallower leagues where IL spots are occupied.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
