Next week, two teams play a week-low five games. The remaining 28 teams have six or seven games on the docket, with 18 playing six and 10 playing seven.
Notable Matchups
Texas Rangers vs. PHI (2), vs. WSH (3)
The Rangers are one of the two teams with a week-low five games in the next scoring period, taking a bite out of the few fantasy options on their roster. Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia have been too hot to sit, but everyone else can be benched for a viable alternative.
Washington Nationals at BAL (2), at TEX
The Nationals are the other team playing a week-low five games next week. They aren’t a fantasy treasure trove. So, this is unlikely a blow to many fantasy squads.
Boston Red Sox vs. DET (3), at CLE (3)
The Red Sox are one of the 18 clubs with six games on the agenda. However, they’ll benefit from three games at Fenway Park and mostly non-threatening pitching matchups.
Colorado Rockies at MIA (3), at MIN (3)
The Rockies are a wholesale fade next week. Simply, they aren’t an offense to trust when they’re on the road, and all six games next week are away from their hitter-friendly home digs.
Los Angeles Dodgers at CIN (3), at ATL (3)
The Dodgers’ offense gets a lift in a pair of outstanding offensive environments next week. First, they’ll play three games at Great American Ball Park. GABP has the third-highest park factor for runs (1.162) and highest for homers (1.352). Second, they’ll play three games at Truist Park, the seventh-best run-scoring environment (1.063).
Chicago Cubs at PIT (4), at STL (3)
The Cubs are one of two featured clubs with a week-high seven games. Chicago’s offense also gets a lift from good pitching matchups. So, Willson Contreras, Ian Happ, Patrick Wisdom and Christopher Morel look good among Chicago’s widely-rostered players. Further, Nico Hoerner is an intriguing sleeper in deeper leagues.
San Diego Padres vs. ARI (3), vs. PHI (4)
It’s a double dose of good news for San Diego’s hitters next week. First, they’re one of 10 teams playing a week-high seven games. Second, the pitching matchups are middle of the road with a tiebreaker that makes them more favorable than meets the eye. Namely, Arizona’s and Philadelphia’s bullpens are below-average groups. As a result, Luke Voit is a suggested streamer again this week.
Hitter Notes
Tim Anderson (CWS) & Yasmani Grandal (CWS) & Eloy Jimenez (CWS)
The White Sox are pushing through many significant injuries. Thankfully, Anderson might be back as early as June 20. Grandal could rejoin the Pale Hose around then as well. Unfortunately, Jimenez had his rehab assignment halted with “normal leg soreness” last week. A more precise timetable for his return might come into focus when he resumes his rehab assignment.
Sadly, Tatis’s season is spiraling down the drain. His most recent MRI scan didn’t show enough healing to his fractured wrist to receive the green light to swing a bat. As a result, the president of baseball operations, A.J. Preller, is taking a week-to-week approach with Tatis.
The Braves have been on fire, but they were dealt a blow this week with Albies fracturing his foot. He’s on the 60-day IL, meaning the earliest he can return is in the middle of August.
Pena was placed on the 10-day IL with thumb discomfort. The move is retroactive to June 14, and an MRI showed no “significant” damage.
Pitcher Notes
Jacob deGrom (NYM) & Max Scherzer (NYM)
The best case for deGrom’s return is in early July, but there isn’t a firm timetable for rejoining the Mets. Thankfully, Scherzer’s return should arrive sooner, perhaps as soon as later this month.
Chris Sale (BOS) & Nathan Eovaldi (BOS)
Sale threw to live hitters on Monday, reportedly reaching as high as 96 mph with his heater. The lefty is nearing a rehab assignment. Moreover, while Sale mentioned being open to pitching in relief if he was asked to do so, manager Alex Cora unequivocally stated Sale is coming back as a starter. Meanwhile, Eovaldi is on the IL with back soreness, and the team is hopeful he’ll be activated as soon as he’s eligible on June 24.
Buehler is on the IL with a Grade 2 flexor strain in his right elbow and underwent a procedure to remove a bone spur. His timeline for a return is 10 to 12 weeks.
Hendriks is on the IL with a forearm flexor strain, and the preliminary estimate is a return in about three weeks. In the interim, Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly are candidates for saves.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
