It’s the back nine for the MLB regular season, and next week is back to a routine Monday through Sunday scoring period. One team draws the short stick with five games during the upcoming fantasy week. On the other end, three teams will play eight games. Finally, sandwiched in the middle, there are 13 teams with six games and 13 with seven contests.
Notable Matchups
Oakland Athletics at LAA (3), vs. SF (2)
Similar to the question, if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? If the Athletics play a five-game week, does the fantasy baseball community notice? Only two A’s hitters are on at least 50% of Yahoo! rosters. Thus, they’re not a source of fantasy goodness. Nevertheless, gamers in deeper leagues can ignore the A’s in the next scoring period.
Chicago White Sox vs. KC (3), at TEX (4)
The White Sox have fallen short of expectations this year. Still, they have a nifty layout next week, playing seven games against a mediocre collection of starters. In addition, Kansas City’s bullpen has the fourth-highest ERA (4.52) this year, per FanGraphs. As a result, Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn receive a value boost.
Also, Yoan Moncada is available in 41% of Yahoo! leagues and is a possible streamer option in 14-team mixed leagues or larger formats. Since returning from the Injured List (IL) on June 28, Moncada has hit .247 with two homers, 14 runs and 15 RBI in 103 plate appearances. Obviously, his numbers haven’t been extraordinary. However, Moncada has had a palatable 24.3 K% and 8.7 BB%, perhaps hinting at better results in the future.
Houston Astros vs. BOS (3), at CLE (4)
The Astros should feast next week against a below-average group of starting pitchers and Boston’s below-average bullpen. The Red Sox have had a bottom-10 bullpen ERA in 2022. Sadly, most of Houston’s fantasy-relevant players are on rosters already. Still, Yuli Gurriel is a viable streamer in leagues as shallow as 12-team mixers with corner infielder and utility spots. In 90 plate appearances since June 28, he’s hit .277 with two homers, nine runs, eight RBI and two stolen bases.
Minnesota Twins vs. DET (3), vs. TOR (4)
The Twins have seven games on the docket next week, and the volume is ideal for their hitters. Fortunately, there are a couple of widely available hitters for gamers to pounce on, namely Alex Kirilloff and Jose Miranda. It’s time to stop sleeping on Miranda and absurd that he’s available in 72% of Yahoo! leagues. The rookie stumbled out of the blocks. However, in his last 159 plate appearances, he’s hit .347 with eight homers, 19 runs and 34 RBI. Miranda should be rostered universally.
Colorado Rockies at SD (5), at ARI (3)
It’s a mixed bag of info for Colorado’s upcoming week. Unfortunately, they’re on the road for both series. Yet, the volume is robust, playing eight games. As a result, gamers will have to weigh the importance of batting average relative to counting stats (runs, RBI, homers and stolen bases) before deciding to sit or start Colorado’s hitters in weekly leagues.
Kris Bryant is Colorado’s only hitter gamers can confidently start without considering batting average since he’s hit .279 on the road this year. Connor Joe, Charlie Blackmon, Brendan Rodgers, C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon have hit .247, .238, .234, .219 and .205 in away games this year. So, gamers fighting tooth and nail for batting average points in roto formats are encouraged to sit non-Bryant hitters on the Rockies.
New York Mets at WSH (3), vs. ATL (5)
The Mets are the second featured team with a week-high eight games next week. They have a few challenging matchups on the agenda, such as Kyle Wright, Max Fried and Spencer Strider. Regardless, the volume and other pitching matchups alleviate the concerns about the trio of talented pitchers.
In addition, the Mets will face at least five right-handed pitchers. So, trade acquisition Daniel Vogelbach should be penciled into the lineup most of next week. In 211 plate appearances against righties this year, he’s clubbed 12 homers with an acceptable .264 batting average. Power-needy gamers in leagues as small as 12-team mixers can give Vogelbach a look as a first base, corner infield or utility option.
San Diego Padres vs. COL (5) at LAD (3)
The Friars are the last team with a week-high eight games. Again, the volume is excellent. Moreover, their pitching matchups are enticing as well. Sadly, San Diego doesn’t have many widely available options for gamers to turn to. Luke Voit is a power-chasing option who carries batting-average risk. Ha-Seong Kim is another option in larger leagues where having a pulse and regularly playing are the only requirements for fantasy relevance.
Hitter Notes
Mike Trout (LAA)
Trout was initially thought to be dealing with a minor back injury. Unfortunately, it is one he’ll have to manage for the rest of his career. There isn’t a timetable for Trout’s return, but he has a follow-up appointment this weekend that could clarify the situation. All gamers can do is keep Trout on their IL or bench.
Michael Brantley (HOU)
Unfortunately, Brantley still doesn’t have a timetable for a return. Gamers with space on the IL can keep stashing him. However, Brantley isn’t a priority hold and can be cut as soon as an IL spot is needed for a more important player.
Pitcher Notes
Jacob deGrom (NYM)
The Mets will have deGrom for his next turn in the rotation, barring a setback. He threw 67 pitches in his most recent rehab start, meaning deGrom will likely face a pitch restriction. It’s always risky using a player in his first start off of the IL, but deGrom’s such a stud that gamers can consider throwing caution to the wind.
Max Meyer (MIA)
Jesus Luzardo (MIA)
Meyer’s season is over. He’ll have Tommy John surgery and probably miss the 2023 season as well. Luzardo might be back soon, though. The lefty has made three rehab starts this month, stretching out to 75 pitches in his most recent turn. Luzardo’s control was lackluster in that start, issuing four walks and hitting a batter in 4.2 innings. Nevertheless, he teased his potential earlier in the year. As a result, Luzardo is a decent IL stash for pitcher-needy gamers.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
