With the season almost halfway done, it is vital to look at some important storylines and aspects this week to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates.
Schedule Notes
The following teams have just five games this week:
- Colorado Rockies vs HOU, at MIA
The following teams have seven games this week:
- Baltimore Orioles vs LAD, at TB
- Tampa Bay Rays at TEX, vs BAL
- Detroit Tigers at KC, vs SD
- Kansas City Royals vs DET, at NYY
- Minnesota Twins at SEA, vs CHW
- Oakland A’s at BOS, vs HOU
- Seattle Mariners vs MIN, vs TOR
- Chicago Cubs vs WAS, vs STL
- Cincinnati Reds vs SF, vs ARI
- St. Louis Cardinals vs MIA, at CHC
- San Francisco Giants at CIN, at WAS
20 Things to Watch
Free CES
Christian Encarnacion-Strand has finally been called up to the Majors Leagues! We have been waiting on the power-hitting corner infielder to arrive all season, and now is the time. The question becomes, where does he play and is he in the lineup every day? He is a must-pick-up in all formats, and I expect him to play every day, but that leads to the next thing on the things to watch…
Cincinnati Logjam
With Encarncion-Strand coming up, the Reds have quite the gold-plated problem on their hands. Someone is bound to lose playing time moving forward, but the question is who. I would guess Will Benson is the biggest loser initially, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Reds move one or two hitters for pitching at the deadline.
QP
Quinn Priester made his Major League debut on Monday. While the flamethrower has lost some of the prospect hype he had a few years ago, there is a ton of arm talent if he can command and control it. I am really intrigued about him getting a two-start that has a tough matchup in the Angels and a good one in the Guardians.
Hug Watch
As the trade deadline approaches, it is time to be proactive in terms of who might benefit or lose value based on potential MLB trades. This is the time to start stashing players that are available in your league that could have an increased role after a deal. Set-up guys like Nick Martinez and Carlos Hernandez could become closers if the Royals and Padres move their current ones.
DC Closing Chaos
With Hunter Harvey going on the IL, the Nationals’ closer job is back in flux. It likely moves to Brandon Finnegan, but he is a trade candidate and has been up and down this season. Keep an eye on Mason Thompson, who has shown some nice skills.
TON Is Back
Tyler O’Neill is back off of the IL, but how long is he in a Cardinals uniform? Talent has never really been an issue, but injuries, playing time, and swing-and-miss have been for the outfielder. There is a ton of power and speed in the profile, and he is a fantastic defender, so I am very interested to see how much he pays over the next two weeks and if he is traded.
Mullins Mulling The IL?
Cedric Mullins has missed three straight games with a quad issue. There is a chance he hits the IL, but the fact he hasn’t landed there yet should be a good sign he isn’t going to miss a ton of time. If he does land on the IL, there could be more time for Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg.
End-y Of Times
Top-catching prospect Endy Rodriguez is making his Major League debut for the Pirates. In spite of falling out of the playoff race, the Pirates have been aggressive with their young players this year. Endy doesn’t profile as having a carrying tool in fantasy but is more of an all-around kind of player that can accumulate his way to fantasy viability. Definitely someone to watch in 2-catcher leagues.
Grayson Rodriguez Returns
After a dismal start to his MLB career, Grayson Rodriguez went back to the minors and dominated. He has a pretty rough two-start versus the Rays and Dodgers, so I wouldn’t use him this week, but the fact the Orioles have committed to him staying up should give you a lot of confidence in him moving forward.
Rangers Bullpen
The Rangers have been one of the best teams in baseball this season with one glaring weakness, the bullpen. They traded for Aroldis Chapman, and he got his first save over the weekend. This may be an aberration, as Will Smith has been great as the closer, but it is something to keep an eye on moving forward, as they could always add another arm at the deadline.
12-15. Streaming Options
Brayan Bello (SP – BOS) at OAK
Bello has been fantastic this year, especially if you don’t include his first start of the season where he struggled. He gets a great matchup in a good pitcher’s park.
Alec Marsh (SP – KC) vs DET
This is a riskier one, but in spite of up-and-down performances, I love Marsh’s skills right now. He struck out 11 versus the Rays and now gets a bad Tigers offense at home.
Edward Cabrera (SP – MIA) vs COL
I don’t want to use him in the first part of this two-step which is why he didn’t register in that section for me, but getting the Rockies in their first series on the road is always a way to get profit, even for a risky pitcher like Cabrera.
Cristopher Sanchez (SP – PHI) vs MIL
Sanchez has pitched pretty well for the Phillies since coming up from the minor. I am not necessarily a believer in his long-term, but I am very tempted to use him here against a Brewers team that has been the worst in baseball this season versus left-handed pitching.
16-20. 2-Start Options
Matt Manning (SP – DET) at KC, vs SD
Manning is coming off of the best start of his Major League career, which is usually a selling point, but I am intrigued by what he can do, and the fact the Tigers were willing to pull him from a no-hitter tells me they will protect him. This is an easy start followed by a tough one, but it is one I am willing to risk in deeper formats.
Tarik Skubal (SP – DET) at KC, vs SD
Skubal has looked really good since returning from the IL, but the Tigers are being really conservative with him. He has yet to go more than four innings in an outing since returning to the team, so if you are looking for a win or quality start, look elsewhere. However, he is a pretty good bet for ratio help and strikeouts.
Nick Pivetta (SP – BOS) at OAK, vs NYM
Pivetta has been much better since his demotion out of the rotation, throwing 29 innings of a 2.79 ERA and getting 39 strikeouts. He jumps back into the rotation against the worst team in baseball in the A’s and one I am not afraid of in the Mets.
MacKenzie Gore (SP – WAS) at CHC, vs SF
Gore has struggled recently, but I am not super worried about him. He has been really good most of the season, and I expect him to rebound coming out of the break. He faces a mediocre Cubs team and a Giants team that struggles against lefties.
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