With the season almost halfway done, it is important to look at some important storylines and aspects this week to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates.
- Weekly Trade Advice
- Weekly Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Schedule Notes
- The following teams have just five games this week:
- Detroit Tigers at PIT, vs TB
- Oakland A’s at LAD, vs SF
- The following teams have seven games this week:
- Baltimore Orioles at TOR, vs NYM
- New York Yankees vs TB, vs HOU
- Toronto Blue Jays vs BAL, at BOS
- Houston Astros vs CLE, at NYY
- Los Angeles Angels at ATL, vs SEA
- Seattle Mariners vs BOS, at LAA
- Miami Marlins vs PHI, at TEX
- Philadelphia Phillies at MIA, vs KC
- Chicago Cubs vs CIN, vs ATL
- Cincinnati Reds at CHC, vs WAS
- Milwaukee Brewers at WAS, vs PIT
- Arizona Diamondbacks at SF, at MIN
Fantasy Baseball Things to Watch
The Trade Deadline
There has been a lot of action already, and there will be more! Teams like the Mets, Padres, White Sox, Nationals, and Rockies should be selling a bunch of pieces making them prime candidates for streaming against. There will be relievers on these teams that become closers because their previous ones are traded away. There will also be part-time players that become full-time and full-time ones that become part-time. This is the biggest thing to watch this week.
Lance Lynn in LA
Speaking of trades, Lance Lynn is now a Dodger. Lynn has been up and down (though mostly down) this season, but if any organization can fix him, it is the Dodgers. He has a great start lined up this week (see below), so if he has been dropped from your league, he is at least worth a stream.
Scherzer in Texas
Max Scherzer has been traded to the Rangers and lines up for a start against the White Sox at home. Scherzer has not been elite this season, but he is a competitor and one to watch on one of the best teams in baseball.
Giolito in Anaheim
Lucas Giolito was traded to the Angels last week. He now will be the front of their rotation, and he lines up against the Braves, who have been one of the best teams in baseball this year. He has not been elite this year, but he also has not been garbage like he was last season. Will this be enough for the Angels to make the playoffs? We shall see.
Closer Chaos in Chicago
With the White Sox trading Kendall Graveman , Joe Kelly, and Reynaldo Lopez, there is some confusion as to who is the closer while Liam Hendriks works his way back. Gregory Santos could be the answer, but we need to see who gets the opportunities.
Closer Chaos in NY
With David Robertson being traded to Miami, there is an opening for the closer role for the Mets. Brooks Raley got the first opportunity, but he could be traded as well. Adam Ottavino is also an option, but he is likely to be traded as well. Trevor Gott seems like he could be the last man standing.
Closer Chaos in Miami
Speaking of David Robertson, he was traded to Miami last week and seems likely to take over the closer role. AJ Puk has struggled, and Tanner Scott is dealing with a minor injury. This is something to watch, but I expect Robertson to be the guy.
Winn-ing Time in St. Louis?
I fully expect the Cardinals to be sellers and trade away some talent in their lineup. If they do, Masyn Winn could be making his debut pretty quickly. Winn has been on fire, hitting .284/.356/.496 with 16 home runs and 16 stolen bases in AAA this season. I expect him to make his debut and be the everyday shortstop for the Cardinals soon.
Luciano Debuts
Marco Luciano has made his Major League debut for the Giants. This is a bit surprising, as the Giants also got back shortstop Brandon Crawford from the IL around the same time. Luciano was considered one of the top prospects in baseball at one point, but back issues have dampened his hype. If he is playing every day, that is something that could be really interesting in redraft leagues, as the talent in the bat is not really up for debate.
Polanco Returns
Jorge Polanco has returned from the IL, but he is now blocked at second base by top prospect Eduoard Julien. Polanco will attempt to play third base, so we need to see if he can handle the hot corner or whether he will be a utility guy now.
12-15. Streaming Options
Kodai Senga at KC
Senga has pitched really well now that he is acclimated to the Major Leagues. He gets a fantastic matchup in Kansas City, which is a great place to pitch on top of a really poor opponent.
Lance Lynn vs. OAK
I don’t know if the Dodgers can fix Lynn, but you can’t ask for a better first start in a Dodgers uniform.
Steven Matz vs. COL
Since moving back into the rotation, Matz has been great, throwing 20.2 innings with a 2.18 ERA and 25 strikeouts in his four starts. He has a great matchup versus the Rockies in St. Louis.
Austin Gomber at STL
Gomber has been up and down this season, but he has been better on the road, and he is facing a Cardinals team that should sell a lot of pieces at the deadline. Do not use him in a weekly league since they start the week at home!
16-20. Two-Start Options
Jose Quintana at KC, at BAL
Quintana has been good since returning from the IL and now has a fantastic start to start off the two-start week and a mediocre one to end it. The Royals have been one of the worst teams in baseball, so I think that is enough to use Quintana in most formats.
Ben Lively at CHC, vs WAS
Lively has quietly been really good recently, throwing 21 innings of a 3.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in his last four starts. He does tend to struggle with home runs, but he is facing a punchless Nationals squad at the end of the week, and with how potent the Reds’ offense is, he should be in contention for a win or two.
Taijuan Walker at MIA, vs KC
Walker’s total line does not reflect how good he has been over the last two months. Walker has a 2.72 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 59.2 innings since the beginning of June. He has a tough start versus Miami, but at least it is in Miami’s pitcher-friendly ballpark, and then one against the atrocious Royals.
Ranger Suarez at MIA, vs KC
Suarez has been up and down since returning to the Phillies, throwing 79 innings with a 4.22 ERA and 73 strikeouts. Like Walker, he has a tough start versus Miami, but at least it is in Miami’s pitcher-friendly ballpark and then one against the atrocious Royals. There is some risk as he has not had a start in his last five where he has allowed less than three earned runs, but the Royals start is juicy enough that you should use him in most scenarios.
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