It is vital to look at important fantasy baseball storylines and aspects this week to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates. We have 20 such storylines for you to monitor. This guide will help you navigate the waiver wire, pinpoint potential streamers and more.
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20 Fantasy Baseball Things to Watch
1. Schedule Notes
- Zero teams have just five games this week.
- The following teams have seven games this week:
- Houston Astros vs. KC, at TEX
- Texas Rangers vs. COL, vs. HOU
- Atlanta Braves vs. WAS, at BOS
- Washington Nationals at ATL, at BAL
2. Rivalry Weekend
This upcoming weekend is MLB’s new Rivalry Weekend, which always makes for some fun and trash-talking. Mets vs. Yankees, A’s vs. Giants and Angels vs. Dodgers are some series we get to see. It is a fun weekend to sit back and watch some baseball.
3. Cade Horton (SP – CHC)
Cade Horton is a top-tier pitching prospect for the Cubs who made his debut last week. He looked good, but struggled with command and control. He has a great matchup this week versus the White Sox, which could help him make his case to stay in the rotation if he pitches well.
4. Red Sox Drama
Since losing Triston Casas to injury, the Red Sox have been without a first baseman. There was talk they might put Rafael Devers there and open up the designated hitter role, but he quickly shut that down.
However, we saw this same issue when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman in the offseason, with Devers not wanting to move off of third, but he eventually did. Will that happen again?
5. The Pirates and Rockies
Both the Pirates and Rockies fired their managers this week. While it isn’t entirely surprising since both teams have been struggling, we need to see if anything about their interim managers’ approach will be different.
Will these teams settle on a closer since both have been using more fluid bullpens? Will they start running more or less? Will starters have a longer or shorter leash? These are things to watch.
6. Reds Roomba
The Reds have been hit by t he injury bug, losing Hunter Greene, Jake Fraley and Noelvi Marte to the injured list (IL) on top of a bunch of other already injured players. We need to see who will benefit from the extra playing time.
On the pitching side, Chase Petty seems to be benefiting, which is interesting for fantasy as he has a ton of upside. Will Benson and Rece Hinds could be options in the outfield for Cincy with Fraley out. With two home series coming this week, it would be a good time to stream these hitters in deeper leagues.
7. William Contreras‘ Middle Finger
William Contreras has a fractured middle finger on his glove hand, and he has started playing through it. It is painful, but that is not stopping him from catching or hitting.
We need to monitor if this will sap power from the bat or make him play less because part of his massive appeal is the number of games he suits up for.
8. Ivan Herrera‘s Return
Ivan Herrera has returned from the IL with a knee injury. Before getting hurt, Herrera was on fire, hitting .381/.458/1.048 with four home runs in just 24 plate appearances.
Herrera won’t do that the rest of the way, but he could be a top-tier catcher if he can keep making great contact with that power.
9. The Mashing Mariners
Coming into the season, it appeared the Mariners were a pitching team that would struggle to provide offensive support. However, they have been the most surprising offense in baseball.
The Mariners are third in baseball in WRC+ and sixth in home runs and stolen bases. They are facing some tough teams this week in the Yankees and Padres, so it will be a nice test to see how real these offenses are.
10. Cubs Closer Chaos
Ryan Pressly has struggled mightily, and it may be time for Porter Hodge to take the closer role away from him. The Cubs lead the National League Central, but it is a small lead with every team but the Pirates in the hunt.
The Cubs may need a new closer or look outside the organization to address it.
11-14. Streaming Options.
Nick Martinez vs. CWS
Nick Martinez has been up and down this season, but facing the White Sox is always a good gamble to bet on for a streamer.
Ben Brown at MIA
Ben Brown’s surface numbers aren’t great, but the underlying numbers are. He faces a terrible Miami team in a great park, so he is a top-priority streamer.
Patrick Corbin vs. COL
OK, even writing this feels risky, but Patrick Corbin has had good results since entering the Rangers’ rotation. I don’t buy it, but he is facing a terrible Rockies team that struggles away from Coors Field.
Tony Gonsolin at LAA
Tony Gonsolin has pitched well since coming off the IL, throwing 16 innings with a 2.81 ERA in his three starts. He faces a bad Angels team ranked 27th in WRC+ this year.
15-20. Two-Start Options
Jack Leiter (SP, RP – TEX) vs. COL, vs. HOU
Jack Leiter has really good stuff, but he can struggle to control it. He has a really good matchup versus a terrible Rockies team that struggles away from Coors and a decent matchup versus a good Houston team missing their best player in Yordan Alvarez.
Matthew Liberatore (SP, RP – STL) at PHI, at KC
Matthew Liberatore has been fantastic this year. He is limiting the walks and commanding his pitches better than he ever has.
Liberatore has a tough start in Philly, but a good one in Kansas City to end the week. With how well he has pitched, there is no reason to sit him.
Colin Rea (SP, RP – CHC) vs. MIA, vs. CWS
Colin Rea has pitched well, even if a lot of it has been good luck. He has two amazing matchups versus two of the worst teams in baseball this week, so it’s a good time to stream him and then cut bait at the first sign of trouble.
Merrill Kelly (SP – ARI) at SF, vs. COL
Merrill Kelly has been up and down this season, but he has two good matchups against a mediocre Giants offense and a terrible Rockies offense.
There won’t be a ton of strikeouts, but with the Diamondbacks’ offense behind him, he should have an opportunity to lock up at least one, if not two, wins this week.
Michael Wacha (SP – KC) at HOU, vs. STL
Michael Wacha has been pretty good this season, throwing 45.1 innings over eight starts with a 2.98 ERA.
Wacha has a decent matchup versus a beat-up Astros squad in Houston and then comes home versus a tough Cardinals team, but he has pitched well at home this season.
Ben Lively (SP – CLE) vs. MIL, at CIN
Ben Lively isn’t an overpowering pitcher, but he has been great with his command and control this season.
Lively faces two mediocre offenses, making him a pretty good start, especially in deeper formats.
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