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 fantasy baseball 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 play just five games this week.
- The following teams play seven games this week:
- Baltimore Orioles at TB, at NYY
- New York Yankees vs. LAA, vs. BAL
- Tampa Bay Rays vs. BAL, vs. DET
- Athletics vs. HOU, vs. CLE
- Houston Astros at ATH, at LAA
- Los Angeles Angels at NYY, vs. HOU
- Miami Marlins vs. PHI, vs. ATL
- Philadelphia Phillies at MIA, vs. NYM
- Washington Nationals vs. COL, at LAD
- Colorado Rockies at WAS, vs. ARI
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. SD, vs. WSH
- San Diego Padres at LAD, vs. KC
2. Rafael Devers vs. Boston
Rafael Devers was traded in a surprise blockbuster move on Sunday to the San Francisco Giants. Devers has been a top-20 hitter in fantasy this season despite a slow start, but will now move to a much less desirable park.
We need to see how Devers fares in his new home, but the Red Sox come to town this weekend for a fantastic storyline for him to have some revenge games against his former team.
3. The Red Sox Lineup
With Rafael Devers out of Boston, there is a massive hole in the Red Sox lineup. We need to see who the Red Sox will turn to or if they will bring up a bat like Vaughn Grissom from the Minors.
4. Jacob Misiorowski (SP, RP – MIL)
Jacob Misiorowski is a top pitching prospect who dominantly made his debut last week. He has amazing stuff, but he can struggle with control, and that was apparent in his debut start in Chicago against the Cubs.
We need to watch if Misiorowski can control his amazing arsenal or if that will come back to bite him.
5. Eury Perez (SP – MIA)
Eury Perez returned last week from Tommy John surgery, and it was a typical Tommy John returnee start. Pitchers returning from Tommy John often struggle with command and control.
While Perez did show his great stuff, we need to see if the command and control will continue to be an issue.
6. Brady House (3B – WSH)
Brady House is a top prospect for the Nationals who is expected to be called up on Monday. House has been great in AAA this season, hitting .301/.349/.516 with 13 home runs in 278 plate appearances.
House can struggle with contact, which is his main flaw, so we need to see if he can make enough contact to unlock his very good power.
7. Christian Moore (2B – LAA)
Christian Moore is a top prospect for the Angels who made his debut last week. Moore was great between AA and AAA, hitting .279/.374/.422 with five home runs and eight stolen bases, but he struggles with making contact in the zone.
Moore should get a lot of playing time, but we need to see if he can make enough contact to let his other tools play.
8. Shohei Ohtani Back on the Mound
Shohei Ohtani is reportedly expected to make his pitching return this week, starting on Monday as an opener. Ohtani has been amazing as a hitter, and while it is unlikely he will also be amazing as a pitcher this season, he is a must-watch as he builds back up.
9. Tigers Closing Chaos
Will Vest left Sunday’s game with some sort of injury. Vest has been fantastic this season, but if he is going to miss time, the Tigers will need to turn to someone else.
Tommy Kahnle seems to be the most likely option, but he is their best high-leverage bullpen arm. Tyler Holton could be another option. We will need to monitor what happens in Detroit.
10. Diamondbacks Closing Chaos
Justin Martinez is getting Tommy John surgery, so the Diamondbacks are going to need another closer. Shelby Miller had held the job when Martinez was out before.
They could also turn to Jalen Beeks, Kevin Ginkel or Ryan Thompson, or even go outside the organization. We need to monitor what Arizona does.
11-14. Streaming Options
Mitchell Parker (SP – WSH) vs. COL
Mitchell Parker has been up and down, but the Rockies are on pace to be the worst team in MLB history, and they struggle the most offensively on the road.
Michael Wacha (SP – KC) at TEX
Michael Wacha has quietly been great this season and faces off against a bad Texas offense in a good pitcher’s park.
Landen Roupp (SP, RP – SF) vs. BOS
Landen Roupp has been better as of late and is facing a Boston team that just traded away their best hitter at home in a great park.
Noah Cameron (SP – KC) at SD
Noah Cameron has been great since his call-up up and the Padres have struggled offensively over the last month.
15-20. Two-Start Options
Jack Leiter (SP, RP – TEX) vs. KC, at PIT
Jack Leiter has been up and down this season, but his stuff is really good. While he struggles with control, he has two amazing matchups this week, so you are picking him up from the waiver wire and rolling with him in most formats.
Mick Abel (SP – PHI) at MIA, vs. NYM
Mick Abel has pitched well since joining the Phillies’ rotation. While the underlying numbers have been a little underwhelming, the stuff and his ability to control it have been really good. With a matchup with the Marlins on deck, you have to play him.
Lucas Giolito (SP – BOS) at SEA, at SF
Lucas Giolito has struggled since returning from Tommy John surgery, but it has been more about blow-up outings than just being bad.
Giolito has had five good starts and three terrible ones that have ruined his season numbers. These are two good matchups in good parks, so it is not a bad time to stream him and see if he can avoid another blow-up.
David Festa (SP – MIN) at CIN, vs. MIL
David Festa is back in the Twins’ rotation with both Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews hurt, but unlike the last time he was up in the Majors, they let him go six innings in his start, which is massive for his value.
The stuff is good, and the opportunity is now here for Festa to take the next step.
Zack Littell (SP – TB) vs. BAL, vs. DET
It is always nerve-wracking pitching in Tampa these days with the tough dimensions; however, Zack Littell has been great this season and is doing a good job of limiting homers in his new home ballpark.
Slade Cecconi (SP, RP – CLE) at SF, at ATH
Slade Cecconi has really good stuff, and he is doing a pretty good job of commanding and controlling it, but he is still prone to blow-ups at times. Going to Sacramento is scary, as the stadium has played terribly for pitchers.
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