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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- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- Rest-of-Season Projections
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:
- Atlanta Braves vs. MIL, vs. MIA (eight games)
- Miami Marlins vs. HOU, at ATL (eight games)
- Cincinnati Reds at CHC, at PIT
- Pittsburgh Pirates vs. SF, vs. CIN
2. Warming Bernabel (1B, 3B – COL)
Warming Bernabel made his Major League debut this week and has started hot, hitting .438/.455/.906 with three home runs in his first 33 plate appearances.
Bernabel is not known for his power, hitting just eight home runs in 316 plate appearances in AAA this season, but he has a good hit tool, and there is double-digit power in his bat. He should play every day for the Rockies, but we need to see if he can remain hot.
3. Tyler Locklear (1B – ARI)
Tyler Locklear was a key piece of the Eugenio Suarez deadline trade. He was a top-10 Mariners prospect and was raking in AAA this season, hitting .316/.401/.542 with 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 434 plate appearances.
Locklear doesn’t have a carrying tool for fantasy, but can do a bit of everything. The Diamondbacks seem poised to give him a run at first base the rest of the season. We need to see if he can hit enough at the Major League level to accumulate stats.
4. Jakob Marsee (OF – MIA)
Jakob Marsee made his Major League debut for the Marlins after they traded away Jesus Luzardo during the trade deadline.
Marrsee is an on-base percentage (OBP) speed demon who has racked up 98 stolen bases in the Minors over the last two seasons while posting 15% walk rates. The hit tool is the question here, but if you need speed, he is someone to stash and watch.
5. Spencer Arrighetti (SP – HOU)
Spencer Arrighetti is finally returning from the injured list (IL) this week and has a matchup versus a hot Miami offense. There is a ton of upside in strikeout for Arrighetti, but he can struggle with command and control.
We need to see if Arrighetti can harness his fantastic stuff or whether the upside in his arm can outweigh the downside in his ratios.
6. Dustin May (SP – BOS)
Dustin May was traded to the Red Sox during the deadline. On the surface, it may not change his value much, but it is interesting.
The Red Sox have a fantastic pitching coach in Andrew Bailey, and May has some of the best stuff in baseball. We need to see what the Red Sox do to unlock his potential in Boston.
7. Padres Closer Chaos
The Padres made a massive move during the deadline, trading for top-tier closer Mason Miller. However, they already had a great one in Robert Suarez, so we need to watch to see if this is a shared job or if one of these stud relievers will take it over full-time.
8. Athletics Closer Chaos
Since the Athletics traded away Mason Miller, they need a new closer in Sacramento. There isn’t an option that stands head and shoulders above the rest, but Sean Newcomb may be the answer, considering his veteran status.
Other options include Michael Kelly and Elvis Alvarado.
9. Tigers Closer Chaos
The Tigers made a move for Nationals closer Brandon Finnegan. The Tigers’ previous closer blew the save on Friday, and Finnegan was able to convert a four-out save on Saturday, so we need to watch and see if this is a shared role or if Finnegan will become the closer.
10. Nationals Closer Chaos
With Brandon Finnegan in Detroit, the Nationals now have to find a new closer in Washington, but the pickings are slim. The team did not get a save chance since the trade, so we do not have a ton of clarity there yet.
Jose A. Ferrer might be the logical choice, but he is also a lefty, which managers tend to shy away from. Cole Henry could be a dark horse worth watching.
11. Twins Closer Chaos
The Twins moved Jhoan Duran to the Phillies last week in a somewhat surprising move because they also traded away Brock Stewart and Griffin Jax, leaving a massive number of holes in their bullpen.
This leaves them with few options to close games. Cole Sands seems to be a front runner in the ninth, but they also have Justin Topa and Kody Funderburk. This is most likely a committee situation moving forward.
12-14. Streaming Options
Chris Paddack (SP – DET) vs. MIN
Chris Paddack is facing his former team, which sold off a massive amount of their pieces in the bullpen and lineup. He looked good in his first start as a Tiger and is widely available.
Joey Cantillo (SP. RP – CLE) at CWS
The White Sox got worse at the deadline. While Joey Cantillo can be unpredictable, he gets you strikeouts, and he should have a good opportunity for a win.
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP – ARI) vs. COL
Eduardo Rodriguez has been up and down this season, but he is facing a Rockies team that struggles in the first game of road trips.
15-20. Two-Start Options
Adrian Houser (SP, RP – TB) at LAA, at SEA
Adrian Houser has been fantastic since he signed with the White Sox, throwing 68.2 innings with a 2.10 ERA and 47 strikeouts.
Houser was traded to the Rays, which should give him much better win potential, but there is regression coming. His xERA is 3.97, and he has been super lucky in the home run rate.
Slade Cecconi (SP, RP – CLE) at NYM, at CWS
Slade Cecconi has quietly been very good since joining the Guardians’ rotation, throwing 76.1 innings with a 3.77 ERA and 63 strikeouts.
Cecconi has a tough matchup to start the week in New York against the Mets, but then goes to Chicago to face the depleted White Sox. You are using him in most formats.
Eric Lauer (SP, RP – TOR) at COL, at LAD
Eric Lauer has been fantastic this season, and you should probably be using him everywhere, but these are tough matchups in Colorado and then versus a great Dodgers team.
The Dodgers have been pretty mediocre recently, but on paper, they are still the best team in baseball. This one is risky.
Michael Soroka (SP, RP – CHC) vs. CIN, at STL
Michael Soroka has been up and down this year. He has a ton of talent, but has also gotten unlucky when he allows too much contact. He now has the Cubs’ offense supporting him, but there is some risk with the Reds and their improved lineup coming to town.
Mike Burrows (SP, RP – PIT) vs. SF, vs. CIN
Mike Burrows has quietly pitched well, and we have seen his strikeout rate increase recently. He has a good matchup to start the week and then a mediocre one to end it, but Pittsburgh is a great place to pitch, so he is a great arm to stream.
Brandon Pfaadt (SP – ARI) vs. SD, vs. COL
Brandon Pfaadt is a high-risk/high-reward pitcher because of his home run problem. He has two good matchups at home this week, though, which is a great spot to stream him. Hopefully, he can keep the ball in the yard.
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