It is vital to examine key fantasy baseball storylines and aspects this week to stay 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.
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Lineup Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
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:
- Athletics vs. PIT, LAA
- Los Angeles Angels at ARI, at ATH
2. Weird Days Off
With the World Cup in the U.S. this month, there will be odd days off for certain teams as cities deal with increased traffic and sporting events.
For instance, the Rangers-Twins series has Wednesday off, the Phillies-Mets series has Friday off and the Cardinals-Royals series has Saturday off.
3. Cooper Pratt (SS – MIL)
Cooper Pratt is expected to make his Major League debut this week. The Brewers’ prospect signed a long-term contract earlier this season, which means Milwaukee believes in him. He doesn’t have a carrying tool for fantasy, but he can be a useful accumulator in deeper leagues.
4. Blaze Jordan (1B, 3B – STL)
Blaze Jordan has been called up by the Cardinals and is already making an impact. He was crushing the ball in AAA this season, hitting .313/.373/.548 with 11 home runs and two stolen bases. He already hit his first home run in the Majors. There is a ton of power upside here if Jordan can make contact and get playing time.
5. Cole Carrigg (OF – COL)
Cole Carrigg has made his Major League debut for the Rockies and has already hit two home runs in his first five games. Don’t let that fool you. He doesn’t have a ton of power, but he is a good defender with speed. If he can make enough contact, Carrigg has good stolen-base upside.
6. Noelvi Marte (3B, OF – CIN)
Noelvi Marte has returned to the Majors and has been extremely hot. He has three home runs in his last three games. The big question will be what happens to his playing time when he slows down. The talent has always been there, but Marte has struggled with consistency and injuries.
7. Hagen Smith (SP – CWS)
Hagen Smith is expected to make his Major League debut this week for the White Sox. He has good stuff from the left-hand side, but he struggles with control, which leads to too many walks. We need to see whether Smith can consistently find the zone, as that will determine his value.
8. Athletics’ Closer Chaos
Elvis Alvarado got multiple saves for the A’s last week, but Hogan Harris also registered a save. Alvarado has looked good, but we need to see whether this will remain a committee or if he will emerge as the leading candidate for saves.
9. Giants’ Closer Chaos
Keaton Winn hit the injured list (IL) with elbow issues, which means one less arm in San Francisco to compete for saves. Caleb Kilian is probably the leading candidate, but there’s also Erik Miller and Ryan Walker, who recently returned from the minors.
10. The Returns of Justin Verlander & Matt Boyd
Justin Verlander is expected to return from the IL this week after missing time with a hip issue since his first start in March. Matthew Boyd is returning from the IL after injuring his knee. Both could be back later this week, but we need to see if they are on pitch counts and how they look
11-14. Streaming Options
Stephen Kolek (SP – KCR) vs. STL
Stephen Kolek doesn’t get a lot of strikeouts, but he does a great job of limiting hard contact. He has a decent matchup at home.
Javier Assad (SP, RP – CHC) vs. COL
Javier Assad has pitched well, and the Rockies are terrible on the road. There won’t be a ton of strikeouts, but the matchup is too good to pass up.
Shane Drohan (SP, RP – MIL) vs. CLE
Shane Drohan has looked great so far, limiting walks and homers while not sacrificing strikeouts. He gets a struggling Guardians offense that just lost its best bat.
Brandon Sproat (SP – MIL) vs. CLE
Brandon Sproat has been up and down this season, but he is coming off a good start and has a very nice matchup at home this week.
15-20. Two-Start Options
MacKenzie Gore (SP – TEX) vs. MIN, vs. SDP
MacKenzie Gore has been up and down this season, but he has been fantastic at home. He has two very good matchups, so you are using him in most formats.
Shota Imanaga (SP – CHC) vs. COL, vs. TOR
Shota Imanaga has been struggling lately, but he was fantastic in his last start. He has two great matchups, including one against a Rockies team that is terrible on the road.
Dustin May (SP – STL) vs. SD, at KCR
Dustin May has been great as of late and really ratcheted up the strikeouts. He has two good matchups in favorable pitching parks, so he should be fired up in most formats.
Andrew Alvarez (SP, RP – WSH) vs. KCR, vs. TBR
Andrew Alvarez has looked good since joining the Nationals’ rotation this season, but has yet to go five innings in a start. However, he has a decent set of matchups versus struggling offenses, so this could be the week he begins to qualify for wins.
Brandon Young (SP – BAL) at SEA, at LAD
Brandon Young has pitched really well as of late and looks to be taking a step forward. However, his two-step this week ends with the Dodgers, which is a scary matchup for any starter.
J.T. Ginn (SP – ATH) vs. PIT, vs. LAA
J.T. Ginn has pitched well this season, recording a 3.15 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 71.1 innings. The matchups aren’t terrible, but his home park is. Both starts are in Sacramento, which makes him a risky play.
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