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:
- Toronto Blue Jays at HOU, at CHC (1), at PHI
- Philadelphia Phillies vs. WSH, vs TOR
- Washington Nationals at PHI, vs. CIN
- Chicago Cubs vs. LAD, at KCR
- Milwaukee Brewers vs. PIT, vs. MIN
- Pittsburgh Pirates at MIL, vs. NYM
- Arizona Diamondbacks vs. SDP, vs. LAD
- San Diego Padres at ARI, vs. HOU
2. The Trade Deadline
The MLB trade deadline is at 3:00 pm ET on Monday, and there should be a flurry of activity in addition to the massive trades we have already seen. This will shake up the fantasy landscape.
3. Lineups and Pitching Schedules
As hitters and pitchers get traded around the league, we need to monitor how that not only impacts the teams that traded for players, but also the spots that open up on the teams that traded players away.
For example, with Luis Garcia moving to New York (more on that next), the Nationals have an opening at first base. Andres Chaparro could be in line for more playing time, but so could someone like Harry Ford or Brady House. The hitters and pitchers that replace the ones that were traded away sometimes gain more value than the ones that left.
4. Yankees Infield
The Yankees acquired Luis Garcia from the Nationals over the weekend, and this addition will push Ben Rice to the designated hitter spot more often and could limit the fantasy upside for Paul Goldschmidt, who would become the platoon partner with Garcia. The Yankees are scheduled to see two lefties this week, so we need to watch what they do with the lineup.
5. Max Clark (OF – DET)
Max Clark made his MLB debut last week for the Tigers. The top prospect was a surprising call-up as it started his clock and will take away his rookie eligibility for next season. There is power and speed in the profile as well as a fantastic eye at the plate. Clark is a must-pick up off the waiver wire in all formats and could be a real difference maker down the stretch.
6. Dodgers Rotation
With Tarik Skubal joining the Dodgers’ rotation, they have added one of the best arms in baseball to an already loaded team. Will they stick with a five-man rotation until Shohei Ohtani comes back? What happens when Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell return? Who will be out and how many pitchers will they roll with?
7. Quinn Mathews (SP – STL)
Quinn Mathews made his Major League debut for the Cardinals last week, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in a loss to the Blue Jays.
The prospect had great numbers in AAA this season, but has struggled with control. He should be in the rotation for the long haul and has a good matchup to flex his stuff this week against the Rockies.
8. Freddy Peralta (SP – TBR)
Freddy Peralta was moved to the Rays over the weekend after a disappointing tenure with the Mets. The Rays have been fantastic with pitching development and adjustments. We need to see how they approach a former ace who has struggled this season.
9. Diamondbacks’ Closer Chaos
Paul Sewald has officially lost the closing job in Arizona. There isn’t a great option behind him to take over. We’re likely looking at a committee of Brandyn Garcia, Juan Morillo and Jonathan Loaisiga unless the Diamondbacks trade for a closer.
10. Cubs’ Closer Chaos
The Cubs have operated with a committee since losing Daniel Palencia, but they could be primed to trade for a more reliable ninth-inning option at the deadline. Palencia is working his way back from injury, so we need to see what their plans are.
11-14. Streaming Options
Quinn Mathews (SP – STL) vs. COL
The Rockies are terrible on the road and are likely to sell pieces before this start.
Bubba Chandler (SP – PIT) vs. NYM
Bubba Chandler has been up and down this season, but the Mets should sell a bunch of pieces before this game, and Chandler has a ton of upside.
Matthew Boyd (SP – CHC) at KCR
The Royals have been dreadful offensively and are missing two of their best bats right now. Matthew Boyd has been great since returning from the injured list (IL), and the Cubs are buyers at the deadline.
MacKenzie Gore (SP – TEX) at SFG
The Giants have struggled versus left-handed pitching and should sell off multiple pieces the day before this game.
15-20. Two-Start Options
Ian Seymour (SP, RP – TBR) at COL, at SEA
Ian Seymour has been up and down since entering the rotation, but the underlying skills have been fantastic. He has great stuff and is developing with each start.
Seymour has two great matchups, but one is in a tough park in Colorado. You are using him in most formats despite the Coors Field outing.
Logan Henderson (SP – MIL) vs. PIT, vs. MIN
Logan Henderson has been fantastic since coming up from the minors, throwing 44 innings over nine starts with a 2.66 ERA and 54 strikeouts.
Henderson has two really tough matchups versus a Pirates team that crushes righties and a Twins team that is sneaky and powerful. You are still using him in most formats until he struggles, but there is risk here.
Christian Scott (SP – NYM) at CLE, at PIT
Christian Scott has been great this season despite inconsistent control, throwing 63.1 innings with a 2.99 ERA and 85 strikeouts.
Scott has a fantastic matchup to start the week, but a rougher one at the end; until the control issues catch up with him, you are using him in most spots.
Patrick Sandoval (SP – BOS) vs. CWS vs. ATH
Patrick Sandoval has been good since returning from the IL, but pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery are often inconsistent.
Sandoval has a tough matchup to start the week, but he gets the A’s away from Sacramento, and they tend to struggle when they aren’t at home. This is a riskY deep-league bet, but one worth taking.
Brandon Pfaadt (SP, RP – ARI) vs. SDP, vs. LAD
Brandon Pfaadt has been fantastic since returning from the minors after a release point change. The Padres start isn’t scary, but he has to face the Dodgers at the end of the week.
J.T. Ginn (SP, RP – ATH) at CIN, at BOS
J.T. Ginn has been pretty good on the road this season, throwing 55 innings with a 3.60 ERA and 60 strikeouts. However, these are in tough locations, and Boston has been a hot offense as of late. Still, Ginn should be in most deep leagues.
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