All but one team plays at least six games next week. Making matters worse for the team playing only five games, they’re an American League squad playing two in a National League park. They’re featured below in the notable matchups. They’re joined by the weekly look at where the Rockies are playing. Four teams reach seven games next week due in part to a doubleheader, and three of those teams are discussed below. As I often say, it’s best not to treat those as true seven-game weeks since some of the regulars are likely to sit out one game of the doubleheader. The banged-up Bronx Bombers have dominated the hitter notes section for much of the year, but another top club in the AL takes center stage this week.
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Notable Matchups
White Sox at Nationals (2), at Royals (3)
The Pale Hose start next week with a double dip in Washington, meaning no designated hitter for two games. Despite the short week, Yoan Moncada has earned every-week starting status even in shallow leagues with weekly lineup changes.
Reds at Cardinals (3), at Phillies (3)
The Reds are road-bound for both three-game series next week. The pitching matchups have a decidedly right-handed flavor, with at least five righties on tap and the potential for six if the Cardinals opt not to give rookie southpaw Genesis Cabrera another turn after a messy debut. Left-handed hitters Jesse Winker, Joey Votto, and Derek Dietrich — of the three homers in a single game against the Pirates fame — benefit from the handedness of the pitching matchups.
Rockies at Cubs (3), at Mets (3)
Hopefully gamers rostering Rockies enjoyed their lengthy homestand, because they’ll be on the road for both three-game series next week. After playing their last 10 games at home before starting a series in the Windy City, Colorado’s hitters could have a tough time adjusting to a normal break of breaking balls outside of the thin air at Coors Field. Making things more difficult, the pitching matchups are challenging (or, in the case of Yu Darvish specifically, have the potential to be tough). You should still obviously start the studs, but guys like David Dahl and Daniel Murphy are benchable in shallow or standard leagues with weekly lineup changes depending on your team’s alternatives.
Brewers vs. Marlins (3), vs. Pirates (3)
Milwaukee is home for both of their three-game series next week. That means they’ll be treated to park factors of 1.019 for runs and 1.104 for homers. The known pitching matchups aren’t intimidating, so fire up your Brewers with confidence.
Yankees at Blue Jays (3), at Indians (3)
The Bronx Bombers are on the road for six games next week, but their lack of contests in their homer-friendly ballpark is more than offset by favorable pitching matchups. Furthermore, Rogers Centre enhances run scoring (1.014 for runs) and Progressive Field boosts both run scoring (1.095 for runs) and homers (1.040).
Red Sox at Royals (3), vs. Rays (4)
The Red Sox reach seven games played thanks in part to a doubleheader. Their week starts Tuesday in Kansas City, and they play a doubleheader at home against the Rays Saturday. Blake Snell and Charlie Morton make for tough matchups to close out next week, but the other pitching matchups are favorable for Boston’s bats.
Cubs vs. Angels (1), vs. Rockies (3), vs. Cardinals (3)
The Cubs take the more traditional route to seven games next week with one game every day. They’re home for all of them, and they project to face at least five right-handed starters. Kyle Schwarber’s sticking in the leadoff spot for the Cubs, and the righty slant to next week’s pitching matchups is favorable for the left-handed slugger, making him a strong start in mixed leagues with weekly lineup changes as shallow as 12 teams.
Astros at Mariners (4), vs. Orioles (3)
The Astros’ pitching matchups next week are split by four righties and three lefties. They’re extremely soft with Yusei Kikuchi standing out as the only hurler who I’d call above-average — sorry, Tommy Milone, two gems against the Rangers don’t outweigh your career work.
Mariners vs. Astros (4), at Angels (3)
The Mariners project to face at least five right-handed starting pitchers next week. Brad Peacock, Justin Verlander, and Griffin Canning are tough matchups, and former Mariner Wade Miley is pitching at a high level for the second year in a row. Corbin Martin and Trevor Cahill are favorable opponents for Seattle’s hitters, though, and the right-handed tilt is fantastic for Daniel Vogelbach’s outlook. The burly left-handed slugger has annihilated righties to the tune of a .275/.404/.626 slash with 13 homers in 161 plate appearances this year.
Rays at Tigers (3), at Red Sox (4)
As I noted in Boston’s write-up above, the Rays and Red Sox play a doubleheader next Saturday. The Rays are projected to face four southpaws and a trio of right-handed pitchers next week. Yandy Diaz’s impending return could knock Avisail Garcia from the leadoff spot against lefties, but that remains to be seen. Additionally, Garcia is enjoying a stellar season and has hit cleanup or fifth in recent starts against right-handed pitchers. Even if he’s bumped from the leadoff role against southpaws when Diaz returns, he should continue to slot in a favorable lineup spot against them. Assuming Diaz is activated from the IL before weekly lineups lock, he and Garcia benefit from the handedness of next week’s pitching matchups.
Rangers vs. Orioles (3), vs. Athletics (4)
The Rangers and A’s play a doubleheader next Saturday, and both have seven-game weeks as a result. The Rangers are home for all seven, and Globe Life Park in Arlington has the second-highest park factor for runs (1.239) and fifth-highest for homers (1.145). The pitching matchups are tasty, too. Lock in your Rangers hitters and enjoy some offensive fireworks.
Hitter Notes
George Springer (OF – HOU)
Jose Altuve (2B – HOU)
Carlos Correa (SS – HOU)
This section has frequently been littered with Yankees hitters, but it’s the Astros who’ve fed the injury bug of late. Springer is on the IL with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that will likely keep him on the shelf until at least the middle of June. Altuve’s been on the IL with a left hamstring strain since May 11, but he had to have his rehab put on hold due to fatigue and soreness in his right leg. The former AL MVP had right knee surgery last October, and the Astros are having him work on strengthening his leg while holding him out of game action until he’s 100% healthy. There isn’t a timetable for his return. Correa has joined his double-play partner and Springer on the IL in bizarre fashion. He’ll be out for four-to-six weeks after reportedly suffering a broken rib while getting a massage.
Justin Turner (3B – LAD)
Turner was out of the Dodgers’ lineup Thursday night with slight hamstring tightness, according to beat reporter Ken Gurnick. Gamers will want to make sure he’s back in the lineup Friday night before setting their own fantasy lineups.
Didi Gregorius (SS – NYY)
Gregorius made his Triple-A rehab debut Wednesday, and he could be back June 4. Eventually, the Yankees will have a logjam to sort out, but with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge still on the IL, there won’t be many tough lineup decisions even with the return of their starting shortstop. Gamers who aren’t in desperate need of Gregorius at shortstop or middle infield might want to keep him stashed in an IL spot next week to allow him to shake the rust off against big-league competition.
Khris Davis (OF/DH – OAK)
Davis is nearing a return, and he’s eligible to do so Saturday. However, it’s not clear if he’ll be activated when first able. Regardless, more should be known this weekend, and gamers could have him for action next week.
Pitcher Notes
Luke Weaver (ARI)
A change of scenery has gone swimmingly for Weaver, but his strong 2019 will be put on hold for an extended period of time. He’s on the IL with an arm issue and is awaiting a second opinion. He’s a hold until more is known about the severity of the injury.
Mike Clevinger (CLE)
Clevinger is set to throw a simulated game Saturday, and he could begin a rehab assignment after that, per Zack Meisel. If he avoids any setbacks, a return in June appears plausible.
Dinelson Lamet (SD)
Lamet required Tommy John surgery last April, and he missed the entire 2018 season. He made his season debut in a game for High-A Lake Elsinore Wednesday, pitching 2.2 innings. He allowed three runs on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts. Regarding Lamet’s timetable for a return, per MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell, manager Andy Green said, “He’ll move at his own pace.” Green also suggested a return at the end of June could be possible if his rehab goes well. Lamet’s on only two percent of Yahoo rosters and only one percent of ESPN rosters, making him an intriguing stash option in larger leagues for gamers who need strikeouts.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
