A whopping nine teams will play a week-low five games next week, and only three teams are at the other end of the spectrum with a week-high seven games. The remaining 18 teams have six games on the docket. With such a large number of teams at the bottom of the heap, I’m not going to feature all of them below this week. I will, however, highlight each of the three clubs with seven games scheduled.
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Notable Matchups
New York Yankees at MIN (3), at PHI (2)
The Yankees are one of the teams with a week-low five games I’ve opted to feature for one reason: Giancarlo Stanton. Gamers rostering him in leagues with weekly lineup changes should consider alternatives. He has yet to play a game in the outfield this year, so he’ll probably only make three appearances next week.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. WSH (2), vs. BAL (3)
The Rays are another of the many teams playing five games next week, and at least four of those games project to be against left-handed pitchers. The lefty-leaning layout of probable pitchers is damaging to the outlook of Brandon Lowe and Austin Meadows. Gamers in leagues with weekly lineup changes would be wise to use viable alternatives if they have any.
Cincinnati Reds vs. MIL (3), vs. COL (3)
The Reds are home for both of their three-game series next week, and that means batting in one of the MLB’s premier hitting venues. According to the FantasyPros MLB Park Factors page, Great American Ball Park has the second-highest park factor for runs (1.106) and is first for homers (1.347). Save for a matchup with Corbin Burnes, the pitching matchups are unimposing, too.
Colorado Rockies at MIA (3), at CIN (3)
The weekly look at the Rockies reveals they’re on the road for both series. Bummer. However, it’s not all bad news. They sit in the middle of the pack in games next week, which is a leg up on the nine teams with only five games. Further, three of their games are at previously discussed Great American Ball Park.
Los Angeles Angels vs. KC (3), at ARI (3)
Even with Mike Trout on the injured list and the Angels in San Francisco for two games this week, Shohei Ohtani is yet to start a game in the field. He has played only 5.1 innings in the outfield. In leagues with weekly lineup changes, gamers should note that he has three more road games in a National League park on tap.
Boston Red Sox vs. MIA (1), vs. HOU (3), vs. TOR (3)
It’s a glorious layout for the Red Sox next week. First, they’re one of three teams with a week-high seven games. Second, all seven are at home. Fenway Park has the third-highest park factor for runs (1.103). While they have a few potentially challenging pitching matchups, the pros vastly outweigh the cons for their hitters next week.
Kansas City Royals at LAA (3), at OAK (4)
The Royals’ offense isn’t anything to get worked up about. However, gamers in deep leagues desperate for streaming could do worse than looking at Kansas City for their seven-game week against middle-of-the-road pitching.
Miami Marlins at BOS (1), vs. COL (3), vs. ATL (3)
I could basically copy and paste the write-up from the Royals here and it would fit. They don’t face the most dynamic collection of hurlers next week, and the Marlins are one of just three teams with a week-high seven games. Their offense doesn’t create a feeling of excitement. Still, that’s why they have some widely available players who gamers in deep leagues could turn to as streamers next week.
Hitter Notes
Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)
Fernando Tatis Jr. missed one game after an early exit from Tuesday’s contest for precautionary reasons. He was back in the lineup Thursday night. Gamers rostering Tatis can breathe a sigh of relief.
Adalberto Mondesi (KC)
Mondesi left Monday night’s game early with a hamstring injury. He hasn’t been placed on the injured list, but he wasn’t back in the lineup on Thursday. Gamers need to monitor his status through the weekend.
Ke’Bryan Hayes (PIT)
Ke’Bryan Hayes was activated from the injured list on Thursday night. Gamers in leagues with daily lineup changes can keep him on the bench for a few days to get back up to speed if they have viable alternatives. Plan to get him back in lineups in leagues with weekly changes by next week, though.
Ramon Laureano (OAK)
The A’s didn’t immediately place Ramon Laureano on the injured list when he strained his hip, suggesting that they didn’t believe his injury was that serious. They’ve since placed him there retroactive to May 28. While it’s possible that he could be back late next week if he’s activated when first eligible, it’s best if you plan to be without him next week.
Pitcher Notes
Stephen Strasburg (WSH)
Strasburg is on the injured list — again — with a neck strain. If you have an open injured list spot, there’s little harm in keeping him there. However, gamers shouldn’t go out of their way to make room on the injured list for him. I advise cutting him rather than stashing him on benches if your injured list spots are full or your league doesn’t utilize injured list positions.
Jack Flaherty (STL)
Flaherty has what his manager, Mike Schildt, deemed “a real strain/tear” in his oblique. His manager’s quotes suggest that his stint on the injured list could be lengthy.
Sixto Sanchez (MIA)
As my colleague Brendan Tuma recently noted, Sixto Sanchez suffered an injury setback recently. Bummer. Gamers in all but the deepest of re-draft leagues or those in leagues with numerous injured list spots can move on.
Tony Gonsolin (LAD)
Barring a setback following Thursday night’s Triple-A rehab appearance, Tony Gonsolin could be back in the rotation for the Dodgers for his next start. He could also be nearly stretched out to a full workload, depending on how carefully the club opts to handle him.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.