It’s the last week before the MLB All-Star break. No teams have a five-game week, and there aren’t any squads scheduled to play eight games, either. So the games-scheduled total is six for 16 teams and seven for 14 teams. Additionally, no teams are scheduled for a doubleheader.
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Notable Matchups
Chicago White Sox at MIN (3), at BAL (3)
Next week, the White Sox are on the road for a pair of three-game series against two of MLB’s worst pitching teams. According to FanGraphs, The Twins have the fourth-highest team ERA (5.00), and the Orioles own the highest team ERA (5.44) this year. So even though they have Jose Berrios on the docket, these two series should be viewed as favorable for Chicago’s bats.
Colorado Rockies at ARI (3), at SD (3)
The Rockies will wrap up a seven-game week at home over the weekend. Then, unfortunately, they’re on the road for six games next week. The road trip is a knock on the value of Colorado’s hitters.
Toronto Blue Jays at BAL (3), at TB (3)
The Blue Jays are the final team with a six-game week I’ve chosen to highlight. I’m calling your attention to their trip to Baltimore. They’ll take hacks against Baltimore’s aforementioned MLB-high ERA while getting a park-factor boost from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, as you can see on the MLB Park Factors page.
Detroit Tigers at TEX (3), at MIN (4)
The Tigers’ offense isn’t anyone’s idea of a juggernaut. However, it should shine its brightest next week. It will get a lift from the volume with seven games, and the Rangers and Twins both have bottom-10 ERAs this year.
Los Angeles Dodgers at MIA (4), vs. ARI (3)
Stock up for the boppers on the Dodgers next week. They’re one of the 14 teams with a full complement of seven games, and three of those games are against a Diamondbacks club with the second-highest team ERA (5.36) in 2021. The Marlins are a more formidable foe. Still, only matchups with Pablo Lopez and Sandy Alcantara appear to be notably challenging in their four-game set.
Philadelphia Phillies at CHC (4), at BOS (3)
The Phillies are road-bound for seven games next week. Their pitching matchups are mostly mouthwateringly tantalizing, and they get a park-factor boost and lineup pick-me-up from adding the designated hitter to the fold for three games at Fenway Park.
San Diego Padres vs. WSH (4), vs. COL (3)
The Padres host the incoming Nationals for four games and the Rockies for three. Max Scherzer presents them a tricky matchup, and German Marquez could pose trouble for them, too. Otherwise, the pitching matchups look favorable, namely against lefties Jon Lester, Patrick Corbin, and Kyle Freeland.
Washington Nationals at SD (4), at SF (3)
On a normal week, any team playing seven games would be a tick above their peers. But, with so many teams playing seven games next week, some do draw the short straw. Unfortunately, that’s the case for the Nationals, as they face a murderer’s row of probable starting pitchers in a pair of pitcher-friendly parks.
Hitter Notes
Franmil Reyes (CLE)
Reyes is currently on a rehab assignment with the expectation he’ll be reinstated to the Indians on Saturday. His thunderous bat will be a welcome addition to fantasy lineups. Also of note, he’s played two games in the outfield this year and could receive more playing time out there in the wake of Josh Naylor’s ankle injury. Paul Hoynes speculates Franimal as a replacement in right field while Naylor’s out. If you’re at a provider where he doesn’t have outfield eligibility, this would be a welcome move to help him potentially gain it. Further, this could have an impact on gamers in keeper and dynasty formats for 2022.
Luis Robert (CWS)
Robert isn’t nearly as close to a return as Reyes. However, he’s moved on to the next step in his rehab process.
A return in time to help teams in head-to-head leagues in their fantasy baseball playoffs is a possibility.
Alex Bregman (HOU)
It appears Bregman’s absence will extend to the end of or through July.
Pitcher Notes
Chris Sale (BOS)
Sale recently threw two innings of live batting practice at Fenway Park, reportedly throwing fastballs 94-95 mph along with a mix of sliders and changeups. Manager Alex Cora lauded Sale’s command. The southpaw’s timeline for return is coming into focus more clearly, with a potential August return on the horizon.
Shane Bieber (CLE)
Bieber hasn’t resumed throwing yet. However, he’s reportedly “feeling stronger” and making progress.
Jose Urquidy (HOU)
Urquidy had been in the midst of a solid season before exiting his last start early with right shoulder discomfort. He’s now on the injured list. Urquidy’s worth holding in 12-team mixers or larger with injured list spots or medium to large benches.
Blake Snell (SD)
Snell was placed on the injured list Wednesday due to the illness that prompted him to be scratched from Tuesday night’s start. Beyond his placement on the injured list, there isn’t much info regarding the severity or specifics of the illness.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.