Welcome fantasy friends and foes to Week 4 in Fantasy Baseball.
May is here, and fantasy managers can begin to notice trends that will impact their waiver wire pickups and their daily lineup decisions. But, of course, fantasy managers always need to stay one step ahead, and in the immortal words of Ricky Bobby, “If you are not first, you’re last.”
To assist fantasy managers in achieving first place, here are 20 things that Fantasy managers need to look for in Week 4.
1. Four teams play only five games in Week 4
The Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Texas Rangers play only five games this week, with the Cubs playing all five games at home in Week 4.
2. The New York Mets play eight games in Week 4
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Mets play eight games this week. The Mets will take on the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies for four games each.
3. 15 teams will play six games this week
This week, three teams play all six games at home: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, and the Philadelphia Phillies.
4. 10 Teams are playing seven games in Week 4
The Houston Astros and the Baltimore Orioles will enjoy home cooking in Week 4, while the Tampa Bay Rays will be on the road all week.
5-9. Two-Start Options
MacKenzie Gore (SP-SD)
MacKenzie Gore, 9th and 10th K (thru 5) pic.twitter.com/t7RT3vFP0x
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 28, 2022
An injury to fellow southpaw Blake Snell opened the door for top prospect MacKenzie Gore to prove he belongs in the big leagues. Gore answered the call by posting a 2-0 record with a 1.76 ERA and 1.174 WHIP with an 11.7 K/9 across 15 innings in his three starts. Gore is limiting batters to a .214/.290/.304 slash and owns a 32.3 percent strikeout rate. Gore takes on the Cleveland Guardians and the Miami Marlins, and currently, it doesn’t matter who the opponents are with the way Gore is pitching.
Alek Manoah (SP – TOR)
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah has been ridiculous to start the season. Manoah is 4-0 with a 0.64 ERA and 0.857 WHIP across 25 innings in his four starts. In addition, he is limiting batters to an absurd .170/.230/.250 slash and .210 BABIP while limiting hitters to a 31.3 percent hard-hit rate. Manoah takes on the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians in Week 4. Manoah will look to carry the momentum of the first start of the season against the Yankees when he got the win by going six innings and giving up only one hit and striking out seven.
Joe Ryan (SP – MIN)
In one of the biggest surprises in the 2022 season, Joe Ryan has gone 3-1 with a 1.17 ERA and 0.696 WHIP. Ryan leads the league in giving up only 3.9 hits per nine innings. Batters only hit .132 against the right-hander while producing an above-average 30.1 percent strikeout rate. Ryan will face off against two of the bottom-six offenses in baseball this week when he takes on the Oakland A’s and the Baltimore Orioles.
Michael Wacha (SP – BOS)
Michael Wacha is off to a beautiful start to the 2022 season, owning a 2-0 record with a 1.77 ERA and 0.934 WHIP in his first four starts. This week, the veteran right-hander takes on the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox. So ride the hot hand until it burns you.
Bruce Zimmerman (SP – BAL)
Bruce Zimmerman won the fourth spot in the Orioles rotation out of Spring Training. Zimmerman has justified the team’s faith after four starts this season. The southpaw owns a superb 0.93 ERA and 1.190 WHIP with a 21/6 K/BB ratio limiting to a .236 BAA. In Week 4, Zimmerman takes on the Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals. Both teams struggle against left-handers, with the Twins hitting only .230 while the Royals fare worse against southpaws, hitting only .206. Please get Zimmerman in your Week 4 lineups.
10. Patrick Sandoval (SP – LAA) vs. Dylan Cease (SP – CWS)
After successful 2021 seasons, Los Angeles Angels southpaw Patrick Sandoval and Chicago White Sox right Dylan Cease were looked upon as breakout players coming into this season. In Week 4, we will enjoy seeing these two promising pitchers take on each other in an exciting Monday matchup. Sandoval is off to a terrific start to the 2022 season. The southpaw has yet to give up an earned run across 15 innings on his way to a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Sandoval has also produced an outstanding 20/6 K/BB ratio in his three starts. Cease owns a 2-1 record with a 3.27 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a 28/10 K/BB across 22 innings through his first four starts. I can’t wait to watch this game!
11. Ronald Acuna Jr. returns
.@ronaldacunajr24 is back and we couldn't be happier. ? pic.twitter.com/enUatMIYDt
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2022
In only 10 full calendar months after undergoing major knee surgery, the Atlanta Braves welcome back their electric outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna has been impressive in his quick return and rehab. Every Braves fan, along with fantasy managers, is excited to see the superstar outfielder on the field. Acuna is off to a slow start, hitting .222/.222/.222 with one RBI but has two stolen bases, which is a terrific sign. The Braves are bringing Acuna along slowly, so keep track of his playing time and take note of his progress continuing to rise to be one of the elite players in MLB.
12. The fantasy impact of the Adalberto Mondesi season-ending injury
The Kansas City Royals were dealt a crushing blow, confirming that shortstop Adalberto Mondesi has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. He was placed on the injured list and will miss the 2022 season. Mondesi was off to a slow start, hitting only .140/.204/.140 but did steal five bases. Mondesi has a lengthy injury history and has appeared in 100 or more in a season just once across his seven big league seasons.
The Royals have shifted Nicky Lopez from second base to shortstop to compensate for the loss, and Whit Merrifield will move from right field to second base. The shift provides the best option defensively, including leaving rookie Bobby Witt Jr. at third base, who happens to be the team’s best option at the hot corner.
13-17 More injuries with fantasy implications
Kris Bryant (OF – COL)
Colorado Rockies placed OF Kris Bryant on the 10-day injured list with a back injury. The Rockies are hoping Bryant will return after the IL stay, but back injuries are tricky. The Rockies will give Sam Hilliard and recently recalled infielder Elehuris Montero more at-bats. Neither player should move the fantasy needle.
Eloy Jimenez (OF – CWS)
Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez suffered a significant hamstring injury that required a surgical procedure. The expectation is that Jimenez will miss six-to-eight weeks. Jimenez joins a laundry list of White Sox players on the injured list. The White Sox will turn to shift the outfield, which will garner lefty slugger Gavin Sheets and Adam Engel more at-bats. Sheets has the more upside from the power perspective after slugging 11 homers across 160 at-bats last season.
John Means (SP – BAL)
This past week, the Baltimore Orioles southpaw underwent Tommy John surgery, resulting in Means missing the rest of this season and likely a significant portion of the 2023 season. The Orioles have yet to decide who will take John Mean’s turn in the rotation.
Bailey Ober (SP – MIN)
Bailer Ober is headed to the injured list with right groin tightness. Ober was off to a promising start to the season, posting a 2.75 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across four starts. However, the right-hander is projected to miss at least one start, and in a corresponding move, the Minnesota Twins called up Cole Sands to take his turn in the rotation. After a promising Double-A season in 2021, Sands has struggled in Triple-A, posting an ugly 7.82 ERA across four starts.
Eddie Rosario (OF – ATL)
Eddie Rosario was placed on the 10-day injured list due to blurred vision and swelling in his right retina. He is scheduled to undergo a laser procedure to correct the blurred vision. Rosario was hitting just .068/.163/.091 across 15 games. The Braves outfielder is expected to be out for 8-to-12 weeks. Marcel Ozuna is expected to see increased time in left field, which will cause shuffling of the Braves outfield. Travis Demeritte is hitting .389/.450/.778 with two homers, and Guillermo Heredia will see more at-bats and time in the outfield. Demeritte might be worth a look in deeper formats.
18. Bullpen Woes
Chicago White Sox
Hendriks slipped in the clubhouse between the 9th and 10th innings on Sunday, per La Russa. Gave up that home run to Buxton afterwards https://t.co/wi9Qv4NPnz
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 26, 2022
Liam Hendriks came down with back discomfort this past week and is now day to day with back spasms. He has been unavailable, and the White Sox have temporarily called upon Kendall Graveman to step in the closer role.
In his first save opportunity, he pitched two perfect innings with four strikeouts for the save and will continue to close out games with Hendriks sidelined, with his return currently uncertain.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros placed All-Star closer, Ryan Pressly, on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to inflammation in his right knee. Pressly has a 2.70 ERA and three saves to begin the season.
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said the closer spot would be a committee depending on matchups with Hector Neris, Rafael Montero, and Ryne Stanek.
Neris is off to a fantastic start with a .087 ERA and 0.68 WHIP, with 10 strikeouts in 10.1 innings and three holds this season. He has closing experience, but it was a roller coaster ride with the Philadelphia Phillies. Veteran right-hander Rafael Montero has closer experience and is off to an impressive start with a 0.96 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with two holds and one save, along with 15 strikeouts across 9.1 innings. Despite allowing a run, Ryne Stanek picked up the latest save opportunity and earned the save. Stanek owns a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts across seven innings.
Pressly suffered a setback in his recovery from his knee injury and is not ready to come back to the mound yet. As a result, the Astros have multiple viable options to temporarily take over closing out games. Still, it is a guessing game to figure out which reliever Baker will choose daily.
20. Trevor Bauer suspended
Major League Baseball announced it had suspended Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer for 324 games (two full seasons) without pay for violation of the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, the most severe punishment handed out under the sport’s domestic violence policy.
Trevor Bauer released a statement announcing he was appealing the suspension and has consistently denied all allegations. As a result, Bauer became the first player to contest punishment under the MLB’s domestic violence policy.
Bauer has not pitched since June 28 of last year, and that will probably be the last time we see Trevor Bauer pitching in an MLB game.
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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.
