Yet again, three teams are saddled with a five-game week next week. On the opposite end, one team has eight games on the agenda, and another has an eye-popping nine games. In the middle, 19 teams will play six games, and six teams will play seven games.
Notable Matchups
Atlanta Braves vs. BOS (2), vs. SD (3)
It’s a double whammy of bad news for Atlanta’s hitters next week. First, they’re one of three teams with a week-low five games. Second, they have challenging pitching matchups against the Padres.
Boston Red Sox at ATL (2), at TEX (3)
The Red Sox are the second team featured, with only five games next week. Thankfully, their pitching matchups are less challenging than the previously discussed Rangers.
Toronto Blue Jays at NYY (2), at TB (3)
The Blue Jays are the last team playing a week-low five games in the next scoring period. Like the Braves, they have a challenging layout of pitching matchups. As a result, Toronto’s hitters are downgraded in value next week. Still, I held off repeatedly saying this, but the short week isn’t ground for sitting the studs from any of the three teams. However, if you’re in a deeper league where their non-stars have value, you’re likely better served by starting an alternative from your bench or streaming.
Colorado Rockies at SF (3), vs. KC (3)
Your weekly look at the Rockies reveals one road series and one at MLB’s premier hitting venue, Coors Field. The six-game week is suboptimal, but a series at Coors Field is always good for Colorado’s hitters. In weekly leagues, it’s a mixed bag. However, in leagues with daily lineup changes, gamers can sit their Rockies in San Francisco and start them in Colorado.
Kansas City Royals at TEX (3), at COL (3)
Sadly, the Royals have a lackluster offense. Still, the lack of star power means there are widely available players gamers should consider streaming in leagues with daily lineup changes for the series at Coors Field. Specifically, Hunter Dozier and Edward Olivares are enticing streamers in 12-team mixers or larger when they’re in Colorado.
Cincinnati Reds vs. MIL (3), at PIT (4)
The Reds are one of six teams playing seven games next week. However, like the Royals, they lack impact hitters. On the plus side, they have three games at Great American Ball Park and four against Pittsburgh’s horrendous pitching staff. As a result, Tommy Pham is an enticing streamer in leagues as shallow as 12-team mixers.
Detroit Tigers vs. OAK (5), vs. BAL (3)
Remarkably, Detroit’s eight-game schedule is only the second-largest next week. Eight games are a volume boon for Javier Baez, Austin Meadows, Spencer Torkelson, and streamer options, such as Robbie Grossman. Heck, even Jeimer Candelario has streamer appeal in 14-team mixers or larger. Also, on a technical note, the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader is in Detroit, but the A’s will be the home team. To accurately represent the ballpark the game is in, I’ve included it as one of the five games against the A’s.
Oakland Athletics at DET (5), vs. LAA (4)
There aren’t many things to get excited about with the rebuilding A’s. However, a nine-game week is a small victory for fantasy purposes. Sean Murphy, Sheldon Neuse, and Chad Pinder are the most fantasy-relevant players on the A’s. Yet, if you can stomach the batting average drag, Seth Brown, Tony Kemp, or Elvis Andrus are deep-league streamer options to chase raw counting stats.
Hitter Notes
Vaughn was placed on the 10-day Injured List (IL) on Thursday, May 5. However, the White Sox should get an offensive reinforcement on Monday in the form of Moncada. Gamers who have been stashing Moncada can use him next week.
Haniger is on the IL with a Grade 2 high right ankle sprain projected to sideline him for multiple weeks. Meanwhile, Lewis began what could be a multi-week rehab assignment. Lewis is a nifty IL-stash option. Further, since he’s expected to spend the majority of the 20 days permitted for a rehab assignment playing in the minors, Lewis should hit the ground running when he rejoins the Mariners.
Voit started a rehab assignment on Tuesday and reportedly could return during the team’s homestand that began on Thursday and runs through Wednesday.
India’s return from the IL with a hamstring injury was short-lived. He was placed back on the IL with continued hamstring tightness. Manager David Bell indicated, “it’s still going to be a couple of weeks, but I think we can avoid it being a four-to-six weeks kind of thing.”
Unfortunately, Hernandez wasn’t activated from the IL on Thursday. However, a return is in the offing.
Blue Jays won’t be activating Teoscar Hernandez today. He’s scheduled to play outfield for Dunedin tonight.
Hope remains that Hernandez will rejoin Blue Jays sometime during current series in Cleveland. He has a locker already set up in visitors clubhouse at Progressive Field.
– Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) May 5, 2022
Pitcher Notes
Pressly was activated from the IL on Thursday. So, get him back in your starting lineup.
Gray will make what might be his final rehab start on Saturday at the Triple-A level before an activation from the IL next week. Unless you’re desperate for pitching help, gamers are advised to sit Gray for his first start off of the IL.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
