Welcome fantasy friends and foes to Week 11 of the 2022 Fantasy Baseball Season.
With the political climate being on edge like never before, it is always great to find an outlet. My escape is fantasy sports. Creating fantasy content whether weekly fantasy baseball content or fantasy football draft prep is a fantastic way to isolate yourself from the surrounding craziness. Hope you can find solace and actionable advice as we take on Week 11.
Here are 2o things fantasy managers need to watch for as we head into Week 11.
1. Three teams play eight games in Week 11
The Cleveland Guardians and the Minnesota Twins each play eight games this week and open up Week 11 with a five-game series, including a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Toronto Blue Jays also play eight games this week against their AL East division rivals, Boston Red Sox (3) and Tampa Bay Rays (5).
2. Week 11 Schedule Highlights
Six teams play seven games this week, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, and the Tampa Bay Rays. Seattle Mariners enjoy home cooking all week, while the Oakland A’s will be on the road all week. A total of 17 teams play only six games this week, with the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Washington Nationals enjoying home games all week.
3. Four Teams only play five games in Week 11
The Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and the San Francisco Giants are playing only five games this week. The Mets and the Giants will enjoy home cooking all week.
4. Bryce Harper suffers a fractured thumb
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper suffered a broken left thumb and is out definitely after being struck by a 97 mph Blake Snell fastball. Harper will be re-evaluated to determine the path to recovery and whether surgery is required. He is headed to the injured list and will miss a significant period of time. The reigning MVP has been one of the best hitters in baseball, even though he has not been able to throw or play the field since the second week of the season because of a small tear in his UCL. Harper is hitting .318/.385/.599 with 21 doubles, 15 homers, and 48 RBI with a .984 OPS despite missing nine games. No one will replace his offensive production for the Phillies, but it is even more critical that slumping hitters J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos step up.
5. Perez suffers torn UCL
The lost season for Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez continues after being placed on the 10-day injured list with a torn UCL in his left thumb. Perez underwent surgery to repair the torn UCL and is expected to miss a minimum of eight weeks. After producing a career season in 2021, Perez has played through multiple injuries, hitting only .211/.254/.426 with 11 homers this season. Rookie catcher M.J. Melendez will take over behind the plate, and he is currently hitting .237/.339/.414 with six homers and 17 RBI across 45 games.
6. Jacob deGrom rehabbing
New York Mets ace Jacob DeGrom took another step in his recovery from a stress reaction on his right scapula. DeGrom threw 20 pitches in live batting practice against minor leaguers. DeGrom, who has missed the entire season, continues to progress after throwing a 19-pitch bullpen session a few weeks ago. DeGrom is still not expected to return, possibly after the All-Star break, but Mets brass and fans and fantasy managers are crossing their fingers.
7. Max Scherzer is returning shortly
The New York Mets have somehow managed to maintain a first-place lead in the NL East without Max Scherzer and Jacob DeGrom, but we should see the return of Scherzer this week. Scherzer pitched 3.1 innings at Double-A Binghamton in his first rehab appearance since straining his left oblique on May 18. Scherzer reported soreness after the outing and determined that another rehab outing would be required. The veteran right-hander is still ahead of his recovery schedule and is now projected to return next weekend.
8. Chris Sale is looking great in rehab
The Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale began the season on the 60-day injured list after suffering a stress fracture in his rib cage in February. Sale threw his second rehab outing on Saturday, reaching 96 mph and striking six batters in 2.2 innings. The Red Sox plan for Sale is to make a least two more rehab starts before activating him. The Red Sox starting rotation has been shuffled around lately with injuries to Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock. The return of their ace would be a welcome sight.
9. Jon Berti shining
Miami Marlins versatile Jon Berti has been a find for fantasy managers this season. Berti is eligible for 2B/3B/SS/OF and leads the majors with 21 stolen bases. On top of that, Berti is hitting .290/.390/.416 with two homers and 14 RBI with 26 runs scored. Berti is on fire lately with 13 stolen bases in his last 15 games while slashing .317/.379/.400. If Berti is somehow available in your league, run to add Berti. Berti will be on many championship rosters this season.
10. Former No. 1 overall pick finally gets his chance
It is always good to see positive news in baseball, and there is a gleam of light information with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies promoted right-hander Mark Appelt, the former first overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. Appel waited nine long years to make his MLB debut, and it seems he will finally see a chance after being promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Appel was 5-0 with a 1.61 ERA across his 19 appearances this season, and it looks like his hard work and determination finally paid off.
11. One-game series could be a playoff preview
The New York Yankees visit Minute Maid Park to take on the Houston Astros for a one-game series in what could be a playoff preview. The Yankees will send out their ace Gerritt Cole, who is 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. After struggling at the season’s onset, Cole has returned to his dominant pitching to the tune of producing 11.4 K/9, and hitters are hitting only .201 against the right-hander. The Astros send out their ace Justin Verlander, who is 9-3 with a 2.22 ERA and .087 WHIP. Hitters are hitting only .192 against the former Cy Young award winner. This will be the game of the week to watch.
12-14 Week 11 Elite Pitching Matchups
Nick Pivetta (SP – BOS) vs. Alek Manoah (SP – TOR)
AL East rivals will close out their three-game series with an elite pitching duel. The Boston Red Sox sends right-hander Nick Pivetta, who has won eight of his last nine, starts to bring his record to 8-5 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.11 ERA. The Blue Jays will send right-hander Alek Manoah to the mound against the Red Sox. Manoah is having a fantastic season with a 9-2 record with a 2.05 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. Hitters are only batting .205 against the second-year pitcher.
Dylan Cease (SP – CWS) vs. Logan Webb (SP – SF)
Dylan Cease has lived up to the preseason hype with a 5-3 record and a 2.68 ERA. Cease leads the majors with a 13.1 K/9, and opposing hitters are only batting .213 against the right-hander. His opponent next week is having an equally fine season in San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb. Webb is 6-2 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. The right-hander has pitched exceptionally well at home with a 4-1 record and a 2.74 ERA, along with not surrendering a home run at Oracle Park.
Paul Blackburn (SP – OAK) vs. Jordan Montgomery (SP – NYY)
Despite giving up seven earned runs in his last start, Paul Blackburn has pitched surprisingly well this season. The A’s right-hander has produced a 6-3 record with a 2.97 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Blackburn and the A’s visit Yankee Stadium to take on left-hander Jordan Montgomery and the New York Yankees, who have the best record in baseball at 52-20. Montgomery is 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA across 14 starts and will take on the worst-hitting team in the big leagues.
15-20. Hot or Not
Hot
Dansby Swanson (SS – ATL)
The Atlanta Braves shortstop has been absolutely on fire lately. Swanson hit .429/.484/.821 with three homers and four RBI. He even swiped two bases on his way to scoring eight runs.
Emmanuel Clase (RP – CLE)
The Cleveland Guardians closer went 3-for-3 in save opportunities with four strikeouts and didn’t allow a hit or a walk.
Shohei Ohtani (SP – LAA)
Ohtani went eight innings and gave up only two hits, and struck out 13 to get the win in his only start.
Not
Giancarlo Stanton (OF – NYY)
Stanton has been slumping late, including going 2-for-21 (.095) while striking out eight times. Although his two hits were home runs, Stanton gave some fantasy teams losses this week.
Eric Lauer (SP – MIL)
The left-hander went six innings and gave up six hits and five earned runs while coughing up two dingers in his loss last week.
Kyle Wright (SP – ATL)
Kyle Wright surrendered 21 hits and nine earned runs in 11.2 innings across two starts and somehow gained a win in one of those.
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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.