With the season almost to the All-Star Break, it is important to look at some important storylines and aspects this week to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates.
Schedule Notes
No teams have just five games this week!
The following teams have seven-game weeks:
- Chicago White Sox at LAA, at OAK
- Detroit Tigers at TEX, at COL
- Los Angeles Angels vs CHW, vs ARI
- Texas Rangers vs DET, vs HOU
- New York Mets vs MIL, vs SF
- Milwaukee Brewers at NYM, at PIT
20 Things to Watch: June 26 – July 2
Nathan Eovaldi (SP – TEX)
I am extremely worried about Eovaldi in spite of the amazing start to the season. His velocity was down 2 miles per hour in his last start, and he did not look right. Eovaldi has a long track record of injury, and velocity drops have been a sign in the past that he is hurt. With how good he has been, I think you have to continue to use him, but this is something to watch.
Gavin Williams (SP – CLE) Has Arrived
Gavin Williams made his debut, throwing 5.2 innings against the A’s, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four in the no-decision. Williams is the top pitching prospect in the Guardians system and is widely considered one of the top pitching prospects that has yet to debut. He has really good stuff but can struggle with walks. He has a nice two-start week this week and will be the top pitching pick-up this week.
Sandy Alcantara (SP – MIA)
This feels bad even writing it, considering he is the reigning NL Cy Young, but I am officially worried about Sandy. For most of the season, I have chalked his struggles up to some bad luck and the poor defense behind him, and the rule changes, but now I think that there might be something wrong with him. He has been extremely hittable in his last two outings. I don’t know how you don’t start him in most formats, but I am very worried here.
Will Shane McClanahan Be Back?
Shane McClanahan left his start last week with what the Rays called back tightness. McClanahan has been one of the best-starting pitchers in baseball, but the reason he slipped in the draft was a shoulder injury late in the season last year. While this looks like it may not be a big issue moving forward, it is something to monitor as we get closer to the All-Star Break.
Baby Pirates
The Pirates have called up top prospects Henry Davis and Nick Gonzales. Davis is the former first overall draft pick in the 2019 draft and has started off his career playing very well. While normally a catcher, Davis has been playing more in the outfield as a way of getting to the big leagues faster. This gives him a unique opportunity to get regular playing time while maintaining that catcher eligibility, potentially making him a top-10 catcher in fantasy rest of the season. Gonzales is a former top-10 overall selection that has not turned into the top prospect people had hoped for. There is a little bit of power and a lot of speed, but there are real concerns about his ability to make contact.
Kenta Maeda (SP – MIN)
Madea has returned from the IL, which sent out Louie Varland to the minor leagues. Maeda, when healthy, is a very good pitcher, but it has been years since he has been able to maintain any resemblance to the pitcher he used to be. He looked good in his first start back, so that makes him an intriguing pick-up if he can keep that going.
David Hamilton Debuts
David Hamilton has made his Major League debut and already has two steals in just 10 plate appearances for the Boston Red Sox. Hamilton has been an interesting prospect as a guy that has stolen every possible base in the minor league (70 in AA in 2022 and 27 so far in AAA in 2023.) If he can keep a spot on the Boston roster, he could be a Jon Berti-like player, but there is a chance he doesn’t get enough playing time or gets sent down this week.
Samad Taylor
Speaking of recently promoted speed demons, Samad Taylor has made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals. Taylor is an interesting prospect that stole 34 bases in 62 games in AAA this season. There is a question as to whether he is a good enough hitter to stay at the Majors League level, but so far, the Royals seem to be giving him a chance.
Tiny Tim
There are two hitters in Major League Baseball with at least 225 plate appearances and zero home runs. One is not surprising in Myles Straw, who is not known for his power. The other is Tim Anderson. Anderson has struggled with injuries this season, and it is clearly impacting him as he is hitting .241/.279/.282 with eight stolen bases. At some point, he should turn it around, but at what point is it too late?
Touki
Touki Touissant has returned to the Majors with the Chicago White Sox. He is a former top prospect that has bounced around the league as a starter and a reliever. The stuff has always been good, but he struggles with command and control. I used to be a huge fan of his, so this might be a little wish casting, but I am interested to see how he does in a two-step that features a really good offense in the Angels and an atrocious one in the A’s.
Angels Out Of The Outfield
The Angels sent struggling first baseman Jared Walsh down to the minors over the weekend and are now using Hunter Renfroe at first base. This is an interesting development as this would open up more time for Mickey Moniak out in the outfield if Renfroe can hack it there. If not, they could use Matt Thaiss there or give Luis Rengifo more time at second and move Brandon Drury to first.
13-15. Steaming Options
Dane Dunning vs. DET
In spite of the underlying stats screaming regression, Dunning continues to roll with a potent offense in the Rangers to support him. He should be able to keep it going versus a bad Tigers offense.
Taijaun Walker at CHC
Walker has looked better as the season has dragged on and now gets a jet lag Cubs team coming back from London.
Logan Allen at KC
Allen has struggled a little as of late, but nothing helps you get back on track like a trip to Kansas City to face the terrible Royals, who may be missing their best bat in Sal Perez.
16-20. Two Start Recommendations
Tyler Wells vs. CIN, vs. MIN
In spite of a homer issue, Wells has been pretty great this season. However, when he has pitched in the comfy confines of Camden Yards this season, he has been elite, throwing 50 innings with a 2.25 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in Baltimore. The Cincy start is a bit scary, but he is at home for both of these starts.
Jhony Brito at OAK, at STL
Brito has been up and down this season but pitched really well in his return to the Yankees last week. He has a really nice two-step versus two struggling teams in really good parks.
Julio Teheran at NYM, at PIT
Teheran will have regression coming his way at some point, but he has been fantastic thus far with the Brewers, and this two-step is nothing to fear.
Garrett Whitlock vs MIA, at TOR
The results may not be perfect, but Whitlock is a budding ace. His slider has been elite, and he has done a great job at limiting home runs and walks since returning from the IL. I think he will be the kind of guy that wins people’s fantasy leagues down the stretch.
Gavin Williams at KC, at CHC
See above
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