Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Rankings: Jon Gray, Chris Bassitt, Freddy Peralta (Week 18)

The trade deadline is next week, and we’ve already seen a few players switch teams. Lucas Giolito was the first big-name starter to find a new home. His trade to the Angels also signals that Shohei Ohtani will stay in Anaheim. More trades figure to follow in the coming days, which could affect schedules. Keep an eye on the transaction wire and FantasyPros’ Pitcher Planner, as there will likely be more rotation changes than usual this week.

Top-50 Starting Pitchers: July 31 – August 6

As a reminder, our weekly rankings begin with the rest-of-season Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) and are adjusted based on the Pitcher Planner, the players’ season-to-date stats, and recent performance. Always double-check the planner before setting your lineup.

The complete Top 50 is below, but first, let’s review some of next week’s more intriguing matchups.

Two-Start Starters with Promising Matchups Next Week

Among the probable two-start starting pitchers next week, four have two matchups that appear favorable to neutral. Texas’s Jon Gray has the most appealing slate, with home dates against the White Sox and Marlins. Brewers’ teammates Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta will face off against two subpar offenses back-to-back: the Nationals in Washington and the Pirates in Milwaukee. Last but not least, Julio Urias of the Dodgers will start his week against the A’s in L.A. and finish it against the Padres in San Diego. The Padres aren’t a plum matchup, but they’re neutral in Petco Park, which traditionally favors pitchers.

Two-Start Starters with Challenging Matchups Next Week

Conversely, some of next week’s starters slated for two games will have more on their plate. Toronto’s Chris Bassitt has the worst schedule, which includes a home date against the Orioles and a road matchup in Boston. Pablo Lopez of the Twins will travel to St. Louis and return home to face the Diamondbacks over the weekend. The D’backs have been far more dangerous on the road than at home this year. Cubs’ teammates Justin Steele and Marcus Stroman, assuming they are still with Chicago, get the Reds and Braves at Wrigley. The Reds aren’t too dangerous away from home, but the Braves are always tough.

Solo-Start Starters with Promising Matchups Next Week

Several Top 50 hurlers are slated for only one start next week, six of which have juicy matchups. The Mets’ Max Scherzer and Kodai Senga will take on the Royals in Kansas City, assuming Scherzer isn’t wearing another uniform by then. Texas’s Nathan Eovaldi gets Miami at home, while Tyler Glasnow of the Rays travels to Detroit to face the Tigers. Mitch Keller of the Pirates will likewise take on the Tigers, this time in Pittsburgh, and Dodgers’ rookie Bobby Miller will have an opportunity to pad his stats against the Athletics in Chavez Ravine.

Solo-Start Starters with Challenging Matchups Next Week

On the flip side, seven of the Top 50 starters with one scheduled start will face a premier offense. The Jays’ Kevin Gausman will take on the Orioles in Toronto, while two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will apparently travel to Atlanta with the Angels. The Friars’ Blake Snell and Yu Darvish will host the Dodgers, though Snell typically fares pretty well against the “Boys in Blue.” Non-teammates Jesus Luzardo of the Marlins and Dylan Cease of the ChiSox will have the unenviable task of facing the Rangers in Arlington. Undoubtedly, both hope Corey Seager will still be on the IL. Last, Logan Webb will take on the D’backs at home in San Francisco, which isn’t too daunting. Arizona’s offense has been excellent on the road, but Oracle Park tends to be pitcher-friendly.

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