With the season almost halfway done, 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.

• The following teams have just five games this week:
  • Arizona Diamondbacks vs LAD, vs SD
  • Seattle Mariners vs SD, vs BAL
• The following teams have seven games this week:
  • Boston Red Sox vs KC, vs DET
  • Toronto Blue Jays at CLE, vs CHC
  • Cleveland Guardians vs TOR, at TB
  • Detroit Tigers vs MIN, at BOS
  • Minnesota Twins at DET, at PHI
  • Atlanta Braves at PIT, at NYM
  • Philadelphia Phillies vs WAS, vs MIN
  • Washington Nationals at PHI, vs OAK
  • Pittsburgh Pirates vs ATL, vs CIN
  • Colorado Rockies at MIL, at LAD
  • Los Angeles Dodgers at SD, at ARI, vs COL

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Tipping Phil

Craig Kimbrel has been dealing with what the Phillies are describing as a pitch-tipping issue. He did get the Phillies last save, but if he continues to struggle Seranthony Dominguez could take over the closer role in Philadelphia.

A Cup of Mead

Top prospect Curtis Mead has made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Rays. Mead profiles as a good contact hitter with power at the corners, but there is some risk that he is a better real-life player than a fantasy one. We need to be watching to see if he is an everyday player with the Rays or if he falls into one of their typical platoons.

The Yankees Lineup

The Yankees decided not to make any major trades at the deadline, and now they have lost Josh Donaldson for the year and Anthony Rizzo to a concussion. They have recalled Oswaldo Cabrera who is a prospect of note that has struggled in limited time in the Majors. With Jake Bauers and Billy McKinney in tow, seeing how the playing time moves forward is important for Cabrera’s value.

Fight Club

Tim Anderson and Jose Ramirez got into a pretty gnarly fistfight on Saturday night that is likely going to end in multiple suspensions. In the ensuing melee, Eloy Jimenez got hurt. This will undoubtedly shake up playing time for both teams for the next week so keep an eye out on the reports.

Dallas Keuchel (SP – MIN)

Keuchel has been called up to the Twins to take Joe Ryan‘s spot in the rotation after Ryan hit the IL. Keuchel pitched well in AAA and has had a number of good seasons as an innings-eater workhorse. He probably isn’t useful in shallower leagues, but he has a two-start week lined up.

Luis Urias (2B, 3B, SS – BOS)

Luis Urias was traded at the deadline from the Brewers to the Red Sox in a lackluster type of deal. However, the Red Sox designated Christian Arroyo for assignment in order to call up Urias, which points to him getting a real opportunity to play. Urias was a good fantasy option not that long ago, so this is something to monitor.

The Guardians Lineup

The Guardians have had quite the lineup turnover the last week. They traded away Josh Bell and Amed Rosario and now Josh Naylor and Tyler Freeman hit the IL. Brayan Rocchio, who is the Guardian’s top SS prospect, has been called up and it seems like Kyle Manzardo, who the Guardians got in the Aaron Civale trade from Tampa Bay, could be up next. Add in the potential Jose Ramirez suspension and this Guardians team could look very different this week.

Blue Jays Bullpen

With Jordan Romano on the IL, the Blue Jays are going to need someone to step up in the ninth inning for them. It seems likely to be Jordan Hicks who was acquired at the deadline from St. Louis, but it could be Erik Swanson or Yimi Garcia as well.

Brandon Pfaadt (SP – ARI)

Pfaadt has struggled in his brief time up in the Majors, but in his most recent start versus the Giants, he looked better than he ever has for the Diamondbacks. He has tough, really tough matchups this week and his next two projected starts after that are not any better, but if he pitches well, he could be worth picking up for the stretch run.

Not Football

A lot of people are starting to turn their attention away from baseball to football. This is the time to take advantage of their split attention and gain ground in the standings. Remember, fantasy baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep running while they tire out.

Wynn-ing Time

With all of the Cardinals’ moves, it is a matter of time before the Cardinals call up Mason Wynn who is their top infield prospect that has yet to debut. He has a good hit tool and plenty of speed and could be their everyday shortstop now that Paul DeJong has been traded and Brendan Donovan is done for the year with an elbow injury.

13-15. Streaming Options

Clarke Schmidt (SP – NYY) at CWS

Schmidt has pitched well as of late and now faces a team that will likely be missing both Tim Anderson and Eloy Jimenez after the fallout from the fight on Saturday.

AJ Smith-Shawver (SP – ATL) at NYM

Smith-Shawver has been up and down in his five starts in the Majors, but the Mets are not good offensively, and this is at Citi Field, which is a great place to pitch.

Adrian Houser (SP – MIL) vs COL

Houser has quietly been pretty good of late and now gets a Rockies offense that struggles on the Road out of Coors and has recently sold a lot of their best pieces.

16-20. Two-Start Options

Grayson Rodriguez (SP – BAL) vs HOU, at SEA

Rodriguez has pitched well since being recalled from the minor leagues, posting a 3.57 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. He has a rough matchup vs. Houston and an easier one in Seattle, but he has been good enough to trust him in most formats.

Kutter Crawford (SP – BOS) vs KC, vs. DET

Crawford has been very good as of late, posting a 2.18 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 20.2 innings since the All-Star break. This is a fantastic two-start against two of the worst offenses in baseball, so he is pretty close to a must-start in all formats.

Cole Ragans (SP – KC) at BOS, vs STL

Ragans has looked really good since being traded to the Royals in the Chapman trade, and now he moves into a full-time starting role. The Boston star is a little scary, but the St. Louis one isn’t, and both are at home which is a great place to pitch.

Yonny Chirinos (SP, RP – ATL) at PIT, at NYM

You will not get many strikeouts, but he lines up against two of the worst offenses in the National League in great pitching parks and has one of the best offenses in baseball supporting him, so there is a good chance for two wins.

MacKenzie Gore (SP – WAS) at PHI, vs OAK

Gore has been a little up and down lately, but the Phillies have been mediocre against left-handed pitching this season, and the A’s have been one of the worst offenses in baseball all season long.

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