It is important to look at important storylines and aspects this week to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates.
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20 Things to Watch
Week Schedule Notes
- No teams have just five games this week.
- The following teams have seven games this week:
- Boston Red Sox vs. CLE, at PIT
- Tampa Bay Rays vs. LAA, at NYY
- Cleveland Guardians at BOS, vs. OAK
- Detroit Tigers vs. TEX, at MIN
- Los Angeles Angels at TB, at CIN
- Texas Rangers at DET, vs. ATL
- Miami Marlins vs. SF, at CHC
- Chicago Cubs at ARI, vs. MIA
- Arizona Diamondbacks vs. CHC, at SF
- San Francisco Giants at MIA, vs. ARI
Jackson Holliday (2B, SS – BAL)
Jackson Holliday was the top prospect in baseball that had not already debuted. He has now been called up by the Orioles. Three games in and he has yet to register a hit. I think the Orioles will be patient with him and there is some upside in his bat. He may take a bit to adjust to the Majors.
Colton Cowser (OF – BAL)
Someone who has adjusted to Major League Baseball pitching is Colton Cowser. Cowser made the team out of camp after a big spring training. He then rode the bench for the first series. However, since the calendar turned to April, he has played regularly, hitting .480/.500/1.040 with three home runs and a stolen base. He appears to have secured a full-time role and should be picked up everywhere.
Aaron Nola (SP – PHI)
Aaron Nola has struggled in his first few starts, throwing 16 innings with a 4.50 ERA and just 10 strikeouts. His velocity is down almost two miles an hour and he is throwing his fastball a ton, which is very alarming. He has about as good of a two-start week as you can ask for against the Rockies in Philadelphia and the White Sox. If he can’t rebound here, it may be time to panic.
The Rangers’ Rotation
Michael Lorenzen is on his way to make his Rangers’ debut soon and that means someone has to be bumped out of the rotation in Texas. Conventional wisdom would normally say it would be Cody Bradford, who was the last guy in the rotation, but Bradford has been impressive and looks like he will stay in the rotation. I think Andrew Heaney may move to the bullpen. This is something to watch this week.
Yariel Rodriguez (SP, RP – TOR)
Yariel Rodriguez is one of the Jays’ top prospects and made his debut after Bowden Francis struggled, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six. Rodriguez has a great fastball and slider with usable other pitches. He can walk guys but has decent command. He should be in the rotation moving forward and should be a popular pick-up this weekend.
Hunter Brown (SP – HOU)
Hunter Brown has struggled mightily, throwing 7.2 innings in three starts with a 16.43 ERA and a 3.91 WHIP. That is not a typo. With Justin Verlander coming back, Brown needs to step it up quickly or he becomes an option to end up back in the minors.
Rafael Devers (3B – BOS)
Rafael Devers has been dealing with a shoulder issue and has now missed multiple games in a row. He may be ticketed for the injured list (IL). So far, the Red Sox have decided to play a man down instead of making a move.
The Marlins’ Rotation
Edward Cabrera is expected back this week and Braxton Garrett is also working his way back. Once that happens, a couple of people will lose their spots in the rotation. AJ Puk seems like the obvious choice as he has been their worst starter and could go back into the bullpen where he has excelled. Jesus Luzardo‘s job should be safe despite his troubles, so that leaves Trevor Rogers, who hasn’t looked great, Ryan Weather, who rebounded in his last outing and Max Meyer, who was the last guy into the rotation. This needs to be monitored.
The Marlins’ Bullpen
Speaking of poor Miami pitching, Tanner Scott hasn’t been great in the closer role. He has thrown 5.2 innings and has just a 1.59 ERA. He has also walked nine batters. Set-up pitcher Andrew Nardi has been up and down as well. Anthony Bender, who is back this year from Tommy John, could be a sneaky play here if Scott loses the job.
The Rangers’ Bullpen
Speaking of bad bullpens, the Rangers’ bullpen is in flux. Jose Leclerc has struggled, Josh Sborz went on the IL and David Robertson has been up and down. Kirby Yates looks like he could be the next man up or the Rangers could make this a committee between Leclerc, Robertson and Yates.
12-15. Streaming Options
Ranger Suarez vs. COL
The Rockies are always a team I am looking to stream against when they are on the road and Roger Suarez looked great in his last outing.
Steven Matz at OAK
The A’s may be the worst team in baseball and play in the best pitcher’s park. Steven Matz has looked good so far, so this is an easy stream.
Michael Wacha at CHW
The White Sox are missing their three best hitters in Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez and Yoan Moncada. Wacha has looked great to start the season.
Spencer Turnbull vs. CHW
Spencer Turnbull has looked great this year and the White Sox are a team to target when it comes to streaming.
16-20. Two-Start Options
Jordan Hicks at MIA, vs. ARI
Jordan Hicks has pitched well despite not striking out a lot of guys. He has a nice front of a two-step versus a bad Miami offense and a tough end of the week versus Arizona. I think he’s worth the risk.
Zack Littell vs. LAA, at NYY
Zack Littell has pitched well, throwing 15.1 innings with a 1.17 ERA and 15 strikeouts. He has a nice matchup versus a bad Angels offense and a tough one versus a good Yankees lineup. The Angels being on the front end makes me very likely to roll him out there this week.
Seth Lugo at CHW, vs. BAL
Seth Lugo has pitched well despite the strikeouts being pretty non-existent. I love this matchup versus the White Sox and hate the one versus the Orioles. The first half is strong enough to make it worth the risk.
Reynaldo Lopez at HOU, vs. TEX
I know these are two tough matchups but Reynaldo Lopez has looked great early on and the Astros’ offense has struggled. While Lopez gets the benefit of the Braves offense supporting him, this is not for the faint of heart.
Reese Olson vs. TEX, at MIN
Reese Olson is not a high-upside pitcher but someone who usually is a pretty reliable innings eater who won’t hurt you. Minnesota is banged up already and the Tigers have played them well so far this season, which is a good reason to attack this two-step.
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