It is important to look at some MLB storylines and aspects this week to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates. Here are 20 things to watch around the world of fantasy baseball for Week 8.
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Fantasy Baseball 20 Things to Watch: Week 8
Fantasy Baseball Week 8 Schedule Notes
- No teams have just five games this week!
- The following teams have seven games this week:
- Boston Red Sox vs TB, at STL
- Tampa Bay Rays at BOS, at TOR
- Houston Astros vs OAK, vs MIL
- Oakland A’s at HOU, at KC
- New York Mets vs PHI, at PHI, at MIA
- Philadelphia Phillies at NYM, vs NYM, vs WAS
- Chicago Cubs at ATL, vs PIT
- Cincinnati Reds at ARI, at LAD
- Pittsburgh Pirates at MIL, at CHC
- Los Angeles Dodgers at SF, vs CIN
Mazardo is a top-tier hitting prospect for the Guardians who made his debut this past week. Manzardo isn’t your prototypical first baseman with a ton of power. However, he has a fantastic hit tool and enough power that plays at the Major League level. The question comes down to playing time. With Josh Naylor as the Guardians primary first baseman, will Mazardo have enough of a role to matter for fantasy this season?
Gasser is another prospect that made his debut this last week, throwing a six shutout innings versus the Cardinals while striking out four in the victory. Gasser isn’t a top-100 prospect, but he does have a pretty high floor as a lefty that has great command and a full arsenal. He has a nice matchup this week and is someone to watch and stream.
Bradley made his season debut after missing the start of the season with an injury. He was very impressive in his first outing, showing increased velocity with his fastball in the process. He is a former top pitching prospect and someone to continue to watch and pick up where available.
Skenes made his debut and was impressive in spite of less than stellar results. Skenes is the top pitching prospect in baseball and shredded AAA this season, but the Pirates have been very cautious with his innings. There is some concern that they will not let Skenes go deep enough into games to qualify for wins.
Mayo is absolutely crushing the minor leagues, hitting .288/.358/.594 with 12 home runs and three stolen bases. While other hitters in the Orioles minor league system have gotten the press, Mayo may be the next one up and the most impactful. There is a fair amount of swing and miss to his game, but the Orioles have a Ramon Urias sized hole at third base. Mayo might be the player to fill it.
Paddack has been really good recently, throwing a six shutout innings versus the Red Sox followed by a 10-strikeout performance against the Mariners. He has a pretty tough two-start week against the Yankees and the Guardians, so this is a nice test to see if he is back to being his elite self from a few years ago.
Woo returned to the Mariners rotation and pitched well. However, he is reportedly dealing with tightness in his forearm again and that is often a sign that Tommy John surgery is coming down the pike. We need to keep a close eye on this.
The Cubs Rotation
Kyle Hendricks is expected to return this week, which means the Cubs will have to make a decision on Hayden Wesneski who has looked good as Hendricks’ replacement. The Cubs have already moved Ben Brown to the bullpen and could do the same with Wesneski, but Hendricks doesn’t really deserve the rotation spot and the Cubs are in a playoff race already.
The Angels Bullpen
Carlos Estevez has struggled as of late, blowing two of his last four save attempts. He has a 6.17 ERA this season and may be losing his grip on the job in Anaheim.
The Rays Bullpen
Pete Fairbanks has returned from the IL for the Rays. Fairbanks struggled this season before hitting the IL and Jason Adam led a committee in his absence. We need to watch and see if this committee will continue or if Fairbanks will take back over as the closer in Tampa Bay.
The Dodgers Bullpen
With Evan Phillips out, the Dodgers are in need of a temporary closer. Alex Vesia received the first shot and Daniel Hudson received the second. The Dodgers also have Blake Treinen on the team as well. We need to keep and eye on who is emerging with the job or if this is a committee.
Fantasy Baseball Streaming Pitchers
Lance Lynn at LAA – Lynn has been up and down this season, but facing the Tourt-less Angels is a good opportunity to take a gamble with the old man.
John Means vs SEA – Means is back and has looked good so far. He faces a struggling Mariners offense at home which is a park that suppresses power.
Reese Olson vs MIA – Olson has been pretty good this season even with limited upside and is facing a really bad Miami team that appears to have just given up.
Griffin Canning vs STL – Canning has pitched better as of late and is facing a struggling Cardinals offense at home.
Dean Kremer vs SEA – Kremer has pitched really well as of late and faces the Mariners at home.
Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers
Trevor Williams at CHW, at PHI – Williams has a great matchup versus the White Sox and a tough one against the Phillies, but until he struggles, you probably need to just keep rolling him out there.
Sean Manaea vs PHI, at MIA – Manaea is facing a good Phillies offense and a really bad Miami one, so I think this is a decent spot to gamble.
Brady Singer at SEA, vs OAK – Singer has looked good this season and is facing a struggling Seattle offense and a bad Oakland one.
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