The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees face off this weekend. if it’s a World Series preview, it will be the 12th time these two teams will have met in the Fall Classic. New York has prevailed nine of the 11 times, though the most recent meeting in 1981 was a 4-2 series victory for the Dodgers. L.A. took the final four games, with three being one-run victories in Dodger Stadium. As someone who grew up in Los Angeles bleeding blue, that remains my favorite title of them all — and the Lakers definitely spoiled us.
It’s sweet because of the torment from the Dodgers losing the World Series in 1977 and 1978, despite those being fantastic teams. The guys in the pinstripes were just better. Though, I’ll forever say Reggie Jackson should have been ruled out for interfering with a double-play throw from Bill Russell in the eighth inning. Jackson hip-checked the ball into shallow right field, allowing the tying run to score in a game the Dodgers led 3-2. The Yankees eventually won in extra innings. If the Dodgers win that game, they’re up 3-1 with Games 6 and 7 at home. I’ve heard the late Tommy Lasorda rant about Jackson’s move, so I’m not alone in holding a grudge all these years later.
Hopefully, this is a World Series preview because Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts facing off against Juan Soto and Aaron Judge would be gold in the postseason. Maybe it would draw some TV viewers. Let’s hope for that.
In the meantime, here are some fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and deep sleepers to target.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Start/Sit Lineup Advice
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 12
Heliot Ramos (OF – SF): 5%
Yes, it’s a repeat from last week, but Heliot Ramos needs more than a four-percent jump in rostership after Luis Matos was sent to the minors. In a sense, the Giants were choosing one young player (Ramos) over the other (Matos). Also, Ramos is hitting.
Ramos banged three home runs in the last four games and has thrown in six RBI to boot. He’s hitting toward the top of the Giants’ lineup, so he’s worth riding while he’s hot.
Hunter Renfroe (OF – KC): 3%
It has not been pretty for Renfroe, who ended June 5 hitting just .180. But things seem to be turning around for him. Since May 20, he’s gone 11-for-31 (.355) with eight runs and five RBI. He has a pair of homers and a stolen base in that small sample. Renfroe is still in the lineup plenty, though he’s more of a fill-in player on fantasy rosters for when others are sitting or their teams are off.
Corey Julks (OF – CWS): 1%
In an eight-game hitting streak since May 27, Corey Julks is 11-for-33 (.333) with a home run, three RBI, four runs and a .868 OPS. Julks has hit either leadoff or third in the White Sox’s lineup in that streak. Let’s see if he can continue this hot run.
Mitchell Parker (SP – WAS): 14%
Mitchell Parker has allowed three earned runs or fewer and pitched at least five innings in each of his last seven starts. The Nationals’ former top prospect is acquitting himself just fine in his rookie year, though he’s behind fellow first-year players Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Gavin Stone in fanfare. He could have a soft landing next week when he faces the Tigers in Detroit.
Andrew Heaney (SP – TEX): 10%
With 53 strikeouts in 56.1 innings, Andrew Heaney should be getting by with enough swing-and-miss stuff. After allowing four hits and striking out seven in six scoreless innings against the Marlins last time out, the lefty got his second straight win. On June 8, Heaney gets a home date with the Giants, who are tied for 19th in the league with 59 home runs.
Fernando Cruz (RP – CIN): 7%
In his last seven outings, Fernando Cruz has two wins and three holds. He’s also been incredible in the strikeout department, punching out 52 hitters in 28.2 innings. Somehow, the 34-year-old is doing it with a fastball that’s just a few ticks below 95 miles per hour (MPH), though he has a 34.9% chase rate that’s in the 94th percentile in the league. Alexis Diaz has walked 17 batters in 23.1 innings and has an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.50. Heavy is the crown worn by the closer. Cruz could be next in line for the saves throne if he can become more consistent.
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