With the season winding down, it is important to look at some important storylines and aspects to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates.
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Fantasy Baseball 20 Things to Watch: Week 24
Fantasy Baseball Week 24 Schedule Notes
- The following teams have just five games this week:
- San Diego Padres at SEA, at SF
- Arizona Diamondbacks vs. TEX, vs. MIL
- The following teams have seven games this week:
- Boston Red Sox vs. BAL, at NYY
- New York Yankees vs. KC, vs. BOS
- Tampa Bay Rays at PHI, at CLE
- Cleveland Guardians at CWS, vs. TB
- Miami Marlins at PIT, at WAS
- Cincinnati Reds at ATL, at STL, at MIN
Trevor Story (SS – BOS)
Trevor Story has returned from the injured list (IL) after missing the majority of the season. It remains to be seen what kind of impact he can have down the stretch, but we know he has power and speed. If he is fully healthy, he could be a league winner down the stretch.
Landon Knack (SP – LAD)
Landon Knack has been called up to join the Dodgers’ rotation. He pitched well against the Guardians. Knack’s time could be limited if he doesn’t pitch well, but he has been great this season in limited time in the Majors and has shown a lot of upside in his time in the Minors. If he can stick in the rotation rest of the season, there is a ton of win potential and upside.
Max Scherzer (SP – TEX)
Max Scherzer has been on the IL since the end of July, but he is returning this week for a start against the Mariners. I am not a huge fan of starting a guy off the IL, but Seattle’s offense is so paltry he is an interesting streamer this week.
Jacob deGrom (SP – TEX)
Jacob deGrom is making his season debut this week after being on the IL recovering from Tommy John surgery. Arguably the best pitcher in baseball when healthy, it remains to be seen how deep he will go into games and how effective he can be fresh off the IL.
Yu Darvish (SP – SD)
Yu Darvish returned last week to the Padres after missing much of the season with an injury and personal issue. He wasn’t great, struggling with command and control. He did register four strikeouts in just 2.2 innings, though, but we need to see if he can be the pitcher he has been his career or if 2024 is just a lost season.
Chandler Simpson (OF – TB)
You may be asking, “Who is Chandler Simpson?” It is not a bad question to ask since he is a 23-year-old AA prospect for the Rays. What makes him someone to watch this week is that he has stolen 99 bases between AA and A ball this season. One hundred stolen bases is quite the feat. While it happened in the Minors, Simpson may be a deep-league sleeper next season for stolen bases.
Marlins’ Closer Chaos
Marlins closer Calvin Faucher‘s season is likely over after hitting the IL with a shoulder injury. The Marlins will likely move to a committee with Anthony Bender, Declan Cronin, Jesus Tinoco and John McMillon all as options. If one is likely to emerge, it is probably Bender as he has closing experience. While the Marlins won’t win a ton of games down the stretch, teams desperate for saves may want to take a dart throw here.
Clarke Schmidt (SP – NY) Returns
Clarke Schmidt returned last week after missing most of the season and pitched well in his first game back. Schmidt has a ton of arm talent. If he sticks in the rotation, he could be very valuable down the stretch.
Yankees’ Closer Chaos
Clay Holmes has been removed from the closer role. The Yankees need a new closer for the stretch run. Luke Weaver got the first opportunity and was able to lock down the save, but they also have Tommy Kahnle and Jake Cousins who could factor in as well.
Streaming Options
Matthew Boyd (SP – CLE) at CWS
Matthew Boyd has been great since joining the Guardians’ rotation and faces the worst team in Major League Baseball history.
Mitch Spence (RP, SP – OAK) at CWS
Mitch Spence has quietly been very good over the last few starts and faces a truly terrible White Sox team.
Casey Mize (SP – DET) vs. COL
Casey Mize has returned from the IL and pitched decently. He gets a bad Rockies offense that struggles away from Coors Field.
DJ Herz (SP – WAS) vs. MIA
DJ Herz has been great recently and faces a terrible Marlins offense at home.
Mitchell Parker (SP – WAS) vs. MIA
Mitchell Parker has turned it around recently and faces a bad Miami offense at home.
Two-Start Options
MacKenzie Gore (SP – WAS) vs. ATL, vs. MIA
MacKenzie Gore went through a rough patch in which he was getting hit hard, but he has turned it around over his last three outings. It seems like he has fixed the issues he had. He gets a Miami team he just pitched well against and an Atlanta offense that isn’t as scary as it used to be.
Nick Martinez (SP, RP – CIN) at ATL, at MIN
Nick Martinez struggles at home, but he has been fantastic on the road this season, throwing 49.1 innings with a 2.74 ERA. Both the matchups are on the road away from Great American Ball Park, which means you should stream Martinez in any league he is available.
Rhett Lowder (SP – CIN) at STL, at MIN
Rhett Lowder has pitched well in his first two starts, but struggled with control, walking eight batters in his first two starts. He has shown pretty good control in the Minors and the stuff looks good. I have faith he will be fine, but there is a risk if he can’t reel in the control.
Ben Lively (SP, RP – CLE) at CWS, vs. TB
Ben Lively has struggled in the second half this season, but these matchups may be too good to pass up. The Rays have not been very good in the second half and the White Sox will likely end up as the worst MLB team ever.
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