It is vital to look at important storylines and aspects this week to be ahead of the curve and gain an edge on your league mates. We have 20 such storylines for you to monitor. This guide will help you navigate the waiver wire, pinpoint potential streamers and more.
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20 Fantasy Baseball Things to Watch
1. Schedule Notes
Zero teams play five games this week.
The following teams play seven games this week:
- Cincinnati Reds vs. TEX, at MIL
- Milwaukee Brewers vs. KC, vs. CIN
2. Dustin May (SP – LAD)
Dustin May looked ready to break out before injuries derailed him over the last few seasons. He is finally back healthy and looked good in spring training. May is supported by the best team in baseball, but we need to see if he can keep the spring success going and how the Dodgers are planning on using him in terms of innings per start.
3. Roki Sasaki (SP – LAD) vs. Aaron Nola (SP – PHI)
Roki Sasaki struggled in his first two starts and has only thrown 4.2 innings in total. Aaron Nola struggled in his first start of the season as well. Both are facing tough offenses. We should tune in to see if these struggles continue or if they can right their ships.
4. Sean Burke (SP – CWS) vs. Pablo Lopez (SP – MIN)
The White Sox were the worst team in MLB history last season, but they may have found something with Sean Burke. He was fantastic in the opener and lines up against Pablo Lopez, who was terrible in the first half last season before being elite in the second half. This should be a really interesting pitching matchup to watch.
5. Sacramento
The A’s started the year on the road, but they are now coming to their new Sacramento Minor League ballpark (Sutter Health Park). A lot has been made about how this park will play, but we will now get a look at how much more offense this might create. This played as a pitcher park in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) last year, but that is likely more to do with the fact that most PCL parks are extremely hitter-friendly.
6. Running Pirates
Through their first three games of the season, the Pirates have been running wild, stealing 14 bases, which is eight more than the next most. The Pirates stole just 106 bases last season, which was tied for 16th in the league. If they are going to run at this rate, hitters like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Tommy Pham could make for interesting waiver wire pickups.
Our own Mike Kurland hyped Pham as a pickup this week.
7. Pirates Closer Chaos
David Bednar has struggled in his first few outings, but also locked down one save. If the Pirates decide to go another direction, they will likely pivot to Colin Holderman or Dennis Santana.
8. Phillies Closer Chaos
The Phillies’ first save opportunity went to Jose Alvarado and not assumed closer Jordan Romano. Romano struggled in his first outing, but this may be more about matchups than anything else. Still, this is a storyline to monitor.
9. Rangers Closer Chaos
The Rangers went with Luke Jackson in their first save opportunity, and he promptly blew the chance. They then turned to Chris Martin before returning to Jackson in their most recent game. This may turn into a committee situation if a pitcher doesn’t emerge from the pack. Get a rundown of each team’s closer situation with our weekly closer rankings from Ari Koslow.
10. Reds Closer Chaos
There was a lot of talk about Graham Ashcraft or Scott Barlow likely being the closer in Cincinnati after Alexis Diaz hit the injured list (IL). The Reds went with Ian Gibaut on Opening Day, who blew the game. In their next opportunity, they went with Emilio Pagan. This feels like a committee situation and is a situation we need to monitor.
11-15. Streaming Options
AJ Smith-Shawver (SP – ATL) vs. MIA
AJ Smith-Shawver looked great in spring training, which won him his role in Atlanta. He faces what might be the worst offense in baseball.
Shane Baz (SP – TB) vs. PIT
Shane Baz is finally getting his chance to be firmly in Tampa’s rotation. He gets a nice matchup this week versus a bad Pittsburgh offense.
Reese Olson (SP – DET) vs. CWS
Reese Olson looked great in spring and is facing a terrible White Sox offense at home.
Jackson Jobe (SP, RP – DET) at SEA
Jackson Jobe was able to win a spot in the Tigers’ rotation in spring training. He is facing a mediocre Mariners offense in a park that hitters struggle in.
Michael Soroka (SP, RP – WSH) at TOR
Michael Soroka was fantastic in spring with increased velocity before a stumble in his last spring training start. He gets a mediocre Blue Jays offense and is an interesting streamer this week.
16-20. Two-Start Options
Ronel Blanco (SP – HOU) vs. SF, at MIN
Ronel Blanco had amazing and terrible moments last year, but he is a pretty stable pickup this week versus a bad Giants offense and a mediocre Twins one. You get the Astros’ great offense supporting him as well, so you could be in line for two wins.
Casey Mize (SP – DET) at SEA, vs. CWS
Casey Mize looked amazing in spring training. He now gets a dream two-step in Seattle, which is one of the toughest parks in baseball to hit in, and against a terrible White Sox offense at home. He is a must-stream this week.
Drew Rasmussen (SP, RP – TB) vs. PIT, at TEX
Drew Rasmussen looked fantastic in spring training and is another year removed from his Tommy John surgery. I think he could be the breakout pitcher of the year, so he is a stream-and-hold candidate. He faces a terrible Pittsburgh lineup and has a scarier matchup at Texas, but one I am willing to risk with the Pirates at the beginning of the week.
Grant Holmes (SP, RP – ATL) at LAD, vs. MIA
Grant Holmes was one of the more popular sleeper picks this season, and for good reason. He was great last year when he moved from the bullpen to the rotation and carried that into spring training. He has a tough matchup in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, but the back end of the week against the Marlins is too juicy to pass up. Holmes is another stream-and-hold pitcher.
Kris Bubic (RP – KC) at MIL, vs. BAL
Kris Bubic was another popular sleeper as he was making strides before suffering an injury in 2023 that cost him a ton of time over the last two seasons. He looked great in spring as well and is another pitcher you can stream and hold. Bubic has tough matchups, but these are ones I would risk considering Milwaukee’s offense isn’t as strong as it was last season. He gets the Orioles at home.
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