In the following MLB weekly preview, you will find a game breakdown for all 30 teams, two-start and overall pitching rankings and the latest IL info to dominate Fantasy Baseball…
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MLB GAME BREAKDOWN GRID
UPDATE: CLE SHIFTS TO 3 L / 3 R (important for Andrés Giménez)
NOTES: Detroit is the only team in the AL Central who finds itself on a homestand all this week (7). Every other team in the Central is on the road for six. Don’t recall ever seeing that as long as I’ve been doing this article. A bevy of Interleague games has something to do with it, and I expect we’ll see this more in future years. A lockout-adjusted schedule has an effect, as well. We see both come together for the Los Angeles Angels this week. After playing a two-game Freeway Series at the Dodgers, the Halos will continue riding the freeway to Seattle for a five-game set. Altogether, Angels will play their seven games in six days, including the doubleheader at Seattle on 4/18 (more on the Mariners in a second). Getting da faq outta dodge may be just what the doctor ordered for this struggling squad.
Twelve teams play seven or more games this week. Slightly over half the league (17 teams) plays the standard six games, while the Dodgers are the lone five-game weeker. Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux are in consideration for the bench.
A Few Areas to Target
Sleepless in Seattle
Mariners play a week-high eight games this week, all in the cozy comforts of T-Mobile Park (see park factors below). First, Minnesota comes into town for three, followed by the aforementioned five-game set with Los Angeles. While T-Mobile plays pitcher-friendly, limiting runs and home runs, the volume of games helps make up for this depression. Furthermore, minus Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval and potentially Joe Ryan, the pitching matchups are quite good. Overall, I like the outlook for your Seattle bats.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The Nationals and Phillies are the other teams who share the lead of eight games this week. First, Washington will welcome Atlanta for three games. Next, the Phillies, playing the role of Mr. Smith, travel to our Nation’s Capital for a doubleheader on 6/17 and five games overall. Nationals Park has played down this year thanks to the humidor, but the home-run park factor is still above league average and offers a bump. Nats hitters have tough pitching matchups, so I would stick with your Sotos, Nelsons and Bells. But Lane Thomas (5% rostered in redraft, 50% dynasty) offers some intriguing upside. By chance, he’s slashing .407/.448/.519 over the last week (27 ABs) with three doubles. Also, the Nats’ dumpster fire pitching staff will offer plenty of opportunities for Atlanta and Philly.
Philadelphia hosts Miami for three games before completing their busy week. Sandy Alcantara and Pablo LópezDTD offer a challenge, but Trevor Rogers and the aforementioned Nats’ pitching staff do not. Plus, Citizens Bank Park is even more friendly to the home-run ball on top of seeing an inordinate amount of triples this season.
Meet Me in St. Louis
Cardinals play a seven-game week with the benefit of an off-day between series. Obviously, this includes a doubleheader, which will transpire on 6/14 vs. PIT. After completing the four-game set with the Buccos and their below-average pitching staff/bullpen, St. Louis will travel to Boston for three over the weekend (Fenway Park ranked No. 3 below in park factor). Furthermore, all seven projected opposing starters are right-handed, heightening the value of Brendan Donovan (11%, 47%) on the strong side of a platoon and rookie phenom Nolan Gorman (34%, 82%). Also consider streaming Juan Yepez (11%, 57%) despite the right-on-right violence. Yepez is batting .278 against the same-handedness with four long balls and nine extra-base hits.
The Adventures of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck
Ok, this subtitle is a freakin’ stretch, but I wanted to keep with the Movie/TV running theme (which happened organically while writing this). Padres have seven gorgeous road matchups against the Cubs at Wrigley for four and the Rockies in Coors for three!!! San Diego’s offense has been picking up the slack as of late, scoring four or more runs in eight straight games (as of 6/10). Now, if they get favorable winds in Chitown, their bats could become bows, shooting balls into the stratosphere. Jake Cronenworth will be the Prince of Thieves (raking .409/.519/.955 last seven days), and Trent Grisham (48%, 67%) can serve as Friar Tuck. Just don’t tell him I said that, or he might slap the shit outta me. Oops, wrong outfielder… I forget Tommy Pham is in Cincinnati. 😂
Breaking Bad
Here are some bad teams with busy schedules: DET (CHW – 3, TEX – 4), TEX (HOU – 3, @DET – 4), PIT (@STL – 4, SF – 3; off-day in between). If you are strapped in a hitting position, scour these rosters for some quick fill-ins.
O Canada
Blue Jays are home for seven games (BAL – 4, NYY – 3). While that presents advantages for the home club and their mighty lineup, our focus here are the visitors. Or, more appropriately, the “non-visitors.” Players who are not vaccinated can’t travel to Toronto and will be placed on the restricted list, which is often announced the morning of first game. For Baltimore, manager Brandon Hyde did not discuss the situation in detail. “I think it’s possible [some players will land on the restricted list],” he said. “I’ll just kind of end it at that. Right now, I can’t disclose.” The linked article indicates the team knows what players are ineligible. Fortunately for the Yankees, we have no worries.
IMPORTANT PARK FACTORS
2022 Statistics
*Updated 6/11/22; Statcast data via Baseball Savant
TOP TWO-START PITCHERS
IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE – SUPERSCRIPT NUMBER IS OVERALL RANK
- Gerrit Cole2 (TB,
@TOR) ← The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. After being scratched on 6/16 due to health & safety protocols, Luis Severino is cleared to return 6/19 @TOR. Cole will be pushed to 6/20 and get a two-start week next period. - Sandy Alcantara4 (@PHI, @NYM)
- Alek Manoah7 (BAL, NYY)
- Aaron Nola8 (MIA, @WSH)
- Logan Gilbert17 (MIN, LAA)
- Chris Bassitt19 (MIL, MIA)
- Yu Darvish26 (@CHC,
@COL) - Logan Webb29 (KC,
@PIT) ← Alex Cobb is likely to return from IL on 6/19. - Shane Bieber35 (@COL, @LAD) 🤮
- Nick Pivetta44 (OAK, STL)
- Miles Mikolas45 (PIT,
@BOS) ← Loses second start due to Jack Flaherty returning from IL and Cards say they will keep Andre Pallante in the rotation for 6/19. The plan is to utilize Pallante as a bridge after Flaherty (est. 60 pitches), which will serve as Pallante’s normal BP between starts. - Cristian Javier48 (@TEX, CHW)
- Ian Anderson50 (@WSH, @CHC)
Other Options: Yusei Kikuchi71 (BAL, NYY), Johnny Cueto72 (@DET*, @HOU), Josiah Gray74 (ATL or PHI)*, Alex Wood78 (KC, @PIT) [Tony Gonsolin49 (LAA, CLE) could pick up a second start this week despite LAD only playing five games. Will depend on if team opts to start a soon-to-be returning Andrew Heaney for Walker BuehlerIL (Heaney will start 6/19 as long as he comes out of side session ok on 6/17)]
*For Gray, the matchups appear daunting, but ATL (26.1%) & PHI (22.6%) strike out at the highest and 13th-highest rate respectively against RHP. Gray’s K-rate has been solid all season (currently 25.9%). He’s been pitching well over the last month and should pile up the Ks for leagues that weigh the strikeout. UPDATE: (6/14) After being “rained-out” warming up on 6/13 prior to rain delay, Gray could be pushed to either 6/15 or 6/16… Cueto pitched five innings of relief on 6/12 due to an early exit for Michael Kopech (knee). MRI revealed no structural damage, and Kopech has fluid buildup on the knee. He hasn’t been ruled out for his next turn through the rotation, and his injury doesn’t appear to be a particularly serious concern.
Danger Zone: Kyle Hendricks79 & Justin Steele143 (SD, ATL), Dane Dunning87 & Taylor HearnNR (HOU, @DET), Merrill Kelly89 (CIN, MIN), Stephen Strasburg118 (ATL, PHI)IL*, Chris Flexen137 (MIN, LAA), Kyle Bradish147 & Jordan LylesNR (@TOR, TB), Chris Archer149 (@SEA, @ARI), Mitch KellerNR (@STL, SF), Antonio SenzatelaNR (CLE, SD), Mike MinorNR (@ARI, MIL), Jared KoenigNR (@BOS, KC)
*Brady Singer82 could pick up a second start (@OAK) if Zack Greinke isn’t quite ready to return from the IL and needs an additional rehab start. UPDATE: Greinke will throw one more rehab start on 6/18, giving Singer a second start.
STARTING PITCHER RANKINGS FOR JUNE 13 – 19
Upon a second glance, I realized I have Austin Gomber too high in my weekly ranks. CLE actually has the lowest K-rate in the league at 17.8%, and coupled with Gomber’s career-low 18.1% K-rate and the Coors factor, I’m dropping him from 74 to 85.
*Joe Ryan will start on 6/14 @SEA; Sonny Gray will start on 6/15 @SEA (change from above; Dylan Bundy slides back to take @ARI start on 6/17).
Pitching Spotlight
Once promising prospects for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Joe Musgrove and Chad Kuhl (to a lesser degree) have gone on to have solid MLB careers. By the grace of God, they managed to escape the evil clutches of the Pirates pitching coach staff. The two met for the first time in opposition on 6/10 and decided to have a bit of fun on the pitching mound during their Padres vs. Rockies game. Musgrove opted to start a game of tic-tac-toe on the pitching mound.
Neither Musgrove nor Kuhl won the game of tic-tac-toe as they made their move before each half-inning. The two remain great friends, and this game within a game kept the matchup light. However, when it came to the actual mound work, Musgrove won that battle as the Padres shut out the Rockies 9-0 at home. He pitched six innings, totaling eight strikeouts, two walks, and did not allow any earned runs. Kuhl pitched 4.1 innings totaling one strikeout, five walks, and allowed five earned runs.
Maybe Kuhl should focus more on pitching than games, but this offers a cool moment in sports, so figure I’d document. Thanks for indulging me!
Six-Man Pitching Staffs: LAA, SD, CHW
MLB WEEKLY PREVIEW | INJURED LIST REPORT
Besides names that may already be listed, here is the latest injury news on a few of your fantasy studs. I will update you early in the week.
Walker Buehler – 15-day IL, Right Forearm Strain
What was originally thought to be elbow discomfort is now feared to be much worse. Pulled after four innings on 6/10, MRI results showed the strain of the forearm, which can often be the precursory for Tommy John surgery. We already lost Casey Mize and Andrew Kittredge this week to the knife, and the Dodgers hope Buehler doesn’t make three. The 27-year-old pitcher already had the procedure once in 2015. Not to jump the gun, more tests will be done, but at the very least, manager Dave Roberts said Walker will miss “a good bit of time.” On the bright side, LA has Clayton Kershaw back, but that doesn’t help those who roster Buehler (unless you’re rockin’ both and are all-in LAD, in which case, God bless ya!).
UPDATE (6/11, 11:30pm ET): MRI results show an elbow strain. No surgery! Just rest & rehab. However, he will not pick up a baseball for six-eight weeks.
Starling Marte – DTD, Left Quad Tightness (Healthy)
Marte missed his third consecutive game on 6/11 following coming up lame on a stolen-base attempt days prior. He and the team do not anticipate an IL stint, and if not for the Mets outfield depth, he could probably have played on 6/11. However, every day that goes by could switch the outlook for a backdated designation.
Angels – Mike Trout returned to the starting nine on 6/11 against the Mets after being sidelined for several games due to a groin injury. After belting two homers and a laser double, just like John Wick, I’m thinking he’s back. Taylor Ward continues to progress well in his recovery from a mild right hamstring strain and a neck stinger and is still on track to return to the Angels’ lineup for their series against the Dodgers, which begins on 6/14. And by a stroke of luck, Anthony Rendon returned on 6/10 without needing a rehab stint.
Marcus Stroman – 15-day IL, Shoulder Inflammation (Retro 6/7)
Stroman developed shoulder inflammation while warming up during a rain delay on 6/8. He will miss at least the minimum to rest and recover. No timeline for a return.
Kolten Wong – 10-day IL, Right Calf (Retro 6/8)
Wong tested the calf with some running drills on 6/10, but it did not respond well enough for him to avoid an IL stint. The club is hopeful he’ll be ready to go when he’s eligible to be activated off the IL. His absence will offer some more playing time for waiver-wire darling Jace Peterson (6% rostered in redraft, 38% dynasty).
Garrett Whitlock – 15-day IL, Hip Inflammation (Retro 6/9)
Manager Alex Cora didn’t think Whitlock’s hip was of major concern, but the team will place Whitlock on the injured list to make sure the 26-year-old pitcher gets right. At the very least, a byproduct is innings management, but the medical staff will get a handle on the severity of the hip. Until that is defined, there is no timetable for a return. Whitlock had been battling discomfort in his right hip in his previous couple of starts, which makes one wonder why he remained in the starting rotation. Cora is undecided on who will take his place, but fallen hero Tanner Houck would be in-line to build up as a replacement unless the team is determined to keep him in the pen.
Fellow teammate Nathan Eovaldi (DTD, right hip tightness) flew back to Boston to have team doctors double-check his hip. Again, Cora is saying, “not a big deal.” However, he will be bumped at least a day in favor of Nick Pivetta. Continue to monitor. 15-day IL
Yasmani Grandal – 10-day IL, Back Spasms
Grandal exited his game against the Rangers on 6/11 in the third inning after a single on which he felt tightness in his left hamstring. The severity of the injury wasn’t immediately known, and Grandal was to be further evaluated. James Fegan of The Athletic tweeted that Grandal will be unavailable on 6/12. Those pondering whether to drop the struggling backstop can rejoice by either stashing him in an IL spot if things go that way or cutting bait. UPDATE: Grandal hits IL as presumed, although for a lower-back issue rather than hammy.
Pablo López – DTD, Right Wrist Contusion (Healthy; expected to start 6/17)
López had to leave his start against the Astros in the fifth inning on 6/10 after being hit by a comebacker off the bat of Michael Brantley. X-rays were negative, and he was left with a contusion. López threw a warm-up pitch while trying to stay in the game, so probably not a major injury.
Mike Clevinger – OUT, CV19
Clevinger was placed on the CV19-related injured list on 6/11. No further details at this time.
POV SPECIAL – SP STREAMS OF THE WEEK
→ Zach Eflin55, RH PHI (MIA, @WSH; 13% rostered in redraft, 71% dynasty) – Eflin’s floor is legendary, but he’s a great option given the matchups. So far in 2022, he’s making me rue the day I waived him in my dynasty league. Despite the 2-4 record and ERA approaching four, his WHIP is nice at 1.18, and it is fair to expect positive regression in the earned run average (2.75 xERA, 3.42 FIP). Eflin is inducing weak contact with a 29.5% hard-hit rate and 79.3% contact rate. And with four quality starts out of 10 total on the year, he’s great for leagues that value the QS. He’s averaged 5.2 innings per start while seeing the sixth or later in four of his last five starts.
Honorable Mentions: Adrian Houser123, RH MIL (@NYM, @CIN; 11%, 68%), Corey Kluber105, RH TB (@NYY, @BAL; 39.1%, 68%)
Solo Start: Jeffrey Springs60, LH TB (@BAL; 32%, 66%), Michael Wacha126, RH BOS (STL; 50%, 76%) – Springs maintains his excellence; life goes full circle for Wacha!
For more streaming options on the mound AND at the plate, visit Ray’s FAAB Values!