In the following MLB weekly preview, you will find a game breakdown for all 30 teams (including Interleague play), two-start and overall pitching rankings and the latest IL info to dominate Fantasy Baseball…
In memory of John Cannella Sr.
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MLB GAME BREAKDOWN GRID
NOTES: This week, a lighter schedule with most teams playing six games and only seven teams with seven games. Almost as if the schedule makers wanted to give the players a bit of a breather in mid-August, coming off a 60-game season, or at least allow for some schedule flexibility for make-up games. Houston is the lone team with five games this week. Regardless, I’m not dinging Astros hitters too harshly because of the large number of teams scheduled for only six contests. Facing Colorado in interleague play (see Interleague Outlook) and the Angels adds to the intrigue since the Rockies bullpen has the highest ERA, and the Halos have a bottom-10 ERA, as well.
Toronto has a bit of an odd seven-game week, but what else is new for the Jays? Not only do they get a shortened seven games with a doubleheader against the Halos in Anaheim, but in game one, they will be the home team as a part of the makeup. If they are carrying the lead into the top of the seventh, their batters lose the bottom-half upon victory. Also, the elusive and rare road-game walk-off presents itself! Consider this with your decisions of Blue Jays and Angels players.
You may have noticed the Yankees away total and White Sox home total in light cornflower blue. This marks a game almost one year in the making yet truly a dream since 1989. On 8/12, the two teams will have the honor of participating in the Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa. The game was originally scheduled to be played last August 13th but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in Iowa ever, a major-league game will be played. Pretty special stuff, and check out that field below! MLB constructed a temporary 8,000-seat ballpark adjacent to the property used in the film. The corn maze outside the ballpark is in the shape of MLB’s silhouette logo. There are 159 acres of corn surrounding the ballpark, and it will be possible to hit a home run into the cornfield beyond the right-field wall.
Other than that, we will have zero clue how the field will play. Who knows; who cares? It’s one game. But it could have some bearing on your players. Just keep this in mind. *UPDATE: According to sportingnews.com, the field will play closest to Busch Stadium and Truist Park given the park dimensions.
If you build it, they will pay…
A Few Areas to Target
Boston Strong
Later in the article, I talk about Boston’s bats being sleepy. That, ladies and germs, is what they call a tease in the biz. Anyway, what I conveniently left out was the BoSox have been on a 10-game road trip. They are home for all six of their games this week, and need I remind you of Fenway Park’s ballpark factors? Ok, I will again. According to EliteData, the legendary field sports the ninth-highest park factor for runs. And outside of Luis Patiño, the rest of their probable starting pitcher matchups are non-threatening. Furthermore, Baltimore’s bullpen is a dumpster fire… but you knew that!
Cheese, Anyone?
Milwaukee gets to feast this week off some mediocre pitching (hoping this excludes Steven Brault; see Pov Special). With four games in Wrigley Field and hopefully the winds blowing out and three games in a normally tough hitters’ assignment in PNC Park, the offense should EAT! I say this because PNC has played closer to league average this season (1.004 R, 0.906 HR, 1.281 2B).
Copy That, Platoon Leader
San Fran is hosting the Rockies for four games, and they’ll benefit from Colorado’s trip to town, as they have the worst bullpen ERA… yes, even worse than Baltimore’s! However, it gets better, as Arizona’s bullpen ERA is the second-highest mark. Even in weekly leagues, the fact San Francisco sees two lefties and four righties would set up for fewer platoon situations than if it were an even split. Still, 2/4 is headachey and better for daily leagues. The two left-handers are Austin Gomber and punching-bag Kyle Freeland, who both pitch in the second half of the week, making Giants lefty platoon leaders LaMonte Wade Jr., Brandon Belt, Alex Dickerson and Tommy La Stella smart plays in the first half for biweekly leagues.
WEEKLY INTERLEAGUE OUTLOOK
*Makeup of 5/9 PPD
With the lack of a universal DH in 2021, American League teams will once again lose their designated hitter when traveling to National League parks. Very light week for interleague games, which will all take place at American League stadiums. For the second weekend in a row, we baseball fans get to watch the Show-Me Series, and this time, Carpenter will get at-bats. The masses could probably care less in both instances. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if manager Mike Shildt opts to start Carp at first and Paul Goldschmidt at DH to rest those legs. Could set him up for a finer week (career .288 BA with 3 HR in 59 AB as DH). As for Cincy’s lone game in Cleveland, it will be an opportunity to have Mike Moustakas, Suárez and Farmer all in the lineup vs. a BP game led by Sam Hentges. DFS stack, anyone???
Lastly, the legend of Connor Joe continues… two home runs on 8/8 and three in his last six starts. When Colorado was in LA for an interleague battle with the Angels from 7-26-28, Joe batted DH twice and filled in at first once while C.J. Cron got the start at DH. All of this makes Connor Joe an interesting streaming option in daily leagues, especially those contested for points.
Rivalry Series: Show-Me, Battle of Ohio*
TOP TWO-START PITCHERS
IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE – SUPERSCRIPT NUMBER IS OVERALL RANK
EXPECT FEWER OPTIONS ROS AS MORE TEAMS GO SIX-MAN
- Max Scherzer2 (@PHI, @NYM)
- Kevin Gausman4 (ARI,
COL) ← Pushed to 8/11; Alex Wood36 gets two-start week now. - Freddy Peralta8 (@CHC, @PIT?)
- Lucas Giolito12 (@MIN, NYY)
- Joe Musgrove15 (MIA, @ARI)
- Sean Manaea16 (@CLE, @TEX)
- Luis Castillo25 (@CLE, @PHI)
- Aaron Nola31 (LAD, CIN)
- Sonny Gray38 (@ATL, @PHI)
- Logan Gilbert40 (TEX, TOR)
- Eduardo Rodriguez46 (TB, BAL)
- Zac Gallen50 (@SF, SD)
- Jon Gray53 (@HOU, @SF)
- Carlos Carrasco65 (WSH, LAD)
- Casey Mize66 (@BAL, CLE)
Other Options: Zach Thompson99 (@SD, CHC), Steven Matz103 (LAA*,@SEA), Drew Smyly107 (CIN, @WSH), Triston McKenzie118 (OAK, @DET)
*Matz will be pitching for the “home” team, but game is being played in Anaheim. Also, Jameson Taillon61 would see a second start (@KC, @CHW) if either Gerrit Cole or Jordan Montgomery (or both) can not return from the CVD-19 IL. *UPDATE: Taillon & Nestor Cortes will start 8/14 & 8/15 for their second starts. Both Cole & Monty will throw BP sessions this weekend, and if all checks out, they’ll rejoin the rotation next week from the CVD-19 IL.
Danger Zone: Kolby Allard124 (@SEA, OAK), Alec Mills149 (MIL, @MIA), Keegan AkinNR (DET, @BOS), Paolo EspinoNR (@NYM, ATL), Charlie BarnesNR (CHW, TB)*
*Barnes will follow opener Beau Burrows vs. CHW.
For a detailed breakdown of two-start pitchers who may be available on your waiver wire, check out Vlad’s FAAB Values!
STARTING PITCHER RANKINGS FOR AUGUST 9 – 15
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.
The injury bug bit the Mets yet again when Javier Báez departed in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park with left hip tightness. Leading off the fifth inning, Báez grimaced as he grounded a ball to second base. He did not attempt to run to first base, retreating instead to the dugout. Manager Luis Rojas said Báez is day-to-day and will get more tests done 8/9 to determine if a trip to the injured list is warranted.
Juan Soto (right knee contusion) remained out of the Nats’ starting lineup all weekend. He hasn’t started since 8/5, although he did pinch-hit Saturday. An MRI on his knee came back clean, and manager Dave Martinez is hoping Soto will be back to 100% by the opening series against New York and ready to re-enter the starting lineup.
Good news for Freddie Freeman, who experienced dizziness due to an upper respiratory infection on 8/7 and subsequently left the ball game. While negative for COVID-19, Atlanta still gave him the day off on 8/8 to rest and recover. He should be fine moving forward. Freeman should also be joined by Travis d’Arnaud, who will likely be activated from the injured list after missing 90 games due to torn ligaments in his left thumb.
Aroldis Chapman (elbow) – Chapman had an MRI on his elbow after being placed on the 10-day injured list (8/7) due to left elbow inflammation. Luckily, the results showed no structural damage to his ligaments. Once the inflammation is resolved, Chapman should be able to resume throwing, which is a relief for fantasy managers as well as the Yanks. In the meantime, the team has Chad Green, Zack Britton and Jonathan Loaisiga as options for closing games. Green and Loaisiga each have three saves, and Britton has seven holds on the season.
Jack Flaherty (oblique) made it through his last rehab start unscathed, firing 75 pitches at Triple-A Memphis on 8/6. After the start, manager Mike Shildt said Flaherty is probable for the upcoming series in Pittsburgh, lining him up to return to the big-league mound on 8/11. Flaherty last pitched for the Cards on 5/31, and he is confident that all systems are a go. He shouldn’t have many restrictions in his return.
Another star pitcher is set to reclaim his MLB mound when Chris Sale is activated to start 8/14 against Baltimore, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports. Red Sox will take it easy with Sale as he eases back from TJS (already doing so by having him pitch on six days rest from his last minor-league rehab start). He threw 80 pitches in said start, so should be able to pitch deeper in the game. All’s right with the world again, rejoice!
Sale’s new teammate, Kyle Schwarber, will have to wait longer before making his Red Sox debut. Schwarber suffered a setback in his right hamstring rehab with left groin tightness, according to The Athletic. As a result, his program will be scaled back out of concern that he now has an issue with both thighs. Shame, as he was just ramping things up this week. However, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, “the setback isn’t expected to significantly delay the 28-year-old’s return from the injured list.”
Byron Buxton (fractured left hand) completed a week of batting practice in the cage at Target Field, and following a day off his feet on 8/8, the center fielder will participate in “reasonably full” pregame workouts on the field with the team starting 8/9 when the Twins return from their three-city road trip. The Twins hope to have a better assessment of his next steps and timetable for return by the middle of the week. Buxton will need a rehab stint since he’s been out of action for a little over a month.
Finally, Rhys Hoskins has missed his last three games due to a groin injury he suffered a week ago. Brad Miller will continue to see time at first base in his absence. As of this writing, Hoskins is listed as day-to-day… aren’t we all.
POV SPECIAL – SP STREAMS OF THE WEEK
→ Steven BraultNR, LH PIT (STL, MIL; 18% owned) – This once-heralded southpaw had his best season in 2020 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 1.38 ABA and a 0.42 HR/9 in 42.2 innings. A lat injury sent his 2021 into a tizzy, but he returned on 8/4 to post a decent outing vs. MIL (4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K). Strikeouts will always be low with Brault, as his career average K rate is 19.0%. But if he keeps the walks down, he can find success. Noteworthy, Brault threw 46 strikes in his 75 pitches while knocking off the rust. Coupled with MIL’s 25.6% K rate vs. LHP (sixth, MLB) and a Cardinals lineup that ranks bot-10 in OPS, wOBA & wRC+ in the split, he’s worth a stream in deeper leagues.
Honorable Mention: Luis Patiño96, RH TB (@BOS, @MIN; 50-70% owned) – Patiño is a star in the making, and TB is looking wiser and wiser with the Blake Snell trade. Last week (SEA), my solo start recommendation didn’t work out as planned (5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 K), and many owners may have dropped Patiño prematurely. I’m going to chalk it up to growing pains and go back to the well again despite the tall task of the Red Sox in Fenway. However, Boston’s offense has been in a slumber the past week, and the Twins matchup should even things out if he gets touched up in Beantown.
Solo Start: Joe Ross70, RH WSH (@NYM; 30-50% owned) – Ignoring his 7/31 start vs. CHC, Ross has been on a nice stretch of starts and an overall solid season. Another blemish was a 6/19 start against these Mets, but that was a different team offensively, and Ross handled a “healthier” Mets club back in April also at pitcher-friendly Citi Field. In August, New York has scored the second-fewest runs, hit for the lowest batting average (especially with RISP), and overall has made me wanna bash my head into a wall. Take advantage of my misery!
For more streaming options on the mound AND at the plate, visit Vlad’s FAAB Values!
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Sunday, August 15, 2021
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Sonny Gray (RHP, CIN) | 4-6 | 4.40 | 3.27 | 3.59 | 3.47 | 29.6% | 9.1% | 31.9% | 28.9% | ||||||||
| Aaron Nola (RHP, PHI) | 7-6 | 4.35 | 3.39 | 3.30 | 3.57 | 29.4% | 5.2% | 36.6% | 39.2% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Eric Lauer (LHP, MIL) | 4-4 | 3.50 | 4.26 | 4.37 | 3.95 | 22.9% | 8.9% | 30.2% | 37.1% | ||||||||
| Dillon Peters* (LHP, PIT) | 3-2 | 3.71 | 4.81 | — | — | 27.8% | 8.4% | — | 42.1% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Drew Smyly (LHP, ATL) | 8-3 | 4.41 | 4.71 | 4.62 | 4.67 | 21.0% | 8.4% | 39.5% | 42.1% | ||||||||
| Paolo Espino (RHP, WSH) | 3-3 | 3.74 | 4.79 | 4.53 | 4.96 | 17.8% | 4.4% | 44.1% | 45.4% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Keegan Akin (LHP, BAL) | 0-6 | 8.23 | 4.77 | 4.55 | 5.37 | 20.4% | 8.2% | 44.5% | 39.6% | ||||||||
| Eduardo Rodriguez (LHP, BOS) | 8-6 | 5.24 | 3.34 | 3.48 | 3.63 | 29.3% | 6.9% | 35.5% | 35.8% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Triston McKenzie (RHP, CLE) | 1-5 | 5.66 | 5.02 | 4.76 | 4.70 | 27.0% | 14.1% | 45.3% | 51.6% | ||||||||
| Drew Hutchison* (RHP, DET) | 8-3 | 3.63 | 4.71 | — | — | 23.8% | 11.1% | — | 36.0% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Alec Mills (RHP, CHC) | 5-4 | 4.27 | 4.22 | 4.35 | 4.39 | 17.0% | 7.1% | 38.1% | 23.8% | ||||||||
| Elieser Hernandez* (RHP, MIA) | 0-0 | 3.68 | 3.15 | 2.64 | 1.88 | 33.3% | 0.0% | 38.9% | 55.6% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| J.A. Happ (LHP, STL) | 6-6 | 6.34 | 5.24 | 4.94 | 5.55 | 17.7% | 7.0% | 43.0% | 45.0% | ||||||||
| Kris Bubic (LHP, KC) | 3-5 | 4.43 | 4.83 | 4.96 | 5.66 | 19.7% | 11.7% | 40.9% | 32.9% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Luis Patiño (RHP, TB) | 2-3 | 4.64 | 4.97 | 4.33 | 4.12 | 25.1% | 8.2% | 35.8% | 55.0% | ||||||||
| Charlie Barnes (LHP, MIN) | 0-2 | 6.08 | 6.07 | 6.11 | 6.99 | 10.0% | 8.3% | 40.8% | 43.5% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Nestor Cortes (LHP, NYY) | 0-1 | 2.70 | 4.20 | 3.86 | 2.76 | 26.4% | 7.5% | 36.8% | 47.3% | ||||||||
| Lucas Giolito (RHP, CHW) | 9-8 | 3.81 | 3.79 | 3.72 | 3.32 | 27.9% | 7.1% | 35.3% | 42.7% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Sean Manaea (LHP, OAK) | 8-7 | 3.43 | 3.45 | 3.61 | 3.73 | 26.7% | 6.0% | 39.7% | 34.2% | ||||||||
| Kolby Allard (LHP, TEX) | 2-10 | 4.93 | 4.34 | 4.16 | 4.45 | 20.8% | 4.9% | 36.5% | 40.4% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Jon Gray (RHP, COL) | 7-8 | 3.85 | 4.11 | 4.34 | 3.71 | 22.6% | 9.5% | 36.5% | 30.9% | ||||||||
| Alex Wood (LHP, SF) | 9-3 | 4.22 | 3.68 | 3.79 | 4.09 | 24.8% | 7.3% | 43.7% | 27.5% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Lance McCullers Jr. (RHP, HOU) | 9-3 | 3.22 | 3.82 | 4.10 | 3.35 | 27.5% | 11.6% | 40.4% | 29.0% | ||||||||
| Reid Detmers (LHP, LAA) | 0-2 | 10.61 | 6.66 | 5.56 | 8.07 | 14.6% | 8.3% | 37.1% | 45.7% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Craig Stammen* (RHP, SD) | 5-3 | 3.31 | 3.10 | 2.92 | 3.57 | 24.6% | 3.4% | 36.8% | 27.3% | ||||||||
| Zac Gallen (RHP, ARI) | 1-6 | 4.87 | 4.05 | 4.09 | 4.01 | 27.2% | 10.3% | 41.0% | 36.1% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Steven Matz (LHP, TOR) | 9-7 | 4.28 | 3.79 | 3.96 | 4.06 | 23.5% | 6.6% | 36.5% | 31.1% | ||||||||
| Logan Gilbert (RHP, SEA) | 5-3 | 4.05 | 3.89 | 3.60 | 3.84 | 27.7% | 5.9% | 45.6% | 43.5% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Max Scherzer (RHP, LAD) | 9-4 | 2.67 | 3.37 | 2.94 | 3.15 | 34.9% | 6.2% | 34.5% | 51.0% | ||||||||
| Carlos Carrasco (RHP, NYM) | 0-0 | 6.75 | 3.61 | 3.89 | 4.09 | 21.4% | 4.8% | 29.0% | 30.0% |
STOLEN BASE TARGETS
If you have been paying attention to the new rule changes for minor league baseball, you can see the commissioner’s office desires a return of a long-lost element to the game… the stolen base. Let’s get ahead of the curve while also maximizing on the few pilferers of the dirt in 2021. Jack Kitchen (@JAXvicious), a long-time sub, reached out this offseason, asking if I could add a section on stolen base targets. As I have said from Day One of this column, your wish is my command!
So, I have imported one of the many fine tools we offer on our sister site, Elite Fantasy. Along with stolen base targets, our DFS MLB package offers daily articles and livestreams, a 24/7 chat, ownership projections and Fantasy Cruncher optimizer, BvP data, batter splits, park factors, umpire factors, weather reports and cheat sheets. The data alone is worth well over $1200! These weapons of mass destruction aid fantasy success in all formats, DFS and seasonal. JOIN TODAY!
