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…
Scroll right to the part of the MLB Weekly Preview you need in just one click!
Below, you will find an interactive table of contents. Simply click on the section of the article you wanna read and boom.. presto… alakazam.
As always, if there are any requests for information I can provide or a player/team/topic you would like me to cover in an adjoining article, drop a line in Discord or hit me up on Twitter, @Rob_Povia.
MLB GAME BREAKDOWN GRID
NOTES: Keeping it short this week so I can get the bloody article out in time for it to actually be used for all you weekly lock players. Ten teams play seven games. Fifteen play six. Cleveland and Cincinnati draw the short end of the stick due to the two-game interleague series, Battle of Ohio. José Ramírez remains the lone majority play because of this. Matter of fact, Cincy will be “interleaguing” all week. Our three remaining teams are discussed more below.
A Few Areas to Target
Royal 8
KC has an eight-game week with a doubleheader against the White Sox on 5/17 (five-game series in all). Additionally, all eight games will go down at Kauffman Stadium (see park factors below). Their home park is a mixed bag but plays above-average to right field. Just so happens, the Royals are scheduled to face up to seven right-handed starters. This bodes well for Andrew Benintendi, who just won his arbitration case and can focus solely on the game. Not to say he’s been distracted. He has a .314/.368/.381 slash line, which is good for a career-best 124 wRC+. For streaming, a now-healthy Carlos Santana (45% rostered in redraft, 34% dynasty) can benefit from the left side of the plate, and it could be just what gets his bat going. Volume is king for counting stats.
The Pale Hose also play eight games with seven right-handed starters scheduled this week due to the doubleheader, but all of them are on the road. We covered the park aspects of Kauffman Stadium, but rounding out the week for three at Yankee Stadium has its advantage to right field, as well. Yoán Moncada, Yasmani Grandal and Gavin Sheets make great plays this week. Looking beyond just the parks, five games against the Royals is a boost. According to FanGraphs, Kansas City’s bullpen has the fourth-highest ERA (4.36), and their starters suck balls.
Young Rattlesnakes
Arizona is the third team with eight games this week (@LAD – 4, @CHC – 4). They play a doubleheader on 5/17 against the Dodgers. The D’backs pitching staff is much to credit for the team’s surprising over-.500 record, but the hitters are doing their fair share of damage. Daulton Varsho has hit .295 with six doubles and two home runs over the last 15 days. Christian Walker (5% rostered in redraft, 48% dynasty) has also been en fuego, while Ketel Marte is turning up the thermostat. Rookie Alek Thomas (12.5%, 70%) is hitting the ground running with a slash line of .438/.471/.813 over his first six games. Again, the sheer volume makes Arizona a quality streaming source… even better than Hulu.
Speaking of the Trolley Dodgers, they play seven games in six days with an off-day between series thanks to the doubleheader with the D’backs (ARI – 4, @PHI – 3). I’m seeing Max Muncy foolishly dropped in some leagues, and I have a hard time comprehending this. Muncy is the 12th-ranked first baseman and 12th-ranked second baseman, according to Ray’s MLB Rankings, which are updated every first of the month! He also qualifies at third base in several leagues. It’s the batting average, isn’t it? Foolish fishes…
Muncy leads the league in walks and maintains a sweet OBP thanks to a superior chase rate. Since 2018, there are four players in all of baseball who have a 22% or lower chase rate and 15% or higher walk rate (minimum 1,000 plate appearances). Those men are Juan Soto (20.6% CR, 19.5% BB), Alex Bregman (20.8%, 15.3%), Mike Trout (20.9%, 18.3%) and Muncy (21.4%, 15.1%). Even if he is owned in your league, which is most of you reading this, Muncy makes for a buy-low from foolish managers.
Back on Track
The Red Sox offense is getting back on track. J.D. Martinez has been there all along. He recently extended his hitting streak to 15 games and his on-base streak to 25 games. Flexing a slash of .306/.349/.510, J.D. has 14 extra-base hits, 15 RBI and 12 runs scored over 106 plate appearances. He and the rest of the lineup will have seven games at hitter-friendly Fenway Park to keep the good times rolling. And while six out of seven right-handed starters scheduled for the opposition isn’t the best news for Martinez, Rafael Devers and Alex Verdugo (DTD – Bruised Right Foot; missed 5/14, but X-rays negative) will like it quite nicely.
Six Silver Bullets
Colorado plays an average six games this week, and I usually don’t write up those teams, even if they are in a good spot. But the Rockies play all six at home, so it bears mentioning (SF – 3, NYM – 3). As you can see in our park factors below, Coors Field remains MLB’s premier hitting environment. The opposing pitching staffs are formidable, but the good news is the Rockies will avoid Max Scherzer, Carlos Rodón and Chris Bassitt, instead drawing Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill and Taijuan Walker. San Fran should throw the Alexes – Alexi? – Wood & Cobb as well as Logan Webb. I feel the juice is worth the squeeze. Update: Things are looking even brighter for Rockies hitters as they will face David Peterson instead of Megill (IL, see below).
O Canada!
Toronto hosts the Mariners and aforementioned Reds this week, and with that comes reserved list concerns for unvaccinated players. Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said on Seattle Sports Station 710 AM when asked if any Mariners won’t make the trip over the border, “We’ll have a few, and that’s (roster challenges) we will and have been working on managing our way through… We’ll have to adapt just like other teams, and everybody’s going to have to deal with the same rules and we’ll make it work.” Aka, keep a close eye on your Mariner hitters leading up to lock. As for the Reds, I couldn’t find anything concrete online, but the conclusion remains the same.
IMPORTANT PARK FACTORS
2022 Statistics
TOP TWO-START PITCHERS
IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE – SUPERSCRIPT NUMBER IS OVERALL RANK
- Sandy Alcantara8 (WSH, ATL) ← Sandy gets the two-start week with the Luzardo injury.
- Freddy Peralta19 (ATL, WSH)
- Dylan Cease21 (@KC,
@NYY) ← PPD on 5/20 and Cueto’s availability kicks Cease to next week. - Logan Gilbert28 (@TOR, @BOS)
- Nathan Eovaldi32 (HOU, SEA)
- Ian Anderson35 (@MIL, @MIA)
- Luis Severino38 (@BAL, CHW)
- Alex Wood45 (@COL, SD)
- Merrill Kelly53 (@LAD, @CHC)
- Jameson Taillon54 (@BAL, CHW)
- Madison Bumgarner62 (@LAD, @CHC)
- Miles Mikolas63 (@NYM,
@PIT) ← Pushed to 5/23 in favor of Matz.
*Whew! Gotta admit… these matchups are trash, and the highest overall two-stepper is 19 (now 8 with Sandy’s addition)! With a lot of elite arms only starting once, it’s a good week for roto players to ignore two-start SPs and play the best available.
Other Options: Zach Eflin64 (SD, LAD), Chris Flexen69 (@TOR, @BOS), Mike Clevinger75 (@PHI, @SF*), Tony Gonsolin77 (ARI, @PHI), Brad Keller83 (CHW, MIN), Garrett Whitlock (HOU, SEA)
*Eflin (illness) is still pending activation, but he feels good and hopes to start on 5/17. If he is delayed, Zack Wheeler7 can be moved up on normal rest to get Eflin’s pending assignments. The rest of our legit options continue the trend of scary matchups. Although, Tony G. looks promising! UPDATE: With Gore being used out of the pen on 5/17, the 5/22 start @SF could go to Clevinger, Gore or both pitch again.
Danger Zone: Taijuan Walker86 (STL, @COL), Corey Kluber102 (DET, @BAL), Jon Gray107 & Taylor HearnNR (LAA, @HOU), Kyle Bradish125 & Spenser WatkinsNR (NYY, TB), Chris ArcherNR (@OAK, @KC), Aaron SanchezNR (@MIA, @MIL), Bryse WilsonNR (@CHC, STL), Jake OdorizziNR (@BOS, TEX)
*Walker pitched well & efficiently last time out vs. WSH, showing he can go deep. He also was seen wearing a heating pad/wrap between innings and constantly looking uncomfortable on the mound. Walker and the team say he is fine – matter of fact, never better. But c’mon man… it’s the Mets. DANGER ZONE! Archer is tempting and can be uber-sneaky but will take guts. And you know the Ws won’t be there. UPDATE: Odorizzi was helped off the field after suffering some sort of leg or groin injury while breaking to cover first base. Listed as DTD for now, but one would have to imagine he hits the IL.
STARTING PITCHER RANKINGS FOR MAY 16 – 22
Pitching Spotlight
Six-Man Pitching Staffs: LAA, HOU?, SD, MIL*, LAD*, CHW?
A quick peek-in on the City of Angels – Chase Silseth and Jhonathan Diaz are in a tough battle for the sixth spot in the rotation to keep everyone with an extra day of rest. Both pitchers took on Oakland this past week. Diaz tossed 4.2 innings, giving up a single hit, zero runs, four walks, and four strikeouts. That’s an 8:8 BB:K in two starts (9.2 IP). Silseth fared even better: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Silseth is extremely wet behind the ears with only 29.1 IP at the Double-A level, but the strikeout upside is exciting. On the other hand, Diaz has experience at all levels and has been consistently average. Nevertheless, it’s a situation that bears monitoring. Either pitcher would face Oakland again on 5/20.
Astros should be keeping to a six-man rotation with their next off-day not coming until 5/26. Jake Odorizzi was skipped over the weekend, but manager Dusty Baker said “it just means he’s backed up a couple days.” Dusty also says in the video that Cristian Javier is more suited for a BP or piggyback role since he has experience with warming up in-game. This remains a fluid situation without confirmation on either Odorizzi or Javier for this upcoming week. From what I’ve researched, if Houston does keep to a six-man, Odorizzi should pitch 5/16 @BOS, and Javier would then be slated for 5/20 vs. TEX. If either does not start, José Urquidy would pick up a second start for the week. UPDATE: With the Odorizzi injury, Stros may revert to five-man.
Milwaukee will rotate between a five- and six-man rotation based on schedule needs. Aaron Ashby will be utilized on and off as a multi-inning guy and starter when the team does not have an off day. This will consistently keep the rotation at an extra day of rest. This week Ashby should once again be in the pen with the 5/19 off-day. There is a slight chance he could start 5/18 since Corbin Burnes would “only” be on four days’ rest. However, it is more likely he will return to the rotation on 5/25. Beginning 5/20 and stretching to 6/5, the Brew Crew will play 18 games in 17 days without an off-day. So, it may be more than one turn at that point… Are we having fun yet?
On the horizon… Dodgers are in a stretch of 31 games in 30 days (5/7-6-5). The team was considering a six-man rotation for this tough stretch before Clayton Kershaw landed on the injured list with SI joint inflammation. J.P. Hoornstra of The Orange County Register lists some options for the team to continue with this plan, but first, they need to fill the hole in their rotation on 5/15 and move from there. In a follow-up article, J.P. confirms Michael Grove (Double-A Tulsa, LAD No. 11 prospect) will be called up for 5/15. Manager Dave Roberts said, “the right-hander will either start or pitch a bulk of the innings in relief of an opener.” Also, Tony Gonsolin will pitch as planned on 5/16, and Ryan Pepiot will be called up as the 27th man for this week’s doubleheader. Lots of moving parts here, so we’ll continue to monitor.
UPDATE: With Johnny Cueto in the mix and Lance Lynn about to face live hitters (target return: early June), sure seems like CHW is considering a six-man. Lynn will undoubtedly take Vince Velasquez’ spot, so it will depend on how the team handles Michael Kopech (currently on paternity list but scheduled to pitch on 5/21).
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.
Ryan Mountcastle – 10-day IL, Forearm Strain (Retro 5/11)
With an upcoming third consecutive game absence, Baltimore opted to waste no further time and send Mountcastle to the injured list so he can get right. No timetable has been established as of yet, but in the meantime, Tyler Nevin will benefit from extra playing time.
Ronald Acuna Jr. – DTD, Groin
Good news considering all the beleaguered 24-year-old has been through over the past year. “It’s the best news possible,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “There was nothing big. He’s just going to be day-to-day. I don’t know how long it will be. But there’s nothing from the MRI that shows he’s going to be shut down.”
Jon Gray – DTD, Knee
Gray is expected to start on 5/16 against the Angels after getting through a bullpen session on Saturday without any issues.
Stephen Strasburg – 10-day IL, Thoracic Outlet Recovery
For the second time in a week, Strasburg threw a simulated game on 5/13, tossing two innings and 27 pitches. Stras reportedly was hitting 92 mph on the gun. It’s a slow journey back but a step in the right direction.
Casey Mize – 10-day IL, Elbow
Mize’s first rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on 5/12 went only two-thirds of an inning, and he was shelled. Detroit immediately paused his rehab to investigate. Mize was always going to need more than one rehab outing since he’s been out for a month. However, instead of continuing with Toledo, he will return to Single-A Lakeland to slow down his rehab since there was some pain in the elbow. Manager A.J. Hinch said, “We’re treating the symptoms. He still doesn’t quite feel like he can let go and do full-throttle bullpens or competitions, so we need to dial it back a little bit.” His return around late May is now in question.
George Springer – DTD, Ankle
Springer was diagnosed with a mild left ankle sprain after colliding with the outfield wall in the second inning on 5/13 against the Rays. He sat one day later, and his status for 5/15 is a topic for debate. If Springer were to miss more time, Raimel Tapia (3% rostered in redraft, 40% dynasty) would see playing time.
This just in…
Jesús Luzardo – 15-day IL, Left Forearm Strain (Retro 5/12)
Cody Poteet will take his spot in the rotation.
Tylor Megill – 15-day IL, Right Biceps Tendinitis (Retro 5/12)
Megill will be shut down from throwing for a few days after MRI results show tendinitis. We’ll have a better idea for a return date once Megill picks up a ball again. I expect Trevor Williams to make a spot start on 5/16 and David Peterson to get the call for Megill’s second start on 5/21.
The COVID List
Lucas Giolito (5/13) – Team is hopeful Gio can return sometime late in the week, so I left him in the rankings. UPDATE: Giolito is likely to come off CVD-IL on 5/18.
Joey Votto – Votto began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on 5/14 since he’s been out since 5/3 due to illness. No word on how many rehab games before his activation. However, manager David Bell indicated Votto could rejoin the team when they travel to Toronto, assuming they let him into Canada. UPDATE: Votto activated 5/20.
Marcus Stroman Update
POV SPECIAL – SP STREAMS OF THE WEEK
→ Yusei Kikuchi149, LH TOR (SEA, CIN; 38% rostered in redraft, 69% dynasty) – Kikuchi felt the heat with the impending return of Hyun Jin Ryu. Further complicating matters, bum ass Ross Stripling was out-performing Kikuchi, which wasn’t saying much. In his first four starts, he only gave up a total of eight earned, but the walks were outrageous and the strikeouts were down. Furthermore, he was giving up the long ball with proficiency. However, in his last two starts, both against a red-hot Yankees lineup, he rediscovered the command and kept baserunners off the diamond. The slider isn’t biting as much as in years past, but Kikuchi is using his secondary offerings to miss bats. Anyone in Seattle will tell you how much a roller coaster this guy is, but I love the matchups this week, especially at home.
Honorable Mention: Steven Matz85, LH STL (@NYM, @PIT; 37%, 79%), Alex FaedoNR, RH DET (@TB, @CLE; <1%, 14%) – Tread Lightly!
Solo Start: Triston McKenzie74, RH CLE (DET; 68%, 95%), Zach LogueNR, LH OAK (MIN; <1%, 20% – up 10% last week) – Gave two in case McK is long gone in your league. Logue has had a successful run of appearances in his MLB debut, including seven shutout innings and six Ks. Ok, it was Detroit, who is wickedly underperforming preseason expectations. But this kid’s makeup is sound (credit to Chris Rose for turning me onto him through his DFS articles). Should you decide to stream Logue, he has a slight chance of picking up a second start if Cole Irvin is not ready to return from the injured list. It is against the Halos, however. 😬😶🌫️
For more streaming options on the mound AND at the plate, visit Ray’s FAAB Values!