As we head into the final weekend of games before the All-Star break, fantasy managers need to be on their toes when setting daily lineups. Major league teams will use the impending break to create extra rest days for players struggling with nagging injuries, and anyone leaving a game early in the coming days might as well start their vacation early.
Target Matches
Red Sox vs. A
Boston has the honor of having the last round against the lowly A’s (5.95 ERA) before the All-Star break. With Oakland set to start right-handers on Saturday and Sunday, Jarren Duran (31%) is an outstanding weekend streamer and Alex Verdugo (89%) is well positioned to emerge from a slump. Those with additional roster moves on Sunday can add Rob Refsnyder (0%) for a game against a left-handed starter.
Rangers @ Nationals
Texas brings its league-leading offense to Washington this weekend, where it will meet three Nats starters who each have an ERA above 4.30 and a WHIP above 1.40. Ezequiel Duran (76%) is perfectly poised to continue their breakout season, and Leodye Taveras (56%) is worth picking up by any shallow league manager who could use steals.
Giants vs. Rockies
Predictably, Colorado’s pitchers were disastrous at home, but also rank 27th in the ERA on the road. The Rockies are expected to deploy left-handed starters on Friday and Sunday, which creates attractive matchups for Patrick Bailey (25%), Austin Slater (1%), JD Davis (50%) and Wilmer Flores (8%)
Matches to avoid
Angels @ Dodgers
The hitters of both Los Angeles teams are less appealing than usual, as they are the only two teams starting their vacations a day early. Those in daily trade leagues should have reserves ready to trade into those players’ roster on Sunday. Managers who need to set their lineup for the whole weekend need to keep Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, JD Martinez And Shohei Ohtani asset. Everyone else can be benched.
Orioles @ Twins
Baltimore could struggle to score points against a talented trio of right-handers, Bailey Ober, Sonny Gray And Joe Ryan. Adley Rutschman is the only Oriole that should be universally started, although Anthony Santander And Cedric Mullins still make sense in many leagues.
Astros vs. Mariners
Seattle should send three excellent right-handers (Luis Castillo, Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert) at the mound this weekend. Jose Abreu And Jeremy Pena are two top Astros who have posted under .700 OPS against right-handers this year.
Search flights
Those hoping to land a few more steals this week should target speedsters in these contests.
Leody Taveras vs Nationals: Tavares is expected to reach base often against three weak starters this weekend, and he has the extra speed to run Keibert Ruiz, which leads all catchers in interceptions allowed. As a bonus, Taveras could go far on Friday against Trevor Williamswhich occupies the eighth place of round trips allowed.
Bryson Stott vs. Sandy Alcantara (Friday): It’s hard to believe we’re going for hitters against Alcantara, but the right-hander has performed poorly this season and also had a long career of battling base stealers. Among the Phillies, Stott only hangs Trea Turner in scans.
Big Plugs
Looking to add a lap or two to your total this week? Consider streaming one of these players.
Patrick Bailey vs. Austin Gomber (Friday): Those willing to trust a small sample can stream Bailey, who in his brief MLB career posted a 1.215 OPS against lefties. Southpaw Gomber ranks fifth in baseball for home runs, and while he was predictably less successful at home, he wasn’t effective on the road either.
Justin Turner vs. JP Sears (Sunday): Turner thrives against southpaws such as Sears, which has allowed the fifth-longest pitches of any pitcher. The veteran could also go deep late in the game against an A bullpen that boasts a 5.69 ERA.
Streaming Starters
In order, here are the top streamers from Friday to Sunday, with their start date and Yahoo! list rate in parentheses.
-
Gavin Williams vs. KC (Saturday 46)
-
Bryan Woo @ HOU (Saturday, 38)
-
Aaron Civale vs. KC (Friday the 36th)
-
Andrew Heaney @ WSH (Friday 58)
-
Ranger Suárez @ MIA (Saturday, 55)
-
Tarik Skubal vs. TOR (Sunday 44)
-
Julio Teherán vs CIN (Sunday 33)
-
Domingo German vs CHC (Sunday 47)
-
Griffin Canning @ LAD (Friday the 34th)
-
Dustin Lynch @ CLE (Friday, 4)
-
Alex Wood vs. COL (Saturday, 4)
-
Drey Jameson vs. PIT (Saturday, 3)
-
Martín Pérez @ WSH (Saturday, 44)
-
Cole Irvin @ MIN (Friday the 3rd)
-
Kyle Gibson @ MIN (Sunday, 40)