Fantasy Baseball Weekend Preview: It's time to look for short-term solutions to lineup problems
With just a few days remaining until the All-Star break, fantasy baseball managers should look for short-term solutions more than ever before. And this is the perfect weekend to watch waiver wire moves pay immediate dividends, as several starting pitchers have respectable skill sets and can be streamed against baseball’s worst lineups. On the hitting side, Brandon Marsh, Michael Busch and Masyn Winn are joined by a few Reds and Twins as the most appealing options.
Matchups to Target
Cubs @ Cardinals
This is the best series to target for volume plays this weekend, as these teams will play four games over three days. And the players to stream are obvious, as all eight scheduled starters throw from the right side. Masyn Winn (35%) is the St. Louis player to add, while Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman should be activated on rosters where they sometimes sit on the bench. Michael Busch (41%) has been hitting high in the lineup and swinging a hot bat, which makes him easily the most desirable player to add from the Cubs.
Reds vs. Marlins
Cincinnati hitters should launch a few round-trippers at their hitter-friendly home park against an underwhelming starting trio of Yonny Chirinos, Everth Cabrera and Trevor Rogers. Noelvi Marte (33%), Rece Hinds (30%) and Will Benson (9%) are the top players to add, while Edwin Rios (0%) can be considered in deep formats.
Phillies vs. A’s
The Phillies will bring an offense that ranks sixth in runs scored into a home series against three nondescript Oakland starters. Brandon Marsh (22%) should continue to swing a hot bat, while speedster Johan Rojas (3%) has fared well since returning from a brief trip to the Minors.
Twins @ Giants
The Twins rank second in the Majors with an .802 OPS against left-handers, which bodes well for their chances against southpaw starters on Friday and Sunday. Rookie Brooks Lee (51%) and veteran Carlos Santana (27%) are both capable of doing damage in this series. On the flip side, outfielder Trevor Larnach, Max Kepler and Matt Wallner all figure to have quiet weekends.
Mets vs. Rockies
The Mets don’t get the benefit of playing this series in Colorado, but they should still succeed against a Rockies pitching staff that has posted a 5.64 ERA on the road. Harrison Bader (14%) has been swinging a hot bat, while lefty hitters Jeff McNeil (12%) and DJ Stewart (0%) may benefit from all three Rockies starters throwing from the right side.
Matchups to Avoid
Angels vs. Mariners
Los Angeles hitters will struggle to reach base against three Seattle starters who each own a WHIP of 1.00 or less. Logan O’Hoppe and Luis Rengifo are the only members of this offense who should stay in lineups.
Padres vs. Braves
The Padres better score against Spencer Schwellenbach on Friday night, because they will spend the rest of the weekend facing effective starters and a bullpen with a 2.95 ERA. Still, Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar, Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth will find their way into some lineups.
Rays vs. Guardians
Tampa ranks 27th in baseball with a .661 OPS against right-handers, which will put them in a tough spot when Cleveland rolls out three righty starters and a righty-heavy relief corps that leads the majors with a 2.60 ERA. There are no must-start Rays hitters this weekend.
Seeking Saves
Jeff Hoffman (Philadelphia Phillies, 55%)
Hoffman has been one of baseball’s best relievers this year (1.17 ERA, 0.86 WHIP) and has earned four of the Phillies past five saves. The righty could close out at least one narrow win this weekend when the team with baseball’s best record faces the 35-59 Oakland A’s.
Seeking Steals
Noelvi Marte (Cincinnati Reds, 33%) and Will Benson (Cincinnati Reds, 9%)
Marte and Benson were both previously mentioned in this article as players who could have good all-around stat lines against the Marlins. Stealing bases will be part of the appeal for both players, as Miami backstop Nick Fortes has allowed more swipes than any other catcher.
Streaming Starters
In order, here are the best streamers for the weekend, with their start date and Yahoo! roster rate in parentheses.
Christian Scott vs. COL (Saturday, 26)
Sean Manaea vs. COL (Friday, 39)
Hayden Wesneski @STL (Saturday, 6)
José Soriano vs. SEA (Saturday, 16)
José Quintana vs. COL (Sunday, 20)
James Paxton @DET (Saturday, 38)
Kyle Gibson vs. CHC (Saturday, 39)
Luis Ortiz @CWS (Friday, 10)
Yariel Rodríguez @ARI (Friday, 11)
Colin Rea vs. WSH (Sunday, 43)
Miles Mikolas vs. CHC (Sunday, 25)
Quinn Priester @CWS (Sunday, 1)
Simeon Woods Richardson @SF (Saturday, 18)
Jonathan Cannon vs. PIT (Saturday, 6)
Spencer Schwellenbach vs. SD (Friday, 16)
Chris Paddack @SF (Sunday, 9)