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MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 16

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 16

Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins: vs. KC, vs. TB

Berrios has allowed five home runs in his last two starts and has had problems keeping hitters inside the park, in general, this year with a 1.3 HR/9. However, he still has a 3.54 ERA and a 3.39 FIP because he has kept runners off base with a 1.00 WHIP. He had control issues when he was first called up, but he’s thrown a first-pitch strike to 65.6% of the batters that he has faced and has a 2.0 BB/9 this year. He also has career highs in swinging-strike rate (11.4%) and K/9 (9.0). His first start in Week 16 against the Royals is an excellent matchup considering they have hit the fewest home runs (70) and scored the fewest runs (310) in baseball. The Rays aren’t much better as they have the fifth-fewest home runs (79) and the fifth-fewest runs scored (347).

Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs: at SF, at SD

Hendricks has never finished with an ERA over 3.96 or a FIP over 3.88 in his career, but he has a 4.27 ERA and a 4.80 FIP this season. Not only would his 1.25 WHIP be the highest of his career, but so would his 1.5 HR/9. He’s never been an overpowering pitcher, but he has just a 6.7 K/9. He’s allowed 13 runs over 13.1 innings in his last three starts, but his fortunes could change this week since both the Giants and the Padres are in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored. He has yet to face the Padres this year, but he allowed only one run and recorded seven strikeouts over seven innings in his lone start against the Giants. You shouldn’t count on him for strikeouts, but he can still provide value in Week 16.

Zach Eflin, Philadelphia Phillies: at NYM, at MIA

Eflin was supposed to start twice in Week 15 but left his first start with a blister issue. The Phillies decided to give him an extra day of rest for his next outing, pushing him from Sunday to Monday. He was rolling before suffering the blister against the Orioles, allowing two runs and recording six strikeouts in seven innings. He’s having by far the best season of his young career, posting a 2.97 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and a 1.08 WHIP over 11 starts. Not only does he get to face the aforementioned poor Marlins lineup, but the Mets have been even worse, scoring the third-fewest runs (336). As long as his blister doesn’t cause further issues, this is shaping up to be an excellent week for Eflin.

Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers: at MIA, at PIT

Chacin has been a good addition to the Brewers starting staff, posting a 3.63 ERA, 3.84 FIP, and a 1.29 WHIP across 19 starts. He has only allowed 0.6 HR/9, which is nothing new considering he has a 0.8 HR/9 for his career. That’s especially impressive considering he spent six seasons having to pitch in Coors Field as a member of the Rockies. The Marlins have had a couple of big offensive performances lately, but they have still scored four runs or fewer in 8 of their last 13 games. The Pirates offense is middle of the pack at best, setting up Chacin with the potential for two strong performances. He is still available in 67% of Yahoo! leagues, so pick him up if you are looking to stream someone.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 16

Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners: at LAA, at COL

Leake was stellar for the Mariners in June, recording a 2.57 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in six starts. He was aided by a .225 opponents BABIP though and even with that hot stretch, he still has a 4.11 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP for the season overall. He’s never provided many strikeouts and this season has been no different with a 5.6 K/9. Leake has already faced the Angels three times this year and while he did have one good start where he allowed one run in six innings, he allowed seven runs (six earned) over 9.1 innings in the other two. It doesn’t get any easier having to pitch in Coors Field for his second start of the week, so this is not the week to take a chance on putting Leake into your lineup.

Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies: vs. ARI, vs. SEA

Like many of the Rockies’ pitchers, Anderson struggles to pitch in Coors Field. He has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP on the road this year, but a 4.37 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP at home. He has thrown seven fewer innings at home, but he has allowed three more home runs there than he has on the road. The Diamondbacks have had much more success against lefties with a .762 OPS this year and hammered Anderson for seven runs over 2.1 innings in their first meeting. The Mariners won’t have the use of the DH playing in the National League, but they still have a potent offense that can score in bunches. Keep Anderson on your bench.

Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays: at ATL, at BOS

Stroman got off to an abysmal start this season, then landed on the DL with a shoulder issue. He put together two strong starts upon first being activated, but was rocked for six runs over 4.2 innings in his last outing against the Mets. Things get much harder for him this week against the Braves and the Red Sox as both teams are in the top-six in baseball in runs scored. The Red Sox have also hit the second-most home runs (128). This has the potential to be a really rough Week 16 for Stroman.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. STL, vs. SD

After missing almost two months with an oblique injury, Ray returned to face the Marlins last week. It was a great matchup for his first game back and he took full advantage, striking out six batters in six scoreless innings. Ray had a breakout campaign last year, finishing with a 2.89 ERA, 3.72 FIP, and a 1.15 WHIP. He provided a ton of strikeouts with a 12.1 K/9 and he’s been even better this season with a 13.6 K/9 across seven starts. The Cardinals have the fifth-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.676) in baseball and the Padres have scored the fifth-fewest runs (321) overall, setting Ray up for an excellent Week 15.

Zach Eflin, Philadelphia Phillies: vs. BAL, at PIT

Eflin couldn’t have pitched much worse than he did in 2017, posting a 6.16 ERA, 6.10 FIP and a 1.42 WHIP across 11 starts. He wasn’t a big strikeout pitcher either with a 4.9 K/9. With tremendous improvement in that area leading to a 9.1 K/9, Eflin has a 3.02 ERA, 2.86 FIP, and a 1.13 WHIP this season. His .295 opponents BABIP is right in line with his career mark, which is good news for his prognosis moving forward. He was particularly hot in the month of June, recording a 1.76 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in five starts. The Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (305) in baseball and the Pirates are in the bottom-third in terms of OPS against righties, so look for Eflin to continue his recent run of success.

Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins: at MIL, vs. BAL

Like Eflin, Gibson was bad last year with a 5.07 ERA, 4.85 FIP, and a 1.53 WHIP. It marked his second straight season with a WHIP of at least 1.53 and an ERA of 5.07. He’s taken his game in the opposite direction this year with a 3.48 ERA, 3.87 FIP, and a 1.24 WHIP. Not only has his ability to limit baserunners been a key part of his success, but he also has a career-high 8.7 K/9 after never finishing a season with a K/9 higher than 6.9. He allowed five runs in his last start against the White Sox, but he did pitch seven innings and recorded seven strikeouts. He had allowed three runs or fewer in each of his previous six outings. The Brewers aren’t exactly a bad offensive team, but they are middle of the pack in terms of runs scored. With the weak Orioles lineup in his second start, Gibson is a streaming option with upside who is still available in 67% of Yahoo! leagues.

Nathan Eovaldi, Tampa Bay Rays: at MIA, at NYM

Eovaldi has had his ups and downs since returning from Tommy John surgery, but his overall numbers aren’t bad as he has a 4.08 ERA, 4.87 FIP and a 0.82 WHIP in six starts. The Rays rotation is a mess due to injuries, leaving Eovaldi as one of the few healthy traditional starters they have left. He doesn’t have great strikeout potential with a 6.6 K/9 for his career, but you don’t see many better two-start weeks than this. He’ll get to avoid the DH pitching in two National League stadiums and he’ll also get to face two of the bottom-four teams in runs scored. Eovaldi is still available in 75% of Yahoo! leagues and could provide a big boost in Week 15.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 15

Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals: vs. CLE, vs. BOS

Junis had a stretch of success early on this season, but he’s allowed at least five runs in three of his last four starts. He allowed at least three home runs in all three of those games and has a 2.1 HR/9 overall. He allowed 1.4 HR/9 in 2017, so this isn’t just an isolated bad stretch. The Indians and Red Sox are both in the top-three in home runs and the top-six in runs scored, so make sure Junis is anchored to your bench.

Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres: at OAK, at ARI

Richard had his best month of the season in June, posting a 3.27 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP in five starts. Two of those outings came against the Braves, making his success even more impressive. His overall numbers don’t stand out, but he hasn’t been bad either with a 4.29 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and a 1.23 WHIP. He’ll have to deal with the DH playing in Oakland for his first start, which is no easy task since the Athletics are tied for the fifth-most home runs (112) in baseball. Despite their struggles to score runs earlier this year, the Diamondbacks have the eight-highest OPS against lefties (.764). Since Richard doesn’t provide much in the way of strikeouts, this may be a good week to keep him out of your lineup.

Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves: at NYY, at MIL

Sanchez was hit hard as a member of the Tigers last year, finishing with a 6.41 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. The Braves have a lot of talented young starters coming up through their system. but decided to take a flier on Sanchez to provide veteran depth. It’s proven to be an excellent signing so far as Sanchez has a 2.68 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in nine appearances, eight of which are starts. He has been a bit lucky, though, based on his 4.05 FIP and .238 BABIP allowed. This could be the week his numbers start to take a turn for the worse since he will face Yankees in Yankee Stadium for his first start. That game alone makes him someone to avoid.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

James Paxton, Seattle Mariners: at BAL, vs. KC

Paxton continues to serve as the ace of the Mariners’ staff, recording a 3.72 ERA, 3.09 FIP and a 1.12 WHIP. He has increased his K/9 each of the last four seasons, topping out at an 11.5 K/9 this year. He’s hit a bit of a rough patch, allowing 10 runs over 7.1 innings in his last two starts. They came against the Red Sox and Yankees, though, two of the top offensive teams in baseball. He’ll get the opposite end of the spectrum in Week 14 as the Royals and Orioles are the bottom two teams in baseball in terms of runs scored. The Royals do have the fewest strikeouts in baseball, but that didn’t stop Paxton from striking them out 10 times over six innings in their first meeting this season.

Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers: vs. SD, vs. CWS

Hamels has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, but his 5.14 FIP suggests he hasn’t exactly pitched that well. He’s been aided by a .253 opponents BABIP, which is 30 points lower than his career mark. He has also allowed 1.8 HR/9, which is by far the highest of his career. On the plus side, his strikeout percentage is up from 17.1% last year to 23.4% this season. He may not be the pitcher that he once was in his prime, but he can still provide plenty of value in the right matchup. The Padres and White Sox are both in the bottom-eight in baseball in runs scored and OPS against left-handed pitching, so this could be one of those very productive weeks for Hamels.

Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates: at NYM, at SD

Taillon’s 4.03 ERA doesn’t look great, but it should be noted that a lot of the damage done to his ERA came in three starts where he allowed 18 runs in 11 innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his other 12 starts, including in each of his last five outings. His career-high 9.7% swinging strike rate has also resulted in an 8.5 K/9. The Mets don’t have a great lineup, to begin with, but they could be without one of their best hitters in Brandon Nimmo (finger) in Taillon’s first start of the week Monday. His second start comes against a Padres team that has the lowest OPS against right-handed pitchers (.657) in baseball.

Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks: at MIA, vs. SF

Godley has issued 4.4 BB/9, which has helped lead to a bloated 1.49 WHIP. His 4.64 ERA isn’t terrible considering his WHIP, but it’s hard to have consistent success when allowing so many baserunners. He does have strikeout upside with a 9.0 K/9 and he has allowed no more than two earned runs in four of his last five starts. The Marlins have scored the third-fewest runs (283) and have hit the fewest home runs (60) in baseball, setting things up nicely for Godley in his first start of the week. The Giants offense hasn’t been that bad, but they have struck out the fifth-most times (720).

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 14

Tyler Mahle, Cincinnati Reds: at ATL, vs. MIL

Mahle has a respectable 3.89 ERA, but several of his supporting numbers raise causes for concern. He has a 4.90 FIP and a 1.38 WHIP, with the WHIP being especially scary when you consider his 1.7 HR/9. He has also allowed a 41.5% hard-hit rate. Even though he held the Braves to three runs and recorded 11 strikeouts over six innings in their first meeting this season, the Braves have a very tough lineup that has scored the fifth-most runs (378). He was lucky to only allow two runs over five innings in his first start this season against the Brewers because he allowed 11 baserunners in that outing. This might be the week to place him on your bench.

Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals: vs. LAA, at SEA

The wheels are starting to fall off for Junis, who has a 6.75 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in four June starts. His opponents’ BABIP wasn’t terribly high over that stretch either at .300, but he allowed seven home runs in 24 innings. As a result of his recent poor performance, he now has a 4.43 ERA and a 4.98 FIP on the season overall. The Angels have hit the fourth-most home runs (107) in baseball and the Mariners have put up some big offensive numbers lately, making Junis too much of a risk for Week 14.

Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees: at PHI, vs. BOS

With the Yankees down two starting pitchers, they had to recall Loaisiga from Double-A to help fill out their rotation. His 4.32 ERA in Double-A was nothing to write home about, but he showed tremendous strikeout upside with an 11.5 K/9 and excellent control with a 1.1 BB/9. He had six strikeouts over five scoreless innings in his first start against the Rays but allowed three runs in only 3.2 innings in his second start against the Mariners. Getting to play the Phillies in Philadelphia where there is no DH isn’t necessarily a poor matchup, but his second start against the Red Sox makes him someone to avoid altogether.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros: vs. TB, vs. KC

Cole had his worst start of the season in his last outing against the Athletics as he allowed four runs in six innings. He still had six strikeouts, so it says a lot about how well he is pitching that this was his worst start. He’s been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, posting a 2.40 ERA, 2.74 FIP and a 0.88 WHIP in 14 starts. His 12.5 K/9 is by far the highest of his career, giving him a significant boost in value. Both the Rays and the Royals are in the bottom-six in baseball in runs scored, leaving Cole with the potential to provide fantasy owners with an extremely valuable week.

Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians: vs. CWS, vs. DET

Bauer is in the midst of a breakout season. He has never finished a season with an ERA below 4.18, but he has a sparkling 2.69 ERA and 2.32 FIP this year. His 1.12 WHIP has been a big reason for his success. His .303 BABIP allowed is right in line with his career mark, which makes his hot start even more encouraging. He also has at least 10 strikeouts in five of his last six starts, leading to an 11.6 K/9 overall. The White Sox have scored the fifth-fewest runs (265) in baseball and the Tigers have the sixth-lowest road OPS (.676), so look for Bauer to have a dominant week.

Domingo German, New York Yankees: vs. SEA, at TB

With Jordan Montgomery (elbow) out for the season, German should remain in the Yankees starting rotation, unless they make a trade to add another starter. His initial results haven’t been great with a 5.77 ERA in seven starts. His 1.18 WHIP is good, but he’s allowed seven home runs in 39 innings. However, if your team is lacking strikeouts, German did record a 10.4 K/9 during that stretch. The matchup against the Mariners isn’t great, but he did allow three runs and record 10 strikeouts over six innings in his last start against the Rays. German is still available in 83% of Yahoo! leagues and although you may have to stomach him giving up some runs, he certainly has significant strikeout upside.

Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants: vs. MIA, vs. SD

Suarez’s 4.92 ERA isn’t great, but his 3.85 FIP indicates he isn’t pitching that poorly. He has a respectable 1.26 WHIP and an 8.5 K/9, but he’s been done in by a 1.4 HR/9. Most of his struggles have come on the road this season with a 6.18 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP, but he has a 3.55 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP at AT&T Park. Not only are both of his starts at home in Week 13, but they also come against two of the worst lineups in baseball in terms of runs scored. If you need a streaming option this week, Suarez is still available in 95% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 13

Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners: at NYY, at BOS

Gonzales is having a fine season for the Mariners with a 3.42 ERA and a 3.20 FIP. This is a nightmare week for him, though, with two starts on the road against excellent lineups. Both the Yankees and the Red Sox are in the top-three in baseball in home OPS and overall runs scored. The Red Sox have struggled against left-handed pitching, but the Yankees have the highest OPS (.814) against them in baseball. There will be plenty of weeks where you want Gonzales in your lineup, but this is not one of them.

Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox: at CLE, vs. OAK

Covey couldn’t have pitched much worse for the White Sox last year, recording a 7.71 ERA, 7.20 FIP and 1.67 WHIP in 18 appearances, 12 of which were starts. He only had a 5.3 K/9 and gave up 20 home runs in 70 innings. He’s been on the opposite end of the spectrum this season with a 2.29 ERA and a 2.16 FIP. Not only is his K/9 much improved at 8.4, but he has yet to give up a home run. His WHIP is better at 1.30, but it’s still too high in the grand scheme of things if he is going to continue to have this much success. If he starts giving up home runs, his ERA could increase in a hurry. Both the Indians and the Athletics are in the top-seven in home runs in baseball, making Covey a risky play this week despite his early success.

Tyler Chatwood, Chicago Cubs: vs. LAD, at CIN

Chatwood just can’t seem to get out of his own way. His 4.12 ERA and 8.2 K/9 are both an improvement from last year, but his overall numbers would be so much better if he could find the plate. He has an almost unheard of 8.2 BB/9, leading to a 1.75 WHIP. He only issued two walks in his last start against the Brewers, but he’s going to need to string together a few starts where he has better control before you want to put him back into your lineup. The Dodgers and the Reds are both in the top-six in walks, so keep Chatwood anchored to your bench.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 12

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 12

Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Braves: vs. NYM, vs. SD

The Braves have plenty of impressive young talent, including Foltynewicz, who has become one of their best starting pitchers. He had struggled in each of the last two seasons, finishing with an ERA of at least 4.31 and a WHIP of at least 1.30 both years. This season has been a completely different story, though, as he has a 2.31 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across his first 13 starts. One big reason for his improvement has been his increased strikeouts as he has a 10.7 K/9. He gets two excellent matchups in Week 12 against the Mets and Padres, both of which are in the bottom third in the league in runs scored. The Padres also have the second-most strikeouts (627) in baseball.

Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Astros: at OAK, at KC

The Astros have such a deep starting rotation that McCullers is sometimes overlooked. He doesn’t have the dominant numbers that Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander have, but his 3.94 ERA and 3.74 FIP are still valuable. Most of the damage against him this season came in two starts where he allowed a combined 15 runs. He has actually allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his 13 starts. He doesn’t allow many base runners with a 1.20 WHIP and he has a 9.1 K/9 as well.  This will be his third time facing the Athletics this season and he handled them well the first two times, allowing two runs to go along with 10 strikeouts in 12 innings. His second start of the week is favorable as well since the Royals have scored the fifth-fewest runs (252) in baseball.

Clay Buchholz, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. PIT, vs. NYM

With Robbie Ray (oblique) on the DL, they had to turn to Buchholz to join the starting rotation. Buchholz certainly had some excellent seasons with the Red Sox earlier in his career, but he had a 4.78 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in his last full season in the majors in 2016. He’s given the Diamondbacks more than they could have expected through his first four starts this year by posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 7.9 K/9. His 3.35 FIP indicates he hasn’t exactly been as dominant as his numbers look and he’s also been lucky that three of his starts have come against bad offensive teams in the Mets, Giants, and Marlins. The Pirates are no cake walk, but they do have more trouble against right-handed pitchers. He also gets to face the Mets again, leaving him as a viable streaming option who is still available in 63% of Yahoo! leagues.

Blaine Hardy, Detroit Tigers: vs. MIN, at CWS

With the trade of Verlander to the Astros last year, the Tigers officially signaled it was time to rebuild. They entered this season with little starting pitching depth, which became even worse when Jordan Zimmermann (shoulder) and Francisco Liriano (hamstring) went down. Hardy had pitched in relief the last four seasons but has now been forced into the rotation. He’s pitched well in his five starts, recording a 3.81 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. However, he only has a 5.7 K/9 over that stretch and has never been a big strikeout pitcher in his career. Although he has only made five starts this year, he has already faced both the Twins and the White Sox. He allowed two runs and recorded four strikeouts in five innings against the Twins. He was even better against the White Sox, allowing one run and recording six strikeouts in seven innings. The White Sox have the fifth-lowest OPS against lefties (.674) in baseball, so his strong performance against them is not all that surprising. Hardy is still available in 97% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to consider if you are in a deep league.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 12

Daniel Mengden, Oakland Athletics: vs. HOU, vs. LAA

The Athletics have had a lot of problems with their starting rotation this year, but Mengden hasn’t been one of them. His sparkling 1.02 WHIP has helped him post a 3.45 ERA through 13 starts. He has been a bit lucky, though, as opponents have only a .242 BABIP against him. He has also allowed a 37.8% hard-hit rate. His lack of overpowering stuff doesn’t help his cause either, which has resulted in a 5.9 K/9. Both the Astros and Angels are in the top-eight in baseball in runs scored and have had success against Mengden previously this season, making him a risky play for Week 12.

Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals: at NYY, at TOR

Roark has had an inconsistent career. He had an ERA of 2.85 or lower in 2014 and 2016, but an ERA of at least 4.38 in 2015 and 2017. He’s back to pitching better this season with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. His ERA could be on the rise, though, since opponents have just a .245 BABIP. His first matchup for Week 12 is horrible on the road against the Yankees, who mash at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays aren’t nearly as potent offensively, but he they do have the eighth-highest home OPS (.746) in baseball. This could be an ugly week.

Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners: vs. LAA, vs. BOS

Leake is on a roll right now, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts. His ERA is down to 4.46, but his 1.2 HR/9 and 5.6 K/9 don’t exactly instill confidence moving forward. It should also be noted that three of those starts came against the Twins and the Rays, both of which are in the bottom-third of baseball in runs scored. He’ll get two very tough opponents in the Angels and Red Sox in Week 12, so get him out of your lineup if you have been riding his hot hand.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 11

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 11

Luis Severino, New York Yankees: at DET, at NYM

The Yankees potent lineup gets the majority of the headlines, but Severino is just as important as anyone on the team. He put together a breakout campaign in 2017, finishing with a 2.98 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 10.7 K/9. He’s been even better through his first 12 starts this year with a 2.31 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 10.6 K/9. His average fastball velocity is 98.2 mph and he has thrown a first-pitch strike to an impressive 70.1% of the batters that he has faced. The Mets are tied for the fourth-fewest runs scored (230) in baseball and the Tigers lineup has been middle of the pack, leaving Severino with the potential for an extremely valuable week.

Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals: vs. MIA, at CIN

Martinez has not pitched in almost a month due to a strained lat, but he will be activated from the disabled list Tuesday. He had a sparkling 1.62 ERA before the injury, but his 3.35 FIP and .237 opponents BABIP indicate he has been a bit lucky. The FIP is still good, though, and he’s only allowed one home run in 50 innings. His first start of the week comes against a Marlins team that has scored the fewest runs (196) in baseball. The Reds are certainly better offensively, but Martinez has already faced them twice this year, throwing 13 scoreless innings while recording 18 strikeouts. Get him right back into your lineup.

Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs: vs. PHI, vs. PIT

Hendricks isn’t a big strikeout pitcher with a 7.6 K/9 for his career. He doesn’t walk many hitters and does a good job keeping runners off base in general, which has helped him quietly become a very successful pitcher. He’s off to another good start this year with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. He doesn’t get hit hard often, allowing more than three earned runs in a game only one time this season. The Phillies are in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored and while the Pirates have scored more runs, Hendricks has held them to four runs in 11 innings in their first two meetings this year.

Nick Tropeano, Los Angeles Angels: vs. KC, at MIN

Tropeano missed the entire 2017 season after having Tommy John surgery and hasn’t made more than 13 starts in a season during his career. He’s been able to make eight starts so far this year, posting a 3.80 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. His 4.91 FIP and 1.6 HR/9 are a bit concerning, limiting his upside over the course of the season. This is setting up to be a nice week for him, though, against the Royals and Twins as neither team scores a ton of runs. He has already faced both teams once this season, throwing 6.2 scoreless innings and recording six strikeouts against the Royals while allowing three runs to go along with two strikeouts in six innings against the Twins. Tropeano is still available in 82% of Yahoo! leagues and is a viable streaming option.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 11

Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks: at SF, at COL

Godley isn’t off to a great start with a 4.38 ERA and a 4.44 FIP through 11 outings. His success last year was in large part due to his 1.14 WHIP, which has ballooned to 1.54 this year. His .316 BABIP allowed isn’t much higher than his career mark, which is not good news for his value moving forward. His first matchup this week against the Giants is not bad, but his second outing in Coors Field could be a nightmare. That game alone is a reason to keep him on your bench in Week 11.

Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres: vs. ATL, at MIA

It’s been another underwhelming season for Richard, who has a 4.74 ERA and a 4.14 FIP in 12 starts. His 1.31 WHIP isn’t terrible, but he has very little strikeout upside with a 5.9 K/9 for his career. His second start this week against the Marlins is a great matchup, but don’t get too excited about him as a streaming option. The Braves are not only tied for the fourth-most runs scored (293) in baseball, but they also have the highest OPS against lefties (.806). Since he likely won’t provide a lot of strikeouts even in his start against the Marlins, it might be best to avoid him altogether.

Jason Vargas, New York Mets: vs. BAL, vs. NYY

Vargas won a career-high 18 games for the Royals last year and made the All-Star team for the first time. He moved to the Mets in the offseason but he has been limited to six starts due to injury. He was hammered in his first three outings but hasn’t given up a run in two of his last three starts. One of those came against the Braves, which is particularly impressive considering their success against lefties. Even with his recent success, you still want to stay away from streaming him this week. The Orioles aren’t exactly imposing, but the Yankees have the second-highest OPS against lefties (.799) and can still do a ton of damage even without the luxury of having the DH playing at Citi Field.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 10

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 10

Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels: at DET, vs. TEX

Despite the Angels using a six-man rotation, they have no off days this week, which will lead to Skaggs getting a rare two-start week. Skaggs is pitching well with a 3.11 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and 1.24 WHIP this year. He’s not a glaring regression candidate either with a .306 BABIP allowed that is almost right in line with his career mark. One of his big improvements has been his 10.6% swinging-strike rate that has resulted in a 9.7 K/9. Both the Tigers and Rangers are middle-of-the-pack in terms of runs scored and Skaggs actually held the Rangers to one run while recording seven strikeouts over five innings earlier this season.

Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres: vs. MIA, vs. CIN

Ross finally looks like the pitcher he was before having thoracic outlet surgery in 2016. Last year was a disaster with the Rangers, but rejoining the Padres seems to have been a wise move on his part. He has already thrown more innings than he did last year and has excelled, recording a 3.13 ERA and 3.35 FIP. He threw a first-pitch strike to only 46.2% of the batters he faced in 2017 but has shown much more control this year, throwing a first-pitch strike 59.1% of the time. His strikeouts are back up as well with a 9.5 K/9. His first start of the week is a great matchup against a Marlins team that has scored the fewest runs in baseball. The Reds will be a tougher task, but they don’t exactly have an overpowering offense either.

Caleb Smith, Miami Marlins: at SD, at ARI

After getting a brief taste of the majors with the Yankees last year, Smith was traded to the rebuilding Marlins in the offseason. The Marlins were lacking starting pitching depth, resulting in Smith being a member of their rotation right out of the gate. He’s made a case to stay there for the foreseeable future, recording a 3.83 ERA, 3.04 FIP and 1.22 WHIP across 10 starts. He’s been a stellar source for strikeouts with an 11.9 K/9. If he is going to continue to have success, he’s likely going to need to cut down his 4.6 BB/9 significantly as the season wears on. This could be a great week for him, though, facing the Padres and Diamondbacks, two teams in the bottom-six in baseball in runs scored. Smith is currently available in 68% of Yahoo! leagues and is one of the stronger streaming options for Week 10.

Adam Plutko, Cleveland Indians: vs. CWS, at MIN

Josh Tomlin was a disaster to begin the season, which has resulted in Plutko getting a chance to start. He was pitching well at Triple-A with a 2.25 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with a career 7.5 K/9 in the minors, but he has done a good job keeping runners off base with a 1.17 WHIP. He’s made two starts in the majors this year and threw six shutout innings with four strikeouts in his last outing against the Cubs. The White Sox and the Twins are both in the bottom-five in baseball in runs scored, so Plutko is someone to consider this week if you are desperate for pitching. He is still available in 94% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 10

Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles: vs. WAS, vs. NYY

Bundy has been about as unpredictable as it gets this season. He has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his 11 starts but has also given up at least seven runs three times. Homers have been a problem for him throughout his career and he has already allowed 14 in 62.2 innings this season. The Yankees have hit the most home runs in baseball and the Nationals have hit the fifth-most, so this could be the week to sit Bundy.

Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays: at BOS, at DET

Sanchez has been able to stay healthy, but his 4.07 ERA and 4.93 FIP are nothing to write home about. He’s allowing way too many baserunners with a 1.52 WHIP, largely because of his 5.5 BB/9. He’s never been a big strikeout pitcher either with a career 6.9 K/9. This will already be his third start of the season against the Red Sox, allowing five runs (four earned) across 11 innings in the first two. He did give up a home run in each start, though, and issued five walks, so he was anything but dominant. The Tigers start isn’t a horrible matchup, but having to face the Red Sox again makes him a risky option for your lineup.

Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves: vs. NYM, vs. WAS

McCarthy is another pitcher who has flirted with danger this season with a 1.58 WHIP. He has been a bit unlucky with opponents posting a .350 BABIP against him, but he’s not fooling many hitters with just a 7.0% swinging-strike rate. He doesn’t pitch deep into games either, throwing at least six innings in only two of his 10 starts. The Mets and Nationals both have trouble hitting left-handed pitching, but they are also both in the top-10 in baseball in OPS against right-handers. Without much strikeout upside, McCarthy just isn’t worth the risk.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers: vs. COL, vs. SD

Buehler had the worst start of his brief major league career in his last outing against the Marlins, allowing five runs (four earned) in five innings. He still finished with seven strikeouts and has an 11.3 K/9 through five starts. His 2.67 ERA and 2.21 FIP haven’t been aided by luck either since opponents have a .313 BABIP against him. He catches a break in his first start facing the Rockies at home instead of at Coors Field. He’ll then start against the Padres for the second time this season after recording eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings in their first matchup.

Miles Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals: vs. KC, at PIT

Unlike Buehler, Mikolas is not a big strikeout pitcher with only a 6.5 K/9. However, he works ahead in the count by throwing a first-pitch strike to 69.9% of the batters that he has faced and doesn’t walk hardly anyone with a 0.9 BB/9. His excellent control has helped result in a 1.05 WHIP, which is key to his success due to his lack of strikeouts. He’ll get the good fortune of facing the Royals at home who already don’t have a great offense, but will also be without the use of the DH. He’ll also get his second start against the Pirates after he allowed two runs to go along with seven strikeouts over seven innings in their first meeting. Expect another valuable week from Mikolas.

Chase Anderson, Milwaukee Brewers: vs. ARZ, vs. NYM

Anderson (illness) is expected to be activated from the DL and start Monday. He dealt with a bout of food poisoning and only missed the minimum 10 days, so don’t expect him to be limited at all moving forward. His 3.97 ERA and 1.15 WHIP this season look nice, but his 6.01 FIP and .210 opponents BABIP due raise a concern for regression. The good news is he has two favorable matchups coming his way this week. The Diamondbacks have scored the third-fewest runs (176) in baseball this season and are without one of their best hitters in A.J. Pollock (thumb). Then he’ll take on the Mets, who have also struggled by scoring the fifth-fewest runs (178). Don’t hesitate to activate him from the DL and insert him back into your lineup right away.

Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles: at CWS, at TB

Gausman has had two horrible starts this season. In his first start, he was lit up for six runs in four innings against the Twins. In his last outing, he allowed six runs in 4.2 innings against the Red Sox. Inbetween that though, he allowed two runs or fewer in six of seven starts. He’s had a problem with home runs throughout his career and has allowed 10 already this season, but five of those came in those two bad starts. Week 9 isn’t shaping up to be a difficult week with his first start coming against a White Sox team that has scored the second-fewest runs (166) in baseball. He’ll then face a Rays offense that is certainly better but is still middle of the pack in terms of runs scored. In his first start against them this season, Gausman held the Rays to two runs while recording six strikeouts in 7.2 innings.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 9

Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Braves: at PHI, at BOS

Foltynewicz has made significant strides this season with a 2.87 ERA and 10.9 K/9 through nine starts. He’s had control issues though with a 4.6 BB/9, resulting in a 1.34 WHIP. He’s already made three starts against the Phillies this season and has been successful, holding them to five runs (four earned) while recording 21 strikeouts in 17 innings. However, his second start this week against the Red Sox is concerning. He can’t afford to walk so many hitters against their potent lineup, so that start alone might make him a candidate to be benched for Week 9.

Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays: vs. BOS, vs. BAL

Faria hasn’t been able to follow up his strong rookie campaign, posting a 5.20 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across nine starts. He’s issuing more walks and recording fewer strikeouts, which is certainly not a recipe for success. The Red Sox have hit him hard in two starts this season, scoring nine runs in 5.2 innings. The Orioles have also had success against Faria in two games this year, scoring 11 runs in 10.1 innings. Keep him anchored to your bench.

Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds: vs. PIT, at COL

Harvey hasn’t pitched more than four innings in either of his first two starts with the Reds. He didn’t allow a run in his first outing but allowed three runs in his second start against the Giants. The Reds are desperate for starting pitching and decided to take a chance on Harvey, but he’s not someone you even want to think about streaming this week. First, he’ll face a Pirates team that has scored the fifth-most runs (225) in baseball. Then he has to travel to hitter-friendly Coors Field.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. MIL, at NYM

Corbin has continued his torrid start, posting a 2.12 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 11.8 K/9 through eight starts. Not only is he recording strikeouts at the highest rate of his career, but he also has an excellent 2.3 BB/9. It is likely he is going to see some regression at some point though considering opponents have just a .217 BABIP against him. That may not come this week though with two matchups that lean heavily in his favor since the Brewers and Mets have the two lowest OPS’s in baseball against left-handed pitchers. If there was ever a time to sell high on him, it might be after this week.

Alex Wood, Los Angeles Dodgers: at MIA, at WAS

Wood’s 3.60 ERA is solid, but his performance this season has been even better when you consider he gave up seven runs in 3.2 innings in one game against the Athletics. He has done a great job limiting homers again with a 0.6 HR/9 and doesn’t walk many batters either, helping lead him to a 1.00 WHIP. His strikeout upside isn’t off the charts, but he can still provide value in the category with an 8.3 K/9 for his career. His first start for Week 8 brings the Marlins, who have scored the fewest runs (138) in baseball. He’ll then face the Nationals, who have the sixth-lowest OPS (.673) against lefties. He has actually already faced them once this season, allowing three runs (two earned) to go along with four strikeouts in six innings. Look for Wood to provide plenty of value in these two games.

Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies: at SD, at SF

Much like Wood, Anderson has had one bad start that has thrown off his numbers, allowing seven runs in 2.1 innings against the Diamondbacks in his first start of the season. Since then, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of seven starts. He has had some control issues with a 4.0 BB/9, but he also has a career-high 9.4 K/9. He will be facing the Padres for the third time this season, allowing two runs to go along with 12 strikeouts in 12 innings across his first two starts. Both the Padres and the Giants are in the bottom seven in baseball in terms of runs scored, so Anderson could be a viable streaming option this week. He is still available in 80% of Yahoo! leagues.

Mike Minor, Texas Rangers: at SEA, at CWS

Minor’s transition back into a starting role in the majors for the first time since 2014 hasn’t been great, but it hasn’t been a disaster either. Through seven starts, Minor has a 4.73 ERA and 4.55 FIP. He’s allowing too many home runs with a 1.4 HR/9, but he does have a 1.20 WHIP. His .284 BABIP allowed is close to his career mark, but his 41.8% hard-hit rate allowed is abnormally high. This could be the week to take a chance on him though if you need starting pitching help. The Mariners just lost one of their best offensive players in Robinson Cano (hand) and the White Sox have the fourth-lowest OPS (.663) against left-handers. Minor is still available in 90% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 8

Jose Quintana, Chicago Cubs: vs. ATL, at CIN

Quintana’s 4.42 ERA this season isn’t terrible, but he’s lucky it’s even that low considering his 1.47 WHIP. Control has been an issue, allowing 4.4 BB/9 and throwing a first-pitch strike to only 62.5% of the batters that he has faced, which would be his lowest mark since his rookie season. He had an excellent 9.9 K/9 last year, but that was much higher than the 7.8 K/9 he has for his career. He’s regressed back to a 7.9 K/9 this season, so we may have just seen a one-year anomaly. The Braves have one of the best lineups in all of baseball and the Reds have the 10th highest OPS (.765) against lefties, so this may not be the week to ride with Quintana.

Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres: vs. COL, at PIT

The Padres desperately need quality starting pitching and Lucchesi has stepped up in his first taste of big league action, recording a 2.98 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. He’s had some problems providing length though, throwing 5.2 innings or fewer in six of his eight starts. His .292 BABIP allowed isn’t low, but his 39.3% hard-hit rate allowed is concerning. This week could bring a mixed bag of results based on his two opponents. He’ll face the Rockies for the third time, allowing two unearned runs to go along with 15 strikeouts in the first two starts. However, the Rockies are tied for the seventh-highest OPS (.774) against lefties. The Pirates absolutely mash lefties with a .850 OPS against them, which is almost 40 percentage points higher than any other team.

Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers: vs. CLE, at SEA

Liriano’s 3.35 ERA looks nice, but he’s been playing with fire due to a 4.5 BB/9. He has a 1.17 WHIP, but that’s largely been aided by opposing hitters recording just a .226 BABIP. He doesn’t provide much in the way of strikeouts either with a 6.5 K/9. Liriano did hold the Indians to two runs in six innings earlier this season, but their lineup is rolling right now and they are in the top 10 in terms of OPS against left-handed pitchers overall. The Mariners matchup is better without Cano, but they still have some excellent power bats that can take advantage of Liriano if he doesn’t cut down on his walks. Without much strikeout upside, it’s not worth trying to stream Liriano for Week 8.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

Injuries to starting pitchers are starting to pile up around baseball, the latest of which saw both Jacob deGrom (elbow) and Clayton Kershaw (biceps) land on the DL. Your starting fantasy staff might not be as strong as a result. If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies: vs. SF, vs. NYM

Nola has followed up his breakout campaign last year with a 2.17 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 0.92 WHIP through seven starts. His K/9 is only 6.9, but expect that to increase sooner rather than later since he has finished with a K/9 of at least 9.8 in back-to-back seasons. He has been a bit lucky with opponents posting a .236 BABIP, but he has thrown a first-pitch strike to 65.7% of the batters that he has faced and has a 33.2% O-swing % (the percentage of pitches a batter swings at outside the strike zone), both of which would be career highs.  The Giants and Mets are both in the bottom 10 in the league in runs scored, leaving Nola with the potential for a great week.

Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs: vs. MIA, vs. CWS

Hendricks has a 3.19 ERA and 1.09 WHIP this season, but a deeper diver indicates he has not pitched that well. His FIP sits at 5.31 and opponents have just a .223 BABIP. He’s been victimized by the long ball as well, allowing eight home runs in 36.2 innings. He only has a 0.9 HR/9 for his career, so expect some improvement from him in that area as the season wears on. He has already faced the Marlins once this season, allowing one earned run to go along with five strikeouts in six innings. The Marlins have also hit the fewest home runs (24) in baseball, which should help Hendricks with his homer problems. He also has the benefit of facing the White Sox at home, so he won’t have to face the designated hitter. Although he’s not a big strikeout pitcher, look for a valuable week from Hendricks.

Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles: vs. KC, vs. TB

Bundy has been unlucky this season, allowing a .345 BABIP to opposing hitters. It’s resulted to a 1.35 WHIP, but his 10.6 K/9 has helped offset the issue and result in a 3.76 ERA and 3.67 FIP. His increased K/9 can be attributed to his career-high marks in both O-swing % (38.2%) and swinging strike percentage (15.6%).  He’s been roughed up in his last two outings, but that’s mainly because he allowed five home runs after giving up just one long ball in his first five starts combined. The Royals and Rays are both in the bottom 10 in the league in OPS against right-handed pitching this season, so look for Bundy to rebound in Week 7.

Sean Newcomb, Atlanta Braves: at TB, at MIA

Newcomb was lined up to start twice last week, but the Braves altered their rotation by calling up promising rookie Mike Soroka. Newcomb now gets his two starts in Week 7 and will look to continue his excellent start to the season. He had control issues last year with a 5.1 BB/9, but he’s cut that down to 3.9 this season, some of which can be attributed to him throwing a first-pitch strike to 64.8% of the batters that he has faced. He also provides excellent strikeout upside with a 10.9 K/9. Newcomb has been a better pitcher on the road during his Major League career, posting a 3.23 ERA compared to a 4.79 ERA at home. Amazingly, he’s still available in 51% of Yahoo! leagues, so he would make an excellent pickup this week if you can grab him.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals: at BAL, at CLE

Duffy is not off to a great start with a 5.63 ERA and 5.61 FIP through seven outings. He’s had a problem keeping runners off base with a 1.49 WHIP, but his opponents .292 BABIP is not high by any means. He is giving up a lot of solid contact with a 41% hard-hit rate that is almost 10 percentage points higher than his career mark. His BB/9 and HR/9 are both up as well, which is not a recipe for success. The Orioles only have a .629 OPS this season against right-handed pitchers but have hit lefties much better with a .720 OPS. The Indians are also in the top 10 in baseball in terms of runs scored overall, meaning this might be the week to put Duffy on your bench.

Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays: vs. SEA, vs. BOS

Stroman couldn’t be off to a much worse start, recording a 7.52 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. His opponents .330 BABIP isn’t a lot higher than his .307 career BABIP allowed and he’s had significant control issues with a 4.5 BB/9. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, so he can’t afford to continue throwing a first-pitch strike to just 56.7% of the batters that he has faced this season. The Mariners and Red Sox are both in the top eight in the league in OPS against righties, so this could be a rough week for Stroman.

Jose Urena, Miami Marlins: at CHC, vs. ATL

Urena isn’t having a terrible season despite his 0-5 record, posting a 4.28 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He doesn’t have much strikeout upside with just a 7.2 K/9 and his 43.1% hard-hit rate allowed is concerning as well. This week brings two very tough matchups, the first of which comes against a Cubs squad that scored five runs in four innings against him on opening day. He then has to face a Braves team that has scored the third-most runs in baseball, so this could be a bad week to take a chance on him in your lineup.