Hey Now, Here Comes The All Star Break
Sorry for ruining you’re Father’s Day Sunday, but you obviously need to queue up the obligatory tune for this week’s reading. (That’s right, I used the Spotify link to ruin your listening algorithm.)
We’re in another crucial part of the baseball calendar in which we can target schedules until the All Star break from July 10 – 13. And lucky for you, I spent the time to map out all of the schedules, here you go:
| 6/19 – 6/25 | 6/26 – 7/2 | 7/3 – ASG | |||||
| BAL | @TBR | SEA | CIN | MIN | @NYY | @MIN | |
| BOS | @MIN | @CHW | MIA | @TOR | TEX | OAK | |
| NYY | SEA | TEX | @OAK | @STL | BAL | @CHC | |
| TBR | BAL | KCR | @ARI | @SEA | PHI | ATL | |
| TOR | @MIA | @OAK | SFG | BOS | @CHW | @DET | |
| CHW | TEX | BOS | @LAA | @OAK | TOR | STL | |
| CLE | OAK | MIL | @KCR | @CHC | ATL | KCR | |
| DET | KCR | MIN | @TEX | @COL | OAK | TOR | |
| KCR | @DET | @TBR | CLE | LAD | @MIN | @CLE | |
| MIN | BOS | @DET | @ATL | @BAL | KCR | BAL | |
| HOU | NYM | @LAD | @STL | @TEX | COL | SEA | |
| LAA | LAD | @COL | CHW | ARI | @SDP | @LAD | |
| OAK | @CLE | TOR | NYY | CHW | @DET | @BOS | |
| SEA | @NYY | @BAL | WSN | TBR | @SFG | @HOU | |
| TEX | @CHW | @NYY | DET | HOU | @BOS | @WSN | |
| ATL | @PHI | @CIN | MIN | MIA | @CLE | @TBR | |
| MIA | TOR | PIT | @BOS | @ATL | STL | PHI | |
| NYM | @HOU | @PHI | MIL | SFG | @ARI | @SDP | |
| PHI | ATL | NYM | @CHC | WSN | @TBR | @MIA | |
| WSN | STL | ARI | @SDP | @SEA | @PHI | CIN | TEX |
| CHC | @PIT | @STL | PHI | CLE | @MIL | NYY | |
| CIN | COL | ATL | @BAL | SDP | @WSN | @MIL | |
| MIL | ARI | @CLE | @NYM | @PIT | CHC | CIN | |
| PIT | CHC | @MIA | SDP | MIL | @LAD | @ARI | |
| STL | @WSN | CHC | HOU | NYY | @MIA | @CHW | |
| ARI | @ARI | @WSN | @SFG | TBR | @LAA | NYM | PIT |
| COL | @CIN | LAA | LAD | DET | @HOU | @SFG | |
| LAD | @LAA | HOU | @COL | @KCR | PIT | LAA | |
| SDP | @SFG | WSN | @PIT | @CIN | LAA | NYM | |
| SFG | SDP | ARI | @TOR | @NYM | SEA | COL | |
Now, I didn’t quite go all the way to the finish line by layering in team wRC+ or ERA or something to really make a useful chart, but I did give you the bones for that if you want to complete it yourself. Just on quick glance, here are some takeaways for team targets:
- Targeting Rockies batters until the Fourth of July weekend is necessary with an upcoming trip to Great American Smallpark followed by three home series.
- Is this the time for the Dodgers to heat up? They have a fairly soft schedule with a nice smattering of home series while Chavez Ravine heats up. The opponents look favorable for both Dodgers bats and arms.
- On the other side of the coin from the Dodgers, the Royals might sink beyond the Athletics in the MLB basement with their stretch of games to the break. It’s possible they don’t muster enough wins over the stretch to complete a whole six pack.
- The Red Sox have three home series along with a trip to the Southside of Chicago? Gimme some of those bats!
What other takeaways stand out to you in the schedule? Any other teams you are avoiding or targeting for some possible pickups?
Now go find your favorite Brian Eno ambient album to cleanse your musical palette to wipe that Smash Mouth out.
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 6/17.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (@mcouill7).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Gary Sanchez (SDP, 44% CBS Ownership) – After 4 homers with a .310 / .375 .793 (!) line in the first nine games of his Padres tenure, Sanchez bottomed out with just one bomb and a .095 / .136 .238 line this past week. Such is the life eternal for Gary Sanchez. After the visiting series at the Giants, the Pads have a relatively soft schedule that includes a trip to the Queen City before the ASG, making the Kraken an intriguing add. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Travis d’Arnaud (ATL, 49% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 44% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gabriel Moreno (ARI, 41% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Danny Jansen (TOR, 28% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Mitch Garver (TEX, 25% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Christian Bethancourt (TBR, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Yainer Diaz (HOU, 7% CBS Ownership) – It often looks like nothing will claw Martin Maldonado out of the Astros catching job but the long, cold hand of death, which is how Diaz oddly became the main beneficiary of Yordan Alvarez’s injury to get some DH at-bats. Diaz is an offense-first catcher, evident by most projection systems giving him wRC+ over 100. He’s just a solid bat, which means that he’s a better hitter than the average catcher. Thank god our weird game of fantasy baseball only requires the offensive stats (unless you play Scoresheet like a total masochistic weirdo). (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Bo Naylor (CLE, 18% CBS Ownership, 5% FAAB), Blake Sabol (C/OF, SFG, 14% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Henry Davis (PIT, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Patrick Bailey (SFG, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Connor Wong (BOS, 8% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Matt Thaiss (LAA, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Miguel Amaya (CHC, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Ezequiel Tovar (SS, COL, 42% CBS Ownership) – Quick update – that amazing Rockies schedule is still forthcoming. Somehow, Tovar has been a serviceable starting fantasy SS over the past week with two homers and a .310 batting average. In spite of his career 72 wRC+, he makes an intriguing dynasty buy right now because he’s playing so much that he’s seeing a lot major league pitching for a 21 year old. (5% FAAB)
Triston Casas (1B, BOS, 38% CBS Ownership) – Although it seems like Casas is ancient history, he’s only 23 and might be starting to put some things together. He’s pushed his barrel rate above the precious 10% mark and appears to have shaken loose from his platoon, starting every day this week, including against a lefty (Austin Gomber) on Wednesday. Of the schedules above, the Red Sox have one of the softer ones that ends with a juicy series against the Athletics at home. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jake Burger (3B, CHW, 49% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Spencer Torkelson (1B, DET, 49% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Owen Miller (1B/2B/3B, MIL, 48% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luke Raley (1B/OF, TBR, 46% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/OF, PIT, 45% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), CJ Abrams (SS, WSN, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Urias (2B/3B/SS, MIL, 35% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mauricio Dubon (2B/SS/OF, HOU, 34% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Zach McKinstry (2B/3B/OF, DET, 30% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Nick Pratto (1B/OF, KCR, 29% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Luis Garcia (2B/SS, WSN, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ryan Noda (1B/OF, OAK, 26% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Chris Taylor (2B/3B/SS/OF, LAD, 23% CBS Ownership) – Despite pacing for roughly 25 homers and 15 steals, Taylor has yet to be ever mentioned in this piece because of his unsightly battle with the Mendoza Line. However, the Dodgers’ nice upcoming schedule combined with Max Muncy’s tender hammy make Taylor a viable piece to sub anywhere into a fantasy lineup for the next few weeks. I wrote the preceding sentences before he left Friday night’s contest with knee pain. So if it turns out his ACL is shredded or something, like don’t pick him up, you know? (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Enrique Hernandez (2B/SS/OF, BOS, 18% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Paul DeJong (SS, STL, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jace Peterson (2B/3B, OAK, 10% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Garrett Cooper (1B, MIA, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Emmanuel Rivera (1B/3B, ARI, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Ramon Urias (2B/3B, BAL, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Maikel Garcia (3B/SS, KCR, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Dominic Smith (1B, WSN, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tucupita Marcano (2B/SS/OF, PIT, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jose Caballero (2B, SEA, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (3B/SS/OF, NYY, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Coco Montes (2B/SS, COL, 3% CBS Ownership) – I keep harping on it, but the Rockies upcoming schedule is dope. Even if someone like Montes (who might be a league average bat?) is in a short-side platoon, there can be a random BABIP-fueled week of production here. (1-3% FAAB)
Mike Ford (1B, SEA, 1% CBS Ownership) – Well, well, well, after the Mariners have sported a 67 wRC+ at the DH position so far this season, they might have finally found a solution for the position in Ford. In just 28 plate appearances, he already has four bombs, boosted by an unsustainable 40% HR/FB rate. Ford is a classic three-true-outcomes guy that will pace for 25-ish homers and a .220-ish batting average over a full season, but with how horrible Seattle’s DH production has been, that will stick in a strong-side platoon. A nice boost for a corner spot in an AL-Only if looking for power. (5% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Luis Matos (SFG, 49% CBS Ownership) – After dominating AAA to the tune of a 163 wRC+, Matos had nothing left to prove, so Mitch Haniger’s upcoming two month absence couldn’t have come at a better time for Luis. Matos should play full-time throughout Haniger’s latest IL stint and might never give the job back as the 21-year-old looks ready for the big time. I like his projection from THE BAT of .273 /.314 / .410 that should come with 5-10 stolen bases rest of season. (5-7% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jake Fraley (CIN, 49% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Eddie Rosario (ATL, 44% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alex Kirilloff (1B/OF, MIN, 41% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brandon Marsh (PHI, 40% CBS Ownership Rate, 1-3% FAAB), Brian Anderson (3B/OF, MIL, 39% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Leody Taveras (TEX, 42% CBS Ownership Rate, 3% FAAB), Ramon Laureano (OAK, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Joey Gallo (1B/OF, MIN, 31% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), TJ Friedl (CIN, 28% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jurickson Profar (COL, 24% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jesus Sanchez (MIA, 23% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Randal Grichuk (COL, 21% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Ryan O’Hearn (BAL, 5% CBS Ownership) – The Orioles’ AAA affiliate is dripping with talented dudes that dynasty owners can’t wait to see get major league time like Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, Jordan Westburg, Heston Kjerstad, and Colton Cowser. So you know who has started at a corner and hit cleanup in four games this past week? That’s right, Ryan O’Hearn, who was squeezed out of the Royals and purchased by the O’s in January. You also can’t argue with Baltimore’s decision as he’s currently posting a .338 / .381 / .623 line. The resurgent O’Hearn has his best barrel rate since his 2018 rookie season and has a nice set of three straight home series in a warming stadium starting June 23rd. (1-3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Will Brennan (CLE, 17% CBS Ownership, 3-5%), Seth Brown (1B/OF, OAK, 17% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Corey Julks (HOU, 13% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Brenton Doyle (COL, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kerry Carpenter (DET, 12% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Chas McCormick (HOU, 12% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Robbie Grossman (TEX, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tommy Pham (NYM, 9% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Bauers (NYY, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Nelson Cruz (SDP, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Will Benson (CIN, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Simon Muzziotti (PHI, 0% CBS Ownership) – Muzziotti has mastered AAA so far (.367 /.416 / .495), so it would be fun to see what he could do with full-time in the majors. He could be a decent source of steals as he has 15, but it has come with an ugly 9 caught stealing. Maybe he’s just bored and dicking around on the basepaths in Lehigh Valley? He would be the next outfielder on the Phillies if injury should strike, but maybe he gets moved and finds full run on a second division team. (1% FAAB)
Dairon Blanco (KCR, 4% CBS Ownership) – A lot of ink has been laid on this website about Blanco since his debut on Monday. Here’s another reminder that if you want raw stolen bases (he had 46 in AAA), Dairon is da man. (7% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Emmet Sheehan (LAD, 37% CBS Ownership) – Another week, another electric MLB debut from a sexy prospect arm. Sheehan immediately becomes viable in every league format as he proved he can get through lineups efficiently enough to be in the running for wins. It sucks that his gem of a debut (6 IP, no hits, 3 Ks, 2 BB against a pesty Giants sqaud) was spoiled by the bullpen. There’s no reason you can’t go beyond my suggestion if you are desperate for pitching because his brilliance is going to keep him in the rotation for the near future. There aren’t better landing spots than pitching for this once-again-juggernaut Dodgers team. (7-9% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Johan Oviedo (PIT, 49% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), J.P. France (HOU, 47% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Lorenzen (DET, 46% CBS Ownership, 3-5% FAAB), Griffin Canning (LAA, 44% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kyle Bradish (BAL, 35% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Wade Miley (MIL, 35% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Clarke Schmidt (NYY, 34% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Matthew Liberatore (STL, 32% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Rich Hill (PIT, 31% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), JP Sears (OAK, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Reese Olson (DET, 22% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Paul Blackburn (OAK, 9% CBS Ownership) – The former All Star has returned healthy and shoved in his last two outings at Milwaukee and home against Tampa. He bullied both lineups and threw 11.2 innings with a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 14 Ks (no wins, of course). How can you say no to a guy throwing that well? (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Zack Greinke (KCR, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hayden Wesneski (CHC, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jaime Barria (LAA, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Ortiz (PIT, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Kutter Crawford (BOS, 9% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Daniel Lynch (KCR, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hogan Harris (OAK, 3% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Connor Phillips (CIN, 3% CBS Ownership) – Although it would be fun to see the Athletics turn their situation around in a tirade against the ownership a la Major League, the Reds might actually stand a chance to live the movie. If they really want to take a legit swing at the NL Central, it would be sweet to see the Redlegs unleash all of the minor league talent. Phillips has been dismantling AA bats and now rocks an elite 30.6% K-BB% rate. There’s no reason to think his arm wouldn’t play immediately in either a major league rotation or pen. (1% FAAB)
Trevor Richards (TOR, 2% CBS Ownership) – On June 10th, Richards started and threw three innings. He’s in a swing starter/piggyback role mix for the Blue Jays fifth turn in the rotation with a current 2023 season line of a 3.30 ERA with 14.7 K/9. He has a chance to start accumulating some good Ks volume while sniffing some win situations. (3% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Adbert Alzolay (CHC, 17% CBS Ownership) – It’s an arbitrary cutoff point, but since May 26th, Alzolay has 7.1 IP with no earned runs, 9 Ks (11.0 K/9), two saves, and one hold. He’s entered a territory of reliever elite enough to warrant ownership no matter the number of saves. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Michael King (NYY, 38% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Kendall Graveman (CHW, 32% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Miguel Castro (ARI, 30% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Bryan Abreu (HOU, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Bard (COL, 24% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Justin Lawrence (COL, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Scott McGough (ARI, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Trevor May (OAK, 8% CBS Ownership) – You play fantasy baseball, you know the game. Saves are saves are saves. May does saves for the A’s. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Erik Swanson (TOR, 19% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Hunter Harvey (WSN, 11% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Nate Pearson (TOR, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Josh Winckowski (BOS, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Trevor Stephan (CLE, 6% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jason Foley (DET, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jordan Hicks (STL, 4% CBS Ownership Rate, 1-3% FAAB), Joel Payamps (MIL, 4% CBS Ownership Rate, 1% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 2% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Shelby Miller (LAD, 1% CBS Ownership) – The once well heralded Cardinals prospect, Miller, has been steady as can be in Hollywood. He’s crafted a 2.40 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 30 IP with 31 Ks. If you are desperate for steady pitching production and are tired of choosing between starters with ERAs above 5, Miller could go a long way to help. (1-3% FAAB)
Jacob Webb (LAA, 0% CBS Ownership) – Webb bailed Carlos Estevez out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam on Thursday night and earned the save against a formidable Rangers lineup on the road. He has quietly slung a brilliant 2.02 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 13.1 IP for the Angels. (1-3% FAAB)
