There is a sense of validation when you go and look at the roster %’s for players who have been previously mentioned in the series. Unfortunately, there is also a sense of dread when you find out that a certain recommendation of Austin Gomber has led to a new term. Being “Gomber-ed”. Remember tho, we are still a mere 18% of the way through the season, and there will be plenty of good and bad decisions ahead. This week incorporates a few more inter-league games, and will set the path for future weeks in which a H2H matchup can be in your favor if preparation is taken. Or if I keep getting Gomber-ed, more like Preparation H.
Runs
Luis Arraez 2B/LF, MIN-43% rostered in Yahoo- Arraez looks ahead to Week 4 hitting atop of a lineup that is ready for some warmer weather. Arraez is hitting atop a lineup that is set to play 7 games next week against the Rangers and the Tigers, (two of the worst staffs in MLB). Add in the fact that they are set to face 7 Right Hander Pitchers, which Arraez carries a .455 OBP on the season, and it’s even tastier for the Twins leadoff man.
Kolten Wong, 2B, MLW-31% rostered in Yahoo– Since coming off of the IL, Kolten has been molten! 11 for 21 (.524), 5 Runs, 2 HR, 4RBI, 1 SB The Brewers are set to play 7 games next week vs the Phils and the Marlins. Not the ideal matchups as a whole, but 5-6 of the opponents should be RHP is enough to feel right being Wong.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Nimmo- Mets play 7 and should face 6 RHP
HR/RBI
Kyle Schwarber, OF, WSH-47% rostered in Yahoo- Schwarbs hasn’t exactly been on the torrid pace that many had expected coming out of Spring. This is the week for Kyle to get warmed up. In the 6 game week, Schwarbs and the Nats will face the Braves, who have been prone to the long ball (29th HR/9 among starters). After the Braves, they will travel to NYC and get into some interleague play against the Yankees, who rank 20th in HR/9. If there is 1 more reason to be optimistic, they face all RHP
Justin Upton, OF, LAA-19% rostered in Yahoo- J-Upside has been on a tear! He carries an 11 game hit streak into April 28th, and has 4 Hr’s during that time. I feel like Upton is the epitome of a streaky hitter, and you should strike while the iron is hot. Despite the matchups of TB and LAD, he has a lot working in his favor. 1. They play 7 games 2. He faces 5 of 7 LHP (.333 /1.200 OPS) 3. All 7 games are at home (4HR/11 RBI/.278)
Honorable Mention: Kyle Seager- Seager has been hot and faces 5 RHP. Sea plays Balt/Tex
SB
Jurickson Profar, 2B/OF, SD-23% rostered in Yahoo- Despite the absolute lack of power (.064 ISO), Profar has played in all but a couple games on the season and has shown a keen eye (14.6% BB) and OBP (.340). When on base, he has done his best to turn the BB into a double with his 4 SB’s. The Padres face the Pirates in a 3 game set. Why is that important? Jacob Stallings has allowed the 2nd most SB’s of any backstop in MLB.
Nico Hoerner, 2B/SS, CHC-15% rostered in Yahoo- With the Cubs dealing with a ton of injuries, Hoerner has been called up. In his first 6 games, he has reached base 11 times! Hoerner does carry with his pedigree some decent speed and gets the benefit of facing Wil Smith and the Dodgers. Smith has allowed the most SB’s on the season. After the visit with the Dodgers, they face the Pirates and Stallings…read the blurb above if you need reminding!
Wins
Carlos Martinez, SP, STL-19% rostered in Yahoo- The Tsunami has been crashing down on opposing hitters over his last 13 innings (vPhi, @WSH). While the strikeouts haven’t been there, limiting the walks and hits has been awesome, evident by the minuscule 9 h/bb combined. Next week the Cardinals get the Mets and the Rockies. On paper, the matchup vs DeGrom is not one where I would envision a notch in the Win column, but I think we all know what happens to the Mets’ bats when Jacob is on the mound. For his 2nd start, CarMart gets the Rockies at Busch. The old Brewery v Dispensary battle.
Nick Pivetta, SP, BOS-9% rostered in Yahoo- I can’t believe that Nick Pivetta is going to grace a Razzball article. Pivetta is throwing more breaking pitches, and getting decent results? He just battled Jacob DeGrom and got the W to improve his season stats to 3-0, 2.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP. The 25:17 K:BB leaves a little to be desired, but his matchups next week are juicy! His first start will come at home vs the hapless Tigers (30th OPS) and then an away start against the Orioles (28th OPS). With the Red Sox off to a hot start, it wouldn’t shock me to see Pivetta with 2 more W’s.
Honorable Mention: J.A. Happ, SP, MIN-20% rostered in Yahoo- Happ has been Just Awesome over his past 2 starts. He will look to keep the momentum going against 2 plus-matchups in the Rangers and the Tigers.
K/ERA/WHIP
J.P. Feyereisen, RP, MLW-9% rostered in Yahoo- Fire and Ice has been absolutely lights out this season. While Devin Williams was getting the airbender back to 2020 form, J.P. was collecting holds and ratios! Still might be a little tough to throw a setup man into your H2H battles, but his 12 innings is the most in the majors without allowing a run.
Yusmeiro Petit, RP, OAK-18% rostered in Yahoo- If it’s rock solid ERA/WHIP assistance you are seeking, look no further than Petit. Already tallying over 14 innings on the season, the middle inning monster of the Bay Area has only allowed 2 BB’s and 2 ER’s. Throw in the fact that he has 3 wins under his belt and you could do much worse.
Saves
Josh Staumont, RP, KCR-42% rostered in Yahoo- The Royals have been a closer carousel for the majority of this season, and honestly I think it probably continues. With that being said, it sure does appear that Matheny likes seeing Staumont occupy the 9th. His blazing fastball is a thing of beauty, and as long as he can keep the control in check, he has the 9th inning “stuff”. Holland doesn’t concern me, and Barlow is still being used in the fireman role, so Josh is the guy! For now.
Gregory Soto, RP, DET-20% rostered in Yahoo- By this time, you know the name of the game SAGNOF! There is quite possibly no better team at producing SAGNOF All Stars than the Tigers. They are just bad enough to only win games by a marginal amount, and Garcia, Cisnero, and Jimenez have each done enough to give Soto a decently long leash. I would love to say avoid him because of his matchups vs Boston and Minn, but it really doesn’t matter, just get the saves.
Speculative Saves: Lucas Sims-Doolittle got the last opportunity, but I personally think that Sims is the best arm in the pen not named Antone.
