I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend! I know that I did. Collectively, I still have all 10 fingers and 10 toes, which after a firework extravaganza, is the only “winning” outcome. Speaking of winning outcomes, my goal is for you to also count to 10, or 20, or however many categories your league utilizes. Speaking of fireworks tho, last week was full of them. Ranger Suarez’s two-start week blew up in our faces with a trip to the IL. Cal Quantrill didn’t go off and was a complete dud. Let down by some defensive woes, but had his shortest outing of the season and was pushed back to Monday. That being said, I won’t include Cal in this week’s article, but just know that he is in line for 2 vs CWS and the Tigers again.
Contrary to how it may seem, not all fireworks are duds. For instance, Darick Hall had another solid week adding to his R & HR totals! Both Duran and Mateo stole a base…well, it might stop there! Luckily I have a whole weekend to see the other recommendations explode and make us all say “whoa”! Finally, as I have said for the past couple of weeks, now is the time that 25% of your league mates will switch gears to football content. This is the time to make small moves that can create giant waves. Keep with me as we Get Ahead in Head To Head For Week 13!
What To Look For!
- Favorable Team Matchups
- SPARP(S) Of The Week
- R/L Matchups To Exploit
- SAGNOF
Favorable Team Matchups!
8 Games
CLE (vCWS/vDET)
CWS (@CLE/@MIN)
KC (vDET/@TOR)
7 Games
ATL (vNYM/@WSH)
BOS (@TB/@NYY)
COL (vSD/vPIT)-All Games at Coors!
MIA (vPIT/vPHI)
NYM (@ATL/@CHC)
PIT (@MIA/@COL)
SD (@COL/vARI)
SF (vARI/vMIL)
STL (vPHI/vLAD/vCIN)
TB (vBOS/vBAL)
TEX (vOAK/vSEA)
5 Games
BAL (@CHC/@TB)
LAA (vHOU/vLAD)
LAD (@STL/@LAA)
SPARP(S) Of The Week!
Spenser Watkins-SP/RP-BAL (@CHC) (6% rostered in Yahoo)- I personally am shocked by how dominant Spenser has been over his past three starts. 17.2 IP/1.02 ERA/.85 WHIP. The downside is that he doesn’t strike out a ton of batters (17.9% over the past 3 starts). The upside is that he isn’t walking batters (4.3% in July), and not giving up HRs (0 allowed since 5/27). Definitely streamable, but I don’t know how much longer he can get away with the hard hit% (35%) and the lucky BABIP (.231)
Ross Stripling-SP/RP-TOR (35% rostered in Yahoo)- Stripling has been a favorite of mine in this series since he was promoted to starter. This week is no different! The Jays will host the Royals on Thursday evening. Stripling has faced a short rough stretch of opponents over the past 4 appearances (TBR, BOS, CWS, NYY), but is in line for a tasty matchup against the Royals. Not only have they been struggling against RHP over the past 5 weeks (20th in runs/.247 BAA), but they have taken some blows to their offense. If you need even more reasons to stream Stripling, he is limiting the BBs by allowing 1 or fewer BBs in 5 of his past 6 starts.
R/L Matchups to Exploit
Nathaniel Lowe, 1B, TEX (48% rostered in Yahoo)- Moving up the lineup as of late (batting 4th/5th), Lowe has been on a tear. Over the past 14 days, Lowe carries a .341 AVE with 3 HR and 9 RBI. If we narrow it down to just July, he is hitting .364. The biggest attribute to the improved approach at the plate is the reduction in K% down to 16% during this stretch. The Rangers are set to play 7 games (OAK/SEA) and are scheduled to only face 1 LHP. The Rangers, as a whole, are starting to heat up offensively, which only bodes well for Lowe’s upside.
M.J. Melendez, C/OF, KC (43% rostered in Yahoo)- The batting average hasn’t been anything to put a crown on, but the power has been majestic. The Royals are set to play 8 this week with a double header on Monday vs Det. I’m bullish on MJ because of the abundance of RHP they are set to face. With Witt Jr. out of the lineup, Melendez has seen the majority of ABs in the 3rd spot.
Joey Wendle, 2B, 3B, SS, MIA (14% rostered in Yahoo)- Wendle is definitely one of the deep league recommendations that we all are looking for. For starters, he is likely to see increased playing time with Jazz on the 10-day IL. Add in the fact that he has been hitting at the top of the lineup and the “Whoa” element for Joey isn’t as dramatic. Wendle gets on base (.353 OBP) and has tasty matchups (vPIT/vPHI)
Ha-Seong Kim, 2B, 3B, SS, SDP (8% rostered in Yahoo)- This is totally dependent upon his recent thumb injury. While Kim is expected to return over the weekend, it is worth monitoring. If healthy, Kim is in a monster situation. To begin with, the Padres have 7 games this week, with 4 of them at Coors! To add to the bounty, the Friars are set to face 4 LHP. Kim has really thrived against LHP as of late. Over the last two weeks, he has hit a robust .284 with 2 HR, 11 R, and 10 RBI. Monitor his health.
Daniel Vogelbach, 1B, PIT (3% rostered in Yahoo)- Where do I begin? The Pirates have 7 games this week, with 3 over the weekend at Coors. Add in the fact that 2 of the 3 games are against RHP and you have a weekend streamer at a minimum. If you play in a weekly setting league, you should probably look elsewhere.
Matt Vierling, OF, PHI (1% rostered in Yahoo)- This is another weekend streamer option. With Harper out, the Phillies are playing a carousel in the lineup. Vierling has been hitting well as of late (.350 over past 14), and is seeing ABs in the middle of the order v LHP. This weekend, the Phillies are scheduled to face multiple lefties vs MIA. Again, if you can set for the weekend, Vierling could produce in that lineup.
Alex Kirilloff, OF, MIN (33% rostered in Yahoo)- Was mentioned last week and has absolutely delivered. I mention him again because the matchup is just as tasty. Despite the collision with Andrew Vaughn, it is reported that Kiriloff is ok and shouldn’t miss any time. This week, the Twins have 6 games on the schedule, and all are against RHP. Kiriloff has been great vs RHP (.300/18RBI) and should continue his hot hitting this week. 9-3-18-.300 since 6/17
SAGNOF
Ramon Laureano, OF, OAK (32% rostered in Yahoo)- Laureano has actually been on a hot streak over the past 7 days (4 HRs). I am only including him in the SAGNOF section because I think he can give us a whole mess of slam n legs. Laureano has done the majority of his damage against RHP in the power column, but it’s his opponent this week that makes him an SB threat. The good ole Rangers are hosting the A’s, and are the most generous on the basepaths this year.
Dylan Moore, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, SEA (2% rostered in Yahoo)- Another hot-hitting player over the past week who is likely to drop a couple of SBs into the donation bucket. Moore has been getting on base (.347 OBP), which coupled with a 6 game slate v TEX/WSH, makes for as sure a bet for SBs. The Rangers, as previously mentioned, are the most generous, while the Nationals are also in the Top 10 in SB allowed.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS, NYY (17% rostered in Yahoo)- With starts in 5 straight, IKF is always a threat to stuff the scoresheet. Hitting near .45o over the past week and having stolen 2 bases during that time, it is not crazy to assume he is going to keep the five-finger discounts coming. Not only does he have good success on the basepaths, but he is also in line to face the Reds and Red Sox. Those two teams are both in the Top 15 in SB allowed. Nothing could be finer than a stolen base by Kiner!
SAGNOF (PART DEUX)
Lou Trivino, RP, OAK (27% rostered in Yahoo)- Picked up his 2nd save over the past 7 days. Jimenez still hasn’t begun to throw, and it appears that its’ Trivino’s job to lose. Even after taking the loss, he was immediately given the next SV opp.
A.J. Minter, RP, ATL (48% rostered in Yahoo)- It’s a committee in ATL until Kenley can return. Minter has lights-out stuff, but if you have the spot to occupy, there’s a good chance he can pick up an SV or two as the Braves play 7 next week vs NYM/WSH.
That will wrap up our look at Head To Head for Week 13. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to look me up @natemarcum on Twittter.
