The calendar has turned another page as we enter August. With August comes the impending trade deadline, which is most definitely going to bring about a ton of change. Landing spots will dictate a lot of waivers and FAAB decisions. Of course, as I write this, a lot can change once the flood gates open. Speaking of floods, I am sorry this is a little late in release, but St. Louis has been crushed with rain and has suffered some flooding. Nothing that a Juan Soto signing can’t help. (I truly am sorry for those affected by the floods and realize that it truly won’t help)
It should also be noted that with each passing week, more and more of your league-mates will be turning their attention to the NFL. Of course, if you are capable of doing both, I highly encourage you to check out Razzball’s football coverage, which you can find here. So let’s take another deep look as we prepare to Get Ahead In Head To Head For Week 15!
What To Look For!
- Favorable Team Matchups
- SPARP(S) Of The Week
- R/L Matchups To Exploit
- SAGNOF
Favorable Team Matchups
8 Games
COL (@SD/@ARI)
SD (vCOL/@LAD)
6 Games
ARI (@CLE/vCOL)
BAL (@TEX/vPIT)
CIN (@MIA/@MIL)
MIA (vCIN/@CHC)
MIL (@PIT/vCIN)
NYY (vSEA/@STL)
PHI (@ATL/vWSH)
PIT (vMIL/@BAL)
SF (vLAD/@OAK)
STL (vCHC/vNYY)
TB (vTOR/@DET)
TOR (@TB/@MIN)
5 Games
OAK (@LAA/vSF)
SPARP(S) OF THE WEEK!
Bailey Falter-SP/RP-WSH (vWSH) (2% rostered in Yahoo)- This is an entirely fluid situation, but one that I would love to take advantage of if the pieces fall. For starters, the Nationals are bound to trade Soto, making this Nationals team one of the weakest on paper. The other piece to this puzzle is if the Phillies address SP on the trade market. Assuming that they don’t, Falter has a chance to stay in the lineup with Eflin’s knee injury likely to keep him on the shelf for a few more weeks. Of course, one way to stay in the lineup is to limit the number of walks. If the Nats are without Soto and Josh Bell, there is no one else on that team to prevent him from just throwing strikes!
Jose Suarez-SP/RP-LAA (vOAK) (2% rostered in Yahoo)- As with Falter, Suarez isn’t exactly the most exciting pitcher, but similarly to Falter, the matchup is juicy. Suarez and the Angles will travel to Oakland to face the A’s on the heels of Suarez’s best start of the season. His 5 1/3 scoreless against the Royals was just his 2nd scoreless outing of the season. While the A’s have won 7 of their last 10, it’s still the A’s.
Cal Quantrill-SP/RP-CLE (vARI) (48% rostered in Yahoo)- This is like a game of 7 degrees of separation to Bailey Falter. Similar to Falter, Quantrill’s start is totally dependent upon his trade market. He has been linked to a couple of different teams, so keep your eyes & ears peeled. If Quantrill stays with the Indians, he has a solid matchup against the Diamondbacks. Quantrill has had two good starts in his past three, with his most recent outing (@BOS) a friendly reminder that he is capable of implosion at any time.
Aaron Ashby-SP/RP-MIL (vCIN) (23% rostered in Yahoo)- Ashby had a really nice outing against Colorado where he struck out 9 across 7 solid innings. Unfortunately for Ashby, his team couldn’t give him any run support. Ashby is set to take the mound against the Reds, in what should be an advantageous matchup. The Reds have scored the 2nd fewest runs against LHP on the road, in addition to having a woeful 23% K-rate. This could be another quality start with excellent strikeout numbers for Ashby.
R/L MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT!
David Peralta, OF, ARI (5% rostered in Yahoo)- It sure seems like Peralta is just waiting to get rolling. July was a solid month, resulting in 7/3/12/.276. Since the ASB, he is hitting a robust .500, with half of his hits going for extra bases. This week, the D’Backs project to face all RHP, to which Peralta has considerable success in comparison to LHP (.271 v .114).
Tommy Pham, OF, CIN (50% rostered in Yahoo)- Do you want Pham in your fantasy league? No. Do you want Pham in your starting lineup this week? Yes! The Reds are scheduled to face 4 LHP on the week, and Tommy has been Phamtastic against LHP on the season. Combine the great matchups with his current hot streak at the plate (3 extra-base hits in the past 4 games).
Yandy Diaz, 1B/3B, TB (40% rostered in Yahoo)- There may not be a hotter hitter currently available in under 50% of the league. Since June 1st, Diaz is carrying a .325 average with a higher BB% (14%) than K% (10%). During this span, he is Top 15 among CI in Runs scored and Top 3 in AVE. With matchups against the Jays and Tigers, look for continued production.
Nathaniel Lowe, 1B, TEX (50% rostered in Yahoo)- Lowe and the Rangers have a solid 7-game week, with all expected matchups against RHP. With only Dylan Cease being the only true concern, I like Lowe to keep his hot hitting active. It looks like the time off for the ASB really helped recharge his batteries, as he has hit .344 with HR over that time.
SAGNOF
Dylan Moore, 2B/3B/SS/OF, SEA (2% rostered in Yahoo)- This sure seems to be a recurring theme with Moore. You need SBs and Moore can deliver them. Seattle has 7 games lined up, with 4 of them against the Angels. The only concern I have is with playing time. With 5 RHP on the mound, there is always a chance he sits
Garrett Hampson, 2B/3B/SS/OF, COL (3% rostered in Yahoo)- Hampson, similar to Moore, is in a situation that needs monitoring. For starters, the Rockies get 8 games on the week. Unfortunately, Hampson is in a platoon-type role. Jose Iglesias has been rumored in trade talks. Something to pay attention to.
Victor Robles, OF, WSH (3% rostered in Yahoo)- Robles has been running wild on the basepaths as of late, with 5 SB in July. Speed for days, but I would love to see his 3% BB since 7/1 take a couple steps forward!
SAGNOF (PART DEUX)
Alexis Diaz, RP, CIN (13% rostered in Yahoo)- With Hunter Strickland on the bereavement list, the door is open for Diaz to get the majority of the save chances. We all know that David Bell doesn’t do conventional closers, but with a lack of options, it might be a clearer path.
With the trade deadline on Tuesday, expect there to be a handful of meaningful changes across the closer landscape. Check back here for updates to the arm barn.
