I remember this time when I wanted to take a break away from my job as a fantasy analyst and travel the world. I had decided to take a trip with my friend to Jamaica. As you can imagine, I had totally lost myself in the vacation and no longer had those feelings of remorse for recommending Tyler O’Neill, Javy Baez, and Joey Votto. It was a clean slate as I had gone a good 6 weeks without even a late night text to any of my old “crushes”. As I returned to the States, I got back into my old habits of chasing last week’s hero or the new rookie call-up.
It was this behavior that caused me to slip into bad habits and question everything that I thought I had learned alongside my Razzball breatherin (and sisterin). Then, just like that, there was a collective “snap” and I remembered that I have this handy article every week to keep me in check and keep me prepared. It was like I ” got my groove back”! Come to think of it, I don’t think I have ever been to Jamaica, and I am pretty sure that Whoopi Goldberg isn’t a friend of mine?
Oh well, so this was all a terrible dream and an even worse story! Luckily for you, this week’s edition of Getting Ahead in Head to Head will help you get your groove back!
What to Look For!
- Favorable Team Schedules
- R/L Matchups to Exploit
- SPARP(S) of the Week
- SAGNOF
Favorable Team Schedules
7 Games
ATL (vPHI/vMIA)
BAL (@NYY/@BOS)
BOS (@CWS/vBAL)
CIN (vCHC/vSF)
CLE (@HOU/@DET)
COL (@PIT/@WSH)
DET (@MIN/vCLE)
LAD (@WSH/@ARI)
MIL (@SD/@STL)
MIN (vDET/vKC)
NYY (vBAL/@TB)
OAK (@SEA/vTEX)
PHI (@ATL/@NYM)
WSH (vLAD/vCOL)
5 Games
CWS (vBOS/vCHC)
MIA (@TB/@ATL)
SPARP(S) OF THE WEEK!
Martin Perez-SP/RP (@OAK) (49% rostered in Yahoo)- That is now 7 starts to begin the season with 3 Earned Runs or less! Coming off of his best start of the season where he allowed just 1 run and K’d 7 vs the Red Sox across 6 stellar innings. This week Perez will travel to Oakland, who have lost 2 of 3 vs the Rangers on the season. Perez might not bring a ton of K upside, but his 2.01 ERA should play extremely well against an Oakland team that has a diminutive .214 BAA vs LHP on the season.
Cal Quantrill-SP/RP (@HOU/@DET) (49% rostered in Yahoo)- Quantrill looks to be getting that velocity back, which is the key to trusting Quantrill this week. On Thursday, we saw Cal go 7 strong against the Reds, allowing a single run and striking out 5. During this outing, we saw a 4-seam fastball with an extra mile an hour of life and generating a 57% CSW. This week’s matchup against the Astros might not be the most appealing, but he has faced his fair share of tough matchups (@NYY, @LAA, vSD, @CWS) without a major implosion.
R/L Matchups to Exploit
Tommy La Stella, 2B/3B, SFG (2% rostered in Yahoo)- La Stella is ready to get his groove back after coming off of the IL. The Giants are set to face 6 RHP, with 3 of those games being played at Great American Small Park in Cincy vs the Reds. Lamont Wade Jr has not started in the past 2 games and has seen La Stella leadoff against a RHP.
Willi Castro, 2B/SS/OF, DET (4% rostered in Yahoo)- Castro has really been hot in the month of May. Since the May flowers have started blooming, Castro’s bat has been blossoming. Castro’s .357 average in May ranks in the Top 20, and he does so while moving up the lineup into the #2 hole!
Kole Calhoun, OF, TEX (11% rostered in Yahoo)- Not sure there is a hotter hitter over the past month vs RHP than Kole Calhoun. Kole has a 7/4/8/.357 line for the month and gets 4 RHP this week. Ride the wave!
Cal Raleigh, C, SEA (0% rostered in Yahoo)- Cal has 3 hits since 4/14! Those 3 hits….all HR’s. In the gross state of C in fantasy baseball, I’m always searching for a weekly competitive edge. For starters, Raleigh clearly has some pop, but most importantly is that the Mariners will get all 6 games v RHP. It appears to be a R/L matchup for the Mariners’ backstops.
SAGNOF
Matt Bush, RP, TEX (0% rostered in Yahoo)- Joe Barlow is the closer in Texas, but has developed the beginning of a blister. The Rangers will monitor the injury and in the meantime, we will see Bush handle closing duties. Not long term.
Adam Cimber, RP, TOR (0% rostered in Yahoo)- Similar to the role above. Jordan Romano is extremely ill (Non-Covid) and could return at any time. That being said, in the meantime, it will be Cimber if Romano misses any more time.
SAGNOF (PART DEUX)
Tyler Naquin, OF, CIN (11% rostered in Yahoo)- Has been way too good to not mention. 2 SB’s over the past week to go along with 2 HRs.
Luis Arraez, 1B,2B,3B,OF (24% rostered in Yahoo)- Arraez was supposed to just be a batting average supporter and not much else. While he hasn’t exactly been a fantasy superstar, he does have a decent chance this week to provide you with some SBs to go along with the AVE. The Twins will face the Tigers (3rd most SB allowed) and the Royals without Sal Perez.
This will do it for another episode of Getting Ahead in Head to Head. I hope these serve valuable in your H2H matchups! As always, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to hit me up @natemarcum.
