The Beer from last week was pretty skunky, and for that I am sorry. On a positive note, Urshela was an ice-cold glass of multi-hit goodness. You take the good, you take the bad, those are the facts of life. Some other facts of life are:
- Adalberto Mondesi will miss time during the season (ACL Tear)
- Stretching Jordan Hicks out was a bad idea
- Eating Taco Bell at 11 PM will lead to some weird dreams.
While I keep chatting with Tootie, Blair, and Mrs. Garrett, you all can just continue on and see who’s going to help you Get Ahead in Head to Head in Week 4.
What to look for!
- Favorable Team Schedules: Which teams will play the most/least amount of games
- SPARP(S) of the Week: Starting Pitcher as Relief Pitcher: SP w/RP Elig (Yahoo Elig)
- Right and Lefty matchups to exploit on offense
- SAGNOF: Both SB and SV (if applicable)
8 Games? Me Likey!
NYM (vATL/@PHI)
7 Games
ATL (@NYM/vMIL)
BAL (vMIN/vKC)
CIN (@MIL/vPIT)
HOU (vSEA/vDET)
LAA (@CWS/@BOS/vWSH)
MIA (vARI/@SD)
MIN (@BAL/vOAK)
SEA (@HOU/vTB)
STL (vKC/@KC/@SF)
TB (@OAK/@SEA)
TOR (vNYY/@CLE)
5 Games
CHC
LAD
TEX
SPARP(S) of the Week!
Cristian Javier-SP/RP (vSEA) (52% rostered in Yahoo)– In no way should Christian Javier be rostered in only 52% of leagues. In his most recent start, the Astros let Javier throw 84 pitches, so it is safe to assume he won’t be treated with kid gloves in this matchup. The Mariners are only hitting .201 against RHP on the road, in addition to a 23% K%. If the ‘Stros are smart, they will let him go again on Sunday instead of Odor-izzi and give you the bonus 2-start SPARP.
Drew Rasmussen-SP/RP (@OAK/@SEA) (20% rostered in Yahoo)- If it’s crazy to think Javier is under-rostered, it is ridonkulous to see that Rasmussen is only 20% rostered! The ideal 2-Start SPARP. His 1st start is against the A’s and their 91 wRC+ against RHP at home. His 2nd start is against the same Mariners that Javier is going to dominate earlier in the week. Rasmussen is coming off his first quality start of the season and looks as if he is getting stretched out enough to think that even Kevin Cash won’t withdraw him from the game too early.
Ross Stripling-SP/RP (vNYY/@CLE) (2% rostered in Yahoo)– Not quite the sexy 2-start matchups that Rasmussen has, but considering the Blue Jays can put up a 10 spot on opposing pitchers, having 2-starts for Toronto is almost always advantageous. The area of concern with Stripling is that while he is scheduled for the 2-start week, there is also a concern that Ryu returns from IL and kidnaps that sexy start against the Guardians. Something to monitor.
R/L Matchups to Exploit
Tyler Naquin, OF, CIN (7% rostered in Yahoo)-The Reds look ahead to Week 4 with a 7-game slate, thanks in part to the double-header on Saturday. This is good news for Tyler Naquin, but the fact that they face 7 RHP is GREAT news for Naquin. For his career, he has hit .281 vs RHP with 73% of his career HR vs non-southpaws. The 1st-3 game slate against the Brewers might not be too appealing, but the remaining 4 will be at home against the Pirates.
Brandon Nimmo, OF, NYM (20% rostered in Yahoo)– As mentioned near the top of this article, the Mets get to play 8 games in Week 4! While the matchups against the Braves and Phillies shouldn’t be taken lightly, the fact that 7 of the 8 games will be against RHP should keep Nimmo in the lineup for the majority! I will gladly take the potential 28+ ABs and the value that a leadoff hitter with a career .397 OBP vs RHP.
Maikel Franco, 3B, WSH (7% rostered in Yahoo)– Always love to target hitters in Coors, and Franco is the one to target this week. For starters, he has the highest Hard Hit % (41.1) of his career, to go along with the improved launch angle (11.1). The fact that he is looking much improved against lefties and I am all in this week!
SAGNOF
Dany Jimenez, RP, OAK (40% rostered in Yahoo)– Still no word on Lou Trivino, which means that Jimenez is still the guy in the 9th for Oakland.
Lucas Sims, RP, CIN (25% rostered in Yahoo)– This is not an endorsement for Cincy sticking with Sims in the 9th, because I don’t trust David Bell. That being said, he did get his 1st SV opp on his 2nd day back from the IL.
Ryan Helsley, RP, STL (6% rostered in Yahoo)– This is pure speculation time. If you have the bench space, add Helsley. On the season, there are noticed velocity dips with Gallegos, resulting in his most recent blown save (not entirely his fault, Nolan Arenado). I am not saying that Gallegos is bound for an IL trip or looks bad, but there are some warts. Helsley, on the other hand, has been magnificent. 64.7% KK-BB%/26.5 swstr%.
SAGNOF (PART DEUX)
Andrew McCutchen, OF, MIL (18% rostered in Yahoo)– Sneaky source for a couple of stolen bases this week. He doesn’t have the best success rate (60%), but he has the benefit of facing the Reds and the Braves. The Reds have allowed the 2nd most SB (15) and the Braves have allowed the 3rd most (13). Now just get on base via a hit or a walk (the plank). The “Dread Pirate” will always be remembered.
That wraps up this week’s edition of Getting Ahead in Head to Head. Good luck in all your matchups! As always, if you have any questions, please comment below, or reach out to me @natemarcum on Twitter.
