Coaches needing to pass on a starter this weekend are in luck, as there are three exciting youngsters who will face the lowest-scoring lineups in baseball. On the offensive side, the Yankees and Twins are the best sources of temporary assistance.
Combinations to target
Yankees vs Blue Jays
The Yankees should score a lot of runs at their hitter-friendly home park this weekend. They will face Kevin Gausman, who he defeated this year, José Berríos, who has struggled lately, and Yariel Rodríguez, who failed to get out of the first inning in his most recent start. And late in games, they will tangle with a Blue Jays bullpen that boasts a 5.09 ERA. Alex Verdugo (46%) is regularly leading off and Austin Wells is hitting cleanup (30%).
Gemini vs. White Sox
Outside of a few innings in what is expected to be a short start from Garrett Crochet on Saturday, Minnesota hitters are expected to win with a pitching staff that ranks 29th in baseball in ERA. Ryan Jeffers (42%) is a stream option at catcher, while Carlos Santana (21%), Brooks Lee (20%), and Matt Wallner (4%) are some of the best options in this week’s full article.
Dodgers @ A’s
The Dodgers’ productive offense should continue to struggle as they face three weak starters and a bullpen that lacks established pitchers. Gavin Lux (26%) is an excellent streamer for upcoming clashes, and Andy Pages (12%) is an option in deep leagues.
Padres vs. Rockies
San Diego must score early and often against the pitching staff with the worst ERA in baseball. Unfortunately, the key members of this offense are largely rostered. Still, this is a reminder to get all Padres hitters in the lineup in shallow leagues.
Braves vs. Marlins
Braves hitters should do well overall against three beatable right-handers and a bullpen that lost its best relievers at the deadline. Orlando Arcia (8%) is the best streamer in this lineup, while Jarred Kelenic (34%) and Eddie Rosario (2%) can be considered in deep leagues.
Astros vs. Rays
Houston’s hitters must get on base frequently against three starters with a WHIP above 1.30 and a relief corps that lost key members at the deadline. Outfielder Jake Meyers (7%) is the top waiver target, while Jeremy Peña could remain active in shallow leagues, where he sometimes sits on the bench.
Fights to avoid
White Sox @ Gemini
Not that they would draw much attention in the first place, but the White Sox hitters could struggle against three solid Minnesota righties and an effective supporting corps. Luis Robert Jr. is the only man to start in this lineup.
Phillies @ Mariners
Players on one of baseball’s best lineups could have trouble getting on base against three Seattle starters, each with an ERA under 1.05. Stars will need to remain in fantasy lineups, but this is a bad weekend to start Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh and Austin Hays.
Guardians vs. Orioles
The Guardians are unlikely to have offensive outbursts against a solid trio of Baltimore starters. José Ramírez, Steven Kwan and Josh Naylor are the three men who need to remain active in all leagues.
Looking for robberies
Harrison Bader (OF, New York Mets, 10%)
Bader ranks second on the Mets with 14 steals and has an excellent opportunity to add to that total this weekend. The speedy outfielder will face an Angels team that lacks elite starters and ranks 27th in baseball with a 4.60 ERA, and once he gets on base he will no doubt run aggressively against Logan O’Hoppe, who has allowed more steals of the ball than any other receiver.
Looking for Salvages
Chad Green (Toronto Blue Jays, 45%)
This is likely the last week that Green will appear in this space, as his roster rate will increase substantially now that he has met the trade deadline with his closer role intact. The right-hander is having an excellent season (1.67 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) and should be Toronto’s closer for the remainder of the campaign. Those in deeper formats can instead target Tyler Ferguson (14%), who is currently closing for the A’s. Unfortunately, Oakland may not be able to beat the Dodgers this weekend.
Streaming Beginners
In order, here are the weekend’s best streamers, with start date and Yahoo! escalation rate in parentheses.
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Spencer Schwellenbach x MIA (Friday the 49th)
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Tyler Phillips @SEA (Friday the 38th)
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Simeon Woods Richardson x CWS (Sunday, 24)
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Hayden Birdsong @CIN (Sunday 19)
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Carson Spiers x SF (Sunday, 11)
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Kyle Gibson @CHC (Saturday 34)
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José Quintana @LAA (Sunday, 29)
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José Soriano x NYM (Saturday, 23)
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David Peterson @LAA (Saturday 17)
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Paul Blackburn @LAA (Friday the 8th)
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Michael Lorenzen @DET (Saturday 17)
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Aaron Civale @WSH (Saturday 34)
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Javier Assad x STL (Friday, 30)
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Dean Kremer @CLE (Friday, 22)
