Fantasy Baseball Weekend Preview: It’s time to look for short-term solutions to roster problems

With the All-Star break just days away, Fantasy Baseball managers must look for short-term solutions more than ever. And this is the perfect weekend to see waiver wire moves pay immediate dividends, as several starting pitchers have respectable skill sets and can carry over against the worst lineups in baseball. On the hitting side, Brandon Marsh, Michael Busch and Masyn Winn are joined by a few Reds and Twins as the most attractive options.

Combinations to target

Puppies @ Cardinals

This is the best series to achieve the volume of games this weekend, as these teams will play four games in three days. And the players to pass on are obvious, as all eight scheduled starters pitch from the right side. Masyn Winn (35%) is the St. Louis player to add, while Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman should be activated into lineups where they sometimes sit on the bench. Michael Busch (41%) has been hitting high in the lineup and hitting hard, making him easily the Cubs’ most desirable player.

Reds vs. Marlins

Cincinnati’s hitters are expected to throw some back-and-forth hitters at their home park against an underwhelming starting trio of Yonny Chirinos, Everth Cabrera and Trevor Rogers. Noelvi Marte (33%), Rece Hinds (30%) and Will Benson (9%) are the key players to add, while Edwin Rios (0%) could be considered in deep formats.

Phillies vs.

The Phillies will bring an offense that ranks sixth in runs scored into a home series against three undecided Oakland starters. Brandon Marsh (22%) should continue to hit for power, while speedster Johan Rojas (3%) has performed well since returning from a brief trip to the Minors.

Gemini @ Giants

The Twins are second in the Majors with an .802 OPS against lefties, which bodes well for their chances against lefty starters on Friday and Sunday. Rookie Brooks Lee (51%) and veteran Carlos Santana (27%) are capable of doing damage in this series. On the other hand, outfielder Trevor Larnach, Max Kepler and Matt Wallner hope to have quiet weekends.

Mets vs. Rockies

The Mets don’t have the benefit of playing this series in Colorado, but they should still have success against a Rockies pitching staff that has posted a 5.64 ERA on the road. Harrison Bader (14%) has been hitting for power, while left-handed hitters Jeff McNeil (12%) and DJ Stewart (0%) could benefit from the pitching of the Rockies’ three starters from the right side.

Fights to avoid

Angels vs. Sailors

Los Angeles hitters will have a hard time getting on base against three Seattle starters, each with a WHIP of 1.00 or less. Logan O’Hoppe and Luis Rengifo are the only members of this attack who should remain in the lineup.

Padres vs. Braves

The Padres scored better against Spencer Schwellenbach on Friday night because they will spend the rest of the weekend facing effective starters and a bullpen with a 2.95 ERA. Still, Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar, Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth will find their place in some lineups.

Rays vs. Guardians

Tampa ranks 27th in baseball with a .661 OPS against righties, which will put them in a tough spot when Cleveland rolls out three right-handed starters and a right-handed supporting corps that leads the majors with a 2.60 ERA. There are no Rays mandatory hitters this weekend.

Looking for Salvages

Jeff Hoffman (Philadelphia Phillies, 55%)

Hoffman has been one of the best relievers in baseball this year (1.17 ERA, 0.86 WHIP) and has earned four of the Phillies’ last five saves. The right-hander can close out at least a close win this weekend when the team with the best record in baseball takes on the Oakland A’s, 35-59.

Looking for robberies

Noelvi Marte (Cincinnati Reds, 33%) and Will Benson (Cincinnati Reds, 9%)

Marte and Benson were mentioned earlier in this article as players who could have good overall stats against the Marlins. Stealing bases will be part of the appeal for both players, as Miami backstop Nick Fortes has allowed more hits than any other catcher.

Streaming Beginners

In order, here are the weekend’s best streamers, with start date and Yahoo! escalation rate in parentheses.

• Christian Scott x COL (Saturday, 26)

• Sean Manaea x COL (Friday, 39)

• Hayden Wesneski @STL (Saturday 6)

• José Soriano x SEA (Saturday, 16)

• José Quintana x COL (Sunday, 20)

• James Paxton @DET (Saturday 38)

• Kyle Gibson x CHC (Saturday 39)

• Luis Ortiz @CWS (Friday the 10th)

• Yariel Rodríguez @ARI (Friday the 11th)

• Colin Rea x WSH (Sunday 43)

• Miles Mikolas x CHC (Sunday, 25)

• Quinn Priester @CWS (Sunday 1)

• Simeon Woods Richardson @SF (Saturday 18)

• Jonathan Cannon x PIT (Saturday, 6)

• Spencer Schwellenbach x SD (Friday the 16th)

• Chris Paddack @SF (Sunday 9)