Weekend
A forearm strain of Justin Verlander rocked the fantasy industry on Sunday afternoon. The ace will close for at least two weeks, at which point a launch program must begin. In all likelihood, we will not see Verlander in a major league game for at least 4-6 weeks. And it may not be as effective when I return. With only nine weeks remaining in the shortened season, he wouldn’t argue with anyone who needed the space on the list and sent the 37-year-old to waivers. But I know that many fantasy managers will choose to be patient with someone they recruited in the first or second round. If I want to get some sun, we are at the beginning of the season and there are starters on the waiver cable that show exciting potential. Many of them are detailed below.
The first COVID-19 domino fell before the first pitch when Juan Soto went to IL. Obviously, Soto needs to be retained in every league and could be a low-cost target for those competing against a panicked manager. Mike Moustakas landed in IL after waking up sick on Sunday, and while Moose possesses excellent power skills, he could still be exempt in some 10-team leagues. But the Marlins reportedly fear a COVID-19 outbreak and at least their Monday game against the Orioles has been canceled. This is clearly something that the entire sports world is going to monitor in the coming days, and it shows just how fragile all of this is as we try to work through an entire season. Our thoughts are with all of them.
Stephen Strasburg (nervous hand problem) has scratched from a start on Saturday. Law has often been a fantastic provocation and is therefore not a good buy option at the moment. It could launch this week, but the information is cloudy at the moment.
Ken Giles dealt with elbow pain during a save on Sunday. Although the Blue Jays would likely go to a closer committee in his absence, my best guess about a possible replacement is Anthony Bass.
Pitchers deserve more attention
Lance Lynn has the skills to be in the top 15. In 93 percent of leagues, the low buy window is closing fast, but it still has time to take its chance on the commercial market.
Ignore Dylan Bundy’s numbers in Baltimore. Now he pitches for a solid team with good defense and a productive lineup. I don’t expect all the starts to go as well as his debut with the Angels (6.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 K), but it should be a lineup.
Ross Stripling emerged in July as an excellent dream headline. The right-hander has solid career numbers (3.47 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) and the generally pitching-rich Dodgers actually need reliable mid-rotation arms with David Price choosing not to participate and Clayton Kershaw in IL. Stripling dominated a weak Giants lineup, but he still deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Alex Cobb did some good things (lots of rushing balls, six strikeouts) en route to 5.1 innings of a one-run ball against a solid Red Sox lineup. Cobb must be added in exclusive AL formats, but his uphill battle in terms of bullpen assistance, supportive support, and home parking means he belongs in the mixed league exemptions for a while longer.
Mitch Keller was not dominant (5IP, 1 ER, 2 K), but he finally began to live up to some expectations in a win over the Cardinals. The 24-year-old remains available in half of Yahoo’s leagues and is a potential streaming option when he pitches at Wrigley Field next weekend.
Surprise bats that catch our attention early
Leury Garcia eliminated a pair of home runs on Saturday, prompting him to be added in approximately 2,500 Yahoo leagues. Expecting Garcia’s power is a silly task, but the multi-position asset can hit the average and occasionally slide a base. It is a choice of 15 teams in the best league.
Kyle Lewis has already gone deep twice, after showing some power late last season. The outfielder will play every day, making him an interesting sleeper in the 12-team leagues. Expect your 43 percent rate to continue to grow.
Kike Hernández was the star of the first opening day, which placed him second among hitters on the most aggregated list, only behind Lewis. Eligible in 2B, SS, and OF, Hernandez is a solid banking choice until the Dodgers bring Gavin Lux to the big leagues. Fantasy managers should consider you as someone who is here for a good time, not for long.
Joey Votto was one of the best stories of the first weekend, going deep twice against the Tigers. Despite his advanced age, the veteran could be one of the best additions to this week’s list if he can continue to show some power skills. Hitting from a prime position in Cincinnati’s improved lineup will give Votto ample opportunities to accumulate counting statistics.
José Peraza and Jackie Bradley Jr. were among the Red Sox who hit a gruesome Orioles pitching team. Expecting a breakup from Bradley is probably an illusion, but Peraza is an interesting resignation option. The midfield player can hit on average and steal a base, two skills that are rare today. A little power would take his mixed league case to the top.
Favorable batting matches Monday through Thursday
The Mets are shot four times against an injured Red Sox team. Fantasy managers might look to stream Yoenis Céspedes in about half of the leagues, Robinson Cano in deeper leagues, and JD Davis still available in some shallow formats.
