Major League action returns Friday, which is not a moment too soon in this fantasy baseball writer’s opinion. And the league is returning with a vengeance, as all 30 teams will play on each of the initial six days back.
There are plenty of things we don’t know, as many teams have yet to announce their post-break rotation order. But for some of baseball’s weakest franchises, the rotation order doesn’t matter, as they lack high-end starters. Here are teams and players who can benefit from favorable schedules this weekend.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
Twins @ Rockies
Minnesota is in the best position of any team this weekend, playing three games at hitter-friendly Coors Field while facing the worst pitching staff in baseball. And the best news for fantasy managers is that there are plenty of Twins who can be added.
Willi Castro (47%), Royce Lewis (45%) and Carlos Correa (25%) are the top options, while Trevor Larnach (9%) and Matt Wallner (7%) can be streamed against righties on Saturday and Sunday. Harrison Bader (3%) is another player to target, as he was swinging a hot bat prior to the break.
The Rockies are less likely to enjoy an offensive outburst, but they could benefit from their home park nonetheless. Mickey Moniak (11%) has been a top-100 player over the past 30 days, which makes him a fine option. A similar case can be made for Tyler Freeman (17%), who has been a top-150 player in the past 30 days and should enjoy hitting leadoff during the upcoming homestand.
Cardinals @ D-backs
Those who want to add hitters for longer than the weekend should target St. Louis players, as they will return to play against a D-backs’ staff that ranks 26th in ERA before enjoying a series at Coors Field at the outset of next week. Masyn Winn (49%), Iván Herrera (55%) and Alec Burleson (48%) are the top players to add.
Guardians vs. Athletics
Cleveland has struggled offensively in recent weeks, but they have a great chance to start the second half on a high note when they meet a pitching staff that ranks 28th in baseball in ERA. I wouldn’t add any Guardians in shallow leagues, but Ángel Martínez (5%) is worth a shot in deeper formats.
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Rays vs. Orioles
Tampa has predictably hit well at their hitter-friendly venue this season, which bodes well for their upcoming series against an Orioles staff that ranks 27th in ERA. Josh Lowe (49%) and Ha-Seong Kim (6%) are the top Rays hitters to add for all-around production, while Chandler Simpson (36%) fits the bill for those who need steals.
Some managers will prefer to add possible long-term solutions rather than streamers. For those who fit that description, here are some players to consider.
Long-Term Waiver Wire Options
Jansen Junk, SP/RP, Marlins, 21%
Junk is coming off a spectacular two-start week where he won both of his starts while allowing nary an earned run across 13 innings. He doesn’t have strong swing-and-miss skills, but his 38:4 K:BB ratio is an elite mark, and he has surrendered just one homer. Junk needs to be rostered in 12-team leagues while we determine the sustainability of his surprising success.
Brandon Walter, SP, Astros, 15%
Take almost everything I said about Junk and apply it to Walter. If K-BB ratio is an important statistic (and, it is), then both players need to be rostered in 12-team leagues. Walter has an eye-popping 40:2 mark, although his success has come with being more homer-prone (8 HR in 7 starts) than Junk. Walter has superior strikeout skills to Junk, making it an even race in terms of which hurler is more appealing to add.
Daniel Palencia, RP, Cubs, 49%
This is the last time I will write about Palencia, who will either see his roster rate surge or dramatically decline by July 31. The right-hander is a top-15 saves source, as someone who has pitched well this year (1.57 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) and is the closer on one of baseball’s best teams. If the Cubs stick with Palencia as their ninth-inning man past the trade deadline, his roster rate should skyrocket to at least 75%. And if they trade for a closer, it should drop below 20%. Palencia is a risk worth taking for the next two weeks.
Victor Caratini, C/1B, Astros, 11%
Caratini has surprisingly become an everyday player for the Astros, hitting his way into a split role between catcher, first base and designated hitter. In July, he has hit .325 with four homers, 13 RBI and a 1.001 OPS. Caratini is an obvious addition in two-catcher leagues and a great short-term option for those who are dealing with a slumping or injured catcher in shallow formats.
Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays, 36%
I’ve written about Simpson far too often, so I’ll keep this short. If you need steals or batting average help, he should be your top target. He will score his share of runs too.
Ramón Laureano, OF, Orioles, 12%
Laureano is playing so well that the Orioles will likely be able to trade him at the deadline. Being dealt may sap the 31-year-old’s fantasy value, but that’s a problem for another day. He will play regularly for the next two weeks, which includes a series at the Rays hitter-friendly park this weekend and a series against the Rockies the following weekend. Also, Baltimore plays each day between now and July 30, including a double-header on July 29.
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