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This weekend’s matchups are more polarizing than usual, meaning those who broadcast a lot will likely come out ahead. Some of the best offenses are scheduled to face poor pitching staffs, and there are some teams that will be unlucky enough to face their opponents’ best pitchers.
As far as pitchers go, there are a handful of fantastic streamers, and a few others can be used in head-to-head leagues.
Matchups to aim for
Yankees vs. White Sox
Not only do the Yankees spend the weekend playing in their offense-inducing home park against a team that ranks 24th in ERA, but they also have the benefit of facing the White Sox’s three weakest starters. , all of whom shoot from the right side. . Left-handed hitter Alex Verdugo (50%) has been hitting regularly from the fourth spot and is therefore the best player to target. Oswaldo Cabrera (51%) is another option and has the benefit of being eligible for four positions. Finally, those who draft Anthony Rizzo should include him in their lineup.
Braves against Padres
Atlanta’s offense hasn’t found its best form to this point in 2024, but it still ranks sixth in baseball in OPS. Although Yu Darvish is a formidable foe on Saturday, the team faces weaker right-handers during the first two games of the series. Unfortunately for broadcast managers, most of the Braves’ hitters are already on the roster. Still, Travis d’Arnaud (43%) is a good transmitter. Jarred Kelenic (18%) is an option in deep leagues.
Royals against Athletics
Kansas City will face three mediocre Oakland starters. The matchups on Friday and Sunday are against lefties, making Nelson Velázquez (6%) the best streamer. Another right-handed hitter, Hunter Renfroe (5%), can be considered in deep leagues. It could also be a good weekend to sit Michael Massey or MJ Melendez, who tend to sit or hit low in the lineup against lefties.
Rangers vs. Angels
The Rangers should have an effective weekend against a starting trio of Tyler Anderson, Patrick Sandoval and José Soriano, and a bullpen with a league-worst 5.17 ERA. With two of the pitchers throwing from the left side, switch-hitter Leody Taveras (25%) and right-handed swinger Ezequiel Durán (10%) are streaming options.
Confrontations to avoid
Orioles vs. Mariners
Baltimore leads the majors in home runs and ranks fifth in OPS, but they will have a tough time against three standout Seattle right-handers. Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman need to remain in all lineups, but the rest of the team’s hitters need to be evaluated more closely than usual.
Cardinals vs. Red Sox
The Cardinals are unlikely to enjoy a high-scoring weekend against three Boston starters who each have an ERA under 3.50. St. Louis doesn’t have a healthy hitter who was a top-200 fantasy player in 2024, which makes me want to bench them all for this series.
Nationals @ Phillies
It’s hard to recommend many Washington hitters against three effective Philadelphia starters (Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Aaron Nola). CJ Abrams needs to stay active, and those in 12-team leagues may consider Luis Garcia Jr. and Jacob Young because Phillies catcher JT Realmuto allows a lot of steals.
A’s @ Royals
Oakland’s hitters have exceeded expectations, but this is not the weekend to add them as they will face a solid starting trio of Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Brady Singer. I’d lean toward benching the entire A’s, although Brent Rooker will sneak into some lineups.
Searching for rescues
SUPERFICIAL LEAGUE SPECIAL: James McArthur (Kansas City Royals, 65%)
McArthur remains available in shallow leagues and has an excellent chance to produce a save or two when Kansas City fields its top three starters against an A’s team that has exceeded expectations in the early part of the season but still lacks talent in general.
Trevor Megill (Milwaukee Brewers, 44%)
Megill is clearly the Brewers’ closer and should be included in at least 75% of leagues. The right-hander should make an appearance or two during a weekend series in Houston that looks destined to have some close games.
Searching for robberies
Leody Taveras (Texas Rangers, 25%)
The Rangers have few base-stealing threats, which is a shame for this weekend’s schedule because Logan O’Hoppe has allowed more steals than any other catcher. Aside from superstar Adolis Garcia, Taveras has a better chance of landing a couple of hits in this series.
Transmission initiators
In order, here are the weekend’s top streamers, with their start date and Yahoo! list rate in parentheses.
Christian Scott @MIA (Friday, 39)
Dean Kremer vs. SEA (Saturday 45)
Sean Manaea @MIA (Sunday 26)
James Paxton vs. CIN (Friday the 37th)
Chris Paddack @CLE (Sunday 21)
Michael Lorenzen vs. LAA (Sunday the 12th)
Simeon Woods Richardson @CLE (Friday 10)
José Soriano @TEX (Sunday 6)
Bryce Elder vs. SD (Saturday 17)
Kyle Gibson vs. BOS (Friday the 30th)
Keaton Winn vs. COL (Sunday 7)
Logan Allen vs. MIN (Saturday 18)