Fantasy Baseball Week 19 WW/FAAB Preview
Get ready for a wild weekend of FAAB with the weekly preview.
We are in the thick of the MLB Trade Deadline bonanza. Keep your head on a swivel, as many names will become FAAB-relevant. We have nine weeks of FAAB left, so It’s time to attack team needs even more than usual. Focus on racking up 2-start pitchers where you need counting stats. Start streaming more and more to maximize at-bats. It’s also time to make some stricter cuts as the season is dwindling away.
Most weeks throughout the season, I’ll bring you some FAAB previews for your weekend FAABing. It’ll be similar to my work last year, where I highlight schedules, 2-start pitchers, and bats to add/stream for the week. For players to target, I’ll use NFBC OC roster rates and mention players available in 60% or less of leagues. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.
If you want a full FAAB preview, listen to Bubba & the Bloom EP 155.
(Friendly reminder: if you are a PAID member of the substack, you’ll have full access to message me with all your fantasy team needs.)
Schedule
8 Games- BAL
7 Games- ATL, CHC, KC, STL, TOR
6 Games- ARI, BOS, CIN, CLE, COL, CWS, DET, HOU, LAA, MIA, MIL, MIN, NYM, NYY, PHI, PIT, SEA, TEX, WAS
5 Games- LAD, OAK, SD, SF, TB
Schedule highlights-
The DBacks face four LHP in six games.
The Braves face seven RHP in seven games.
The Orioles face seven RHP in eight games. They play a doubleheader on Monday, giving them five games in the 1H of the week.
The Red Sox face six RHP in six games.
The Cubs face six RHP in seven games.
The Reds play all six games at home, but it’s three LHP and three RHP.
The Guardians face five RHP in six games.
The Rockies face six RHP in six games. All on the road.
The White Sox face six RHP in six games.
The Tigers face five RHP in six games.
The Royals face five RHP in seven games.
The Angels face four LHP in six games.
The Dodgers face five RHP in five games.
The Mets face five RHP in six games.
The Yankees face five RHP in six games.
The Phillies face five RHP in six games.
The Pirates face five RHP in six games.
The Rangers face six RHP in six games.
The Jays face five RHP in seven games. They play a doubleheader on Monday, giving them four games in the 1H of the week.
The Nats face five RHP in six games.
2-Start Pitchers (Available in most NFBC OCs) (2-Start options are subject to change)
Darius Vines, ATL (at MIL, vs MIA) - Sit
Carson Spiers, CIN (vs CHC, vs SF) - Deep leagues only
Joey Wentz, DET ( vs CLE, vs KC) - Sit
Alec Marsh, KC (at CWS, at DET) - 12-team and deeper
Griffin Canning, LAA (vs COL, vs NYM) - Sit
Edward Cabrera, MIA (at TB, at ATL) - 12-team and deeper
Colin Rea, MIL (vs ATL, at WAS) - 12-team and deeper
Andre Pallanta, STL (vs TEX, at CHC) - Deep league only
Most 2-starts are well over 60% rostered
FAAB/WW Hitting Targets (with quick thoughts)
Jesus Sanchez (OF - MIA) - Over his last 14 games, he’s been hitting .275, with three home runs and a stolen base. He is not platooning anymore and hitting in the middle of the order.
Rowdy Tellez (1B - PIT) - Tellez is dealing with back spasms, so keep an eye on that. The Pirates play a lot of RHP next week, so there will be a lot of playing time for Rowdy, who has found his swing again.
Josh Bell (1B - MIA) - Bell is scorching hot at the plate, hitting .315 over his last 14 games with six home runs. Bell has always been a streaky hitter, so ride the streak while you can. Be aware that Bell could be traded in the coming days as well. Updated- Bell was DFA’d by the Marlins on Sunday, he’ll be picked up by someone but for now he’s a tough add. The add to make is Deyvison De Los Santos where you can. Massive power coming to South Beach.
Michael Massey (2B - KC) - Massey has been quiet at the plate of late but does bring a good hit tool and some power. He’ll hit in the middle of the order most days and even leads off on Sunday. The Royals face a slot of RHP this week, which also helps.
Wenceel Perez (OF - DET) - He cooled down at the plate after a fast start last week. Perez is hitting .232 since July 5 with three home runs, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases. He leads off for the Tigers versus RHP, and they will face plenty of RHP next week. Perez is worth a stream for another week.
Victor Robles (OF - SEA)- Robles continues to shock the fantasy world since he became a regular in the Mariners lineup. He has hit safely in seven of his last eight games for a .400 batting average. He has a home run and four stolen bases over this stretch. Robles has even led off the previous two games. He should be one of the top outfield targets of the week.
Xavier Edwards (2B,SS - MIA) - Since Edwards was recalled on July 2, he’s hitting .365 with 11 runs scored and eight stolen bases. He will not hit for a lot of power, but his batting average, runs scored, and steals will be great. Edwards should also lead off, with Jazz Chisholm heading to the Bronx.
Matt Wallner (OF - MIN) - Since getting recalled on July 7, Wallner is hitting .353 with four home runs. He still strikes out too much 39% of the time, but he should be a priority if you are looking for power.
Garrett Mitchell (OF - MIL) - Mitchell has not produced as well as many hoped, but that could change at any moment. Since the all-star break, he is hitting .304 with a stolen base. He should see more playing time with Chrisitan Yelich sidelined for a while.
Jeff McNeil (2B,OF - NYM) - McNeil has been scorching hot at the plate over his last 12 games. He’s hitting .357 with four home runs, nine runs scored, 12 RBI, and a stolen base. We haven’t seen McNeil hit like this for a while, but it’s worth riding until the wheels fall off. It’s time to stop sleeping on McNeil.
Max Schuemann (SS - OAK) - Schuemann has been excellent of late, taking full advantage of hitting in the best lineup in baseball in July. Schuemann is hitting .353 in July with three home runs, 19 runs scored, 11 RBI, and five stolen bases. Schuemann is an excellent addition to fantasy going forward.
Nolan Schanuel (1B - LAA) - Schanuel has found his power of late and has become a reliable fantasy asset. He’s hitting .360 in nine games since the all-star break with three home runs. He’s walking nearly 22% of the time and should be a target where you need 1B or CI help.
Austin Wells (C - NYY) - Wells has taken over as the primary catcher for the Yankees, and he’s thriving. He’s hit safely in five of his last six games for a .429 average with two home runs. He’s walking 17% of the time while striking out 3.6%. Wells should be a primary target where you need catching help.
Kyle Higashioka (C - SD) - Higgy has become the primary catcher in San Diego. He’s hitting .300 since July 3 with three home runs. He makes for a nice C2 where you need help.
Parker Meadows (OF—DET) - When he returned, Meadows was a popular FAAB target, but he quickly hit the IL. He is beginning a rehab assignment on Sunday and could return next week. If you like Meadows, this is the time to add him for cheap before he returns.
Gavin Lux (2B,OF - LAD) - Lux is quietly showcasing some of the hit tools many had hoped for from him. Since the all-star break, he’s been hitting .462 with two home runs and a stolen base. He’s playing nearly every day at 2B and could be a nice addition going forward if he continues to swing it well.
Jose Iglesias (2B,3B - NYM) - Iglesias has been a quiet offensive assassin over his last 14 games. He’s hitting .425 with two home runs and ten runs scored. Iglesias may be a deep league play, but he has some 12-team value while he’s swinging it well, especially with his positional flexibility.
Jonny DeLuca (OF - TB) - With Randy out of town, DeLuca has played each game. He’s hit safely in two of three since the departure. DeLuca is a deep league play for now but could have some 12-team upside if he keeps swinging it well.
Austin Hays (OF - PHI) - Hays was traded to the Phillies and is supposed to be the primary left fielder. We know Hays can be a productive fantasy player when he gets regular playing time, so the time is now to speculate on Hays.
Tyler Fitzgerald (SS,OF - SF) - Fitzgerald has been a man on a mission since he became the everyday SS for the Giants. He has hit safely in all nine games since the all-star break for a .438 batting average. Fitz has seven home runs over the nine games with 11 runs and 12 RBI. The power is legit, but it won’t be this crazy all year. He can also add steals. Fitz is one of the top targets this week, but realize he can’t stay this hot forever, as he does strike out a lot.
FAAB/WW Pitching Targets (with quick thoughts)
Daniel Hudson (RP - LAD) - With all the turmoil in the Dodgers bullpen, Hudson has found his way to a few saves. There is no primary closer right now, and the Dodgers are rumored to be targeting a closer by the deadline, so be cautious with your Hudson ads.
Alec Marsh (SP - KC) - Marsh has been hit and miss this season, but he has a nice 2-step versus the White Sox and Tigers this week.
Ben Joyce (RP - LAA) - With Carlos Estevez being traded to the Phillies, Joyce is expected to get the first shot at the closing role. Many will add Joyce, but I am interested in LUIS GARCIA as the Angels reliever to target this weekend.
Edward Cabrera (SP - MIA) - Cabrera is back and has the strikeout stuff but still walks too many. He has a nice 2-step this week versus the Rays and Braves, making for a nice stream.
Colin Rea (SP - MIL) - I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with Rea, but he keeps outproducing his underlying metrics. He has a nice 2-step this week versus the Braves and Nats, making Rea a great stream.
DJ Herz (SP - WAS) - Herz remains a solid bench streamer for fantasy rosters. He faces the Brewers this week and the Giants next week if you need a stream.
Victor Vodnik (RP - COL) - If you like playing the closing game in Colorado, which is not for the faint of heart, then Vodnik is your guy.
Tylor Megill (SP - NYM) - Megill is back in the bigs with Christian Scott and Kodai Senga on the IL. In his return, Megill threw six innings while allowing four runs versus the Braves. Megill faces the Angels next week and then the Rockies, which could pay fantasy dividends.
Clayton Kershaw (SP - LAD) - Kershaw returned from the IL and threw four innings while allowing two runs and striking out six. He will be extremely popular this week and should be as long as he’s healthy.
Tyler Phillips (SP - PHI) - Phillips has been solid since joining the Phillies, including a shutout of the Guardians on Saturday. The strikeouts could be better, but the rest has been good. He is scheduled to face the Mariners this week, which is great, but after that, he could be out with Taijuan Walker returning. Take the start next week, and hope he hangs around.
Robbie Ray (SP - SF) - Ray made his return from TJ this past week and was great. He threw five innings while allowing one run without a hit and striking out eight. Ray is one of my top pitching targets this week.
Lucas Erceg (RP - OAK) - With Mason Miller on the IL, Erceg is the man to roster in Oakland and would be a priority if looking for saves.
I’ll try to update more as more trades happen.
Rays Closer - With Jason Adam traded to the Padres and Pete Fairbanks rumors swirling, a spec on Colin Pocke or Kevin Kelly could be worth a look.