Fantasy Baseball Week 23 WW/FAAB Preview
Get ready for this weekend's FAAB with the weekly preview.
We have made it through another week of the season and are heading towards the stretch run. We only have a handful of weeks left, so start focusing on 2-start pitchers where you need to count stats. Start streaming more and more to maximize at-bats. It’s also time to make stricter cuts as the season is dwindling.
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 163.
(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- KC
7 Games- ATL, BOS, CIN, CLE, COL, CWS, DET, HOU, MIA, MIL, PHI, SD, STL, TOR
6 Games- ARI, BAL, CHC, LAA, LAD, MIN, NYM, NYY, OAK, PIT, SEA, SF, TB, TEX, WAS
Schedule highlights-
The Braves face six RHP in seven games.
The Orioles face five RHP in six games. They finish the week with three games in Coors versus two RHP and one LHP.
The Red Sox face six RHP in seven games.
The Reds face five RHP in seven games, all of which are in Great American Small Park. They play four games over the weekend, with a doubleheader on Friday.
The Guardians face five RHP in seven games. They play a doubleheader on Monday.
The Rockies face seven RHP in seven games. All seven games are in Coors.
The White Sox face five LHP in seven games.
The Tigers face seven RHP in seven games.
The Astros face five RHP in seven games.
The Royals play eight games this week. Five in the 1H of the week with a doubleheader on Monday.
The Angels face five RHP in seven games.
The Marlins start the week with four games in Coors. Three versus RHP.
The Brewers face six RHP in seven games. They play four games over the weekend, including a doubleheader on Friday. The four weekend games are at Great American Small Park.
The Yankees face three LHP to start the week and three RHP to finish the week.
The A’s start the week with three games in Great American Small Park. Two RHP and one LHP.
The Phillies face six RHP in seven games.
The Padres face seven RHP in seven games.
The Giants face six RHP in six games.
The Cardinals face six RHP in seven games.
The Rays face five RHP in six games.
The Jays face seven RHP in seven games.
2-Start Pitchers (Available in most NFBC OCs) (2-Start options are subject to change)
Cooper Criswell, BOS (vs TOR, at DET) - Deep Leagues Only
Nick Martinez, CIN (vs OAK, vs MIL) - START
Ryan Feltner, COL (vs MIA, vs BAL) - SIT
Cal Quantrill, COL (vs MIA, vs BAL) - SIT
Davis Martin, CWS (vs DET, vs NYM) - SIT
Brant Hurter, DET (at CWS, vs BOS) - SIT
Kenta Maeda, DET (vs LAA, vs BOS) - SIT
Michael Lorenzen, KC (at CLE, at HOU) - Deep Leagues Only
Johnny Cueto, LAA (at DET, vs SEA) - Deep Leagues Only
Roddery Munoz, MIA (at COL, at SF) - SIT
Mitch Spence, OAK (at CIN, at TEX) - SIT
Randy Vasquez, SD (at STL, at TB) - SIT
Kyle Gibson, STL (vs SD, at NYY) - Deep Leagues Only
Andrew Heaney, TEX (at CWS, vs OAK) - START
Yariel Rodriguez, TOR (at BOS, at MIN) - Deep Leagues Only
FAAB/WW Hitting Targets (with quick thoughts)
Spencer Torkelson (1B - DET) - Torkelson was recalled a week ago and has been good since returning. He’s hit safely in four of seven games for a .296 average with one home run. He’s striking out 23.3% of the time, down from Tork’s earlier struggles. If you need a potential power boost down the stretch, then Tork could be your guy.
Michael Conforto (OF - SF) - It’s been an up-and-down season for Conforto regarding health and production. He’s healthy and hitting .273 in his last eight games with two home runs. The Giants face six RHPs this week, including three juicy matchups versus the Marlins. Conforto makes for a great stream this week.
Adrian Del Castillo (C - ARI) - We’ll keep this simple. ADC is a hitting machine behind the plate and makes for a great C2 with some C1 appeal.
Alejandro Kirk (C - TOR) - Kirk has picked up the regular playing time since Danny Jansen was traded. His bat has woken up during this time, making Kirk a C2 for fantasy.
Orlando Arcia (SS - ATL) - Arcia has been hitting well since the all-star break. He has two home runs over the past week and makes for a nice MI or SS where needed—likely deeper formats.
Paul DeJong (SS,3B - KC) - DeJong has been getting plenty of playing time for the Royals at 3B, primarily versus LHP. Over his last seven games, DeJong is hitting .375 with two home runs. The Royals face four LHP next week, making DeJong a potential stream.
Thairo Estrada (2B,SS - SF) - Estrada returned from the IL on Monday and hit safely in all five games for a .300 batting average. Estrada even stole a base. He’s back in the MI mix.
Jhonkensy Noel (1B,OF - CLE) - The big man is showcasing all kinds of power these days. Over his last ten games, he’s hitting .333 with five home runs, nine runs scored, and ten RBI. If you need power, then Noel is definitely in play.
Jonah Bride (1B,3B - MIA) - Bride continues to provide deep league production. Over the last 11 games, he’s been hitting .275 with a home run and seven RBIs. He walks and strikes out around 15% of the time.
J.P. Crawford (SS - SEA) - Crawford began a rehab assignment this weekend and should return to the Mariners this week. They have a great offensive schedule this week, making Crawford a great SS when he returns to his leadoff role.
Geraldo Perdomo (2B,SS - ARI) - Perdomo has returned from the IL, and he’s been an offensive force. Over the past week, he’s hitting .400 with a home run and two stolen bases. He’s one of the top MI sources on the wire this week.
Joey Loperfido (OF - TOR) - It has taken some time, but Loperfido may finally be comfortable at the plate. He’s hit safely in six of his last eight games, with five multi-hit games and a .458 batting average. Loperfido has three doubles, two triples, and two home runs. It’s time to jump on the train as it’s leaving the station.
Hunter Renfroe (OF - KC) - Renfroe has hit safely in five of the last six games with a home run. The Royals face plenty of LHP next week, playing in Renfroe’s favor.
Trevor Larnach (OF - MIN) - Larnach has been a streaky hitter all season. Over the last seven games, he’s been hitting .417, with three home runs and seven RBIs. The Twins face four RHP in six games next week, making Larnach a stream again.
Dairon Blanco (OF - KC) - Blanco starts versus LHP and he’s been hitting well, stealing all the bases. If you can play the matchups, then Blanco is an intriguing play with the Royals LHP heavy schedule this week.
Connor Norby (2B - MIA) - Norby has been recalled by the Marlins, and he’s taken advantage. Norby has hit safely in all five games with a home run and a steal. Norby will be the primary second baseman for the rest of the season for the Marlins.
Will Wagner (2B - TOR) - Wagner is hitting .344 over the ten games since he was recalled from AAA. He does not have a homer or a steal but provides plenty of upside in deeper leagues.
FAAB/WW Pitching Targets (with quick thoughts)
Javier Assad (SP - CHC) - Assad has allowed three earned runs or less in his last seven starts with 20 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. He’s not a world-beater but has not hurt your fantasy teams often. He faces the Nats this week if you want a cheap stream.
Cody Bradford (SP - TEX) - Bradford has rejoined the Rangers rotation and has been fully stretched out. He’s thrown 18 innings in his last three starts with 17 strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA. He has a strong matchup versus the A’s this week.
Kyle Gibson (SP - STL) - Gibson has a 2-step versus the Padres and Yankees. They are not easy matchups but could be sneaky if you need counting stats in deeper formats.
Michael Lorenzen (SP - KC) - Lorenzen has been serviceable since joining the Royals. He faces the Guardians and Astros this week if you are feeling frisky.
Jason Foley (RP - DET) - It appears Foley is back in the closing role for the Tigers. He has had two saves in his last three appearances, the only two for the Tigers.
Andrew Heaney (SP - TEX) - Heaney has bounced back from some rough starts and has the best streaming 2-step this week versus the White Sox and A’s. Heaney should be added in most formats for the week.
Bowden Francis (SP - TOR) - Francis has figured it out in the bigs and is coming off an amazing start versus the Angels. He faces the Red Sox this week and the Phillies next week; not ideal starts, but Francis has proven he’s a new pitcher who’s racking up strikeouts.
Nick Martinez (SP - CIN) - Martinez had looked great since joining the Reds rotation but gave up six in his last start versus the Jays. He faces the A’s and Brewers this week in Great American Small Park, making for an interesting 2-start stream.
Yu Darvish (SP - SD) - Darvish has been reinstated from the restricted list and placed on the IL as he works his way back. There’s no immediate plan for Darvish, but one can imagine that he will return sooner rather than later. He’s worth speculating on; just realize he may not return for a while. We just don’t know.
Osvaldo Bido (SP - OAK) - Bido has figured things out in August. He’s picked up three wins in four starts with a 1.17 ERA and 4.08 SIERA. Bido has 23 strikeouts over 23 innings for a 15.9% K-BB. Bido faces the Reds in Great American this week and then a 2-step the following week versus the Mariners and Tigers, which looks great.
Reid Detmers (SP - LAA) - Detmers had another great start at AAA. As of August 25, the Angels gained another year of team control, and we should see Detmers back soon with the Angels.
Tyler Kinley (RP - COL) - With Victor Vodnik hitting the IL, Kinley should take over closing duties for the Rockies if you want to play that game.
Jack Leiter (SP - TEX) - Leiter has been a strikeout machine at AAA, and he’s set to make a spot start or two with the Rangers starting this week. Leiter is set to take on the White Sox, an amazing stream.