Fantasy Baseball Week 25 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 167.
(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
7 Games- BOS, CIN, CLE, MIA, NYY, TB
6 Games- ATL, BAL, CHC, COL, CWS, DET, HOU, KC. LAA, LAD, MIL, MIN, NYM, OAK, PHI, PIT, SEA, SF, STL, TEX, TOR, WAS
5 Games- ARI, SD
Schedule highlights-
The DBacks only play five games, four versus RHP.
The Orioles face five RHP in six games.
The Cubs face five RHP in six games.
The Reds face seven RHP in seven games.
The Guardians face six RHP in seven games.
The Rockies face five RHP in six games.
The Royals face five RHP in six games.
The Angels face five RHP in six games.
The Marlins face six LHP in seven games.
The Twins face five RHP in six games.
The Mets face five RHP in six games.
The Yankees face six RHP in seven games.
The Pirates face six RHP in six games.
The Padres only play five games, four versus RHP.
The Giants face six RHP in six games.
The Cardinals face five RHP in six games.
The Rays face five RHP in seven games.
The Rangers face six RHP in six games.
The Nats face five RHP in six games.
2-Start Pitchers (Available in most NFBC OCs) (2-Start options are subject to change)
Cade Povich, BAL (at BOS, at DET) - START
Kyle Hendricks, CHC (at LAD, at COL) - SIT
Nick Martinez, CIN (at ATL, at MIN) - Deep Leagues Only
Rhett Lowder, CIN (at STL, at MIN) - Deep Leagues Only
Antonio Senzatela, COL (at DET, vs CHC) - SIT
Nick Nastrini, CWS (vs CLE, vs OAK) - SIT
Keider Montero, DET (vs COL, vs BAL) - SIT
Valente Bellozo, MIA (at PIT, at WAS) - Deep Leagues Only
Adam Oller, MIA (at PIT, at WAS) - SIT
Paul Blackburn, NYM (at TOR, at PHI) - Deep Leagues Only
FAAB/WW Hitting Targets (with quick thoughts)
Carlos Santana (1B - MIN) - Santana is hitting .257 over his previous 11 games entering the weekend. He has two home runs and should play a lot with five RHP on the schedule next week. He’s likely better for deeper leagues.
Michael Massey (2B - KC) - Massey hit his 12th home run of the year on Friday night. He’s playing daily versus RHP, and the Royals face five next week. Solid 2B/MI streaming target.
Jose Tena (SS,3B - WAS) - Tena is hitting .273 with a home run in the eight games leading into the weekend. He brings solid multi-position flexibility and hits near the top of the Nats lineup. Tena was great in the minors and, so far, so good with the Nats, making for a nice pickup for the following weeks.
MJ Melendez (OF - KC) - Since August 1, MJ has been hitting .279 with five home runs. The Royals have a favorable schedule this week, and Melendez is worth adding to deeper leagues with some 12-team appeal.
Tommy Pham (OF - KC) - Pham has hit safely in four of five games with the Royals with a home run. He’s always worth a roster spot while he’s streaking, so enjoy it while you can.
Geraldo Perdomo (2B,SS - ARI) - Perdomo plays gold glove defense, keeping him on the field. This season, he’s hitting for average with some power and speed. Perdomo makes for a strong MI target in 12-team and deeper leagues.
Anthony Rizzo (1B - NYY) - Rizzo returned to the Yankees on September 1 and has hit safely in three of five games. The Yankees face six RHP next week. If you are looking for a first baseman or corner infielder, Rizzo should be near the top of your list.
Ty France (1B - CIN) - France entered the weekend, hitting .457 over his previous ten games with a home run. He’s walking 12.5% of the time while striking out 5%. The Reds aren’t home for the upcoming week, but France is still a solid target for 1B and CI needs.
Kyle Manzardo (1B - CLE) - Manzardo was recalled on September 1 and hit safely in two of the first four games with two home runs. We know the skills Mazardo can bring to the plate, making him a nice potential power add going forward.
Andres Chaparro (1B,3B - WAS) - Chaparro is only hitting .229 over his previous 13 games, but it comes with five doubles and three home runs. He’s hitting in the middle of the Nats order, and the potential power production can also bring plenty of run production. Solid CI target.
Seth Brown (1B,OF - OAK) - The A’s face four RHP this week, again making Brown a deeper league stream. Brown is hitting .424 over his previous nine games with three home runs and 11 RBI. Stop sleeping on Brown, as he’s another solid A’s bat for fantasy.
Trevor Larnach (OF - MIN) - Larnach has been extremely streaky this year. The Twins face five RHP in six games this week, making Larnach a stream in deeper leagues with some 12-team appeal.
Kyle Stowers (OF - MIA) - Stowers may be getting comfortable at the plate. He’s hitting .282 over his last 11 games with two home runs and nine RBI. He strikes out a lot but has deeper league appeal as he plays daily for the Marlins.
Mickey Moniak (OF - LAA) - Moniak is on fire at the plate. He’s hitting .360 over his previous seven games with five home runs and ten RBI. He will sit versus LHP, but the Angels face five RHP next week in six games. Moniak is a great OF stream.
Hunter Renfroe (OF - KC) - Renfroe is back from the IL and mashed before he hit the IL. See how the playing time shakes out this weekend, but Renfroe could be a nice power source on the wire.
Mike Yastrzemski (OF - SF) - Yaz is a streaky hitter, and right now he’s streaking. He’s hitting .286 over the last ten games with four home runs while scoring nine. The Giants face six RHP next week, making Yaz a cheap streaming option.
Trevor Story (SS - BOS) - Story is set to come off the IL on Saturday and take over the SS role for the Red Sox. He looked good in rehab and could be a great source of power and speed for the season's final weeks.
FAAB/WW Pitching Targets (with quick thoughts)
Aroldis Chapman (RP - PIT) - With David Bednar removed from closing duties, Chapman appears to be the favorite to get most of the saves. He’s been great with ratios and strikeouts of late as well. One of the handful of save targets this weekend.
Porter Hodge (RP - CHC) - With Jorge Lopez hitting the IL, Hodge should be the primary closer for the Cubs.
Yu Darvish (SP - SD) - Darvish returned from the IL this week and threw three innings. The Padres may slow-play Darvish as they prepare him for the playoffs, but he’s still worth an add for the potential he can bring to a fantasy team.
Clarke Schmidt (SP - NYY) - Schmidt was great at his final rehab starts. He’s set to come off the IL this weekend and could be a welcomed addition to fantasy for the stretch run.
Reid Detmers (SP - LAA) - Detmers was finally recalled from AAA and struck out ten Dodgers in his return. He faces MIN this week with a 2-step the following week, starting with the White Sox.
Patrick Corbin (SP - WAS) - Corbin has been solid in his recent starts. Getting strikeouts while providing nice ratios. He has a great matchup with the Marlins next week.
Alex Cobb (SP - CLE) - Cobb looked great in his return to the Guardians. He has a great matchup versus the Rays next week, with a 2-step the following week. Cobb is one of the better pitching pickups this week.
Nick Martinez (SP - CIN) - Martinez has been up and down since joining the rotation. He has a 2-step this week on the road, making for a lovely stream in deeper leagues.
Casey Mize (SP - DET) - Mize returned from the IL this past week. It was not great, but not bad, as expected after a long layoff. He has a great matchup versus the Rockies this week, with a 2-step the following week.
Cade Povich (SP - BAL) - Povich was outstanding this past week versus the White Sox. He’s in line for a nice 2-step this week with a matchup versus the Tigers the following week. Povich is up there with Cobb as one of the top pitching pickups.
Rhett Lowder (SP - CIN) - Lowder has been serviceable since he was called up, but not overwhelming. He has a 2-step this week, but I would only roster him in deeper leagues.
Paul Blackburn (SP - NYM) - Blackburn is set to return from the IL and is lined up for a 2-step this week. Only roster-worthy in deeper leagues.
J.T. Ginn (SP - OAK) - Ginn looked great this past week. This week, he has a great matchup versus the White Sox, making for a nice, cheap stream.
Matt Strahm (RP - PHI) - Strahm has picked up saves in his last two appearances. The Phillies would like an LHP and RHP option for saves, and Strahm appears to be the LHP option for now.
Griffin Canning (SP - LAA) - Canning has been good lately, including a strong start versus the Dodgers this past week. He faces MIN this week with back-to-back matchups versus the White Sox to finish the season. The White Sox starts make Canning a great add now for cheap.