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Todd ZolaImagination
Sunday marks the end of an expanded scoring week in many ESPN leagues, and with the playoffs approaching each other fast, each lineup is important. For that purpose, there are some decent spot starters on the dock, but three are listed in at least 40% of the ESPN leagues, so it’s a good idea to check as soon as possible.
Hits continue to be plush, with more lubricants still readily available with skills better than many hitters filling many more lists.
Pitching
Ryan yarbrough (L), listed in 41% of ESPN leagues, Tampa Bay Rays on Cleveland: In previous seasons, the Rays seemed to protect Yarbrough by removing him at the first sign of trouble. This year, lefty has stayed in games to absorb six trips where he allowed at least five races. However, he has allowed three or fewer races in his other 13 efforts, including five quality starts. In those 13 appearances, Yarbrough has spun a 2.41 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Against Cleveland, there is a good chance that the good version will appear.
Tarik Skubal (L), 41%, Detroit Tigers on Kansas City Royals: Skubal continues to miss many bats as evidenced by a high 27% strike percentage, but he also issues too many trips and has handed over 19 homers in 94 2/3 rounds. On Sunday, Skubal gives a chance to improve their numbers in both of these areas, as the Royals are the second most patient team in the league with a left on while they are hammering on the tenth lowest clip in that scenario.
Cole irvin (L), 51%, Oakland Athletics on Seattle Mariners: Irvin opened the second half with seven pointless stanzas against the Angels, even though he only found 3. For the season, Irvin has only knocked out 17.3% of the balls he has encountered, but he has issued free passes to only 4.3% while surrendering only 10 homers on 113 innings. Mariners hit leftists for power, but they whip on an elevated 27% cut while having the fourth lowest WOBA facing south paws.
Caleb Smith (L), 15%, Arizona Diamondbacks on Chicago Cubs: After throwing well most of the first lap, the last two outings for Smith, who was heading into the break, were rough as he allowed 14 runs in just seven laps. However, the left was solid in its first start after the break, and limited the Pirates to two races over 6 2/3 shots, waving seven.
Bullpen:
Gregory Soto leads the league with four saves since the break, as he has also waved five in four frames. Detroit has a good spot on Sunday with Skubal meeting Daniel Lynch in rookie return to the big ones. Lynch will probably do better after regaining confidence, but if you need a save in match to head matchup, Soto is in play and available in 74% of ESPN leagues.
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Meeting
Catcher - Francisco Mejia (S), 4%, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland (RHP) Triston McKenzie): With Mike Zunino in Saturday’s line-up, there is a good chance that Mejia is back behind the dish on Sunday. The switch-hitter has been on a triple binge, and swatted two over the past week, along with a home team. In the last seven fights, Mejia cuts .438 / .438 / .938.
First base - Joey votto (L), 39%, Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals (RHP Johan oviedo): Part of what we like to do in this room is highlights under the radar players, often at the expense of someone with a better matchup, but has been talked about a lot lately. The thought process of seeing the same name several times is a sign of checking his availability without being asked. Votto fits that shape; if he is facing a licensee, he is automatically if available. But with the significance of this transaction period, it is best that Votto gets the spotlight.
Second base - Dylan moore (R), 38%, Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics (LHP Cole Irvin): Moore’s average continues to be an injury (.190 in 254 record appearances this season), but he’s still a fantasy advantage with four homers and seven steals since returning from IL on June 12.
Third base - Josh harrison (R), 43%, Citizens of Washington on Baltimore Orioles (LHP John Means): Harrison was supposed to be a veteran bench piece for nationals, but he proved to be one of their most productive hits and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, Harrison took a seven-hit move into Saturday’s action, which he cut .379 / .419 / .621 over.
Shortstop - Ramon urias (R), 2%, Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals (LHP Jon reads): It turns out to be another lost season for the Orioles, although they may have found something in Urias. The player has found a home by the cornerstone, and cut .315 / .367 / .438 since he became a regular. Obviously he is out over the skis, but an effective tee rate of 16.5% should keep the landing soft.
Corner Infield - Miguel Cabrera (R), 5%, Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals (LHP Daniel Lynch): Even though he is not as productive as usual, Cabrera still handles south paws well enough to fill in under suitable conditions. His experience and patience should be useful for a rookie lefty who allowed 14 runs on 18 hits and five rounds in just eight innings in the first three starts earlier in the season.
Middle Infield - Luis Guillorme (L), 1%, New York Mets vs. Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Ross stripping): Guillorme gets the first dibs to replace Francisco lindor which is on IL for an extended stretch with a grade 2 inclined load. Guillorme has responded by leading a four-hit hit line into Saturday’s action, posting a .462 / .500 / .769 line.
Utmark - Kole Calhoun (L), 8%, Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs (RHP) Trevor Williams): Calhoun has struggled since returning from IL, so if you are more comfortable using Pavin Smith, he is also in play. As for Calhoun, he has had bad luck in the last week and is due to a better fate. He has been credited with three hard outs in the last three games, where he tattooed five balls over 95 km / h and two over 100 km / h without much to show for it.
Utmark - LaMonte Wade Jr.. (L), 4%, San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP JT Brubaker): Wade is one of several reasons why the Giants are the surprise of the Senior Circuit. The club uses platoons to their advantage, and Wade has been occupying the busier side of a midfield since mid-May. He has recorded a productive .858 OPS, mainly from the lead. Wade has also chipped in with three steals in that span.
Utmark - Brandon marsh (L), 11%, Los Angeles Angels on Gemini from Minnesota (RHP Bailey Ober): It remains to be seen how the return of Justin upton and so on Mike the trout will affect Marsh’s playing time as the third outfielder will be another left turner in Adam eaton with designated hitter occupied by a man named Shohei Ohtani. For now, Marsh continues to run in midfield. While the novice is still looking for his first homer, March swept his first sack for the season earlier this week, and is a threat to run when he is at base.