Today’s slate is ugly for pitching. Two-thirds of the molds project as league cuts or worse. Nine of them project for a context-neutral ERA of 5.00 or worse in THE BAT. Six matches have temperatures above 80 degrees. We also have a double-header on the board, so we will not be short of beating options.
Pitch options, well, you’ll see … If you have not read my primer yet how the weather can give you a MASSIVE edge in fantasy baseball, be sure to check it out now, as it will help provide context for my weekly player reviews.
Here’s Tuesday’s choice to bolster your fantasy squad, with everyone available in at least half of all ESPN leagues.
Erick Fedde (R), listed in 5% of ESPN leagues, Washington citizens vs. Miami Marlins: Fedde is the best available option and tells us everything we need to know about the quality of available pitching options today, but the match is fantastic. It’s a park upgrade for Miami, but it’s still a weak offense that’s one of the most strike-heavy in baseball.
Joe Ryan (R), listed in 5% of ESPN leagues, Minnesota twins vs. Cleveland Indians: Ryan has not been officially announced yet, but with the double-header today and him on regular rest, it looks like he will probably get the call in one of these matches. The Indians are a bottom-10 offense and are taking a park hit today, so you can do worse than Ryan.
Tony Gonsolin (R), 22%, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: The match for Gonsolin’s relationship is strong against a bottom five offense that takes a park hit. The problem is that Arizona does not knock out a lot and that Gonsolin’s ties are always so short, especially since he is still building endurance. Still, the innings you get out of him should be good, and if he gets to 5 innings, the chances of a victory are great.
Touki Toussaint (R), 21%, Atlanta braves vs. Colorado Rockies: The Rockies are outside Coors Field, and although this is still a solid meeting environment, it is a massive downgrade. They are a weak offense with a high strikeout rate, and therefore Touki is a solid choice today.
Bullpen: The twins and Indians are playing a double-header today, so playing a relief from this game gives you an extra chance to have your guy. Unfortunately, neither team has many quality relievers, but the match is ok, especially for the twins. Especially if you are looking to count statistics, this will be the place to target. Alex Colome (listed in 51% of the leagues) would be your storage target here, unless Emmanuel Clase (77%) are accidentally available. Caleb Thielbar (sub-1%) would be your guy for relationships and strikeouts.
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please contact our Detailed diagram.
Meeting
Catcher - Mike Zunino (R), 40%, Tampa Bay Rays on Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Jose berrios): Zunino has 29 home runs this year and some of the best raw forces in baseball. Berrios is a good pitcher, but he is not immune to the long ball, and this is a huge park upgrade for the rays in terms of power.
First base - Miguel Sano (R), 48%, Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians (RHP Triston McKenzie): With a double header on tap, all players likely to play both matches here will be an elite source for counting static value. It starts with Sano, though Max Kepler and Luis Arraez are also strong choices.
Second base - Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L), 50%, Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals (RHP Erick Fedde): Jazz projects as one of the best general streams today. It is a major park upgrade, an opponent pitcher below average and today’s lowest air tightness. Oh, and Fedde is extremely easy to steal.
Third base - Evan longoria (R), 16%, San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres (RHP Jake arrieta): Longoria and Brandon belt both are great games today against one of the weaker slate throws. They are simply too talented for how low listed they are.
Shortstop - Luis Urias (R), 38%, Milwaukee Brewers on Detroit Tigers (RHP Wily Peralta): Brewers will add a DH to the American League today and face a weak pitcher who is also a bit exploitative when it comes to stealing. Urias usually hit near the top of the lineup and are a strong current.
Corner Infield - Andrew Vaughn (R), 39%, Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels (LHP Packy naughton): Vaughn will retain the advantage of the division in exchange for a weak pitcher receiving a significant downgrade of the park today.
Middle Infield - Didi Gregorius (L), 46%, Philadelphia phillies vs. Chicago Cubs (RHP Adrian sampson): Didi wants to keep the platoon advantage in a park that is great for left-wing power, and he faces the must that appears to be the weakest on the slate. It is also some of the best weather of the day.
Utmark - Myles straw (R), 40%, Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins (RHP John glove): Straw has led out for Cleveland basically every day since the trade date, and with the double-headed today, two games worth of statistics make him a truly elite option, especially if you’re hunting for steals.
Utmark - Andrew Benintendi (L), 56%, Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics (RHP Frankie Montas): Montas is a good pitcher on a day full of weak, but Benintendi is good enough where you can play him no matter if he is available. He retains the benefits of the peloton while Montas takes a significant downgrade of park and weather.
Utmark - Lane thomas (R), 5%, Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins (LHP Jesus luzardo): Thomas has led to Washington too late, and today he gets the platoon advantage against a fighter who is struggling with a significant downgrade of the park, and who has to cope with the lowest air tightness in any match today.