What’s up, everyone!
If you’re unfamiliar with this article series, each week I take a look at some hitting matchups you should take advantage of and some hitting matchups you should avoid, based on who the hitters will likely be facing on the mound.
So let’s take a look at the hitters to start and avoid in Week 24 (9/11-9/17) of the fantasy baseball season.
Notes: All pitching matchups mentioned here are based on projections as of this post’s publication. It is entirely possible that the actual matchups could change for any number of reasons. Keep in mind, this article is geared toward middle-of-the-road players, meaning you should be starting top-of-the-line bats regardless of the matchup. Always start your studs.
START
Colorado Rockies hitters – It’s one of those weeks again. One of those weeks where the Rockies have a full seven-game week all at home in Coors Field, which means you should start your Rockies hitters. Now, they’ll be up against the Cubs and Giants, two teams with pretty solid pitching staffs, but I have a hard time turning down seven-straight games in Coors Field no matter who they’re against. Nolan Jones has been hot lately, slashing .300/.404/.650 over the past two weeks and is definitely worth a start this week. Same with Elehuris Montero in deeper leagues, as he’s been hitting .364/.481/.591 over the past two weeks.
Chicago Cubs hitters – As I mentioned earlier, the Cubs will get to play in Coors Field this week for a three-game series against the Rockies, a team who it should be noted, owns the worst team FIP in all of baseball. But even better, after that, they’ll have three games against the Diamondbacks, who own the 12th-worst team FIP in the league, and they’ll miss Zac Gallen in that series too. We’re talking three games in Coors Field against Kyle Freeland, Chris Flexen, and Ty Blach and then three games in Arizona against Brandon Pfaadt, Zach Davies, and Ryne Nelson. I’ll take that all day long. Cody Bellinger is definitely worth a start this week, as he’s been swinging a hot bat, slashing .327/.345/.600 over the past two weeks. Same with Seiya Suzuki, who’s hitting .360/.429/.720 over the past two weeks.
San Francisco Giants hitters – The Giants have a full seven-game week this week, and as I mentioned earlier, they’ll get four games against the Rockies in Coors Field, which is awesome for your Giants hitters. They’ll also have three games against the Guardians where they’re slated to face Gavin Williams, Cal Quantrill, and Xzavion Curry. Williams could prove to be tricky, but I’m not overly worried about Quantrill or Curry, and that plus four games in Coors Field means it’s a good week for your Giants hitters. Mike Yastrzemski is worth a look this week, as he’s been hitting .300/.417/.650 over the past two weeks, as is J.D. Davis, who’s hitting .282/.333/.487 over the past two weeks.
Houston Astros hitters – The Astros get six games this week, starting with three against the A’s, who own the third-worst team FIP in baseball, and closing with three against the Royals, who own the sixth-worst team FIP in the league. Jeremy Peña is worth a start this week, as he’s been hitting .400/.423/.600 over the past two weeks. Same with Chas McCormick, who’s hitting .355/.400/.548 over the past two weeks (and even better, the Astros are slated to face three lefties this week, and McCormick is hitting .352/.417/.676 against lefties so far this year).
AVOID
Tampa Bay Rays hitters – While the Rays have seven games this week, they’re slated to have some pretty tough matchups for their hitters. They start the week with three games against the Twins, who own the fourth-best team FIP in baseball, and they’ll close with four games against the Orioles, who own the seventh-best team FIP in the league, meaning it’s likely a week to avoid your middle-of-the-road Rays hitters.
St. Louis Cardinals hitters – The Cardinals have six games this week, starting with three against the Orioles who, as I mentioned earlier, have the seventh-best team FIP in baseball. Then, they’ll close with three games against the Phillies, who own the sixth-best team FIP in the league, so aside from guys like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt (basically your studs you’re always starting), I’d avoid my Cardinals hitters this week.
Los Angeles Dodgers hitters – The Dodgers have six games this week, starting with three against the Padres, who own the 11th-best team FIP in baseball (a series where they’ll face Blake Snell), and closing with three against the Mariners, who own the second-best team FIP in the league. There are plenty of Dodgers you’re going to start regardless of matchup (your Freddie Freemans of the world), but any of those mid-tier guys I’d avoid this week.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photo by Mark Goldman / Icon Sportswire