What’s On Second?

Sometimes you are all set for the week. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start thinking about the future. This article takes a look ahead for the following week to see if maybe there are things to consider or players to stash that may not have as much value right now. Don’t forget to check out the companion article to this one, Who’s On First?

Things to Consider
Most prospects teams are trying to get an extra year of service time should be eligible to come up during this week. NFBC players should draft the ones they want to not get stuck overpaying in the first FAABapalooza, but everyone else may want to snag them now if they weren’t drafted.

The Cardinals, Rangers, and the Rockies only play five games in Week 2.

Many starters won’t go deep enough in the first week or two to get a win. Relievers that pitch multiple innings could be sneaky wins targets.

The Astros, Blue Jays see no left-handed starters in Week 2.

The Marlins see five left-handed starters in Week 2.

The Diamondbacks, Mets and Phillies see four left-handed starters in Week 2.

 

12-Team Pick Ups (Under 50% in NFBC Online Championships)
Nathan Eovaldi– Getting to open versus the Orioles is great and he has looked fantastic in summer camp.

Kyle Lewis– Should hit in the middle of the Mariners lineup with very no competition for his job.

Shed Long– Is likely to lead off for the Mariners.

Anthony Santander– Should be ready to go by opening day and hitting in the middle of the Orioles lineup. Nice matchups versus the Marlins and the Rays considering he should avoid Blake Snell and Charlie Morton in the latter series. Also consider Austin Hays.

Jesus Aguilar– Miami gets five lefties next week which could be huge for Aguilar.

Kevin Cron– Cron shouldn’t be platooning, but he will definitely play more with four lefties on the docket.

Roman Quinn– With the Phillies seeing four lefties, Quinn could see added playing time and be a cheap stolen bases streamer next week.

Michael Lorenzen– Feels like Rasiel Iglesias could lose his job in an instant. The Reds have built to win now and Lorenzen would be first man up.

 

15-Team Pick Ups (Under 50% in TGFBI)
Rich Hill– Due to injury, he was largely ignored prior to the delay, now he is ready and has a decent matchup with the Cardinals.

Rowdy Tellez– Toronto is only facing right-handed starters next week which means Tellez shouldn’t have to sit.

Matt Strahm– Strahm could get some cheap wins if the Padres starters don’t go deep in their first time through the rotation.

Jalen Beeks– Beeks could get some cheap wins if the Rays back end starters don’t go deep in their first time through the rotation.

Jesus Aguilar- Five lefties for Aguilar next week means it is the perfect time to grab him, especially in NFBC where three of the lefties are the Friday-Sunday starters.

 

Two-Start Pitchers Worth Considering
Eliser Hernandez (vs BAL, vs WAS): Hernandez grabbed the fifth spot in the rotation and has a nice first matchup against the Orioles that might be worth considering the bad one versus the Nationals.

Pablo Lopez– (vs BAL, vs WAS): Lopez was a sleeper last year that never woke up, but has a nice matchup in the beginning of a two-start week.

Trevor Richards (vs ATL, at BAL): These matchups are decent if he can keep the ball in the yard.

Ryan Yarbourgh (vs ATL, at BAL): Yarbourgh is more interesting if he has an opener in front of him, but these are two pretty nice matchups.

Anibal Sanchez (vs TOR, at MIA): Sanchez is a boring vet, but I like the two matchups here.

Chris Bassitt (vs LAA, at SEA): Probably my favorite 2-start guy this week. Facing the Angels, who should sit Ohtani and the Mariners.

Tyler Chatwood and Alec Mills (at CIN, at DET): If you feel like gambling against Cincy, the Detroit matchup is great.

 

Starting Pitching Matchups

*2-Start Pitchers are highlighted in blue
**Subject to change

Please let me know in the comments what you think or if there is anything I should add or subtract.