FANTASY PLAYS: Players to pick up, stream this week in MLB
It's been a week full of injuries, as more and more pitchers hit the disabled list, making arms a premium once again for Fantasy owners.
He's not a pitcher, but Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez headlines the list of injured players, as the catcher will miss 3-4 weeks for the second straight season.
There are names like John Hicks, Austin Romine, Tucker Barnhart and Tom Murphy who deserve to be owned in Sanchez' absence. Now, let's look at some pitchers to help hold down your rotation.
PLAYERS TO PICK UP
ZACH EFLIN, SP, Philadelphia Phillies (42 percent owned in Yahoo) - First it was Nick Pivetta, now it's Zach Eflin. The Phillies are having pitchers who were no more than a healthy arm last season turn into legit standouts. Eflin increased his velocity this year, and he's adding more swings and misses than a season ago. Like Pivetta, it's smart to grab him before everyone else in your league takes notice.
ZACK WHEELER, SP, New York Mets (12 percent) - Like Jacob deGrom earlier this season, the Mets struggle to win games for Wheeler. That's OK, though, as he is holding his own as of late with a reasonable ERA and a good strikeout rate. He won't live up to the prospect hype that he had when he was moving through the system, but he can be a useful pitcher for your Fantasy roster.
SHANE BIEBER, SP, Cleveland Indians (57 percent) - Bieber was thought to be a guy who wouldn't register big strikeout numbers, but would help Fantasy owners out in ERA, WHIP and Wins. Well, in a small sample, he's averaging more than a strikeout per inning. Add him wherever he's available.
ADALBERTO MONDESI, OF, Kansas City Royals (1 percent) - Speed is hard to find. Kevin Kiermaier was a suggested pickup last week as a multi-category contributor, but Mondesi is a deep-league add if you're desperate for speed.
TWO-START PITCHERS TO STREAM
BRENT SUTER, SP, Milwaukee Brewers (39 percent) - It's not a great week for two-start pitchers, and Suter underachieved in a juicy matchup against the Royals on Wednesday. He's worth running out again, though, as he gets the Twins and the Braves in a two-start matchup.
KYLE GIBSON, SP, Minnesota Twins (34 percent) - Speaking of failing to capitalize, Gibson struggled against the White Sox on Wednesday. Forget that start, though, as he's been a quality start machine this year. He'll face a less-than-favorable team in the Brewers in his first start, but he'll wrap the week up against Baltimore, who struggled mightily against right-handed pitching.
NATHAN EOVALDI, SP, Tampa Bay Rays (7 percent) - Eovaldi impressed this week against the Nationals, allowing just one hit over six innings. He has a date with the Marlins and Mets next week; both of which are terrific matchups.
HITTERS TO STREAM
SCOTT SCHEBLER, OF, Cincinnati Reds (22 percent) - Jesse Winker is starting to come around for the Reds, but Schebler has been the 22nd-best outfielder in Yahoo leagues over the past 30 games as the leadoff hitter for the Reds.
LOGAN MORRISON, 1B, Minnesota Twins (13 percent) - The Twins have seven games next week in Milwaukee and against the Orioles' bad pitching staff. There's only one lefty on the slate, which means Morrison is a sneaky streamer to get in your lineup.
ALEN HANSON, 2B/OF, San Francisco Giants (5 percent) - Hanson has been playing regularly for the Giants, and he's a contributor across multiple categories, with his standout category being batting average. With three games in Colorado and four more against the all-of-the-sudden questionable St. Louis rotation, Hanson could fill the stat sheets for Fantasy owners.
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This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com
