This Week in Fantasy Baseball: Keep Your Eye on Cubs OF Jorge Soler
Here is a look at intriguing matchups and storylines heading into the week of April 11-17 in Fantasy Baseball:
One to Watch
Cubs OF Jorge Soler has been seeing regular at-bats since Kyle Schwarber suffered a season-ending knee injury. Although he has yet to produce a whole lot heading into Sunday's game, Soler usually slots into the fifth or sixth spot in the Cubs' order, setting up ample RBI opportunities.
Soler is a physical specimen at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. He's just 24-years-old and showed good power with 10 home runs and 18 doubles in 366 at-bats last season. Everyday at-bats should be a confidence booster for the young slugger. If he starts to show signs of heating up, don't hesitate to pick him up.
Must-Starts
Lind is only owned in roughly 37 percent of most leagues. This week, the Mariners play three games against Texas, a day off Thursday, followed by three games in the Bronx. Lind has a career .918 OPS in his career against Texas, and gives Derek Holland (Tuesday's starter) issues. Lind is 12-for-29 combined against CC Sabathia (Friday) and Michael Pineda (Sunday).
- 2B Chase Utley, Dodgers
If a second baseman is needed, Utley is available in about 98 percent of leagues, probably because the 37-year-old was awful at the plate last season. However, the veteran is off to a hot start and finds himself at the top of the Dodgers' batting order. He's a great DFS play on Sunday against Giants starter Jeff Samardzija (6-for-15, one long ball and three doubles head-to-head).
He'll be available in far less leagues than Utley, but if Pedroia is sitting on the waiver wire, claim him ASAP. He has a career .324 average against Baltimore's three projected starters from Monday-Wednesday, making him DFS worthy all three days. His second opponent this week is the Toronto Blue Jays, whom he's hit more home runs against than any other team.
- SS J.J. Hardy, Orioles
Many fantasy players might be streaming shortstops after drafting-and-stashing Jung Ho Kang. Hardy is a rare breed at shortstop considering the pop in his bat. He has a .300 average or higher against every starting pitcher he's projected to face this week with the exception of Derek Holland.
- 1B/OF Mark Trumbo, Orioles
Trumbo is already off to a hot start as a member of the Orioles, and will love hitting in the AL East's hitter friendly parks. His career OPS is 90 points higher against LHP, and this week he'll get to face four southpaws; all of which he's had success against in the past.
Must-Fades
Martin is off to a slow start to begin the season, recording just two hits thus far. Last season, he hit just .197 in the month of April. This week he'll face a bevy of tough right-handers, with the lone lefty being David Price. His low spot in Toronto's lineup (that hasn't quite got rolling yet) doesn't warrant a price tag that usually has him as one of the most expensive catchers available.
Tulowtizki hasn't hit as a Blue Jay. Period. Until he does, it's best to leave him and his expensive salary alone in DFS. Tulo was using a leg-kick timing mechanism in spring training, but has switched back to his usual toe-tap set up. This seems to have thrown off his timing off to begin the year. But don't panic if you drafted him in season-long, he's too good of a hitter to stay quiet for long.
The Melk Man is off to a rough start to begin the season, and his fifth spot in the batting order minimizes his DFS value compared to when he was hitting second or third last season. He has some atrocious mathcups this week, including an 0-14 against Kyle Gibson, a 2-for-13 against Tommy Milone and a 2-for-9 against Jake Odorizzi.
- OF Billy Hamilton, Reds
Hamilton has just two base hits and three walks to begin the season. His value in both daily and season-long fantasy revolves around his base stealing ability, but he can't steal bags if he can't get on base. To make matters worse, he's been hitting ninth in the batting order (yes, behind the pitcher) and can't be trusted whatsoever right now.
- SP Colby Lewis, Rangers
Many fantasy players who stream pitchers will look for starters with two starts this week. Lewis will likely be examined by many, considering the fact that he won 17 games last season. However, he was fairly luck winning 17 games with an ERA of 4.66. His opponents this week are Seattle and Baltimore, but both teams have tagged him for an OPS against of .875 and .891, respectively.
Two-Start Studs
- Kyle Gibson, Twins (vs. White Sox, vs. Angels)
Gibson will start on Monday and Sunday for the Twins and is owned in just 24 percent of leagues. He's dominated the ChiSox in his career, holding their current roster of batters to a .160/.196/.236 slash line. The Angels are a below average offensive ball club. Aside from a slow-out-of-the-gate Mike Trout and an aging Albert Pujols, there's isn't much to be feared in their lineup.
- Nick Tropeano, Angels (at A's, at Twins)
Tropeano should be available in every league. He starts on Monday against the offensively challenged Athletics, and on Sunday against the Twins. Minnesota's lineup is deep on paper, but has been ice-cold to start the year. The 25-year-old had a 2.6 FIP in 2015, striking out 38 batters in 37.2 innings over seven starts.
- Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays (vs. Yankees, at Red Sox)
Sanchez has two fairly tough matchups this week, but he's still a viable addition to any fantasy team needing innings. Sanchez struggled with command as a starter last season, but silenced some critics throwing seven innings of one-run ball with eight punch outs and zero walks in his season debut. His ceiling is sky-high and he is available in 90 percent of leagues.
Fantasy Matchups of the Week
- Marlins (Jose Fernandez) at Mets (Noah Syndergaard), Tuesday
For baseball fans in the northern part of the continent still dealing with some cold weather, tune into Tuesday's game between the Marlins and Mets, because there will be no shortage of heat. It isn't beyond the realm of possibility that both flame throwers combine for 30 strikeouts. Both pitchers are much better at home, so Thor will be the one to roster in DFS on Tuesday.
- Red Sox SP David Price vs. Blue Jays, Saturday
Price has faced the Blue Jays many times in the past during his days in Tampa Bay, but this will be his first start against Toronto since being a vital cog in their playoff run a year ago. He's been susceptible to the long ball against Toronto (like many other teams), allowing 11 home runs in 107 at-bats against Kevin Pillar, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Colabello.
- Angels 1B Albert Pujols at Twins SP Ricky Nolasco, Friday
The Machine is off to a slow start to begin the season, but Friday's game against Nolasco could help turn that around. In 25 at-bats against Nolasco, Pujols has 13 hits -- eight of which went for extra bases. His ownership levels might be down in DFS, so draft him in tournaments on Friday.