Setting your lineup is never an easy endeavor, and this week is no different as we turn a corner toward the second half of July. Thanks to the All-Star break, there was a void in the baseball schedule and now it is time to truly move forward to make your mark in the standings. Each week there are matchups and situations to exploit from the hitting perspective, so with that being said, let us take a look at 5 hitters to stream for the current week of fantasy baseball.
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Five Hitters to Stream This Week
Eddie Rosario, OF, Atlanta Braves
The majority of Rosario’s playing time has come against right-handed pitching this season and that is a good sign heading into a week in which Atlanta plays six games with non against southpaws. While Rosario is hitting just .239 with the platoon advantage, the outfielder has 11 home runs and 37 RBI in 243 at bats this season.
Rosario has been slumping as of late, but the veteran gets to begin his week by facing Zach Davies (6.37 ERA and 1.01 home runs per nine innings) and Ryne Nelson (4.98 ERA and 1.27 home runs per nine innings), and neither starter is especially overpowering. This is shaping up to be a strong week offensively for the Braves as a team, and that should extend forward, and include, Rosario.
Will Benson, OF, Cincinnati Reds
I like to diversify from a position perspective, do not worry there are still more targets to come, but any time the Reds have seven home games in a week, we are going to be all over it. The fact that Benson has some favorable pitching matchups in front of him, including Ross Stripling and Zach Davies does not hurt, but the main point of focus is that Cincinnati is slated to face six right-handed starters.
Playing in a pretty strict platoon, Benson is hitting .309 against right-handers in 110 at-bats with four home runs, eight RBI, and 19 runs scored. Living with strikeouts, 33, is going to be a fact of life here, but Benson has found success since his promotion although it would be nice to see him drive in a few more runs. If you are looking for a few extra stolen bases, who isn’t these days, Benson does have seven stolen bases so he can add some production there as well.
Mauricio Dubon, 2B/SS/OF, Houston Astros
Dubon can fill in at both middle infield positions, along with the outfield as he continues to be a large piece of Houston’s lineup. With Jose Altuve back on the Injured List, Dubon once again is spending his days atop the Astros’ lineup and manning second base. This week, Dubon does it for two games in Coors Field before taking advantage of the Oakland pitching staff for four games.
The majority of Dubon’s time this season has been spent atop the lineup, and in 52 games, he is batting .260 with 33 runs scored while hitting .286 over the last 14 days. Nothing that Dubon does will truly jump off the page, but there is value in batting atop the Astros’ lineup, and there is a lot to like about his matchups for this week. The multi-positional eligibility also comes in handy when preparing for the week.
Corey Julks, OF, Houston Astros
Yes, we are going back to the outfield, and staying with the Astros, but it is difficult to ignore the matchup for this week.
In 32 at-bats over the last 14 days prior to Saturday’s game, Julks was batting .406 with three stolen bases in what has been a surprisingly strong season for the outfielder. Julks has been a pleasant surprise on the base paths with 15 stolen bases in 70 games while hitting a solid .282 with 30 RBI and 35 runs scored.
While the Astros’ lineup is not as strong as in previous years, there are still some dangerous bats and depth here and Julks has been the beneficiary of that even if he does not have the name or prospect recognition.
Tyler Soderstrom, C. A’s
The A’s promoted one of their top prospects with the intention of giving him regular playing time, and that is what you should do from a fantasy perspective as well. It goes without saying how difficult it can be to fill the catching position, especially when two starters are required, and Soderstrom can undoubtedly provide relief in this area.
In 69 games at Triple-A prior to his promotion, Soderstrom was hitting .254 but the power was really on display as he hit 21 home runs to go along with 59 RBI. That is consistent with his skill set and production throughout his minor league career and the fact that Soderstrom can also handle first base will keep his bat in the lineup.
Oakland has a full slate of seven games ahead of them this week, and with six coming against right-handed pitching (providing a platoon advantage for Soderstrom) their top prospect should see ample playing time.