Chris Meaney tours the league and finds 30 things you might have missed during Week 1 of the fantasy baseball season.
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Arizona Diamondbacks
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Atlanta Braves
- Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson were hot pickups in deeper leagues when they were announced as starters, but their first two starts didn’t go as planned. Wright allowed three runs and issued five walks over 4.1 innings, and Wilson gave up four runs and walked four over 3.1 innings. Control is going to be an issue for both rookies, especially Wilson who has 10 walks in 10.1 innings. The upside is high, but Kevin Gausman is expected back in the rotation this week and Mike Foltynewicz appears close to returning as well.
Baltimore Orioles
- The Orioles took two of three in New York if you can believe it. They are 3-1 to start 2019.
- Trey Mancini has a four-game hit streak (8-for-16) with 2 HR, 4 RBI & 5 R. He needs to be owned.
- Mychal Givens is not the clear cut closer as Paul Fry, Mike Wright and Richard Bleier find themselves in a committee. Bleier, Wright, and Fry all have saves.
Boston Red Sox
- Matt Barnes struck out two over a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save of the year on Saturday.
- Chris Sale has failed to get out of the fifth inning in 11 straight outings.
- The Red Sox are 1-4 and have been outscored 41-23.
Chicago Cubs
- Chicago walked 20 batters in their opening series with Texas. They suffered six errors Monday in Atlanta.
- The Cubs are 1-3 and have given up 30 runs.
- Yu Darvish issued seven walks in his first start which only lasted 2.2 innings.
Chicago White Sox
- The Yoan Moncada breakout is off to a good start: 7-for-17, 1 HR, 4 RBI & 6 R.
- Alex Colome grabbed a save Sunday and is perfect in his two outings.
- Eloy Jimenez has two hits and six strikeouts in four games.
Cincinnati Reds
- Luis Castillo took care of a Pirates lineup without Starling Marte, but it was Marte and the Pirates who made short work of Sonny Gray. Sonny allowed five hits and walked four over 2.2 innings. I’d never feel comfortable starting Gray, especially in Cincinnati. Castillo fanned eight and only allowed one run on two hits over 5.2 innings.
Cleveland Indians
- The Indians have a league-high 38.6 K% so far. The offense isn’t going to get any better until Francisco Lindor returns, and even then it won’t be as powerful as last year’s version. Lindor has reportedly made plans to see an ankle specialist, which isn’t what owners want to hear.
- Hanley Ramirez hit a bomb.
- Shane Bieber came in for relief this weekend, but he’s expected to start later this week.
Colorado Rockies
- Daniel Murphy fractured his left index finger and could miss several weeks.
- Ryan McMahon is the big winner as he’ll get everyday playing time with Murphy sidelined. One would think Garret Hampson may as well, but Mark Reynolds started Sunday and may be in a platoon spot. He hit 23 home runs against RHP in 2017 as a member of the Rockies.
Detroit Tigers
- After a strong spring, Miguel Cabrera has started 2019 2-for-17.
- Spencer Turnbull struck out five over five in his debut, but took the loss as he allowed three runs on four hits. I’m intrigued, though. He was in my last spring training piece.
Houston Astros
- Collin McHugh fanned nine over five innings in Tampa Bay but took the loss.
- Josh James was a big-time sleeper candidate and still is despite his role in the bullpen.
- Ryan Pressly has value too.
Kansas City Royals
- Brad Boxberger picked up the save in the season opener.
- Ian Kennedy closed out the game Saturday on route to a save.
- Ned Yost says he likes both Kennedy and Willy Peralta as late-inning options.
- The Royals have two wins.
- Jorge Soler has five hits and five RBI after what was a good spring.
Los Angeles Angeles
- Justin Upton (toe) is expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks.
- Andrew Heaney (elbow) is scheduled to throw in 7-10 days after cortisone shot.
- Matt Harvey looked good in his Angels debut. He hit 95 mph in the first and sixth inning. He made a mistake to Khris Davis, but he only allowed four hits and two runs. Only one strikeout, though.
Los Angeles Dodgers
- The Dodgers hit 8 HR in the opener and they have 16 on the season. Seven different players have one.
- Hot start for Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson.
Miami Marlins
The Miami rotation is generating a buzz. Here’s how I have them ranked:
- Trevor Richards (worthy of 12-team roster spot)
- Caleb Smith
- Pablo Lopez
- Sandy Alcantara
- All will struggle with command, but should contribute to your ratios while generating strikeouts.
Milwaukee Brewers
- Christian Yelich homered in his first four games and has scored in each of his five contests.
- Josh Hader has eight punch-outs and zero walks in his three outings, all of which have been saves.
Minnesota Twins
- Byron Buxton has a hit in every game and only two strikeouts in 10 at-bats.
- Taylor Rogers picked up the save in the opener, but Cleveland had a string of left-handed bats at the plate. Rogers is likely leading a committee with Trevor May and Blake Parker. May still has value.
New York Mets
- Pete Alonso has a hit in every game and smashed his first home run of the season Monday. He’s 7-for-17 with five RBI and two runs.
- Jeff McNeil is getting regular at-bats, but that may not last when Jed Lowrie returns.
New York Yankees
- Giancarlo Stanton (biceps) has been shut down f0r 10 days; could miss all of April
- Miguel Andujar diagnosed with a small labrum tear; season in jeopardy.
- Aaron Hicks (back) reportedly has “still got some weeks to go” until he returns to the lineup.
- DJ LeMahieu and Brett Gardner approve.
Oakland Athletics
- Khris Davis has five home runs, nine RBI and six runs over his first seven games.
- Chad Pinder has a real chance at everyday at-bats until Matt Olson returns.
Philadelphia Phillies
- The Phillies scored 23 runs in a three-game sweep against the Braves.
- Mikael Franco has a hit in every game, including two home runs. He leads his team with 7 RBI and he’ll have plenty of chances to drive in runs.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Chris Archer spun five scoreless innings and struck out eight Cardinals.
- Joe Musgrove is expected to make his first start this week.
San Diego Padres
- Fernando Tatis Jr. hit his first career home run Monday. He has a stolen base and eight total bases in five games.
- Kiby Yates has three saves and five strikeouts already.
- Chris Paddack was great in his five innings: 1 run allowed and 7 strikeouts.
- Matt Strahm was roughed up, but I wouldn’t give up yet.
San Francisco Giants
- Madison Bumgarner allowed two runs on five hits against SD where he struck out nine over seven innings.
Seattle Mariners
- Tim Beckham, Domingo Santana, and Ryon Healy have combined for eight home runs.
- Jay Bruce has a home run in three straight games.
- Omar Narvaez is showing his top 12 catcher upside.
- Hunter Strickland is sidelined for months, which likely means a committee.
- The Mariners are 6-1 and have outscored their opponents 54-38.
St. Louis Cardinals
- Paul Goldschmidt has four home runs.
- Kolten Wong has three bombs and a hit in every game. Intriguing waiver wire add in 12-team leagues, 14 for sure.
- Michael Wacha is worth a spot on your roster as long as he’s healthy.
Tampa Bay Rays
- Yonny Chirinos allowed one run and struck out six over seven innings against the Astros. He rocked a 3.51 ERA over 89.2 innings last season.
- Diego Castillo should be rostered.
- Yandy Diaz has a hit in all five games and he’s scored four runs. He’s appealing in 14-team leagues.
Texas Rangers
- Shin-soo Choo only has two starts through four games, while Delino DeShields has started every game. Monitor closely Choo owners.
- Lance Lynn, Mike Minor and Edinson Volquez allowed a combined 17 runs in Texas’ opening series. A trend that likely continues.
Toronto Blue Jays
- Matt Shoemaker made easy work of a weak Detroit lineup: 2 hits, 0 runs and 7 strikeouts over 7 innings. He has another soft matchup this week against Baltimore.
- The Kendrys Morales trade to Oakland opens up playing time for Rowdy Tellez against RHP.
Washington Nationals
- Trea Turner has 4 SB and two home runs.
Chris Meaney is a contributor for FantraxHQ, covering fantasy football, baseball, and hockey. Chris covered NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB as a producer, writer, and host at FNTSY Sports Network. He was the lead host of the daily live shows, “Home Ice Advantage” and “Fantasy Sports Today.” Meaney has several years of radio and television experience both in the sports world and music industry. He’s written for The Athletic, Associated Press, New York Daily News, Fantasy Footballers, NBA Fantasy, Play Picks, NewCap Radio and more. You can follow him @chrismeaney.
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