First off, I would like to apologize about my absence last week. When people warn you that the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccination knocks you out, they’re not lying to you. Anyhow, since we didn’t have Week 6 results to go off of, I included the last 14 day statistics and results for our Week 5 suggestions. If we would have just done Week 5 our results would have looked much better than they do over the two week period. Brandon Belt was our big winner and the likes of Taylor Widener didn’t ever get a chance to pitch as he went to the IL before his first scheduled start in Week 5.
Each week, Nate will field a hypothetical fantasy baseball lineup consisting of players owned in less than 40-percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues. There will be no goal points to reach as the lineup will not be a complete fantasy baseball lineup as Nate will use and suggest one C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, SP and RP. He will compete with himself week-to-week to see how he performs. You can find the most previous week’s results below in future editions and then previous weeks at the bottom of the article.
As you’ll have in fantasy baseball, Omar Narvaez was nagged with injury and only saw 17 plate appearances over the last 14 days. Belt, as previously mentioned, was our big winner of the last two weeks as he hit four homers and 12 RBIs, including a grand slam, over the last two weeks. Jurickson Profar swiped just one bag for us and Mikael Franco had just one homerun. Nick Maton lost his starting spot with the team due to the return of Jean Segura and Justin Upton may be washed up after all. Widener hit the injured list before he pitched and Jeffery Springs recorded a save in eight innings of work.
Week 5-6 Results
Omar Narvaez, C, Milwaukee Brewers - 6/17, 6 H, 1 1B & 1 2B (23.4 points)
Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants - 10/42, 10 H, 6 1B, 4 HR & 12 RBI (117.9 points)
Jurickson Profar, 2B/OF, San Diego Padres - 6/31, 6 H, 5 1B, 1 HR, 3 RBI & 1 SB (49.4 points)
Mikael Franco, 3B, Baltimore Orioles - 7/49, 7 H, 4 1B, 2 2B, 1 HR & 3 RBI (47.8 points)
Nick Maton, SS, Philadelphia Phillies - 9/41, 9 H, 6 1B, 3 2B & 1 RBI (42.1 points)
Justin Upton, OF, Los Angeles Angels - 6/33, 6 H, 4 1B, 2 HR, 2 RBI & 1 SB (53.4 points)
Taylor Widener, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks - Injured List (0 points)
Jeffrey Springs, RP, Tampa Bay Rays - 8 IP, 2 W, 1 SV, 8 K & 2 ER (50.5 points)
Week 7 Suggestions
Catcher
Tucker Barnhart, C, Cincinnati Reds - Owned in 30% of Yahoo and 22.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Games: (3) @PIT & (4) @COL
First off, the Reds are one of nine teams this week that have a game every single day. Therefore, we can expect Barnhart to play upwards of five games in this scoring week, which is already a leg up for streaming fantasy catchers. Tyler Stephenson (owned in 4% of Yahoo and 2.9% of ESPN leagues) is out playing Barnhart and should ideally get more playing time. The reason I’m mentioning Barnhart however is because if the schedule is to hold true, the Reds could see a right hander opposing pitcher every day, which favors Barnhart in playing time.
First Base
Hunter Dozier, 1B/3B/OF, Kansas City Royals - Owned in 41% of Yahoo and 43% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Games: (3) @DET & (4) @CWS
Alright, I know I’m breaking my 40-percent owned guideline here, but hey, I make the rules and it’s close enough for me. Dozier is finally getting things going after a slow start to the season. He’s currently hitting .313 over the last 14 days and has four homers and eight RBIs in that same time span. He had just one homerun and six RBIs going into the last two weeks. As he gets going and is eligible in three positions on both Yahoo and ESPN, he’s a must add in my books.
Second Base
Niko Goodrum, SS/2B, Detroit Tigers - Owned in 9% of Yahoo and 4.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Games: (3) vs. KC & (3) vs. CHC
Goodrum is another player finding some form after a slow start to the season. Over his last five outings for the Tigers, he’s hitting .381, despite hitting .242 on the season. He’s good for a few stolen bases as well as he has stolen three bags over the last two weeks. If he can continue to improve that batting average and if the last five games are any indication, you’re getting yourself one heck of a middle infielder here.
Third Base
Marwin Gonzalez, 3B/1B/2B - Owned in 4% of Yahoo and 6.1% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Games: (1) @BAL, (3) vs. OAK & (2) vs. LAA
Kiko Herndanez has hit the injured list and that frees up a spot atop the Red Sox lineup. Cora has stated that when the Red Sox play right handed pitchers, Gonzalez will be the team’s lead off hitter. I love being able to add leadoff hitters off the waiver wire when I get the chance, especially for a team that currently leads the AL East.
Shortstop
Brandon Crawford, SS, San Francisco Giants - Owned in 12% of Yahoo and 10.9% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Games: (2) vs. TEX & (4) @PIT
In one of the more surprising storylines to start the MLB season, the Giants are one of the best teams in the league. I know, I felt weird typing that. Anyhow, behind them is veteran bats such as Crawford. The veteran shortstop has taken a step back in time with his seven home runs thus far this season. A year ago he hit just eight in 56 games. That tells you something about how well he’s playing. Heck, the 32-year-old has also stolen three bases. The Giants don’t seem to be a fluke so might as well ride the wave.
Outfield
Austin Hays, OF, Baltimore Orioles - Owned in 18% of Yahoo and 56.5% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Games: (1) vs. BOS, (2) @ NYM & (3) vs. NYY
I’m not sure why there’s such a big difference of ownership between Yahoo and ESPN leagues, but because the Yahoo amount is so low, I think he qualifies for this week’s article. He’s hitting just shy of .280 over the last two weeks and has scored 12 runs. He has four homers and 10 RBIs as well. As the Orioles continue to play some decent baseball, Hays will be in the middle of their success.
Starting Pitcher
Casey Mize, SP, Detroit Tigers - Owned in 16% of Yahoo and 16.6% of ESPN leagues
Next Start: May 12 vs. KC
Mize is my starting pitcher this week due to him being scheduled to start two games during this scoring week. He hasn’t had the best of luck to start the season with his 4.41 ERA but let’s not forget that he is one of the best pitching prospects in the league. He has elite stuff and with experience, he’ll prove that.
Relief Pitcher
Sam Coonrad, RP, Philadelphia Phillies - Owned in 11% of Yahoo and 3.9% of ESPN leagues
Week 7 Games: (3) @WAS & (3) @TOR
The Phillies’ bullpen is actually much improved from a season ago, but that isn’t saying much. They still lack a closer as Hector Nerris blew his latest save against the Braves on Saturday with a two run lead. Jose Alvarado is effective when he’s accurate which is not often. In steps the hard throwing Coonrad who has recorded two saves for the Phillies recently, including a five out save. By default, he may see more chances for the NL East leading Phillies.
Previous Results
Week 3: 355.2 points
Week 4: 292.6 points
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