A few short weeks ago, we had to update our prior understanding of some league-wide factors affecting our dumb little fantasy game. This week, with every team crossing the half-season mark and the All-Star break bearing down on us, let’s get some housekeeping in order for the second half of the season. These two factors might not have a great impact on waiver wire strategies, but it certainly will impact trade targets and overall roster management.
First, now is the time to examine the rest-of-season strength of schedule (SOS) across the league, and I like this handy tool from Tankathon. Not only do we get to see overall winning percentages, but you also have a convenient way to view what the schedule holds for each team by toughest and easiest opponents.
Here are some of my takeaways:
- Woof, Rays and Marlins pitchers. Not only are wins going to be harder to come by with those difficult remaining SOS (.534 and .513, respectively), but the opponent schedules are equally brutal. It makes sense with both teams facing juggernaut offenses in their respective Easts, but time to start fading Tampa and Miami starters hard.
- On the flip side, consider investing in Texas, Baltimore, and Seattle pitchers. Not only do those teams face some of the easier remaining schedules, but each of those three have plenty of games remaining against some of the feeblest lineups out there (that will be weaker post-trade deadline) – Chicago (AL), Colorado, Los Angeles (AL), Miami, and Oakland.
The second consideration for the other side of the All-Star game is that teams get to reset their starting rotations with the rest days. Given the avalanche of pitching injuries that have flooded every team, there are a lot of chaotic rotations out there with four-man rotations abound on RosterResource and the progressions all twisted up. The reset at the break will allow teams to mostly get back to their one through five ordering of the rotations, which should garner more appearances for the #1 to #3 starters. It might not sound like much, but I’ve played in plenty of leagues previously and am battling in plenty now where just a start or two makes all the difference in the roto standings, especially when they’re coming from your best fantasy pitchers. Start prioritizing front-of-rotation starters in your trade evaluations because the All-Star break shake up can yield big dividends.
Alright, let’s get into the main show now, Razzballers!
The stats and ownership percentages below are updated as of noon central time on 6/28.
As always, if you want advice on specific roster decisions you might have, feel free to leave a comment. You can also find me on twitter (X) (@mcouill7) and bluesky (@mcouill7.bsky.social).
CATCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Patrick Bailey (SFG, 41% CBS Ownership) – Bailey has developed his game from being a defense-first (only?) catcher to a well-rounded, foundational franchise piece in San Francisco. With his recent efforts, he finally broke free of the red on our Player Rater, and keep in mind, the switch-hitting backstop has missed time due to injury including a gnarly concussion. Given his crimson draped Savant page, I’m comfortable considering Bailey a top ten catcher rest-of-way. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Mitch Garver (SEA, 35% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ben Rice (C/1B, NYY, 34% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Bo Naylor (CLE, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Keibert Ruiz (WSN, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Hunter Goodman (C/OF, COL, 19% CBS Ownership) – If Goodman has catcher eligibility in your league (which he should, he’s started six games and played eight there this season as of writing this), no matter the size, he needs to be owned for this upcoming week. Not only do the Rockies have a slate of seven home games, but Goodman is drawing regular playing time at DH and catcher. Even better news in a sadistic way, Elias Diaz is still at least a week from returning, so there aren’t significant concerns about Goodman getting at least one more week of run. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Ivan Herrera (STL, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Korey Lee (CHW, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ben Rortvedt (TBR, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Miguel Amaya (CHC, 3% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
INFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Spencer Horwitz (2B, TOR, 23% CBS Ownership) – Last season, I felt crazy suggesting Horwitz for pick up throughout the 15 Team and AL-Only section but never getting the payoff. He was 25 years old and raking in Triple-A; it just seemed like the Blue Jays couldn’t continue holding him down. Well, maybe I was a year early, much to Horwitz’s chagrin as he stands little-to-no chance at cashing in on free agency ever. The now 26-year-old is filling the left-handed masher role Daniel Vogelbach was meant to play, at a middle infield spot to boot. Although a .359 BABIP is fueling Horwitz’s current .340/.483/.511 line, a 26.8% line drive rate and Savant page that’s about to come up all red deserves an inflated BABIP. No one is coming for Spencer’s job whether Toronto sells or not, so feel comfortable making an investment that can start at 2B or MI for your fantasy team till the end of September. (3-5% FAAB)
Coby Mayo (3B, BAL, 34% CBS Ownership) – Since returning from injury June 13, Mayo has slashed .444/.519/1.044 with seven bombs in Triple-A. Over the same span, Ramon Urias has slashed .219/.242/.375 with one bomb at the majors. The move to Mayo seems like it could happen at any moment right now. If he’s hanging out in your free agent pool, the days of dragging your feet to pick him up are limited. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Carlos Santana (1B, MIN, 47% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Zach Neto (SS, LAA, 44% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Luis Garcia (2B, WSN, 38% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Tyler Freeman (3B/MI/OF, CLE, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jose Miranda (3B, MIN, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Colt Keith (2B/3B, DET, 35% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL, 18% CBS Ownership) – I know I harp on the Rockies’ homestands here a lot, but the allure of seven games in Coors Field, where Rodgers sports a career .300/.352/.455 slash line, is just too compelling. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jorge Mateo (2B/SS, BAL, 17% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Massey (2B, KCR, 16% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Wenceel Perez (2B/OF, DET, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Mauricio Dubon (1B/2B/OF, HOU, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tyler Black (1B/3B, MIL, 15% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Michael Toglia (1B/OF, COL, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Brett Wisely (2B/SS, SFG, 11% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Daniel Schneemann (SS/OF, CLE, 7% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Gio Urshela (1B/3B, DET, 7% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Xavier Edwards (2B, MIA, 2% CBS Ownership) – One has to wonder how much longer the Marlins roll Tim Anderson out with his .221/.245/.234 (35 wRC+) slash line and let the kids play. Edwards is biding his time in Triple-A, waiting his opportunity to slap dick full-time in the majors. The 24-year-old should be able to produce a league-average wRC+, hit .270-ish, and provide speed with no power when he’s gifted an opportunity finally. (1-3% FAAB)
Zach McKinstry (2B/3B/SS/OF, DET, 1% CBS Ownership) – McKinstry continues to occupy a strong-side platoon while Javy Baez is shelved, which should continue into mid-to-late July. While McKinstry’s June batting average has been lacking (.213 in 47 at-bats), he’s provided two homers and steals apiece while offering sooooo many eligibilities that he’s a crucial AL-Only lineup salve. (3-5% FAAB)
OUTFIELDERS
10/12 Team Adds
Charlie Blackmon (COL, 25% CBS Ownership) – Blackmon should be back in time from his mild hamstring strain to get in on the Coors Field action with Goodman and Rodgers next week. (3-5% FAAB)
Tommy Pham (CHW, 22% CBS Ownership) – Yeah, you knew he would be here, right? Pham’s name has been permanently burnt into my computer screen at this point. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Brandon Marsh (PHI, 47% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Michael Conforto (SFG, 47% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jacob Young (WSN, 36% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Lars Nootbaar (STL, 36% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jake Fraley (CIN, 31% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Joey Loperfido (HOU, 27% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Chas McCormick (HOU, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Miguel Andujar (OAK, 26% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
Harrison Bader (NYM, 20% CBS Ownership) – Hopefully you heeded my advice recently suggesting Bader as a pick-up because he’s hit .268 with four homers and three steals over the last month, accruing $12.6 of value in our Last 30 Days Player Rater. He’s on pace now for a .270-ish average, 12 homers, and 23 stolen bases – that’s a steady 12-team outfielder and stalwart for a deeper league. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Luke Raley (1B/OF, SEA, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Meyers (HOU, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Blake Perkins (MIL, 19% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jhonkensy Noel (CLE, 18% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), LaMonte Wade (1B/OF, SFG, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Andrew McCutchen (PIT, 13% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Luis Matos (SFG, 11% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Richie Palacios (2B/OF, TBR, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Jake Bauers (1B/OF, MIL, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Ramon Laureano (ATL, 2% CBS Ownership) – Ah, the annual tradition of Atlanta benefitting from the dead cat bounce of a veteran outfielder continues. Laureano is now receiving a full-time share of plate appearances as the 35-year-old Adam Duvall looks rather cooked, hitting a paltry .117 in 77 June at-bats. Laureano is hitting .257 with Atlanta so far, and it’s not hard to expect something akin to a .240 average with solid counting numbers while Michael Harris II is shelved. That might be enough for Ramon to secure the empty outfield spot Ronald Acuna’s injury opened for rest-of-season. (7% FAAB)
Steward Berroa (TOR, 0% CBS Ownership) – Despite drubbing Carlos Rodon and the Yankees on Thursday, the Blue Jays are slipping further away from playoff contention, now 13.5 back in the AL East and 6.5 back from the third Wild Card spot. There will be players dealt from the major-league roster to re-tool for 2025, it’s just a matter of time. Berroa is a sneaky stolen base play as he’s swiped 29 bags with a .295 average at Triple-A Buffalo this season. I’ll readily admit this is maybe more of a “watch-and-see” move as opposed to an immediate pickup, but Berroa is on the 40-man roster and can be summoned at any moment. (1% FAAB)
STARTING PITCHERS
10/12 Team Adds
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN, 40% CBS Ownership) – This is a week of landmines throughout the available two-start pitchers, so I highly suggest you tune back in tomorrow afternoon for the Two Start Cookie Shop for the full rankings and analysis. Woods Richardson has probably the most enticing pair of outings available to acquire with home matchups against Detroit and Houston. The Minnesota 23-year-old is always going to be an up-and-down pitcher so long as he sports a sub-40% groundball-rate that leaves him at the mercy of Rob Manfred’s batch of balls of the week. But if Woods Richardson can maintain his 23.6% K-rate from June, you can live with the occasional longball as he might be the best source of punchouts on waiver wires. (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Mitchell Parker (WSN, 50% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Dean Kremer (BAL, 49% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Alec Marsh (KCR, 40% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Jeffrey Springs (TBR, 39% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Tylor Megill (NYM, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), DJ Herz (WSN, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cade Povich (BAL, 32% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Drew Thorpe (CHW, 32% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
David Festa (MIN, 20% CBS Ownership) – Festa’s debut against Arizona was a bit shaky this week, allowing five runs in five innings while fanning just two but providing a glorious win thanks to the Twins pounding Jordan Montgomery. However, I’ll give Festa a pass as I’m sure his nerves were all over the place in his MLB debut; plus, both Stuff+ and Pitching Bot have the rookie’s fastball and slider each at average or slightly above. In a deep league, be aggressive with a Festa bid because he likely sticks in the rotation rest of the way. The Minnesota right-hander also warrants addition in shallow leagues out there, warranting a 3-5% bid in 12-team leagues. (7-9% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jonathan Cannon (CHW, 19% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Landon Knack (LAD, 18% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Carson Spiers (CIN, 15% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Yariel Rodriguez (TOR, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hayden Birdsong (SFG, 9% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Randy Vasquez (SDP, 5% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Hayden Wesneski (CHC, 6% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB)
Only Team Adds
Yonny Chirinos (MIA, 3% CBS Ownership) – Between injuries and the looming sell off, Chirinos looks ready to stick in the Miami rotation for good. The 30-year-old has been surprisingly solid in his first two starts, producing a 2.70 ERA, 3.16 FIP and 25.6% K-rate over 10 innings. I don’t think the strikeouts will carry forward as Chirinos entered 2024 with a career 19.1% K-rate, but hey, the Marlins have become a pitching factory, so maybe there’s some upside because his slider looks re-tooled, flashing a 157 Stuff+ after being below average after previously. (7% FAAB)
A.J. Blubaugh (HOU, 1% CBS Ownership) – Houston currently sports a four-man rotation with injuries abound and Justin Verlander nowhere near returning. The Astros have to bring up a fifth starter just to provide some relief to a taxed bullpen as they have only one off day before the All-Star break. Blubaugh has been relatively steady at Triple-A in June, firing a 2.42 ERA across 26 innings with a 19:11 K:BB ratio. I have to think he’s the one that receives that call as Houston can easily move Jake Bloss to the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man roster spot. (3% FAAB)
RELIEVERS
10/12 Team Adds
Hector Neris (CHC, 46% CBS Ownership) – I get that things have been a little rough for Neris lately as sporting equal K and BB-rates finally caught up to him. The Cubs have been deservingly playing like a last place team and limiting the save chances available for Neris, but here’s to hoping that cold spell is ending. In addition, Mark Leiter’s forearm injury could be significant, solidifying Neris’ role as closer. (3% FAAB)
Jeff Hoffman (PHI, 35% CBS Ownership) – Which leagues out there have a reliever with producing a 1.31 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and five saves over 34.1 innings on their waiver wire, and can I join them? (3-5% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Reed Garrett (NYM, 37% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Griffin Jax (MIN, 33% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Aroldis Chapman (PIT, 31% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Daniel Hudson (LAD, 27% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Chad Green (TOR, 25% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Bryan Hudson (MIL, 25% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ryne Stanek (SEA, 23% CBS Ownership, 3% FAAB), Jason Adam (TBR, 20% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
15 Team Adds
John Brebbia (CHW, 4% CBS Ownership) – Brebbia has found his groove in June, tossing a 1.54 ERA with 17 Ks over 11.2 innings. The White Sox need to capitalize on any value they can juice from Michael Kopech at the deadline. Brebbia might already be the closer and might be firmly planted in the role over the next few weeks. (3% FAAB)
QUICK HITS: Jeremiah Estrada (SDP, 18% CBS Ownership, 1-3% FAAB), Luke Weaver (NYY, 16% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Cade Smith (CLE, 14% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Blake Treinen (LAD, 10% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Ben Joyce (LAA, 4% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB), Porter Hodge (CHC, 1% CBS Ownership, 1% FAAB)
