With just about a week and a half remaining in the 2019 MLB regular season, you’ll notice some changes in the approach with this column. After all, if you are still alive in your league, you probably know what you are doing. So we’ll set aside the usual explanations with each player in favor of a small list of recommended players divided by category. There’s obviously some overlap with these categories, but it should be easy enough to understand. You’ll also find a bunch of streaming options for the weekend in case you are in need of late-week starting pitching help.
If you’re looking for a tiebreaker when determining potential pickups, keep the upcoming schedule in mind. I’ve done that work for you below, showing each team’s schedule beginning on Friday. The Athletics and Brewers stand out the most to me, for what it’s worth. Try to get a part of those matchups. Until next time, good luck.
[[ad:athena]]
Have specific questions about your roster? Ask @djshort on Twitter.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
NYY: 8 games - 3 vs. TOR, 2 at TB, 3 at TEX
TB: 9 games - 4 vs. BOS, 2 vs. NYY, 3 at TOR
BOS: 10 games - 4 at TB, 3 at TEX, 3 vs. BAL
TOR: 9 games - 3 at NYY, 3 vs. BAL, 3 vs. TB
BAL: 9 games - 3 vs. SEA, 3 at TOR, 3 at BOS
MIN: 10 games - 4 vs. KC, 3 at DET, 3 at KC
CLE: 9 games - 3 vs. PHI, 3 at CHW, 3 at WAS
CHW: 10 games - 3 at DET, 3 vs. CLE, 4 vs. DET
KC: 9 games - 4 at MIN, 2 vs. ATL, 3 vs. MIN
DET: 10 games - 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. MIN, 4 at CHW
HOU: 9 games - 3 vs. LAA, 2 at SEA, 4 at LAA
OAK: 9 games - 3 vs. TEX, 2 at LAA, 4 at SEA
TEX: 9 games - 3 at OAK, 3 vs. BOS, 3 vs. NYY
LAA: 9 games - 3 at HOU, 2 vs. OAK, 4 vs. HOU
SEA: 9 games - 3 at BAL, 2 vs. HOU, 4 vs. OAK
NATIONAL LEAGUE
ATL: 8 games - 3 vs. SF, 2 at KC, 3 at NYM
WAS: 11 games - 3 at MIA, 5 vs. PHI, 3 vs. CLE
PHI: 11 games - 3 at CLE, 5 at WAS, 3 vs. MIA
NYM: 10 games - 3 at CIN, 4 vs. MIA, 3 vs. ATL
MIA: 10 games - 3 vs. WAS, 4 at NYM, 3 at PHI
STL: 9 games - 3 at CHC, 3 at AZ, 3 vs. CHC
MIL: 9 games - 3 vs. PIT, 3 at CIN, 3 at COL
CHC: 9 games - 3 vs. STL, 3 at PIT, 3 at STL
CIN: 9 games - 3 vs. NYM, 3 vs. MIL, 3 at PIT
PIT: 9 games - 3 at MIL, 3 vs. CHC, 3 vs. CIN
LAD: 9 games - 3 vs. COL, 3 at SD, 3 at SF
AZ: 9 games - 3 at SD, 3 vs. STL, 3 vs. SD
SF: 9 games - 3 at ATL, 3 vs. COL, 3 vs. LAD
SD: 9 games - 3 vs. AZ, 3 vs. LAD, 3 at AZ
COL: 9 games - 3 at LAD, 3 at SF, 3 vs. MIL
MIXED LEAGUE PICKUPS:
(Players rostered in under 50 percent of Yahoo leagues)
Note: Percentages are from the morning of September 19th
Power: Kole Calhoun, Brandon Nimmo, Starlin Castro, Randal Grichuk, Kyle Tucker, Eric Thames, Avisail Garcia, Trent Grisham, Todd Frazier, Mark Canha, Sean Murphy, Mike Yastrzemski
Speed: Kolten Wong, Garrett Hampson, Harrison Bader, Magneuris Sierra, Victor Reyes, Tim Locastro, Kevin Newman, Greg Allen
Multi-position eligible players: Nick Solak, Tommy Edman, Austin Nola, Ryan McMahon, Cavan Biggio, Scott Kingery, Jurickson Profar, Robinson Cano, David Fletcher, Asdrubal Cabrera, Adam Frazier, Gavin Lux, Howie Kendrick, Wilmer Flores
Saves: Jairo Diaz, Joe Jimenez, Seth Lugo, Justin Wilson, Keone Kela, Jose Urena, Shaun Anderson, Anthony Bass, Drew Pomeranz, Nick Wittgren
Editor’s Note: Stay ahead of the competition from wire to wire with rankings, customizable projections, trade evaluator, exclusive columns and more in our Season Pass. And start using optimized lineups on Yahoo!, DraftKings and FanDuel with our DFS Toolkit!
Suitable Streamers:
FRIDAY
Dylan Cease SP, White Sox (Yahoo: 14 percent rostered) at Tigers
Anibal Sanchez SP, Nationals (Yahoo: 42 percent rostered) vs. Giants at home
Cease struck out 12 batters against the Indians earlier this month before tossing five innings of one-run ball against Cleveland last time out. There’s blowup potential here, but the Tigers are a great matchup. Sanchez has been great in his last two starts and should be rostered pretty much everywhere at this point, especially with this great matchup.
SATURDAY
Anthony DeSclafani SP, Reds (Yahoo: 41 percent rostered) vs. Mets at home
Zach Plesac SP, Indians (Yahoo: 35 percent rostered) vs. Phillies at home
Johnny Cueto SP, Braves (Yahoo: 49 percent rostered) at Braves
DeSclafani has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five out of his last six starts, so don’t let him sit on the wire. Plesac will be back in action after getting some extra rest following his first career shutout against the Angels on September 10. Cueto has been great over his first two starts, so he’s worth a shot here, even with a tougher matchup on tap.
SUNDAY
John Means SP, Orioles (Yahoo: 49 percent rostered) vs. Mariners at home
Reynaldo Lopez SP, White Sox (Yahoo: 22 percent rostered) at Tigers
Tanner Roark SP, Athletics (Yahoo: 38 percent rostered) vs. Rangers at home
Garrett Richards SP, Padres (Yahoo: 2 percent rostered) vs. Diamondbacks at home
Brandon Woodruff SP, Brewers (Yahoo: 48 percent rostered) vs. Pirates at home
Austin Voth, SP Nationals (Yahoo: 3 percent rostered) vs. Giants at home
Sunday is an interesting day for streaming. Means disappointed in a cozy matchup against the Tigers on Monday, but stick with him here. Lopez offers plenty of upside and you have to love the matchup even with the inherent risk involved. While Roark has allowed nine runs over his last two starts, he’s been very solid during his time with the A’s. Richards and Woodruff aren’t going to work deep into their respective starts, but perhaps they can help with strikeouts. Voth is more of a desperation play, but he’s been pretty good in his limited time this year and gets a weak offense in a great venue.
