Fantasy baseballWeek 7 brings us a variety of value-pick options that are widely available from the two-start pitcher lists. Monday’s picks will be led by two of these pitchers.
Alex Cobb, SP, San Francisco Giants (69.6% available for ESPN leagues): Although his last outing was a shambles (5 1/3 IP), 10 H, 7 E, and 7 ER last Tuesday), it was a forgiveable offense given that the game took place at Colorado’s Coors Field. Cobb lasted 10 1/3 innings, allowing only three runs and striking out 14 of the 39 batters (35.9%) in his previous two turns. This week’s matchups will not be easy. The first one is Monday at home against Cobb. New York Mets Cobb will face the Coors assignment on Sunday, and the second at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park on Sunday. However, Cobb’s stuff looks good enough for fantasy starter status in mixed leagues whenever he isn’t facing one. Cobb has increased his velocity on his sinker (at 94.5 mph), which is a career record for any fastball, and on his splitter (98.5 mph), which again is a career record. The latter continues to produce a lot of his swings, and misses. While his results may not have yet caught up to his raw skill, Cobb still has enough to justify being active, as long as his health is good. Since the beginning of 2021, Cobb’s main obstacle to success was his inability to stay healthy.
Tyler Anderson, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (63.3% of available): He and his Dodgers teammates have an easier schedule than their division rival Giants, despite seven of their games being on the road. The Dodgers visit Washington Nationals And Arizona DiamondbacksBoth of these teams average less than four runs per match, while the Diamondbacks have the second-most strikeout-prone offense in the majors (25.4%) of their trips to plate. Anderson, like Cobb has made subtle changes to his pitch selection which have improved his chances of hitting the ball. Anderson made adjustments to his grip earlier in the season and now it is his primary pitch (31.2% usage). It was responsible for 19 of his 34 strikesouts. In each of his previous three outings, Anderson has exceeded 80 pitches and should continue to deliver both quantity. And Quality is key to fantasy teams.
Clay Holmes, RP, New York Yankees (54.8%): He is the speculative fantasy save-getter manager must Add Week 7 to your list — remember, I don’t like casually using the word “must.” The Yankees’ regular closer, Aroldis Chapman, admitted that he had been having Achilles problems of late. This was in addition to his poor performance on Sunday. It was the fifth consecutive game where he allowed runs. This could explain Chapman’s decreased velocity and control, which are the two main reasons for his poor performance thus far. Holmes, on the other hand, has quickly risen to the top of the Yankees’ bullpen, having contributed four saves since July 2021. This Yankees have a major league-leading 29 wins thus far, and fantasy managers, of course, are aware that saves can come only in wins, and Holmes brings one of the highest-floor-plus-high-ceiling skill sets of anyone in the game. Holmes has an astonishing combination of 83.3% groundball and 26.9% strikeout rate, which is a remarkable combination. Even if Chapman is not clear before the Week 7 lineup deadline Holmes should be added to the team and given the chance to play a major role in the week ahead.
Additional Week 7 notes
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Three National League Central teams are likely to welcome new players to their rotations to replace struggling or injured starters. All three of these teams are worth rostering in any larger league than ESPN’s. Aaron Ashby (94.6%) He is a strikeout- and ground-ball rate of 28.5% in his brief career in big-league baseball. He should be a regular rotation spot for The Milwaukee Brewers For as long as Freddy Peralta (shoulder), is not included. Matthew Liberatore Although he had a disappointing big league debut on Saturday (93.2%), he still has great strikeout potential and should not be overlooked. St. Louis Cardinals If Steven Matz’s shoulder injury is of the long-term kind. Roansy Contreras After posting a combined 2.64 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 18 starts between Double and Triple-A, he seems to be more likely to join the Pittsburgh Pirates’ permanent rotation starting Tuesday.
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I forgot to mention one of the hitters in the Week 7 ForecasterBut whose team? Did Its favorable schedule earned the Cincinnati Reds’ mention Tyler Naquin He has seven multihit performances in his 12 past games (89.3%) Naquin was excluded due to his left-handedness. The team also had four games against left-handed starters. However, the Reds are now giving Naquin regular playing time regardless of platoon issues. Although he’s not their strongest option, his increased playing time, the help that the Reds’ lineup received from Joey Votto, and the fact they play all seven games at their homer-friendly ballpark make Naquin a relevant mixed-league starter.
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Adley RutschmanHis debut weekend (40.8% of which is somehow available) was a success. But he will face his greatest challenge at this level in a Monday game against the Yankees. Gerrit Cole. Don’t worry, however, because the Yankees will still need a Wednesday spot starter due to their Sunday doubleheader. Boston Red SoxRutschman’s Orioles will be hosting the Orioles this weekend. They will require an additional starter for Saturday’s doubleheader. Rutschman should be a lock for the Orioles’ unproven pitching. Everywhere Starter lineup for Week 7. St. Louis Cardinals rookie Nolan Gorman He had an impressive first weekend in the big leagues. Now, he faces a more difficult week. After he beat weak Pirates pitching, he will have to deal with some very good pitching staffs. Toronto Blue Jays Brewers. Gorman’s five games against righties is a benefit, but he’s not as appealing as the other rookies because of his penchant for strikingouts and the matchups.