Fantasy baseball pitcher rankings, lineup advice for Tuesday’s MLB games
Note: This file will be updated with any overnight pitching changes or weather-related game postponements, along with the addition of the latest MLB game odds as of the indicated time of publication.
By Derek Carty
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Jose Quintana (36% rostered) projects as the fifth-best pitcher on the slate today, ahead even of certain aces like Brandon Woodruff and Dylan Cease. His matchup against the Rockies is fantastic, facing a weak offense that is taking a massive park hit. He’s pretty widely available and the best streaming option of the day.
If Quintana isn’t available, take a look for Zach Plesac (46%), Patrick Corbin (34%), Justin Steele (10%), or Nick Pivetta (45%). All are in good spots and are worthwhile pickups for those in need of starts. • Taijuan Walker is rostered in most leagues (85%), but if he’s on your roster, you should strongly consider benching him today. He gets a big park downgrade going from Citi Field into Truist, and he faces one of baseball’s elite offenses in the Atlanta Braves. Throw in a strong opposing pitcher (Charlie Morton), 82-degree heat, and a bit of wind blowing out to center, and you have a spot you should avoid.
Offense is somewhat lacking on today’s slate, with THE BAT X only projecting 4 offenses to score 5+ runs, but the top offense has quite a few widely-available pieces. The Seattle Mariners get a big park upgrade (particularly in terms of home runs) and face a weak lefty in Jose Suarez. Eugenio Suarez (57%) is a fantastic home run speculation if he’s available. Carlos Santana (43%), Dylan Moore (sub-1%), Cal Raleigh (4%), and Sam Haggerty (2%) are all also viable choices.
If you’re looking for speed, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a strong matchup against Nick Pivetta (and likely Kevin Plawecki). Oneil Cruz (35%) and Greg Allen (sub-1%) both project in the top 3 for steals today, according to THE BAT X.
It’s not too late to start another free fantasy baseball league. Leagues drafted this week will start scoring fresh the following Monday.
Pitchers are ranked in order of their Forecaster/Daily Notes projected fantasy points, using ESPN’s standard scoring system (5 points per win, minus-5 per loss, 3 per inning, 1 per K, minus-1 apiece per hit or walk allowed, minus-2 per earned run allowed).
T: The pitcher’s handedness. OPP: Opposing team. ML: Caesars Money Line. O/U: Caesars Over/Under for runs scored. W%: Starting pitcher’s win probability. For the projected stat line, IP is innings pitched, ER is earned runs allowed, BR is baserunners allowed and K is strikeouts.
If a team is planning on using an “opener” to start their game, but will rely on a “bulk pitcher” to follow him on the mound after 1-2 innings, we will list the bulk pitcher and indicate with an asterisk.
Jake Fraley (CIN, LF — 0%) vs. Kyle Gibson
Bryson Stott (PHI, SS — 5%) at T.J. Zeuch
Alec Bohm (PHI, 3B — 45%) at Zeuch
Oneil Cruz (PIT, SS — 37%) vs. Nick Pivetta
Eric Hosmer (BOS, 1B — 46%) at Mitch Keller
Jose Miranda (MIN, 3B — 41%) vs. Zack Greinke
Ben Gamel (PIT, LF — 2%) vs. Pivetta
Vinnie Pasquantino (KC, 1B — 9%) at Sonny Gray
Matt Vierling (PHI, CF — 0%) at Zeuch
Kevin Newman (PIT, SS — 1%) vs. Pivetta
Ryan McMahon (COL, 3B — 63%) at Jose Quintana
Chris Taylor (LAD, CF — 61%) at Brandon Woodruff
Cody Bellinger (LAD, CF — 93%) at Woodruff
Jared Walsh (LAA, 1B — 69%) vs. Robbie Ray
Eduardo Escobar (NYM, 2B — 57%) at Charlie Morton
Brandon Lowe (TB, 2B — 86%) at Nestor Cortes
Yasmani Grandal (CHW, C — 57%) vs. Justin Verlander
Jeremy Pena (HOU, SS — 51%) at Dylan Cease
Gavin Lux (LAD, SS — 72%) at Woodruff
Christian Vazquez (HOU, C — 60%) at Cease
Best and worst hitters from the day are generated by THE BAT X, a projection system created by Derek Carty using advanced methods like those used in MLB front offices, accounting for a variety of factors including player talent, ballparks, bullpens, weather, umpires, defense, catcher pitch-framing, and lots more.