Only a few short weeks until we draw the regular fantasy baseball season to a close. It seems like just yesterday I began this journey with you all, and what a great ride it has been. I want to thank everyone for this opportunity to bring you some fantasy starting pitcher input all season long. Now let's get to the 2019 Fantasy Baseball Week 23 Pitching Planner.
The standings seem to have the same teams at the top as it's been since the All-Star break. The only exception is the St. Louis Cardinals holding a 2.5 game lead over the Cubs in the NL Central. This is still the most competitive division, with all teams separated by just 17 games.
The longest active win-streaks in baseball are by the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers, at six and four games respectively.
The Colorado Rockies have the worst losing streak in baseball at nine games in a row...very poor. Ripe for the picking to target starters against!
I like what Arizona has been putting together - they recently won their series against the Giants, Padres, and Dodgers and don't show signs of stopping.
Hot Teams (8-2 or better over the last 10)
New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks
Not Teams (2-8 or worse over the last 10)
Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies
Golden Rosin Bag
This week's winner comes from our nation's capital. Stephen Strasburg has been superb of late. In 14 innings pitched he has 21 strikeouts with a 0.71 WHIP and an ERA under 2. Congratulations Stephen on a job very well done.
2019 Fantasy Baseball Week 23 Pitching Planner
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Two Start Pitchers
| Pitcher | Start 1 | Start 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Shane Bieber, CLE | @ LAA | vs MIN |
| Charlie Morton, TB | @ TEX | @ LAA |
| Jacob deGrom, NYM | vs ARI | vs LAD |
| Aaron Nola, PHI | vs ATL | vs BOS |
| Zack Greinke, HOU | vs OAK | @ KC |
| Jose Berrios, MIN | vs WAS | @ CLE |
| James Paxton, NYY | @ BOS | @ TOR |
| Madison Bumgarner, SF | vs PIT | vs MIA |
| Wade Miley, HOU | vs OAK | @ KC |
| Jose Quintana, CHC | @ SD | vs PIT |
| Max Fried, ATL | @ PHI | @ WAS |
| Lance Lynn, TEX | vs TB | vs OAK |
| Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS | vs NYY | @ PHI |
| Trevor Bauer, CIN | @ SEA | @ ARI |
| Jon Lester, CHC | @ SD | vs PIT |
| Zack Wheeler, NYM | vs ARI | vs LAD |
| Kenta Maeda, LAD | @ BAL | @ NYM |
| Chris Paddack, SD | vs CHC | @ COL |
| Zac Gallen, ARI | @ NYM | vs CIN |
| Mike Foltynewicz, ATL | @ PHI | @ WAS |
| Tanner Roark, OAK | @ HOU | @ TEX |
| Anibal Sanchez, WAS | @ MIN | vs ATL |
| Jordan Lyles, MIL | @ MIA | @ STL |
| John Means, BAL | vs LAA | @ DET |
| Trevor Williams, PIT | @ SF | @ CHC |
| Cal Quantrill, SD | vs CHC | @ COL |
| Jake Junis, KC | @ CHW | vs HOU |
| Brett Anderson, OAK | @ HOU | @ TEX |
| Chase Anderson, MIL | @ MIA | @ STL |
| Merrill Kelly, ARI | @ NYM | vs CIN |
| Ivan Nova, CHW | vs KC | @ SEA |
| Michael Wacha, STL | @ COL | vs MIL |
| Logan Webb, SF | vs PIT | vs MIA |
| Elieser Hernandez, MIA | vs MIL | @ SF |
| Patrick Sandoval, LAA | vs CLE | vs TBD |
| Dario Agrazal, PIT | @ SF | @ CHC |
| Felix Hernandez, SEA | vs CIN | vs CHW |
| Robert Dugger, MIA | vs MIL | vs SF |
| Edwin Jackson, DET | TBD | vs BAL |
| Chi Chi Gonzalez, COL | vs STL | vs SD |
Madison Bumgarner is my start of the week. I like both of his matchups at home and expect big things.
Charlie Morton also has a nice week ahead, facing two struggling teams on the road.
I also think Zack Greinke redeems himself this week...
The Rockies have a long home-stand and their starters should be avoided.
Starters To Target
Reynaldo Lopez, Chicago White Sox
Coming off an 11 strikeout performance, I really liked what I say from Lopez. He also gets the Royals at home and after his complete-game domination of the Indians, I am rolling with him while he's hot.
Ivan Nova, Chicago White Sox
I think Nova has the best two matchups of Week 23. He takes on the Kansas City Royals at home and the Seattle Mariners on the road. Granted, he hasn't won in three straight starts. However, before then he did win six-in-a-row and he does have the potential for two wins here. The Royals and Mariners are awful and have shown that exceptionally well recently. As a flyer, you could do worse.
Trevor Williams, Pittsburgh Pirates
He gets the Giants and Cubs on the road. He has had three solid starts in a row and is going against teams with struggling offenses. I'm rolling with him for Week 23.
Anthony DeSclafani, Cincinnati Reds
He has been pitching well lately and putting up good peripheral numbers. Set to take on the Diamondbacks on the road, though I like the matchups there.
Starters To Avoid
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies
He is a stud. However, he struggled his last time out and he gets two tough opponents. I know it's tough to sit him, but I think it is a wise move.
Matt Boyd, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers stink. Period. Boyd has struggled with command lately and I don't have a good feeling about the week ahead.
Kyle Hendricks/Jose Quintana/Cole Hamels, Chicago Cubs
What is going on with Cubs starters? The team can't give run support and the team has been struggling mightily over the past few weeks. I'm proceeding with caution with my Cubs pitchers for this week, and you should too.
A Little Relief...
Check out what Junior Guerra has been doing lately. He has four saves+holds over the past couple of weeks with one win, and a K/9 over 10 over that span. To add to that, he doesn't have a day off until September 23rd and he gets plenty of favorable matchups along that stretch. Add where you can!
Check out the rest of our 2019 Fantasy Baseball content from our great team of writers.
