Welcome to the 2022 Fantasy Baseball Week 3 Pitching Planner.
Every Saturday of the MLB regular season, the Fantasy Baseball Pitching Planner takes a look at the upcoming SP landscape for the week ahead.
I will look to answer some of the questions regarding which hurlers to start, sit, or stream.
A ranking of low-owned (under 50%), two-start options that may be worthwhile acquiring off the waiver wire leads things off.
The first two guys have really made an impression on me so far in the young season. I highly recommend them if needed.
2022 Fantasy Baseball Week 3 Pitching Planner (April 25 - May 1)
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Two-Start Waiver Options
*** Ownership Percentages based on Yahoo! Leagues as of April 22 ***
| SP | Start 1 | Start 2 | Rostered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles Mikolas (STL) | vs NYM | vs ARI | 37% |
| Michael Lorenzen (LAA) | vs CLE | at CWS | 16% |
| Jordan Hicks (STL) | vs NYM | vs ARI | 24% |
| Mitch Keller (PIT) | vs MIL | vs SD | 4% |
| Zach Eflin (PHI) | vs COL | at NYM | 22% |
| Daniel Lynch (KC) | at CWS | vs NYY | 2% |
| Josh Fleming (TB) | vs SEA | vs MIN | 4% |
| Dane Dunning (TEX) | vs HOU | vs ATL | 6% |
Start ‘em
Bailey Ober, Minnesota Twins – vs Detroit Tigers
Ober has been quite impressive in back-to-back showdowns with the Red Sox and White Sox respectively. That is not simply a walk down easy street, but the towering hurler has made it look like it.
Combined between those last two starts, Ober gave up only one run on nine hits and one walk while punching out nine over 11.0 innings. He is progressing nicely in his second MLB campaign and has a favorable matchup versus a cold Tigers offense on the horizon.
Trevor Rogers, Miami Marlins – at Washington Nationals
Trevor Rogers, Wicked 82mph Slider. ? pic.twitter.com/ZmdFc96Oj7
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 23, 2022
After getting pummeled for seven earned runs in just 1.2 innings by the Phillies back on April 16, Rogers rebounded this past Friday night against another tough offense in Atlanta. The All-Star lefty held the Braves to only one unearned run on four hits and two walks while striking out four. In addition, he produced an excellent 17.9-percent swinging-strike rate.
Rogers will draw a much less potent lineup this time around. The Nationals are averaging just over 3.6 runs per game so far. Forget about that hiccup versus the Phillies and roll with Rogers.
Sit ‘em
Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds - at Colorado Rockies
Regardless of how Lodolo looks in his home start versus the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, a trip to Colorado for a matchup with the Rockies is one to avoid. The Reds rookie southpaw has struck out 12 batters over 9.0 innings through his first two MLB starts, but he has also issued five free passes, hit two batters, and surrendered three homers.
The Rockies are averaging 5.2 runs per game at home so far this year. They are also loaded up with right-handed hitters, such as C.J. Cron and Kris Bryant, that historically crush lefties.
Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals – at White Sox
Greinke has been a magician over his first three starts of the season. The 38-year-old veteran is somehow carrying an excellent 2.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 16.0 innings. Those marks despite a laughable 3.2 K% - you read that right – and 47.4 HardHit% simply cannot last, can they?
This act will end at some point regardless of Greinke’s experience and craftiness. The six-time All-Star is worth holding onto but running him out there against a powerful White Sox offense in their home park is inadvisable.
Stream ‘em
Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics – at Giants
Blackburn has gotten off to an incredible start this season. Over three starts thus far, the 28-year-old righty has pitched to a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 14-to-1 K/BB ratio across 15.0 innings. He has yet to surrender a long ball and is inducing groundballs at a 52.5-percent rate. The Giants feature a solid lineup, but San Francisco’s Oracle Park is a fantastic place to pitch.
Michael Pineda, Detroit Tigers – at Twins
Pineda is in line to make his second start for the Tigers in the place where he spent the last three years: Minnesota. In his Detroit debut back on April 21, Pineda shut down a different one of his previous employers, as he held the Yankees scoreless over five innings. In that outing, the big right-hander allowed just three hits and no walks while striking out two.
The Twins scored more than three runs in just four of their first 14 games on the season. Pineda will have a great opportunity to shine once again.
Thanks for checking out the 2022 Fantasy Baseball Week 3 Pitching Planner and be sure to check out the rest of the F6P Fantasy Baseball content.
