It’s Sunday, so you know what that means! It’s time to take a look at the interleague matchups for the upcoming week and determine how it will affect our fantasy lineups. Obviously, with the National League not adding the designated hitter spot, we’ll have to examine American League teams that lose that luxury for a series. On the other hand, when a National League team travels, what fantasy players stand to gain some value? You’ll find that and more here at Fantasy Alarm!
This week, we are treated to two interleague matchups, both of which feature an American League team heading to National League Park. So, what hitters stand to lose some at-bats, in lieu of the pitcher stepping into the batter’s box? Let’s dive in.
Athletics @ Diamondbacks (4/12-4/13)
With Oakland heading to Arizona for a quick two game set, I wouldn’t diminish the fantasy value too much of any Oakland hitter. Oakland’s lineup is rather set, and slow starts by Mitch Moreland and Seth Brown have had these two bouncing back and forth as the team’s primary designated hitter. If Moreland doesn’t DH, I’m hard-pressed to believe that Oakland takes Matt Olson out of the lineup. Brown could get some at-bats in the outfield, but overall, there’s no major gains here. Plus, it’s just a two-game series.
Winners: None
Losers: Mitch Moreland , Seth Brown
Indians @ Reds (4/16-4/18)
I am very curious as to how this one plays out. Franmil Reyes is a tried-and-true designated hitter, as he has yet to play a single inning in the outfield yet this season. Last year, he played just five innings in the outfield. So, will we see Reyes in the outfield for the weekend series against the Reds? I think we might. Reyes adds so much power to the team’s lineup that they should try to get him in the lineup. I mean, can they really afford to take him out? Outside of Reyes, José Ramírez and Eddie Rosario , the lineup lacks pop and excitement. They will be facing two righties and outside of Eddie Rosario , no Cleveland outfielder is locked into playing time.
I would leave Reyes in your lineup, however, because he will most definitely serve as a pinch-hitter at the very least. The big thing here is that if Cleveland gives Reyes sometime in the outfield, that would be massive for his fantasy value, because he could get closer to gaining outfield eligibility, and fantasy managers can feel more confident in future interleague matchups.
Winners: Potentially Franmil Reyes
Losers: Potentially all outfielders not named Eddie Rosario