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 have four interleague matchups, including two National League teams heading to Toronto! On the other hand, Kansas City and Boston will have to shuffle its lineups around a bit to make room for its respective primary designated hitters. Without further ado, let’s jump in!
Red Sox @ Mets (4/27-4/28)
With J.D. Martinez being white hot of late, without the designated hitter, they will push him in the outfield (likely left field) for this two game set. Martinez has made two starts in left field this season, which allowed a catcher to make an appearance at designated hitter. Alex Verdugo has become a mainstay in the lineup, and with the Mets trotting out a lefty (David Peterson) and a right-handler (Jacob deGrom ), we likely see Kiké Hernández in center field, and Verdugo in right, which pushes Franchy Cordero and Hunter Renfroe to the bench. Against a righty, Cordero typically handles left field, but again, Martinez needs to be in the lineup. It seems Renfroe and Cordero will fight each day for the last remaining outfield spot.
Winners: J.D. Martinez
Losers: Franchy Cordero , Kiké Hernández , and Hunter Renfroe
Royals @ Pirates (4/27-4/28)
Could Jorge Soler find his way to the bench? Perhaps, but considering he’s logged a few appearances in the outfield, he’ll likely head out to right field for this two game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In four of the five starts Soler has made in the outfield, Hunter Dozier moved to third base. Hanser Alberto found himself on the outside looking in, aside from two appearances at shortstop. Soler is going to play, and Dozier is going to play, so perhaps we see Alberto and Nicky Lopez split the starts at shortstop.
Winners: Jorge Soler
Losers: Hanser Alberto /Nicky Lopez
Nationals @ Blue Jays (4/27-4/28)
Juan Soto likely won’t be back for this series, so Andrew Stevenson and Yadiel Hernandez will be involved in the outfield. Washington loves to get Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup against lefties, so that will likely be the case for Wednesday’s contest. If Toronto rolls out two lefties, Zimmerman gains the most value early on in the week. Other than that, there’s no real substantial winners or losers, again, outside of Zimmerman, on the condition that Toronto sends out two southpaws.
Winners: Ryan Zimmerman
Losers: None
Braves @ Blue Jays (4/30-5/2)
In two interleague matchups to date, Pablo Sandoval found himself serving as the team’s designated hitter. That seems to be the likely option here as well for this two game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. The other avenue that Atlanta could choose to take, maybe even for one game, is to let Ronald Acuna serve as the DH for a “half off-day” as he is working back from injury. Yes, he played in the outfield over the weekend, but if you can give him a break from the field without taking his bat out of the lineup, you might do it! However, I’m assuming we get two appearances for Sandoval.
Winners: Pablo Sandoval
Losers: None