Even in a 60-game sprint, some fantasy players stop trying the last two weeks. This, along with wrinkles in the schedule allow active owners to make the most of this opportunity. First, be sure to see where a team can move up in the standings then act accordingly. Each team's schedule will be included along with players of interest within each division.
American League East
Baltimore - 3 vs. Atlanta, 5 vs. Tampa Bay (DH), 3 @ Boston, 3 @ Toronto
Boston - 3 @ Miami, 3 vs. NY Yankees, 3 vs. Baltimore, 3 @ Atlanta
NY Yankees - 3 vs. Toronto, 3 @ Boston, 4 @ Toronto, 3 vs. Miami
Tampa Bay - 2 vs. Washington, 5 @ Baltimore (DH), 3 @ NY Mets, 3 vs. Philadelphia
Toronto - 3 @ NY Yankees, 4 @ Philadelphia (DH), 4 vs. NY Yankees, 3 vs. Baltimore
When trying to identify hitter advantages, Nate Lowe of the Rays could see an uptick in playing time due to the injury to Ji-Man Choi . Lowe has hit two home runs over his first 28 plate appearances this year and the five game binge against the Orioles pitching stands out. This also benefits Manuel Margot and Randy Arozarena for those seeking speed.
All Yankee bats could do well. Gio Urshela could return to the lineup on Tuesday despite Miguel Andújar hitting .355/.394/.581 over his last 33 plate appearances with a home run and eight runs plus RBI. Clint Frazier should be able to stay in the lineup even if Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton return.
Although Ken Giles returned from the injured list, do not drop Rafael Dolis just yet. He does issue too many walks, but his last 7.1 innings yields a 1-0 record with three saves, an 11:5 K:BB, 2.66 FIP and 0.82 WHIP. Momentum matters in high leverage.
American League Central
Cleveland - 2 @ Cubs, 4 @ Detroit, 4 vs. White Sox, 3 vs. Pittsburgh
Chicago White Sox - 4 vs. Milwaukee, 3 @ Cincinnati, 4 @ Cleveland, 3 vs. Cubs
Detroit - 2 vs. Kansas City, 4 vs. Cleveland, 2 @ Minnesota, 4 @ Kansas City
Kansas City - 2 @ Detroit, 3 @ Milwaukee, 3 vs. St. Louis, 4 vs. Detroit
Minnesota - 4 @ White Sox, 3 @ Cubs, 2 vs. Detroit, 3 vs. Cincinnati
This week, the Royals only get five contests but finish with seven. So, it may take some patience but two hitters remain below the radar: Maikel Franco and Edward Olivares . Franco's slashing .368/.393/.491 with seven runs, one home runs and 13 RBI his last 61 plate appearances. Olivares owns a .342/.350/.579 slash with two home runs and 12 runs plus RBI his last 40 plate appearances. Brady Singer fired a gem his last time out and gets tasty match-ups down the stretch. His 3.29 ERA, 2.18 FIP and 13:3 K:BB over his last 13.2 innings makes him a stream option. Brad Keller tossed a complete game shutout against the Pirates and boasts a 2.90 FIP his last 13 innings but he's not a strikeout upside pitcher.
Many will try to figure out how to get a save or two from the Cardinals bullpen, but why not get an ancillary target like Sergio Romo instead? He's racked up four saves this year and one on Sunday. His last 6.2 innings results in a save, two holds, a 1.35 ERA, 0.45 WHIP and 5:0 K:BB.
American League West
Houston - 3 vs. Texas, 3 vs. Arizona, 3 @ Seattle, 4 @ Texas
LA Angels - 3 vs. Arizona, 4 vs. Texas, 2 @ San Diego, 3 @ LA Dodgers
Oakland - DH @ Seattle, 2 @ Colorado, 3 vs. San Francisco, 3 @ LA Dodgers, 4 vs. Seattle (DH)
Seattle - DH vs. Oakland, 2 vs. San Francisco, 3 vs. San Diego, 3 vs. Houston, 4 @ Oakland (DH)
Texas - 3 @ Houston, 4 @ LA Angels, 2 @ Arizona, 4 vs. Houston
Raise your hand if targeting the Mariners this week. Me too. José Marmolejos hit clean up over the weekend and his last 14 days comes with a .355/.412/.613 slash with two home runs and eight RBI. Noting the schedule, southpaws Yusei Kikuchi and Justus Sheffield continue to emerge as stream options with upside. Kickuchi's 25 strikeouts minus walks percentage his last 12 innings accompanies a 2.54 FIP and 0.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts. Sheffield outdueled Zac Gallen on the road and has a 2.57 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP his last 14 innings with a 13:4 K:BB in them.
He's a streaky player, and a tough one to trust, but Rougned Odor homered in three straight contests this weekend while driving in 10 his last five. Boom or bust candidate for the risk averse or if one punted average.
National League East
Atlanta - 3 @ Boston, 3 @ NY Mets, 4 vs. Miami, 3 vs. Boston
Miami - 1 vs. Philadelphia, 3 vs. Boston, 4 vs. Washington (DH), 4 @ Atlanta, 3 @ NY Yankees
NY Mets - 3 @ Philadelphia, 3 vs. Atlanta, 3 vs. Tampa Bay, 4 @ Washington
Philadelphia - 1 @ Miami, 3 vs. NY Mets, 4 vs. Toronto (DH), 4 vs. Washington (DH), 3 @ Tampa Bay
Washington - 2 @ Tampa Bay, 4 vs. Miami (DH), 4 vs. Philadelphia (DH), 4 vs. NY Mets
Miami paces the division with 17 games remaining. Perhaps Brian Anderson got dropped in leagues due to his rough start but he's hitting .375/.466/.542 his last 58 plate appearances with two home runs and 13 runs plus RBI. Beneath the radar, Lewis Brinson also turned his season around for those trying to locate some speed with power. Brinson's hit two home runs with a stolen base, five RBI and a .300/.323/.567 slash his last 31 plate appearances. Due to the volume of doubleheaders, ancillary saves may occur by Yimi García working in tandem with Brandon Kintzler .
If searching for average, Adam Hasley has walked more (15.6 percent) than he's struck out (12.5 percent) his last 32 plate appearances with a .320/.452/.440 slash with nine runs plus RBI in them. Personally taking a chance on Héctor Neris getting save chances in the days ahead based on the recent struggles by his teammates in high leverage.
National League Central
Chicago Cubs - 2 vs. Cleveland, 3 vs. Minnesota, 4 @ Pittsburgh, 3 @ White Sox
Cincinnati - 4 vs. Pittsburgh (DH), 3 vs. White Sox, 3 vs. Milwaukee, 3 @ Minnesota
Milwaukee - 5 vs. St. Louis (2-DH), 3 vs. Kansas City, 3 @ Cincinnati, 5 @ St. Louis (DH)
Pittsburgh - 4 @ Cincinnati (DH), 5 vs. St. Louis, 4 vs. Cubs, 3 @ Cleveland
St. Louis - 5 vs. Milwaukee (2-DH), 5 @ Pittsburgh (DH), 3 @ Kansas City, 5 vs. Milwaukee
Holy cannoli does the Central own a busy schedule. St. Louis leads the way with 18 games on tap the next two weeks, weather permitting. Both Pittsburgh and Milwaukee will attempt to play 16 in the days ahead as well. Two hitters to keep tabs on or try to target on Milwaukee will be Avisaíl García and Jedd Gyorko . Gyorko's hitting .296/.348/.519 his last 29 plate appearances with two home runs and three RBI. Garcia's reached base over 55 percent of his last 29 plate appearances with six runs plus RBI and a stolen base.
Even though the Reds do not play as many games as the rest of the division, Shogo Akiyama could be a sneaky play for stolen bases. He's swiped four his last 43 plate appearances hitting .286/.419/.343 in them with five runs. For average, the Cardinals Kolten Wong returned to leadoff and slashing .352/.417/.407 his last 60 plate appearances with 10 runs, seven RBI and a steal.
National League West
Arizona - 3 @ LA Angels, 3 @ Houston, 2 vs. Texas, 4 vs. Colorado (DH)
Colorado - 2 vs. Oakland, 4 vs. LA Dodgers, 4 @ San Francisco, 4 @ Arizona (DH)
LA Dodgers - 3 @ San Diego, 4 @ Colorado, 3 vs. Oakland, 3 vs. LA Angels
San Diego - 3 vs. LA Dodgers, 3 @ Seattle, 2 vs. LA Angels, 3 @ San Francisco
San Francisco - 2 @ Seattle, 3 @ Oakland, 4 vs. Colorado, 3 vs. San Diego
With the Dodgers and Padres barreling towards the postseason, Colorado remains a rudderless ship but gets six home games this week then players like Josh Fuentes can be ignored. Until then, Fuentes carries a .346/.379/.539 slash line over his last 29 plate appearances with a home run and 11 runs plus RBI. Maybe a week of home games can get David Dahl untracked as well.
Since the season seems like a blur, be sure to pay close attention to lineups on a daily or weekly basis to procure as many fantasy points possible in the waning days of the season. Be sure to stay with Fantasy Alarm across all formats to remain ahead of the competition. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits
Fangraphs.com
MLB.com