Weekly Hitter Rankings: Big Week for Bucs

For the period Apr 25-May 1

7 GAMES

1. Pittsburgh

at COL (4) – J. De La Rosa (L), Bettis (R), J. Gray (R), Chatwood (R)
vs. CIN (3) – Straily (R), Simon (R), Iglesias (R)

While the series in Coors Field makes Pirates hitters must-starts anyway, getting to face the beleaguered back end of the Reds' rotation is a nice bonus. The listed pitchers for Cincinnati are just a best guess right now, as Anthony DeSclafani could in theory be pulled off his rehab stint to slot back into the rotation, and aside from Iglesias it's not like any of that motley crew of arms has what you would call job security. With only one lefty on the slate, Jason Rogers is best left on your bench if you grabbed him in a deep NL-only format.

2. Boston

at ATL (2) – Teheran (R), Wisler (R)
vs. ATL (2) – B. Norris (R), Chacin (R)
vs. NYY (3) – Tanaka (R), Pineda (R), Eovaldi (R)

David Ortiz will be limited to pinch-hitting in the first two games of the week with the Red Sox in Atlanta, but with a sked full of right-handers he's still worth keeping in your active lineup. Jackie Bradley and Brock Holt are also the plays in the outfield over Chris Young.

3. Chicago White Sox

at TOR (3) – Stroman (R), Dickey (R), Estrada (R)
at BAL (4) – Gallardo (R), M. Wright (R), Gausman (R), Jimenez (R)

Another all-righty slate is probably good news for Alex Avila, although it's not like either White Sox catcher is hitting so far. This ranking is based purely on the opposition pitchers and ballparks, as Chicago's bats struggled away from home last year and have been even worse this season (just 3.1 runs a game on the road in 2016). As such, take it with a large grain of salt, although a tour of the AL East hitter-friendly ballparks could certainly kick-start their offense.

4. Detroit

vs. OAK (4) – Graveman (R), R. Hill (L), S. Gray (R), Bassitt (R)
at MIN (3) – Hughes (R), E. Santana (R), Milone (L)

Cameron Maybin could return from the DL any time now, but with the Tigers only facing only two lefties this period, Anthony Gose should see most of the action in center field. Bobby Wilson might also see a couple of starts behind the plate, but they could also just elect to ride switch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia as long as they can.

5. Oakland

at DET (4) – Zimmermann (R), Pelfrey (R), Verlander (R), Anibal Sanchez (R)
vs. HOU (3) – Fiers (R), Feldman (R), Fister (R)

The roster of a thousand platoons sees nothing but right-handed pitching this week, so players like Mark Canha, Billy Butler and Josh Phegley could struggle to find at-bats, not to mention recent call-up Tyler Ladendorf. Facing the back end of the Astros' rotation could allow the likes of Josh Reddick and Chris Coghlan to have big weekends, though.

6. Colorado

vs. PIT (4) – Locke (L), G. Cole (R), Niese (L), Nicasio (R)
at ARI (3) – Ray (L), Greinke (R), S. Miller (R)

It's not quite a seven-game homestand, but this still looks like it will be a great week for Rockies' hitters, despite having to face Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke. Having three lefties on the schedule -- including two at home -- makes Dustin Garneau and Ryan Raburn interesting deep-league plays.

7. Arizona

vs. STL (4) – J. Garcia (L), C. Martinez (R), Wainwright (R), Wacha (R)
vs. COL (3) – Lyles (R), J. De La Rosa (L), Bettis (R)

There are some tough pitchers headed the Diamondbacks' way this week, but they do get to face them all in the desert. Only seeing two lefties limits the opportunities for Brandon Drury, though, and makes Jake Lamb the stronger play at third base.

8. Baltimore

at TB (3) – Archer (R), Odorizzi (R), M. Moore (L)
vs. CHW (4) – Rodon (L), Latos (R), Sale (L), Danks (L)

In terms of big-name pitchers, this looks like a tough slate, but Chris Archer isn't exactly his early 2015 self right now. The lefty-heavy slate could mean more playing time for Nolan Reinmold.

9. LA Dodgers

vs. MIA (4) – Chen (L), Koehler (R), Cosart (R), J. Fernandez (R)
vs. SD (3) – C. Vargas (R), Rea (R), Pomeranz (L)

Rookie Cesar Vargas gets to make his second major league start in Chavez Ravine, and there's really no way to know how he'll respond to the glare of that spotlight. With lefties bookending the week, Joc Pederson should see steady at-bats from Tuesday to Saturday.

10. St. Louis

at ARI (4) – Greinke (R), S. Miller (R), Corbin (L), R. De La Rosa (R)
vs. WAS (3) – Roark (R), Strasburg (R), J. Ross (R)

There are some stingy pitchers on this list, but they're mostly right-handed so whichever of Matt Adams or Brandon Moss gets hot could rack up some plate appearances. Or they could both remain ice-cold and keep giving the job back to the other every few days, as they've been doing so far.

11. Miami

at LAD (4) – Stripling (R), Kershaw (L), Kazmir (L), Maeda (R)
at MIL (3) – Chase Anderson (R), W. Peralta (R), Nelson (R)

The Marlins have been getting Ichiro Suzuki a couple of starts a week in his chase for 3,000 MLB hits, so he could have some deep-league value if he stays hot. A matchup with Kenta Maeda would probably draw plenty of eyeballs back home in Japan, too.

12. Atlanta

vs. BOS (2) – Porcello (R), Price (L)
at BOS (2) – S. Wright (R), Buchholz (R)
at CHC (3) – Lackey (R), Hammel (R), Hendricks (R)

The woeful Braves bring up the rear among the seven-game teams, something that's likely to remain a pattern most of the season. They're currently giving Daniel Castro a look at second base, but the righty-heavy slate could put Jace Peterson or Kelly Johnson back at the keystone. Tyler Flowers will also be mostly restricted to pinch-hitting.

6 GAMES

13. Texas

vs. NYY (3) – Eovaldi (R), Severino (R), Sabathia (L)
va. LAA (3) – Santiago (L), Shoemaker (R), Richards (R)

In a ranking without considering games played, the Rangers would actually slip into the top 10. Nomar Mazara has begun to sit against left-handers, which could put Ryan Rua back into consideration in deep AL-only formats.

14. Toronto

vs. CHW (3) – Sale (L), Danks (L), Quintana (L)
at TB (3) – Smyly (L), Archer (R), Odorizzi (R)

The timing on Chris Colabello's suspension was terrible, as he was finally about to face a lefty-heavy slate that might have helped get him out of his slump. The Jays haven't yet picked a new platoon partner for Justin Smoak at first, but keep an eye on the transaction wire, as both Jesus Montero (.328/.354/.459) and Matt Dominguez (.302/.316/.453) are hitting pretty well at Triple-A and could get the call.

15. Minnesota

vs. CLE (3) – Salazar (R), Cody Anderson, (R), Tomlin (R)
vs. DET (3) – Greene (R), Zimmermann (R), Pelfrey (R)

Byung-ho Park was just starting to heat up before the Twins had a run of interleague road games last week, but he'll get a golden opportunity to pick up where he left off against this righty-heavy slate. Oswaldo Arcia was also seeing more playing time prior to the road trip, so he could pick up some extra at-bats as well.

16. NY Yankees

at TEX (3) – Hamels (L), Griffin (R), M. Perez (L)
at BOS (3) – H. Owens (L), Porcello (R), Price (L)

Four lefties probably mean lots of work for Aaron Hicks despite his early-season struggles. Austin Romine might also pick up a couple of starts behind the plate.

17. LA Angels

vs. KC (3) – Kennedy (R), Volquez (R), C. Young (R)
at TEX (3) – C. Lewis (R), D. Holland (L), Hamels (L)

The two lefties on the weekend could make Craig Gentry a good back-half play in leagues with mid-week moves, although Rafael Ortega hasn't exactly seized the left-field starting role anyway. C.J. Cron's ongoing struggles could also give Ji-Man Choi some playing time earlier in the week, although you'll probably want to see his name in the lineup before you risk plugging him in.

18. Chicago Cubs

vs. MIL (3) – Nelson (R), Jungmann (R), Z. Davies (R)
vs. ATL (3) – A. Blair (R), Teheran (R), Wisler (R)

Given the way they've been mashing, this ranking is probably too low for the Cubs, especially when you consider the quality of the pitchers they'll be facing. Aaron Blair, making his second big league start, could arguably be the best of them. The all-righty slate could help clear up the left-field picture, though, as all the usual suspects (Jorge Soler, Javier Baez at third with Kris Bryant shifting to the outfield) are right-handed so there are no obvious platoon advantages to muddy up the picture.

19. Houston

at SEA (3) – T. Walker (R), Karns (R), Iwakuma (R)
at OAK (3) – Surkamp (L), Graveman (R), R. Hill (L)
Two weekend lefties could put Evan Gattis and Jake Marisnick into play as back-half options at DH and left field over Preston Tucker and Colby Rasmus, although first base could also open up a little if Tyler White's slump gets any deeper.

20. Washington

vs. PHI (3) – Velasquez (R), Hellickson (R), Nola (R)
at STL (3) – Leake (R), J. Garcia (L), C. Martinez (R)

Bryce Harper and the Nationals get their first look at burgeoning Phillies ace Vince Velasquez, making for a marquee matchup Tuesday night. If Jayson Werth's lingering hamstring issue costs him time next week, Matt den Dekker is the most likely beneficiary against a righty-heavy slate.

21. Tampa Bay

vs. BAL (3) – Gausman (R), Jimenez (R), Tillman (R)
vs. TOR (3) – Aaron Sanchez (R), Happ (L), Stroman (R)

Kevin Gausman is expected to make his season debut Monday, although the O's still have time to change their minds and delay his return once again. Just one lefty on the schedule should mean more Logan Morrison and Brad Miller and less Steve Pearce and Tim Beckham, but the starting jobs at first base and shortstop could be up for grabs if Morrison and Miller can't start picking up some hits.

22. Kansas City

at LAA (3) – Richards (R), Weaver (R), Tropeano (R)
at SEA (3) – F. Hernandez (R), Miley (L), T. Walker (R)

Jarrod Dyson stole two bases in his first three games off the DL, and facing a righty-heavy slate like this means you'll probably want to get him into your lineup if he's still lingering on your bench.

23. Cleveland

at MIN (3) – Milone (L), Nolasco (R), Gibson (R)
at PHI (3) – Morton (R), Eickhoff (R), Velasquez (R)

The center field spot for the Indians appears to be swinging the way of Tyler Naquin, with Jose Ramirez in left and Rajai Davis out of the lineup as often as not, and this run of righties should give Naquin a chance to secure his starting job.

24. Seattle

vs. HOU (3) – Fister (R), Keuchel (L), McHugh (R)
vs. KC (3) – Medlen (R), Ventura (R), Kennedy (R)

The Mariners' mostly left-handed starting lineup should stay mostly intact this week, and it's not like they're going to start platooning Nelson Cruz. This should be the week Steve Clevenger officially picks up catcher eligibility in some formats, though, if you're desperate for help behind the plate in deep two-catcher leagues.

25. Milwaukee

at CHC (3) – Hendricks (R), Arrieta (R), Lester (L)
vs. MIA (3) – Conley (L), Chen (L), Koehler (R)

The Brewers have been giving Ramon Flores a long look in center field, and with no right-handed hitting options to replace him, that really just means Flores is a riskier play this week given the amount of same-side pitching he'll likely be facing. Also, one of the RHP on the slate is Jake Arrieta, which should be a tough matchup.

26. San Francisco

vs. SD (3) – Pomeranz (L), Shields (R), Cashner (R)
at NYM (3) – Matz (L), deGrom (R), Syndergaard (R)

This is where the danger zone begins in this week's rankings, as the Giants have six games in pitcher's parks against some tough hurlers. Two lefties probably means a couple of starts for Trevor Brown.

27. NY Mets

vs. CIN (3) – Iglesias (R), Finnegan (L), Moscot (R)
vs. SF (3) – Peavy (R), M. Cain (R), Bumgarner (L)

The Reds haven't confirmed their rotation past Finnegan yet, but Moscot seems like the best guess at the moment. Six home games in Citi Field means less for the Mets' offense than it would for some other teams, but it still keeps them out of the absolute cellar in the rankings. Michael Confortoshouldn't lose playing time given the quality of the two lefties the team is facing, but he probably will anyway.

28. Philadelphia

at WAS (3) – J. Ross (R), Scherzer (R), G. Gonzalez (L)
vs. CLE (3) – Kluber (R), Carrasco (R), Salazar (R)

There's a big dropoff from the Mets to the Phillies, which makes sense looking at the pitching each team is expected to face. The Indians haven't officially confirmed their rotation next week, though, so Philly could get some kind of partial reprieve. David Lough appears to be their new left fielder, and that's not likely to change against this righty-heavy slate.

29. San Diego

at SF (3) – Bumgarner (L), Cueto (R), Samardzija (R)
at LAD (3) – A. Wood (L), Stripling (R), Kershaw (L)

Well, at least Alex Wood is struggling. The Padres keep giving at-bats to Jon Jay and Melvin Upton in the outfield for no discernible reason, but with three lefties on the sked, maybe the recently-promoted Jose Pirela will see some action in left field.

30. Cincinnati

at NYM (3) – Syndergaard (R), Colon (R), Harvey (R)
at PIT (3) – Liriano (L), Locke (L), G. Cole (R)

The week's biggest stay-away schedule does feature a couple of weekend lefties, so Adam Duvall could be worth activating in a mid-week transaction, but with even Eugenio Suarez slowing down for the Reds there isn't a whole lot of expected value here.