- It's another getaway Wednesday with many clubs wrapping up a series before catching a flight to their next destination. Fantasy leagues with lineup lock at the first game should be set by 1:00 PM ET as there are three games beginning in that time block. While there aren't any attractive pitchers to stream in the early trio of contests, hitters from the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians are in a good spot in what should be a high-scoring game in Progressive Field. Royals' starter Brad Keller has solid ratios, but a 14.2% strikeout rate suggests a team built on contact like the Guardians could take advantage. Jose Ramirez is universally rostered, but it's worth checking on everyone else, with Myles Straw (57% rostered in ESPN league), Andres Gimenez(20% rostered), Steven Kwan (48%) and Josh Naylor (47%) the primary targets. Cleveland will counter with Konnor Pilkington, rendering the Royals MJ Melendez (10%), Hunter Dozier (29%) and Emmanuel Rivera (1%) as the chief streamers.
- Minnesota Twins starter Bailey Ober (61%) eclipses the 50% cutoff usually used to identify streaming pitchers, but on a relatively barren slate, his availability merits a look against the offensively challenged Detroit Tigers. Los Angeles Dodgers starter Mitch White (<1%) is universally available and should be stretched out enough to pitch five frames against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Chavez Ravine. White has worked mostly in relief but has made two spot starts while the club awaits the returns of Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney.
- The final two streaming candidates face off in Arlington with Jon Gray (49%) taking the hill for the Texas Rangers, to be opposed by southpaw Jeffrey Springs (12%), getting the call for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rangers offense is a bit above average facing lefthanders. Even so, Springs transition to the rotation has gone well with 13 punch outs in 11 2/3 innings over his last two starts and he's used to facing the iron in the AL East. Gray's first season with the Rangers has been curtailed with injuries, but he's healthy now and poised to show what he can do away with Coors Field as his home venue. The Rays offense has produced at a below average clip facing righthanders and now is without Wander Franco.
- Speaking of Franco, injuries have hit shortstop hard lately. Willy Adames has been hurt for a while with Franco, Carlos Correa and Tim Anderson all gaining IL designation this week. A quad injury has sidelined Franco, with Taylor Walls (1%), Vidal Brujan (<1%) and Isaac Paredes (<1%) all in line for more playing time. Brujan is the most intriguing for speed, but he's struggled to get on base. Walls is worth a look in deeper formats. The Twins are scrambling for a shortstop with Royce Lewis also on the shelf. They've called up Jermaine Palacios, but there isn't much there from a fantasy perspective. Similarly, the White Sox don't have a clear replacement for Anderson, with Danny Mendick the likely beneficiary of more action.
- There are a couple of closers on second division teams worth a look, as both the Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationalsshould pick up the pace as the calendar turns to June. In general, both offenses should get better, especially the Tigers with Riley Greene close to returning, but each rotation should be getting injured arms back in June, increasing the odds for a save. Gregory Soto (49%) has been getting it done in Motown, though Michael Fulmer (5%) looms if Soto struggles. Tanner Rainey (11%) appears to have secured ninth inning duties for the National rosts, who will be getting Stephen Strasburg back soon. The plight of pitchers returning after thoracic outlet surgery is a mixed bag, but the short-term results have been mostly favorable. It's the longer-term performance carrying a bigger question.
What you need to know for Wednesday's MLB Games
- Thread starter biggins
- Start date
'Arnaud started in the last three games and went 3-for-13 with three strikeouts. William Contreras will start behind the dish and bat fifth
