RADIO
Welcome RotoBallers to another edition of my 2024 fantasy baseball start/sit article for the week ahead, April 15 - April 21. This week's article will focus on Jackson Merrill, Colton Cowser, Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver, Tyler Anderson, James Paxton, Brice Turang, and Orlando Arcia.
Whether you are prepping to set your weekly lineups or determining who to play in a pivotal daily matchup, choosing who to start vs. sit is one of the most nerve-racking and potentially frustrating aspects of fantasy baseball. Fortunately, there is a free solution available at RotoBaller. The Who Should I Start Tool allows you to quickly compare up to four players and receive fantasy projections for today, tomorrow, the current week, next week, or the rest of the season.
The tool provides rankings, projections, recent news, and schedules side-by-side to aid in your decision-making. The tool defaults to ESPN scoring, but the Premium version within Team Sync will automatically use your league's scoring and roster settings when making recommendations. Each week, I will use the tool to review a few interesting start/sit comparisons for the final day of the period and preview the following week. Let's get into some start vs. sit comparisons for the week ahead, April 15 - April 21!
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Fantasy Baseball Rookie Outfielders
Jackson Merrill vs. Colton Cowser
Our first comparison is between two rookie outfielders who have gotten off to encouraging starts. Jackson Merrill has held his own in the bottom of the Padres' lineup, slashing .304/.407/.413 in 54 plate appearances. Colton Coswer hasn't seen a ton of plate appearances but has made the most of his playing time, slashing .481/.500/1.037 in 30 plate appearances. Which player is more likely to continue their early success?
RotoBaller gives Cowser a strong recommendation for Sunday. The O's will face a better matchup than the Padres, and Merrill will face a lefty, whom he has struggled against. This may play into the projections, as Cowser has the edge in home runs, RBI, batting average, and slugging percentage.
Looking to Week 4, the Padres will face decent matchups with three games at the Brewers and three against the Blue Jays. The Orioles will face tougher matchups with three games against the Twins and three at the Royals. The Padres are slated to face two lefties, which does not favor Merrill as a left-handed hitter.
Merrill has received more playing time overall, but Cowser has been earning starting time lately. Merrill may not get as much playing time this week due to matchups, and Cowser has been so hot that I give him the nod for Week 4.
Fantasy Baseball Struggling Catchers
Cal Raleigh vs. Mitch Garver
Our next comparison is between two catcher teammates who have not met fantasy expectations. Cal Raleigh's calling card has been his power, and while he does have two homers this season, his slugging percentage is just .325. Mitch Garver has struggled mightily with his new team, batting just .158. Both were fantasy staples last season, so which one can get on the right track sooner?
RotoBaller gives Raleigh a strong recommendation for Sunday, although the projections are pretty close. Raleigh has the projection edge across the board except for batting average, but each advantage is not all that much.
The Mariners will face great matchups in Week 4, with three games against the Reds and three at the Rockies. This decision is tough, as both have failed to produce much. I'll give the slight edge to Raleigh since his counting stats have been slightly better.
Fantasy Baseball Hot Pitchers
Tyler Anderson vs. James Paxton
We'll move on to two starters who have started well and are likely available. Tyler Anderson has turned in a pair of scoreless seven-inning efforts to start the season. James Paxton has also looked good with a 1.64 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 11 IP. With both players widely available, which one is the better pickup?
Anderson receives a strong recommendation for Sunday. Anderson will get a decent matchup at the Red Sox, while Paxton will face a tougher matchup against the Padres. Paxton has a slightly higher win projection, but Anderson has a clear edge in strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP.
Anderson is slated for a tough Week 4 matchup at the Reds, while Paxton will get a decent matchup against the Mets. While Paxton draws the better matchup, Anderson has pitched better and deeper into games and has issued half the walks of Paxton. As such, I'll go with Anderson for Week 4.
Fantasy Baseball Substitute Shortstops
Brice Turang (2B/SS) vs. Orlando Arcia (2B/SS)
Our final comparison is between two players fantasy managers could turn to if they roster Trevor Story (shoulder). Brice Turang has stepped on the gas to start the season, slashing .342/.381/.526 with seven stolen bases. Orlando Arcia has followed up his strong 2023 season with a .383/.431/.532 slash line. Which one of these players can help pick up the slack for fantasy managers?
RotoBaller gives Arcia a strong recommendation for Sunday. Both players will face tough matchups, but Arcia has clear projection advantages in all aspects except for stolen bases.
The Brewers face tough matchups in Week 4, with three games against the Padres and three at the Cardinals. The Braves will face three games at the Astros and three against the Rangers. Arcia is likely the safer pick long-term, but Turang has been on such a hot streak that he gets the nod for Week 4 at least.
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