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Brendan Kennealy delves into Points League strategy for your fantasy baseball leagues and looks at MLB players to target on the waiver wire or drop in 2018.
We're back at it again this week with some points league advice for you guys. In last week's suggestions of players to add, players to drop and pitchers to stream there were some definite standouts, but the streaming pitchers were the highlight as they pitched 14 innings, had a 1-0 record, struck out 14 batters and allowed just four earned runs.
This week we will again take a look at some players that could make an immediate impact on your team either by addition or addition by subtraction of a negatively impacted player.
This article is tailored to points leagues more than traditional 5x5 leagues. While every points league is different, generally they all prioritize OPS for hitters and "quality" for pitchers, compared to the emphasis on BA and W in 5x5 leagues. Let's take a look at who you should add, who you should drop and which pitchers to stream for the fourth week the year.
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Points League Players to Add
Christian Villanueva - 3B, SD
The Padres third baseman has been on an absolute tear, as he is currently on a nine-game hitting streak where he is 15-for-29 with four home runs and 10 RBI in his last nine games. He is currently day-to-day with a hamstring injury, but will return for the first game of their weekend series against the Mets on Friday. Be sure to snag him while/if he's still available.
Miguel Andjuar - 3B, NYY
The Yankees' third baseman has been one of the hottest hitters in the MLB, as he is batting .524 with three home runs, seven RBI and carrying a 1.714 over the last seven days. He is still only owned in roughly 40 percent of leagues, so go check on his status as soon as possible. He could very well be a mainstay on your roster for the duration of the 2018 season.
Gleyber Torres - SS, NYY
Another Yankee to target is this former top prospect, who has finally received the call to the bigs. Through his first three games, Torres is 3-for-12 with a run scored and one RBI. Prior to his promotion, he had a slash line of .347/.393/.510 with a home run and 11 RBI in 14 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If you're in a dynasty league, check his status (even though I'd give it a 99 percent chance he's already owned), but in a redraft points league check to see if he's available before you read about the next few players.
Points League Players to Drop
Domingo Santana - OF, MIL
Santana's playing time has dwindled in a crowded Brewers outfield, as he has started just one of their last four games. In the Brewers' last eight games, Santana is 2-for-20 with two runs scored, zero home runs and zero RBI. It's safe to drop him due to his lack of playing time and productivity at the plate.
Kole Calhoun - OF, LAA
The former Arizona State Sun Devil has been insanely cold, going 2-for-33 in his last nine games with just one RBI to show for it. The Angels have moved him down to eighth in the batting order, and although the rest of his team is tearing the cover off of the ball, Calhoun just cannot seem to find holes in the defense.
Matt Harvey - SP, NYM
Harvey made four starts for New York to start the season, but was absolutely shelled on the mound, forcing the Mets to move the right-handed hurler to the bullpen. He was 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP, while striking out 17 batters in 21 innings of work. In his first bullpen appearance, he allowed a run on two hits and walked a batter in two innings. Unless you're in a deep league, Harvey is okay to be dropped from your roster.
Points League Pitchers to Stream
Felix Hernandez - SP, SEA: 4/25 @ CWS
Although King Felix isn't off to the most spectacular of starts to the season (2-2 with a 5.06 ERA), he does get a solid matchup in his lone start during week four against a weak White Sox lineup. Fire up the former AL Cy Young award winner on Wednesday.
Jordan Montgomery - SP, NYY: 4/26 v. MIN
Montgomery is coming off of back-to-back quality starts against Detroit and Toronto, and I am a firm believer that he will make it three straight quality starts. In his career, his ERA at home sits at a 3.44, compared to a 4.39 ERA in road games. Start up the second-year pitcher on Thursday when he takes on the Twins at Yankee Stadium.
Mike Minor - RP/SP, TEX: 4/27 @ TOR
In his second start of the 2018 season, Minor faced the Blue Jays and held them to just one run over six innings of work, while striking out seven batters for his lone win of the season. He did this while Josh Donaldson was still healthy and in the lineup, but with his bat being void from the lineup, Minor has an even easier set-up for his start this Friday.
