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Welcome RotoBallers to another edition of my 2024 fantasy baseball start/sit article for Week 10, May 27 - June 2. This week's article will focus on Dylan Moore, Masyn Winn, Matt Chapman, Maikel Garcia, Brandon Pfaadt, Michael Wacha, Pablo Lopez, and Joe Musgrove.
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, May 27 - June 2!
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Fantasy Baseball Middle Infield Replacements
Dylan Moore (2B/SS/OF) vs. Masyn Winn (SS)
Middle infield has been dealt yet another injury with Xander Bogaerts (shoulder), leaving the player pool even more shallow. Both Dylan Moore and Masyn Winn are rostered in less than 50% of leagues and have been hitting well lately. Moore has offered some power, Winn has offered batting average, and both have offered speed. Which player is a better stop-gap at middle infield?
RotoBaller gives Moore a strong recommendation for Sunday. Moore has projection advantages in all counting stats and slugging percentage. Winn has a projection advantage in batting average, but it is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking to Week 10, the Mariners have tough matchups with four games against the Astros and three against the Angels. The Cardinals will face better matchups, with three games at the Reds and three at the Phillies. The Mariners are slated to face three lefties, which benefits Moore.
This is a tough choice, as both players have been providing fantasy value in May. Moore offers position flexibility and has provided a lot of power, which has contributed to his run and RBI counts. Winn has provided average and steals and his average skills are better than Moore's. Both players are good options, but I will give the edge to Moore because he has been providing everything lately, despite the tougher matchups.
Fantasy Baseball Hitters On Heaters
Matt Chapman (3B) vs. Maikel Garcia (3B)
Our next comparison is between two third basemen who have been on fire at the plate recently. Matt Chapman has put his power on full display, batting .500 with three home runs and two stolen bases in his last seven games. Maikel Garcia has been equally impressive, slashing .419/.455/.742 with seven RBI and three stolen bases in his last seven games. Which player has a better chance to keep things rolling in the short term?
RotoBaller gives Garcia a strong recommendation for Sunday. Despite the tool's designations, Chapman will draw a favorable matchup against lefty Sean Manaea, while Garcia will face Taj Bradley. Chapman has crushed lefties this season, so the matchup is closer than indicated. Garcia has a projection edge in RBI, stolen bases, and batting average, whereas Chapman has an advantage in HR and slugging percentage. I think this decision is more of a toss-up than presented.
The Giants will face tough matchups in Week 10, with three games against the Phillies and three against the Yankees. The Royals will also face tough matchups, with four games at the Twins and three against the Padres.
Neither player is set up with matchups to help them continue their hot streaks. However, Garcia will get one more game then Chapman and Chapman will play all his games at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park. Garcia has produced more consistently over the season, so I give him the Week 10 nod.
Fantasy Baseball Favorable Matchup Streamers
Brandon Pfaadt vs. Michael Wacha
Our next comparison is between two starters who have gotten decent results this season and draw favorable matchups on Sunday. Brandon Pfaadt has made positive strides from last season and owns a 4.05 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and a 23.5% strikeout rate in 10 starts. Michael Wacha has once again served as a points-league streamer with a 4.45 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, and a 19.6% strikeout rate in 10 starts. Which pitcher can help fantasy managers finish the week strong?
RotoBaller gives Pfaadt a strong recommendation for Sunday. Both will draw favorable matchups against lackluster lineups. Wacha has a projection advantage in wins and strikeouts, while Pfaadt has a clear projection advantage in ERA and WHIP. Given the projections, fantasy managers in points leagues may prefer Wacha, while those in roto leagues should go with Pfaadt.
Pfaadt is scheduled for a decent Week 10 matchup at the Mets, while Wacha will also draw a middling matchup against the Padres. Both players are decent streams for Week 10 and have underlying metrics that are better than their peripherals. Pfaadt may be the better long-term pick, but the Diamondbacks offense has struggled recently while the Royals have thrived. As such, I will go with Wacha for Week 10.
Fantasy Baseball Struggling Starters
Pablo Lopez vs. Joe Musgrove
Our final comparison is between two starters who have not delivered on fantasy expectations. Pablo Lopez's 1.12 WHIP and 27.9% strikeout rate are solid, but his 4.72 ERA leaves a lot to be desired. Joe Musgrove hasn't had anything go his way with a 6.14 ERA, a 1.52 WHIP, and a 20.1% strikeout rate. Fantasy managers likely haven't given up hope, so which player is more likely to reward them sooner?
RotoBaller gives Lopez a strong recommendation for Sunday. Unfortunately, both players will face tough matchups. However, Lopez has projection advantages across the board. Fantasy managers may be inclined to sit both, which may not be a bad idea if they can afford it.
Lopez will face a tough Week 10 matchup at the Astros, while Musgrove will draw a slightly better matchup at the Royals. At this point in the season, Lopez has excellent underlying metrics despite his peripherals. The outlook is much less promising for Musgrove, whose underlying metrics more or less support his peripherals. I prefer Lopez for Week 10 and consider him a buy-low candidate for the rest of the season.
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