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Welcome RotoBallers to my fantasy baseball start/sit article for the week ahead, September 25 - October 1. This week's article will focus on Evan Carter, CJ Abrams, Lance Lynn, Eduardo Rodriguez, Mark Canha, Mark Vientos, Luis Robert Jr., and George Springer.
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 any two players and receive fantasy projections for today, tomorrow, or the current week.
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 have used the tool to review a few interesting start/sit comparisons for the final day of the period and preview the following week. With the final week of the season upon us, I want to thank everyone who has followed this article series and adopted the tool to make tough roster decisions. Let's get into our final start vs. sit comparisons for the week ahead, September 25 - October 1!
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Surging Young Hitters
Evan Carter (OF) vs. CJ Abrams (SS)
Our first comparison is between two young players who have really produced lately. Evan Carter is one of fantasy's top prospects and has shown why since being called up by the Rangers at the beginning of September, slashing 324/.447/.676 in 47 plate appearances. CJ Abrams is looking to finish his sophomore season on a high note, slashing .292/.393/.542 in the previous week. Which promising young player can end fantasy managers' seasons on a high note?
RotoBaller gives Abrams a strong recommendation for Sunday, although this is partly because the Nationals will play a doubleheader. Abrams will face tougher matchups against the Braves, while Carter will face a middling matchup against the Mariners. Abrams has a clear projection advantage in counting stats given the extra game, but Carter has a clear projection advantage in batting average and slugging percentage.
Looking ahead to Week 27, the Rangers will face middling matchups with three games at the Angels and four at the Mariners. The Nationals only play five games and face tough matchups with two games at the Orioles and three at the Braves. The Rangers are slated to face two lefties, which hurts Carter as he has not hit them as well.
This decision may come down to positional need, but Carter appears to be the better overall option given his profile, pedigree, and matchups. Abrams is a better play for roto managers chasing steals, but Carter is set to offer more fantasy upside overall.
Erratic Streamers
Lance Lynn vs. Eduardo Rodriguez
Our next comparison is between two starters with high ceilings but also low floors. Lance Lynn has been a big disappointment this season with a 5.92 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Eduardo Rodriguez (back) had a great first half but has posted a lackluster 4.57 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 12 second-half starts. Which one is worth the gamble with so much on the line?
RotoBaller gives Rodriguez a strong recommendation for Sunday. Both will face good matchups, but Rodriguez gets one of the best matchups at the Athletics. Consequently, he has better projections across the board.
Rodriguez will face a decent matchup against the Guardians in his final start, while Lynn will face a rematch at the Giants. Overall, Rodriguez's tough second half has still been significantly better than Lynn's overall output. As such, I would feel more comfortable relying on Rodriguez.
Mark Corner Infielders
Mark Canha (1B, OF) vs. Mark Vientos (3B)
We'll now look at two hot corner infielders who may be available for the final week. Mark Canha has put together a solid season and is doing even better lately, slashing .289/.347/.489 over the last two weeks. On the other side of the diamond, prospect Mark Vientos hasn't had a great first showing but has slashed an impressive .333/.333/.708 in the last week. Which Mark can best help fantasy managers for the final stretch?
Canha receives a strong recommendation for Sunday. Both will face middling matchups and don't have great overall projections, but Canha more or less has the advantage in all facets.
The Brewers face strong matchups the following week, with three games against the Cardinals and three against the Cubs. On the other hand, the Mets will face tough matchups with three at the Marlins and three at the Phillies. While Vientos may be hotter right now, Canha is still hitting well and has been more consistent overall for an entire season. I would go with Canha for the final week.
Slumping Outfielders
Luis Robert Jr. vs. George Springer
Our final comparison is between two high-end outfielders who have not delivered lately. Luis Robert Jr. has struggled in September, slashing just .203/.226/.356. George Springer has had an inconsistent season and is once again in a slump, slashing .240/.283/.300 over the last two weeks. Which one has a better chance of performing like their usual selves to end the season?
RotoBaller gives Robert Jr. a slight recommendation for Sunday. Other than walks and strikeouts, Robert Jr. has the projection edge in everything else. The big advantage is in slugging percentage, which likely manifests itself in the runs and RBI projections.
Both teams have tough matchups the following week, with the White Sox playing three games against the Diamondbacks and three against the Padres while the Blue Jays will play three against the Yankees and three against the Rays.
This one is tough and if the time period were longer, I would probably go with Robert Jr. Springer has been hitting relatively better lately and hits in a better lineup, giving him the edge for the final week.
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