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Welcome RotoBallers to another edition of my 2024 fantasy baseball start/sit article for Week 11, June 3 - June 9. This week's article will focus on Matt Vierling, David Fry, Paul Goldschmidt, George Springer, Cole Irvin, Ben Brown, Casey Mize, and Hunter Brown.
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, June 3 - June 9!
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Fantasy Baseball Hot Outfield Options
Matt Vierling (3B/OF) vs. David Fry (C/1B/OF)
Our first comparison is between two outfielders who can play multiple positions and have hit well all season. Matt Vierling has been an integral part of a decent Tigers lineup, slashing .287/.320/.497 with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 178 plate appearances. David Fry has been a surprise fantasy asset with a .352/.485/.629 slash line, eight HR, 27 RBI, and four stolen bases in 136 plate appearances. Which player has a better chance to stay hot?
RotoBaller gives Vierling a slight recommendation for Sunday. Both players have solid projections overall. Vierling has a slight advantage in runs and RBI, while Fry has a slight advantage in batting average and slugging percentage. Fry faces a slightly tougher matchup, giving the edge to Vierling.
Looking to Week 11, the Tigers have a mixed bag of matchups with three games at the injury-ridden Rangers and three against the Brewers. The Guardians draw better matchups, with three games against the Royals and three at the Marlins. The Guardians are slated to face two lefties, which benefits Fry.
Both players are solid short-term fantasy plays given how well they've hit. However, Fry has hit better, is in a better lineup, and provides speed in addition to power. He is also catcher-eligible, which is a major plus. Vierling is a worthwhile fantasy option for fantasy managers looking for a hot bat, but Fry offers more overall fantasy upside.
Fantasy Baseball Slump Breakers
Paul Goldschmidt (1B) vs. George Springer (OF)
Our next comparison is between two historically strong fantasy players who started very slowly but may be turning things around. Paul Goldschmidt looked like age may have caught up to him, but the 36-year-old has slashed an improved .269/.356/.577 with four HR since the middle of May. George Springer has struggled for most of the season but has picked things up lately, slashing .318/.484/.500 in his last seven games. Which player is a better bet to continue to return to form?
RotoBaller gives Goldschmidt a strong recommendation for Sunday. Springer has a slight projection advantage in batting average and stolen bases, but Goldschmidt has a slight advantage in HR and a clear advantage in runs scored, RBI, and slugging percentage.
The Cardinals will face strong matchups in Week 11, with three games at the Astros and four against the Rockies. The Blue Jays will face a mixed bag, with four games against the Orioles and three at the Athletics.
Goldschmidt has provided more fantasy value throughout his career than Springer, which has held true this season despite their struggles. Goldschmidt draws better matchups in Week 11 and has been producing more consistently than Springer, giving him the nod.
Fantasy Baseball Favorable Matchup Streamers
Cole Irvin vs. Ben Brown
Our next comparison is between two starters who draw favorable matchups on Sunday and are available to pick up. Cole Irvin has done a great job filling in an injury-riddled O's rotation, going 5-2 with a 2.84 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and a 17.6% strikeout rate in 10 appearances (eight starts). Ben Brown is coming off an excellent start and has a 2.72 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a 29.9% strikeout rate in 46 1/3 innings pitched. Which player is more worth picking up?
RotoBaller gives Brown a strong recommendation for Sunday. Brown will face the Reds at home, while Irvin will face a Rays lineup that has disappointed all season. Both players have strong projections and Irvin has a projection advantage in wins, but Brown has a clear advantage in strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP.
Irvin is slated for a rematch at the Rays in Week 11, while Brown may also draw a matchup at the Reds. Brown has more strikeout skills than Irvin but has a more uncertain role and has only cleared five IP in two of his 13 outings. Brown may end up providing more fantasy upside if he settles into the Cubs' rotation, but I will stay conservative and go with Irvin for Week 11.
Fantasy Baseball Scary Starters
Casey Mize vs. Hunter Brown
Our final comparison is between two starters who have shown promise at times but have mostly underperformed this season. Casey Mize has gotten clobbered in his last two starts and now owns a 4.71 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP, and a 15.5% strikeout rate in 10 starts and 49 2/3 IP. On the other hand, Hunter Brown has turned in back-to-back quality starts but still owns an ugly 6.39 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, and 23.7% strikeout rate in 11 appearances (10 starts) and 49 1/3 IP. Which starter offers a higher floor for desperate fantasy managers?
RotoBaller gives Brown a strong recommendation for Sunday. Both will face decent matchups, although the projections are not good for either. Brown's strikeout, ERA, and WHIP projections are more palatable, resulting in his preference.
Mize will face a tough Week 11 matchup against the Brewers, while Brown will draw a middling matchup at the Angels. Brown has pitched relatively better lately, draws a better matchup, and has a better offense backing him, so I will give him the endorsement for Week 11. However, I would prefer to avoid both if possible until they can prove they can pitch well for an extended period.
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