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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. We will delve into some players who have been consistent over the first month of the season, as well as what guys to cut loose whether it be due to a downturn in production or an injury. In last week's suggestions of pitchers to stream Felix Hernandez, Jordan Montgomery and Mike Minor combined to pitch 17 innings to the tune of nine earned runs on 20 hits, while striking out 16 batters. The pitchers went 2-0 in these outings however, and although they're not viewed as viable options for the long run this season, they were definitely serviceable in Week 4.
Week 5 closes out the month of April, and includes a weekend series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres in Mexico, in a Cinco de Mayo celebration. 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
Brandon Belt - 1B, SF
Belt has reached base in 12 consecutive games for the Giants, and has raised his batting average to a season high .317 and an eye-opening on-base percentage that sits at .424. He has been arguably the most productive hitter for the Giants on the season, and he is especially valuable in points-based leagues as it is quite difficult to strike out the left-handed stud. He has struck out just 19 times, while walking 13 times this season.
Michael Brantley - OF, CLE
The beginning of Brantley's season was delayed to April 6, and then he struggled to a .154 batting average through his first four games. Then, everything changed for the oft-injured outfielder. Since April 11, he has had at least one base hit in 12 of 13 games, including eight multi-hit games. Although he only has one walk through 69 at-bats, he has a knack of putting the ball in play, as he has struck out just five times all season.
Francisco Cervelli - C, PIT
In the offseason Cervelli changed his batting stance to allow himself to get more lift on the ball, and it has worked thus far as his fly-ball rate has soared and he is playing some of his most consistent offensive baseball of his career. He has four home runs and 20 RBI in 77 at-bats with a .304/.396/.571 slash line. The catcher has only scored nine runs, but in a weak Pirates lineup it is understandable. Even with the limitations in runs scored, he has been one of the top catchers in fantasy baseball so far and is a must-add while on this hot streak.
Points League Players to Drop
Joe Panik - SF, 2B
The Giants' second baseman started off the season as one of the only hitters on the team who could put the ball in play, but has cooled off since April 15 as he has gone 7-for-42 from the plate. To make matters worse, he has hit the disabled list with a thumb injury and is considering surgery to correct the issue. Although he's only owned in larger leagues, it's a roster spot that you can open up while he is on the shelf.
Chris Owings - ARI, SS, 2B, OF
Since April 7, Owings has scored four runs and totaled 2 RBI, while sitting out of four games and coming off of the bench for a pinch-hit appearance four times. His flexibility with being a triple-position player is nice, but you can find much more productive players at each of the positions he's eligible to play and actually receive production from that roster spot.
Lance Lynn - MIN, SP
The beginning of the Lance Lynn era in Minneapolis has been nothing short of embarrassing so far, as the former St. Louis Cardinal is 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in four starts for the Twins. He is coming off of a start against the New York Yankees in which he was shelled for six runs on seven hits in just 3 2/3 innings. On the season he has allowed 16 earned runs, 20 hits and 18 walks in 18 2/3 innings, while striking out 22. There has been cloudiness around his long-term viability in the rotation, but for now Lynn is slated to avoid the move to the bullpen and will make his next start for the Twins. He should not make that start for your team however.
Points League Pitchers to Stream
Tyson Ross - SD, SP: 5/1 @ SF
Ross has had quality starts in three of his four starts against National League West clubs and had one of his best performances of the season against the same Giants he will face on Tuesday. On April 13, Ross went six strong innings against San Francisco allowing just a lone unearned run on seven hits, while punching out five batters via the strikeout. Start him up for a potential high point total on Tuesday night.
Jake Odorizzi - MIN, SP: 5/3 @ CWS
Odorizzi has been susceptible to allowing the long-ball in 2018 as he has allowed seven dingers in 32 innings of worked, but in the last two games where he allowed one home run or less he has held his opponents to just two runs on 10 hits in 12 innings. If he is able to keep the ball in the yard, which I am confident he can do against the White Sox, then he should have a great outing on Thursday.
Mike Leake - SEA, SP: 5/4 v. LAA
The former Arizona State Sun Devil will be looking to right his wrongs and get back on the right track with a Friday night start against the red-hot Angels. Leake has yet to face the Angels this year, but has high strikeout upside in this matchup, especially if Shohei Ohtani is unable to join the lineup. If you have an open roster spot, Leake is among the better stream options on Friday night.
