:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67204289/1228033735.jpg.0.jpg)
The Cardinals have not played baseball since July 29th. They are currently slated to resume play on Saturday. It remains to be seen how MLB will deal with the Cardinals schedule, with them needing to make up so many games. They are currently scheduled for a seven-game week, like many teams are. I’d imagine we get more info soon on when or if the Cardinals schedule changes.
Speaking of the Cardinals, be sure to grab Dylan Carlson (27% owned). He is likely to join the big league club when they resume play. He has major upside and should be rostered and started just about everywhere going forward.
The Numbers Game
Most teams get a full seven-game slate in Week 4. Eight teams play just six games. The Marlins get an eight-game week, as do the Blue Jays. This makes their players just a bit more enticing to use for fantasy.
Power Plays
Alec Bohm (15% owned) made his debut on Thursday and gets a great slate in Week 4. Pick him up and start him everywhere. The Phillies travel to Boston for two games. Then play a double-header in Buffalo against the Blue Jays. Finally, they wrap the week up by taking on the Braves in the ATL. In addition to Bohm, Didi Gregorius (78% owned) and Jean Segura (55% owned) are solid plays.
The Orioles get all their games at home in Week 4. Plus, they get the Red Sox pitching. Baltimore has been a major surprise this season. Renato Nunez (68% owned), Hanser Alberto (60% owned), and Anthony Santander (38% owned) are all worth starting. In two-catcher leagues, Pedro Severino (18% owned) should be added and started for those streaming their second backstop.
The White Sox offense has been a bit of a letdown in 2020. Many had high expectations for their young core to make a big fantasy impact. Perhaps a solid week of matchups can get them jump-started. The Sox face the Tigers at home for four games before traveling across town to play the Cubs. Continue to start your White Sox and maybe even look at Edwin Encarnacion (62% owned) for help with power.
The Marlins get the Mets four times before playing the Nationals in D.C. in a four-game series as well. This could be a great week to use speedster Jon Berti (11% owned). He has three steals this season and I'd wager he adds to that total in Week 4. Brian Anderson (31% owned) has been hot of late. Start him this week if you can.
Fade! Fade! Fade!
The Diamondbacks have a tough week of matchups. They face the Athletics pitching staff for four games before a three-game set in San Francisco. I'd look elsewhere if you roster Eduardo Escobar (83% owned) or Christian Walker (50% owned).
The Mariners get the privilege of facing the Dodgers in Week 4. As we discussed last week, the Dodgers are the worst matchup for hitters. It's tough to sit the Kyles (Seager and Lewis) with how hot they are. Even Dylan Moore (63% owned) is going to find his way onto some of my rosters. Just don't have your normal expectations with them.
The Rays round out the teams with bad Week 4 matchups. Tampa Bay gets the Yankees in New York for three games before coming home against the Blue Jays for another three-game set. That's tough pitchers to face. Austin Meadows and even Brandon Lowe (79% owned) need to remain starting. Keep Hunter Renfroe (44% owned) on the bench or on your waiver wire.