MLB Week 21 Fantasy Baseball Forecast: Key Pitcher Rankings and Hitter Insights
Get ahead in your fantasy baseball league with our detailed Week 21 forecast, featuring pitcher rankings, hitter ratings, and schedule insights.
Week 21 Overview
Fantasy baseball's Week 21 presents a unique scheduling scenario, especially when compared to previous weeks. A Monday doubleheader between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field kicks off the week at 2:20 p.m. ET. This doubleheader means both teams will play eight games this week, a significant advantage as 20 other teams are scheduled for only six games, and the Tampa Bay Rays have just five.
Key Schedule Changes
Due to a scheduling conflict with the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Rays' Saturday home game against the St. Louis Cardinals has been moved to Thursday. The teams will play at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday and Friday, take Saturday off, and conclude their series on Sunday.
Pitcher Returns
Several starting pitchers are expected to return from the injured list this week. The Chicago Cubs may welcome Jameson Taillon back for one of their Monday doubleheader games. The Houston Astros could see Lance McCullers Jr. return by Thursday or Friday, and the Seattle Mariners should have Bryce Miller back in action by Monday or Tuesday.
Starting Pitcher Rankings
Here are the top starting pitchers for Week 21:
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | 1st Start | 2nd Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Skenes | PIT | Mon 8/18 - TOR (Gausman) | Sun 8/24 - COL (Blalock) |
| 2 | Logan Gilbert | SEA | Mon 8/18 - @PHI (Suarez) | Sun 8/24 - ATH (Lopez) |
| 3 | Carlos Rodon | NYY | Tue 8/19 - @TB (Baz) | Sun 8/24 - BOS (May) |
| 4 | Nick Pivetta | SD | Tue 8/19 - SF (Teng) | Sun 8/24 - LAD (Yamamoto) |
| 5 | Joe Ryan | MIN | Tue 8/19 - ATH (Lopez) | Sun 8/24 - @CWS (Gomez) |
Hitter Matchup Ratings
Here are the hitter matchup ratings for Week 21:
| Team | Games | Date | Opponent | Overall | LHB | RHB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | 6 | Mon, 8/18 | CIN | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| CLE | 6 | Tue, 8/19 | CIN | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| CLE | 6 | Wed, 8/20 | CIN | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Conclusion
Week 21 offers a mix of challenges and opportunities for fantasy baseball managers. With key pitcher returns and unique scheduling quirks, staying informed is crucial. Use this forecast to optimize your lineups and gain an edge in your league.
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