The schedule makers have given us a more normal schedule for this week with only two teams playing five games, the Chicago White Sox and Miami. There are 14 teams that will play six games and14 teams will play seven games with Baltimore and Boston getting seven based on a doubleheader.  So sit those marginal guys on the White Sox and Marlins, and load up on those guys playing all seven. 

Two start options

You might find a couple “marginal” options this week on your waiver wire with three guys getting two home starts.  Diamondbacks starter Zach Davies gets the Royals and Dodgers. Braves starter Tucker Davidson has the Phillies and Marlins. And Reds starter Vladimir Gutierrez starts are against the Cubs and Giants.  Not exactly top of the rotation pitchers, but all three should give you 10-plus innings and eight-plus strike outs.

Help is on the way

The past week has seen the return of a lot of players! Kris Bryant, Joey Votto, Starling Marte, Bailey Ober, Ryan Mountcastle, Kurt Suzuki, John Naylor, Michael Wacha, Andrew McCutchen, Mitch Garver, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Correa and Lucas Giolito.  That could make a pretty good team!

Walking wounded 

And going the other direction, some pretty good players are going to be lost for a while.  Topping the list is Max Scherzer with an oblique that will keep him out of the Mets rotation at least three weeks.  The Brewers lost shortstop Wily Adames. And Royals catcher Sal Perez, Twins starter Josh Winder, A’s starter Daulton Jeffries, Reds starter Tyler Mahle, and Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’ Neill were all lost to injuries.  Plus, Cards starter Steven Matz left his Sunday start at Pittsburgh after four pitches. I’d expect an IL stint is coming.

The future is now

As part of the Cardinal roster changes, highly touted rookie Nolan Gorman was brought up from the minors.  As expected, he has hit well, but you have to temper it a bit as it’s been against a Pirates pitching staff that might not be as good as some pitching he saw at AAA.  The power hasn’t come yet, but his 15 home runs in the minors before the call up show it’s there. The Cards didn’t bring him up to sit on the bench, so he’s worthy of bidding a few bucks on in this week’s waiver wire.  

The same is true for Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman.  Generally regarded as their best prospect, expect to see him in their lineup on a daily basis. And if you could use some help with offensive production at the catcher spot, bid accordingly.

The other Cardinals future star making his debut was pitcher Matthew Liberatore.  It wasn’t overly impressive, and showed he might need some more time in the minors to work on some pitches. The Cards sent him back down after the start.  So don’t be putting any bids on him just yet.

If you’re looking for pitching help (and who isn’t!), see if pitcher Shane Baz is available.  He’s had a couple good rehab outings, and if he returns to the form he showed last year, he could be a major help to your fantasy staff. Get him now.

Closer Corner 

No one has emerged this week as the new closer for their team, but a couple players have established the role to give you some confidence in using them.  While Adolis Chaplin is not losing the job for the Yankees, he’s not as dominant as in the past.  Clay Holmes has emerged as a reliable option and picked up his 4th save. I think he’ll get five to 10 more this year, so if that’s something you need, get him.  And if Chapman were to go down for an extended period, you could easily double that.  A great stash if you have room.  

The Red Sox bullpen is still in flux and the guy they were hoping would be their closer, Matt Barnes, picked up his first of the year with a clean inning.  Come July, he could be the main man.  

Quietly, Joe Jimenez has done the job in Oakland with seven saves.  If they don’t trade him, he’ll get 20-plus this year.  If you are looking for a guy to go after in a trade, Ryan Pressley owners might be willing to part with him because of his slow start. But he appears to be returning to form, and I think he gets at least 30 saves for the Astros.  Now is the time to make an offer before his value skyrockets.

Have a great week!

Charlie Wiegert was the sixth person to be inducted in the Fantasy Sports Hall Of Fame in 2001. He is a founder of CDM Fantasy Sports and Fantasy Sports Trade Association. He has been playing and winning fantasy baseball leagues since 1984. If you have any questions for Charlie, email them to cwiegert@cdmsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GFFantasySports.