King can produce big Week 7

Just about every team in baseball has at least one pitcher lined up to make two starts during Week 7. That makes for some interesting options in fantasy baseball. Let’s highlight five pitchers projected to make two starts each and discuss what their matchups could mean for their fantasy value.

Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. NYM, vs. LAD

Burnes has produced a WHIP of 1.10 or lower in all four seasons since becoming a regular starter. Through his first six outings this season, he has a 1.38 WHIP. His ERA is still good at 3.58, but it’s tough to maintain that with such a high WHIP. His 4.37 xFIP also paints a bleaker picture regarding his performance. His walk rate sits at 12.1% and his strikeout rate is down to 20.0%. That puts him on pace to see his strikeout rate decline for the fifth straight season.

Burnes is a big name, but starting him in Week 7 comes with plenty of risk. First up will be the Mets, who have scored the 10th-most runs in baseball. They have also struck out the fifth-fewest times. Then he will face the Dodgers, who have scored the third-most runs. It’s tough to bench Burnes, but I’d be ok sitting him in 10-team leagues and maybe some 12-team leagues, depending on other roster options.

Michael King, San Diego Padres: at NYY, at COL

King is off to a dominant start with a 2.09 ERA and 1.01 WHIP through seven outings. His strikeout rate is 29.5% and he has given up just three home runs over 38 2/3 innings. That continues to be a strength for him since he has allowed 0.9 HR/9 for his career. The only real downside with him is that, because he racks up so many strikeouts, he is sometimes unable to pitch deep into games. In his seven starts this season, he has logged at least six innings just one time.

King is scheduled to start off Week 7 with a difficult matchup against his old team in the Yankees. It will also be at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees have a .894 OPS. However, they are heavily reliant on the home run, which King generally does a good job limiting. They have also struck out the third-most times in baseball. The Rockies, who King will face in his second outing, have struck out the most times. Coors Field can be troubling, but the Rockies have a modest .721 OPS at home this season. Start King with confidence in fantasy.

Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins: vs. LAD, at CWS

Alcantara’s return from Tommy John surgery is off to a rough start. He has an 8.31 ERA through six starts, although his xFIP is better at 4.73. Still, that mark isn’t exactly something to write home about. Alcantara’s biggest problem has been his 14.2% walk rate. He’s not missing many bats, either, with his 15.8% strikeout rate.

Alcantara faced the Dodgers in his last outing and allowed seven runs over 2 2/3 innings. Facing them a second time could be just as troublesome. The White Sox are tied for the fifth-fewest runs scored in baseball and have the worst OPS, so some fantasy managers might feel like risking it and starting Alcantara in Week 7. The problem is, that outing against the Dodgers could have already destroyed their ratios by then. It might be best to bench him until he shows signs of turning things around.

Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals: vs. CWS, vs. BOS

Ragans was pulled after three innings in his last start because of a mild groin strain. He hasn’t pitched since April 24 and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday. The fact that he hasn’t already landed on the IL indicates that the team doesn’t believe that his injury is serious. If he comes through his bullpen session without issue, he is expected to start Monday against the White Sox.

It doesn’t get much better than facing the White Sox, who have one of the worst lineups in baseball. The Red Sox are far more dangerous, but Ragans can dominate even the best of lineups. He has a 35.9% strikeout rate this season and a 28.1% strikeout rate for his career. Put him right back into fantasy starting lineups if he is cleared to return.

Shane Smith, Chicago White Sox: at KC, vs. MIA

The White Sox are well on their way to another terrible record. If there has been a bright spot for them, it has been the performance of Smith. He has a 1.08 WHIP and has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his six starts. The key to his success is limiting home runs. He has given up just one of them over 32 1/3 innings. Last season, he gave up six home runs over 94 1/3 innings in the minors.

While Smith only has a 19.5% strikeout rate this season, he missed a lot of bats in the minors. That included him posting a 29.6% strikeout rate last year. Week 7 brings two favorable matchups against the Royals and Marlins. The Royals have scored the third-fewest runs in baseball. The Marlins have a .732 OPS at home, but their road OPS checks in at just .674. If there was ever a week to take a chance on Smith, this is it.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.