Week 8 fantasy baseball FAAB check-in

There are only three FAAB periods to go in this year’s fantasy baseball, as the season is getting closer to the finish line. With FAAB budgets dwindling, you'll see bids become less aggressive unless you’re in a league with somebody hoarding money while still in contention. With all the categories being so close volume is going to play a huge role down the stretch. This week the Athletics, Marlins and Phillies play nine games. I’m not quite sure I’ve ever seen that many games played by a team in one week. Eight games is nothing to scoff at, so be aware of available Cardinals, Rangers and Tigers. Fringe players for the Brewers, Dodgers, Pirates or White Sox are cuttable due to only having five games this week. Revisit adding those types of players the week after if the schedule is more favorable. This is a sprint the rest of the way and you need to maximize plate appearances.   

Schedule

Note: the amount of games played can change due to COVID-19. MLB has been shuffling the schedule around.

Five games

• Brewers, Dodgers, Pirates, White Sox

Six games

• Angels, Blue Jays, Mariners, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Rays, Reds, Red Sox, Rockies, Twins

Seven games

• Astros, Braves, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Indians, Padres, Royals, Yankees 

Eight games

• Cardinals, Rangers, Tigers

Nine games

• Athletics, Marlins, Phillies

Now, let’s take a look at the waiver wire options to target this week. Hitters and pitchers are broken down into tiers based on their projected budget allocation for Sept. 6. Budget allocation and ownership percentages come from NFBC — players mentioned will all have an NFBC ownership around 50% or lower.

15-team (sub-50% TGFBI ownership)

Hitters

$1-$9: Aledmys Díaz, Adam Duvall, Cedric Mullins, Cam Gallagher, Daulton Varsho, Isaac Paredes, Jay Bruce, Jose Garcia, José Iglesias, Jose Trevino, Josh Rojas, Justin Upton, Luis Torrens, Matt Joyce, Miguel Rojas, Myles Straw, Oscar Mercado, Nick Markakis, Phil Gosselin, Roman Quinn, Tim Locastro, Tyler Naquin, Shogo Akiyama, Willi Castro
1-5%: Alex Dickerson, Andrelton Simmons, Leody Taveras 

Pitchers

$1-$9: Alex Young, Buck Farmer, Felix Peña, Chad Green, Joe Musgrove, José Cisnero, Kolby Allard, Kyle Crick, Luis Patiño, Martín Pérez, Reynaldo López, Rick Porcello, Tony Watson, Trevor Richards, Yoshihisa Hirano, Zack Britton 
1-5%:  Greg Holland, Jakob Junis, Kevin Ginkel 
6-9%: Michael Pineda 

12-team (sub-50% NFBC RotoWire Online Championship ownership)

Hitters

$1-$9: Aledmys Díaz, Adam Duvall, Alex Dickerson, Andrelton Simmons, Brandon Belt, Cedric Mullins, Cam Gallagher, Daulton Varsho, Donovan Solano, Evan Longoria, Isaac Paredes, Garrett Cooper, Jay Bruce, Jose Garcia, José Iglesias, Jose Trevino, Josh Rojas, Justin Upton, Miguel Rojas, Oscar Mercado, Nick Markakis, Roman Quinn, Willi Castro, Yan Gomes, Yoshi Tsutsugo 
1-5%: Jeimer Candelario, Leody Taveras, Matt Carpenter, Miguel Cabrera
6-9%: Brad Miller

Pitchers

$1-$9: Alex Young, Buck Farmer, Chad Kuhl, Felix Peña, Greg Holland, Jakob Junis, Joe Musgrove, José Cisnero, Tony Watson, Yoshihisa Hirano, Zack Britton 
1-5%: Kevin Ginkel, Jose Urquidy
6-9%: Michael Pineda 

Two-start pitchers

Alec Mills (vs. CIN, @MIL)
Chris Bassitt (vs. HOU, @TEX)
Cristian Javier (@OAK, @LAD)
Dinelson Lamet (vs. COL, vs. SF)
Hyun Jin Ryu (vs. NYY, vs. NYM)
J.A. Happ (@TOR, vs. BAL)
Jakob Junis (@CLE, vs PIT)
Jesús Luzardo (vs. HOU, @TEX)
John Means (@NYM, @NYY)
Jon Gray (@SD, vs. LAA)
Jordan Montgomery (@TOR, vs. BAL)
Julio Teheran (@TEX, @COL)
Kevin Gausman (vs. ARI, @SD)
Kolby Allard (@SEA, vs. OAK)
Kyle Cody (vs. LAA, vs. OAK)
Kyle Hendricks (vs. STL, @MIL)
Lance Lynn (vs. LAA, vs. OAK)
Logan Webb (vs. SEA, @SD)
Luke Weaver (vs. LAD, vs. SEA)
Marco Gonzales (vs. TEX, @ARI)
Matthew Boyd (vs. MIL, @CWS)
Max Scherzer (vs. TB, vs. ATL)
Michael Fulmer (@MIN, @CWS)
Michael Wacha (vs. PHI, @TOR)
Mike Clevinger (vs. COL, vs. SF)
Robbie Erlin (vs. MIA, @WAS)
Sixto Sánchez (@ATL, vs. PHI)
Spencer Turnbull (vs. MIL, @CWS)
Triston McKenzie (vs. KC, @MIN)
Tyler Mahle (@CHC, @STL)
Vince Velasquez (@NYM, @MIA)
Zac Gallen (@SF, vs. SEA)
Zach Eflin (vs. BOS, @MIA)
Zach Plesac (vs. KC, @MIN)
Zack Greinke (vs. OAK, @LAD)
Zack Wheeler (@NYM, @MIA)

Most if not all of the available pitchers who have two starts this upcoming week are likely going to hurt you more than anything. Don’t get so desperate for strikeouts and wins that you relentlessly butcher your ratios by adding a two-step this week. With so many doubleheaders this week, the setup man could be in line for a cheap save or win with the games only being seven innings. Look to use relievers this week over a starting pitcher you’re uncertain or feeling pessimistic about.  

Please feel free to tweet or DM me on Twitter (@_mattywood_) if you ever have any questions about the current FAAB week or any specific player.