MLB Fantasy Baseball Week 24: Playoff Semifinals Preview

As the MLB Fantasy Baseball season enters its crucial Week 24, the playoff semifinals are heating up. Here’s a comprehensive look at the key pitching matchups, hitter ratings, and schedule observations to help you set your lineups for the week ahead.

Key Pitching Matchups

• Jacob deGrom (TEX) vs. New York Mets: DeGrom faces his former team for the first time since winning back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards with the Mets. This Friday showdown at Citi Field is a must-watch.
• Max Fried (NYY) vs. Brayan Bello (BOS): A rematch of their August 22 duel, where Bello edged out Fried in a 1-0 victory. This weekend series could be pivotal for both teams' playoff hopes.

Hitter Ratings

• New York Mets: With a four-game series against the Phillies, the Mets' hitters are poised to take advantage of Philadelphia’s pitching staff. Keep an eye on their performance against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers.
• Houston Astros: The Astros face the Blue Jays in a three-game series. Their hitters have been consistent, and this matchup could be crucial for their playoff seeding.

Schedule Observations

• Seven-Game Weeks: Ten teams, including the Guardians and Rockies, have seven games scheduled, providing ample opportunities for fantasy points.
• No Games at Coors Field: For the first time in weeks, there are no games scheduled at Colorado’s hitter-friendly Coors Field, which could impact offensive outputs.

Lineup Lock Times

• Monday, Sept. 8: 11 games, first game at 6:40 PM ET
• Sunday, Sept. 14: 15 games, first game at 11:35 AM ET

Intriguing Series

• New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies: A four-game series that could decide the NL East race.
• New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox: A classic rivalry with playoff implications, especially for home-field advantage in the wild-card series.

Starting Pitcher Rankings

1. Bryan Woo (SEA): Starts against the Cardinals and Angels.
2. George Kirby (SEA): Faces the Cardinals and Angels.
3. Sean Manaea (NYM): Takes on the Phillies and Rangers.

Hitting Charts

• Overall Ratings: Teams like the Astros and Mets have high overall hitter ratings for the week.
• Left-Handed vs. Right-Handed Pitchers: Some teams have favorable matchups against specific pitcher types, which could be a key factor in setting your lineup.

As the playoff semifinals unfold, make sure to stay updated with the latest player news and adjust your lineups accordingly. Good luck in your quest for the championship!