June 9-15 Fantasy Baseball Expert Picks: Streaming Options, Trade Assets and More

Summer is in full swing: school is out for most kids, temperatures are reaching triple digits in certain parts of the country, and we're less than a month away from July 4. Start enjoying it now, because before you know it, we'll be staring winter in the face again.

Fantasy baseball keeps on trucking, and the experts at FantasySP are here to help you prepare. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five questions in advance of another week of the MLB season.

Use the FantasySP Trade Value Chart and Trade Analyzer all season when assessing fantasy baseball trades. Also be sure to check out the new “Ask Fantasy Expert” tool inside the analyzer.

Which team(s) has the best matchups this week, setting them up for success?

Daniel: The Los Angeles Angels play three apiece against the Athletics and the Orioles this week, two teams with a combined 50-77 record entering the weekend. The A's had a recent stretch where they went 3-24; Baltimore had a six-game winning streak within the past 10 days, but those games were against the White Sox and Mariners, not exactly a murder's row.

Morgan: The New York Mets could be in for a big week, with three-game series against the Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays on tap. New York could widen its lead in the NL East with a strong week.

How about an offensive player or two who is available in fantasy leagues and could be in for a big week?

Daniel: Let's go back to the Angels: the pitching staffs for both the A's and Orioles are among the five worst in ERA, runs allowed, hits allowed, home runs allowed, batting average allowed, and WHIP. The Athletics are also in that group in walks. There aren't many duos of opponents who offer better upside for hitters.

There are quite a few LA hitters who are available in most fantasy leagues and have been in the lineup often: first baseman Nolan Schanuel, infielder Luis Rengifo, outfielders Jo Adell and Jorge Soler, and to a lesser degree, catcher Travis d'Arnaud.

Morgan: I'll continue to bring St. Louis' Ivan Herrera up until he's owned in more fantasy leagues. He's at 76% rostered right now. He's just a few fantasy points back from being a top-10 fantasy catcher, and Herrera has played just 32 games because of a month-or-so long injury. 

His .309 average and .391 OBP and daily starts should be enough for fantasy owners to want to add and utilize him. Herrera takes on the Blue Jays and Brewers this coming week.

Do you have a pitcher or two who has a good week in line based on matchups?

Daniel: I highlighted Houston pitchers last week, and we'll do the same again here, as they play three apiece against the White Sox and Twins. Chicago is one of the worst offensive teams in the league, while Minnesota is a little better but still a bottom-10 unit overall (though closer to the fringe).

Lance McCullers Jr. is in line to make two starts, one against each team. Ryan Gusto will start against the White Sox, and Colton Gordon will start against Minnesota. Gordon is the better pitcher, but Gusto has the better matchup; they will both be feasible streamers.

Morgan: Athletics' Jeffrey Springs has probable starts against the Angels and Royals, which are pretty favorable matchups. He's struggled a bit of late, but could get back on track in these favorable matchup this week.

Give us a player who has been doing well who might slow down as the season goes on and could be worth selling high on.

Daniel: Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh is having a career season. He already has 24 home runs (as of Saturday), on pace to smash his career high of 34. He's also hitting .269 after previously never topping .232 and holding a career rate of .225. Raleigh is still striking out a lot, a problem his whole career.

The most likely outcome is that he slows down over the rest of the season to something closer to his career numbers. He is 28 years old, so it's reasonable to think he has improved in his prime, but Raleigh has been hitting so well that he almost has to regress. Trading him now could probably net you a keeper pitcher or a starter at another position if you have another catcher who can play most days.

Morgan: Arizona's Geraldo Perdomo is due for some regression at some point. He's one of the top fantasy shortops, and hitters overall, this season, but his career numbers say he's going to fall off at some point. I'd look to sell high while his value is still sky high.

How about the opposite: a guy who has struggled but has reason to believe he will improve the rest of the year.

Daniel: I like to look at the most disappointing teams who would make sense as bounce back candidates over the next four months. Even though I'm running out of patience, I keep coming back to the Orioles. They were such a good offensive team over the past few years that it seems like they almost have to improve from their bottom-five level.

Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman were both drafted among the top two or three players at their position, and they have disappointed greatly. Owners would surely be interested in making a swap if you have a surplus at another position; you might grab a high-upside player for someone you don't really need if you work savvy.

Morgan: Fernando Tatis Jr. has good season numbers, but he's been in a rut at the plate over the past couple weeks. If there were ever a time to buy low on Tatis, now is that time.