NL East Fantasy Baseball News: deGrom's uncertain baby status
We'll be here each Friday to share news and preview the weekend action for every division. Maybe the Phillies will get a win sometime?
Atlanta Braves
Weekend opponent: Cardinals (starters Wisler, Teheran, Perez)
With lefty Jaime Garcia throwing for the Cardinals on Friday, you wonder if Jeff Francoeur or Drew Stubbs will get a start.
3B Adonis Garcia has started well, going 4-for-7 with a homer out of the cleanup spot in his first two games.
The folks at Talking Chop don't think SS Erick Aybar should bat second.
Miami Marlins
Weekend opponent: at Nationals (starters Koehler, Cosart)
In a weird schedule quirk, the Marlins and Nats will be off Friday before resuming their series for Saturday and Sunday games.
SP Wei-Yin Chen is expected to make his next start on Monday despite getting hit in the arm by a line drive in his opening start against the Tigers.
Pitching prospecy Tyler Kolek had Tommy John surgery this week. At 20 years old, Kolek is a long way off.
New York Mets
Weekend opponent: Phillies (starters deGrom, TBD, TBD)
Those TBDs in the Mets' weekend rotation are due to Jacob deGrom's wife expecting the couple's first child, whose due date has already passed. If the baby comes before Friday's game, deGrom will leave the team, and Bartolo Colon will start. If deGrom pitches Friday, the Mets will start Colon on Saturday and Matt Harvey on Sunday. Watch closely for news today if you own deGrom in a daily lineup league.
Three righthanders will start for the Phillies, which probably means three starts for LF Michael Conforto, and none for Juan Lagares. Unless Terry Collins wants to give someone a rest, anyway.
Do you own Noah Syndergaard in your fantasy league? If so, read this FanGraphs article about the incredibly nasty stuff he flashed against the Royals on Tuesday.
Philadelphia Phillies
Weekend opponent: at Mets (starters Eickhoff, Velasquez, Hellickson)
With David Hernandez and Dailer Hinojosa struggling in early opportunities, manager Pete Mackanin said after Thursday's game that Jeanmar Gomez probably would have closed if the situation arose. Here's Mackanin's quote: "We're auditioning. We've got to find out. It's a daily question. Why not Gomez? Let's see what he can do." Much uncertainty lies ahead, but don't bust your FAAB budget or waiver priority on Gomez.
After three games, it looks like the Phils are platooning Cedric Hunter and Tyler Goeddel in left field, with Hunter starting against righthanders.
Washington Nationals
Weekend opponent: Marlins (starters Ross, Scherzer)
As mentioned above, the Nats and Marlins will take Friday off.
Dusty Baker wants temporary leadoff hitter Michael Taylor to be more aggressive. Taylor's power and speed are worth an add in any format, as long as it allows for you to dump Taylor when Ben Revere returns from the DL. That might not happen for three or four weeks.
Gio Gonzalez started the season in the bullpen due to the Nats' odd schedule this week, but he's expected to start on Monday.
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