Memorial Day weekend means so much for so many people that I am diminishing it by simply using the date as a marker point for some silly little game like fantasy baseball.
It’s one of those holidays I hate to say “Happy Memorial Day” and “Have a nice Memorial Day weekend.”…I usually say have a safe holiday weekend. This weekend is to pay tribute to our solemn heroes who gave their last measure fighting for our very freedoms.
I’m as guilty as the next person, enjoying a day off with a few beverages and hot dogs, but the day is about so much more than that, and making sure we leave early to find a good parking spot at the beach…let’s remember that when we are pining over our fantasy teams.
This is traditionally the first marker point of the fantasy baseball season. Two months of the year are behind us; over 50 games have been played, and we are on the cusp of June. Many GMs use this weekend to assess their teams. The first 50 games are to see what you have, the next 50 are to try to improve where you need to, and the last 50 are to make a run if possible.
Fantasy owners typically use this approach, too, but I’ve always argued if you’ve waited until this weekend, it’s already too late for your team. I find myself at an odd place; in my AL-only keeper league, I’m in eighth with no real shot, although I hate conceding, and no team has run away and hidden yet. In my NL-only keeper league, I’m in fourth, within eight pts and right in the thick of things…which team and league do you think I’ll be paying more attention to moving forward?
The answer is both equally. Where you are in the standings shouldn’t matter. You should give each league the proper attention and respect they deserve. You owe it to your team, as well as to your fellow teammates. And as keeper leagues, you should always have something to focus on, even if it’s just putting together a solid core of keepers for 2025.
One of the best ways to stay engaged in a league is to keep up with the two-start pitchers that week. Normally, at this time of year, there are hardly any viable pitchers available. Anyone worth snagging is normally already spoken for, and many teams have the day minimizing pitchers making two starts during a week.
That is not the case for Memorial Day weekend. Being a national holiday, every MLB is on the schedule: 15 games, 30 starting pitchers. There are a plethora of pitchers to choose from.
Eight starters are available in over half the leagues. Here are three who should be considered:
For all your fantasy sports, DFS, and sports betting needs, subscribe to DrRoto.com!!
Tylor Megill, New York Mets
Megill still has yet to win a game this season. He finds himself 0-2 in his two starts, but his overall numbers have been solid. He’s struck out 11 batters in nine innings and sitting with a 3.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.
Jake Irvin, Washington Nationals
Irvin is a disappointing 2-5 on the season, but similar to Megill, has pitched better than the win/loss record. He is sitting at a 3.79 ERA and a very nice 1.07 WHIP.
Lance Lynn, St. Louis Cardinals
Lynn has always been a bulldog on the mound. He finds himself on a not-so-good Cardinals team but still has solid stats. He’s 2-2 in four starts with a 3.68 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. And he’s struck out 48 batters in 51.1 innings.
Normally, three pitchers are about all you’ll be able to find to make two starts…but not this week. Megill, Irvin, and Lynn are just the tip of the iceberg.
There are five more starters this week who you should seriously consider. They all have ERAs at 3.00 or lower, and their WHIPs are sub-1.20.
- Austin Gomber, Colorado Rockies
- Robert Gasser, Milwaukee Brewers
- Xavion Curry, Cleveland Guardians
- Cooper Criswell, Boston Red Sox
- Alec Marsh, Kansas City Royals
As you enjoy this weekend with family and friends, please take a moment to thank the men and women who gave everything for our freedoms.
