Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Yankees have made David Phelps the fifth starter while Michael Pineda serves his suspension. Due to a rain out last week, Phelps will make his first start on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels. However, it will be his next (supposed) start against the Milwaukee Brewers that should excite fantasy owners.
Phelps and the Yankees will travel west for an interleague matchup against the Brewers. Miller Park is not the friendliest to hitters. The Brewers as a team have hit just 11 of their 31 home runs and 37 of their 114 RBI at home. The Yankees aren’t the best-hitting team on the road either, making this game a prime candidate to be a long pitcher’s duel.
The Brewers are an average hitting team, ranked 18th in RBI (114), 17th in average (.248) and 15th in strike outs (245). On the other hand, Phelps has been very good out of the bullpen. He has racked up 16 strikeouts and five earned runs in just 11.2 innings.
The one added benefit for using Phelps for this game is that the Brewers will be without their superstar Ryan Braun. He will be finishing up his 15-day DL stint with an oblique strain. He has been the best Brewers hitter with six home runs, 18 RBI and a .318 batting average.
With an off-day in the middle of the week, the Yankees may push Phelps’ second start back and give Hiroki Kuroda a second start this week. However, if that doesn’t happen, then race to the waiver wire and add Phelps as your daily streamer for Sunday. He is available is almost all of ESPN.com leagues.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @BPiv_Sports.
