Week 2 MLB Fantasy Baseball Preview: Must-Start Pitchers, Hitter Matchups & Weather Watch (March 31-April 6)
Complete Week 2 fantasy baseball breakdown featuring top two-start pitchers, optimal hitter matchups, weather concerns, and key scheduling insights for March 31-April 6.
MLB Fantasy Baseball Week 2: Complete Guide
The first full week of the 2025 MLB season brings critical decisions for fantasy managers as teams settle into their rotations. With most clubs playing 6-7 games, understanding the nuances of Week 2 matchups could give you an early edge in your league.
Key Week 2 Considerations:
- Two-start pitchers dominate rotation schedules (mostly back-of-rotation arms)
- Early-season weather concerns in northern ballparks
- Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies lead with 7-game weeks
- First look at Sutter Health Park (Athletics' new home in Sacramento)
The full Week 2 schedule runs from Monday, March 31 through Sunday, April 6 with all 30 teams in action.
Starting Pitcher Analysis
Top 10 Two-Start Pitchers:
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | 1st Start | 2nd Start | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Glasnow | LAD | vs. ATL | @PHI | 24-25 pts |
| 2 | Corbin Burnes | ARI | @NYY | @WSH | 23-24 pts |
| 3 | Cristopher Sánchez | PHI | vs. COL | vs. LAD | 22-23 pts |
| 4 | Bowden Francis | TOR | vs. WSH | @NYM | 21-22 pts |
| 5 | Ronel Blanco | HOU | vs. SF | @MIN | 20-21 pts |
Notable Omissions:
- Zack Wheeler (PHI) only gets one start (vs. COL)
- Early-season workload management affects top aces
Weather Watch:
Northern cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago face potential rain/snow delays. Monitor:
- Yankees-Rays (Bronx, 48° forecast)
- Red Sox-Orioles (Boston, 45° with rain)
- Cubs-Athletics (Sacramento, 52° but dry)
Hitter Matchup Ratings
Top 5 Teams for Hitters:
-
Cincinnati Reds (7 games - 4 @MIL, 3 vs. TEX)
- Elite: 10/10 overall rating on Friday vs. MIL
- Play 3 games at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park
-
Detroit Tigers (6 games - 3 @SEA, 3 vs. CWS)
- Face Mariners in cold Seattle weather, then weak White Sox rotation
-
Philadelphia Phillies (7 home games)
- Benefit from facing COL pitching staff at Citizens Bank Park
Park Factors to Watch:
- Sutter Health Park (OAK): Initial data suggests pitcher-friendly dimensions with extra-base hit potential
- Coors Field (COL): Always boosts offensive numbers, especially early in season
- Great American Ball Park (CIN): Historically one of MLB's most hitter-friendly venues
Daily Fantasy Strategy
Best Stacking Opportunities:
- Monday 3/31: Reds (vs. TEX) - Facing Kumar Rocker in debut
- Wednesday 4/2: Phillies (vs. COL) - vs. Kyle Freeland at home
- Saturday 4/5: Dodgers (@PHI) - Against softer part of Phillies rotation
Sleeper Picks:
- OF James Outman (LAD): Hot spring, gets 2 games at hitter-friendly Philly
- 2B Bryson Stott (PHI): 7 home games against weak COL/LAD pitching
- SP Garrett Crochet (CWS): Increased velocity, gets BAL in cold Chicago
Final Thoughts
Week 2 presents unique challenges with unpredictable weather and rotations still settling. Focus on:
- Two-start pitchers with favorable matchups
- Hitters in warm-weather venues or hitter-friendly parks
- Teams playing 7 games (CIN, PHI)
- Early-season bullpen usage trends
Remember: These are early-season projections. Be ready to adjust as real-game data emerges.
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