Fantasy Baseball Lineup Guide for Yankees-Giants Clash Wednesday’s MLB matchup between the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees kicks off the 2026 season, offering fantasy managers critical insights into starting pitching and key hitters. San Francisco’s Logan Webb is set to start at home, while the Yankees’ Max Fried takes the mound in the series opener. Both pitchers will face unique challenges based on their spring performances and the ballpark’s impact. Webb, the Giants’ Opening Day starter, made his final Cactus League appearance last Thursday, allowing six earned runs over 4⅓ innings with eight hits, three strikeouts, and one walk. Despite the rough outing, his performance in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) suggests he can rebound. In the tournament, Webb pitched 8⅔ innings, yielding just one run and striking out 11 batters. Fantasy managers should expect him to lean into his WBC form, especially since Oracle Park is known for suppressing right-handed power but favoring batting averages. The Giants’ designated hitter, Jerar Encarnacion, capitalizes on this dynamic. His .294/.288/.471 line secured him a regular role, while top prospect Bryce Eldridge was sent to Triple-A. Encarnacion’s platoon advantage against right-handed pitchers like Fried makes him a valuable streamer. Fried, the Yankees’ Opening Day starter, also faced challenges in his final spring game, walking four batters with just two strikeouts over five innings. However, his pitch count of 82 suggests he’ll be ready to go deep into the game. The lefty will face six right-handed hitters, including Rafael Devers, Luis Arraez, and Jung Hoo Lee, which could limit his effectiveness. Yet, his familiarity with Oracle Park from his time with the Colorado Rockies may help him adjust.#new_york_yankees #san_francisco_giants #jerar_encarnacion #max_fried #logan_webb
Yankees Leave Luis Gil Out of Opening Rotation, Consider Minor League Placement The New York Yankees have decided not to include Luis Gil in their starting rotation for the opening of the 2025 season, leaving the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year without a guaranteed role in the majors. The team announced on Sunday that their initial four-man rotation will consist of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. This decision was made to accommodate the Yankees’ schedule, which includes four off days within the first 13 games of the season. Gil, who was selected as the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, now faces uncertainty about his place on the 26-man roster. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake acknowledged the frustration of not having Gil in the rotation but emphasized the team’s need to balance the schedule and maintain rhythm for both the bullpen and starting pitchers. “He’d like to be a starter with us, so frustrating,” Blake said, according to MLB.com. “But at the same time, he understands the position we’re in with the way the schedule lines up for the first two weeks in particular.” Manager Aaron Boone suggested that the minors might be the best option for Gil to stay on a starting pitcher’s routine, allowing him to regain his rhythm before potentially rejoining the rotation. “We’re working through that—do we want him to start a couple [in the minors] and then pop him in the rotation?” Boone said, per the New York Post. “Is there an avenue to do it a different way? That’s what we’re working through still.” The Yankees’ season opener is set for Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. After the initial 13-game stretch, the team will play 13 games in 13 days from April 7 to April 19, which will likely be Gil’s first opportunity to rejoin the rotation.#yankees #luis_gil #max_fried #cam_schlittler #will_warren
