Week 2 MLB Fantasy Baseball Preview: Must-Start Pitchers, Hitter Matchups & Weather Watch (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:

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:

1. 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

2. Detroit Tigers (6 games - 3 @SEA, 3 vs. CWS)

   • Face Mariners in cold Seattle weather, then weak White Sox rotation

3. 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:

1. Two-start pitchers with favorable matchups
2. Hitters in warm-weather venues or hitter-friendly parks
3. Teams playing 7 games (CIN, PHI)
4. Early-season bullpen usage trends

Remember: These are early-season projections. Be ready to adjust as real-game data emerges.