The Smash and Grab: 7 Teams With Elite Hitting Opportunities in Week 3

One thing I have learned in my journey in fantasy baseball is that volume is key -- especially in hitting.

In standard rotisserie leagues, only one category is ratio based (batting average), which allows us to maximize at-bats and plate appearances to rack up those counting statistics in runs, home runs, runs batted in, and stolen bases. And as simplistic as the approach seems, the best fantasy players find ways to garner as many shots as possible -- via volume.

Each week, this report will analyze the matchups for the upcoming week to see if any teams in particular stand out from a volume perspective as we gear up for those Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) bids.

The seven-game teams? Those are obvious. But what about the other matchups? Let's dig in and find out.

Seven-Game Teams (18)

We get some treats this week! A pile of teams get seven games, and they definitely deserve our attention. Here are all the squads with seven-game weeks -- Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals.

With so much volume, who sticks out here? In alphabetical order:

Baltimore Orioles: four games at home to start the week, followed up by three in Globe Life Park. While that park has been pitcher-friendly, Jordan Lyles and Kyle Gibson are set to make starts over the weekend, and they have been more-than-friendly hosts to hitters. Peep table-setter Cedric Mullins, and don't ignore middle-of-the-order bats like Anthony Santander and Trey Mancini.

Cleveland Indians: If there's a week this offense can heat up, this is it. All road tilts, but in some of the best hitting environments (Guaranteed Rate Field and Great American SmallPark) in the majors. The White Sox rotation is nasty for sure, but Carlos Rodon and Dallas Keuchel aren't vintage Greg Maddux and Steve Avery. Jordan Luplow has been batting near the top of the order and smacked a dinger in Saturday's blowout win.

Chicago White Sox: Similar to the commentary on the Indians, the White Sox should be primed to smash. They will face Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale in the Cleveland series, but after that, Boston's arms are flat-out atrocious. Veteran Adam Eaton has been manning the leadoff spot for the Pale Hose -- take the volume while you can.

Minnesota Twins: Another week, another juicy slate for Minnesota hitters. One available hitter who should catch your fancy is Kyle Garlick, who has been getting some run in the top of the order.

New York Mets: Starting the week off with Chase Anderson is never a bad option, and the Mets close the week with a three-game set in the thin air of Coors Field. Yes, please. The Mets are still struggling offensively so far, but Brandon Nimmo has been outstanding in the leadoff spot.

Six-Game Teams (12)

Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals.

Of these teams, here are some interesting notes:

Milwaukee Brewers: At home for all six contests and facing the porous Pittsburgh Pirates at the back end of the week. They carry some appeal.

New York Yankees: This is a situation to watch as the Toronto Blue Jays cannot play in Canada right now, and their "home" park in Dunedin, Florida is a band box. The Yankees return home to the Bronx at the end of the week, so this is about as nice as a six-game series could get as far as hitting environments.

Five-Game Teams (to Fade)

None.