Fantasy Baseball Forecaster Week 21: Aug. 18-24

Fantasy baseball's Week 21 is a more unusual one from a scheduling perspective, especially by comparison to the past few that preceded it.

A Monday doubleheader between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, with one of the games making up their June 18 postponement, means the week kicks off at 2:20 p.m. ET. The extra game means that both teams also play eight-game schedules, an advantage in a week where 20 other teams are scheduled to play only six times, while the Tampa Bay Rays play only five times.

Speaking of those Rays, as a result of a scheduling conflict with the neighboring NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their Saturday home game against the St. Louis Cardinals has been moved to Thursday. The two teams will square off at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday and Friday, have Saturday off, then wrap up their series on Sunday.

This might well be the week we see several starting pitchers mark their returns from the injured list. The Chicago Cubs seem likely to welcome Jameson Taillon back into their rotation for one of their Monday doubleheader games. The Houston Astros could get Lance McCullers Jr. back by Thursday or Friday, though it's possible he'll first make a final minor league rehabilitation start before returning in Week 22. The Seattle Mariners should have Bryce Miller back in action on Tuesday.

Lineup lock times

Scheduling quirks for Week 21

Starting pitchers for Week 21

Hitting charts for Week 21