Week 9. This is all she wrote, folks. If you’re still in the title chase, welcome, and a job well done. This week is always interesting for fantasy, as teams will make changes to their rotation as the week goes on. With the consolidated schedule, hopefully teams will stick to their plans as they push for playoff positioning.
Like every week, let’s check on how the streamers from last week performed. Accountability is everything.
Mitch Keller – 3 IP, 0 W, 4 K, 3 ER, 4 BB
Dane Dunning – 6 IP, 1 W, 3 K, 0 ER, 1 BB
Brady Singer – 8 IP, 1 W, 8 K, 0 ER, 2 BB
Griffin Canning – 5 IP, 1 W, 7 K, 1 ER, 2 BB
Braxton Garrett – N/A
Spencer Turnbull – 6 IP, 0 W, 7 K, 2 ER, 0 BB
Kyle Wright – 6.1 IP, 1 W, 6 K, 0 ER, 1 BB
Total: 34.1 IP, 4 W, 35 K, 6 ER, 10 BB
That’ll do, captain. That’ll do.
Take note that we are looking for pitchers who are rostered in less than 30 percent of Yahoo leagues. Occasionally a recommendation will exceed that threshold if they are in a particularly favorable streaming situation.
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Monday, September 21
Kyle Gibson (TEX) at LAA: 9%
We hopped on the Brady Singer train last week after he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. He came through. We now are going to do the same with … Kyle Gibson. Woof. Yeah, this slate isn’t starting off strong with streamer options, as those we’d like to use have graduated past the threshold. Gibson threw a complete game against the Astros his last time out, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified to use him during the championship week.
Other options: Jordan Montgomery (NYY) at TOR: 20%
Tuesday, September 22
Keegan Akin (BAL) at BOS: 4%
Akin was great his last time out, allowing zero runs while striking out nine against Atlanta. He faces the Red Sox, who have little to play for with a three-game lead in the NL East. Akin, who has a two-start week, should be rostered and started in more than four percent of leagues this week.
Other options: Taylor Clarke (ARI) vs. TEX: 5%
Wednesday, September 23
Dean Kremer (BAL) at BOS: 28%
Remember the first couple of weeks when the Orioles were really good? That was fun. You’d think they are good again with us going back to the well with another Baltimore pitcher. It’s really just about the matchup here. Imagine telling that to Red Sox and Orioles fans last offseason. Kremer has pitched solidly for Baltimore, allowing just three earned runs in 16 innings this year with 20 strikeouts and nine walks.
Other options: Jaime Barría (LAA) at SD: 8%
Thursday, September 24
Kris Bubic (KC) vs. DET: 8%
Bubic has had four straight solid starts where he’s allowed two or fewer runs each time out. The strikeouts have been encouraging, too. Surprisingly he hasn’t faced the Tigers yet, but like the Royals, they have nothing to play for this week. Bubic will at least be looking to show the Royals what he has to offer one last time as they look toward 2021.
Other options: Martín Pérez (BOS) vs. BAL: 8%
Friday, September 25
Mitch Keller (PIT) at CLE: 28%
We knew the risks of turning to Keller last Monday on his first start back from an injury in a doubleheader. He was just fine, but it was ultimately an L on the sheet. However, he followed that up by throwing six no-hit innings against the Cardinals on Saturday, having him in line for the victory before the Pirates’ bullpen blew the lead. This week he’ll get Cleveland, who very much has something to play for. This start is critical for fantasy analysts and players looking at their 2021 rankings.
Other options: Kyle Wright (ATL) vs. BOS: 5%
Saturday, September 26
Daulton Jefferies (OAK) vs. SEA: 1%
Jefferies was smacked around in his first big-league start against the Rangers, which should give us pause on rolling him out here. The thing is, the rest of the options aren’t anything to write home about either. Let’s go with the upside here, which Jefferies clearly has, even if he was hit around in his first taste of the majors.
Other options: N/A
Sunday, September 27
Kyle Freeland (COL) at ARI: 30%
Freeland has been really good on the road this year. Here’s what I wrote in my two-start pitcher column:
“Freeland is the streamer of the week, as he gets two road starts and gets to avoid Colorado. On the year, he has a 2.63 ERA on the road, and a 4.46 ERA at home this year. He’s available in 66 percent of leagues on Yahoo.”
Other options: N/A
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.