The second half of the season is underway, and the MLB trade deadline is near. While looking at streamers, remember that trades could impact lineups, so even though nothing might be guaranteed, you might be getting a better matchup or worse.
There are a few things to keep in mind as we enter the dog days of summer. We all probably try to avoid the heavy hitting lineups like the Orioles and Dodgers, but, say the Royals add a big bat, they could join the ranks of the top lineups.
On the other side, the Marlins are a favorite target when it comes to streamers. If they move Jazz Chisholm, the Marlins become an even more attractive matchup for opposing pitchers.
Pitchers that get moved could go from being streamers to high-rostered players. Trades can also open doors for pitchers to become regular streamers. Trades can also lead to a demotion for some pitchers, and those former high-rostered hurlers then join the streaming pool.
Before we get into this upcoming week of streamers, here are the results for my picks from July 8-14:
- Christian Scott: 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 Ks, No Decision
- Frankie Montas: 7 IP, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 Ks, Loss
- Michael Lorenzen: 5 IP, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 Ks, Loss
- Landon Knack: 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 Ks, No Decision
- Jose Soriano: 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 Ks, Win
- Simeon Woods Richardson: 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks, No Decision
- Cal Quantrill: Start was pushed back
- Total Stats: 32.2 IP, 18 ER, 13 BB, 30 Ks, 1-2
Well, it wasn’t great. I doubt much would have changed had Quantrill made his start. Montas was my prediction pick. I had gone with 6 IP, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 Ks, and the win. I was close with the strikeouts and nailed the walks. Small victories.
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- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Streaming Pitchers & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 18)
(Roster percentages are based on an average of ESPN, YAHOO!, and CBS)
Monday, July 22
Christian Scott (NYM) at MIA 46%
Scott has started eight games in his young MLB career. I forget that he is still looking for his first win. Scott is currently 0-2 on the year. Let’s see if he can get his first win against the Marlins.
The Marlins have ea 24% strikeout rate against right handers. They also have the worst walk rate against right handers and a .223 team batting average. Scott has a great 5.7 BB%. That matches well against the Marlins, who have a low walk percentage. Being able to keep the walks down will hopefully help Scott go at least five innings and put himself in position for a win.
Other Option: Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) at OAK 22%
Tuesday, July 23
Albert Suarez (BAL) at MIA 25%
Suarez has been a nice fit for the Baltimore rotation this year. He has a 2.82 ERA in just over 70 innings. He also pitches with the support of one of the best lineups in baseball. As long as Suarez can last at least five innings, wins are a possibility.
As I mentioned above in Scott’s start, Miami doesn’t hit right-handed pitching well at all. I expect damage, if any, will be limited for Suarez. Miami has the highest GB% in the league and the worst SLG%. I don’t expect a lot of strikeouts for Suarez, but I do be expect a win.
Other Option: Mitchell Parker (WSH) vs. SD 43%
Wednesday, July 24
Yariel Rodriguez (TOR) vs. TB 24%
Rodriguez had a couple of strong starts to start off the month of July. He ran into a little trouble in his last start, managing to only go four innings. He allowed only two earned runs, but three walks added to his pitch count that appears to be limited around the mid 80s. Rodriguez’s walks are an issue with a 1.36 WHIP, but his strikeout potential is high at 25.2 K%.
The Rays have a high GB% and a low HardHit%. They also lead the league in most soft hits against right handers. The Rays are slightly below league average in BB% and K% against right handers as well.
As long as Rodriguez can keep the walks down, he should be able to get five innings with around seven strikeouts. With a little luck, maybe he can get to six innings and 8-9 Ks.
Other Option: Griffin Canning (LAA) at SEA 23%
Thursday, July 25th
Jonathan Cannon (CWS) at TEX 12%
Only eight games are on the slate for this day. For a while, Thursday matchups seemed to provide better options but not this week. This could be Cannon’s last start in the rotation. The White Sox have confirmed he will make a start this current weekend and then this following Thursday.
Cannon has pitched six innings in his last two appearances. In mid-June, he had back-to-back starts in which he went seven and 8.2 innings with a total of 11 Ks between them. The possibility to go deep into games is there.
We could definitely ask for a better matchup than the Rangers, but the Texas lineup hasn’t been as potent as last year. They are only hitting .231 against right handers and have just a .290 OBP. The Rangers do have a low strikeout rate (20%), so Cannon probably won’t rack up too many punchouts in this start. Still, if a streamer is needed for this day, I would roll the dice on Cannon.
Other Option: Mitch Spence (OAK) at LAA 6%
Friday, July 26th
Drew Thorpe (CWS) vs. SEA 42%
If there’s a chance to throw a right-hander against Seattle, I’ll take it nearly every time. In six games this year, Thorpe is 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He doesn’t get a lot of strikeouts, maxing out at only five a couple of times this year. Although, facing a team with a 28 K% against righties could bump that up.
Seattle has a .219 batting average against right handers this year. This lineup just doesn’t strike fear and lacks the hitters that you would prefer to avoid as a pitcher. I feel comfortable enough to make Thorpe my prediction pick this week. I’ll go with a line of 6 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 Ks, and a Win.
Other Option: German Marquez (COL) at SF 3%
Saturday, July 27th
Aaron Civale (MIL) vs. MIA 45%
I’ll go back to Miami, as there doesn’t appear to be a lot of solid options for next weekend. The Brewers are playing well, so I believe a win can be obtained here.
Civale’s stat cast page doesn’t light up with a lot of red. It’s not a blue frozen tundra, but you’re going to need a coat. Before being traded to the Brewers from the Rays, Civale was having a disappointing year. He went to Milwaukee with an ERA over 5.00, but his first two starts for the Brewers have been somewhat encouraging with a 3.97 ERA and 14 Ks in 11.1 IP.
Perhaps a change of scenery was needed and Civale is on track to a better second half. This start should help him get there.
Sunday, July 28th
Kyle Freeland (COL) at SF 7%
Since coming back from an elbow strain in late June, Freeland has gone six innings or more in all four starts. He has 21 strikeouts over 26.1 IP. He began the year giving up 17 ER in his first two starts. So, this definitely looks like a different pitcher.
The Giants are a good hitting team, but this matchups is away from Coors field for Freeland, so I would feel comfortable throwing him out there. I just don’t see the Giants putting up a lot of runs and, like Seattle, they don’t have those hitters that you would want to avoid. Freeland should give you a good start here with good ratios.
Other Option: Colin Rea (MIL) vs. MIA 48%
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