Fantasy baseball playoffs are starting and picking pitcher streamers becomes a little more complicated. Are you going for a heavy-use approach for pitchers? If so, you might not worry about pitcher matchups but more so strikeouts and wins. Those choices are not abundant on the waiver wire, especially when you’re looking at streamers under 50% rostered.
This week is rough for either the fantasy playoffs or regular season games. Just a couple of days of decent streamers. Remember to choose carefully for this upcoming week and plan out how your week could go for pitching. Be honest with yourself as well; don’t assume the best for all your pitchers. Look at your opponent’s pitching and see how you might match up against them. Good luck to you. Before we get into this week’s streamer picks, here are my picks from August 12th-18th:
- Kyle Hendricks: Start was pushed back
- Paul Blackburn: 4 IP, 6 ERs, 2 BBs, 4 Ks (Loss)
- Alex Cobb: 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 BBs, 3 Ks (Win)
- Jose Quintana: 4 IP, 4 ERs, 4 BBs, 1 K (No Decision)
- Spencer Arrighetti: 5.2 IP, 4 ERs, 2 BB, 5 Ks (Loss)
- Tyler Mahle: 3 IP, 4 ERs, 0 BBs, 1 K (No Decision)
- Paul Blackburn: 6 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 Ks (No Decision)
Totals: 28.1 IP, 21 ERs, 11 BBs, 17 Ks (1-2 record)
Another week in the book. Now it’s time to take that book and throw it into the ocean. Spencer Arrighetti was my prediction pick: 7 IP, 2 ERs, 2 BBs, 11 Ks and the win. Shot for the moon on that one and missed badly.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Tools
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Streaming Pitchers & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 22)
(Roster percentages are based on an average of ESPN, YAHOO!, and CBS)
Monday, August 26th
Edward Cabrera (SP – MIA) at COL | 26%
This is for desperate fantasy owners only. I understand picking up Edward Cabrera because he has two starts but I would be nervous starting him against the Rockies. Well, not so much the Rockies, but the Rockies at Coors Field.
The Rockies have over a 25% strikeout rate against right-handers. They also have below a league average for wOBA with a .303 average. However, no matter how the Rockies are hitting, playing at Coors Field changes things.
Perhaps Cabrera can get half a dozen strikeouts and the win but tread carefully with this start. There are several games but limited starters that would fit the streamer requirements today. Good luck on this day.
Other Option: Mitchell Parker (SP – WAS) vs. NYY | 30%
Tuesday, August 27th
Andrew Heaney (SP, RP – TEX) at | 31%
The White Sox have the league-worst wOBA against left-handers. They also have the fewest home runs against lefties. Their strikeout percentage isn’t bad, though, and it’s below 20%.
Heaney has only pitched six innings or more twice in the last two months. You are more likely going to see him go just five innings. With the Rangers hopefully giving him some run support, he can at least get the win. Heaney has struck out eight hitters in both of his last starts. Chicago’s strikeout percentage is lower than most, as mentioned before, but Heaney should still get five or sic strikeouts.
Other Option: Simeon Woods Richardson (SP, RP – MIN) vs. | ATL 38%
Wednesday, August 28th
Osvaldo Bido (SP, RP – OAK) at CIN | 18%
Osvaldo Bido has looked good in August. Three of his four starts have gone at least six innings with six strikeouts. He has a 3-1 record in those four starts. The walks could use some work and that could be an issue against the Reds.
The Reds have over an 8% walk rate against right-handers. They are only hitting .231 against righties and have one the lowest hard-hit% in the majors.
This game is in the hitter-friendly confines of Great America Ball Park, so you might want to temper expectations for Bido. Overall, streamers are lacking for this day. Perhaps the hot hand of Bido can get the best of the Reds lineup. Oakland will be going against Nick Lodolo, who has struggled badly in his last two starts. This pick for Bido might work. Maybe.
Other Option: Keider Montero (SP – DET) vs. LAA | 8%
Thursday, August 29th
Ryne Nelson (SP – ARI) vs. NYM | 36%
Ryne Nelson has three straight quality starts. Over the last month, he has a 3.13 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. Teams are only hitting .219 against Nelson during this span.
This matchup against the Mets won’t be easy, though. The Mets do have over a 23% strikeout rate against right-handers but overall perform very well against righties. It’s Thursday, and this day always seems to make picking streamers difficult.
The Diamondbacks will face Paul Blackburn, who has struggled lately and could give Arizona hitters a chance to give Nelson some early run support.
Other Option: Bowden Francis (RP, SP – TOR) at BOS | 41%
Friday, August 30th
David Peterson (SP, RP – NYM) at CWS | 47%
Anytime you can pick a pitcher against this White Sox lineup you should have the advantage. The White Sox don’t have great success against left-handers.
Like Andrew Heaney, Peterson probably won’t strikeout a bunch of these White Sox hitters, since they do have a lower strikeout percentage and Peterson only has a 7.38 K/9. Peterson has had back-to-back quality starts and is becoming a reliable streamer in good matchups.
I feel good enough with this one to make Peterson my prediction pick for this week: 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 BBs, 5 Ks and the win.
Other Option: Martin Perez (SP, RP – SD) at TB | 41%
Saturday, August 31st
Cody Bradford (SP, RP – TEX) vs. OAK | 44%
Cody Bradford has pitched back-to-back quality starts. He has currently made five appearances since coming off the injured list (IL) and his pitch count is now where we can trust him to go at least six innings. His strikeouts can be all over the place and something about this start makes me think he won’t probably get more than five. He should do a good job limiting damage for this start.
Oakland is hitting .230 against left-handers with over a 25% strikeout rate. I could see Oakland challenging Bradford here, but six innings and a win should be obtainable.
Other Option: Jose Quintana (SP – NYM) at CWS | 38%
Sunday, September 1st
Mitchell Parker (SP – WAS) vs. CHC | 30%
The Cubs rank near the bottom in hard-hit% against left-handers and are below league average in wOBA against lefties. They have a 22% strikeout rate and under a .400 slugging rate as well.
Mitchell Parker isn’t an ace but during this season he went through a stretch where he never allowed more than three earned runs. His counterpart for this matchup is Jameson Taillon, who has struggled in his last three starts, so Parker could have the chance for a win and a quality start.
Parker isn’t the same reliable pitcher he was earlier in the year but three of his last four starts have been quality starts. I’m not sold on this matchup but for streamer options, I can see this working out for some positive points.
Other Option: Andrew Heaney (TEX) vs. OAK | 31%
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