The end of the 2024 fantasy baseball season is here. It’s been a long season. Hopefully, it has gone well for you, but, more importantly, you had some fun. If you’re still looking for streamers, then you must be fighting for the championship or the consultation bracket.
Either way, we have some streamers to choose from. A few this week are better than the others. I’ll just get this out of the way, Monday is a bad day.
You might also look at getting relievers on your team this week. Those with SP eligibility would be preferable. These pitchers might not get you the five innings for the win, but they can fill in for a starter and produce some good ratios if the matchups are good. MLB teams that are playoff-bound or even those that are fighting for the last few spots will be looking to keep their pitchers fresh but also preserve their health for the playoffs. Relievers will be used more this week and the whole bullpen will make appearances more often than they would in the regular season.
Two-start pitchers, especially on non-playoff teams could be a nice grab. You shouldn’t have to worry about innings being limited but not every team has solid matchups. I only have one two-start pitcher on the list this week. Just remember, though, it’s an option to look for when scrolling through the waiver wire.
Hopefully, this week goes well for you. If it doesn’t, just remember there’s always next season. Hope everyone had fun this fantasy baseball season. Good luck this week and have a great offseason.
Before we dive into this week’s streamers, let’s look at the results from September 9th through September 15th:.
- David Festa: 4 IP, 4 ERs, 3 BBs, 4 Ks (Loss)
- Luis Ortiz: Start Pushed Back
- Casey Mize: 4.2 IP, 4 ERs, 0 BBs, 7 Ks (No Decision)
- DJ Herz: 5 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 Ks (Win)
- Osvaldo Bido: Placed on Injured List (IL)
- Patrick Corbin: 6 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 Ks (Win)
- Cade Povich: 5 IP, 2 ERs, 2 BBs, 8 Ks (Loss)
Totals: 25.2 IP, 12 ERs, 7 BBs, 29 Ks (2-2 Record)
Don’t know if Luis Ortiz and Osvaldo Bido would’ve lowered my overall ERA. Corbin bounced back from his start the previous week but my David Festa prediction was off. My prediction was: 5 IP, 2 ERs, 2 BBs, 8 Ks and the win. Wouldn’t call it a disastrous week but it was disappointing.
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- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball Streaming Pitchers & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 26)
(Roster percentages are based on an average of ESPN, YAHOO!, and CBS)
Monday, September 23rd
Hayden Birdsong (SP – SF) at ARI | 24%
We only have four games Monday and Hadyen Birdsong is the only starter considered stream-worthy. As mentioned in the intro, looking at relievers might not be a bad option this week. This is one of those days. If you’re feeling bold, and it is early in the week, so you have time to lower your pitching ratios if this start goes bad, then feel free to roll the dice.
Birdsong has gone five innings or more in his last two starts. There is some strikeout upside with Birdsong, but Arizona only has a 21% strikeout rate against right-handers.
If you need a starter this day, Birdsong is available, but expectations should be low. Really low.
Other Option: Cooper Criswell (SP, RP – BOS) at TOR | 4%
Tuesday, September 24th
Mitch Spence (RP, SP – OAK) vs. TEX | 9%
In the last two weeks, Mitch Spence has gone 16.1 innings with 14 Ks and a 2.76 ERA. He does allow a lot of hits. During those two weeks teams hit .319 against him but he’s limiting damage. He has done a good job limiting walks as well and has only issued one free pass in his last three starts.
Texas has the fifth-worst wOBA against right-handers and a .370 slugging rate (SLG). They have a 22% strikeout rate, so don’t expect many strikeouts. Spence isn’t that type of pitcher anyway with a 7.52 K/9 for the season.
His counterpart will be Nathan Eovaldi, who has allowed 11 earned runs combined in his last two starts. Could see a win with limited damage here for Spence.
Other Option: Griffin Canning (SP – LAA) at CWS | 14%
Wednesday, September 25th
Joey Cantillo (SP – CLE) vs. CIN | 6%
Joey Cantillo has a 1.10 ERA in the last two weeks. During that span he has pitched 16.1 innings with 22 strikeouts. Cantillo has been an exciting streamer in the last month. He pitches on a good team and has strikeout upside. Not a bad combination to get if he’s on the waiver wire.
Cincinnati is hitting only .222 against left-handers with a 26% strikeout rate. This game is fortunately in Cleveland and not in Cincinnati, so Great America Ball Park won’t be a concern.
I’ll go with Cantillo as my prediction pick and hope his run will continue: 6.1 IP, 3 ERs, 2 BBs, 9 Ks and the win.
Other Option: Cody Bradford (SP, RP – TEX) at OAK | 43%
Thursday, September 26th
Kyle Freeland (SP – COL) vs. STL | 6%
Monday was rough. Thursday is not much better. Yes, this start is in Coors Field, but in his last two home games, Kyle Freeland has produced two quality starts. His counterpart will be Kyle Gibson. Between the two of them, I trust Freeland more. At least, he’s less likely to implode.
Don’t expect many strikeouts here. Freeland isn’t a strikeout pitcher and the Cardinals only have a 22% strikeout rate against lefties. You would be lucky to get five strikeouts, but I could definitely see Freeland getting his third straight quality start at home with this start.
Other Option: Valente Bellozo (SP, RP – MIA) at MIN | 9%
Friday, September 27th
Nick Martinez (SP, RP – CIN) at CHC | 26%
Nick Martinez will be looking for his fourth straight quality start and fifth win in a row. He hasn’t allowed a walk in his last two starts and has a combined 15 strikeouts.
The Cubs have over a 22% strikeout rate against right-handers with a .239 batting average. Those numbers don’t scream dominance for Martinez, but his counterpart is Kyle Hendricks. I’m expecting a win here and a half dozen strikeouts from Martinez.
Other Option: Martin Perez (SP, RP – SD) at ARI | 31%
Saturday, September 28th
Casey Mize (SP – DET) vs. CWS | 17%
This might look different a week from now, but Detroit is just a game back from the last Wild Card spot. This could be a crucial game, and I can’t help myself to go after the White Sox.
Casey Mize hasn’t reached five innings in his last two starts. To be completely honest, I wouldn’t expect that to happen here, especially if this is a must win game. Sure, he could dominate a team that strikes out over 26% of the time against right-handers and that has the worst wOBA (.271) in the league. I would expect the Tigers to play it safe if this is a must-win game. Even if that’s not the case, Mize could still put up some good numbers in three or four innings.
Other Option: Rhett Lowder (SP – CIN) at CHC | 36%
Sunday, September 29th
Mitch Spence (RP, SP – OAK) at SEA | 9%
Going back to Spence here to finish out the season. I’m a little disappointed with the projected starters on this day. It’s not much better than Monday or Thursday. Hopefully, Spence pitches well on Tuesday and gives you the confidence to start him here.
Seattle has over a 27% strikeout rate against right handers. Overall, they have struggled against right-handers this season but have been slightly better in the second half. They are still hitting just .227 against right-handers and have a wOBA of just over .300.
Oakland’s lineup will have to show up against Seattle’s Bryce Miller, who is scheduled to be Spence’s counterpart. If Spence can keep the walks in check and get some early run support, I think he could end the season with a quality start and the win.
Other Option: Jack Kochanowicz (SP – LAA) vs. TEX | 4%
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