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At the time of this writing, there’s a tentative trade in place, one that would send Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a few prospects, including the heavy hitting 1B/3B, Mike Olt.  Olt has long been a trade candidate — he’s an MLB-ready third baseman, but he’s thoroughly blocked by Adrian Beltre — and I’m surprised he wasn’t moved last season when his value was higher.  Still, he’s a good fit for the Cubs and he’s been hitting quite well over the past month at Triple-A.  The deal seems to make sense for both clubs, but this sort of tentative trade is never a sure-thing, as Cubs fans can attest.  There’s a decent chance that this one will be off the table by the time this post runs.  And if that’s the case, then Garza is scheduled for two starts next week.  He’s listed below along with all the others going twice.

As always, probable pitchers are subject to change.  For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.

MUST START

Max Scherzer (@CWS, PHI); Yu Darvish (NYY, @CLE); Chris Sale (DET, KC); Matt Moore (@BOS, @NYY); Patrick Corbin (CHC, SD)

  • Start ’em if you got ’em.

FIRST TIER

Matt Garza (@ARI, @SF); Tim Lincecum (CIN, CHC); Jarrod Parker (@HOU, LAA); Ivan Nova (@TEX, TB); Rick Porcello (@CWS, PHI); Shelby Miller (PHI, @ATL); Jose Fernandez (@COL, PIT); Tony Cingrani (@SF, @LAD); Julio Teheran (@NYM, STL); Mike Minor (@NYM, STL); Gerrit Cole (@WAS, @MIA)

  • I love me some Gerrit Cole (56% owned in Y! leagues), and I’m heavily invested in the lad.  I watch him throw, and in general, I love what I see.  He’s bringing his fastball at elite velocity and his secondary stuff looks sharp.  He needs a couple easy outings to help get his numbers right and kick-start his confidence, and he’ll get two cupcakes this week.  As I said, I’m heavily invested, and I’m using him everywhere this week.  Other streamer options I’m excited about plugging in this week:  Rick Porcello (13%), whose severely underrated right now with an xFIP 1.73 ticks lower than his ERA; Ivan Nova (26%), who carries a 21/3 K/BB through his last three starts; Tony Cingrani (47%), who pitches in two favorable ballparks and features the high-whiff upside we’re looking for from tier one guys.  Jarrod Parker (66%), Julio Teheran (75%), Jose Fernandez (75%), and Matt Garza (77%) are still grossly under-owned, and perhaps you can get your hands on one in shallow formats.  The rest here are likely owned already.

SECOND TIER

Alexi Ogando (NYY, @CLE);  Scott Feldman (@KC, BOS); Tommy Milone (@HOU, LAA); Samuel Deduno (@LAA, @SEA); Erasmo Ramirez (CLE, MIN); Kyle Gibson (@LAA, @OAK); Hyun-Jin Ryu (@TOR, CIN); Travis Wood (@ARI, @SF); Charlie Morton (@WAS, @MIA); Bronson Arroyo (@SF, @LAD); Tyler Skaggs (CHC, SD); Dillon Gee (ATL, @WAS); Hector Santiago (DET, KC)

THIRD TIER

Phil Hughes (@TEX, TB); Brandon Workman (TB, @BAL); Ubaldo Jimenez (@SEA, TEX); Ryan Dempster (TB, @BAL); Jason Hammel (@KC, BOS); Josh Johnson (LAD, HOU); Aaron Harang (CLE, MIN); Dallas Keuchel (OAK, @TOR); Tom Gorzelanny (SD, @COL); Taylor Jordan (PIT, NYM); Jonathan Pettibone (@STL, @DET); Carlos Torres (ATL, @WAS); Chris Capuano (@TOR, CIN); Jhoulys Chacin (MIA, MIL); Dan Haren (PIT, NYM); Andrew Cashner (@MIL, @ARI)

  • Tier three.  This is where I’m supposed to dig for upside so that the desperate dude who’s facing some prick with twelve two-starters next week can cling to a tiny shred of hope because he scooped Chris Capuano, and “he’s coming off of a great start!”  Sorry people, but this is way too deep a week to be digging into tier three.  If you didn’t find streamers in the groups above, then roll with your core guys for one start each, and be glad you didn’t compromise your fantasy integrity for the likes of Dan Haren.

DON’T START

Bruce Chen (BAL, @CWS);  Todd Redmond (LAD, HOU); Roberto Hernandez (@BOS, @NYY); Joe Blanton (MIN, @OAK); Wade Davis (BAL, @CWS); Donovan Hand (SD, @COL); Sean O’Sullivan (@MIL, @ARI); Tom Koehler (@COL, PIT); Drew Pomeranz (MIA, MIL

  • Don’t.  NO!