I can’t believe we’re so close to the finish line. Only three weeks remain, and I hate when streamers end. In fact, it always feels like there’s a void in my life the first day the regular season ends. I’m sure many of you feel that way too because we absorb so much time in that stupid fantasy baseball thing. It’s one of the great escapes of life, though, and it’s one of the reasons I love writing these streamer pieces. With that in mind, let’s look at the favorable matchups for next week and then dive into those streamers.
Favorable Team Matchups
7 Games
Atlanta Braves (vs. TB, vs. PHI)
Philadelphia Phillies (vs. HOU, at ATL)
6 Games
Arizona Diamondbacks (at KC, vs. TEX)
Athletics (vs. TOR, vs. SEA)
Boston Red Sox (vs. LAA, vs. KC)
Cleveland Guardians (at BAL, vs. MIN)
Detroit Tigers (vs. MIN, vs. COL)
Los Angeles Dodgers (vs. CIN, at MIA)
New York Yankees (vs. COL, vs. NYM)
Seattle Mariners (vs. TEX, at ATH)
Toronto Blue Jays (at ATH, vs. BOS)
Pitching Streamers
Patrick Sandoval, BOS (vs. LAA, vs. KC)
I honestly can’t see this name and not think of the GOAT, Pablo Sandoval. In any case, this Sandoval is still around and is in a great spot to be one of our streamers this week! His most impactful variable is this two-start week against two-week offenses. The Angels sit 27th in runs scored, 29th in K rate and dead last in wOBA, while the Royals rank 20th in wOBA and 21st in runs scored. We also love that both of these are in Boston because Sandoval is likely to be a -200 favorite in both of them. All of those external factors make Sandoval one of the best streamers of the week, but this southpaw isn’t too bad. He’s allowed four runs or fewer in nine of 10 starts while posting a 4.07 ERA at home. He’s also got a 9.5 K/9 rate since his debut. If you get one win, 10 strikeouts and an ERA below 5.00, we’d call Sandoval a success, and that seems like a very likely scenario.
Streamonator Valuation: $11
Connor Prielipp, MIN (at DET, vs. CLE)
This rookie has been in this article a few times this season, and he’s been much better than the 5.28 ERA would indicate. He surrendered 14 runs to the Padres and Phillies a few weeks ago but has been a pleasant surprise aside from that. Prielipp has allowed three runs or fewer in nine straight starts aside from those stinkers, while allowing three runs or fewer in 14 of 20 starts this year. Almost all of those were attributed to tough matchups, but that’s not an issue this week. This lefty faces a Detroit team that ranks 20th in runs scored, 21st in OPS and 22nd in K rate, while Cleveland sits 28th or 29th in runs scored, OPS and wOBA. Prielipp has faced those teams three times this season, allowing four runs across 15 innings while striking out 17 batters.
Streamonator Valuation: $NA
Jackson Jobe, DET (vs. COL)
Many fantasy experts had Jobe pegged as a late-season breakout, but we’ll just ride him as one of our streamers after a slow start. This hard-throwing righty has allowed one run or fewer in three of five starts despite struggling in the other two. That’s what’s killed his averages, but we’re talking about a top prospect who had a 2.27 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 rate in the minors over the last three years. The stuff is there for Jobe to be a stud, and a home matchup against Colorado is a great way to get him going. The Rockies rank 23rd in K rate and 24th in xwOBA while posting the worst road statistics over the last decade. Not to mention, Jobe is likely to enter this matchup as a -175 favorite.
Streamonator Valuation: $13
Quinn Mathews, STL (at SF)
The Cardinals seem like one of those organizations that always get the most out of their starters, and Mathews is another one of those guys. This rookie had one nightmarish showing in Philly but has a 2.29 ERA and 9.6 K/9 rate across his other four starts. That’s an impressive run, but it’s less surprising since Mathews maintained a 3.21 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 35 percent K rate throughout his minor league career. The biggest factor for Mathews is this road matchup against the Giants. San Fran has one of the most spacious parks, while they sit 21st in wOBA and 23rd in runs scored. It’s also a lefty-heavy lineup, which only adds to Matthews’ intrigue as a southpaw.
Streamonator Valuation: $4.0
Sean Manaea, NYM (at MIA)
Manaea is a truly fascinating baseball player. I’ve never seen such massive variation in how I view a pitcher because this guy has looked like an ace at times and a minor leaguer at others. That sort of volatility has been on full display this season, with Manaea allowing at least four runs in four straight starts. That’s a scary stretch, but this southpaw had a 3.38 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 rate across his previous 15 appearances. We’ll trust the 15 games over the four-game sample size, especially since Manaea had a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP just two years ago. A good matchup is the perfect way for Manaea to break his recent slide, and Miami is a magnificent one. The Marlins rank 25th in xwOBA while completely collapsing in the second half. In his last three appearances against Miami, Manaea has allowed four runs and 12 baserunners across 12.1 innings.
Streamonator Valuation: $10.1
Hitting Streamers
Henry Bolte/Zack Gelof, ATH (vs. TOR, vs. SEA)
It’s funny that the A’s are essentially playing in Coors Field these days, but it makes them elite streamers every time they have a full week in Sacramento. That’s just what we have here, and we love all of their bats in this spot. Let’s start with Bolte since he’s the leadoff hitter for the A’s right now. Bolte is hitting .277 this year while providing eight homers and 15 steals across 98 games. He’s also been much better since this promotion to the leadoff spot, sporting a .397 OBP and .897 OPS across the last month. Gelof has been slept on all season, but he’s having a bounce-back season in Sacramento. He has a .299 AVG and .895 OPS at home this year while providing a .830 OPS since June 8.
Spencer Jones, NYY (vs. COL, vs. NYM)
With Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton on the IL, Jones has found something since his call-up. This top prospect has nine homers and nine steals across 67 games while posting a .838 OPS over the last month. We can’t overlook a 25-25 pace! That’s quite the run from a guy who had an .851 OPS throughout his minor league career, but it’s earned him a prominent spot in one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. That makes him an easy option this week because he has a full week of home games against subpar pitching staffs. The Rockies rank last in ERA, WHIP and xWOBA, while the Mets have been in freefall mode all year.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)
Steals Specialists
Jonah Cox (SF)
Cox has been a fixture in San Fran’s lineup over recent weeks, recording five steals across his last eight games.
Nasim Nunez (WAS)
Nunez is still the league leader in steals, swiping 44 bags this year. You won’t get much else, but a couple of steals in a week could be the difference.
Saves Specialists
Andrew Kittredge (BAL)
Ryan Helsley remains on the IL, with Kittredge collecting three saves over his last five outings.
Elvis Alvarado (ATH)
Elvis has three saves over his last four outings, while going scoreless in 18 of his last 19 appearances.
Feel free to comment here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions! Also, feel free to check out my Waiver Wire article from yesterday!
