This is always one of the most challenging weeks to publish the streamer’s article. We say that because the trade deadline is less than 48 hours away! That means some serious chaos will ensue between then and now, which means everything in this article might not make sense when you read it! That’s just the nature of the deadline, but we will try to stay away from players who could be moved. With that in mind, let’s look at the favorable matchups and then dive into the streamers!
Favorable Team Matchups
7 Games
Chicago Cubs (vs. CIN, vs. ATL)
Cincinnati Reds (at CHC, vs. WAS)
Houston Astros (vs. CLE, at NYY)
Milwaukee Brewers (at WAS, vs. PIT)
Philadelphia Phillies (at MIA, vs. KC)
Toronto Blue Jays (vs. BAL, at BOS)
6 Games
Atlanta Braves (vs. LAA, at CHC)
New York Mets (at KC, at BAL)
San Diego Padres (at COL, vs. LAD)
San Francisco Giants (vs. ATI, at OAK)
St. Louis Cardinals (vs. MIN, vs. COL)
Tampa Bay Rays (at NYY, at DET)
Pitching Streamers
Ranger Suarez, PHI (at MIA, vs. KC)
Suarez has been a staple as one of our streamers all season, and it’s hard to understand why fantasy managers don’t want to keep this guy. He is amid a bit of a slump right now, but this lefty still has a 3.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP since May 30. He’s also got seven quality starts in 11 of those starts, despite facing teams like the Braves, Dodgers, and Padres.
We expect him to pick up two quality starts in these two magical matchups. The Marlins sit 22nd in wOBA and 26th in runs scored, while the Royals rank 29th or 30th in runs scored, OBP, OPS, and wOBA. That will likely have Suarez entering those matchups as -200 favorites as well, which means he should be in line for at least one win as well! The Streamonator agrees, projecting Suarez to provide $19 worth of value in this two-start week.
Johan Oviedo, PIT (vs. DET)
Oviedo has been in here a few times, and he’d be rostered universally if it weren’t for three bad starts. He allowed at least six runs in three starts earlier in the year but has a 3.34 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 8.7 K/9 rate in his other 18 starts this season. He’s actually allowed one run or fewer in half of those, totaling a 3.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 10.1 K/9 rate across his last three outings. That form should carry over against this disastrous Detroit offense, with the Tigers ranked bottom four in runs scored, OBP, OPS, wOBA, xwOBA, and K rate. A quality start and a win seem likely with how Oviedo has looked, and that’s all you can hope for from one of your streamers.
Taj Bradley, TB (at DET)
Bradley has been relegated to the waiver wire in many leagues over recent weeks, and he’s earned it. The Rays righty has a 5.30 ERA and 1.37 WHIP but has been much better than those numbers would indicate. A 3.31 xFIP, 3.39 SIERA, and 30 percent K rate is a better indicator of what this kid brings to the table, amassing a 3.03 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 28 percent K rate throughout his minor league career. It’s just a matter of time before positive regression hits this youngster, and the ERA and WHIP inevitably take a dive. A matchup with Detroit is the best way to do that, posting the horrific averages mentioned in the Oviedo write-up. That’s why he’ll likely enter this matchup as a -200 favorite, if not higher! This is one of The Streamonator’s favorite picks of the week, projecting Taj to provide $15.4 worth of value.
Julio Teheran, MIL (vs. PIT)
Man, this is not a guy I expected to be in one of my streamer’s articles at the beginning of the season. I used to love Teheran in his days with the Braves, but he’s been a gas can for three years now. Something has changed this season, though, sporting a 3.75 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his 10 starts. That even includes two nightmare outings against the Cubs and Mets, maintaining a 2.15 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across his other eight starts. Another one of those gems should be in play against Pittsburgh, with the Pirates ranked bottom three in runs scored, OBP, OPS, and K rate since the opening month of the year. Like many of these streamers, Teheran will likely be a monster favorite as well!
Jose Quintana, NYM (at KC, at BAL)
We’re really going to ride Teheran and Quintana? Is this 2016? Both of these veterans are amid bounce-back seasons, with Quintana being called up by the Mets a few weeks ago. He’s allowed just two runs in each of his first two starts, accruing a 3.27 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. We’re willing to trust that because of his resume, with JQ compiling a 3.75 career ERA and 1.28 WHIP. If he can sustain those averages for this two-start week, he could be one of the best streamers of the week. We already talked about how horrific the Royals have been, but the O’s don’t have a scary lineup either. His biggest asset is these ballparks, though, because Kauffman Stadium and Camden Yards are two of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the sport.
Hitting Streamers
Sal Frelick, MIL (at WAS, vs. PIT)
The Brewers have an ugly lineup, but Frelick has made it look a little better. They’ve actually stuck him right in their cleanup spot since his call-up, totaling a .314 AVG, .395 OBP, .452 SLG, and .847 OPS throughout his minor league career. He’s also got 44 steals at that level and should provide a Brett Gardner-like profile at this level.
He’s showcased that in his first week at the majors, generating a .438 AVG, .565 OBP, .688 SLG, and 1.235 OPS. We obviously don’t expect him to sustain those Barry Bonds-like averages, but we can’t fade him when he’s this hot. The matchups couldn’t be better either, getting seven games against pitiful pitching. The Nationals rank 28th in wOBA, 27th in ERA, and 30th in xwOBA, while Pittsburgh sits 24th in wOBA, 22nd in ERA, and 23rd in WHIP.
Will Benson, CIN (at CHC, vs. WAS)
We really wish Cincy would move this kid up in the lineup because he’s quietly been one of the best rookies since his call-up. In 57 games this year, Benson has a .278 AVG, .384 OBP, .517 SLG and .901 OPS. It’s rare to see someone do that across two months and be widely available, but that’s what we have with Benson. What makes it even more bizarre is the fact that he’s got a nice power-speed combo, picking up seven dingers and 10 steals so far.
We saw WB tally 97 homers and 97 steals across his minor league career, so that’s no fluke either. We already discussed how woeful Washington’s pitching staff has been, and Chicago is far from concerning. The Cubs rank 18th in xwOBA and will likely struggle in a hitter’s haven like Great American Smallpark.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)
Steals Specialists
Willi Castro (MIN)
Castro has been a regular in this section, and he’s been a solid source of steals all year. He’s up to 26 this season and is still widely available in most fantasy leagues!
Travis Jankowski (TEX)
Jankowski has been an everyday player recently and is regularly hitting second! That’s allowed him to pick up seven steals over his last 18 games, generating a .364 OBP in that span.
Saves Specialists
Kevin Ginkel (ARI)
There’s a chance Ginkel loses this job in the coming days if Arizona acquires someone, but he’s the closer right now. The righty has a 2.31 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, picking up three saves in his last four appearances.
Trevor May (OAK)
Nobody wants to pick up the Oakland closer, but May has been solid for a month now. He’s got 10 saves over his last 17 appearances, posting a 3.07 ERA in that span. It’s ugly, but saves are saves!
Adam Ottavino/Brooks Raley (NYM)
The Mets made the first splash at the deadline and traded away David Robertson. That means these guys will likely split closing duties, but we’d bet on Ottavino getting the most chances unless they decide to make another move.
Feel free to comment here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
