I was really pleased with last week’s results. The only major disappointment was Brandon Pfaadt, but it feels like we all missed on that dud of a prospect. Joc Pederson only played half of the week due to an injury but still hit two bombs! We also got some sparkling performances from Bryce Miller and Louie Varland, making it one of my best streamers pieces of the season. When doing research for this week’s streamers, the picks stood out like a sore thumb. I love this group of guys, and we have a ton of confidence that they’ll perform this week. With that in mind, let’s start by looking at the favorable team matchups!
Favorable Team Matchups
7 Games
Los Angeles Angels (at BAL, vs. MIN)
New York Yankees (at TOR, at CIN)
Toronto Blue Jays (vs. NYY, vs. BAL)
6 Games
Cincinnati Reds (at COL, vs. NYY)
Colorado Rockies (vs. CIN, at TEX)
Houston Astros (vs. CHX, vs. OAK)
San Diego Padres (vs. KC, vs. BOS)
Pitching Streamers
Ranger Suarez, PHI (vs. CHC)
I’ve always been a big fan of Ranger! This guy carried me in the fantasy playoffs two years ago, and it’s hard to understand why he’s always sitting on waiver wires in every league. The left-hander just made his debut on Saturday and had to pitch in Coors Field. We’re going to look at his long-term numbers, though, with Suarez providing a 2.72 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over the last three seasons. That’s all you can hope for from one of your streamers, and he gets a home matchup against a struggling Chicago lineup. The Cubs have lost 10 of their last 15 games, averaging just 2.6 runs in those 10 defeats.
Eury Perez, MIA (vs. WAS)
Perez was only able to go 4.2 innings in his debut on Friday, but this kid looks like a stud. The youngster allowed just two runs across those 4.2 innings, striking out seven batters. We’ve seen that strikeout ability throughout his minor league career, tallying a 2.85 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 34 percent K rate over the last three years. That strikeout stuff should succeed against a woeful lineup like Washington, with the Nationals ranked 23rd in wOBA, 26th in xWOBA, and 27th in runs scored.
Brandon Bielak, HOU (vs. OAK)
Using any pitcher against Oakland is a good idea. This team was last in nearly every offensive statistic last season and might be even worse this year. In fact, the A’s rank 29th or 30th in runs scored, OBP, OPS, and xwOBA. They also sit 27th in K rate, and there’s a good chance Bielak is in line for a win as a -250 favorite or higher. This young righty has shown some flashes, too, totaling a 3.29 ERA through his first three starts. The WHIP is not pretty, but Bielak had a 3.65 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP last year. Getting a win is a bonus from any one of your streamers, but we believe Bielak is in line for a quality start as well, with how atrocious the A’s have been.
Seth Lugo, SD (vs. KC)
We had Lugo in here two weeks ago, and we’re going right back to the well. This Padres pitcher has allowed four runs or fewer in all seven of his starts, amassing a 3.18 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. That’s the stud we’ve seen over the last three years, posting a 3.46 ERA and 1.24 WHIP since 2020. That’s a large sample size of solid pitching, and it’s backed by a 3.03 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 10.5 K/9 rate at home in that same span. This is no ordinary home start either because Lugo should be a massive favorite against one of the worst offenses in baseball. The Royals rank 27th in OBP, 23rd in runs scored, and 22nd in wOBA. The Streamonator loves Lugo, protecting him to provide $8.7 worth of value.
Hitting Streamers
Nick Senzel, CIN (at COL, vs. NYY)
It’s never been a matter of talent for Senzel because this guy has always been good whenever he’s been on the field. That’s been rare with his propensity to get injured, but Senzel has developed into an everyday player this season. Playing every day has him rolling at the plate, accruing a .339 AVG, .399 OBP, .571 SLG, and .965 OPS over his last 15 games. He’s also got two steals in that span, and there aren’t many streamers with the power-speed combo that this youngster provides. We love that since he has three games at Coors Field while facing the backend of the Yankees pitching staff at the end of the week.
Charlie Blackmon, COL (vs. CIN, at TEX)
There are two boxes that you always need to check when using Charlie. Those two boxes are home games and matchups against right-handers. That makes Blackmon tantalizing this week because he gets three games at Coors and gets to face five righties. The former All-Star has a .293 AVG, .352 OBP, .496 SLG, and .848 OPS against righties throughout his career while posting a .333 AVG, .392 OBP, .554 SLG, and .946 OPS at home. We haven’t quite seen that guy this year, but he’s capable of doing that since he faces 27th ranked Reds pitching staff and a Rangers team missing their ace.
Mauricio Dubon, HOU (vs. CHC, vs. OAK)
This is the final week we’re going to be able to use Dubon. This guy has been filling in for Jose Altuve and has been the leadoff hitter for Houston in his absence. That alone makes him a good value, hitting .293 in that sensational spot. He doesn’t provide much power or speed, but Dubon should be in line for a handful of runs this week while providing a solid average atop this Astros lineup. The matchups only add to his value, facing an average Cubs pitching staff and an A’s group that sits near the bottom of every pitching statistic.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)
Steals Specialists
Ji-Hwan Bae (PIT)
Bae is one of the league leaders with 14 steals and is still widely available across most fantasy formats. He also gets great matchups against weak pitching staffs like the Tigers and Diamondbacks.
Jon Berti (MIA)
Berti has been in the leadoff spot a few times recently and has 47 steals since the start of last year. He gets six quality matchups this week and should be in for at least a couple of steals.
Saves Specialists
Liam Hendriks (CWS)
It looks like Hendriks is going to make his season debut this week after overcoming Hodgkins Lymphoma. That’s quite the accomplishment, but Chicago needs him to fill their closer role with how bad their bullpen has been.
Pierce Johnson (COL)
Daniel Bard has been back for two weeks and hasn’t sniffed a save chance. We figured he’d regain the role, but his bout with anxiety has me wondering if he’ll ever get another save chance for the Rockies. PJ has converted all six saves he’s been given, and is a great speculative add if you’re desperate for saves.
Craig Kimbrel/Seranthony Dominguez/Gregory Soto (PHI)
Jose Alvarado was one of the best relievers through the opening month, but he just landed on the IL. These three guys should get the bulk of save chances until Alvarado is ready to return. Kimbrel is our best bet, but he’s been the worst pitcher of this trip.
Feel free to comment here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
