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After a rough showing two weeks ago, we bounced back last week. Bryce Elder was a terrible pick as one of our streamers, but he was really the only dud in that piece. It’s ironic because it’s the Rockies who got to him, because we’ll keep riding streamers against them for the remainder of the season. We have another two of them here, but let’s start by looking at the favorable matchups and then dive into those streamers!

Favorable Team Matchups

7 Games

Athletics (vs. HOU, vs. CLE)

Colorado Rockies (at WAS, vs. ARI)

Houston Astros (at ATH, at LAA)

New York Yankees (vs. LAA, vs. BAL)

Tampa Bay Rays (vs. BAL, vs. DET)

Washington Nationals (vs. COL, at LAD)

6 Games

Arizona Diamondbacks (at TOR, at COL)

St. Louis Cardinals (at CWS, vs. CIN)

Toronto Blue Jays (vs. ARI, vs. CWS)

Pitching Streamers

Will Warren, NYY (vs. LAA, vs. BAL)

I wasn’t so sure Warren would be eligible to be one of our streamers after his hot start, but fantasy managers gave up on this guy way too quickly. The righty allowed 11 runs to the Dodgers and Red Sox recently, but was one of the breakout pitchers in the AL before that. In fact, Warren had a 2.70 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 13.8 K/9 rate in the previous five starts before those stinkers. He also threw 5.2 scoreless innings in his most recent start against KC, so we’re willing to overlook those difficult matchups. Getting two home starts against these offenses only adds to Warren’s intrigue, with Los Angeles ranked 20th in runs scored, 23rd in wOBA, and last in K rate, while Baltimore is 25th in runs scored and 27th in K rate.

Streamonator Valuation: $19.1

Matthew Liberatore, STL (at CWS)

Liberatore and Warren have had very similar seasons. Both guys got off to incredible starts, but both were shifted to the waiver wire after some poor showings this month. This righty has allowed 18 runs across his last three starts, but he had a 1.91 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over his previous eight starts. Liberatore actually allowed two runs or fewer in all eight of those and should be able to recapture that form against one of the worst offenses in baseball. The White Sox rank 29th or 30th in runs scored, OBP, OPS, and xwOBA since the start of last season, with Liberatore likely entering this matchup as a -200 favorite.

Streamonator Valuation: $-3.0

Jake Irvin/Mike Soroka, WAS (vs. COL)

Anytime the Rockies are on the road, use streamers against them. The recipe is that simple because the Rockies rank bottom three in runs scored, OBP, OPS, K rate, and xwOBA. That’s hard to believe since they play in Coors Field, but there’s no doubt that this is the worst offense in baseball when they’re outside of Colorado. That’s good news for these two because Irvin and Soroka have been formidable at times this season. Let’s start with Irvin because he has a 3.46 ERA and 1.25 WHIP at home this year. He also struck out nine Rockies across 6.1 innings in a road matchup against them earlier this season! As for Soroka, he’s allowed four runs or fewer in all eight starts this season en route to a 3.22 xERA and 1.12 WHIP. Don’t be surprised if both of these guys are -250 favorites as well!

Streamonator Valuation: $41.8/$34.9

Ben Brown, CHC (vs. MIL)

Brown has had one of the most bizarre seasons I’ve ever seen. This righty either pitches a gem or gets completely blown out of the water. That’s evident when you see that he’s allowed at least six runs in four starts while allowing three runs or fewer in eight of 13 starts. It’s difficult to understand why he’s been so inconsistent, but facing Philly (2), Cincy and San Diego in those stinkers could be a significant reason why.

This guy has a 2.85 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 11.2 K/9 rate outside of those shellings, and we’re banking on one of those bouncebacks here. The reason for that is because Brown gets a home matchup against Milwaukee, with the Brewers ranked 25th in OPS and wOBA. That was on full display when Brown threw six scoreless innings against them just last month. This is one of the riskiest streamers of the season, but his 3.31 FIP, 3.39 xFIP, 10.8 K/9 rate, and 3.34 SIERA indicate that Brown should be on the rise.

Streamonator Valuation: $13.7

Hayden Birdsong, SF (vs. CLE)

I could be wrong about this, but it feels like Birdsong is close to being a must-roster player. His insertion into the rotation got me excited to add him as one of my streamers, with Birdsong allowing three runs or fewer in all five starts this season. That’s led to his pristine 2.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 9.5 K/9 rate. It’s impossible to find averages like that on the waiver wire, especially from a guy who pitches in San Fran. That elite pitcher’s park always leads to dominant pitching statistics, with Birdsong boasting a 1.78 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in San Fran this season. Cleveland is far from a concerning matchup, too, sitting 24th in runs scored, OPS, and xwOBA.

Streamonator Valuation: $-0.6

Hitting Streamers

Alejandro Kirk, TOR (vs. ARI, vs. CWS)

Have you ever seen the perfect male physique? Or even the perfect body for peak physical fitness? It’s unlikely unless you sit down and watch Toronto Blue Jays baseball. The guy who maintains that fire hydrant frame below is Alejando Kirk, and he’s quietly one of the best catchers in baseball right now. Finding any one of our streamers from the catcher position is a bonus, but it’s impossible to overlook this guy’s form.

Kirk has a .402 AVG, .527 SLG and .975 OPS across his last 32 games while compiling a .579 AVG and 1.579 OPS this week! That’s why Toronto has moved him up to the three-hole, and there aren’t many better lineup spots with Vlad Guerrero ahead of him. Getting three games against the White Sox is a bonus, but avoiding Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen in the D’Backs rotation is the icing on the cake. It’s a tasty cake, too!

Giancarlo Stanton, NYY (vs. LAA, vs. BAL)

Stanton is jealous of the body that Kirk possesses, but this specimen has quite a figure himself. This beast has yet to debut this season, but it sounds like he’ll be back Monday. The slugger is showcasing why he’s so talented in his minor league rehab assignment, accruing a .500 OBP and 1.029 OPS through his first two games. He went hitless in the most recent outing, but he’s clearly seeing the ball well and it fully healthy.

This is an opportunity to pick up one of the best power bats over the last 15 years, with Stanton totaling a .345 career OBP, .525 SLG and .871 OPS. He hasn’t quite been the same over recent years, but he’s only been below a .462 SLG one year in his career. We’re willing to take a risk on him as one of our streamers because the Yankees have seven games this week, facing two of the worst pitching staffs in baseball.

SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)

Steals Specialists

Jose Caballero (TB)

We’ve had Caballero in this section almost every week, and he will remain in it. The speedster leads the league with 25 steals, swiping 16 across his last 23 games.

Tyler Fitzgerald (SF)

Fitzgerald has re-established himself as an everyday player in San Fran, stealing four bases across his last 17 outings. He had 17 steals across 96 games last year and had 52 over 246 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

Saves Specialists

Ryan Pressly (CHC)

Many people assume that Pressly is having a nightmarish season due to that eight-run shelling, but he’s been one of the best relievers in baseball outside of that. He’s gone scoreless in 25 of his other 27 outings, generating a 1.04 ERA and 1.31 WHIP outside of that dud. That’s why he picked up the Cubs most recent save, but it’s unclear if Danny Palencia is the high-leverage arm!

Shelby Miller (ARI)

With Justin Martinez out for the season, Miller will assume the closer’s role. He has a 1.57 ERA and 1.03 WHIP this year, recording six saves over his last 11 outings. He’s a must-roster player in any format with saves.

Feel free to comment here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!

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Saint
Saint
1 month ago

Great stuff as usual TRJB!

Please rank Lib, Roupp, Brown ROS

Thanks!

Chucky
Chucky
1 month ago

Speaking of Luis Ortiz. Glue factory material?

Chucky
Chucky
Reply to  The Real Joey Bart
1 month ago

I streamed him with his two start, v Cincy and @ Seat. Not the worst matchups I’ve ever seen. And he spit <sic> the bed in both of them. You’re far too generous calling him a streamer.

Rob
Rob
1 month ago

In a 10 team h2h league, would you drop Roupp or Luis Ortiz for Warren?

Scoboticus
Scoboticus
1 month ago

Need a space for a stream. Would you drop CES or Steer?

rolliefingers
rolliefingers
Reply to  Scoboticus
1 month ago

Depends on league size, but I would drop Steer…and I’d probably drop CES too unless it’s a large league and you’re desperate for power.