The streamers can be difficult at this part of the season because things are bizarre after the All-Star break. What makes it even more strange is that we have the trade deadline right around the corner, but it’s a fascinating time to rebuild your roster. There will be some obscure drops in the coming weeks, and there will also be some great options in terms of streamers. We have a balance of your arms and veterans as streamers this week, so let’s get started by looking at the favorable matchups for this week!
Favorable Team Matchups
7 Games
Athletics (vs. BOS, vs. DET)
Atlanta Braves (at NYM, vs. WAS)
Boston Red Sox (at ATH, at LAD)
New York Yankees (at CWS, at CHC)
Texas Rangers (at TEX, at HOU)
6 Games
Detroit Tigers (vs. BAL, at ATH)
Houston Astros (at LAA, vs. TEX)
Kansas City Royals (at MIN, at COL)
San Diego Padres (vs. COL, vs. SF)
Pitching Streamers
Christian Scott, NYM (vs. ATL, vs. MIA)
Scott had some unfortunate defense behind him in his last start, but now’s the time to go back to him as one of our streamers. Despite that abbreviated outing, Scott still has a 3.13 ERA and 1.26 WHIP this season. He’s also allowed four runs or fewer in all 14 starts this season, which is no surprise since he had a 2.90 ERA and 0.90 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A. Scott was also breaking out before that subpar start, throwing 10.2 scoreless innings across his previous two starts. The best part about this is that he has two home matchups against weak offenses. Not only is Citi Field one of the best pitcher’s parks, but Miami ranks 24th in xwOBA while Atlanta has been one of the worst offenses since June 1.
Streamonator Valuation: $28.1
Merrill Kelly, ARI (at PIT, at CLE)
How weird is it that Kelly and Brady Singer have the exact same matchups this week? What’s nice for Kelly is that he has two road starts because Arizona is second in park factor this season. Getting out of Arizona should be massive since Kelly has found something in the second half of the season. This veteran has allowed two runs or fewer in four straight starts while providing a 2.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in that span. We’ve been waiting to see a run like that because Kelly has a 3.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over the last six seasons. Crafty veterans like this always figure it out at some point, and we expect the success to continue since these matchups aren’t too bad. We know Pittsburgh has been scary, but there’s still a lack of talent in that lineup. Cleveland is far from concerning, ranked bottom three in runs scored and xwOBA.
Streamonator Valuation: $-14
Tatsuya Imai, HOU (at LAA)
The season-long statistics from Imai are ugly, but this guy has the talent to be a stud. Despite posting a 5.59 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, Imai has a 4.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 13.3 K/9 rate across his last five starts. That strikeout stuff is what you’re looking for from one of your streamers, and we can chalk up the slow start due to the move from Japan. The most impactful variable here is the matchup with Los Angeles, though. The Angels rank 24th in xwOBA while posting the worst K rate in baseball for the second straight year. A guy with a 13.3 K/9 rate facing a team with the worst K rate is a perfect recipe for a handful of strikeouts and double-digit potential.
Streamonator Valuation: $-2.0
Shane Drohan, MIL (at SF)
Are the Brewers the best team at developing pitchers? It feels like that’s been the case over recent years, stumbling into another gem with Drohan. This left-hander has a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 10 starts and 20 total appearances this season. You might think the numbers have dropped since taking over as a starter, but Drohan has a 3.43 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 rate in this newfound role. That’s what we’ve been seeing from these Milwaukee starters for years, and we love this road matchup with the Giants. San Fran possesses one of the most spacious ballparks while sitting 27th in runs scored and 28th in xwOBA.
Streamonator Valuation: $-8.4
Ian Seymour, TB (vs. TEX)
Seymour’s 4.64 ERA is nothing special, but it’s one of the only reasons he’s still sitting on some waiver wires and remains eligible as one of our streamers. That number is actually inflated because he was shelled in his debut. Seymour has a 4.03 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 rate in 35 games since that dud. Seven of those were starts, with Seymour posting a 4.22 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 11.2 K/9 rate in nearly two months since becoming a long-man. That ERA doesn’t match the advanced statistics because Seymour also has a 3.52 xERA and 3.51 SIERA. A home matchup with Texas only adds to Seymour’s intrigue, with the Rangers ranked 20th in xwOBA and 22nd in runs scored. Not to mention, Seymour has a 3.89 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in Tampa this year, which is one of the best pitcher’s parks around.
Streamonator Valuation: $15.6
Hitting Streamers
Caleb Durbin, BOS (at ATH, at LAD)
There was excitement surrounding Durbin during draft season, but that fizzled after a slow start. A post-hype sleeper is always an intriguing option for one of our streamers because people gave up on this kid too quickly. Durbin is up to 10 homers and 11 steals this season while generating a .341 AVG and .908 OPS across his last 12 outings. You might be saying that’s two good weeks, but Durbin also has a .395 OBP and .960 OPS over the last month! He needs to be rostered nearly everywhere behind numbers like those, but this scheduling couldn’t be much better. Not only does Durbin have seven games this week, but four of those are in Sacramento against the second-worst pitching staff in baseball.
Ty France, SD (vs. COL, vs. SF)
France just had an embarrassing showing in the final games of the World Cup, but this France is stepping up. He actually appeared to be out of the league before San Diego gave him a chance, but he’s been one of their best bats recently. France has been their everyday first baseman in the second half, accumulating a .383 OBP and 1.104 OPS across his last 26 outings. Those are All-Star averages, and it’s hard to believe he’s still so widely available behind numbers like those. We also love that he has a series against Colorado, with the Rockies ranked dead-last in ERA and WHIP. San Fran isn’t scary either because he avoids Logan Webb in that series.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)
Steals Specialists
Nasim Nunez (WAS)
How often do you see the league leader in steals sitting on the waiver wire? That shows just how little Nunez does, but his 37 steals make him an elite source off the waiver wire.
Cedric Mullins (TB)
Mullins hits in the heart of Tampa’s lineup whenever they face a righty, recording 16 steals so far this season.
Saves Specialists
Jacob Webb (CHC)
Webb looks like the Cubs closer in the absence of Daniel Palencia, picking up three saves over his last seven appearances.
Grant Taylor (CWS)
Taylor appears to be Chicago’s closer with Seranthony Domínguez struggling. He has three saves over his last five outings while posting a 12.6 K/9 rate this year.
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!
Less than a week until August 1 and I’m beginning to doubt that Julio is going to have that second half that everyone seems to believe is inevitable. The industry really whiffed bigley(sic) on their first round prognostications. Doesn’t help me much at this point in the season but it’s a great lesson to learn as i head into fantasy football season. As an old timer once told me at the race track….”pick your own losers, kid”
I’m still holding out hope, he’s got the track record of a 2nd half guy. His supporting cast has been meh this year
Keeper League trade offer. Gunnar for Wetherholt?
I’m still a believer in Gunnar, but need to know more about salary increases, keeper contracts, ect