This is always a fascinating week to recommend streamers. We say that because the trade deadline is less than 48 hours away. It’s unclear which teams will be buyers or sellers, but it’s amazing how many teams are still in the running for Wild Card slots. We’re also winding down to the final month or so of fantasy baseball, so now’s the time to ride some streamers to the playoffs. With that in mind, let’s look at the favorable schedules for this week and then dive into those streamers!
Favorable Team Matchups
7 Games
Arizona Diamondbacks (vs. SD, vs. LAD)
Chicago Cubs (vs. LAD, at KC)
Milwaukee Brewers (vs. PIT, vs. MIN)
Philadelphia Phillies (vs. WAS, vs. TOR)
Toronto Blue Jays (at HOU, at PHI)
6 Games
Athletics (at CIN, at BOS)
Baltimore Orioles (at LAA, vs. TEX)
Boston Red Sox (vs. CWS, vs. ATH)
Cincinnati Reds (vs. ATH, at WAS)
Colorado Rockies (vs. TB, at STL)
New York Yankees (vs. STL, vs. ATL)
St. Louis Cardinals (at NYY, vs. COL)
Tampa Bay Rays (at COL, at SEA)
Pitching Streamers
Christian Scott, NYM (at CLE)
We had Scott as one of our streamers last week, and we’re going right back to the well. This youngster is being slept on in fantasy leagues for some reason, allowing four runs or fewer in all 15 starts this season. That consistency has led to a 2.99 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, which is no surprise since he had a 3.33 ERA and 1.05 WHIP throughout his minor league career. Scott’s recent form is even more impressive, sporting a 1.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 11.1 K/9 rate across his last four starts. All of that makes him an easy option against anyone, but Cleveland is far from concerning. The Guardians rank 29th or 30th in runs scored, OPS, wOBA and xwOBA.
Streamonator Valuation: $
Keider Montero, DET (at SF)
This is another guy who continues to be overlooked in fantasy leagues. He’s quietly been one of the pitchers who have kept Detroit alive in the second half, posting a 3.34 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in a breakout campaign. Montero’s WHIP was actually sitting at 0.96 before a shelling in his most recent start, but we’re willing to overlook that since Montero had a 1.42 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 rate across the previous seven outings. The lack of strikeout stuff and uncertainty in workload are the only real concerns, but those can be alleviated in this road matchup with the Giants. Not only does San Fran possess one of the most spacious parks, but they also sit 21st in runs scored and 22nd in xwOBA.
Streamonator Valuation: $
Ronel Blanco, HOU (at SD)
This is probably our riskiest recommendation of these streamers, but Blanco could be a breakout in the second half. He actually didn’t make his season debut until two weeks ago after missing last year due to Tommy John surgery. The results have been mixed thus far behind his 8.10 ERA, but his 1.20 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 rate tell a different story. Some positive regression should be right around the corner with averages like those, especially since he had a 3.09 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 rate in two seasons before that injury. People forget just how good Blanco was before that injury, and this San Diego matchup is a sensational spot for Blanco to get going. The Padres rank 24th in runs scored, 25th in OPS and 26th in wOBA.
Streamonator Valuation: $
Bryce Elder, ATL (vs. MIA)
It’s been a volatile season for Elder, but all-in-all, it’s been a solid campaign. This righty has a 3.96 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 20 starts, despite a nightmarish stretch throughout June. The good news is that June is over, with Elder posting a 3.60 ERA and 9.0 K/9 rate in three starts since then. That’s more in line with the production we saw early, with Elder amassing a 1.97 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through his first 11 starts. The recent form is a great pairing with this home matchup against Miami, because Elder has a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP at home this year while the Marlins rank 25th in xwOBA. In a home start against them earlier in the season, Elder threw 5.2 scoreless innings while striking out seven batters!
Streamonator Valuation: $
Tyler Mahle, SF (vs. DET)
I don’t know why, but I’m semi-addicted to Mahle. This guy was an absolute savior for me last season, and something tells me he’s going to have a huge final two months in San Fran. That ballpark is made for pitching, and Mahle had a 2.18 ERA and 1.13 WHIP last season. We haven’t quite seen that this year, but this righty is slowly turning things around. Mahle has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts while maintaining a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in that span. Most importantly, he has a 2.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP at home over the last three years. We love that in this matchup against Detroit, with the Tigers ranked 18th in wOBA, 19th in runs scored and 22nd in K rate.
Streamonator Valuation: $
Hitting Streamers
Brandon Marsh, PHI (vs. WAS, vs. TOR)
Marsh wasn’t even eligible to be one of our streamers a few weeks ago, but a massive slump has forced him to numerous waiver wires. It’s easy to see why people dropped him, but this is a week where Marsh should go off. The Phillies have one of the best schedules of the week, playing seven games at home against two subpar pitching staffs. The Nationals series is a four-game set while he avoids Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease in the Toronto series. In addition, Washington ranks 26th in xwOBA. Most importantly, six of those games are projected to be versus right-handers. Marsh has a .298 AVG and .826 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor this season.
Dominic Canzone, SEA (vs. DET, vs. TB)
Seattle’s offense has been subpar all season, but it hasn’t been Canzone’s fault. In fact, this guy has been one of their best bats since the start of last year. He has a .281 AVG and .854 OPS in 176 games since the start of last season. That’s why he’s become the Mariners’ everyday cleanup hitter, and he’s currently amid one of his best stretches right now. Canzone has collected a .289 AVG and .962 OPS across his last 45 fixtures. What’s also nice about Canzone is that he’s hitting against lefties while posting similar splits against both sides. Detroit and Tampa aren’t easy opponents, but it appears he’ll avoid Tarik Skubal and Shane McClanahan.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)
Steals Specialists
Jacob Young (WAS)
The Nationals run more than any team in baseball, with Young recording five steals across his last 11 outings.
Esteury Ruiz (MIA)
Ruiz has been one of the best basestealers for years, recording 102 steals across 266 career games. He’s also up to 25 this season while picking up five over his last seven outings.
Saves Specialists
Clayton Beeter (WAS)
Truly one of the greatest names in baseball, but Beeter has quietly been a massive pickup over recent weeks. He has nine saves since May 30 while picking up four over his last five outings.
Hogan Harris (ATH)
The A’s haven’t had a closer all season, but Harris is gaining ground on that gig. He has three saves over his last five outings, while posting a 16.1 K/9 rate over the last month.
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!
