Week 22? Man, that’s hard to believe, because it means the fantasy baseball season is quickly winding down. Most leagues are really close to the playoffs, and some of you might be in them already. It’s also one of the most important times to pick your streamers correctly. Getting these guys right or wrong in the playoffs can be the difference in winning your league, so I’m really going to be zoned in for the next month. With that in mind, let’s take a look at favorable matchups for this week and then dive into those streamers!
Favorable Team Matchups
7 Games
Colorado Rockies (at WAS, at ATL)
New York Yankees (vs. HOU, vs. BOS)
Washington Nationals (vs. COL, vs. MIA)
6 Games
Athletics (vs. MIN, vs. BAL)
Atlanta Braves (vs. LAD, vs. COL)
Baltimore Orioles (at STL, at ATH)
Cleveland Guardians (at LAA, vs. KC)
Minnesota Twins (at ATH, vs. CWS)
St. Louis Cardinals (vs. BAL, vs. PIT)
Pitching Streamers
Seth Lugo, KC (at TOR, at CLE)
Lugo has always been a solid pitcher, but he’s never been a true ace. That’s why he’s always eligible as one of our streamers, and we love his potential this week. Let’s start there because these really couldn’t be better matchups. Toronto ranks in the bottom three in runs scored, OBP, OPS, wOBA and xwOBA, while Cleveland sits 29th or 30th in all of those as well. The Giants and Mariners are the only offenses that might be worse, which should allow Lugo to cruise to two quality starts. We’re talking about a guy who has a 3.64 career ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He’s struggled over his last four starts, but he’s still allowed three runs or fewer in 17 of 26 starts this year. We expect that to be 19 of 28 after this week in these matchups because Lugo is too good to be flirting with a 5.00 ERA.
Streamonator Valuation: $-7.9
Kyle Leahy, STL (vs. PIT)
The Cardinals always seem to develop one random starter every year, and Leahy is their guy this season. This righty has a 3.24 ERA and 1.31 WHIP en route to a pristine 10-4 record. Heck, they would’ve considered that a Cy Young contender season 35 years ago. We now understand that a 1.31 WHIP is nothing special, but we love Leahy’s recent form. He’s surrendered two runs or fewer in 10 straight starts while sporting a 1.52 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 rate in that span. It’s hard to believe fantasy managers are still sleeping on a guy with a stretch like that, especially in this sort of matchup. The Pirates rank 26th in K rate, with their offensive statistics collapsing in the second half.
Streamonator Valuation: $11.8
Joe Musgrove, SD (vs. PIT)
This could fall into the streamers category or waiver wire one because Musgrove needs to be rostered right now. This former fantasy stud hasn’t pitched since 2024, but he’s inching close to a return after throwing 70 pitches in his most recent rehab start. It’s risky to ride a guy who hasn’t pitched in two years, but the numbers from Musgrove are magnificent. This righty has a 3.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over the last six seasons! Finding a pitcher with a 4.00 ERA and 1.20 WHIP floor is nearly impossible, and we love his home matchup with Pittsburgh. We already discussed the Pirates, but San Diego has one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the sport. In his last five starts against them, Musgrove has allowed just five runs across 27.1 innings. That’s an ERA below 1.70!
Streamonator Valuation: $NA
Jared Jones, PIT (at SD)
We’ve been beating up on the Pirates with our last two streamers, so let’s give them some love. They’ve actually been sneaky good at developing aces over the last decade, and Jones has the ability to be just that. While the 4.78 ERA is nothing special from Jones, his 3.68 xERA and 1.20 WHIP indicate some positive regression around the corner. He also looked studly in his first stint at this level, posting a 3.78 career xFIP and 9.9 K/9 rate. The stuff is there for Jones to be sensational, and we love that he’s allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of 14 starts. That streak should continue in a spacious park like the one San Diego possesses, with the Padres ranked 21st in runs scored and 22nd in wOBA.
Streamonator Valuation: $14.7
Bryce Elder, ATL (vs. COL)
Elder has been one of our streamers numerous times this season, and we’re going right back to the well. A midseason slump sent him to every waiver in shallower leagues, but now’s the time to go pick him back up. This righty had a 1.97 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through the opening two months and has also allowed just one run in four of his last five starts. That shows the potential is there to be a great pitcher, as long as he can just find a bit of consistency. That should be easy to do here in a road matchup with the Rockies. Colorado has been the worst road offense in baseball for years while sitting 22nd in K rate and 23rd in xwOBA. It’ll also likely have Elder entering this matchup as a -250 favorite
Streamonator Valuation: $33.6
Brady Singer, CIN (at SF)
Singer is entering the streamers Hall of Fame because he’s been in dozens of my articles over the years. That’s the telling sign that a pitcher is inconsistent, but Singer has a nice floor right now. This Cincy slinger has been a different player since June 1, providing a 3.79 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 12 starts since then. His home splits have also been much better this year, but we’re always happy to see these Reds arms get out of Cincy. A park transfer to San Fran couldn’t be better either because that’s a top-3 pitcher’s park in MLB. That park doesn’t play well for this offense either, with the Giants ranked 25th in xwOBA and 27th in runs scored. When he faced them earlier this season, Singer surrendered one run across six innings.
Streamonator Valuation: $-2.0
Hitting Streamers
Abimelec Ortiz, WAS (vs. COL, vs. MIA)
I’m typically very aware of how to pronounce every player’s name, but what the heck is that? Abimelec is one of the most unique names I’ve ever seen, and I think we’ll hear it more going forward. He’s developed into the two-hole hitter for the Nats, which is one of the premier spots since they lead the league in runs scored. That’s a truly baffling statistic, but Ortiz has been outstanding. He’s got a .260 AVG and .888 OPS through his first 17 games with Washington. Ortiz has also homered in four of his last 10 outings while developing a more secure role in this lineup after the Luis Garcia trade. The best part of this might be his matchups, though, because seven games against Colorado and Miami give him the best schedule of the week. The Rockies rank dead last in ERA, WHIP, wOBA and xwOBA, while Miami’s rotation is far from scary.
Cole Carrigg, COL (at WAS, at ATL)
As someone who lives in Colorado, this Rockies team is finally developing some talent. It’s been a long time coming, but Carrigg looks like he’ll be in the heart of this lineup for a long time to come. Carrigg has been hitting second or third for the Rockies every day, compiling a .364 OBP and .831 OPS. That’s right in line with the .362 OBP and .844 OPS we saw throughout his minor league career, but he might be even better in Coors Field. That actually doesn’t help us this week since the Rockies have all road games, but facing Washington and Atlanta across seven games isn’t too shabby. The Nationals series is four games while they rank 27th in ERA and 29th in xwOBA.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)
Steals Specialists
David Hamilton (MIL)
Hamilton has started in 14 of the last 18 outings and is always a viable fantasy option with that type of role. He has 79 steals over the last three seasons while picking up four over his last 12 outings.
Tim Tawa (ARI)
Tawa is second in baseball with four steals over the last two weeks, somehow.
Saves Specialists
Ben Joyce (LAA)
Joyce is reaching 105 MPH on the radar gun, and it’s clear LA wants him to be the closer of the future. He has six scoreless appearances so far this season while recording a save in the last three.
Mason Montgomery (PIT)
Many people thought Luke Weaver would step in as the closer, but Montgomery has been the man. He has three saves over his last six appearances while posting a 0.96 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 18.3 K/9 rate since June 28.
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!
