This is one of the strangest weeks we’ve had for streamers. It’s truly evident when looking at the favorable matchups because it feels like all of the bad lineups are facing all of the bad pitching staffs. We have Miami, Oakland, and Colorado all facing each other this week, which can make things challenging from a streamers standpoint. In any case, there are plenty of good options out there, and we’re looking to build off of the momentum we’ve built over the last few weeks.
Favorable Team Matchups
7 Games
Baltimore Orioles (vs. NYY, at CIN)
Chicago Cubs (at NYM, vs. MIL)
Miami Marlins (vs. WAS, vs. COL, at OAK)
6 Games
Oakland Athletics (vs. PIT, vs. MIA)
Pittsburgh Pirates (at OAK, vs. COL)
St. Louis Cardinals (at DET, vs. CWS)
San Diego Padres (vs. CIN, at ARI)
Texas Rangers (vs. WAS, at KC)
Toronto Blue Jays (vs. KC, at WAS)
Pitching Streamers
Trevor Rogers, MIA (vs. WAS, at OAK)
The numbers don’t look pretty for Rogers, but we’re encouraged when watching him pitch. After getting blown up in his debut, the lefty has allowed three runs or fewer in four straight starts, posting a 3.37 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in that span. That’s the guy we saw in 2021 before his injuries, providing a 2.64 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in that breakout campaign. We expect him to regress closer to that because this guy has an incredible 2.84 FIP. That regression should start here because Miami and Oakland are two of the most spacious ballparks in baseball. He also faces a Washington team that ranks 28th in runs scored while Oakland is 29 or 30th in runs scored, OBP, OPS, wOBA, and K rate since the start of last season.
Streamonator Valuation: $22.6
Lance Lynn, STL (vs. CWS)
This is the third time we’ve used Lynn already, and he’s been solid with a 2.81 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. That’s close to the guy we saw between 2020 and 2022, generating a 3.28 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in that three-year span. Two of those years were actually with this White Sox team, but Lynn has to be laughing when looking at this lineup. Chicago sits last in runs scored, OBP, OPS, wOBA, and xwOBA so far this season. They are simply the worst offense in baseball and it’ll likely have Lynn entering this matchup as a -200 favorite as well. He’s struck out at least five batters in all but one start, which should be his floor against the worst offense in the league.
Streamonator Valuation: $23.5
Edward Cabrera, MIA (vs. COL)
This kid is still below 70 percent ownership on most major fantasy sites, and it’s hard to understand why. This young arm had one of the worst walk rates in baseball last year, but he paired it with an elite 27 percent K rate. We love that since the walks are way down this year while providing an elite 36 percent K rate. Those averages have led to Cabrera compiling a 1.14 FIP and 2.27 xFIP going into Saturday. Those are averages you’d usually see from one of the best closers in baseball, but they tell us just how much potential this kid has. That potential makes him one of the best streamers of the season in this matchup, with the Rockies ranked last in almost every offensive statistic on the road in each of the last three years.
Streamonator Valuation: $49.2
Jon Gray, TEX (vs. WAS at KC)
Speaking of my beloved Rockies, let’s talk about one of the best pitchers they’ve had over the last decade. Saying that about Gray is really sad for Colorado fans, but this guy has the ability to be a solid starter. Gray has been showing that recently, registering a 1.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 12.9 K/9 rate since the opener. That’s one of the best stretches of this guy’s career, and he did it against teams like the Braves and Astros. The Nats and Royals are far from those lineups, with KC sitting 22nd in OBP while Washington ranks 28th in runs scored and 24th in xwOBA. KC is the only concerning matchup, but Gray struck out eight guys while throwing seven one-run innings the last time he faced them!
Streamonator Valuation: $2.1
Clarke Schmidt, NYY (vs. DET)
We had Clarke as one of our streamers last week, and he provided us with another great start. He picked up a win in that game against the A’s and has been incredibly consistent since the start of last season. He’s actually allowed three runs or fewer in 28 of his last 31 starts, posting a 2.87 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 11.7 K/9 rate over his last three starts. That fantastic form should be easy to duplicate against a disastrous Detroit lineup, with the Tigers ranked 23rd in K rate, 21st in runs scored, and 26th in wOBA. It’s also another home start for Schmidt, which should have him as a decent bet to pick up another win! In their two matchups last season, Schmidt struck out at least six batters in both of those while allowing three runs or fewer in each!
Streamonator Valuation: $9.8
Hitting Streamers
Bryan De La Cruz, MIA (vs. WAS, vs. COL, at OAK)
There’s one thing I can guarantee you. Anytime we have a team facing the A’s and the Rockies in the same week, we’re going to include a hitter from that lineup. Colorado is the real prize of a matchup, ranked last in ERA, WHIP, and WOBA. Oakland isn’t much better, sitting 24th in wOBA and 25th in WHIP. The pitchers BDLC will face in this seven-game week include Jake Irvin, Ryan Feltner, Dakota Hudson, Peter Lambert, JP Sears, Paul Blackburn, and Joe Boyle. You couldn’t ask for better matchups and it’s really enticing with the way De La Cruz is swinging the bat right now. The outfielder hits second every day for the Marlins, maintaining a .255 AVG, .549 SLG, and .849 OPS across his last 13 games.
Lars Nootbaar, STL (at DET, vs. CWS)
There’s been an encouraging development in St. Louis. The Cards have been looking for a bump with how bad their lineup has been, moving Lars into the three-hole when they face a righty over the last two weeks. That promotion is massive for his fantasy value because he hits between Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. It’s no surprise when peeking into his sensational splits, sporting a .380 OBP and .831 OPS against right-handers since the start of last season. That’s massive when looking at the schedule, facing five righties in this six-game week. It’s no murderer’s row of righties either, facing Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda, Reese Olson, Jonathan Cannon, and Erick Fedde.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals Ain’t Got No Face)
Steals Specialists
Willi Castro (MIN)
Castro was one of the steals specialists in the final months of last season, finishing with 33 stolen bags. We haven’t seen that yet this year, but he’s starting to play every day and could have success against teams like the White Sox and Red Sox.
Johan Rojas (PHI)
This speedster bats at the bottom of the Philly lineup, but he plays every day. He’s recorded a steal in six of his last 11 games and should be running whenever he’s on base!
Saves Specialists
Hector Neris (CHC)
Adbert Alzolay has been removed as the team’s closer, with Neris recording three saves in his last three appearances. This guy had multiple 25-save seasons in Philly and could run away with this gig.
Jason Adam (TB)
With Peter Fairbanks gone, Adam should step in as the closer. Last year, he had 11 holds and 10 saves, establishing himself as one of the best relievers in baseball.
Feel free to comment here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
