We were absolutely rolling going into last week, but that article wasn’t pretty. Most of our guys struggled, and a couple of them didn’t even make a start. That has me more motivated than ever to bounce back and have a big week because we’re down to the final two months of the season. Riding streamers to gather up roto points is critical at this time of the year, so hopefully, some of these guys can help get you to the top. With that in mind, let’s break down this week’s streamers!
Two-Start Streamers
Ross Stripling, TOR (at LAA, at SEA)
It’s been a weird season for Stripling. He’s had stretches where he looks like one of the worst pitchers in baseball and has mixed it with All-Star caliber runs. The good news is that he’s in the midst of one of those great stretches, generating a 1.65 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over his last three starts. He’s also limiting his shelling potential, allowing four runs or fewer in 16 of his 18 starts. That’s the guy we saw before a flukey 2020 campaign, owning a 3.51 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through the first four years of his career.
All of that makes us feel like he’s an underrated asset for fantasy purposes, especially in matchups like these. The first one against Los Angeles is special because of their injuries, with Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon out of the lineup. That has completely ruined the bottom half of their order, forcing guys like Jose Iglesias and Phil Gosselin into the top half. The Mariners have an even uglier lineup, ranked 28th in OBP, 27th in wOBA, and 26th in K rate. What’s also nice is that he gets to pitch in two spacious ballparks, which is a pleasant surprise after pitching in a Triple-A stadium for most of the year.
Steven Brault, PIT (vs. STL, vs. MIL)
A lot of people have forgotten about this guy, but we haven’t. Injuries and playing for Pittsburgh have definitely contributed to the fantasy community overlooking Brault, but we know how good this dude can be. While he’s only made one start this season, the southpaw is slinging a 3.28 ERA and 1.18 WHIP since the beginning of last year. That’s the stud we saw in the Minors, and it’s really no surprise that he’s picking up most of his great starts at home. PNC Park is one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball, which is evident when you see Brault’s 2.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP at home in that same span.
That means he’s one of the best streamers of the week with two home starts, particularly in such tasty matchups. The Cardinals have been one of the worst offenses in baseball for two months now, ranked 24th in OBP, 25th in wOBA, 23rd in OPS, and 26th in runs scored. Despite their dominant record, the Brewers haven’t been much better, sitting 19th in wOBA, 29th in xBA, and 25th in both xwOBACON and K rate. So, while he likely won’t win this week, Brault is in a great spot to land two quality starts.
Casey Mize, DET (at BAL, vs. CLE)
Mize is one of those guys who seems to be on and off the waiver wire all year, but this is a great week to go pick him up. Let’s kick things off by talking about his matchups. The first one against Baltimore is brilliant, with the Orioles ranked 25th in OBP, 24th in xwOBA, 23rd in runs scored, and 19th in K rate. Cleveland is there with them, sitting 29th in OBP, 22nd in runs scored, and 23rd in OPS. Facing those two teams would make any pitcher a great option as one of our streamers, but we’re talking about someone with monster upside.
We say that because Mize managed a 2.71 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in his Minor League career while accruing a 3.57 ERA and 1.13 WHIP this season. What’s also nice about Mize is that Detroit is semi-babying him, with Casey allowing four runs or fewer in each of his last 17 starts. That does limit his pitch count a bit, but it also could be beneficial if he struggles in either of these outings. If Mize is out there, go pick him up and ride him for the rest of the season!
One-Start Streamers
Logan Webb, SF (vs. COL)
I honestly have no clue how the Giants are doing this, but they continue to churn out wins. This underrated rotation is a major reason why, with Webb having the best season of his career. In fact, Logan has a 3.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP this season, striking out 82 batters across 79 total innings. That makes it hard to believe that he’s still available in over 50 percent of the leagues out there, but it’s a good indicator of how much people are overlooking this Giants team as a whole.
He’s actually been even better recently, tallying a 1.72 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9 rate over his last nine starts. All of that makes him impossible to fade against Colorado, with the Rockies ranked dead-last in runs scored, OPS, and xwOBA on the road this season. The Streamonator absolutely adores Webb this week too, projecting him to provide $14.5 worth of value.
Joe Ross, WAS (at NYM)
Ross has been one of the most volatile pitchers in baseball this season, but it’s hard to overlook how good he’s been at times. The bad starts have really compounded his averages, with JR allowing 18 of his total 43 runs in two of his starts this year. If you take out those nightmarish outings, Ross has a 2.66 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 9.2 K/9 rate over his other 17 outings. A lot of that form has come recently, with Ross registering a 2.97 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 10.0 K/9 rate since May 25. He should be able to keep doing that against the Mets, with New York ranked 25th in wOBACON, 23rd in OPS, and 29th in runs scored.
Matt Harvey, BAL (vs. DET)
Remember when The Dark Knight did this? Yeah, that was the start of the end in New York, and it’s been a long road back. The former Cy Young candidate has been an absolute gas can for five years, but the last few weeks have been different. Over his last four starts, Harvey is pitching to a 0.81 ERA and 0.72 WHIP. His lack of strikeouts has been concerning, but the amount of hard contact he’s limiting has been pristine. That sort of form makes him very attractive against a team like the Tigers, with the Motor City Kitties ranked 22nd in xwOBA and 27th in K rate. This is honestly one of the riskiest streamers I’ve ever recommended, but we’re going with the hot hand theory in a spectacular matchup.
Jesus Luzardo, MIA (vs. CHC)
Luzardo has been one of the most touted prospects in baseball over the last two years, but an ugly start to this season forced him out of Oakland. They decided to ship him off to Miami in the Starling Marte deal, and it’s a great opportunity for Jesus to recapture his Minor League form. We’re talking about a guy who had a 2.53 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his three years at the Minors before a call-up last year, striking out 234 batters in just 195 innings.
Those are truly miraculous numbers, and getting to face NL lineups in a pitcher’s park like the one Miami possesses should be the recipe to get him back on track. The Cubs might be the best matchup in baseball right now, trading off Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javy Baez at the trade deadline. It’s not like they were any good with those guys anyway, sitting 23rd in xwOBA and 29th in K rate. The Streamonator agrees with our assessment, projecting Luzardo to provide a week-high $18.6 worth of value.
Streamers to Consider
Brad Keller, KC (vs. STL)
Keller has a 2.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over his last five starts, making him a sneaky option against a struggling Cardinals lineup.
Triston McKenzie, CLE (vs. DET)
McKenzie is one of the most volatile pitchers around, but he seems to always do well in good matchups.
Tyler Anderson, SEA (vs. TEX)
Anderson has allowed three runs or fewer in 17 of his 20 starts, which should happen again versus a 28th-ranked Texas offense.
Ryan Weathers, SD (vs. MIA)
Miami ranks dead-last in xwOBA this season and just traded away Marte at the trade deadline. That means Weathers will be a -200 favorite here, which looks good behind his 3.65 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
Feel free to comment me here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
