Ok, we need to be honest. Last week’s article downright sucked! We actually discussed just how much we despised the two-start streamers and it forced us into a stupid Jose Suarez recommendation. We made that suggestion with major trepidation but it’s important to learn from these situations. No matter how good the matchups may be, you simply can’t trust a bad pitcher. That’s just what Suarez is and we have a much better crop here.
Two-Start Streamers
Brendan McKay, TB (vs. DET, at BAL)
McKay was actually in our article last week and because he was pushed back to Tuesday, we get to ride him against this week. While he had an ugly start in that Tuesday outing, there’s simply too much potential here to fade. While he’s struggled in his last four starts, this dude has sky-high upside. That’s really evident in his Triple-A numbers, with McKay pitching to a 1.15 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while striking out 94 batters across 70.2 innings.
That absurd form was evident in his first three starts at the Majors, throwing a six-inning shutout in two of those outings. The best part about using McKay this week are these superb matchups against the Tigers and Orioles. In fact, Detroit ranks bottom-three in runs scored, OBP, OPS, K rate and xwOBA while Baltimore sits 21st in K rate, 24th in runs scored, 26th in OBP, 25th in OPS and 27th in xwOBA. That’s why the Streamonator absolutely loves him this week, projecting him for a 2.86 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 10.8 K/9 rate en route to $46.5 worth of value.
Chris Archer, PIT (vs. WSH, vs. CIN)
Archer has been one of the most frustrating players in fantasy baseball but recent results are definitely encouraging. What you need to keep in mind with Archer is that this is all about strikeouts. His 5.23 ERA and 1.41 WHIP are simply atrocious numbers but his 12.2 K/9 rate over his last 12 starts makes him one of the best streamers around. He also has a 3.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over his last three starts and that’s the player we hope to see for the rest of the season. We’re still talking about a guy who posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 27 percent K rate between 2013-17 and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return to that player.
What we like here is that he gets two starts at home, with PNC Park traditionally ranking as one of the best pitcher’s parks in the league. While the Washington matchup may stray some fantasy owners away, this Cincinnati matchup makes Archer a fantastic play. In fact, the Reds currently rank 22nd in runs scored, 21st in OBP, 20th in OPS and 27th in xwOBA. Archer actually faced these two teams earlier this season in a two-start span and pitched to a 2.77 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while striking out 16 batters across 13 innings of action. The Streamonator agrees with our assessment, projecting Archer for 12.6 Ks en route to $20.4 worth of value.
One-Start Streamers
Michael Pineda, MIN (vs. CWS)
Can we start giving this dude the credit he deserves? He’s done nothing but perform all season long and he’s been in my streamers article at least five times now. That means you guys are not doing your jobs and we’re going to keep streaming him until he gets above 80 percent ownership. What’s truly amazing about Pineda is his consistency, with the pine tar righty allowing three runs or fewer in 15 of his last 16 starts. That equates to a 3.58 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in that span while generating a 24 percent K rate.
Those superb numbers look even better when you consider Pineda’s advanced statistics, with the Twins righty posting a 3.51 career xFIP, 3.54 SIERA and 24 percent K rate. Those are truly brilliant numbers and it has to make one wonder why he’s not getting more publicity as a great pitcher. Those numbers make him very intriguing in a matchup like this, with the White Sox ranked 26th in K rate, 28th in runs scored, 25th in OBP, 27th in OPS and 25th in xwOBA. That’s why Pineda will likely enter this matchup as a –220 favorite and why the Streamonator has him projected to provide $19.9 worth of value.
Chris Bassitt, OAK (vs. SF)
It amazes me how low Bassitt’s ownership remains and we simply have to love him in a matchup like this. The simple fact is, Bassitt has allowed three runs or fewer in all but three starts this season. That’s led to a 3.64 ERA and 1.21 WHIP while accruing a 23 percent K rate. Those are numbers that would make any fantasy owner ecstatic and it’s simply incredible that this guy remains below 50 percent ownership.
The reason we like him here is because he gets a home start against the Giants. Not only does Bassitt have a 3.06 ERA and 1.12 WHIP at Oakland Coliseum, that also happens to be one of the best pitching parks in baseball. That’s truly scary for a terrible lineup like the Giants, with San Francisco ranked 25th in runs scored, 26th in OBP, 27th in OPS and 28th in wOBA.
Vince Velasquez, PHI (at MIA)
This is the third-straight streamers article for Velasquez and that means you need to go pick this guy up! He’s done nothing but perform the last two months and it’s extremely encouraging to see such a talented pitcher live up to expectations. Since June 5, Velasquez is pitching to a 4.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 rate. He’s been even better recently, amassing a 3.21 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over his last five starts.
The best part about all of this is that Gabe Kapler cut the leash on Friday night, allowing VV to throw a season-high 108 pitches. That means the shackles are off and that’s huge for a pitcher who’s been babied throughout his career. Pitching at Miami is simply the icing on the cake, as he faces an offense who ranks bottom-three in runs scored, OBP, OPS and xwOBA in arguably the best pitching park in baseball.
If you want to complain about how bad I was last week or would like to compliment me on my good looks, comment me here or reach me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel.
