After our most successful article last week, we’re going to keep riding swiftly down the stream. While the pitching landscape has made it one of the most difficult seasons to stream, that means it’s more imperative than ever. Getting those quality innings into your lineup can help limit the blow from some of your regulars getting shelled and I feel as though we have a great crop of guys this week who can boost your ratios. Quite simply, I have an offer you can’t refuse…
Two-Start Pitchers
Anthony DeSclafani, CIN (at SF, vs. SF)
Damn, how did this guy get so lucky? Facing San Francisco once is quite the treat for any pitcher but facing them twice in one week is downright magical. The reason for that is because of their atrocious offense. In fact, the Giants currently rank 30th in wOBA, 29th in xwOBA, 27th in xSLG, 28th in xBA and 29th in runs per game. That’s really no surprise when you consider the fact that their best hitters are guys like Buster Posey and Brandon Belt, as DeSclafani should roll right through them.
His season-long statistics are hard to argue with too, with DeSclafani posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while striking out 36 batters across 31 innings. That’s why the Streamonator has him projected to provide $17.4 worth of value, providing 10.7 Ks across 11.6 innings en route to a 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Aaron Sanchez, TOR (vs. MIN, vs. CWS)
Sanchez’ most recent start will not give you any incentive to start him here but he’s tough to fade with these tasty matchups in his future. Prior to a blowup on Thursday, Sanchez generated a 2.32 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across his first six starts, striking out 27 batters across 31 innings of action.
That ERA and K rate makes him really hard to fade in these matchups. While Minnesota is on fire right now, the fact that they rank 17th in OBP indicates that they could be held in check. The White Sox are the far superior matchup, as they rank 25th in K rate this season and dead-last in that statistic last year.
One-Start Pitchers
Brad Peacock, HOU (vs. KC)
Peacock is the highest projected one-start streamer of the season, with the Streamonator projecting him to provide $31.6 worth of value. That actually makes him a top-25 pitcher for the week, as he’s projected to provide a 2.93 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while striking out 7.4 batters across 5.7 innings. That’s easily the best line of any streamer all season long and there’s a good chance he’s available in your league after a seven-run dud on Thursday.
That shelling is simply a blip on the radar though, with Peacock generating a 3.67 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across his first six appearances, striking out 24 batters across 27 innings. The peripherals indicate that he’ll be even better than that, with Peacock posting a FIP just north of 3.00 over the last three years while maintaining a K rate approaching 25 percent. That becomes very enticing against a Royals team who ranks 21st in both xBA and runs per game. Not to mention, look for Peacock to enter this matchup as a –170 favorite.
Jake Odorizzi, MIN (vs. DET)
I mistakenly stacked Astros against Odorizzi in his most recent start and that game me realize just how truly special he’s been. While his 3.34 ERA and 1.11 WHIP are impressive in itself, the fact that he has a 3.19 FIP and 25 percent K rate shows that it’s no fluke. What is truly amazing is the fact that he’s played the Astros twice, in addition to facing the Indians and Phillies. That’s a tough schedule and it’s a testament to just how well he’s been pitching. That doesn’t even include a gem on Saturday, in which Odorizzi struck out eight Yankees across six scoreless innings, which only adds to his ridiculous season-long numbers.
Getting to face the Tigers here is quite the boost after those nightmare matchups and Odorizzi should continue his stellar season against this bad offense. In fact, Detroit ranks 28th in total runs, 24th in wOBA and dead-last in K rate. That’s why the Streamonator has him projected to provide $12.3 worth of value in this start, as he should be a –170 favorite with the Twins rolling right now.
Brandon Woodruff, MIL (vs. WSH)
Woodruff’s 4.71 ERA and 1.49 WHIP will not make fantasy owners excited to roster him but his strikeout rate alone makes him worth a shot. In 36.1 innings pitched this season, Woodruff has whiffed 45 batters. That really shouldn’t surprise anyone, considering Woodruff has a 27 percent K rate over the last two seasons.
The peripherals indicate that he’s been extremely unlucky this season too, with Woodruff posting a 3.31 FIP. That monster K rate is extremely tasty in this sort of matchup, with the Nationals posting the second-worst strikeout rate in the majors. The Streamonator has him projected to provide $13 worth of value, with Woodruff projected to accrue a 1.17 WHIP while striking out exactly one batter per inning.
Also Consider:
Griffin Canning is one of the Angels best prospects and he could have two starts against two of the worst offenses in the majors. In fact, the Orioles and Tigers both rank bottom-10 in wOBA and runs scored.
Dakota Hudson doesn’t pop up highly in the Streamonator but two home starts against the Pirates and Phillies puts him in a great spot for 12 quality innings and at least one win. Especially considering the fact that he threw six one-run innings on Thursday, striking out seven Nationals.
Vince Velasquez has a 2.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 29 batters across 26.1 innings and could continue that success against the Royals and Cardinals.
Michael Pineda has been struggling recently but a home start against the Tigers could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
If you have any comments or questions, hit me up here or reach me on Twitter @BartilottaJoel
