I did some complaining last week about how the plethora of six-man rotations this time of year dilutes the two-start pool and makes two-start forecasting quite difficult. And while all of that is surely true, it’s also true that at this point of the season is probably the easiest time all year to get your greedy little hands on some quality two-start streamers. If you’re still reading this post midway into September, you’re in the minority. Week 25 is the finals in most H2H formats, the semis just about everywhere else. And if you play in one of the weird no-playoffs H2H leagues, odds are there aren’t more than two teams in serious contention at this juncture. Point is, there just aren’t that many people exploiting the two-start scene anymore. From this point forward, you should be able to snag some usable streamers without much trouble. Of course, if you’ve made it this far, I’d like to think your staff is strong enough to succeed without the help of fringy waiver adds.
As always, probable pitchers are subject to change. For a look at all fantasy baseball streamers, click that link.
MUST START
Zack Greinke (@ARI, @SD); Cliff Lee (MIA, NYM); Patrick Corbin (LAD, @COL); Mike Minor (@WAS, @CHC); James Shields (CLE, TEX); C.J. Wilson (@OAK, SEA); Anibal Sanchez (SEA, CWS)
- Start these dudes.
FIRST TIER
A.J. Burnett (SD, CIN); Hyun-Jin Ryu (@ARI, @SD); Alex Cobb (TEX, BAL); Sonny Gray (LAA, MIN); Andy Pettitte (@TOR, @OAK); Corey Kluber (@KC, HOU)
- I’m using a bit more caution than usual this week, what with the whole semifinals/finals going on, so tier one is a little slim. Still, we’ve got a few names here who can be streamed comfortably. Sonny Gray (38% owned in Y! leagues) continues to impress as a big league starter, posting a 2.63 ERA through his first 7 starts while whiffing more than a batter per-inning. After logging almost 50 IP in the bigs, it’s safe to say that Gray is no fluke, as reflected by his FIP, which sits at a sexy 2.34. Corey Kluber (22%) seems like a forgotten man after spending some time on the DL. He should be owned and he should be started in mixed leagues. Andy Pettitte (43%), too, is a guy who should be in your lineup for week 25. The old man has found a groove late in the season, allowing no more than 3 runs in a start through seven outings since August 5th.
SECOND TIER
Tanner Roark (ATL, MIA); Yusmeiro Petit (@NYM, @NYY); Jorge De La Rosa (STL, ARI); Joe Kelly (@COL, @MIL); A.J. Griffin (LAA, MIN); Rick Porcello (SEA, CWS); Scott Kazmir (@KC, HOU)
- With only two big league starts to his name, it’s tough to put a lot of faith in Tanner Roark (18%), but they were two impressive starts, and he draws an easy-ish slate in the week ahead (Atlanta hasn’t been mashing quite so well over the past month), so I think he’s worth the risk. If you’ve been following me all year, you know I’ve been a sucker for the upside of both Rick Porcello (16%), and Scott Kazmir (17%) since early this summer, and I’m not gonna jump off that train during their final two-start weeks of the season. Others I’m okay with streaming in the week ahead: Yusmeiro Petit (26%), Joe Kelly (34%), and Jorge De La Rosa (50%).
THIRD TIER
Dan Haren (ATL, MIA); Lance Lynn (@COL, @MIL); Jeff Locke (SD, CIN); Wily Peralta (CHC, STL); Edwin Jackson (@MIL, ATL); Trevor Cahill (LAD, @COL); Mike Leake (@HOU, @PIT); Matt Garza (@TB, @KC); R.A. Dickey (NYY, @BOS); Nick Tepesch (@TB, @KC); Scott Feldman (@BOS, @TB)
- I think you’re better off streaming one-starters than you are dipping into this group. You need to limit your disaster potential when it’s this late in the season and you’re close enough to sniff the cash. You’ll sleep more soundly if you avoid these guys.
DON’T START
Juan Nicasio (STL, ARI); Joe Saunders (@DET, @LAA); Liam Hendriks (@CWS, SEA); Jeremy Hellickson (TEX, BAL)
- No way.
