I’m not sure what it is about Jaime Garcia, but I absolutely can’t quit him. I’ve stuck with him through the injuries and the ups and downs in St. Louis and never once have I regretted giving him a gigantic cowboy hug while wearing a denim jacket with a fur collar, just to let other owners in my league know he’s mine. You see, he’s what I consider a hidden gem of sorts in the fantasy world. Someone you can roster and keep for those special occasions where you might need a win or quality start. He usually delivers, which is all you can ask for with a streamer. This season he’s been an important part to fantasy staffs as he’s produced a 3.18 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Those numbers improve significantly at home (1.88 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) and he’s limiting opposing teams to a .214 bating average against at Sun Trust Park. This week he’ll get a starting pitcher two-step against the Phillies and the Mets at home and you better believe that your fantasy bestie Honcho is running him out there for both turns. Philadelphia has been unwatchable over their last seven games posting a .088 ISO and 25.7% K-rate. This start has that low-hanging fruit feel to it. Enjoy. Sunday he’ll take the bump against the Mets who’ve been merely league average against lefties, producing a .299 OBP and .312 wOBA. Inducing groundballs has been Garcia’s calling card this year as he’s compiled a 58% GB rate, which will be an important factor considering the Mets hit the fewest groundballs in the league at a 38% clip. At just 17% owned and considering the plus match-ups for this week, Garcia seems like a strong pick up for those in need of some mound help.
As always, the streaming suggestions in this post were hand-picked from the mountain of incredible data provided by the Stream-o-Nator and Hitter-Tron. Do yourself a favor and grab a subscription for the rest of the year so you can dominate like all the other Razzballers in the fantasy world. Until next week, stream away amigos…
Matt Moore vs MIN – Usually when I recommend Moore it’s generally a deep league call. Minnesota’s lackluster production vs LHP combined with Moore’s recent run of useful outings has me intrigued here. Moore has strung together five straight outings with three or fewer runs and he’s been saddled with a high .317 BABIP during that stretch. The Twins have produced a below average .299 wOBA & 84 wRC+ against lefties this season.
Eric Skoglund @ SD – He’s had two starts: One great and one not so great. Typical rookie stuff, ya dig? Anyway, San Diego owns the title of the worst team in the league vs LHP this season. The Pads own a .277 OBP, 23% strikeout rate and a league-low .322 SLG% against southpaws this year.
Trevor Bauer vs CHW- The fact that he’s available in 54% of ESPN leagues is unintentionally funny. Before Sunday’s rain shortened affair with the Royals, Bauer had won three of his last four starts, averaging nine strikeouts per contest. Come for the 3.84 K/BB rate and stay for the 11.53 K/9…..Amirite??? When his .358 BABIP stabilizes, he’ll be a trusted starter and no longer have to sit at the streamer card table at Thanksgiving.
Dinelson Lamet vs KC – He’s 6′ 4″ and armed with a 96 mph fastball and devastating sweeping slider, which he easily dispatched the Mets and Cubs with in his first two starts. It’s early, but his 14.40 K/9 is approaching NSFW territory while his 3.80 FIP tells us this rookie might be for real. The Royals own a .144 ISO and .291 wOBA so the threat of a blow up start in this spot is minimal.
Hyun-Jin Ryu vs CIN – Since Alex Wood’s shoulder seems to be worse than originally reported, Ryu’s table for one bullpen reservations are on hold for the moment. While his 8.22 K/9 is slightly above average, the Reds have posted a 26% strikeout rate over their last seven games, so this could be a sneaky K boost for the week. Chavez Ravine has been kind to Ryu this season as his 3.05 ERA and 2.00 GB/FB suggests and he’s stranding nearly 80% of baserunners at home as well.
Tommy Pham – Over his last 14 games, Pham has produced a .306/.386/.472 slash line while hitting anywhere from 2nd to 5th in the Cardinals lineup. He’s looking at a full-time role moving forward since Randal Grichuk was demoted to High-A Palm Springs late in May. St. Louis has a seven game schedule on tap this week, with four of those contests taking place at hitter friendly Great American Ballpark. There’s been no place like on the road for Tommy P this season as he’s put up a robust 1.387 OPS with five home runs away from home.
Leury Garcia – The Pale Hose play six games this week with each game coming against a right-handed starter. Garcia is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak and all 6 of his HR this year have come at the expense of righties. Garcia’s .232 ISO and 127 wRC+ vs RHP should make you Leury to the wire to scoop him up! I have no shame. My baseball puns have no boundaries.
Matt Adams – There’s a lot to love about Adams and I’m not just talking about his burly 245 pound frame. Beefy! Big Matt has gone 13-for-51 with 4 HR, 11 RBI, seven runs and a .871 OPS in 12 games since joining the Braves. Atlanta will play eight games this week, all of them on tap for Sun Trust Park where Adams has put up a .938 OPS. Not too shabby. Oh yeah, seven of those contests will come against right-handed pitchers as well. That’s muy importante since he’s sporting a .250 ISO and .363 wOBA vs RHP.
