Oh, hey there. Glad you could find time to visit us here at Razzball, even though it seems like the rest of the world is dry humping the NFL draft. I mean yeah, sure, I like football as much as the next person, but how awful is the first round? Seriously guys, just MAKE THE PICK! Is it necessary to have fifteen minutes between selections? The front office’s of all 32 teams have had the entire year to break down the information. Surely the final few minutes are not life and death. Remember, the Bears had all of the required data, interviews and film and still found a way to draft Mitch Trubisky. That will definitely leave a mark. That’s why I love writing this post every week. The tools here at Razzball make it almost too easy to make the right decision. If you haven’t yet, check out the Stream-o-Nator and Hitter-Tron. After you delight yourself with their fantasy baseball prowess, make the right decision and subscribe to one of the many options offered. Consider it money well spent after you’re counting your winnings in October. Remember kids, just say no to bad decisions. Anyway, as always we’ll be assisted in our streaming journey by the suggestions of both the aforementioned Stream-o-Nator and Hitter-Tron. I’ll give you a few of the gems that both these sexy bots have to offer up, while spicing up the recommendations with a few numbers that may or may not get your engine running hot. Rawwrr! Before we get started, let me remind you that every player recommended in this post will be owned in less than 50% of standard ESPN leagues. Let’s go streaming:
Wei-Yin Chen vs TB – He’s going twice this week and we’re using him both times. Gulp!? Well, for this start I’m banking on a bounce back seeing that the trend so far has been alternating good and bad outings. How’s that for data? The Rays are striking out at a 27.7% clip against lefties this year, while putting up a below average .135 ISO.
Brett Anderson vs PHI – Anderson has done a tremendous job keeping the ball on the ground this season as his 3.18 GB/FB would suggest. He’s also kept the opposing team from leaving the yard sporting an elite 0.4 HR/FB ratio. The Phillies have been just below average when facing lefties this season, producing a .297 OBP and 89 wRC+ which ranks in the bottom third of the league.
Alex Wood vs SF – Wood has been spectacular over his last three starts, averaging a strikeout per inning while producing a 2.57 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. San Francisco has fared poorly against southpaws this season turning in a .106 ISO, .323 SLG% and .285 OBP.
Jaime Garcia vs NYM – Garcia has allowed just two runs in each of his past three outings and while his 5.22 K/9 is enough to kill the mood in any run of the mill Cialis commercial, this seems like a good spot to try to squeeze out a win. The Mets .138 ISO over the last 14 days ranks 25th in the league.
Charlie Morton vs TEX – This might be the most risky call of the week. The Rangers are certainly a formidable offensive team, but we’re chasing K’s here. Morton has increased his average fastball velocity to 95.4 mph this season, up from 94.4 last season and his 9.96 K/9 represents the best mark of his career. Missing bats has been a specialty of Morton’s recently. He’s racked up 21 K’s over his last 17 innings including a 12 strikeout effort against the A’s in his last outing. The Rangers have struggled to produce on the road this season, turning in a .274 wOBA and 75 wRC+.
Antonio Senzatela @ SD – His control has been fantastic as he’s issued less than two walks per game (1.97 BB/9). San Diego continues to battle the whiff monster, striking out in 25.6% of their plate appearances this season. Any time you can run out a Colorado arm away from Coors it’s worthy of a celebration, but when it comes in Petco where the home team is slugging just .383 – That’s stream team material.
Wei-Yin Chen @ NYM – Okay, here’s where things get tricky. Above I mentioned Chen’s penchant for following up a solid outing with an absolute steamer, this has the makings for such a result. Nonetheless, we’re surging forward with our decision to stream the Marlins southpaw. Here’s why: Over the past two weeks the Mets have produced a 68 wRC+ along with a dismal .270 wOBA. They’re also reaching base at a .275 clip during that stretch, so here’s to hoping the Mets bats remain on ice.
Hyun-Jin Ryu @ SD – His 8.44 K/9 will play in most leagues and let’s face it….The Padres have a fever for more strikeouts and the only thing to cure that is more Ryu? What? I have no idea what I just said there. What I do know is that San Diego owns a 31.4% strikeout rate over their last seven games and their .651 OPS vs LHP ranks 25th in all of baseball.
Scott Schebler – The Reds play seven games this week, six of them will feature a right-handed starter, whom Schebler has registered a .902 OPS against this year. He’s also smashed 5 home runs and produced a .333/.379/.926 slash line over the last week, while posting a respectable 32.7% hard-hit percentage. So, as they say in Canada…He’s swinging a hot bat.
Josh Reddick – I’m not even worried about his somewhat fluky .362 BABIP or the fact that he’s hit just one home run this year. He’s slashing .316/.474/.829 vs RHP and he’ll face 6 right-handed starters this week.
Josh Bell – Bell has been smoking hot over his last 14 games, smashing 3 HR and posting a healthy .975 OPS. The switch-hitting first baseman is just 31% owned and should be available for a stream in most leagues.
