RADIO
The Sunday night baseball game this weekend featured two divisional rivals in a battle for first. After taking the first two, the Mets needed to win Sunday’s game to enter a virtual tie for first place with the Nats and secure the three-game sweep. With playoff implications on the line, yours truly attended the marquee matchup….and he was not disappointed. With Mets fans finally cheering for something in August, there was a playoff atmosphere from the parking lot before the game to the final pitch. Citi Field was rocking so hard that it was sometimes hard to hear the 747s taking off from La Guardia just next door.
To make matters even better for your fearless author, I attended the game decked in Nationals gear and was (unsurprisingly) surrounded by loyal Mets fans. Though in enemy territory, the Mets fans were hospitable to a jabroni Nats fan and even enjoyed the friendly banter with the enemy. I am happy to report that I escaped without any liquid poured on me or any war scars that I may have succumbed to. Then again, it was Queens and not Philadelphia. Overall, a fantastic experience in Citi Field last night.
Below are some of my starting pitcher streamer sleepers for the first half of Week 18 to consider adding off your league’s waiver wire. Some of these SP options can be considered sleepers for your team depending on the league format and depth, including NL-Only, AL-Only and head-to-head formats.
Monday Starting Pitcher Streamers
Tom Koehler (MIA v. NYM) – Ownership: 19% Yahoo!, 15% Fleaflicker
The Mets are on fire. Like, white hot fire. They’re so on fire that they couldn’t possibly lose their next series against the Marlins. Except that the Marlins always seem to give the Mets fits and the law of averages dictates that New York will lose rather soon. Koehler owns a 2.32 ERA and 1.01 WHIP at home this season to help make the case.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Tyler Wilson (BAL at OAK) – Ownership: 1% Yahoo!, 1% Fleaflicker
Wilson will get the start after being recalled from Triple-A as a replacement for Chris Tillman. The A’s, though all but out of the playoff hunt, still possess some solid bats that could give Wilson fits. Judging by his numbers in the minors, Wilson is a pitch-to-contact type of thrower that limits his walks. Baltimore’s defense is good enough to give him some help.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Tuesday Starting Pitcher Streamers
J.A. Happ (PIT v. CHC) – Ownership: 5% Yahoo!, 8% Fleaflicker
This move did not seem like a winner at the time, but now that A.J. Burnett has been placed on the disabled list, Happ moves right into the Buccos rotation. A move to the National League could be just wanted the pitching doctor ordered. Happ has been a better pitcher at cavernous SafeCo Field, where he yielded a 3.66 FIP. PNC Park plays a lot like SafeCo and Happ gets the added bonus of facing a pitcher. He also will face a Cubs squad that owns a sub-par wRC+ of 94 against southpaws.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Patrick Corbin (ARI at WAS) – Ownership: 28% Yahoo!, 16% Fleaflicker
Unfortunately Corbin’s opponent will be Max Scherzer and he will also be facing off against a Nationals team that will be really, really unhappy with being swept by a divisional rival. It’s still hard to pass up a 25.9% K rate and 1.00 WHIP off the waiver wire.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Danny Duffy (KC at DET) – Ownership: 20% Yahoo!, 11% Fleaflicker
Please read this write up in the Hank Azaria “DuffMan” voice. Duff Man will get the run support against a poor Tiger team to thrust you in direction of a win! Oh yea!!
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Chris Bassitt (OAK v. BAL) – Ownership: 3% Yahoo!, 3% Fleaflicker
Bassitt is another guy that typically reaps the benefits of pitching at home. He owns a not-too-shabby 13.8% K-BB rate with a stellar 0.96 WHIP when pitching at O.co Coliseum. The Orioles have struggled mightily at times against right-handed pitching when not playing in the confines of Camden Yards. The addition of Gerardo Parra will hurt Bassitt, but not enough to make a difference.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Wednesday Starting Pitcher Streamers
Luis Severino (NYY at BOS) – Ownership: 29% Yahoo!, 7% Fleaflicker
You better pick him up right now. He hasn’t even pitched an inning in the big leagues yet but Severino’s ownership numbers are climbing high. In Triple-A, Severino finished with an FIP of 2.54 while striking out 50 in 61.1 innings. With all the problems the Red Sox have and all the momentum the Yankees have, there’s little to no chance he won’t get his owners a nice push in the W department.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Brett Anderson (LAD at PHI) – Ownership: 19% Yahoo!, 16% Fleaflicker
Normally a usual dependable pitcher on a good ball club would be a phenomenal stream against a terrible team. However, Philadelphia’s young hitters have really matured at the dish and are doing a solid job of keeping the Phillies competitive. Anderson should get the win, but he should also get roughed up a bit.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Taylor Jungmann (MIL v. SD) – Ownership: 39% Yahoo!, 22% Fleaflicker
I get that Jungmann is on a terrible team in a small market. But those ownership numbers are still astoundingly low. His 7.38 K/9, 3.10 FIP and 51.4% GB rate are excellent splits for a rookie, let alone any pitcher. Even if the Brewers do not get hime run support, Jungmann has made the case to be on an everyday fantasy rosterin NL-only and deeper leagues. Added bonus that he gets the lowly Padres in his next start.
Matchup Rating: Must Stream
Drew Hutchison (TOR v. MIN) – Ownership: 40% Yahoo!, 18% Fleaflicker
It’s getting to the point with Hutchison that he really needs to make the next step or Toronto will have to part ways with him in the off-season. At least Hutchison’s home numbers are decent. In 62 innings at Rogers Centre, Hutch owns an FIP of 2.79 and 1.10 WHIP. That being said, the Twins still owns a decent offense and they are still fighting for a playoff spot, so expect nothing short of their absolute best. Hutch better get it together.
Matchup Rating: Desperate Stream
