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RotoBaller analyzes fantasy baseball starting pitcher (SP) sleepers and streamers who may be available to pick up on your league's waiver wire for the upcoming weekend.
Such a shame to hear about Robin Williams. I was such a big fan of his growing up, and when I got older I was able to see a lot of his more dramatic roles. Always one to make people smile, Williams jumped into serious roles a lot more than I realized as a child. It's probably cliche to remember his Good Will Hunting role, but I'll never forget the scene where he and Will are discussing Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. After they go back and forth, it's revealed that the professor didn't go because of a girl-- later his eventual wife-- even though he had tickets, and Will utterly freaks out. "I don't care if it's Helen of Troy, that's Game Six!" Oh Captain, my captain, you will surely be missed.
Anyways, back to business. Below are some of my starting pitcher streamer sleepers for the second half of Week 20 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.
Thursday SP Streamers
Roberto Hernandez (LAD at ATL)
Ownership: 7% Yahoo!, 0% Fleaflicker
The Dodgers’ new “coveted” trade addition has seen the Braves plenty of times, with mixed results. I actually believe Hernandez could do quite well in a new uniform, since he’s no longer pitching in that tiny box in Philadelphia. Watch his HR allowed numbers go way down. As for this game, Atlanta has flat out stunk offensively over the last three weeks, and that lineup is downright putrid against RHPs.
MATCHUP RATING: Must Stream
Chase Anderson (ARI at CLE)
Ownership: 15% Yahoo!, 8% Fleaflicker
He’s the best pitcher most owners have never heard of, and they are the Marlins-- a team that is flirting with the bottom third of run creation against RHPs. Anderson is stranding 96.3% of all runners on base when on the road, though, and that is likely an impossible number to maintain.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Friday SP Streamers
Wei-Yin Chen (BAL at CLE)
Ownership: 37% Yahoo!, 24% Fleaflicker
Chen has struggled a bit on the road, but the Indians have struggled even more against LHPs. He may give up a run, but at least the Orioles offense is good enough to help him and his owners get the win. I like his chances for your fantasy teams if he's still available for the snagging.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
Brandon McCarthy (NYY at TB)
Ownership: 38% Yahoo!, 19% Fleaflicker
The enigma that is McCarthy continues to deal while in a Yankee uniform. In Arizona, he was giving up home runs left and right, but now the right-hander looks right at home in New York.
The Rays have been hot, but you can still expect McCarthy to deliver solid numbers. He's been pitching well, and I like his chances of continuing that trend in his matchup this week.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
Saturday SP Streamers
Drew Smyly (TB vs. NYY)
Ownership: 26% Yahoo!, 23% Fleaflicker
The Yankees most dangerous hitters are from the left side of the plate, and they paradoxically tend to hit lefties harder than righties. This makes Smyly’s matchup better than would be expected. Still, his 1.33 WHIP and .263 BAA won’t cut it in this game, so he’ll need to perform better.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Rubby de la Rosa (BOS vs. HOU)
Ownership: 5% Yahoo!, 8% Fleaflicker
This pick is a complete shot in the dark considering the inconsistent way Houston has been playing. De la Rosa owns a 1.97 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .216 BAA at home, so it would seem this is a lock pick. However, beware of his somewhat high walk rate and Houston’s young power bats.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Jordan Lyles (COL vs. CIN)
Ownership: 8% Yahoo!, 11% Fleaflicker
The Reds have been able to get about as much offense as... well, they haven’t had any offense since Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips were placed on the DL. This ineptitude is the primary reason Cincinnati is freefalling from the playoff race. Rockies starter Jordan Lyles has been a groundball-inducing machine this season. This matchup should be one-sided, but it is Coors Field. Cue the Halloween music.
MATCHUP RATING: Deperate Stream
Sunday SP Streamers
Tom Koehler (MIA vs. ARI)
Ownership: 17% Yahoo!, 14% Fleaflicker
I don’t expect the Marlins to make the playoffs. I do expect the Marlins to play well enough to be in the race and play spoiler for a lot of teams due to their pitching.
Koehler has been somewhat of a weak link in the rotation, but he’s still producing solid enough fantasy numbers to start him against an Arizona lineups missing Paul Goldschmidt.
Koehler has been among the league leaders in hanging curveballs this season, so that’s always something to watch out for.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
Hector Santiago (LAA at TEX)
Ownership: 9% Yahoo!, 6% Fleaflicker
Santiago should be used if owners are desperate for a plus one in the win column and nothing else. He’ll probably give up a run or two as well as a handful of baserunners, but the Angels offense has a favorable matchup to score a ton of runs. Take the W if you need it.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
