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Just last year the Kansas City Royals were America’s darlings. Having secured the second playoff berth in the waning days of the season, KC ripped off eight straight wins to steamroll their way to the World Series. They took the Giants down to the wire and nearly pulled off an epic playoff run in their last at-bat. As it were, Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants were too much. Despite not finishing the deed, the Royals had endeared themselves to the country. After all, Americans love the underdog.
When the 2015 season started, it was not unusual for baseball pundits to look at the AL Central as a division that nearly anyone- sorry Twins fans- could win. Either feeling slighted or disrespected, the Royals must have taken those predictions personally to a whole new level. The Royals, led by Yordana Ventura, have chirped, argued and brawled with the White Sox, Angels, Athletics, and the White Sox again. Through the first 16 games, there have been nine ejections. Nine. At that rate, the Royals will have north of 91 ejections in a year. Something tells me that many ejections is some kind of record.
Yost claims that his team is not to blame for all the chirping and fighting. Even Dr. Evil’s response to that crazy assertion is a blank stare and a long, “riiiiiiiiiiight.” If the idea was to make sure teams kept an eye out for the Royals, mission accomplished. Just be careful what you wish for.
Below are some of my starting pitcher streamer sleepers for the first half of Week 4 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
Jimmy Nelson (MIL at CIN)
Ownership: 45% Yahoo!, 26% Fleaflicker
Somehow still on available on the waiver wire, Nelson provides great value across the board. He is currently striking out opposing batters at a 25.0% clip while not yielding frustrating walks. The Brewers haven’t really scored a lot for him, so he may not be able to provide anything in the win column. Still, he is a must place every week
Matchup Rating: Must Stream
Dillon Gee (NYM at MIA)
Ownership: 3% Yahoo!, 8% Fleaflicker
Gee has not looked too great his season. However, his 5.60 ERA is not indicative of how he has really performed. Instead, he has gotten quite unlucky, as evidenced by a .327 BABIP. The Marlins have the sixth-highest K rate as a unit.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Tuesday Starting Pitcher Streamers
Rafael Montero (NYM at MIA)
Ownership: 2% Yahoo!, 1% Fleaflicker
The Mets are on some kind of early season tear. Whether that tear sustains throughout the season or not remains to be seen. However, they played very well in spring training and that has carried over into April. Continue to ride their hot streak. Montero can get the win, but will struggle doing so.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
J.A. Happ (SEA at TEX)
Ownership: 4% Yahoo!, 6% Fleaflicker
Yes, Happ is facing a Texas squad that isn’t exactly scary. But it seems like Happ just lobs watermelons over the plate in all of his starts. Playing in that ballpark could hurt him as balls tend to travel and get rewards points in that stadium
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Jeff Locke (PIT at CHC)
Ownership: 13% Yahoo!, 14% Fleaflicker
Another guy that throws soft is Locke. That being said, the Pirate left-hander has been great with his placement last season and into this young season. The Cubs have some guys that can mash lefties, but Locke should continue to stymie hitters.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Wednesday Starting Pitcher Streamers
Mike Leake (CIN v. MIL)
Ownership: 35% Yahoo!, 16% Fleaflicker
Leake has always been a groundball specialist. This season, he is adding the almighty strikeout pitch to this repertoire. Although his walks have increased ever so slightly, Leake has been showing a consistent ability to make batters whiff. Add in his 49.7% GB rate, and Leake very well could have a real solid year.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Kyle Hendricks (CHC v. PIT)
Ownership: 14% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker
The good news is that Hendricks’ control has really improved this season. The bad news is that his control may have improved too much because hitters haven’t whiffed a ton against him. All of his peripherals suggest that Hendricks’ ERA is inflated, however power hitters will most likely have their way with him this season.
Matchup Rating: Desperate Stream
Josh Collmenter (ARI v. COL)
Ownership: 18% Yahoo!, 7% Fleaflicker
What to make of Collmenter? He has quietly put up some nice outings and if it weren’t for Archie Bradley, Collmenter would be getting a lot more cred. He has a low K rate, low BB rate, low WHIP, and low ERA. How? He is forcing a ton of ground balls. Colorado is a dangerous team. They’re a far less dangerous team on the road.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Chris Heston (SF at LAD)
Ownership: 27% Yahoo!, 30% Fleaflicker
Has Chris Heston cured his control problems? Seemingly so. However, do you trust him against that Dodger lineup right now, even at night? He should finish in the 5 IP range having allowed 3 ER with a low number of strikeouts.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
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