RADIO
Usually in the later parts of the MLB season, the future starting pitcher of several days in advance for most teams is listed as TBD. To Be Determined, to be exact. This is due to several variables, but mostly due to injuries and/or minor leaguers being called to the majors so that coaches can scout the future. This is the norm.
Over the last year or so, TBD has shown up more often than not earlier in the season. This could be because teams are more cautious about overusing pitchers' arms than in the past. That is the easiest explanation. However, cynicism is prevalent in this day and age, as one can't help but wonder if it's simply a tactic that managers are employing now in an effort to attempt to confuse the opposition. Not preparing for a certain pitcher four days down the road seems like a butch move, but managers are always looking for ways to gain an advantage. At any rate, TBD is making multiple starts on Saturday and Sunday, so it is extremely important to stay up to date with probable pitcher updates.
Below are some of my starting pitcher streamer sleepers for the second half of Week 6 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 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Vance Worley (PIT at PHI) - Ownership: 4% Yahoo!, 7% Fleaflicker
The Vanimal has not been nearly effective as he was last season, but he gets the nod here because the Phillies offense is awful. They’re on pace to be historically bad. With an overall wRC+ of 68, it won’t be until September until a team in Philadelphia is able to be score. And that team plays a different sport.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Travis Wood (CHC v. NYM) - Ownership: 18% Yahoo!, 15% Fleaflicker
Don’t look too much into Wood’s numbers. His 4.96 ERA is rather high, but his 1.22 WHIP and 24.5% K rate are both among his career best. Those numbers would assume that his ERA is rather bloated and unlucky. As long as the wind isn’t blowing out to left field, Wood should be extremely effective against the Mets.
Matchup Rating: Must Stream
Brett Anderson (LAD v. COL) - Ownership: 6% Yahoo!, 7% Fleaflicker
There are a few guys on the Rockies that can absolutely mash left-handed pitching. Plus, Colorado has lost ten straight games and they are due for a win. Anderson isn’t a terrible option off the wire, but you have to imagine that he isn’t going to bring too much to the table in Thursday’s game.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Roenis Elias (SEA v. BOS) - Ownership: 4% Yahoo!, 4% Fleaflicker
The Cuban export put up decent numbers in 2014 for a rookie, and is flashing a great ground ball rate at 52% and solid K/BB skills so far (9.16 K/9, 3.38 BB/9). His 3.49 SIERA indicates he's been quite solid and with Boston's struggles and 25th ranking vs LHP, Elias makes for a nice stream
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Friday Starting Pitcher Streamers
Chase Anderson (ARI at PHI) - Ownership: 12% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker
Something tells me that the Phillies will make this list again. Aside from the obvious earlier mention of Philadelphia’s bad bats, Anderson has done a great job of keeping his pitches down in the zone and forcing a lot of ground balls. With a 6% BB rate, Anderson has given his fair share of free passes, but the young Phillies hitters have been really aggressive. Expect a lot of swing and misses.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
David Phelps (MIA v. ATL) - Ownership: 5% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker
The former Yankee has been downright atrocious at home. Opponents are hitting .333 against him in Marlins Park. Aside from Freddie Freeman, there aren’t too many Atlanta bats that should give him problems on Friday.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Wandy Rodriguez (TEX v. CLE) - Ownership: 9% Yahoo!, 6% Fleaflicker
At some point the Indians’ bats will wake up. Although they are sporting an overall wRC+ of 104, they have scored a lower-than-league average 139 runs. Rodriguez is good enough this season to stream, but at some point the Indians will put it all together. Let’s hope that day is not Friday.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
J.A. Happ (SEA v. BOS) - Ownership: 22% Yahoo!, 18% Fleaflicker
Fun fact about Happ. The J.A. is short for James Anthony. Another fun fact about him. The soft-tossing lefty has a 3.29 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The Boston offense has been rather poor since Hanley Ramirez got injured, but that 11.8% HR/FB rate- especially in Seattle- is a real major cause for concern this early in the season.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Saturday Starting Pitcher Streamers
Archie Bradley (ARI at PHI) - Ownership: 49% Yahoo!, 27% Fleaflicker
Welcome back, Mr. Bradley. After taking a line drive to the face, and posting a sweet pic on Twitter and Instagram, Bradley is back and making his first start. Initially, Bradley was going to be rated as a “Solid Stream” due to the Philadelphia offense, but after assessing his peripherals (14.3% BB rate and 81.0% LOB rate) and utilizing Rotoballer’s sweet Streamer Pitcher tool, Bradley has been downgraded.
Matchup Rating: Desperate Stream
Tyler Lyons (STL v. DET) - Ownership: 2% Yahoo!, 2% Fleaflicker
At first glance, streaming a starter off the wire against the Tigers looks like an insane idea. But that’s why we like it so much. Think about it. Conventional wisdom is to not start any lefty against Detroit. Lyons has a great K rate and solid BB rate and the Tigers are in a bit of a funk right now. That 16.7% HR/FB rate, though.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Colby Lewis (TEX v. CLE) - Ownership: 30% Yahoo!, 24% Fleaflicker
Lewis has benefited greatly from timely pitching and solid defense. That luck probably won’t continue. Also, literally everything said about the Indians regarding Rodriguez can be used here. Everything.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Sunday Starting Pitcher Streamers
Michael Lorenzen (CIN v. SF) - Ownership: 3% Yahoo!, 3% Fleaflicker
Low K rate plus mediocre BB rate plus high HR/FB rate equals a very risky stream for Lorenzen. Our friend TBD makes over 20 starts today!
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
James Paxton (SEA v. BOS) - Ownership: 49% Yahoo!, 17% Fleaflicker
Even with a ton of TBD options on Sunday, Paxton still offers solid streaming value. His numbers this year do not properly quantify his true worth. After Boston’s strong start to the season, their true colors are starting to come clear as their offense is not very good. I feel confident in writing that.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="700px"]
