RADIO
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.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for starting pitchers, be sure to check out our famouswaiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Thursday 8/20 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Miguel Gonzalez (BAL v. MIN) – Ownership: 21% Yahoo!, 15% Fleaflicker
The Twins are downright atrocious on the road as a whole. Aside from owning the league’s worst wRC+, Minnesota will also throw out Tyler Duffey on the mound thus immediately improving Gonzalez’s win probability. The 31-year-old veteran has looked rather shaky in the second half of the season, but he is capable of going six or seven innings. Expect him to give up a few runs though.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Patrick Corbin (ARI at CIN) – Ownership: 32% Yahoo!, 18% Fleaflicker
The young lefty has some solid numbers through 42 innings on the season. His 9.21 K/9 and 52.5% GB rates are exceptional for a young pitcher. His 17.1% HR/FB rate however, is a major cause for concern. Methinks the Reds will get to him.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Wade Miley (BOS v. KC) – Ownership: 7% Yahoo!, 11% Fleaflicker
If, and that is a big if, the Royals have an offensive deficiency it is against left-hande pitchers. The team’s 96 wRC+ against southpaws is still serviceable and Miey isn’t exactly a starting pitcher that is consistent. In fact, trying to figure out when he will or won’t implode is more frustrating than figuring out whether your contact lens is inside out or not. On the plus side, the Sox are evidently an offensive juggernaut right now and Miley has given up only 12 runs in his last six outings.
Matchup Rating: Solid (I think?) Stream
Friday 8/21 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Kyle Hendricks (CHC v. ATL) – Ownership: 25% Yahoo!, 17% Fleaflicker
Hendrick’s 3.52 FIP is more indicative of his production more so than his 3.97 ERA and it is a great place to start against the hapless Braves. Atlanta has been awful since the All-Star Break and shows no signs of improving any time soon. At least they don’t strike out often so don’t expect Hendricks to give fantasy owners help in the K category.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Colby Lewis (TEX at DET) – Ownership: 32% Yahoo!, 31% Fleaflicker
Lewis, despite being picked on quite a bit here, hasn’t been completely awful. Which isn’t exactly a giant endorsement but fantasy owners could do worse off the waiver wire. The Rangers are currently on a mini-hot streak so Lewis should see some run support. But the Tigers woes this year have nothing to do with their offense, so this game could get ugly fast.
Matchup Rating: Desperate Stream
Chris Bassitt (OAK v. TB) – Ownership: 33% Yahoo!, 13% Fleaflicker
In eight starts since being recalled in late June, Bassitt has not given up more than three earned runs and has gone at least five innings in every outing. He has double digit strikeout potential especially against a Rays team that struggles against righties. Look for him to go another six or seven strong with at least seven strikeouts.
Matchup Rating: Must Stream
Saturday 8/22 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Luis Severino (NYY v. CLE) – Ownership: 51% Yahoo!, 15% Fleaflicker
In the midst of a playoff run, Severino has looked like a wily veteran that is ready to take ace status on the rotation. He won’t exactly get an Indians team that strikes fear into the hearts of their opponents. The Yankee rookie has excellent strikeout potential and should get some solid run support. Look for him to get his first career victory on Saturday.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Chris Tillman (BAL v. MIN) – Ownership: 48% Yahoo!, 22% Fleaflicker
Tillman is another guy that has started to even out in the second half of the season. Though he got crushed two starts ago against the Mariners, he has actually pitched quite well since the calendar struck July. Despite recording low numbers in strikeouts, Tillman has stymied opponents to two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts. Look for more of the same against a Twins team that struggles mightily on the road.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Erasmo Ramirez (TB at OAK) – Ownership: 32% Yahoo!, 16% Fleaflicker
Despite all the evidence pointing toward a solid start for Ramirez, I can’t help but think this as an outing in which he gets shelled. Not that the A’s are good from top to bottom, but it’s just one of those feelings that Ramirez’s 3.79 FIP will take a hit.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Sunday 8/23 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Aaron Nola (PHI at MIA) – Ownership: 20% Yahoo!, 13% Fleaflicker
Nola was a top prospect for the Phillies but has struggled at times in his 34.2 innings of service. I like his 7.27 K/9 rate but he gives up too many long balls. The dimensions in Miami should give that a nice boost against a down and out Marlins squad. Plus, Dan Jennings.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
John Danks (CWS at SEA) – Ownership: 3% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker
I can’t believe I am actually endorsing Danks. He is my perennial DFS pitcher to target every five days. But he does make a start when our friend TBD makes an appearance for nearly every squad on Sunday. That being said, Danks just may sneak in a good appearance against a Mariners squad that strikes out at a 21.2% clip.
Matchup Rating: Desperate Stream
