RADIO
As a new week is upon us, it's time to get rid of that bench bat or middle reliever you have hanging around. Instead, maximize your roster slots with some pitchers who have two starts this week and are probably still available in your league.
Here are the top two-start pitchers to stream for Week 7 of the fantasy baseball season. This can be especially helpful for head-to-head (H2H) leagues, where every start can be that much more valuable. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @TroyKlauder.
As always, I will be selecting starting pitchers who are owned in 50% or less of Yahoo! leagues.
Featured Promo: Get any MLB Premium Pass FREE ($119 value) AND up to a $200 deposit match when you sign up with Rival Fantasy. Rival offers 6 and 12-team Best Ball, weekly and daily contests, for as little as $3 per entry. No roster management, just draft and Rival sets your best lineup automatically. Playing fantasy baseball has never been easier! Sign Up Today!
Under the Radar Two-Start SP Streamers - Week 7
JC Ramirez, Los Angeles Angels – owned in 20.7% of Yahoo leagues
Projected starts: vs. CHW, @NYM
This week's top two-start streamer is a pitcher who's already mid-breakout in JC Ramirez. Ramirez has been outstanding since joining the Angels rotation, putting up an 8.58 K/9 and 2.52 BB/9 in his 35 2/3 innings as a starter. He has a nasty 97 mph sinker and has developed a new curveball, a combo that has been mowing down hitters. Ramirez has a strong 90 cFIP, a stat that is predictive for future performance, as well as a 3.76 FIP. While he got touched up by the Tigers his last time out, Ramirez's two starts in Week 7 are against much easier lineups. The White Sox are the worst lineup in baseball against righties with their .274 wOBA, and he'll be at home in a pitcher-friendly park. Citi Field is also a nice place for pitchers, where he will be facing a Mets lineup that's 20th in wOBA against right-handers at .312 and is missing Yoenis Cespedes. If Ramirez hasn't already been snatched up in your league, it's time for you to grab him.
Jerad Eickhoff, Philadelphia Phillies – owned in 30.0% of Yahoo leagues
Projected starts: @TEX, @PIT
Jerad Eickhoff is coming off a stretch of three really tough starts against top lineups in the Dodgers, Cubs, and Mariners that has inflated his ERA to 4.76. Week 7 is a great time to buy low on Eickhoff, as he should have a great week with the matchups he's getting. His first start against the Rangers is less scary than it sounds, as the Rangers are 16th in woBA with a .321 mark against righties. Eickhoff is getting more strikeouts this year, with a K/9 of 7.94, and the Rangers have the 7th highest K% at 23.5%. He should have a solid start there and a great start against the Pirates, whose .292 wOBA is 25th in baseball against righties. This is a great time to buy on Eickhoff, and he will pay off nicely this week.
Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks – owned in 1.8% of Yahoo leagues
Projected starts: vs. NYM, @SD
Just about nobody has even noticed that Zack Godley has made his way into the Diamondbacks rotation, but he's pitched quite well in both spot starts he has made this year, and should continue his success in Week 7. Godley struck out six and allowed just one earned run in seven innings against a tough Detroit lineup in his last start. He has 12 strikeouts in 12 innings, with a 2.25 ERA, and gets to face the Cespedes-less Mets in his first start. Godley then gets to enjoy the best part of being an NL West pitcher in traveling to San Diego to face the Padres. The Padres' .295 wOBA versus righties ranks then 24th in the majors, and Pecto Park is a pitcher's paradise. Godley is a great pickup for cashing in on some easy innings.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, Los Angeles Dodgers – owned in 7.9% of Yahoo leagues
Projected starts: @SF, vs. MIA
Hyun-Jin Ryu is another pitcher who got bombed his last time out, but that was at Coors Field, so he gets a pass. Ryu had been solid to that point, and still has a great 9.68 K/9 on the year. His 4.11 BB/9 is inflated by his last time out, as well as his 4.99 ERA. Ryu's start against the Giants should be an easy outing, as the Giants are 27th in wOBA against lefties at .284, and he gets to pitch at a great park for pitchers in San Francisco. His next start against the Marlins won't be so easy, but with the strikeout upside Ryu has shown thus far, he should have a good week overall and provide you the innings you need to win your matchup. Ryu is widely available and can help lead you to a Week 7 victory.
Phil Hughes, Minnesota Twins – owned in 11.3% of Yahoo leagues
Projected starts: vs. COL, vs. KC
As a fair warning Phil Hughes is a really bad pitcher. He has a 4.74 ERA this year and only strikes out 5.45 batters per nine. However, he does have two good matchups this week, making him a viable deep league streaming option. On the road, the Rockies are just 21st in wOBA at .293, while the Royals are rocking a .284 wOBA against right-handers, putting them at 28th in the league. Hughes actually gets decent run support, too, as he has a 4-1 record despite the poor ERA. Hughes is a good option in deep leagues for a chance at two wins this week and some solid innings to help out your ratios.
