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 12 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 ESPN leagues.
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Under the Radar Two-Start SP Streamers - Week 12
Brad Peacock, Houston Astros – owned in 27.0% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @OAK, @SEA
Brad Peacock has been a dominant force since joining the Astros rotation, with an absolutely insane 37.1% k-rate. His 4.37 ERA isn't very good, but his 2.25 FIP and 2.69 xFIP suggest that he's been quite unlucky. Peacock struck out 10 last time out against the Rangers, and it's incredible that he's still at such low ownership rates. He gets two relatively average lineups in Week 12, making him a very valuable pickup. The A's have a .319 team wOBA against right-handed pitching, putting them at 19th in the league, and they play in a pitcher's paradise, where Peacock will greatly benefit. Peacock has another shot at double-digit strikeouts against the A's, who strike out 24.6% against righties, which is the third most in the league. Peacock then takes on the Mariners, who are better with their .326 wOBA versus righties, but still not a lineup to avoid altogether. With Peacock's wicked strikeout potential, he can help win your Week 12 matchup and bank some valuable innings in weekly lineup leagues.
Mike Montgomery, Chicago Cubs – owned in 4.9% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: vs. SD, @PIT
With some injuries to the Cubs rotation, Mike Montgomery has a shot at two starts in Week 12, and he's worth your attention. In his two starts this season, Montgomery has nine strikeouts in nine innings, and has a strong 2.56 ERA on the season. His first start is against a Padres lineup that is dead last in baseball against lefties, with a .280 wOBA. The Padres also have the sixth-highest strikeout rate against lefties at 24.5%. Monty then gets the Pirates, who are also below average with their .301 wOBA against southpaws, putting them at 21st in the league. Montgomery gets the luxury of having the Cubs defense behind him, so he shouldn't give up much damage in either start. He's probably available in your league and worth a pickup.
Francisco Liriano, Toronto Blue Jays – owned in 10.2% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @TEX, @KC
While his overall season numbers still look ugly, Francisco Liriano has actually had lots of success since returning from the disabled list. In his three starts back, he has thrown 17 innings with 19 strikeouts and just five walks, good for a 3.71 ERA. His next start at Texas is actually quite favorable - the Rangers are 28th in wOBA against lefties, with a .285 mark. They also strike out more than any other team against lefties, at a remarkable 27.0%. Liriano then faces the Royals, who are 22nd in wOBA versus lefties at .300, in their spacious ballpark that is great for pitchers. With two starts away from home, Liriano has a promising Week 12.
Jhoulys Chacin, San Diego Padres – owned in 5.2% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @CHC, vs. DET
Jhoulys Chacin should only be considered in very deep or NL-only formats, but his two starts in Week 12 could win you your matchup in these kind of leagues. Chacin has not been good by any means this season, but in his last three starts he actually has a 3.15 ERA, so there's still some hope. His first start at the Cubs sounds like a death sentence, but the Cubs lineup has been dreadful this year, with a .309 wOBA against righties. That puts them at 24th in the league, so Chacin can actually succeed against them. Chacin then comes back home to one of the best pitchers' parks in the league to face Detroit, who has an average lineup with their .323 wOBA. They are 15th in baseball against right-handers. With Chacin, you run the risk of him completely imploding, but playing him in Week 12 could actually turn out to be a savvy move.
Derek Holland, Chicago White Sox – owned in 30.2% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @MIN, vs. OAK
Derek Holland is a last ditch effort if you need two starts, as he's not a good pitcher, but his matchups make him serviceable in Week 12. In his first start against the Twins, he faces a lineup that is average against lefties, with a .313 wOBA that ranks them 15th in the league. He then takes on the Athletics, who are 19th at .303. The Athletics also have a super high K-rate against lefties, at 25.1%, ranking them at fourth-most in baseball. Holland shouldn't be touched in shallow formats, but in deeper leagues he can provide some solid innings.
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