Starting Pitcher Streamers for April 13th 2014

Some veterans of the fantasy baseball world frown on the very idea of “streaming” starting pitchers. However, for those of us who regularly take part in leagues of the daily head-to-head variety, the need to often take part in the process is in no way a foreign concept. It is an exercise that largely takes place heading into the weekend, especially in preparation for your make-or-break Sunday slate of games. In order to utilize it effectively, a risk evaluation is needed. Adding arms at the end of your week can certainly aid in strikeouts and possibly wins or quality starts, but it is vital to understand the havoc that can be wreaked on your ratios. If you find the need for streaming candidates, be sure to check out my following suggestions for April 13th, 2014 in both the N.L. and A.L.

Aaron Harang - ATL

Rewind all the way back to the end of the 2007 season, Harang had just finished off a second consecutive 16-win, 200-plus strikeout campaign. Over the six following years, the story was certainly different. From ‘08-’13, Harang posted a poor 47-67 record with a 4.41 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 7.0 K/9 while spending time with five different clubs. The Braves picked up the big right-hander after he was released by the Indians late last month and have not regretted that decision thus far. Harang’s first couple of starts on the 2014 docket have been a reflection of past days. The 35-year-old veteran has allowed just one earned run on four hits and five walks while racking up 12 punchouts in 12.2 innings during those two outings. Sunday afternoon’s opposition is N.L. East rival Washington. One last encouraging fact, Nationals’ regulars have hit a combined .229 career BA versus the towering hurler.

Jason Vargas - KC

With the loss of Ervin Santana during the offseason, the Royals added steady southpaw Jason Vargas to their rotation for the next four seasons. Here in the early going, that transaction has fared extremely well. The 31-year-old lefty is 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 0.73 WHIP across 15 innings during his first two efforts of the 2014 schedule. His third climb atop the mound this season will be to take on the Minnesota lineup. Current Twins have put together a .259 average against Vargas with just three homers in 116 at-bats since his career began back in 2005. Target Field provides a very friendly environment for pitchers and with Vargas being owned in just 15 percent of Yahoo! leagues, the time could be just right to roll with him.

Nate Miller is a RotoBaller regular as well as MLB Contributor & Tampa Bay Rays Beat Writer for RotoWire.com. Feel free to stay up to date with him on Twitter @Miller_RotoDad.