Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Streamers For Week 19 (Part 1)

August 4, 2014

RotoBaller analyzes all of Week 19's fantasy baseball starting pitcher (SP) sleepers and streamers who may be available to pick up on your league's waiver wire.

I was watching ESPN's weekly television series "Boston vs. New York" last night when I heard something crazy.  It appears that Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is retiring.  This was news to me, as I have heard nothing about his retirement.  Were you all aware of this?!

Below are some of my Week 19 picks for starting pitchers to consider streaming off the waiver wire. Some of these pitchers may be two-start pitchers, and all 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. As always, I categorize each of the streaming options as either Desperate, Risky, Solid or Must-Stream.

Monday SP Streamers

Dillon Gee (NYM vs. SF)

Ownership: 27% Yahoo!, 40% Fleaflicker

When he’s pitching at Citi Field, Gee typically has lower strikeout numbers, but he also allows fewer baserunners and owns a lower ERA-- kind of odd how that works out.

You can trust him against the Giants and their offense which has been struggling against RHPs.

MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream

Kevin Gausman (BAL at WAS)

Ownership: 18% Yahoo!, 11% Fleaflicker

I recently just told a buddy who’s an Orioles fan that Gausman isn’t good and he shouldn’t hold on to him.  Naturally, this pick is to spite my buddy.

In all honesty, Gausman’s numbers aren’t terrific, but the Nationals have been at their worst this season offensively against RHPs- 16th in run creation and 18th in OPS.  If you like those odds, Gausman is your guy.

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream

Tuesday SP Streamers

Danny Duffy (KC at ARI)

Ownership: 41% Yahoo!, 14% Fleaflicker

No Paul Goldschmidt, so no problem for Duff-Man.  The only real concern with this start is the ballpark, as Chase Field can be relatively unforgiving to LHPs.

However, with Goldschmidt gone, there’s really no threat on this now relatively weak D-Backs lineup.  Actually, the only real threat is an Arizona reliever pitcher drilling a Royal in the back.

MATCHUP RATING: Must Stream

Charlie Morton (PIT vs. MIA)

Ownership: 22% Yahoo!, 14% Fleaflicker

His overall record may say 5-10, but don’t read too much into that.  And especially don’t use his record as a measuring tool for determining his talent at PNC Park.

Morton is inducing a ton of ground balls and forcing a lot of right-handed hitters  to fly out in that large left and center field.  He’ll be facing a lineup that is rather forgiving to RHPs.

MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream

Wednesday SP Streamers

Odrisamer Despaigne (SD at MIN)

Ownership: 15% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker

This makes for an intriguing matchup.  Despaigne has been pretty not bad, especially on the road: 2.04 ERA, .310 OBP against, 8.2% K-BB rate.

Unfortunately, he’s only averaging roughly 90 pitches per start, and he’s on an innings limit.  Minnesota has been hit-or-miss against RHPs, but the hits are usually big hits.

MATCHUP RATING: Desperate Stream

Chris Young (SEA vs. ATL)

Ownership: 37% Yahoo!, 17% Fleaflicker

Did you know that Chris Young is averaging 100 walks per start?  Not really, but it sure seems like he is.  Yet even with allowing all those free base runners, Young is still maintaining low overall numbers and delivering quality starts for his fantasy owners.

On Wednesday, he’ll face a team that is reeling and an offense that strikes out a lot against right-handed pitching.  Young will still allow more than his fair share of walks, though, which is always a risky way to make a living.

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream