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We have some twenty five or so games left for most teams and it looks pretty clear that the central in both leagues will come down to a photo finish. Below are some of my Week 23 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. Don't forget that most games on Laor Day start in the afternoon so make sure to hit your fantasy squad first thing when you wake up.
Monday SP Streamers
Kevin Gausman (BAL vs. MIN)
Ownership: 14% Yahoo!, 12% Fleaflicker. There's no telling which way this game could go. Gausman has been pretty terrific for the Orioles since the ASB but the Twins have been really- and I mean really- hit or miss offensively. For the most part Gausman should be ok against this lineup.
- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
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- Fantasy baseball injury reports
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Roberto Hernandez (LAD vs WAS)
Ownership: 9% Yahoo!, 11% Fleaflicker. Hernandez hasn't quite been a stud for the Dodgers, but he's been good enough to get fantasy owners as much help as possible. In 4 starts, he's gone 23 IP giving up 9 ER with 15 K and a somewhat high 8 BB. He's sort of dominated the Nats this year however in the two starts he's faced them. Pick up Hernandez knowing that he should have another stellar start against Washington.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
Tuesday SP Streamers
Shane Greene (NYY vs. BOS)
Ownership: 12% Yahoo!, 7% Fleaflicker. Greene's win chances are automatically improved against Boston as he is facing our old nemesis TBD. Left handed hitters are knocking Greene around a bit and other than Big Papi, there's no left hander on Boston that should hit Greene.
MATCHUP RATING: Must Stream
Odrisamer Despaigne (SD vs. ARI)
Ownership: 6% Yahoo!, 6% Fleaflicker. Evidently I like all home teams this week. Odri-what's-his-name will get the nod in his friendly San Diego against a checked out Arizona team that is still a giant question mark about playing for Kirk Gibson. Despaigne owns a 2.25 ERA, .203 BAA, 18% K rate and 1.10 WHIP when pitching at home. No chance Arizona scares me on Tuesday.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
Wednesday SP Streamers
Edinson Volquez (PIT at STL)
Ownership: 20% Yahoo!, 13% Fleaflicker. Now that I've selected Volquez, it's probably a lock that he does terrible on Wednesday. Seriously. Even though the dude has been on an absolute roll for the Pirates over the last 5 games- 3 W, 6 ER and 26 K in 32.2 IP- he has an uncanny ability to end that roll whenever I select him. Sorry Pirates fans.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Kyle Hendricks (CHC vs. MIL)
Ownership: 40% Yahoo!, 22% Fleaflicker. I'm going to keep riding the Hendricks train until it flies off an uncompleted bridge and crashes in the Shonash Clayton Ravine. The thing is, there's really no immediate sign the train will crash. His K rate has decreased a little and his WHIP has increased a little, but the Brewers have decided to enter free fall mode as the season gets down to the nitty gritty. Don't expect the Brewers to give up much of a fight but Hendricks has struggled with control a bit over his last 3 starts.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
