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A few big name pitchers are returning from injury this week. A.J. Burnett, Marcus Stroman and Steven Matz, to name a few, all expect to make big starts and return just in time to help their teams for that final playoff push.
All of these guys have low ownership numbers as compared to their value, so it is a good idea to get off this article right now and pick them up for your fantasy playoff push. We'll be waiting for you when you are done.
All done? Good. Below are some of my starting pitcher streamer sleepers for the second half of Week 23 to consider adding off your league’s waiver wire. Some 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.
Thursday 9/10 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Wily Peralta (MIL at PIT) – Ownership: 24% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker
Peralta’s numbers are a little scary. He has a low strike out rate, a terrible medium-to-hard contact rate and a SIERA in the mid 4’s. On the plus side, for whatever reason it seems the Brewers are at their absolutely best against the Pirates while the Buccos are seemingly at their worst. That magic just may continue.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
John Lamb (CIN v. STL) – Ownership: 3% Yahoo!, 2% Fleaflicker
If fantasy owner are looking for better options to stream on Thursday, they probably won’t find any. Nearly every starting pitcher is heavily owned. Lamb does have good stuff and will eventually be a solid pitcher in this league, but the Cardinals are veterans that have the savviness to really frustrate him.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Friday 9/11 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Jimmy Nelson (MIL at PIT) – Ownership: 39% Yahoo!, 23% Fleaflicker
Obligatory “Jimmy Nelson continues to put up good, not great numbers while giving strong help for his owners in the K department” comment. Plus, read Peralta’s blurb regarding the Brewers and Pirates.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Steven Matz (NYM at ATL) – Ownership: 52% Yahoo!, 23% Fleaflicker
Matz will absolutely be monitored like a hawk in this one. At the slightest sign of any discomfort or struggles, Mets manager Terry Collins will most likely young the young starter immediately. Still, if he only gives his owners three innings, it should be a fabulous three innings of help.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Robbie Ray (ARI v. LAD) – Ownership: 8% Yahoo!, 7% Fleaflicker
“Robbie” needs to get it together. He is really making me look terrible by selecting him week in and week out. That, or maybe I am just insane. I just love his K rate against a Dodgers team with a 21.1% K rate against LHP.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Jake Peavy (SF v. SD) – Ownership: 10% Yahoo!, 12% Fleaflicker
It would make sense if Peavy were a really good pitcher at home considering that AT&T Park is an extreme pitcher’s park. But he has been quite iffy in his friendly confines. The Padres have come on a little strong over the last few weeks, so this pick is actually a lot tougher than first glance.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Saturday 9/12 Starting Pitcher Streamers
Anthony DeSclafani (CIN v. STL) – Ownership: 19% Yahoo!, 24% Fleaflicker
The Cardinals certainly have the best record in baseball, but it is not because of their offense. St. Louis is 23rd in runs scored on the season while consistently maintaining their sub-par 95 wRC+. DeSclafani does not strike out a lot of batters, which could hurt him against a team like the Cardinals, which does own a rather high .304 BABIP.
Matchup Rating: Desperate Stream
Marcus Stroman (TOR at NYY) – Ownership: 23% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker
Heeeeeeeee’s baaaaaaaaaaaaack. Just in time for the playoff push, the Blue Jays will get their home grown jewel of the farm system. This will be the first time he will face major league hitting, and it comes in dreaded Yankee Stadium. In his two minor league rehab starts, he struck out 12 in 7.2 innings.
Matchup Rating: VERY Risky Stream
Tommy Milone (MIN at CWS) – Ownership: 8% Yahoo!, 10% Fleaflicker
Mediocre K rate. Poor HR/FB rate. Unsustainable BABIP. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that his luck continues and the White Sox don’t blow him up.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Roenis Elias (SEA v. COL) – Ownership: 2% Yahoo!, 2% Fleaflicker
The Rockies are at their absolute worst when playing away from Coors Field and facing a lefty. Facing Elias in Safeco Field qualifies both of these categories. Look for a lot of weak pop outs and fly ball outs on Saturday night in Seattle.
Matchup Rating: Must Stream
Sunday 9/13 Starting Pitcher Streamers
R.A. Dickey (TOR at NYY) – Ownership: 50% Yahoo!, 36% Fleaflicker
The veteran knuckleballer has owned a ton of current Yankee batters for their career. If the Yankees have their timing down before this game, then Dickey is just the type of player to mess that up and have a good game. But if the Yankees have not scored a ton in their first two games against the Blue Jays, then Dickey could have a rough outing.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
Drew Smyly (TB v. BOS) – Ownership: 47% Yahoo!, 34% Fleaflicker
The Rays just continue to unleash young guns that look amazing. Smyly owns an incredible 25.1% K rate but gets tagged on the long ball with a 15.3% HR/FB rate. Look for these numbers to continue. Expect big strikeout numbers and a couple solo shots.
Matchup Rating: Solid Stream
Patrick Corbin (ARI v. LAD) – Ownership: 26% Yahoo!, 19% Fleaflicker
I really want to like Corbin here. But considering that the Dodgers have the potential to go on a tear, maybe he gets torched. Corbin should look good for a few innings before disaster strikes.
Matchup Rating: Risky Stream
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