July 16, 2016

Ricky Delgado analyzes the top two-start fantasy baseball starting pitcher (SP) streamers on the Week 16 waiver wire to consider adding and streaming this week.

A wise fantasy baseball manager never rests. He is never satisfied with his team and is always on the hunt for the player that can help in both the present and future. For this article, we’ll focus on the present, as we present the top pitcher streamers who’ll be making two outings this week.

We do this every week, because deep down we all know those last two or three guys taken in drafts won’t be with us the whole way through. Mix and match is the name of the game and maximizing these players’ values is the goal. Here are the top five two-start pitching streamers for week 16. NOTE: these are expected starts.

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Going Twice, Roll The Dice

Brandon Finnegan, CIN

vs ATL 7/18, vs ARI 7/24

Owned In: 15% of Fleaflicker Leagues

Now a three-time member of the two-start streamers of the week club, left-hander Brandon Finnegan continues to toil away with the lowly Cincinnati Reds. While at first glance his numbers may drive you away, consider that he’s faced the Cubs three times and has already taken on the Mets and the Nationals on the road. This week, he’ll face no such opponent, as the other two last place teams in the National League head to Cincinnati.

His first opponent will be the Atlanta Braves, who continue to be the punching bags of the NL. Atlanta has scored the least runs in baseball, hit the least number of home runs, hitting for the worst average and have recorded the least number of RBI, among other things. Also taking into account the fact that Finnegan has already beaten them in Atlanta this year, this is a clear chance of victory.

His second start of the week will be significantly more difficult. While the Diamondbacks are currently the worst team in the NL West, they have a winning record on the road and are one of the better offensive teams in baseball. Their big disappointment has been starting pitching, as offseason acquisitions Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller have failed to deliver thus far. Finnegan’s opponent on the day, Robbie Ray, hasn’t been any better, going 4-8 with a 4.81 ERA. Like his team, however, Ray is better on the road than at home, making this somewhat of a toss up. Ultimately, the promise of his first start against the Braves overshadows the mystery of his second start, making Finnegan one of the better two-start options.

Vince Velasquez, PHI

vs MIA 7/19, @ PIT 7/24

Owned In: 54% of Fleaflicker Leagues

After a dip in velocity and a biceps strain cost him nearly three weeks last month, 23-year-old Vince Velasquez has returned to form for the Philadelphia Phillies. Making three starts since his return, he’s recorded three consecutive victories, surrendering just four runs in 17 innings of work. His strikeouts remain impressive, carrying a 10.64 K/9 rate, while he strands 78.1% of the runners he puts on.

Velasquez will return to the mound on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins for the third time this season. In his starts against the Marlins, he was significantly more effective at home than on the road, which bears well considering the start will come at Citizens Bank Park. His opponent will be young Jose Ureña, who will be making his first start after spending the first half as a reliever. With this as a clear advantage, look for Velasquez to once again tame Miami. His second start of the week will be tougher, as he’ll be on the road against the Pirates. While Pittsburgh entered the All-Star break hot, they remain in third place of the NL Central. One of the more strikeout-prone teams in the National League, Velasquez has a clear advantage if he can keep his strikeouts consistent with his track record this year.

Tyler Chatwood, COL

vs TB 7/19, vs ATL 7/24

Owned In: 29% of Fleaflicker Leagues

Arguably an All-Star snub, 26-year-old Tyler Chatwood will begin the second half of his season at home, which unlike many cases, is a bad thing. Chatwood suffers from calling Coors his home stadium, which could make this week unattractive for prospective owners searching for two-start streamers. After all, Chatwood is a perfect 5-0 on the road with a 1.30 ERA, while he’s 3-5 at home with an ERA of 5.32. This is a glaring sign that Chatwood is to be avoided this week , but perhaps the opposition could bring his home record to .500.

His first start will come on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, basement dwellers of the American League East. As of Friday afternoon, Tampa Bay had the distinction of being the only team in baseball to be at least 10 games under .500 both at home and on the road. With the worst hitting team in the American League as his first opponents of the second half, this is a clear opportunity for Chatwood to begin to ease his home troubles. His second start of the week will be against the Braves. We’ve already said plenty about Atlanta and their struggles. If this right-hander is to restore order at home, this is obviously the week to accomplish it.

Nick Tropeano, LAA

vs TEX 7/18, @ HOU 7/23

Owned In: 6% of Fleaflicker Leagues

Despite a shoulder injury and a stint in Triple-A, right-hander Nick Tropeano remains an encouraging two-start streamer candidate. In 12 starts this season, he’s conceded more than three runs just twice. His biggest issue, however, remains longevity, as he’s only been able to make it through the sixth inning just three times. Combined with his poor run support, ranked 185th in baseball, Tropeano has often been a victim of bad luck and control struggles.

This week, he’ll take on two divisional opponents, having already seen them both this year. First up will be the first-place Texas Rangers In Anaheim. One of Tropeano’s three quality starts this year came against Texas in Arlington, where he went six and two-thirds without surrendering a run en route to victory back in May. His greatest strength that day was keeping the walks down, only serving up one all game. If he can follow the same recipe, he will prevail again. Tropeano’s second start of the week will come on the road against his former team, the Houston Astros. While Houston got to him for four runs in five innings at the end of May, this will be on the road. The Stony Brook graduate is over a run better on the road, pitching to a 2-1 record with a 2.58 ERA. If he can continue that trend on Saturday, Tropeano would have once again successfully fulfilled his duty as a two-start streamer.

Edinson Volquez, KC

vs CLE 7/18, vs TEX 7/24

Owned In: 38% of Fleaflicker Leagues

After an encouraging first month of the 2016 season, Dominican right-hander Edison Volquez has endured massive struggles. With his record at 8-8 and his ERA at 4.85, he looks to be a subpar pitcher, but his splits show a disparity. He’s been much better at home, going 6-3 with a 4.25 ERA, as opposed to a 5.72 ERA and 2-5 record on the road. Outside of one absolutely disastrous start against the Astros last month, Volquez has deliver quality or close to it every time out.

This week he’ll need to do the same, as two of the strongest teams in the American League come to town. First, Volquez will face the Cleveland Indians, currently leaders in the AL Central. While the Indians pose quite the threat, Volquez tossed seven scoreless against them last month at home. This came after a pair of forgettable starts in Cleveland. Should he follow a similar formula, the results could be the same, boding well for those considering him. His second start will come against the Rangers, perhaps an even tougher opponent. While the Rangers own the best record in the American League, they limped to the All-Star break and aren’t as good on the road as they are at home. The biggest key to Volquez’s success will be ground balls, as he induces them 54.1% of the time, while Texas hits the third most in the AL. If the 33-year-old can keep the Rangers on the ground and avoid long balls, he could pull a Houdini during the most challenging of weeks.

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