RADIO
Adam Meyer analyzes under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 10 as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.
We were spoiled in Week 9 with a packed Memorial Day slate of games last Monday. That is not the case this week as we only have eight teams playing on Monday (NYY/DET doubleheader). That significantly reduces the amount of two-start pitchers we have for Week 10.
However, that doesn’t mean we have zero options to choose from when streaming. There are still favorable matchups and under-owned pitchers out there and we’ve done the digging for you.
Last week, we uncovered gems like Caleb Smith, Jeremy Hellickson, and Marco Gonzales. They combined for three earned runs and 11 strikeouts in 18.2 innings for their first starts of Week 9. This piece was written before their second starts of the week. Hopefully, I didn’t just jinx them before their last start of Week 9.
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Week 10 Streamers Under 50% Owned
Joe Musgrove, PIT (50% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. LAD, @ CHC
Please, allow some leniency with this selection. I’m breaking the rules and choosing someone who is exactly 50 percent owned, as I type this piece. As I mentioned in the open, it’s slim pickens for two-start streamers this week. Musgrove has performed well in his only two outings of 2018. He has a combined 0.64 ERA (one earned run allowed) with 12 strikeouts in 14 innings of work. In his last start, Musgrove went seven innings and struck out five batters, while allowing one earned run, against the Cubs. He’ll face them in his second start of Week 10. As for the Dodgers, they are 17th in team wOBA (.319) against right-handed pitchers this season.
Fernando Romero, MIN (49% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. CWS, vs. LAA
It was a forgettable outing for Romero’s last start: 1.2 IP, 8 ER, and 1 K (@ KC). It was Romero’s only appearance this season where he allowed more than three earned runs and didn’t pitch at least five complete innings. Thankfully, he won’t face the Royals in Week 10. He will meet the White Sox in his first start of the week. Chicago is 28th in runs scored this year (209 runs in 53 games) and 11th in team strikeouts (495). As for opponent No. 2, the Angels, Romero already squared off against them on May 13th: 5 IP, 1 ER, and 6 K.
Danny Duffy, KC (45% owned)
Probable opponents: @ LAA, @ OAK
Don’t be fooled by Duffy’s 5.71 ERA. He’s compiled two bounce-back efforts recently. In Duffy’s last two combined starts, he’s allowed a total of two earned runs and struck out nine batters in 13.2 innings of work. Thus far, he’s allowed one earned run, or less, in five of his 12 outings. In the other seven starts, he allowed at least four earned runs. He’s the ultimate boom-or-bust streaming option. Thankfully, the Angels and Athletics are 27th (.297) and 24th (.302), respectively, in team wOBA against left-handed pitchers. Also, Oakland is sixth in team strikeouts this season (512).
Under 25% Owned
Zach Eflin, PHI (11% owned)
Probable opponents: @ CHC, vs. MIL
It has been back-to-back rough outings for Eflin. He’s allowed five earned runs in two straight starts (@ LAD, vs. TOR). On the bright side, he struck out 12 batters during those 8.2 innings of action. While neither the Cubs or Brewers will be an easy task in Week 10, at least Milwaukee is ninth in team strikeouts this season (499). Eflin should only be used in situations where you need to bolster your strikeout production. If you’re worried about the ERA hit your team could take, you should probably look toward other options in Week 10.
Clayton Richard, SD (9% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. ATL, @ MIA
Richard may have a 4.74 ERA, but he’s allowed only two earned runs in three of his last four starts. His latest outing was against a team Richard will face in Week 10, the Marlins. He pitched seven innings and struck out five fish, while allowing two earned runs on four hits. As for his first opponent this week, the Braves, Richard will have the pleasure of pitching at home in that contest. This season, Richard is 1-3 at Petco Park, but has a 3.86 ERA (6.26 ERA on the road).
Nathan Eovaldi, TB (8% owned)
Probable opponents: @ WSH, vs. SEA
Welcome back, Mr. Eovaldi! In his return to action, Eovaldi pitched six no-hit innings against the Athletics, while striking out four and only walking one. Even returning from Tommy John surgery, Eovaldi peaked at 100.2 mph on the radar gun and even 97 mph in the fifth inning. That’s very promising considering what we’ve seen from other pitchers performing after a similar surgery (Alex Reyes). He’ll travel to D.C. to face the Nationals and then host the Mariners this week.
