RADIO
Adam Meyer analyzes under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 9 as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.
Thanks to Memorial Day weekend, we have 16 games on Monday (NYM/ATL doubleheader). That’s important because it significantly increases the amount of two-start streamers available to our player pool.
Last week, we provided gems like Nick Pivetta (7 IP, 0 ER, and 7 K in first start) and German Marquez (7 IP, 1 ER, and 5 K in first outing). However, two of our six streamers only pitched in one game last week. Which brings me to my next point…
As a reminder, rain can ruin our two-start streamer plans. If you’re torn between two options in the streamer department, lean towards the one playing on Monday (if the other is starting on Tuesday), that way you increase your odds of a pitcher playing in two games that week. Also, as usual, all ownership numbers are provided by Yahoo fantasy baseball leagues.
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Week 9 Streamers Under 50% Owned
Tyson Ross, SD (49% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. MIA, vs. CIN
I was a little surprised to see the low ownership for Ross this far into the regular season. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in four of the last five starts. Ross has also recorded at least six strikeouts in six of the last seven appearances. As for his first opponent of the week, the Marlins are 30th in the league with 172 runs scored. Ross will have the benefit of pitching at home for both starts this week. He’s 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 24 innings of action at Petco Park this season.
Jeremy Hellickson, WSH (45% owned)
Probable opponents: @ BAL, @ ATL
For the second time in three weeks I’m posting about Hellickson. He was only three percent owned in my Week 6 post and jumped to 42 percent in the Week 8 piece. Weather prevented a two-start schedule last week, but that just means he’s on the table for Week 9. Hellickson hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in his last four appearances and has struck out at least five batters in three consecutive games. He’s on the road for both outings this week. Hellickson is 1-0 with a 2.49 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21.2 innings of work on the road.
Caleb Smith, MIA (28% owned)
Probable opponents: @ SD, @ ARI
It’s a mixed bag when Smith takes the mound. We’ve seen two-hit shutouts and five-run implosions. However, one strength for this streamer comes from his ability to produce punch outs. From his 10 outings in 2018, Smith was able to strike out at least seven batters in six starts. The Padres and Diamondbacks are both in the top four for team strikeouts this season. Both teams are also in the bottom six of the runs scored standings.
Under 25% Owned
Luiz Gohara, ATL (15% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. NYM, vs. WSH
It’s not official that Gohara will make to starts in Week 9, but I’m saying there’s a chance. Atlanta hosts the Mets for a doubleheader on Monday and Gohara is getting the nod for one of those matchups. As for Sunday, the starting pitcher hasn’t been announced, but Gohara could be an option In his first start of 2018, he pitched four innings and struck out six Phillies. However, he also walked four batters and allowed two earned runs.
Matt Koch, ARI (10% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. CIN, vs. MIA
Sometimes, the matchups are the main factors when streaming a starting pitcher from week to week. Koch has the same schedule as the previously mentioned Ross. The Marlins are 28th in team wOBA (.289) against right-handed pitchers this season. Miami is also 30th in runs scored (172 runs in 50 games). As for Koch, he’s allowed two earned runs, or less, in five of his seven starts this year. He also produced a season-high five strikeouts in his last outing.
Marco Gonzales, SEA (10% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. TEX, vs. TB
Looking at his last two starts, Gonzales hasn’t allowed an earned run and he’s struck out a total of eight batters in 12.2 innings of work. The Rangers lead the league with 518 strikeouts this season and Gonzales will face them in his first outing of the week. He’s tallied at least six strikeouts in four of the last seven starts. His last outing was also the deepest Gonzales has gone into a game. He pitched seven strong innings and threw a season-high 102 pitches.
