X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Two-Start Pitcher Streamers: Week 13

tarik skubal fantasy baseball rankings draft sleepers waiver wire starting pitchers MLB DFS injury news

So recently I started up a podcast where I talk with former Major League Baseball players about their careers, and it's been a blast so far getting to talk to these guys and hear their stories. And even though I've talked to a dozen former players at this point, it still feels surreal when something like the other night happens, where I answer my phone and am greeted with, "Hi Michael, this is Steve Sax. How are you?" I know you all are here for guys who are still playing the game though, so I won't waste any more of your time with that. But seriously, that was way cool.

Anyways, recapping the last two weeks, we'll start with Week 11 and hoo boy was that a rough week. Like wow. Just terrible. Matthew Boyd has to be considered the winner, and he only ended up making one start as he allowed one unearned run over six innings and earned the win against Seattle. And so far in Week 12, Vladimir Gutierrez is leading the pack after allowing two runs while striking out six in six innings of work and earning the win against the Brewers.

Now without further ado, I present to you the Week 13 two-start streaming options.

Featured Promo: Get your 2023 MLB Premium Pass for 50% off. Exclusive access to our preseason Draft Kit, #1 accuracy rankings, #1 ATC projections, Team Sync platform, Live Draft Assistant, 15 in-season lineup tools, customized rankings and much more! Sign Up Now!

 

Week 13 Streamers — Under 50% Rostered

Tarik Skubal, DET - 46% rostered

Probable Opponents: vs STL, vs HOU

So Skubal is currently 4-7 with a 4.36 ERA and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate over 66 innings of work. The strikeout numbers are great, but the win-loss record and ERA don't look very impressive. But that was largely dragged down by a rough (to say the least) start to the year, in which he went 0-6 with a 5.73 ERA and 20.4 percent strikeout rate over his first eight starts. Since May 19 though, Skubal has gone 4-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a 36 percent strikeout rate across six starts — pitching at least five innings in each appearance and averaging over eight strikeouts per start. Before we continue on, I'd like to announce I'm starting a support group for those who dropped Skubal at the beginning of May and are regretting their choices now.

This will definitely be a test of Skubal's abilities in Week 13, as he takes on a pair of tough offenses in St. Louis and Houston. He will get a bit of a boost playing at home though, as he has pitched better over his career at Comerica Park (3.42 ERA, 1.220 WHIP) than on the road (6.19 ERA, 1.542 WHIP). That benefit should come in handy in his first outing of the week, as the Cardinals this year have been hitting worse on the road (.213/.291/.389) than at home (.247/.313/.378). Although that benefit could be outweighed by the fact that St. Louis is hitting better against lefties (.258/.335/.437) than against right-handers (.223/.294/.372). The Cardinals have been in a bit of an offensive slump over their last 14 games however, going 5-9 while slashing .224/.292/.339 and averaging 3.1 runs per game. Given his second start is against Houston, I think it's safe to say this start against St. Louis should be his best performance of the week.

And now we get to the Astros matchup. Not only are the Astros 10-4 over their last 14 games, slashing .307/.374/.557 and averaging 6.3 runs per game in that span, they are hitting better this season against left-handers (.286/.348/.459) and are also hitting better on the road (.283/.344/.460). Now that's not to say there's no hope for Skubal against Houston. He shut down the White Sox in back-to-back starts this month, allowing four earned runs over 11 innings with 17 strikeouts. And that's against a Chicago squad that feasts on left-handed pitching (.279/.351/.464) and is averaging 5.3 runs per game over their last 14 games.

Bottom line, Skubal will get a good matchup against St. Louis and he should be able to put up a solid performance against Houston. If you're willing to take the risk on the Houston outing potentially blowing up, Skubal is definitely one of the top guys to target this week. But even if you're not high on his potential against the Astros, you should still add him in all 12-team and deeper formats, and start considering him in 10-team leagues as well.

Mike Minor, KCR - 41% rostered

Probable Opponents: @ NYY, @ TEX

Here we have yet another case of a guy with underwhelming season stats who has begun to heat up recently. While his season line shows a 5-4 record, 4.63 ERA and 26.3 percent strikeout rate over 79 2/3 innings of work, Minor has looked better over his last five starts, going 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA and 28.3 percent strikeout rate in that span.

Much like with Skubal, Minor will also benefit from home-road splits this week, however Minor has pitched far better on the road this year (2.73 ERA, 1.091 WHIP) than at home (5.98 ERA, 1.200 WHIP). He'll kick things off by facing the Yankees, who have been hitting worse at home this season (.224/.316/.361) than on the road (.240/.315/.411). That being said, they have started to heat up on offense recently, as they are slashing .251/.319/.450 and averaging 4.8 runs per game over their last 14 games. Plus they are hitting better against left-handed pitching (.245/.310/.405) than against right-handers (.228/.320/.380). This will definitely be the tougher of the two matchups, but if he can make it out of there relatively unscathed, he'll get a better matchup against Texas.

So once again Minor benefits from his own home-road splits here, and the Rangers have hit slightly worse at home (.228/.294/.369) than on the road (.229/.304/.371). They have hit for a slightly higher average against left-handers (.233) than against right-handers (.226) this year, however they have a worse OPS against left-handers (.656) than against right-handers (.677). On top of that, the Rangers are in the midst of an offensive slump this month, as they are slashing .217/.287/.336 and averaging 3.7 runs per game over their last 13 games.

This is a "one good start, one bad start" scenario for Minor. He'll have a tougher matchup against the Yankees to start the week, but should be able to find success at the end of the week against his former team. Between Minor and Skubal, Skubal is the guy to target first and foremost, but Minor should still be a solid play in most formats this week.

 

Week 13 Streamers — Under 25% Rostered

Ross Stripling, TOR - 9% rostered

Probable Opponents: @ MIA, vs BAL

Stripling struggled early on this year but has looked much better over his last five appearances where he has gone 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 25.4 percent strikeout rate. He'll open up Week 13 against Miami, and while he is on the wrong side of the Marlins' lefty-righty and home-road splits, he will be facing off against a team that has struggled over their last 16 games, slashing .238/.313/.371 and averaging 3.7 runs per game in that span. In his second outing of the week it will be the complete opposite scenario for Stripling. The Oriole have been on fire over their last 14 games, slashing .268/.325/.460 while averaging 5.1 runs per game. However they are both hitting worse against right-handed pitching (.219/.287/.364) and hitting worse when on the road (.222/.280/.363).

Stripling isn't going to be a definitive game-changer in fantasy this week, but both these matchups should provide him with solid value that should provide a nice boost to your lineup in Week 13.

Paolo Espino, WSN - 2% rostered

Probable Opponents: @ PHI, @ MIA

This is probably the riskiest play of the column, and we'll get into why in just a moment. Espino has spent most of the season pitching out of the bullpen, but in his latest appearance he got the start against the Pirates and tossed five shutout innings to earn the win. Granted, that came against the Pirates, but he's been solid enough out of the bullpen that he's worth taking a look at in Week 13. He'll open things up with the Phillies, against whom he has allowed two runs in three innings of work this season. The Phillies have been hitting well recently, slashing .271/.337/.440 while averaging 5.6 runs per game over their last 12 games. However Philadelphia is hitting worse against right-handers this season (.234/.308/.373) than against lefties (.252/.322/.409), which could be a boost for Espino's value.

Now here's the rub: the second start against Miami. On one hand it should be a decent matchup for Espino, as he'll be in the same boat more or less as Stripling will be in his outing with the Marlins. However it's probable that Max Scherzer — whom Espino is filling in for currently — will be activated from the injured list by then, which would bump Espino back to the bullpen. What I would recommend in this case is for managers who have Scherzer rostered to start both Scherzer and Espino this week, as Scherzer should put up good numbers against the Marlins if healthy, and if he's still out then Espino should be able to pick up the slack.

Johan Oviedo, STL - 2% rostered

Probable Opponents: @ DET, vs PIT

OK what's not to love about Oviedo this week? He's without question got the easiest schedule in Week 13, and he's coming off a nice performance in his last start where he tossed seven shutout innings with four strikeouts against the Marlins. He'll open the week against a Tigers squad that owns the highest strikeout rate in the majors (27.6 percent), and is hitting worse at home (.225/.303/.372) than on the road (.235/.295/.389). Then in the second half of the week he'll face the Pirates, who are hitting worse on the road (.224/.283/.343) than at home (.232/.313/.361), and who have also struggled recently by slashing .231/.289/.358 and averaging 3.5 runs per game over their last 14 games. Oh, and both teams rank in the bottom-10 in the league in average and OPS.

This is about as easy a schedule as you can hope for with a rookie who is starting to show promise. I mean I'd take just about any pitcher if they had a projected matchup like this. Obviously him being a rookie along with the fact his last start was just the second outing this year in which he pitched five  innings are signs that he could potentially struggle this week. But I feel you can't avoid taking advantage of these matchups, and as such he should definitely be considered in many formats this week.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice




LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

ROTOBALLER PLAYER NEWS

Tyrese Haliburton7 mins ago

And Chris Duarte Ruled Out Wednesday
Kyle Hendricks17 mins ago

Has Three Bullpen Sessions Lined Up
Caleb Martin23 mins ago

Available To Play Wednesday
Kyle Lowry28 mins ago

Will Play Versus Knicks
Torey Krug28 mins ago

Won't Play On Thursday
Filip Hronek33 mins ago

Set For Canucks Debut Thursday
Kyrie Irving33 mins ago

Remains Out Versus Golden State
Luka Doncic40 mins ago

Will Play Wednesday
Bradley Beal44 mins ago

Sitting Versus Nuggets
Elvis Merzlikins48 mins ago

Available For Selection Again
Connor Ingram60 mins ago

Faces Oilers Wednesday
Brandon Nimmo1 hour ago

Could Be Ready For Games This Weekend
Stuart Skinner1 hour ago

In Oilers Crease On Wednesday
Shohei Ohtani1 hour ago

Will Throw In Minor League Game Friday
Darren Helm1 hour ago

Returns To Action Wednesday
Cale Makar1 hour ago

Misses Another Game Wednesday
Colton Cowser2 hours ago

Orioles Reassign Colton Cowser
Heston Kjerstad2 hours ago

Gets Reassigned
Oswald Peraza2 hours ago

Continues To Struggle
Keldon Johnson3 hours ago

Could Miss Second Consecutive Game
Jalen McDaniels3 hours ago

Questionable With Hip Soreness
Karl-Anthony Towns3 hours ago

Expected To Return On Wednesday
Bradley Beal3 hours ago

Now Listed As Questionable On Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson3 hours ago

Remains Sidelined With Finger Sprain
Lauri Markkanen3 hours ago

Is Available On Wednesday
Zion Williamson3 hours ago

Cleared For On-Court Activities
Paul George3 hours ago

Will Miss At Least Two-To-Three Weeks
D'Ernest Johnson5 hours ago

Signs With Jaguars
C.J. Stroud5 hours ago

Panthers Meet With C.J. Stroud
Jaxon Smith-Njigba5 hours ago

Runs 4.53 Unofficial Forty
DeAndre Hopkins5 hours ago

Not On Browns' Radar
Russell Wilson5 hours ago

Expected To Be Fine For OTAs
Hunter Brown7 hours ago

Scratched On Wednesday
Brandon Ingram7 hours ago

Scores Game-High 32 Points In Easy Win
Donovan Mitchell7 hours ago

Scores At Will Against Brooklyn
Trae Young7 hours ago

Collects Another Double-Double In Win
Marvin Bagley8 hours ago

III Goes Off For 31 Points
Paolo Banchero8 hours ago

Falls Just Shy Of A Triple-Double
Kristaps Porzingis8 hours ago

Scores 30 Points In Losing Effort
Derrick White8 hours ago

Puts Together Well-Rounded Stat Line
Miro Heiskanen8 hours ago

Matches Franchise Record Tuesday
Brett Baty8 hours ago

Survives Another Round Of Cuts
Wyatt Johnston8 hours ago

Pushes His Goal Streak To Five Games
Brandon Tanev8 hours ago

Produces A Big Performance Against Dallas
Francisco Alvarez8 hours ago

Mets Demote Francisco Alvarez
Luke Evangelista8 hours ago

Ties Franchise Record With Four-Point Period
Quinn Hughes8 hours ago

Continues Multi-Assist Streak
Troy Terry9 hours ago

Exits With Injury
Brock Nelson9 hours ago

Injured Versus Toronto
Josh Anderson9 hours ago

Gets Hurt Tuesday
Shintaro Fujinami18 hours ago

To Receive Extra Rest Between Regular Season Starts
Juan Soto18 hours ago

Oblique Strain Deemed "Minimal"
Clayton Kershaw18 hours ago

Pitches Well Tuesday
Byron Buxton18 hours ago

To Serve Primarily As DH
Lucas Giolito18 hours ago

Not Concerned With Velocity Dip Tuesday
Alex Ovechkin18 hours ago

Lights The Lamp In Capitals Loss
Shohei Ohtani18 hours ago

Wins World Baseball Classic MVP Award
Jack Roslovic19 hours ago

Scores Twice in Columbus Victory
Brandon Nimmo22 hours ago

Tests His Ankle/Knee
Noah Syndergaard22 hours ago

Pitches Through Blister Issue Tuesday
Drew Pomeranz22 hours ago

Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day
Julio Urías22 hours ago

Julio Urias Likely To Start Opening Day For Dodgers
Dakota Hudson22 hours ago

Matthew Liberatore, Dakota Hudson Optioned Tuesday
Zac Veen22 hours ago

Rockies Reassign Zac Veen To Minor-League Camp
Taylor Montgomery23 hours ago

A Hard Fade In Austin
Sam Burns23 hours ago

Hard To Trust At WGC Dell Match Play
Kirby Dach1 day ago

Returns To Action Tuesday
Evgeny Kuznetsov1 day ago

A Game-Time Call Tuesday
Ryan Lindgren1 day ago

Back For Rangers Tuesday
Jordan Greenway1 day ago

Won't Play Tuesday
Arizona Cardinals1 day ago

Cardinals Agree With L.J. Collier On One-Year Deal
Dallas Cowboys1 day ago

Cowboys To Re-Sign Dante Fowler To One-Year Deal
Pittsburgh Steelers1 day ago

Steelers Re-Sign Cornerback James Pierre
Max Homa1 day ago

A Strong Contender In Austin
Atlanta Falcons1 day ago

Falcons Planning To Host Calais Campbell
Denver Broncos1 day ago

Broncos Expected To Draft RB This Year
Ronald Jones1 day ago

Cowboys Agree To Deal With Ronald Jones
Austin Ekeler1 day ago

Would Like To Stay With Chargers
Lamar Jackson1 day ago

Ready To Move On From Ravens?
Minnesota Vikings1 day ago

Vikings Re-Sign Jonathan Bullard
Miami Dolphins1 day ago

Dolphins Re-Sign Andrew Van Ginkel
Miles Sanders1 day ago

Viewed As Three-Down Back In Carolina
New England Patriots1 day ago

Dont'a Hightower Announces His Retirement
Bijan Robinson1 day ago

Taking Pre-Draft Visit With Eagles
Isaiah McKenzie1 day ago

Signing With Colts
Philadelphia Eagles1 day ago

Nicholas Morrow Agrees With Eagles
DeAndre Hopkins1 day ago

Interest In DeAndre Hopkins Ramping Up
Tom Hoge1 day ago

A Bracket-Buster In Match Play
Hideki Matsuyama1 day ago

Doesn't Perform In Match Play
Kamaru Usman1 day ago

Unsuccessful In Bid To Recapture Title
Leon Edwards1 day ago

Defends Crown At UFC 286
Viktor Hovland1 day ago

Has Struggled In Match Play
Rafael Fiziev1 day ago

Has Strong Showing But Takes Loss
Justin Gaethje1 day ago

Puts On Another Highlight-Reel Performance
Tyrrell Hatton1 day ago

The Favorite In His Group
Bryan Barberena1 day ago

Suffers Second Straight Submission Loss
Gunnar Nelson1 day ago

Scores Impressive Finish At UFC 286
Will Zalatoris1 day ago

Needs Birdies At WGC Match Play
Jordan Spieth1 day ago

Can Advance At WGC Match Play
Matt Fitzpatrick1 day ago

May Struggle At WGC Match Play
Chris Kirk1 day ago

Draws A Bit Unlucky At WGC Match Play
Patrick Cantlay1 day ago

Has Good Chance At WGC Match Play
Brian Harman1 day ago

Has Putter's Chance To Contend At WGC
Tommy Fleetwood1 day ago

Has Challenge At WGC Match Play
Casey O'Neill2 days ago

Takes First Defeat Against Former Champion
Jennifer Maia2 days ago

Earns Decision Win Over Undefeated Opponent
Roman Dolidze2 days ago

Suffers Setback With Decision Loss
Marvin Vettori2 days ago

Picks Up Decision Win
Kyle Busch2 days ago

Finishes In Top 10 At Atlanta
Ty Gibbs2 days ago

Finishes Strong In Atlanta
Erik Jones2 days ago

Gets His First Top-10 Finish Of The Season
Ryan Blaney2 days ago

Bounces Back From Speeding Penalty
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Has A Strong Showing
Tyler Reddick2 days ago

Hangs in For Fifth Place At Atlanta
Corey Lajoie3 days ago

Corey LaJoie Uses Course To Advantage On Sunday
Christopher Bell3 days ago

Ends Up With Another Top Five Result
Christopher Bell3 days ago

Brad Keselowski Noses Christopher Bell Out For Second
Joey Logano3 days ago

Goes From Pole To Win Sunday
Todd Gilliland4 days ago

Starts 23rd
Ryan Preece4 days ago

Starts 24th At The AmBetter Health 400
AJ Allmendinger4 days ago

Eyes Another Strong Finish
NASCAR4 days ago

Ricky Stenhouse Eyes Back-To-Back Superspeedway Wins
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

May Be Overlooked
Erik Jones4 days ago

Is A Value Play At Atlanta
Denny Hamlin4 days ago

Seeks Better Results
Noah Gragson4 days ago

Might Surprise At Atlanta Motor Speedway
Austin Dillon4 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back At Atlanta
Ty Dillon4 days ago

Hoping To Keep Car Running At Atlanta
NASCAR4 days ago

J.J. Yeley Starts 34th Sunday At Ambetter Health 400
Kamaru Usman5 days ago

Seeking Second Title Run
Leon Edwards5 days ago

Looks To Defend Crown On Saturday
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF