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Michael Grennell analyzes under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 15 as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.
And we're back in action after the All-Star Break. We've still got time to take a look at the two-start streaming options for this upcoming week.
Taking a look back at the last two columns, Marco Gonzales was the best pick out of a lackluster Week 13 selection. Gonzales finished 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and nine strikeouts against the Brewers and Astros. And in another lackluster week marred by changing pitching schedules before the break, Jason Vargas was the winning choice despite making only one of his two projected starts. Vargas allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings while striking out six against the Yankees.
Well now that we're past the break things should settle down and this week's pitchers should provide better value. So let's dive on in.
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Week 15 Streamers - Under 50% Owned
Andrew Cashner, BOS - 44% owned
Probable opponents: vs TOR, @ BAL
Coming off his trade to the Red Sox on Saturday, Cashner will be in line for a two-start week in his Boston debut. Prior to the trade, Cashner had been lighting it up over his last five starts, going 3-1 with 18 strikeouts and a 1.41 ERA over 32 innings.
His first start will come against Toronto, which should be a good start to the week for Cashner. In two starts against the Blue Jays this year, Cashner is 2-0 with seven strikeouts and a 0.69 ERA. The Blue Jays have been on a recent slide over their last five games, hitting .188 while averaging 2.0 runs and 8.8 strikeouts per game in that span. Cashner will then follow that up with a start against his former teammates in Baltimore. That game could prove to be an even better start for Cashner, as the Orioles are averaging 3.8 runs and 10.6 strikeouts over their last 10 games while hitting .223. Add on to that the fact that the Orioles are hitting worse against right-handed starters (.238 average, .691 OPS) than left-handed starters (.243 average, .718 OPS), and Cashner should be in line for a very good fantasy week.
There isn't really a whole lot more to say about Cashner. He's a pitcher on a hot streak on a good team. My money is on Cashner to be the best pick out of this week's column.
Michael Pineda, MIN - 38% owned
Probable opponents: vs NYM, vs OAK
Much like Cashner, Pineda is another pitcher on a hot streak on a good team to make the column this week. After a rough start to the year, Pineda is now 2-1 over his last six starts with a 3.21 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings pitched.
Pineda will get a couple of home starts this week, as he will start things off against the Mets. New York is 4-6 over their last 10 games, and while they aren't doing terrible with a .252 team average, they're only averaging 3.8 runs while averaging 8.2 strikeouts in that span. After the Mets though, Pineda will face stiffer competition against Oakland. The Athletics are 8-2 over their last 10 games, averaging 6.7 runs while hitting .269.
This will be a bit of a risk for owners taking a shot at Pineda this week. Do you bank on his hot streak or do you shy away from that Oakland matchup? Cashner should be the No. 1 target for owners this week, but if he's already snagged then Pineda should be the next guy to target. That Oakland start is a little nerve-wracking, but he should have little problem continuing his hot streak.
Week 15 Streamers - Under 25% Owned
Anthony DeSclafani, CIN - 16% owned
Probable opponents: @ CHC, vs STL
DeSclafani has been up and down over the course of this season, but he has been on a hot streak in his last six outings. Posting a 3-1 record and 3.06 ERA, DeSclafani has recorded 35 strikeouts in his last 32 1/3 innings of work. Now he'll face off against division rivals Chicago and St. Louis this week — both of which DeSclafani has had success against this year. Against Chicago, DeSclafani is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA and nine strikeouts in two starts, while he has a 1-0 record and 3.00 ERA in three starts against St. Louis with 16 strikeouts
The Cubs and the Cardinals make for a high-risk, high-reward week for DeSclafani. I'd put DeSclafani's value as similar to Pineda for this week, and between the two owners should try to target DeSclafani first and foremost.
Adrian Houser, MIL - 3% owned
Probable opponents: vs ATL, @ ARI
I'm going to be upfront on this one — don't bet the house on Houser (hahaha I'm so funny and clever). Since joining the rotation, Houser has gone 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA over three starts. But coming out of the pen, Houser had posted a 1.11 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 24 1/3 innings. He'll open up this week with the Braves, who are averaging 5.2 runs and hitting .268 over their last 10 games. After Atlanta, Houser will head to the desert to face the Diamondbacks, who are averaging 4.2 runs and hitting .257 over their last 10 games.
If you're going with Houser this week, you're hoping for the high strikeout potential. Arizona is averaging 8.1 strikeouts over their last 10 games, while Atlanta is averaging 9.4 over the same span. If you're willing to risk ERA this week to get a boost in strikeouts, Houser is the guy to go with if everyone else has already been claimed.
Drew Pomeranz, SFG - 3% owned
Probable opponents: @ COL, vs NYM
Pomeranz started off the year rough, but he has been picking things up over his last six starts. While the 1-3 record and 4.13 ERA in that span is underwhelming, his 37 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings will cause fantasy owners to take notice. The strikeout potential will look especially enticing when considering the fact Pomeranz begins this week against the Rockies after striking out a season-high 11 in his last start against Colorado. The Rockies have averaged 9.2 strikeouts over their last 10 games, and after Colorado he'll face the Mets who have averaged 8.2 strikeouts in the same span.
Owners should look at Pomeranz as a safer version of Houser this week. Both should provide plenty of strikeouts, but Pomeranz is less likely to hurt your ERA.
