RADIO
Troy Klauder analyzes five under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 6 as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.
As a new week is upon us, it's time to get rid of that bench bat or middle reliever you have hanging around. Instead, maximize your roster slots with some pitchers who have two starts this week and are probably still available in your league.
Here are the top two-start pitchers to stream for Week 6 of the fantasy baseball season. This can be especially helpful for head-to-head (H2H) leagues, where every start can be that much more valuable. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @TroyKlauder.
Note: I will be selecting starting pitchers who are owned in 50% or less of Yahoo! leagues.
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Under the Radar Two-Start SP Streamers - Week 6
A.J. Griffin, Texas Rangers – owned in 7.6% of Yahoo! leagues
Projected starts: @SD, vs. OAK
After his poor 2016, A.J. Griffin fell completely off the radar, but he's had much better success this season than he did last year. Griffin has an impressive 10.18 K/9 and 2.21 BB/9 and has been lights out in his last two starts, including seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings against a stacked Astros lineup. Griffin faces nowhere near that kind of quality this week, as his first start at San Diego is one of the best possible matchups a pitcher can have, with the Padres 25th in wOBA vs righties at .300. Then he faces the Athletics, who aren't much better at .311, putting them 21st. Griffin is super under-owned with the way he's been pitching, and with these matchups he's almost impossible to pass up.
Nathan Karns, Kansas City Royals – owned in 1.8% of Yahoo! leagues
Projected starts: @TB, vs. BAL
Coming in at under 2% ownership, Nate Karns is a fantastic add for Week 6. While his 4.97 ERA looks bad, if you take out his only relief appearance of the season, his ERA is just 3.81 through five starts. Karns has 12 strikeouts to just one walk in his last two starts, so it looks like he's getting his feel back in the rotation. Karns has lots of strikeout potential as demonstrated by last year's 9.64 K/9, and his first matchup with the Rays should provide lots of K's. Tampa Bay strikes out a ton against righties, as their 25.2 K% puts them at the third highest rate in the league. He then gets the Orioles, who aren't the same high-powered lineup you're used to, as they are 18th in wOBA versus righties at .319 (they are even worse on the road, with a .314 wOBA away from Camden Yards.) His first start is at Tampa Bay and his second at home in Kansas City -- both are great pitcher's parks, and he will have the stellar Royals defense behind him. Karns is almost definitely out there in your league right now, so snag him before it's too late.
Luis Perdomo, San Diego Padres – owned in 2.0% of Yahoo! leagues
Projected starts: vs. TEX, vs. CHW
In his first four starts this season, Luis Perdomo has been better than his results have made him look. His 4.03 ERA isn't particularly bad, but he's actually been pitching much better than that, as he has a 3.09 FIP on the year. Perdomo doesn't rack up strikeouts, but does have an elite groundball rate at 69.1% and has limited his walks to a 2.42 BB/9. The 23-year-old has great velocity and both his starts are at home in the extreme pitcher's park that is Pecto Park. The Rangers aren't a big threat outside of their home ballpark, with just a .296 road wOBA which places them 22nd. And the White Sox, of course, are dead last against righties in wOBA at .270. The youngster is a sneaky play for Week 5 who should pay off well.
Adam Conley, Miami Marlins – owned in 4.0% of Yahoo! leagues
Projected starts: vs. STL, vs. ATL
It's no secret how bad Adam Conley has been this season, as he has a 6.12 ERA through 25 innings with a 1.44 WHIP. This poor stretch isn't going to last forever, though, as Conley has two great matchups in Week 5 to help him out. The Cardinals lineup is awful against lefties, with a .272 wOBA that's 27th in the league. The Braves, at .303, are 17th. Both of these starts are at home at the spacious Marlins Park. Conley is a nice deeper league grab to take advantage of some easy starts and get solid innings.
Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians – owned in 0.8% of Yahoo! leagues
Projected starts: @TOR, vs. MIN
Called up to replace Corey Kluber, who was placed on the disabled list, Mike Clevinger gets two great matchups to start off his major league season. Clevinger, a well-regarded prospect, was shoving in triple-A prior to his call-up with a 1.50 ERA in six starts with a 9.60 K/9. Clevinger faces the Blue Jays, who are ranked 27th against right-handers with their .287 wOBA, and the Twins. The Twins have a 93 wRC+ as a team against righties, so they aren't a problem either. Clevinger has the talent to be even more than just a streamer if he can hold a rotation spot, so now would be a great time to add him.
