X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Two-Start Pitcher Streamers: Week 9

Starting pitchers to add and stream in Week 9 of the 2021 fantasy baseball season. Michael Grennell analyzes the top SP streamers to pick up off waivers.

Wow. Just wow. Back-to-back nights with a no-hitter this week between Corey Kluber and Spencer Turnbull. We're up to six no-hitters this year, and it seems that's enough of a story to (thankfully) overshadow old men complaining about the unwritten rules of the game.

As always, let's go through and recap the past two columns before getting on to Week 9. Looking back to Week 7, it's hard to call a clear-cut winner. If I had to choose I'd give it to Luis Garcia, who was 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA and 12 strikeouts. But we also saw solid performances out of Dylan Cease (2.53 ERA, 10 K) and Martin Perez (1-0, 0.82 ERA, 9K) that week. As for Week 8, Casey Mize is the undisputed leader of the pack after allowing just one run with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings as he earned the win over Seattle.

Now it's time to check out the streamers for Week 9, and this list should be able to provide more hits than the Mariners and Rangers this week. (Author's note: Nothing personal Texas and Seattle fans. I just couldn't pass up the chance to make that joke.)

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Week 9 Streamers — Under 50% Rostered

Cole Irvin, OAK - 52% rostered

Probable Opponents: vs SEA, vs LAA

In his third season in the Majors, Irvin has continued to show improvement on the mound. Since 2019, Irvin has raised his strikeout rate from 17.1 percent to 20 percent, lowered his walk rate from 7.2 percent to 4.1 percent, and has posted career-bests this year in xBA (.266), xSLG (.443) and xwOBA (.323). He also sports a 3.02 ERA over 52 2/3 innings of work, although his 4.11 xERA suggests he may be getting a little lucky early on in the season. He's coming off his worst start of the year on Thursday in which he allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings against Houston, but prior to that outing he had recorded four straight quality starts, and five quality starts in his previous six appearances.

There's truly no better way for Irvin to bounce back from his start against Houston than to face off against the Mariners to open Week 9. Seattle currently owns the fifth-highest strikeout rate in the Majors at 26.7 percent, and they are dead-last in batting average (.198) and on-base percentage (.279). Oh, yeah, and that whole getting no-hit twice this year thing. Irvin also benefits from the Mariners' lefty-righty splits, as Seattle is hitting worse against left-handed pitching (.179/.255/.345) than against right-handed pitching (.205/.287/.366).

Although the Mariners have been hitting slightly better on the road (.221/.287/.403) than at home (.178/.271/.322), this should still be a nice matchup for Irvin. I know the joke can be made that the way things are going Seattle could be at risk of being no-hit any night, but I'm going to predict that Irvin tosses seven no-hit innings against Seattle, and either his bid will be broken up in the eighth inning or Oakland's bullpen will complete a combined no-hitter.

In his second matchup of the week, Irvin will once again benefit from lefty-righty splits, as the Angels are hitting worse against left-handers this season (.232/.312/.394) than against right-handers (.254/.307/.421). He'll also benefit from the fact the Angels are hitting worse on the road (.242/.299/.386) than at home (.255/.320/.446). And while the Angels haven't been as bad at the plate as Seattle, they have struggled in May with a .228/.298/.392 triple-slash line, and over their last 10 games they are slashing .203/.271/.350.

Despite the poor outing against Houston on Thursday, Irvin is the best two-start streaming option to choose in Week 9. If he's available in your league, he should be a top target off the waiver-wire.

Logan Gilbert, SEA - 38% rostered

Probable Opponents: @ OAK, vs TEX

It's been a rough start for Gilbert two games into his Major League career, allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. But he's shown a lot of promise as he's made the jump from Single-A to the majors in just two seasons — even with the cancelled 2020 minor league season. He's recorded an 11-5 record and 2.12 ERA over 27 starts in the minors, with 170 strikeouts in 140 career innings, and he'll look to put up performances similar to those numbers in Week 9.

He'll open up the week pitching in Oakland against an Athletics team that currently sports the fourth-worst batting average (.222) and 11th-worst on-base percentage (.305). Oakland also has the 11th-highest strikeout rate in the Majors at 24.6 percent, and they have struggled to hit at home (.214/.312/.398) as well as against right-handed pitching (.213/.299/.381). This all puts Gilbert in a good position to post his best start yet, and then he'll follow that up by returning to Seattle to face the Texas "Hey we also got no-hit twice" Rangers.

Like Oakland, Texas is hitting slightly worse against right-handers (.232/.307/.383) than against lefties (.242/.297/.387), although they are hitting better on the road (.242/.320/.391) than at home (.228/.285/.377). At the end of the day though, Gilbert should have a good time going up against the team that owns the seventh-highest strikeout rate in the Majors at 26.3 percent.

Gilbert is a risky pick this week given how his first two starts went, but I like these matchups and I think that things will fall into place for him in Week 9.

 

Week 9 Streamers — Under 25% Rostered

Spencer Turnbull, DET - 23% rostered

Probable Opponents: vs CLE. vs NYY

Keeping up the theme of no-hitters in this column, let's take a look at the second-most recent pitcher to toss a no-hitter this season. Even before Tuesday's start, Turnbull had been putting up the best numbers of his career early on. He owns a 2.88 ERA and 2.98 xERA. His 22 percent strikeout rate is the second-highest mark of his career, while his 5.7 percent walk rate, .206 xBA, .341 xSLG and .278 xwOBA are all career-bests.

He'll open up the week by taking on a Cleveland squad that owns the second-worst batting average (.213) and on-base percentage (.285) in the Majors, along with a 23.2 percent strikeout rate. He'll close out Week 9 by getting a rematch with the Yankees, who tagged Turnbull with the loss on May 1 after he allowed four runs in five innings of work. If Turnbull can get the benefit of the Yankees splits against right-handers (.219/.319/.366) in this go-around, and if he can continue the momentum coming off the no-hitter, he looks to be a solid streaming option this week.

Justin Dunn, SEA - 4% rostered

Probable Opponents: @ OAK, vs TEX

In a lot of ways, Dunn is very similar to Gilbert this week. They've got the same matchups, they'll benefit from the same splits against Oakland and Texas, and they've both had some struggles early on this year. Unlike Gilbert however, Dunn has been showing some signs of improvement over his past few starts. After posting a 3.98 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings of work in April, Dunn has made three starts in May and has posted a 3.14 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

Granted, two of those three starts in May have come against the Orioles and the Tigers, but Dunn has still shown improvement from his disastrous season-opening outing in which he allowed eight walks in 4 2/3 innings against the White Sox. Between Gilbert and Dunn, I'm going to give the slight edge in Week 9 to Dunn.

Austin Gomber, COL - 4% rostered

Probable Opponents: @ NYM, @ PIT

Gomber is easily the riskiest play this week thanks to his 11.2 percent walk rate this season. And while you would think pitching away from Coors Field would benefit him this week, he's actually pitched better at home this year (1.88 ERA, 1.186 WHIP) than on the road (6.39 ERA, 1.355 WHIP). But putting those splits aside, Gomber has been pretty solid in his last four starts — three of which have come on the road — posting a 3.22 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings of work.

He'll have a couple of solid matchups this week against the Mets and Pirates, as both teams have a strikeout rate around 23 percent, and have the 11th-worst and ninth-worst batting averages in the league respectively at .230 and .227. The Mets have hit slightly better against left-handed pitching this year, but the Pirates have struggled with southpaws to the tune of a .214/.296/.347 triple-slash line. I put him as a riskier play than Gilbert this week since Gilbert has the better matchups, but if you're looking for strikeouts and you're willing to take a potential hit to ERA, Gomber is a decent choice that will be available in virtually every league.



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


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Erik Jones

Secures A Top-5 Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Day'Ron Sharpe

Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Moritz Wagner

has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Bobby Portis

Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
James Harden

Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Julius Randle

Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Dorian Finney-Smith

Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Kevin Porter Jr.

Declining Player Option
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Garrett Temple

Returning to Toronto
Nicolas Batum

Declines Player Option
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Keon Johnson

Gets Team Option Picked Up
Rayan Rupert

Staying in Portland
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Cody Ware

Rarely Enough Attrition at Atlanta for Cody Ware to Seriously Contend
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Nick Martinez

Flirts With No-Hitter, Settles for Win
Gary Sánchez

Gary Sanchez Homers, Reaches Five Times in Onslaught
Trea Turner

Blasts Two Homers, Steals Base
Los Angeles Angels

Ron Washington to Remain on Medical Leave for Rest of the Season
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Jihaad Campbell

to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Josh Conerly Jr.

to Play Right Tackle for Now
Tyleik Williams

Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Malaki Starks

Should Make an Immediate Impact
James Pearce Jr.

Impressing the Falcons
Jaxson Dart

has "Excellent" Spring
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF