RADIO
Adam Meyer analyzes under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 17 (July 30-August 5) as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.
Now that the weird Week 16 schedule is in the books, we can return to our normal seven-day forecast in the two-start streamer world. However, to continue to avoid confusion, I’ll label these articles with both the week of your fantasy season (for head-to-head players) and also the dates for relevance.
This week’s list will include pitchers returning from injuries and also some pitchers fighting for a spot in the rotation. Either way, it is important to remember that most of these pitchers are streamers for a reason. Just because we recommend them for this week does not mean these are arms you should stash on your roster for the remainder of the season.
Last week, are highlights included Jhoulys Chacin and Carlos Rodon. Chacin struck out nine Nationals and allowed only one earned run in 5.2 innings in his first start of Week 16. Rodon punched out eight Angels and allowed two earned runs in 7.2 innings during his win.
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Pitcher Streamers - Under 50% Owned
Shane Bieber, CLE (38% owned)
Probable opponents: @ MIN, vs. LAA
The Biebs is back into rotation for two turns in Week 17. When we last saw Bieber on the mound, he was rocked by Pittsburgh (1.2 IP, 7 ER, and 2 K). However, prior to that poor performance, he had a stretch where he allowed three earned runs, or less, in four of six outings and struck out at least five batters in six of the last seven outings. The Twins were one team Bieber had success against earlier in the season. Bieber is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 11.1 innings of work against Minnesota.
Tanner Roark, WSH (34% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. NYM, vs. CIN
Roark was remarkable in his last start: 8 IP, 0 ER, and 11 K (@ MIL). He’ll look to continue that stellar performance when his Nationals host the Mets and Reds in Week 17. The Mets are 25th in team wOBA (.306) against right-handed pitchers and 26th in runs scored (406 runs in 101 games) this season. Roark has recorded 20 punch outs in 17 innings of action against the Mets. However, he’s also allowed 11 earned runs (5.82 ERA) during that span. Cincinnati is 24th in team ISO (.144) against righties this season, too.
Ervin Santana, MIN (33% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. CLE, vs. KC
Santana made his 2018 debut on July 25th and had to shake off some rust. He pitched five innings and struck out five, while allowing three earned runs, against the Blue Jays. Now, he’ll test the success of his finger surgery by taking two turns in the rotation on Week 17. The first opponent will be the more difficult one. However, on the bright side, Santana faced Cleveland four times in 2017 and was dominant: 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 24 innings of work. The Royals are second on the docket for Santana. They’re 30th in team wOBA (.287) against right-handed pitchers and 30th in runs scored (367 runs in 102 games) this season.
Pitcher Streamers - Under 25% Owned
Drew Pomeranz, BOS (21% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. PHI, vs. NYY
Speaking of pitchers returning from injury, Pomeranz was on the DL for bicep tendinitis and then a stiff neck. In his first game back, Pomeranz allowed four earned runs and struck out only four batters in 4.2 innings. He’ll be on thin ice now that Boston has Nathan Eovaldi in the mix. Thankfully, for Pomeranz, he gets the Phillies in his next outing. Philadelphia is 21st in team wOBA (.306) against left-handed pitchers and third in team strikeouts (989) this season. On the down side, Pomeranz could face the Yankees in start No. 2 this week. New York has a league-high .352 wOBA against southpaws. At least, for Pomeranz, he won’t have to face Aaron Judge, who is out for three weeks after getting hit by a pitch on Thursday (July 26th).
Derek Holland, SF (7% owned)
Probable opponents: @ SD, @ ARI
With Jeff Samardzija being reevaluated, Holland will return to the Giants rotation and could possibly get two outings in Week 17. He’s allowed two total earned runs in his last 16 innings and struck out 19 batters during that span. The Padres are 28th in runs scored (392 runs in 106 games) and tied for first in team strikeouts (997) this season. Arizona is sixth in team strikeouts (955). While they are 10th in team wOBA (.329) against southpaws, Holland hasn’t been terrible against the DBacks this year: 0-1 with a 4.61 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings of work.
Yefry Ramirez, BAL (1% owned)
Probable opponents: @ NYY, @ TEX
There are two tough opponents on Ramirez’s docket this week, but he seemed to tame the Red Sox in his last start: 5 IP, 3 ER, and 6 K. Also, he shutout the Rangers on July 14th: 5 IP, 0 ER, and 7 K. Albeit, that was in Baltimore. The start before that, he was okay against the Yankees: 4 IP, 4 ER, 4 K. Also, that outing was at home. Now, he travels to New York and Texas this week. The only other bright spot is that Texas is tied for first with 997 strikeouts this season and the Yankees are tied for eighth (913) in that same category.
