It’s getting into that time of the baseball season when we see prospects getting the call or discussing how to limit the innings of prospects already in the Majors. In the next few weeks, we might see some extra names in the streamer pool. For this week, I have a couple of prospects thrown in, but I could see more in the future. Before we get into my Week 16 suggestions, let’s see how I did last week:
- Spencer Schwellenbach: 5 IP, 4 ER, 0 BBs, 6 Ks (Loss)
- Zack Littell: 5 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 Ks (No Decision)
- Spencer Arrighetti: 7 IP, 0 ER, 0 BBs, 10 Ks (Win)
- Miles Mikolas: 4.1 IP, 9 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (Loss)
- Mitchell Parker: 5 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 Ks (Loss)
- Casey Mize: 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 BBs, 2 Ks (Win)
- Bailey Falter: 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 BBs, 5 Ks (Win)
Totals: 36.1 IP, 18 ER, 9 BBs, 35 Ks, 3-3 record
The best thing about these results was having Spencer Arrighetti as my prediction pick of the week. I had predicted: 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 BBs, 8 Ks and the win. He outperformed my prediction, but I’ll take it. Take Mikolas out of the picks and it wasn’t terrible. He recorded a 4.49 ERA; without the nine earned runs he would have had a 2.24 ERA.
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Streaming Pitchers: Week 16
(Rostered percentage is based on the average of ESPN, Yahoo!, and CBS leagues.)
Monday, July 8th
Christian Scott (NYM) at PIT | 39%
Christian Scott was a little shaky in his last start. It was his first start since being called up again this season. In six MLB starts this year, Scott is 0-2 with a 4.32 ERA. He has pitched at least six innings three times in those six starts.
Pittsburgh has an average of .225 against righties and nearly a 25% strikeout rate. They also have the third-worst ISO (Isolated Power, SLG-AVG) in the league against righties. Damage should be limited here for Scott. Perhaps there were still some nerves with him on his second debut.
Other Option: Mitchell Parker (WSH) vs STL | 44%
Tuesday, July 9th
Frankie Montas (CIN) vs COL | 38%
I am not crazy about Tuesday’s options and I’m not crazy about picking a game in the Great America Ball Park. At least it’s not in Coors, I guess. Frankie Montas had back-to-back quality starts before going just five innings in his last start. His 4.19 ERA doesn’t scream reassurance, but teams are averaging just .235 against him this year. In the last 14 days, they are hitting only .186 against him.
Colorado is an easy lineup to stream against, especially when they are removed from Coors Field. Unfortunately, Great America Ball Park is extremely hitter-friendly. The Rockies do have a low walk rate against righties and a 25% strikeout rate. This game could go ok or disastrous, probably being great is not on the table. Montas is an interesting add this week because of the two favorable matchups but be wary, though. I’ll double down, though, and make Montas my prediction pick — 6 IP, 3 ER, 2 BBs, 8 Ks and the win.
Other Option: Colin Rea (MIL) vs PIT | 41%
Wednesday, July 10th
Michael Lorenzen (TEX) at LAA | 45%
Michael Lorenzen has more walks (nine) than strikeouts (seven) in his last two starts. That doesn’t go along with his 1.18 WHIP on the season but is a stat I thought was interesting. He also hasn’t pitched over five innings in three straight starts. Better days did exist, though, and could still be there. He has eight quality starts in 15 starts this year. This game being on the road is good since all four of his wins this year have been on the road. This is a small sample size, but the Angels have 52 at-bats against Lorenzen. They have never taken him deep and only have a .154 batting average against him. When it comes to streamers, you sometimes have to find some random stats to make yourself feel good about your picks.
Other Option: Alec Marsh (KC) at STL | 33%
Thursday, July 11th
Landon Knack (LAD) at PHI | 19%
With 12 games on the slate for this Thursday, you would think some good streamers would be available. Guess again. I do like Landon Knack and his 0.98 WHIP; he just needs to go at least five innings, which he has in four of his seven starts. However, he has pitched a total of nine innings in his last two starts but did record 14 strikeouts.
The Phillies don’t have Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber back yet. If that changes before this start, I would pivot away from Knack. The Phillies surprisingly rank in the bottom half of the league for home runs against righties. If Knack can execute his pitches and limit walks, which he should be able to, I could see him escaping with a win, even if he does go just five innings.
Other Option: Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) at ARI | 37%
Friday, July 12th
Jose Soriano (LAA) vs SEA | 34%
Jose Soriano should be making his first start off the injured list (IL) this weekend. If that goes well, he should be good to go against a Seattle team that struggles against righties. Seattle has a league-worst .214 batting average and the highest K% against righties this year.
Soriano has been a surprise this year with a decent 3.77 ERA. Before going on the IL, he had five straight starts with at least six innings pitches. Since this will be his second start coming off the IL, I would feel comfortable throwing him out there.
Other Option: DJ Herz (WSH) at MIL | 26%
Saturday, July 13th
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) at SF | 38%
Simeon Woods Richardson is another pitcher who can struggle to go over five innings. In 14 games started this year, he has only gone six innings deep four times. Woods Richardson mostly relies on his fastball and slider. Hitters are only hitting .189 against his slider and no one has taken one of his fastballs deep this year. He might not give you a quality start, but five strikeouts and five innings are a good possibility.
The Giants’ lineup doesn’t strike fear. Although they rank in the middle of most hitting categories, their slugging percentage is towards the lower end of the league. Limited damage should be expected here for Woods Richardson.
Other Option: Christian Scott (NYM) vs COL | 39%
Sunday, July 14th
Cal Quantrill (COL) at NYM | 32%
Sunday is another day I don’t like the streamer options. Just for its worth, if I hadn’t selected Montas earlier, I would probably go with him here. In 18 starts, Cal Quantrill has 10 quality starts. Not bad for a pitcher who pitches in Coors Field.
The Mets are hitting pretty well but Quantrill is getting a 47% ground ball rate. If he throws his split-finger enough, the damage could be limited. It’s his second-most used pitch and hitters are only hitting .174 against it.
Quantrill’s counterpart is Jose Quintana, who has a 4.66 ERA on the year. This could get ugly for both pitchers, but Quantrill should come out on top.
Other Option: Frankie Montas (CIN) vs MIA | 38%
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