Steven Matz is back and makes for a solid streaming option this week
Each week this column will scour the waiver wire and look for pitchers who are less than 50% owned and could be useful streamers for your fantasy team. All ownership percentages come from Yahoo. Please note the probable pitcher matchups could change throughout the week due to rainouts or other circumstances, so be sure to check back before picking up and starting one of these recommendations.
Sunday, 9/6
Ivan Nova – New York Yankees (12% owned)
vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Nova has not been overly impressive this season, but he draws a favorable matchup against a Tampa Bay offense that has really struggled against right-handed pitching. The Rays have a .297 wOBA and a 21.60% strikeout rate when facing a righty. On the year, Nova has made 12 starts and has a 4.50 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 68 innings.
Monday, 9/7
Drew Smyly – Tampa Bay Rays (44% owned)
@ Detroit Tigers
Smyly spent most of the season on the disabled list and has made just four starts in 2015. His performances have been up-and-down, but his most recent outing was spectacular. He fired seven shutout innings against Baltimore, striking out 10 batters. The Tigers offense can be explosive, but they have been mostly disappointing as of late and Smyly should have some decent strikeout upside as the Tigers are striking out at a 21.30% rate against left-handed pitching.
Tuesday, 9/8
Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies (27% owned)
vs. Atlanta Braves
Lost in the disappointing season for the Phillies is the fact that Nola has been a really steady pitcher. He draws a superb matchup against the Braves, a team that is 26th in the league in wOBA against right-handed pitchers. In addition, the Braves have the lowest ISO number in the league, meaning they are basically not a power threat at all. Nola has a 5-2 record with a 4.02 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 53.2 innings this season.
Wednesday, 9/9
Kris Medlen – Kansas City Royals (32% owned)
vs. Minnesota Twins
Medlen recently took the rotation spot that was previously occupied by Jeremy Guthrie. The Twins offense, while tough against left-handed pitching, is worth targeting with right-handers. As a team they have a .301 wOBA and a high 21.40% strikeout rate against southpaws. Medlen has been reasonably productive since joining the rotation, posting a 3.51 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 25.2 innings of work.
Thursday, 9/10
Josh Tomlin – Cleveland Indians (15% owned)
vs. Detroit Tigers
Tomlin has pitched really well since joining Cleveland’s rotation. He has made four starts and has a 3.08 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. He will be taking on a familiar foe in a division matchup against the Tigers. He is probably pitching above his talent level as he has a FIP of 4.85, but he’s worth streaming while he is pitching well.
Friday, 9/11
Jake Peavy – San Francisco Giants (10% owned)
vs. San Diego Padres
This is not the Peavy that unanimously won the Cy Young Award back in 2007, but that shouldn’t matter in this matchup against his former team. Against righties, the Padres are 27th in the league with a .298 wOBA. Peavy has been pretty decent this year, posting a 4.38 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 74 innings. He’s been especially good in his 11 starts since returning from a stay on the DL, posting a 3.80 ERA.
Saturday, 9/12
Steven Matz – New York Mets (48% owned)
@ Atlanta Braves
The young rookie phenom just recently returned from the disabled list, but he has a great matchup with Atlanta on the horizon. The Braves have struggled against left-handed pitching almost as much as they have struggled against righties. They have a .295 wOBA (25th in the league) and Matz has been terrific over 13.2 innings of work with a 1.32 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
Matthew Terelle is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @supermt.
