It’s time for Week 8 of the abbreviated fantasy baseball season. Maximizing each outing has become so important for your pitching categories, so putting an emphasis on streaming this year is even more important than ever.
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Let’s see how we did last week, as it’s important to hold ourselves accountable.
- Michael Pineda – 7 IP, 1 W, 8 K, 2 ER, 2 BB
- Nick Pivetta – N/A
- Tommy Milone – 3.1 IP, 0 W, 4 K, 8 ER, 2 BB
- Tarik Skubal – 2 IP, 0 W, 3 K, 6 ER, 4 BB
- Trevor Rogers – 3 IP, 0 W, 5 K, 8 ER, 0 BB
- Trevor Williams – 5 IP, 0 W, 4 K, 6 ER, 3 BB
- Tyler Mahle – 2.2 IP, 0 W, 3 K, 3 ER, 4 BB
- Total: 23 IP, 1 W, 27 K, 33 ER, 15 BB
This was bad. Like, really bad. Pineda was fantastic but other than that, this was terrible. We can use the out that “they are streamers, so that’s the risk!” but this was bad. We’ll do better.
Take note that we are looking for pitchers who are rostered in less than 30 percent of Yahoo leagues. Occasionally a recommendation will exceed that threshold if they are in a particularly favorable streaming situation.
Monday, September 14
Mitch Keller (PIT) at CIN 30%
Keller has two boxes checked that usually results in the avoidance of a streamer – he is pitching in a doubleheader, and he’s coming back from an injury. The slate is ugly Monday, leaving us with few options to qualify under the 30 percent limits. Keller still has upside, though, along with the above two boxes, you don’t like him in Cincy or playing for the Pirates. Let’s roll the dice if you need a Monday option.
Other option: Touki Toussaint (ATL) at BAL 3%
Tuesday, September 15
Dane Dunning (CHW) vs. MIN 25%
The pitcher we should be picking here is Matthew Boyd, but for some reason, he’s still rostered in more than 60 percent of leagues. Is it because he has draft-day name value, or is it because people have checked out because that other sport is starting? We’ll go with Dunning here, instead, who has missed enough bats to warrant a start here. In two of his four starts, though, he hasn’t gotten out of the fifth inning.
Other option: Danny Duffy (KC) at DET 20%
Wednesday, September 16
Brady Singer (KC) at DET 14%
Singer was absolutely shoving his last time out, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning before losing it. The only pause here, as the matchup is good for him for an encore, is that he threw 119 pitches in the near no-no. Will he be fatigued? Will the Royals have him on a strict count? He’s worth using still in the rookie showdown against Tarik Skubal.
Other option: Tarik Skubal (DET) vs. KC 11%
Thursday, September 17
Griffin Canning (LAA) vs. ARI 21%
Like Monday, the options on this slate leave a lot to be desired. So, also like Monday, we’ll go with someone who has some upside like Canning. The last two outings weren’t great by any stretch, but he did limit the damage to three runs in Coors Field and didn’t get too rocked (OK, four earned in four innings isn’t good), against the Astros. He’s getting Arizona here, who are 24th in baseball in wRC+ against right-handers, and a team OPS of just .701.
Friday, September 18
Braxton Garrett (MIA) vs. WAS 0%
Garrett was just supposed to work out of the bullpen when he got the call, but he ended up starting the second game of the Marlins’ doubleheader against the Phillies Sunday. He held his own, too, which could give him another start in the rotation. If he goes, he lines up to take on the disappointing Nationals Friday in Miami. Yet another young arm for the fish who we should have our eyes on.
Other options: Zach Eflin (PHI) at TOR 30%
Saturday, September 19
Spencer Turnbull (DET) vs. CLE 34%
Rolling the dice here that Turnbull’s rostership is back under 30 percent by the time everything updates Monday morning, as the rollercoaster ride continued with him Sunday. Coming off a six-inning shutout performance against the Brewers, Turnbull gave up five earned runs in as many innings against the White Sox Sunday. He’ll get a Cleveland offense that has struggled to find it’s groove all season.
Sunday, September 20
Kyle Wright (ATL) at NYM 3%
Not only is Wright coming off a quality start where he struck out four and walked two in six innings Sunday against the Nationals, but he’s lined up to go against Rick Porcello, which helps any pitcher as far as run support goes.
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
