The waiting is over, and baseball is officially back!
Think back to where we were last year at this time when a full season of baseball seemed like a pipe dream. But alas, we’re here, and while there could still be some up-and-downs and stoppages, 162 games look like they’ll take place.
Like last year, I’ll be giving you your two-start pitchers for each week, as well as this column focused on pitching streamers for every day.
Last year, I went back to the previous week’s suggested streamers each week to see how I did to hold myself accountable. I’ll be doing the same this year, too, in a year that’s going to be hard to predict and rely on pitchers after a shortened season.
As a reminder, we are looking for pitchers 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.
Import your team to My Playbook for instant Waiver Wire advice 
Let’s see how we did last week (through April 8)
- Brad Keller: W 0, L 0, QS 0, ER 6, K 0, BB 2
- Johnny Cueto: W 0, L 0, QS 0, ER 3, K 7, BB 3
- Tanner Houck: W 0, L 1, QS 1, ER 2, K 10, BB 1
- Tarik Skubal: W 0, L 0, QS 0, ER 2, K 4, BB 2
- Matt Shoemaker: W 1, L 0, QS 1, ER 1, K 5, BB 0
- José De León: W 0, L 0, QS 0, ER 2, K 9, BB 2
- Brad Keller: W 0, L 1, QS 0, ER 4, K 3, BB 3
- Jake Arrieta: W 1, L 0, QS 1, ER 2, K 4, BB 3
- Total: W 2, L 2, QS 3, ER 22, K 42, BB 16
Thanks, Brad Keller. Thanks a ton.
Let’s get to it for Week 2.
Monday, April 12
Casey Mize (DET) at HOU 19%
I’m having regrets about this already, as Mize was hit and miss during his first outing of the season. But his velo was up against Minnesota, and it was just his pitch count that got away from him. The matchup is pretty bad, but he should be able to generate some whiffs over five innings with his splitter.
Other option: Aaron Sanchez (SF) vs. CIN 1%
Tuesday, April 13
Huascar Ynoa (ATL) vs. MIA 1%
Chris Towers described the Marlins in the best possible way on Twitter – playoff rotation, average everywhere else. Ynoa is a deep, deep-league target, as he has two starts next week – both favorable matchups.
Other option: Kyle Gibson (TEX) at TB 7%
Wednesday, April 14
Griffin Canning (LAA) at KC 18%
No, I don’t care about Canning letting up four runs against the Blue Jays in Florida. It’s going to be a Coors Field of the east coast this year. If anything, it’ll make him more available for a nice matchup against the Royals. I liked seeing the seven strikeouts for him.
Other option: Justin Dunn (SEA) at BAL 2%
Thursday, April 15
Tarik Skubal (DET) at OAK 29%
My prediction was that Skubal would shoot up in rostership percentage, and he did. He’s just barely eligible as a streamer, so enjoy the last start at sub-30% that you can get from him. It’s a nice matchup in a nice ballpark.
Other option: Taylor Widener (ARI) at WAS 8%
Friday, April 16
Matt Shoemaker (MIN) at LAA 12%
Shoemaker came through for us last week with a quality start, reminding us that he’s still a good, usable pitcher when he’s not injured. If he can survive a red-hot Mike Trout, he should return value in this spot.
Other option: Robbie Ray (TOR) at KC 30%
Saturday, April 17
Kwang-Hyun Kim (STL) at PHI 34%
I’m breaking the rules here because none of the other streamers really do much for me. With Kim, who is returning from a back injury, you don’t get any ceiling at all, but you have a nice floor built-in. I want volume this year, and with my streamers, I want some form of safety.
Other option: Dane Dunning (TEX) vs. BAL 13%
Sunday, April 18
Adbert Alzolay (CHC) vs. ATL 17%
I don’t love this spot, but it’s probably my favorite Sunday option that we know as of now. Alzolay was hurt by the long ball his first time out against Milwaukee, and if he doesn’t show better results in his first start of the week, he may not be long for the Cubs’ rotation.
Other option: None
Import your team to My Playbook for instant Waiver Wire advice
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Beyond our fantasy baseball content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Baseball Tools as you navigate your season. From our Trade Analyzer – which allows you to instantly find out if a trade offer benefits you or your opponent – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy baseball season.
Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
