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Fantasy Baseball Pitching Streamers: Week 5 (2021)

Fantasy Baseball Pitching Streamers: Week 5 (2021)

Each week, I look at my previous week’s calls and summarize how I did. It’s important to be honest and hold myself accountable.

So I’ll start with the past few weeks where I’ve been out of action.

I’ve been dealing with a concussion for the past two months, and I needed to take some time to disconnect and avoid the additional screen time and work. It was scary and pretty much left me in a dark room, sleeping, for two months. I appreciate my colleagues for understanding and helping out during this time.

I’m almost on the other side, though, so I’m excited to get back to discussing pitchers each week here with you all.

We’ll be back to looking at how we did with our calls in this space next week, and we’ll continue to adjust our streaming strategy to set you up for success.

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.

Let’s get to it for Week 5.

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Monday, May 3

Jake Junis (KC) vs. CLE 18%
Junis is reversing the league trend by ditching his slider and instead going with a new cutter. So far, so good, as he’s held the opposition to a .094 average (.146 xBA) on the pitch this season. He gets a Cleveland offense that is 24th in baseball in wRC+ and 27th in wOBA. I’m in on Junis as an SP5 going forward, and I love him in this matchup. 

Other option: Dane Dunning (MIN) at MIN 27%

Tuesday, May 4

J.A. Happ (MIN) vs. TEX 20%
Happ was a popular late-round flyer, and he’s been great for fantasy managers so far with a 1.96 ERA (3.70 xERA) on the season. Texas has an 80 wRC+ against lefties this year, hitting just .220 with a 25.3 K%. 

Other option: Mike Minor (KC) vs. CLE 20%

Wednesday, May 5

Chris Flexen (SEA) vs. BAL 15%
The surface numbers have been there so far for Flexen, who has been a pleasant surprise for the Mariners. You’d like to see the strikeouts up a bit, as he has just a 15.9 K% on the season. After their fast start, Baltimore has cooled off with a 27th-ranked 85 wRC+, and 29th ranked .283 wOBA. It’s a great spot for Flexen.

Other option: Shane McClanahan (TB) at LAA 15%

Thursday, May 6

Matt Shoemaker (MIN) vs. TEX 9%
My true recommendation is don’t stream anyone today. It’s a small slate, and there aren’t a lot of good matchups here. If you feel like, for some reason, you have to maximize your starts at this point in the season, go with Shoemaker against the Rangers.

Other option: None

Friday, May 7

Adrian Houser (MIL) at MIA 4%
Houser hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his starts this season, which is a big change from his 5-plus ERA in 2020. The Marlins are shorthanded with their two best (most exciting) bats in Starling Marte and Jazz Chisholm out of the lineup. I feel OK with him in this spot.

Other option: Zach Davies (CHC) vs. PIT 27%

Saturday, May 8

Adam Wainwright (STL) vs. COL 30%
Wainwright was placed on the COVID list, but the hope is that he can rejoin the team by Monday. If so, he gets the Rockies at home in St. Louis. This is one of the best matchups in baseball, and it’s much less about Wainwright and more about the Rockies.

Other option: Trevor Williams (CHC) vs. PIT 5%

Sunday, May 9

Nick Pivetta (BOS) at BAL 11%
There’s a great chance that Pivetta explodes and ruins everyone’s week next week, just like Austin Gomber did this week. It’s hard to justify rolling him out there each time, but you can pick your spots with him. This is one of them against a bad Orioles offense.

Other option: Luke Weaver (ARI) at NYM 12%

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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.

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