Well, last week was interesting. I usually start this article by looking at how I did from the week before (including Friday-Sunday from the previous week due to the time this article is published) to review how I did with my streamers.
I took a few weeks off before my last column, leaving me just four games to review. Out of those four, only one of my streamers pitched.
One.
Jake Junis was moved to the bullpen. Chris Flexen and Matt Shoemaker were both bumped a day. It’s frustrating. It really, really is. But that’s the nature of streaming pitchers. You have to go into it knowing that you’ll need to adjust not only your thinking with each day, but you’ll also need to adjust your execution.
Here’s how I did last week (May 7-9 will be included in next week’s article):
- Jake Junis: N/A
- J.A. Happ: W 0, L 0, QS 0, ER 1, K 3, BB 1
- Chris Flexen: N/A
- Matt Shoemaker: N/A
- Total: W 0, L 0, QS 0, ER 1, K 3, BB 1
As a reminder, 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.
Let’s get to it for Week 6.
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Monday, May 10
Aaron Sanchez (SF) vs. TEX 14%
Sanchez has been really, really solid so far this season — aside from one bad start in Colorado. He gets the Rangers, who are one of the best matchups for a pitcher in baseball. You’d like to see a higher K% from Sanchez overall, but he’s doing a great job maximizing his four-pitch arsenal, with his curveball being his best pitch by far.
Other option: None
Tuesday, May 11
Adbert Alzolay (CHC) at CLE 12%
The bad news is that Alzolay has to go up against Shane Bieber, so winning will be tough. But that’s what you get for playing in a league that has wins as a category. Alzolay’s slider has been unreal this year, and it’s the key to his success. You’d like to see him throw more innings, though.
Other option: Casey Mize (DET) vs. KC 17%
Wednesday, May 12
John Gant (STL) at MIL 17%
My true recommendation is not to stream anyone on Wednesday. There aren’t a lot of good matchups here. But if you feel like, for some reason, you have to maximize your starts at this point in the season, go with Gant in Milwaukee.
Other option: Zach Davies (CHC) at CLE 25%
Thursday, May 13
Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs. MIA 5%
There aren’t a lot of good streaming options this week. I cringe at the matchups each day. If we have to go with one today, let’s go with Kelly. He has the best matchup of the day and can work deep into games.
Other option: None
Friday, May 14
Chris Flexen (SEA) vs. CLE 11%
I’m writing this before his Friday start, but his last time out didn’t go well. I’m going back to the well again with Flexen in a good matchup against Cleveland. However, he really, really needs to start generating some strikeouts if we are going to keep using him.
Other option: Taylor Widener (ARI) vs. WAS 7%
Saturday, May 15
Shane McClanahan (TB) vs. NYM 25%
McClanahan is only eligible still because of his workload. Through two starts so far, he has eight innings pitched, as they are piggybacking him. It could be that they are taking it slow with him, or it could be that this will be his role all season. If it’s the latter, it’s not usable as a streamer since he won’t have the volume. But on a per-inning basis, he’s fantastic with his electric offerings.
Other option: Sam Hentges (CLE) at SEA 0%
Sunday, May 16
Ryan Yarbrough (TB) vs. NYM 36%
I’m cheating here in two ways. First, he’s over the rostership limit; second, he isn’t a traditional starter. But it’s the right call, and it will increase his chance at a win in the game. Yarbrough has performed better with an opener, and he has been better than his surface numbers indicate.
Other option: Aaron Sanchez (SF) at PIT 14%
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Michael Waterloo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MichaelWaterloo.
