It’s the first full week of baseball, but more importantly, the first full week of streaming pitchers! Hopefully, you’re excited for the stressful practice of picking up pitchers for that one-needed start! Of course, it’s super early in the season, so spring training stats, last year’s stats, and the classic gut feeling will guide us when targeting streamers.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Tools
- Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Streaming Pitchers: Week 2
(We used the average of ESPN, Yahoo and CBS for roster percentage)
Monday, April 1st
MacKenzie Gore (SP – WAS) vs. PIT | 40%
MacKenzie Gore’s last spring training start wasn’t great. He recorded 10 strikeouts in 4.2 innings but gave up eight earned runs. But look at the positive. Pittsburgh’s projected lineup for the 2024 season looks a lot like last year’s where they finished 10th-worst overall against lefties. Also, the one time Gore faced the Pirates, he went seven innings, giving up two hits and recording nine strikeouts. Yes, it was 2022, and he was with the Padres, but maybe he owns the Pirates? As long as Gore keeps his control in check he should be a safe bet.
Other Option: Tanner Houck (SP – BOS) at OAK | 10%
Tuesday, April 2nd
Alec Marsh (SP – KC) at BAL | 3%
Man, I wish I had a crystal ball here. This pick comes with some risks. Baltimore is a young talented team that hit .253 against righties last season. I’m picking Alex Marsh because he pitched pretty well this spring. In just over 14 innings this spring he had a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. He’s got some swing-and-miss potential. Baltimore will be throwing Cole Irvin, who was knocked around some this spring with a high walk rate. Marsh might not get a quality start but a win is on the table.
Other Option: Miles Mikolas (SP – STL) vs. SD | 24%
Wednesday, April 3rd
Jose Quintana (SP – NYM) vs. DET | 27%
Jose Quintana is not the mid-30s starting pitcher you can plug into your lineup and not worry about. However, if his control is there, he can easily go six or seven innings. The Mets’ offense isn’t the best but it could give Quintana four or five runs, which, for him, could be enough to beat a team that underperformed against left-handers last year. Like most streamers, it will come down to his command. If his control is there, then he’s a worthy candidate.
Other Option: Ross Stripling (SP – OAK) vs. BOS | 5%
Thursday, April 4th
Martin Perez (SP – PIT) at WAS | 13%
Martin Perez had a good spring and will be looking to be more of what he was in 2022 rather than last season. His first start against the Marlins was ok but he only went 4.1 innings with a pitch count of 86. He needs to work on control. If he does, he could go five innings with five or six strikeouts for the win. It’s not great but we are talking about streamers and there are only four games on the slate.
Other Option: Michael Soroka (SP – CWS) at KC | 19%
Friday, April 5th
Austin Gomber (SP – COL) vs. TB | 3%
Well, at least this game isn’t in Colorado. Austin Gomber is mediocre, at his best, but he has occasionally been able to record strikeouts. Since the game is in Tampa Bay, I’m hoping Gomber can keep the damage in check and pitch the Rockies to a win. The best-case scenario? Gomber pitches six innings with eight strikeouts. Worst case scenario? Well, let’s assume the best.
Other Option: Cody Bradford (SP – TEX) vs. HOU | 25%
Saturday, April 6th
Tyler Wells (SP – BAL) at PIT | 35%
Tyler Wells was the most reliable pitcher for Baltimore in the first half of last season. In the second half, Baltimore kept his innings in check. He has pitched well this spring and looks to repeat his early 2023 success. Of the names mentioned for this week, I feel the most confident about this matchup.
Other Option: Trevor Rogers (SP – MIA) at STL | 13%
Sunday, April 7th
Casey Mize (SP – DET) vs. OAK | 27%
Casey Mize did enough this spring to earn the last rotation spot for the Tigers. His fastball velocity is up one-to-two miles per hour (MPH), so things are looking up for the former top pick as he recovers from Tommy John Surgery. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022 and will be watched carefully this season. Don’t expect a complete game here, but a five-inning outing with seven or eight strikeouts is possible against the Athletics.
Other Option: Tanner Houck (SP – BOS) at LAA | 10%
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