Normally I like to include at least a few two-start options in this weekly pitching streamers article. But unfortunately, almost all of those who qualify have issues.
Edward Cabrera lines up against the Phillies and Rangers and was forced to leave his last start with a blister.
Domingo German has the Rays and Astros and has been giving up lots of runs (11 in his last 12 innings).
Griffon Canning will face the Braves and then might not even get the second start because the Angels now have seven Major League options. Ranger Suarez has decent matchups (Marlins and Royals) but has been pretty bad lately (at least three runs in each of his last five starts).
Lance Lynn draws the Rangers in his first start and has yielded 17 runs in his last 16.2 innings.
Gavin Williams hasn’t gone more than four innings in either of his last two starts.
And Jack Flaherty, who would have had the Twins and Rockies on the road, is very likely to be traded ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
So if you were looking for serious volume, sorry. You could gamble with one of those guys above, or grab the one two-start pitcher left standing. Find out which one made the list of my favorite 10 pitching streamers below. As always, they are in roster-percentage order.
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10 Pitching Streamers to Target in Week 17
Pitching Streamers Available in Some Leagues (About 50% to 65% Rostered)
Aaron Civale SP Guardians
Last start: Tuesday, July 25 vs. Royals – 8IP W 1ER 5H 2BB 5K
Next start: Sunday, July 30 @ White Sox
1 start next week: Saturday, August 5 vs. White Sox
Another week, another productive start for Aaron Civale. This time he earned a win and threw a season-high eight innings while only yielding one run to the Royals. The effort lowered his season-long ERA/WHIP to a sensational 2.54/1.06. Eventually, there could be a reckoning coming for the five-year veteran. His xERA is a run higher at 3.55 and his FIP comes in slightly higher at 3.60. But like last week, that regression isn’t too likely to happen in the near term. His next two starts (tomorrow and next week) are both against the White Sox, a team that ranks 27th in WOBA. He won’t rack up the strikeouts, for sure, but the floor doesn’t get much higher on the waiver wire.
Reid Detmers SP Angels
Last start: Saturday, July 22 vs. Pirates – 5IP L 2ER 6H 2BB 9K
Next start: Saturday, July 29 @ Blue Jays
1 start next week: Friday, August 4 vs. Mariners
If you’re looking for high-strikeout upside on the waiver wire, there won’t be many better options than Reid Detmers. If he had enough innings to qualify (he’s about five innings short), his 11.4 K/9 rate would rank fifth among all starters in baseball. Sure, the 4.38 ERA/1.30 WHIP does reflect his inconsistencies. He’s yielded four runs or more in five of his 18 starts and walked two or more in all but four. But considering next week’s opponent is the Mariners, a team that strikes out more than anyone on this side of the Twins. And considering they rank 22nd in WOBA, it seems like a worthwhile roll of the dice. The Blue Jays (ranked 9th in WOBA), tonight’s matchup, is a much more risky venture.
Kenta Maeda SP Twins
Last start: Monday, July 24 vs. Mariners – 6.1IP 1ER 6H 2BB 8K
Next start: Sunday, July 30 @ Royals
1 start next week: Saturday, August 5 vs. DBacks
We’re still seeing a healthy version of Kenta Maeda. Monday’s quality start, his third in the the last four outings, now lowers his ERA/WHIP since returning from the IL to 2.48/1.07. And the strikeouts continue to be at levels not seen since his dominant 2020 season. He’s now racked up 44 over the last 32.2 innings! Fine, he’s 35 years old and has an extensive injury history. He might not be able to take every turn through the rotation. But while he’s playing at this level, he should not be on your waiver wire or eligible for this article. He’s a no-brainer option tomorrow against the Royals. I’d even start him next week against the DBacks, a solid top-10 offense. It’s looking like the veteran is up for it.
Michael Lorenzen SP/RP Tigers
Last start: Thursday, July 27 vs. Angels – 5IP L 3ER 5H 1BB 7K
1 start next week: Wednesday, August 2 @ Pirates
After three impressive scoreless starts in a row, Michael Lorenzen ran into a very hot Angels team (averaging 5.36 runs per game over their last 11 contests) on Thursday. But he held up pretty well considering, yielding three runs in five innings, but also striking out seven and inducing 16 swinging strikes. It’s worth noting that his solid season (3.58 ERA/1.10 WHIP) might continue with another team. The Tigers could be sellers at the trading deadline and, if so, the veteran righty would be among their best assets. If they decide their 7.5-game deficit is surmountable, however, or if they don’t like their offers, Lorenzen will line up against the Pirates on the road. They rank 25th in WOBA and 27th in runs per game. If he does get traded, he’ll likely benefit from a better offense. Seems like a win either way.
Pitching Streamers Available in Most Leagues (About 30% to 50% Rostered)
Tarik Skubal SP Tigers
Last start: Monday, July 24 vs. Giants – 5IP W 0ER 2H 0BB 9K
Next start: Sunday, July 30 @ Marlins
1 start next week: Sunday, August 6 vs. Rays
Coming off his worst start of the year against the lowly Royals, Tarik Skubal showed off his upside on Monday. He threw five scoreless innings against the Giants, earned a win, and piled up nine strikeouts. Even with one very bad start out of his first four, his ERA/WHIP is still a respectable 3.71/0.88. His fastball velocity being up over a mile per hour, combined with Detroit’s willingness to let their young lefty go deeper into games (he set season-high marks with five innings and 82 pitches), makes him a worthy streamer even in a shallow league. Though he draws the Rays next week, a top-five offense overall, they’ve been tail-spinning lately (five wins in their last twenty games). If he rises to that challenge, or possibly even dominates the Marlins tomorrow, be advised that he’s likely to get snatched up in your league.
Logan Allen SP Guardians
Last start: Monday, July 24 vs. Royals – 7IP L 4ER (5R) 7H 0BB 5K
Next start: Saturday, July 29 @ White Sox
1 start next week: Friday, August 4 vs. White Sox
Much like his teammate, Aaron Civale (listed above), Logan Allen will benefit from the Guardians’ schedule. He’ll draw the White Sox (ranked 27th in WOBA) both this weekend (tonight) and next week (likely Friday). Though it’s worth noting the rookie wasn’t quite as good in his second start back from the minors (four earned runs), he was able to go deeper into the game (seven innings for just the second time in his career), and managed not to walk anyone. In fact, he’s only walked one batter in the 12 innings since being recalled. Also, his season ERA sits at a very respectable 3.39. There’s still upside here. You can certainly do worse on the waiver wire.
Seth Lugo SP/RP Padres
Last start: Wednesday, July 26 vs. Pirates – 7IP L 2ER 3H 0BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 31 @ Rockies + Sunday, August 6 vs. Dodgers
In a week when every two-start pitching streamer option has some complicating issue, Seth Lugo appears to be the best of the bunch if you’re looking for volume. Since coming back from a calf injury in June, the veteran righty has allowed more than three runs just once and has averaged about a strikeout an inning. He’s even managed to go six innings or more in four of those seven starts. Both of next week’s outings will be a challenge. He’ll go to chaotic Coors Field on Monday before drawing the mighty Dodgers (ranked third in team WOBA) next weekend. Both opponents are in the top 10 in striking out, at least. So if ratios aren’t extremely important, he should be able to help with counting stats, or points depending on format.
Taj Bradley SP Rays
Last start: Sunday, July 23 vs. Orioles – 5IP 3ER 5H 1BB 6K
Next start: Saturday, July 29 @ Astros
1 start next week: Friday, August 4 @ Tigers
It sure has been an up-and-down rookie season for Taj Bradley. He hit a real rough patch earlier this month. There was a three-start stretch that saw the 22-year-old yield 16 runs over 12.1 innings including only nine strikeouts. Ouch. Things have stabilized a little over the last two starts, though. Five runs in 10 innings admittedly isn’t amazing, but the 15 strikeouts are a welcomed sign. This seems to have coincided with an improved changeup. It’s been reported to have more velocity and more drop. Is that making his fastball more effective too? It led directly to five of his six strikeouts against the Orioles on Sunday, so maybe. With a trip to Detroit next week to play a team ranked 28th in WOBA, this may be the right week to test the theory. Watch tonight’s start in Houston closely.
Pitching Streamers Widely Available (About 30% Rostered or Fewer)
Cristopher Sanchez SP/RP Phillies
Last start: Monday, July 24 vs. Orioles – 7IP 2ER 4H 0BB 8K
Next start: Sunday, July 30 @ Pirates
1 start next week: Friday, August 4 vs. Royals
Facing one of his most difficult challenges this year, Cristopher Sanchez rose to the occasion on Monday against the Orioles. He set his career-high marks in innings pitched (seven) and strikeouts (eight) while holding the AL East leaders to just two runs. Whether or not he can keep up his stellar walk rate (1.28 BB/9) or regress closer to his minor league career average (5.3 BB/9) remains to be seen. But with a 2.98 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through eight starts, it’s feeling like a worthwhile stream even in standard leagues based on matchup. That being said, he’ll take on the Pirates (24th in team WOBA) tomorrow for daily-transactions managers. And for weeklies, he’ll draw the lowly Royals, a team ranked 29th in both WOBA and runs per game.
Nick Pivetta SP/RP Red Sox
Last appearance: Tuesday, July 25 vs. Braves – 5IP W 0ER 3H 1BB 5K
2 appearances next week (tentative): Monday, July 31 @ Mariners + Sunday, August 6 vs. Blue Jays
OK, fine, Nick Pivetta isn’t going to give you a quality start. So if your league highly values that one category, this pitching streamer probably isn’t for you. And also fine, his bulk relief appearances aren’t entirely predictable. Sometimes Alex Cora (manager) might just bring him in for one high-leverage inning (as seen last Saturday). But since transitioning into this extended relief role in mid-June, the 30-year-old righty has put together a 4-1 record, a 1.63/0.65 ERA/WHIP, and a startling 14.3 K/9 rate over 27.2 innings. That kind of dominance should play well in just about any format, especially in a points league that requires a couple of RP spots. He’s still widely available. Take advantage of that while you can.
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