Are you in a weekly-transaction fantasy baseball league and looking to sure up your roster in time for Sunday night? Are you a daily-league manager who has a big matchup next week that you don’t want to lose? Or, are you in any type of league and just looking to improve your pitching staff for the stretch run? In all of those cases, you’ve clicked the right link. In this weekly edition of pitching streamers, there’s plenty of favorable matchups, two-start difference makers, and several widely available rookies you might not have heard about (spoiler: Chase Silseth could be on the verge of a breakout).
So good luck, stream responsibly and start scrolling. As always, this list is in roster-percentage order.
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10 Pitching Streamers to Target in Week 19
Pitching Streamers Available in Some Leagues (About 50% to 65% Rostered)
Andrew Heaney SP Rangers
Last start: Sunday, August 6 vs. Marlins – 5.2IP W 0ER 4H 2BB 4K
Next start: Saturday, August 12 @ Giants
1 start next week: Friday, August 18 vs. Brewers
A few rough starts in July (14 runs over 18.1 innings) have lowered Andrew Heaney’s roster percentage back to pitching streamer territory. But after two impressive winning efforts, during which he’s struck out 15 over 11.2 innings, the veteran is quickly being scooped back up in leagues where he was dropped. For what it’s worth, the starts have coincided with a tweak to the veteran’s bullet slider. It’s now looking more like the sweeper, apparently. Though this could just be a temporary change, the veteran has been fairly consistent overall. His ERA/WHIP of 4.14/1.28 isn’t amazing, but playing behind a great offense has led to a solid nine wins. He also draws favorable matchups the next two times out. The Giants, tonight’s opponent, are ranked 22nd in WOBA. The Brewers, next week’s, are ranked 26th. Both strike out a ton, too (third most and ninth most, respectively). If that tweaked slider is working well, there’s a potential for some big totals.
Jack Flaherty SP Orioles
Last start: Wednesday, August 9 vs. Astros – 5IP L 3ER 6H 2BB 8K
1 start next week: Tuesday, August 15 @ Padres
Though not as dominant as he was in his first start with the Orioles, Jack Flaherty continued to miss bats on Wednesday. He struck out eight while inducing 14 swinging strikes against a stingy Astros team (they strike out fifth least). It’s an encouraging sign for the veteran righty, who has been fairly consistent since July. He’s yielded more than three runs just once in seven tries since then. He’s also gone at least six innings in five of those starts. That makes him an ideal pitching streamer if you’re looking for volume. Especially since he’ll draw the Padres. Though they’re ranked 11th in WOBA, they’ve been struggling lately (lost five of last six games). Seems like a good points league play where ratios aren’t super important.
Grayson Rodriguez SP Orioles
Last start: Tuesday, August 8 vs. Astros – 6IP 2ER 6H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 14 @ Padres + Sunday, August 20 @ A’s
In the five starts since being recalled from the minors, Grayson Rodriguez has been solid. Including his two runs allowed in six innings against the Astros on Tuesday, which earned him his second quality start in three tries, the rookie has now put together a 3.45 ERA/1.08 WHIP and has gone at least five innings in each of those starts. The secondary pitches were looking good again, too. The slider and changeup accounted for eight of his 11 swinging strikes. Even better, he’ll draw two favorable starts next week. The Padres, the first opponent, are struggling lately, losers of five of their last six. And the A’s, the second, rank last in runs per game and a very close 29th in WOBA. If the 23-year-old has been overlooked in your league, now’s the perfect time to grab him.
Nick Pivetta SP/RP Red Sox
Last start: Thursday, August 10 vs. Royals – 5IP W 2ER 4H 2BB 8K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 15 @ Nationals + Sunday, August 20 @ Yankees
After his first rough appearance since taking on bulk innings, Nick Pivetta bounced back nicely on Thursday. He earned a win by limiting the Royals to two runs over five innings. His eight strikeouts and 18 swinging strikes on 90 pitches was nice to see, too. It could mean the two-strikeout effort last time out was just a blip. The 30-year-old was also a true starter in this game, meaning he could still yield fantasy managers quality starts going forward. He’ll try to do that twice next week, both against favorable opponents. Though the Nationals are surprisingly 17th in WOBA, they rank 22nd in runs per game. The Yankees, meanwhile, are 21st in runs per game and 23rd in WOBA. This is a perfect stream if you need volume in a points league (RP eligible too), but due to Pivetta’s 2.65 ERA/0.91 WHIP since July, it also feels safe enough for categories.
Pitching Streamers Available in Most Leagues (About 25% to 50% Rostered)
Steven Matz SP/RP Cardinals
Last start: Saturday, August 5 vs. Rockies – 6IP W 1ER 5H 2BB 6K
Next start: Saturday, August 12 @ Royals
1 start next week: Friday, August 18 vs. Mets
After a horrific start to his season, followed by a demotion to the bullpen, Steven Matz looks to be back on track. His solid outing against the Rockies on Saturday, during which he earned a win and yielded just a run over six innings, was his third quality start in a row. Considering he didn’t have any quality starts before that, it’s a highly encouraging sign. Another good sign: his xERA (3.86) and FIP (3.76) suggest that his actual ERA (3.91) might stabilize a bit further. That could very well happen over the next week. The veteran lefty will take on the Royals tonight, a team ranked 27th WOBA and 29th in runs per game. Next week, he’ll draw the Mets. Since the trade deadline, they’ve averaged only 3.44 runs per game and have lost seven of nine. This could be Matz’s chance to stick it to his old team.
Jameson Taillon SP Cubs
Last start: Tuesday, August 8 @ Mets – 7IP W 2ER 3H 0BB 7K
Next start: Sunday, August 13 @ Blue Jays
1 start next week: Sunday, August 20 vs. Royals
After a really rough first half of his season, Jameson Taillon is finally putting together a good stretch. He’s actually won five of his last six starts and compiled a 2.17 ERA/1.02 WHIP during that time. Though his xERA (4.91) and FIP (4.54) are much closer to his unsightly season ERA of 5.17, the veteran righty seems like an ideal pitching streamer based on his hot hand and matchups. That being said, next week is a really favorable one. The Royals are ranked 27th in team WOBA and 29th in runs per game. And though his opponent tomorrow, the Blue Jays, have fared much better recently (won five out of seven), they’ve only scored seven runs in their last four games. Might as well ride the wave.
Gavin Williams SP Guardians
Last start: Monday, August 7 vs. Blue Jays – 7IP 0ER 1H 1BB 12K
Next start: Saturday, August 12 @ Rays
1 start next week: Friday, August 18 vs. Tigers
If you’ve been hoping to see the upside for Gavin Williams recently, Monday’s start against the Blue Jays must have been very satisfying. He had the best start of his young career, keeping a solid offense off the board for seven innings, striking out 12 (career high), and inducing 17 swinging strikes. Though high-walk totals (3.99 BB/9) have run up the 24-year-old’s pitch counts and limited the depth of his starts, he has been very effective overall (2.90 ERA/1.19WHIP). The domination could very continue next week when the rookie will match up against the Tigers. They’re now ranked last in WOBA, and perhaps just as importantly, rank 23rd in walks. Tonight’s start against the Rays will be more challenging for sure, but despite being a top-notch offensive (4th in WOBA), they rank just 16th in walks.
Pitching Streamers Widely Available (About 25% Rostered or Fewer)
Chase Silseth SP/RP Angels
Last start: Sunday, August 6 vs. Mariners – 7IP 2ER 4H 1BB 12K
Next start: Sunday, August 13 @ Astros
1 start next week: Sunday, August 20 vs. Rays
It sure is looking like Chase Silseth will remain in the Angels rotation. In the three starts since being recalled, he’s only yielded four runs in 17.2 innings (2.04 ERA), collected two wins, and piled up 26 punchouts. This includes Sunday’s start, the best of the bunch, when he set career highs in innings pitched (7), swinging strikes (21), and strikeouts (12). This uptick could be explained by an increase in the use of his splitter. It generated 12 of the swinging strikes, had a 63% whiff rate, and could be an impressive weapon moving forward. Though his next two matchups (Astros tomorrow, Rays next week) are not ideal, you’re not going to find better upside in a deep league. Come to think of it, you probably won’t find it in a standard-sized league either. If he continues pitching like this, he won’t be on your waiver wire much longer.
Emerson Hancock SP Mariners
Last start: Wednesday, August 9 vs. Padres – 5IP 1ER 2H 3BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 14 @ Royals + Saturday, August 20 @ Astros
If you’re in a deep league and looking for a two-start pitching streamer with some upside, look no further than Emerson Hancock. He fared pretty well in his Major League debut on Wednesday, keeping a decent Padres offense mostly in check (one run in five innings). His strikeout total wasn’t noteworthy (3) and his Double-A ratios this season were a bit high (4.99 ERA/1.31 WHIP). But he’s a former first-round pick (in 2020) and his last ten starts in the minors were much better (2.97/1.02). His 10 K/9 rate could also mean his 11 swinging strikes were no fluke. The sinker-baller will first line up for the Royals next week. Their severe lack of home runs (28th), in addition to being 27th in WOBA, could play right into the rookie’s strength of keeping the ball on the ground. His second start, against a decent Astros offense (15th in WOBA) will be the bigger challenge. But in a deep league, as long as Bryan Woo remains sidelined, Hancock could very well be useful.
Cole Ragans SP/RP Royals
Last start: Monday, August 7 @ Red Sox – 6.2IP 1ER (2R) 4H 1BB 11K
Next start: Saturday, August 12 vs. Cardinals
1 start next week: Friday, August 18 @ Cubs
The Royals had an open spot in their rotation after the trade deadline and recently acquired Cole Ragans sure has staked his claim to it. After an impressive showing in Boston on Monday, the 25-year-old lefty has now allowed just one earned run over his first 12.2 innings while striking out 19 batters. His minor league numbers won’t wow you, and even in the Majors this season (mostly as a reliever) his 5.22 ERA/1.36 WHIP with the Rangers is a bit scary. But his Statcast page has lots of red, he’s averaging over 96 miles per hour on his fastball, and his 18 swinging strikes last week against a potent offensive just can’t be ignored. Due to some tough opponents both tonight (Cardinals) and next week (Cubs), this is more of a deep-league recommendation (and in points leagues that have RP spots). But standard-league relevance could quite possibly be coming soon. Watch this youngster closely.