If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve made the fantasy baseball playoffs and are looking for some pitching help. First, congratulations! Way to get there. Second, this weekly edition of pitching streamers contains plenty of favorable matchups, a hot two-start difference maker, two rookies with lots of strikeout upside, and a bunch of trusty veterans with high floors (spoiler: check out Seth Lugo’s opponent next week!). So have a scroll, take your pick, and as always, stream responsibly.
One programming note: as a special playoff addition to the article, I’ve included a look ahead at each pitcher’s remaining schedule. This is where their rotation turns would occur if all factors remain the same. It is, of course, subject to change. But hopefully, it gives you a good idea of who is worth keeping around for the later rounds of the playoffs.
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10 Pitching Streamers to Target in Week 24
Pitching Streamers Available in Some Leagues (About 50% to 65% Rostered)
Bobby Miller SP Dodgers
Last start: Sunday, September 3 vs. Braves – 7IP W 1ER 3H 1BB 5K
Next start: Saturday, September 9 @ Nationals
1 start next week: Friday, September 15 @ Mariners
Looking ahead: vs. Tigers (Wednesday, September 20), @ Rockies (Tuesday, September 26), @ Giants (Saturday, September 30)
Some inconsistency in his last two starts (eight runs allowed in 12.1 innings) has lowered Bobby Miller’s roster percentage enough to qualify for this article. But, based on his latest start against the almighty Braves (one run in seven innings), he could be a great addition for the playoffs.
Though his blazing fastball (averaging 99.1 MPH and ranked in this 98th percentile) hasn’t induced as many whiffs and Ks as we all hoped (just a 7.99 K/9 rate), his solid 3.80 ERA is backed up by a 3.61 xERA and 3.67 FIP. Most importantly for this time of year, he’ll finish with some favorable matchups. The Nationals, tonight’s opponent, are 20th in WOBA overall and 24th since the beginning of August. While the Mariners, next week, are ranked 13th in WOBA and strike out a ton (2nd most). He should get three more starts after next week, too, and they’ll likely all be against teams ranked in the bottom half of WOBA over the last month.
Andrew Heaney SP Rangers
Last start: Monday, September 4 vs. Astros – 4.2IP 3ER 5H 4BB 1K
Next start: Sunday, September 10 vs. A’s
1 start next week: Friday, September 15 @ Guardians
Looking ahead: vs. Red Sox (Wednesday, September 20), @ Angels (Tuesday, September 26), @ Mariners (Sunday, October 1)
If you’re looking for a high-floor veteran with some great matchups on the horizon, Andrew Heaney might be your guy. Though he wasn’t tremendous against the Astros on Monday, who ever is these days (they’ve averaged almost nine runs per game in the last 11)? But he hasn’t yielded more than three runs in any start in almost two months, still plays for a potent offense (despite recent losing, they’re still ranked 12th in WOBA since August), and will hopefully be pushed by the Rangers who are desperate for wins.
The veteran lefty will have a chance for one of those on Sunday when he opposes the A’s, the team ranked last in WOBA and runs per game. And then next week will square off with the Guardians who are ranked last in WOBA since the beginning of August. If you are in the position of relying on Heaney with your season on the line, I’m genuinely sorry. But try to trust in the matchup, slow your breathing down, and hope for the best.
Tarik Skubal SP Tigers
Last start: Sunday, September 3 @ White Sox – 7IP W 2ER 5H 2BB 7K
Next start: Saturday, September 9 vs. White Sox
1 start next week: Friday, September 15 @ Angels
Looking ahead: @ Dodgers (Wednesday, September 20), vs. Royals (Tuesday, September 26), vs. Guardians (Sunday, October 1)
Another week, another solid start for Tarik Skubal. This time he picked up a win, struck out seven White Sox, and induced a very impressive 20 swinging strikes. He also went seven innings for the first time all season and has now gone six or more in four straight starts. With his season line starting to approach the expected stats (3.77 ERA vs. 2.64 xERA, xFIP 2.88), this might be a good time to snatch the lefty up for a playoff run.
He’ll draw the White Sox again tonight (29th in WOBA) before drawing the Angels next week. Though they rank 10th in WOBA overall, they are 28th in the league since the beginning of August. They’ve also won just one game out of their last nine tries. Seems like a universally good stream.
Seth Lugo SP/RP Padres
Last start: Sunday, September 3 vs. Giants – 6IP W 0ER 3H 1BB 4K
Next start: Saturday, September 9 @ Astros
1 start next week: Friday, September 15 @ A’s
Looking ahead: vs. Rockies (Wednesday, September 20), @ Giants (Tuesday, September 26 @ Giants)
If your fantasy baseball playoffs start next week and you’re looking for ideal pitching streamers, you should seriously consider Seth Lugo. In addition to being consistent all season (3.49 ERA), and earning quality starts on the regular (nine over his last 12 starts, including four in a row), he’ll draw the most favorable matchup there is. The A’s are ranked last WOBA, runs per game, and pretty much everything else.
If you’re in the playoffs this week, however, and can make daily transactions, it would be very hard to recommend the veteran righty tonight in Houston. The Astros are ranked 3rd in WOBA since the beginning of August and have been punishing pitchers lately (8.6 runs per game during the last 10 contests). So, unless you’ve already lost ratio stats and you’re fighting for strikeouts, save it for next week. Also worth noting: he currently lines up for two favorable matchups to finish the season (vs. Rockies + @ Giants).
Pitching Streamers Available in Most Leagues (About 30% to 50% Rostered)
Ryan Pepiot SP Dodgers
Last start: Thursday, September 7 @ Marlins – 7IP W 0ER 1H 0BB 3K
1 start next week: Tuesday, September 12 vs. Padres
Looking ahead: vs. Tigers (Monday, September 18) + vs. Giants (Saturday, September 23), @ Rockies (Thursday, September 28)
After being shuttled back and forth from the minors to the majors, is it finally time the Dodgers kept Ryan Pepiot in their rotation? That’s the big question after the 26-year-old righty dominated the Marlins on Thursday, taking a perfect game into the seventh inning and earning a win. After four starts this season, he now has a ridiculous 0.86 ERA/0.52WHIP.
And even more importantly, he’s compiled a 1.44 BB/9 rate over both levels this season (10 appearances). Given that control was always his glaring weakness, this sure is a great sign of progress. He’ll draw a middle-of-the-road offense next week. The Padres are 17th in WOBA overall, and 19th against righties, specifically. Looking ahead, he’s likely to have a highly-favorable two-start week after this (Tigers/Giants)… if the Dodgers keep him around. Either way, I’d keep him around your roster for the playoffs.
Kyle Hendricks SP Cubs
Last start: Tuesday, September 5 vs. Giants – 5.1IP 4ER (5R) 7H 0BB 5K
Next start: Sunday, September 10 vs. DBacks
1 start next week: Saturday, September 16 @ DBacks
Looking ahead: vs. Rockies (Friday, September 22), @ Braves (Thursday, September 28)
Though the results weren’t ideal in his latest start (4 earned runs in 5.1 innings), Kyle Hendricks continued to limit hard contact on Tuesday against the Giants (just seven hard-hit balls). And like usual, he kept the walks in check (0). These are the things that made the veteran a viable standard-league option for many years. Though he’s among pitching streamers nowadays, he’s one of the highest-floor options next week.
That could be valuable this time of year when the stakes are highest and you need to keep the ratios tight. Or in a points league where you just need as many solid innings as you can find. He’ll draw the DBacks in his next two starts, tomorrow and next weekend. They’ve been decent all season, but are just 19th in WOBA since August, and have averaged just 4.0 runs per game in their last ten contests. Looking ahead, the righty ought to get a juicy matchup the following week (vs. Rockies).
Griffin Canning SP Angels
Last start: Friday, September 8 vs. Guardians – 5.1IP L 3ER 8H 2BB 3K
1 start next week: Friday, September 15 vs. Tigers
Looking ahead: @ Twins (Friday, September 22), vs. A’s (Friday, September 29)
Now injury-free and in the Angels rotation, Griffin Canning has been good recently. He’s yielded just seven runs over his last four starts, and struck out an impressive 24 batters over his last 21.2 innings. The overall numbers look decent, too. Both his K/9 (9.82) and BB/9 (2.45) would be career bests. Even his mediocre 4.34 ERA is backed up by a much better xERA (3.92) and xFIP (3.69).
Most importantly for this time of year, he’ll draw a very favorable matchup. The Tigers rank 29th in WOBA and 28th in runs per game. They also have the highest K-percentage in the league over the last 30 days. Given Canning’s 30.0% whiff rate (ranking in the 76th percentile), the strikeouts could very well pile up. Also worth noting: he could finish up with some favorable matchups, but that’s dependent on the Angels sticking with a six-man rotation. So stay tuned.
Gavin Williams SP Guardians
Last start: Wednesday, September 6 vs. Twins – 5IP W 1ER 1H 4BB 4K
1 start next week: Tuesday, September 12 @ Giants
Looking ahead: @ Royals (Tuesday, September 19), vs. Reds (Tuesday, September 26)
The good: Gavin Williams has had a solid rookie campaign thus far (3.34 ERA/1.26WHIP) and yielded just one run and one hit in five innings on Wednesday. The bad: he walked four in this latest start, and before that had allowed eight runs in his last 10.1 innings. Add it together, it seems like the rookie will be one of the pitching streamers to consider for the playoffs based on matchup.
He’ll draw the Giants next week. They’re ranked 24th overall in WOBA, but 29th since August 1st. Their poor plate discipline (5th most strikeouts) could play to the 24-year-old’s strengths. It was just a month ago that he rattled off 22 strikeouts over two starts. That’s the kind of upside that could get you to the next round. It’s a risky pick, but if your rotation is getting thin, you can do worse.
Pitching Streamers Widely Available (About 30% Rostered or Fewer)
Jose Quintana SP Mets
Last start: Tuesday, September 5 @ Nationals – 7IP W 1ER 4H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, September 11 vs. DBacks + Sunday, September 17 vs. Reds
Looking ahead: @ Phillies (Friday, September 22), vs. Marlins (Thursday, September 28)
After a stress fracture pushed Jose Quintana’s season debut back to July this season, he now appears to be very healthy. And effective. His nine outings have resulted in seven quality starts, a solid ERA/WHIP of 3.00/1.26, and a minuscule 0.17 HR/9 ratio. That last stat is important because it was most responsible for his fall from a must-start fantasy option early in his career to a mostly irrelevant one recently (2018 to 2021).
He’ll look to keep the momentum going with two starts next week. Both teams are middle-of-the-road opponents. The DBacks rank 15th in WOBA while the Reds are 17th. Neither hit too many home runs (20th and 18th, respectively). Like days of old, the lefty is great for points leagues and any league that values quality starts.
Reese Olson SP Tigers
Next start: Friday, September 8 vs. White Sox – 6.2IP L 2ER 2H 1BB 5K
1 start next week: Thursday, September 14 vs. Reds
Looking ahead: @ Dodgers (Tuesday, September 19), @ A’s (Sunday, September 24), vs. Guardians (Saturday, September 30)
Reese Olson was good again on Friday. He took a hard-luck loss after allowing just two runs over 6.2 innings against the White Sox. This is now three good starts in a row for the young righty, during which he has a 1.50 ERA. He hasn’t been bad overall, either, compiling a 4.50/1.15 ERA/WHIP.
Based on the hot streak, and based on the Tigers willing to let him pitch deeper into games (his last two starts are his longest of the season), he makes for good deep-league stream next week. He’ll draw the Reds in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. They rank 18th in WOBA over the last 30 days and have averaged just 3.58 runs per game in their last 12 contests. It’s looking like he’ll get a couple of very favorable matchups to end the season, too.