Pitching Streamers to Target in Week 9 of Fantasy Baseball

While pitchers continue to go down with injuries as the season continues, some returns are imminent. Grayson Rodriguez, Garrett Whitlock, and others could be back by the time you read this article. Others like Jose Urquidy and Kris Bubic could be back by the end of the month. This means that fantasy managers likely will have to continue to rely on pitching streamers to earn wins.

Here are a few of my favorites for the week ahead.

Luis Gil continues to dominate, picking up wins in his last three contests, which came against Baltimore, Houston, and Tampa. Gil earned quality starts in each game, allowing one run across 18.1 IP, while striking out 13. He walked seven batters, which has been a problem his entire career, including his time in the minors.

Gil has incredible strikeout upside, finishing below 10 K/9 in just one 13-inning stint at the High-A level of the minors. The biggest risk for Gil is that he has finished one stint in the majors or minors with a BB/9 rate under four. His high walk rate likely will keep him a streamer until he shows he can consistently limit walks.

Fortunately, for Gil, the Mariners struggle against righty pitchers in particular. They have the fifth-worst batting average and the most strikeouts against RHP. Seattle also possesses the highest strikeout rate in baseball overall.

Gil has some filthy pitches in his arsenal that have resulted in his 2.51 ERA and 80% LOB rate. His fastball, changeup, and slider have batting averages against of .155 or lower. They have 29%, 26%, and 30% whiff rates respectively, as well as 22%, 22%, and 19% putaway rates respectively. Here is a great look at his slider, arguably his best pitch:

Luis Gil has been dominant over his last four starts:

2.35 ERA | 27.2% K% | .146 AVG | 0.96 WHIP pic.twitter.com/ulQ3lJYAOr

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) May 8, 2024

If he can get the walks under control, he would be a top starter. But because of that risk, he remains one of the best pitching streamers available.

Sean Manaea (SP – NYM)

Next Start: Sunday 5/19 at MIA

Sean Manaea picked up back-to-back quality starts against Philly and St. Louis in his last starts. Those starts improved his ERA to 3.05 on the season.

Manaea goes into this start with his worst K/9 rate (7.9) since 2020, and the worst BB/9 (4.8) and GB rates (32%) of his career. His game against the Marlins is a chance for Manaea to experience some positive regression to those numbers. Miami has the third most strikeouts against lefty pitchers, and Manaea has some filthy stuff, despite the lack of strikeouts.

Manaea’s sweeper has a 40% whiff rate and a 21% putaway rate. His slider has a 37% whiff rate and a 50% putaway rate. And his changeup and fastball have 29% and 27% whiff rates respectively. Here is a look at Manaea getting outs with his fastball and slider:

Sean Manaea's 5th and 6th Ks. pic.twitter.com/OyIXkd3RYG

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 14, 2024

Another thing working in Manaea’s favor and against the Marlins is Miami’s league-high 51% GB rate. The Marlins also have the fifth-worst batting average against LHP.

This is a great game for Manaea and makes him an excellent choice as one of the best pitching streamers for the week ahead.

Reese Olson (SP – DET)

Next Start: Monday 5/2o at KC

Since the start of May, Reese Olson has allowed just one run across 19 IP. He has a 15:4 K:BB ratio during that span, and has improved his ERA to 2.09.

Olson has a 7.8 K/9 rate this season, which is about a half strikeout per nine innings less than his career average. That may not improve against the Royals, who do not strike out very much at all. Despite that, this matchup remains an advantageous one for Olson.

He has improved his BB/9 and LOB% to career bests. He also possesses a career-best 55% GB rate, the seventh-highest in baseball among qualified starters. That should help him immensely against a team that has avoided hitting groundballs.

Olson also has the stuff to pick up strikeouts, even against a tough opponent. His slider and changeup in particular have been superb out pitches for him this season. They have BAAs against of under .150. His slider has 41% and 23% whiff rates, and his changeup has a 48% whiff rate. Take a look at his slider here:

Reese Olson, Wicked 85mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/DVzmCQlMrc

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 14, 2024

He may not strike out every batter, but he has a chance to continue his excellent stretch of starts. Make him one of your top pitching streamers for the week ahead.

Cal Quantrill looked great in recent games, winning his last three, all of which were quality starts as well. He also has quality starts in six of his last seven games.

Quantrill has just a 6.2 K/9 rate, but has managed well. He has not allowed many baserunners to score, with an 80% LOB rate. His career best 50% GB rate certainly has to do with that. He has achieved such a high GB% thanks in large part to a nasty splitter. It arguably is his best pitch, with a .153 BAA, a 24% whiff rate, and a 19% putaway rate, and has induced a -1 degree LA. Here is a look at it in action:

Cal Quantrill, Dirty 87mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/oXhK4QKDCH

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 3, 2024

Oakland could not be a better opponent for Quantrill, as a pitcher who does not strike out many batters. They have the fifth worst K% in baseball and the sixth most strikeouts against RHP. Oakland is also tied for the fifth worst AVG against RHP.

Even though Colorado as a team is struggling, you can trust Quantrill in this matchup as one of your top pitching streamers for the week ahead.