August 26, 2017

JB analyzes under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 21 as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.

We are just weeks away from fantasy baseball playoffs and you are fighting tooth and nail for a playoff spot. You look at your head-to-head match-up for next week, and you see you are going to be in a tough spot for pitching categories, because for some reason our opponents are never stricken by the injury bug as badly as we are. Because of this injury bug that has plagued your rotation since Opening Day, the waiver wire looks thin. You panic and grab the highest ranking pitcher making two starts that week without analyzing his splits or the match-ups. He gets blown up; not once, but twice. You lose. You cry. You lose your family's respect. How can they trust you to lead the family if you cannot lead your fantasy baseball team to the playoffs?

Now wake up. It was only a nightmare. RotoBaller is here, and we will make everything okay.

Here are the top two-start pitchers to stream for Week 21 of the fantasy baseball season. This can be especially helpful for head-to-head (H2H) leagues, where every start can be that much more valuable. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to tweeter me @RowdyRotoJB.

Under the Radar Two-Start SP Streamers - Week 21

As always, we will be considering starting pitchers who are owned in 50% or less of Yahoo! leagues:

Luke Weaver, STL  – owned in 32% of Yahoo! leagues

Projected starts: at MIL, at SF

Disclaimer: If you pick up Dream Weaver as a streamer this week, you probably aren't going to want to return him when it's over. So be prepared to lose that streaming-flexible roster spot. But that would be a good thing because this youngster has pitched very well since being placed in the Cardinals rotation. Over the last month, he owns a 1.17 ERA and 0.91 WHIP while striking out 19 batters in 15 1/3 IP. I love the projected match-ups for this week, despite both contests coming on the road. Luckily, Weaver has already pitched a gem in Miller Park this season, and AT&T Park is so spacious, not even the native-Giants have figured out how to score runs there in 2017. The St. Louis offense has the second highest OPS in the league over the last week, so expect plenty of run support to ensure two W's, then sit back and enjoy while Weaver does the rest.

Mike Montgomery, CHC - owned in 20% of Yahoo! leagues

Projected Starts: vs PIT, vs ATL

Out of all starting pitchers with at least 100 IP this season, Mike Montgomery owns the fifth lowest HR/9, coming in at a lowly 0.68. This week he gets two match-ups at Wrigley Field, where he has allowed just three bombs all year. Considering this ability to keep the ball in the park, and his 1.89 ERA through 19 innings in August, I would consider him quite a safe option for your teams ERA category in Week 21. Don't be worried about him not being able to give you enough innings to earn a QS either, because even though his last start was his first in over a month, he hurled six innings of shutout baseball in Great American Ball Park. However, if you are in desperate need of strikeout help this week, I would look elsewhere, considering the Pirates and Braves own the ninth and second fewest whiffs against southpaws this season, respectively.

Jhoulys Chacin, SDP - owned in 34% of Yahoo! leagues

Projected Starts: vs SF, vs LAD

I know, the Dodgers are scary. But you know whats even more terrifying? Jhoulys Chacin at Petco Park, baby! Don't believe me? How does a 7-2 record and 1.86 ERA at home this season sound? Chacin's home ERA ranks second among all qualified starters this season, and is ahead of Corey Kluber, Clayton Kershaw, and Max Scherzer. Another stat that calms my nerves enough to roster a San Diego pitcher is how well Chacin has kept the ball in the park after the All-Star break. During the first half of the season, he allowed 14 HR in 102 IP. Through 45 innings in the second half he has only allowed three. So yes, even though he is facing the best team in baseball, I advise you take advantage of this rare, double-Petco-start week for Chacin.

*Now that I got us all excited, there is an injury risk surrounding Chacin. He is currently dealing with swelling in his pitching hand and it is undetermined if he will make his next start. So do not pick him up until news has been released confirming his status.

Matt Moore, SF - owned in 24% of Yahoo! leagues

Projected Starts: at SD, vs STL

How many times does Matt Moore need to burn fantasy owners before we learn our lesson, am I right? Well it looks like its going to need to be at least one more time because the lefty has lured me in again! Over his last three starts, Moore owns a 2.21 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 19 K in 20 1/13 IP. The Padres and Cardinals rank 30th and 24th, respectively, in runs scored against LHP this season, so Moore is in a good spot to continue the streak this week. Throughout his career he has pitched well after the All-Star break, so this could be a good opportunity to squeeze some juice out of the southpaw.

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