I have been viciously attacked by a summer cold recently and it appears this monstrosity of an infection has made it its goal to neutralize me where it hurts most: my mind. As a result, I must apologize to my beloved readers as my wit right now may not even be up to Kenny Bania standards. Then again, there's always the possibility that my readers are merely reading to criticize, of which I can relate to nearly everything I read on the internet. If that's the case, then you're welcome for me writing sub-par material.
Below are some of the starting pitcher streamer sleepers for the second half of Week 19 to consider adding off your league’s waiver wire. Some of these SP options can be considered sleepers for your team depending on the league format and depth, including NL-Only, AL-Only and head-to-head formats.
Thursday SP Streamers
Collin McHugh (HOU at PHI)
Ownership: 24% Yahoo!, 13% Fleaflicker
Other than considerable recent success against the Phils lineup, McHugh’s 29.1% K rate and .200 BAA on the road plays well against Philadelphia’s 21% K rate and .654 OPS against RHPs. We’re starting this piece off with the best streaming option available for the weekend slate.
MATCHUP RATING: Must Stream
Roenis Elias (SEA vs. CHW)
Ownership: 15% Yahoo!, 12% Fleaflicker
Be careful with this one. Elias hasn’t exactly been a stalwart at Safeco Field as his 1.31 WHIP and 4.61 ERA home splits will show. The good news is he’s facing a Sox team that is reeling.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Friday SP Streamers
Vance Worley (PIT vs. SD)
Ownership: 20% Yahoo!, 10% Fleaflicker
The Padres have been better since the ASB. They’re still last in nearly every offensive category especially against RHPs. Worley has shown he’s capable of delivering solid numbers when starting at PNC Park. Little trivia to keep in mind: San Diego is 8-2 in their last 10 games at Pittsburgh.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
Mike Leake (CIN vs. MIA)
Ownership: 45% Yahoo!, 27% Fleaflicker
A wise man once told me, “Mike Leake is erratic.” I don’t remember who said it but it’s true. In one start he’ll go 7 IP and yield 0 ER, the next start he’s getting run after giving up six in three. Considering that his GB rate is still rather good and the Marlins are grounding out a lot against RHPs, I’d say trust in Leake’s GB rate.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Saturday SP Streamers
Jake Odorizzi (TB at CHC)
Ownership: 37% Yahoo!, 15% Fleaflicker
The Rays young right hander has been rather bad on the road, but he’s facing a Cubs offense that ranks in the bottom five in all major offensive categories against RHPs. Odorizzi should record solid numbers for his owners.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
Dillon Gee (NYM at PHI)
Ownership: 25% Yahoo!, 41% Fleaflicker
I’m a little confused by Gee’s away splits. He has solid numbers in the K rate, BAA and WHIP department (22.9%, .234, 1.15, respectively), but his 4.40 ERA is rather head-scratching. Philadelphia’s porous lineup against RHPs presents Gee a good opportunity to lower that away ERA.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream
James Paxton (SEA vs. CHW)
Ownership: 28% Yahoo!, 21% Fleaflicker
The 25-year-old lefty has gone 16.1 innings in three starts while compiling a 2-0 record. If you’re torn about starting him, know that the White Sox have been in the top two over the last two weeks in weighted run creation. Although that hasn’t translated to a lot of wins for Chicago.
MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream
Sunday SP Streamers
Kyle Kendrick (PHI vs. NYM)
Ownership: 2% Yahoo!, 6% Fleaflicker
If you’ve got some manhood and want to really take a chance looking like a genius, then go with Kendrick. Other than my gut I can’t give you any evidence to support my taking Kendrick against the Mets. New York’s offense is eerily similar to Houston’s offense and Kendrick’s recent win over the Astros should be indicative of his start Sunday. Still, it’s Kyle Kendrick.
MATHUP RATING: Desperate Stream
Danny Duffy (KC vs. SF)
Ownership: 44% Yahoo!, 17% Fleaflicker
Much like a fine adult beverage- of which Springfield’s Duff-Man would no doubt be fond of- Kansas City’s Duff-Man has gotten better with age. Well, at least better as this season has progressed. With a few blips on his progression chart in May and July, Duffy has progressively seen better production by the month when pitching at home. The Giants are middle of the pack in run creation against LHPs.
MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream