RADIO
Adam Meyer analyzes under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 6 as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.
With only a seven-game slate on Monday, the number of streaming starting pitchers is reduced severely. While the player pool is shallow, we are still able to compile three starting pitchers from each level of ownership (under 50 percent and under 25 percent). All ownership percentages are courtesy of Yahoo fantasy baseball.
The weather is only getting warmer, which means baseballs will be flying out of parks. This is just a friendly reminder that most of these pitchers are available, or streamed, for a reason. If you know you’ll be in a battle for ERA or WHIP in your head-to-head league, you may want to reduce the number of streamers you acquire.
However, if your goal is to increase your strikeout total, while rolling the dice on a potential win/QB, then feel free to add these names below. With some of these pitchers, while they will pitch twice in Week 6, you may want to only use them for one start. It’s all in your strategy. Choose wisely.
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Week 6 Streamers Under 50% Owned
Tyson Ross, SD (39% owned)
Probable opponents: vs. WSH, vs. STL
When you’ve pitched in Colorado and Arizona already in 2018, you’d expect a high ERA and a decent volume of home runs allowed for that certain pitcher. However, that is not the case for Ross. In fact, during his six starts this season, he’s only allowed two home runs, and they were both in his outing at Minute Maid Park. So, that’s five games where Ross refused to allow a home run (@ SF, @ COL, @ ARI, vs. SF, vs. COL). He’ll get two home starts this week. As far as strikeouts are concerned, Ross has racked up at least seven punch outs in four of the past five games.
Sean Newcomb, ATL (38% owned)
Probable opponents: @ TB, @ MIA
Newcomb has had his ups and downs this season. In two outings, he’s allowed at least four earned runs. Newcomb also has four starts where he’s allowed no more than two earned runs. Also, he does exactly what you’d expect from a streamer: he strikes out batters. In every performance this season, he’s struck out at least five batters. He’s tallied at least seven strikeouts in four of the last five games. However, both Tampa Bay and Miami are in the top eight in team wOBA against left-handed pitchers. On a good note, the Marlins aren’t crushing the ball. Miami’s team ISO against southpaws is .142, which is 25th in the league.
Fernando Romero, MIN (34% owned)
Probable opponents: @ STL, @ LAA
In his MLB debut on May 2nd, Romero was impressive against the Blue Jays. In 5.2 innings, he struck out five and only allowed four hits while shutting out Toronto. Last year, in Double-A, Romero produced a 3.53 ERA and struck out 120 batters in 125 innings (8.6 K/9). For Romero, his bread and butter was his fastball. He threw 97 pitches in his debut with 49 of them reaching 95 mph, or more.
Under 25% Owned
Jose Urena, MIA (7% owned)
Probable opponents: @ CHC, vs. ATL
Pay no attention to the winless pitcher behind the curtain. He’s 0-5 and the Marlins have lost every game he’s pitched, but Urena isn’t a terrible option for your fantasy team as a streamer. Urena recorded back-to-back starts with only one earned run and at least five strikeouts in each appearance. Unfortunately, I don’t expect Miami to get the win in either of his starts this week, too. The Cubs and Braves are both in the top eight in team wOBA against righties. Urena is strickly to be used for padding your strikeout total. Warning, your ERA could be harmed in the process.
Andrew Heaney, LAA (6% owned)
Probable opponents: @ COL, vs. MIN
As this is posted, the official starts haven’t been established for the Angels, but I’ll go out on a limb and assume Heaney pitches twice in Week 6. On April 20th, Heaney had a rough outing against the Giants (4.1 IP, 7 ER). However, in the two starts since, He’s allowed a total of two earned runs and struck out 11 batters. His first matchup in Week 6 isn’t ideal. The Rockies are ninth in the league in wOBA against left-handed pitchers (.329). However, the Twins, his second opponent, are 25th with a .301 wOBA.
Jeremy Hellickson, WSH (3% owned)
Probable opponents: @ SD, @ ARI
I almost went with only two starting pitchers in the “under 25%” portion, but this is for those in deeper leagues. Hellickson isn’t stellar in the strikeout category, he’s only maxed out at five strikeouts once this season. On the bright side, Hellickson hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any start in 2018. His first matchup, San Diego, is 27th in team wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.297) and first in team strikeouts this season.
