RADIO
Michael Grennell analyzes under-the-radar starting pitchers (SP) making two starts in Week 14 as possible streamers and waiver wire adds or targets for fantasy baseball.
How is it already almost the halfway point of the season? We have the All-Star starters finalized, and the All-Star Game itself is a little over two weeks away. But more importantly, this is the 14th time this year we're looking at two-start streaming options.
Looking back at Week 12, Cleveland rookie Zach Plesac was the winning choice for fantasy owners. Plesac earned two wins on back-to-back outings of seven innings and one run allowed while recording a combined eight strikeouts. The pitchers on the Week 13 list are off to a lackluster start to begin the week, but Marco Gonzales is leading the way after allowing three runs — two earned — over five innings to get the win over Milwaukee.
Now that the recap is out of the way, let's look at who to target for Week 14.
Week 14 Streamers - Under 50% Owned
Zac Gallen, MIA - 50% owned
Probable opponents: @ WAS, @ ATL
Yet another rookie making this column, Gallen has pitched well in his first two starts despite his 0-1 record. He has thrown five innings in each start, averaging seven strikeouts while allowing a combined four runs against the Cardinals and the Nationals.
Gallen's last start was at home against Washington, and he'll face them once again as he starts Week 14 on the road against the Nationals. Washington has been one of the hotter offenses in the league recently, as they're averaging 6.7 runs while hitting .272 over their last 10 games. The Nationals have also averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game over that stretch, and Gallen recorded a career-high eight strikeouts against them his last time out. After Washington, Gallen will then face the similarly hot-hitting Braves, who are averaging 5.9 runs over their last 10 games. It will be the first time Gallen faces Atlanta, but he has some good strikeout potential in that start as the Braves are averaging 8.8 strikeouts over their last 10 games.
Going with Gallen is a high-risk, high-reward play this week. We've only seen two starts out of him at this level, and he'll be going up against a pair of high-scoring offenses. If you're willing to take the risk on your ERA, you should be rewarded with good strikeout numbers.
Griffin Canning, LAA - 44% owned
Probable opponents: @ TEX, @ HOU
Canning makes yet another appearance on this list despite posting a 4.60 ERA over five starts in June. Despite the high ERA, Canning has been otherwise solid this month as he has thrown six innings in four of his last five starts while recording two quality starts, and he's also averaging almost six strikeouts a game.
This week Canning will be on the road against a pair of AL West rivals. He'll open the week against the Rangers, who are hitting .269 while averaging 4.7 runs and 9.7 strikeouts over their last 10 games. Canning has already faced Texas once this season, allowing one run while striking out five over five innings. After Texas, Canning will then take on the struggling Houston Astros, who are hitting .267 and averaging 3.5 runs and 7.2 strikeouts over their last 10 games. Canning will also get a boost against Houston, as they are hitting slightly worse against right-handed starters (.263 average, .799 OPS) than against lefties (.278 average, .847 OPS).
If you're looking for a boost in strikeouts this week, Canning is the guy you will want to target. He might not end up with wins this week, but Canning should also have potential to help out owners in quality starts leagues. Canning is likely the top guy to target on this week's list.
Week 14 Streamers - Under 25% Owned
Chase Anderson, MIL - 13% owned
Probable opponents: @ CIN, @ PIT
Anderson has been somewhat inconsistent with the number of innings per start, but what he has done fairly consistently in June is rack up strikeouts, as he's recorded six strikeouts in four of his five starts this month. Owners will need to be wary though of his 5.92 ERA over his last five starts, including his worst outing of the month against Cincinnati in which he allowed six runs over five innings.
He'll start off the week with a rematch against the Reds, who — despite their success against him the last time out — are still hitting worse against right-handed starters (.230 average, .304 OBP) than against left-handed starters (.246 average, .312 OBP). If he can get through Cincinnati with little damage, Anderson should reward owners with a nice start against Pittsburgh. Over two starts against the Pirates, Anderson has recorded a win and a quality start, while allowing four runs over 11 innings with 11 strikeouts. Owners will want to try and pick up Gallen or Canning as their first options, but Anderson could be a solid add if they're already claimed.
Jason Vargas, NYM - 8% owned
Probable opponents: vs NYY, vs PHI
After back-to-back outings where he failed to pitch a full five innings, Vargas shined in his most recent outing against Philadelphia — allowing two runs while striking out 10 over 6 1/3 innings. The strikeouts have been inconsistent for Vargas this year, but he's been fairly solid with his ERA over his last seven starts as he's posted a 2.36 ERA since May 25.
Vargas will start off the week against the hot-hitting Yankees, who are averaging 6.8 runs while hitting .299 over their last 10 games. That being said, Vargas pitched well against the Yankees earlier this month, recording the win and a quality start after allowing three runs over six innings while striking out three. And then after facing New York, Vargas will get another start against the Phillies, which should be another good start for him after his aforementioned success in his most recent outing. While he pitched well in his last time out against the Yankees, their recent hot streak is cause for some concern. Vargas may not be the top choice this week, but he should be a solid option for owners willing to take the chance on him.
Wade LeBlanc, SEA - 3% owned
Probable opponents: vs STL, vs OAK
LeBlanc is one of the recurring pitchers to make this list, and he's here for Week 14 after back-to-back wins against Baltimore and Milwaukee. In four of his last five starts, LeBlanc has allowed two or fewer runs while also recording three wins and three starts with six or more strikeouts. The biggest concern for this week though is his game against Oakland, as he was lit up by the Athletics to the tune of six runs over 2 2/3 innings three starts ago.
But before facing Oakland again, LeBlanc will go up against the struggling Cardinals offense. Over their last 10 games, St. Louis is averaging 3.3 runs and 8.1 strikeouts while hitting .213. On top of that, St. Louis is hitting worse against left-handed starters while also hitting worse on the road. But after that start, LeBlanc will go up against the Athletics, who are averaging 5.3 runs and 6.6 strikeouts while hitting .253 over their last 10 games. His last start against Oakland wasn't his only difficult outing against them, as he suffered the loss after allowing four runs over five innings against the Athletics in May. Owners should look at LeBlanc in a similar light as Anderson this week, with the preference going to Anderson. But if you're willing to take the risk to your ERA and you want someone who could provide good strikeout value, LeBlanc should be available in practically every league.
