Welcome back for week 23 of Streams and Nightmares, where we try to help you plan out your fantasy pitching staff for the upcoming week.
Pitchers are broken down into the following 4 groups. No Brainers, which is pretty self-explanatory. Lock and Load, who are must starts based on match-ups and their expected total value for the week. Proceed with Caution are guys that, depending on the options I have available, I probably start in most 15 teamers, but iffy below that. Potential Nightmares are guys to avoid in mixed leagues. Streamers are guys with lower ownership levels that I am looking to add for this week. Their availability will be league size dependent.
Bear in mind, this point in the season, you need to focus on what you want from an SP. Do you want to preserve ratios, or are you gunning for W’s and K’s? Apply this mindset to your decisions while using the tiers below to differentiate between similar types of pitchers.
No Brainers:
Gerrit Cole @ MIL, vs SEA
Max Scherzer vs NYM, @ ATL
Mike Clevinger vs CWS, @ MIN
Jack Flaherty vs SF, @ PIT
Lock and Load:
Noah Syndergaard @ WAS, vs PHI (Thor and Berrios have dropped back a tier due to recent performances, which weigh more heavily for me this time of the year, although I’d be loathe to sit either of them)
Jose Berrios @ DET, vs CLE
Mike Minor @ NYY, @ BAL (Tough assignment @ NYY. I would start him everywhere unless I am switching focus to ratios)
Mike Soroka vs TOR, vs WAS
Kyle Hendricks vs SEA, @ MIL
Ryan Yarbrough vs BAL, vs TOR (Dude is acing it lately. With these great match-ups at home, he is a must start in any league size)
Masahiro Tanaka vs TEX, @ BOS
Proceed With Caution:
Jake Odorizzi @ DET, vs CLE (Has been getting hit around a lot more in the second half. Still getting it done, but could be some whip damage. He’s in your lineup for K’s and W’s at this point)
Aaron Civale vs CWS, @ MIN (@ MIN isn’t ideal, but he still hasn’t given up more than 2 runs all year despite only getting 21 W’s in his 6 starts)
Mike Montgomery vs DET, @ MIA (You have to run him out with these match-ups)
Anthony DeSclafani vs PHI, vs ARI (The Philly start could be trouble if Harper is firing. He struggles against lefties, but if you need W’s and K’s, go for it)
Sandy Alcantara @ PIT, vs KC (He isn’t getting you any W’s, but owns a 3.03 ERA and sub-1 WHIP in over the past month. Have to like these starts)
Daniel Norris/Drew VerHagen @ KC, @ OAK (These two are piggy-backing. You want VerHagen of the two since he’s the follower and eligible for the win)
Rick Porcello vs MIN, vs NYY (I know, these match-ups are terrible and he’s had an awful year. The last few starts have actually been decent though. Don’t play him if you need to protect your ratios)
Mike Leake vs SD, @ CIN (Ratio risk. Play him if in need of wins)
Potential Nightmares:
Adam Wainwright vs SF, @ PIT
Vince Velasquez @ CIN, @ NYM
Joe Ross vs NYM, @ ATL
Adrian Houser vs HOU, vs CHC
Drew Smyly @ CIN, @ NYM
Jordan Zimmermann vs MIN, @ OAK
Jacob Waguespack @ ATL, @ TB
Mitch Keller vs MIA, vs STL
Jaime Barria @ OAK, @ CWS
Dylan Cease @ CLE, vs LAA
Ariel Jurado @ NYY, @ BAL
Tyler Beede @ STL, @ LAD
Asher Wojciechowski @ TB, vs TEX
Ross Detwiler @ CLE, va LAA
Justus Sheffield @ CHC, @ HOU
Chi Chi Gonzalez @ LAD, @ SD
Peter Lambert @ LAD, @ SD
Streamers I Want:
Dinelson Lamet vs COL (Fantrax 65%, CBS 69%, ESPN 17%) – It’s a great match-up and Lamet is a K machine.
Homer Bailey vs DET (Fantrax 48%, CBS 52%, ESPN 12%) – Has been the epitome of a home streamer since going to Oakland and vs DET is as good as it gets.
Tony Gonsolin vs SF (Fantrax 39%, CBS 29%, ESPN 49%) – The rookie has been throwing strikes and performing well so far. He’s at home, pitching in front of one of the best teams in baseball with a good match-up. What more do you want?
Good luck everyone!
-Match-ups and ownership percentages are accurate as of 1/9.
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