After a week off from streaming, we’re back to work. It was really funny putting together this list of broadcasters because there are a lot of guys who have been regulars on this topic for years. I’ve always been the type of fantasy player who leans on veterans over unknown talents, and that wasn’t going to show much in the polls this week. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but who knows? Either way, let’s start the second half with favorable matchups and dive into those streamers!
Popular Team Games
7 Games
Arizona Diamondbacks (va. ATH, WAS)
Atlanta Braves (vs. SD, in BAL)
Minnesota Twins (at CLE, vs. ATH)
San Diego Padres (ATL, MIA)
Tampa Bay Rays (at TOR, vs. CLE)
6 Games
Boston Red Sox (vs. BAL, vs. TOR)
Chicago White Sox (at TEX, vs. HOU)
Colorado Rockies (vs. WAS, at MIL)
Houston Astros (vs. MIA, CWS)
Milwaukee Brewers (vs. NYM, vs. COL)
Washington Nationals (at COL, vs. ARI)
Throwing Streamers
Michael Wacha, KC (vs. SF, at DET)
Wacha was actually one of the first broadcasters I ever wrote about, but he’s had a quiet good career over the past decade. After failing to live up to the status quo in St. Louis, has become a reliable veteran in KC. Wacha has a 3.77 ERA and 1.19 WHIP this year, while producing a 3.51 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over the past five seasons. His ERA has never topped 4.00 in that span, and his WHIP has never been above 1.22 either. That’s about as honest as one of your broadcasters can get, and we love his two matchups this week. San Fran sits 21st in wOBA and 22nd in runs scored, while Detroit ranks 19th in wOBA, 21st in runs scored and 23rd in K rate.
Streaming Average: $-5.7
Jameson Taillon, CHC (vs. DET, PIT)
Funny how Taillon and Wacha had similar careers. Both of these guys have been solid pitchers over the past decade, but neither has risen to ace status despite some brilliant moments. The Cubs righty is expected to return to the IL on Monday, having posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over the past two seasons. Only two duds this year have kept Taillon from matching those averages because he has a 3.97 ERA and 1.15 WHIP when you take those duds out against two of the best offenses in baseball. It’s always risky to pick broadcasters from IL, but this week’s first double is a good place to land. We’ve discussed how soft the Motor City Kitties have been, but we also like that Taillon has a 3.59 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in his last five games against the Pirates.
Streaming Rate: $NA
Bailey Ober, MIN (in CLE)
Don’t look at Ober’s speed if you want to choose him as one of your hosts. This guy is throwing meatballs right now, but hitters can’t seem to pick it up. The right-hander has allowed four runs or fewer in 12 of his 14 starts, along with two shutouts versus the two highest-scoring teams in baseball. Funny how that happens, but Ober has a 3.34 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over his next 12 starts. The good news is that Cleveland is nowhere near those top offenses, and the Rangers rank 29th or 30th in runs scored, OPS, wOBA and xwOBA. Those numbers dropped significantly with Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez sidelined, and Ober compiled a 3.06 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 13 career starts against them.
Streaming Rate: $12.5
Tyler Mahle, SF (at KC, vs. LAA)
This is probably the most dangerous choice for our broadcasters, but I believe in Mahle. This guy was a hero for me last season, producing a 2.18 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 13 starts. That made me happy to see him sign with San Fran because of their ballpark, but it was tough this time. The good news is that he’s starting to find something, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over his last five starts. That culminated in a seven-run home run in his most recent outing, and we can’t forget the fact that he has a 2.11 ERA and 1.13 WHIP at home over the past three years. A home start against the Angels is great as they have the worst K-rate in baseball, but a road start doesn’t bother us either. The Royals ranked 20th in runs scored and 18th in wOBA.
Stream Rate: $-9.5
Brady Singer, CIN (at SEA)
Singer has been one of our frequent hosts since I started writing these articles a few years ago. The reason for that is his inconsistency, but we always love the artist whenever he is hot. That’s what we’re seeing right now, with Singer sporting a 2.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 9.1 K/9 average over his last eight starts. He also gave up two runs or less in seven of those and should benefit from this ballpark change. Cincy has one of the friendliest parks, while Seattle has one of the best. The Mariners also rank 22nd in K rate, 25th in wOBA and 28th in runs scored.
Streamonator rating: $6.6
Hitting Streamers
Curtis Mead, WAS (in COL, vs. ARI)
If we didn’t look at the numbers and only look at the perennial variables, Mead would be seen as ranked in every league. We’re talking about a guy who hits second or third every day on the highest scoring team in baseball. That’s one big asset, but Mead is also suited to almost every position on the infield. That’s a ton in Mead’s favor, and we haven’t even discussed the stats. This guy has a .348 OBP, .517 SLG, and .867 OPS in the outgoing campaign. The ratings have been even more ridiculous lately, with Mead maintaining a .500 OBP and 1.329 OPS over the past two weeks. That makes him popular everywhere, and he needs to be on the roster as he has a series at Coors Field this week against the worst pitching staff in baseball.
Trevor Larnach, MIN (at CLE, vs. ATH)
This is one of the oddest percentages of the lineup I’ve seen all season. Larnach is still less than 10 percent of Yahoo, and deserves to be more than one of our broadcasters. The guy has become the Twins’ best everyday hitter, posting a .289 AVG, .381 OBP and .830 OPS this year. It was the promotion to the leadoff spot that really changed Larnach’s season, posting a .375 AVG and 1.057 OPS since June 16. That’s a month of All-Star averages, and it seems like fantasy managers don’t care one bit. Having seven games against these bulls is the icing on the cake because the A’s are 29th in ERA and WHIP, while Cleveland doesn’t really hit us.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals No Face)
Theft Specialists
Kahlil Watson (CLE)
Watson has been at the heart of Cleveland’s lineup since losing Ramirez and Martinez, recording six steals in his last eight games.
Jason Dominguez (NYY)
Dominguez has also been at the heart of NY’s lineup, picking up six steals in his last 23 games.
Keeps Professionals
Jacob Webb (CHC)
With Danny Palencia looking a long way from a return, Webb has three saves in his last five games and was a setup man before this injury.
Tyler Wells (BAL)
Wells has taken over the gig since Ryan Helseley arrived at IL, recording three saves in his last six games. He also has a 0.98 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 since June 1st.
Grant Taylor (CWS)
Seranthony Dominguez opened the scoring for Chicago’s closer, while Taylor earned two saves during his three outings. He also has one of the worst hits in baseball, sporting a 12.5 K/9 rate.
Feel free to comment here or contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions! Also, feel free to check out my Waiver Wire article from yesterday!
