Broadcasters can be tough this part of the season because things get weird after the All-Star break. What makes it even weirder is that we have the trade deadline right around the corner, but it’s an exciting time to rebuild your system. There will be some obscure drops in the coming weeks, and there will be some great options depending on the broadcasters. We have your spare arms and veterans as broadcasters this week, so let’s start by looking at this week’s favorable matchups!
Popular Team Games
7 Games
Athletics (vs. BOS, vs. DET)
Atlanta Braves (at NYM, vs. WAS)
Boston Red Sox (ATH, LAD)
New York Yankees (CWS, CHC)
Texas Rangers (TEX, HOU)
6 Games
Detroit Tigers (vs. BAL, at ATH)
Houston Astros (at LAA, vs. TEX)
Kansas City Royals (MIN, COL)
San Diego Padres (vs. COL, vs. SF)
Throwing Streamers
Christian Scott, NYM (vs. ATL, vs. MIA)
Scott had some bad luck with the defense behind him in his last start, but now it’s time to get back to him as one of our hosts. Despite that abbreviated outing, Scott still has a 3.13 ERA and 1.26 WHIP this season. He also allowed four runs or less in all 14 starts this season, which isn’t surprising since he had a 2.90 ERA and 0.90 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A. Scott was also breaking out before this small start, throwing 10.2 scoreless innings over his last two innings. The best part about this is that you have two home games against weaker offenses. Not only is Citi Field one of the best parks, but Miami ranks 24th in xwOBA while Atlanta has been one of the worst offenses since June 1st.
Average Stream: $28.1
Merrill Kelly, ARI (PIT, CLE)
How weird is it that Kelly and Brady Singer have an exact match this week? The good thing about Kelly is that he has two road starts because Arizona is second in the park this season. Getting out of Arizona should be huge as Kelly has found something in the second half of the season. The veteran has allowed two or fewer runs in four straight starts while posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in that span. We’ve been waiting to see a run like that because Kelly has a 3.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over the past six seasons. Crafty veterans like these always see it through at some point, and we expect the success to continue as these ratings aren’t too bad. We know Pittsburgh has been intimidating, but there is still a lack of talent on that roster. Cleveland is far from it, ranking in the bottom three in runs scored and xwOBA.
Streaming Rate: $-14
Tatsuya Imai, HOU (at LAA)
The season-long stats from Imai are bad, but this guy has the ability to be a stud. Despite posting a 5.59 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, Imai is averaging a 4.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 13.3 K/9 over his last five starts. That strikeout stuff is what you want in one of your pitchers, and we can shake off a slow start due to the move from Japan. The variable that has the biggest impact here is like Los Angeles, though. The Angels ranked 24th in xwOBA while posting the worst K-rate in baseball for the second year in a row. A guy with a 13.3 K/9 rate against a team with a terrible K rate is the perfect recipe for a few hits and double-digit power.
Streaming Rate: $-2.0
Shane Drohan, MIL (at SF)
Are the Brewers the best team at developing pitchers? It feels like it’s been like that for the last few years, I’m entering another gem with Drohan. The left-hander has a 3.20 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP through 10 starts and 20 total appearances this season. You might think the numbers have dropped since he took over as the starter, but Drohan is averaging a 3.43 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.7 K/9 in this new role. That’s what we’ve been seeing from these Milwaukee starters for years, and we love this play by the Giants. San Fran has one of the most open ballparks while sitting 27th in runs scored and 28th in xwOBA.
Average Stream: $-8.4
Ian Seymour, TB (vs. TEX)
Seymour’s 4.64 ERA isn’t anything special, but it’s just one of the reasons he’s still sitting on other waiver wires and remains eligible as one of our pitchers. That number actually increased because he was shot in his debut. Seymour has a 4.03 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 in 35 games since then. Seven of those were starts, with Seymour posting a 4.22 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 11.2 K/9 in nearly two months since becoming the long man. That ERA doesn’t match the advanced stats because Seymour also has a 3.52 xERA and a 3.51 SIERA. The comparison at home to Texas only adds to Seymour’s antics, with the Rangers ranking 20th in xwOBA and 22nd in runs scored. Not to mention, Seymour has a 3.89 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in Tampa this year, which is one of the best pitcher’s parks.
Streaming Average: $15.6
Hitting Streamers
Caleb Durbin, BOS (ATH, LAD)
There was excitement surrounding Durbin during the draft season, but that changed after a slow start. Post-hype sleeping is always an interesting choice for one of our broadcasters because people quickly give up on this baby. Durbin has 10 homers and 11 steals this season while producing a .341 AVG and .908 OPS over his last 12 outings. You might say that’s a good two weeks, but Durbin also has a .395 OBP and a .960 OPS over the past month! It needs to be listed almost everywhere after numbers like that, but this scheduling couldn’t be much better. Not only does Durbin have seven games this week, but four of those are in Sacramento against the worst second basemen in baseball.
Ty France, SD (vs. COL, vs. SF)
France recently had a disgrace in the last games of the World Cup, but this France is on the rise. He basically seemed out of the league before San Diego gave him a chance, but he’s been one of their best bats lately. France became his first everyday hitter in the second half, compiling a .383 OBP and 1.104 OPS over his last 26 outings. Those are All-Star averages, and it’s hard to believe he’s still widely available behind numbers like those. We also like that he has a series against Colorado, the Rockies ranked last in ERA and WHIP. San Fran also has no fear because it avoids Logan Webb in that series.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals No Face)
Theft Specialists
Nasim Nunez (WAS)
How often do you see the league leader in steals sitting on the waiver wire? That shows how young Nunez is, but his 37 steals make him a special source of waiver calls.
Cedric Mullins (TB)
Mullins hits hard in the heart of Tampa’s lineup whenever he faces the righty, recording 16 steals so far this season.
Keeps Professionals
Jacob Webb (CHC)
Webb has looked like the Cubs’ closer in the absence of Daniel Palencia, collecting three saves in his last seven games.
Grant Taylor (CWS)
Taylor appears to be close to Chicago as Seranthony Domínguez struggles. He has three saves in his last outing while posting a 12.6 K/9 average this year.
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!
