I was very happy with last week’s hosts. I didn’t have a good feeling about it when I wrote it, but the results ended up being good. Our two hitters were good, and most of the streamers were solid as well. That’s all we could ask for in a week where we had lower expectations, but that’s not the case this week. I love this cast, and it was hard to narrow things down. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the favorable matchups and dive into those streamers.
Popular Team Games
7 Games
Houston Astros (vs. SEA, vs. TEX)
Los Angeles Dodgers (vs. SF, LAA)
6 Games
Arizona Diamondbacks (in TEX, in COL)
Athletics (vs. SF, vs. STL)
Chicago Cubs (ATL, CWS)
Cincinnati Reds (vs. WAS, at CLE)
Kansas City Royals (CWS, STL)
Pittsburgh Pirates (vs. COL, vs. PHI)
St. Louis Cardinals (at ATH, vs. KC)
Washington Nationals (at CIN, vs. BAL)
Throwing Streamers
Peter Lambert, HOU (vs. SEA, vs. TEX)
I’d be lying if I said I saw this coming in Lambert’s time with the Rockies, but it’s funny how an organizational change can change everything. Lambert had a 6.28 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in four seasons with Colorado, but averaged a 2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 9.3 K/9 in his first campaign with Houston. His last three starts have been even more impressive, allowing two perfect runs while posting a 1.04 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Getting him support from Houston has been great, and we love that he has a good home start for two this week. Seattle sits 22nd in runs scored, 21st in xwOBA and 27th in K rate, while Texas is 23rd in wOBA and 24th in K rate.
Average Stream: $-50.3
Jeffrey Springs, ATH (vs. STL, vs. SF)
We don’t usually recommend double starters, but both of these guys are outstanding options this week. Springs was kicked out of some leagues for throwing seven balls a few weeks ago, but he’s had a solid season. He has allowed two runs or less in six of his eight starts this year, sporting a 3.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. That’s consistent with the production we’ve seen throughout Spring work, including a 3.32 ERA and 1.14 WHIP since 2021. That kind of continued success makes the southpaw an attractive option in Week Two, especially against these underdogs. St. Louis has been decent, but San Fran is always dead last in scoring, OBP, wOBA and xwOBA.
Streaming Rate: $19
Reid Detmers, LAA (in CLE)
Detmers has always had the talent to be a fantasy player to follow, but random shells killed his value. The good news is that some changes to his arsenal have resulted in a new-looking pitcher, with Detmers putting up a 4.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 9.9 K/9 average before Friday’s start. Advanced stats tell us he should be even better than that, with Detmers averaging a 2.81 FIP and 2.82 xERA. He also had a 3.08 xFIP last season, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see a breakout season from this southpaw. The comparison to Cleveland is far from relevant, too, with the guards ranked 21st in runs scored, 23rd in OBP, and 24th in xwOBA.
Streaming Average: $2.8
Robby Snelling, MIA (at MIN)
I’m not one for expectations, but many of my colleagues like what Snelling brings to the table. That’s why it’s an easy choice as one of our broadcasters, to post some outstanding numbers at the grassroots level. Snelling averaged a 1.46 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 43 K percentage in Triple-A since the start of last season. Those are ace-like numbers, especially since he leads all of the minor leagues with 44 hits so far this year. While he makes his first start today, Minnesota is a great place to make his second start. The Twins are 17th in K rate and 18th in xwOBA while losing 15 of their last 20 outings.
Average Stream: $-23.7
Jameson Taillon, CHC (at CWS)
Taillon has been one of our most popular broadcasters over the past five years. That explains how he is not a player to watch, but has quietly been a reliable striker since his promotion in 2017. This righty has a career ERA of 3.88 and a 1.19 WHIP. That’s nothing special, but those are solid stats over a decade in the league. He was the same with the Cubs, compiling a 3.54 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over the past three seasons. That makes him a safe option against Chicago because the White Sox ranked in the bottom five in runs scored, OBP, OPS and xwOBA since the start of last season.
Streaming Average: $2.2
Hitting Streamers
JJ Bleday/Nathaniel Lowe, CIN (vs. WAS, at CLE)
We have the Cincy Bats as our favorite hitters this week. It’s hard to believe that both of these guys are getting so little attention because they were two of the best bats in the NL a few weeks ago. Let’s start with Bleday, who has a .410 OBP and 1.137 OPS so far this season. That hot streak has moved him up two spots on the Reds’ dangerous roster, and Lowe is right behind him in fourth or fifth. Lowe has a .367 OBP and 1.117 OPS over his last 13 games. Both of these guys have great separation against right-handers, which is good considering they are facing four this week. Not to mention, Washington ranks 28th in ERA and 26th in WHIP!
Adolis Garcia, PHI (BOS, PIT)
I might be biased towards Garcia because this guy was an amazing lover of mine in the past. It’s always hard to ignore when someone is doing good for you, but there’s still a chance for Garcia to be a fantasy. His most impactful changeup is his status because he beats Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber. There aren’t many better places for a program in baseball, and he’s starting to show some signs. Garcia has a .306 AVG, .490 SLG, and .829 OPS over his last 13 games. That’s close to the stud we’ve seen in the past, when Garcia averaged 30 homers and 15 steals in 150 games through 2021.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals No Face)
Theft Specialists
Nasim Nunez (WAS)
Nunez has been a regular at this point all season, and is always a safe steal option. This fast player is one of the leaders of the league as they have stolen 14 goals this season.
Wenceel Perez (DET)
Perez has been designated as Detroit’s base stealer lately, recording three steals in his last six outings.
Keeps Professionals
Rico Garcia (BAL)
With Ryan Helsely in IL, Garcia looks like a guy. He has the last two starts for the Orioles, while posting a 0.53 ERA and 0.41 WHIP this year.
Tony Santillan (CIN)
Santillan is expected to step in as the closer when Emilio Pagan arrives at IL. He had seven saves last season while compiling a 2.64 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over the last three years.
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!
