If you're going to steam pitchers over the course of the season, you have to ask yourself, 'What offenses do I stream against?'
Nearing the half-way point of the season, we have better (but, not perfect) read on which teams are weak, which teams struggle to post crooked number, and, thus, what teams to target. Here are the bottom three squads in few categories that matter most when you're trying to select a streaming option ...
Runs/Game - PHI (3.30), SEA (3.40), CWS (3.46)
Strikeouts - HOU (697), CHI (671), SD (646)
Team Batting Average - SEA (.231), NYM (.237), MIL (.237)
Total team HRs - ATL (42), PHI (46), CWS (50)
Team OPS - CWS (.647), PHI (.650), NYM (.665), MIL (.665)
Number of times team has grounded into a double play - DET (76), NYM (70), BOS (70)
Faced with that list, everyone's laughs at Philadelphia are confirmed as worthy. The Phillies should be targeted by even mediocre pitchers. Others aren't quite as easy. Houston is too dangerous to take advantage of. The White Sox have got to get it going eventually; there's just too much hitting talent in the top-half of that batting order. I would be willing to tackle them when they're on the road, but I wouldn't send my SP6 up against them when their taking their hacks on the South Side. Milwaukee is in the same boat ... I'd love to battle them when they're in the road gray's, but I'd avoid a head-to-head when their home at Miller Park. Finally, there's Seattle. The Mariners certainly have the names that you recognize, but their bats have been hollow most of the season. Even Nelson Cruz has slid into a rut, which makes the entire lineup a hapless entity. Until Seattle gets a run going (of 7-10 games), I'm more than willing to send guys like Mark Buehrle, C.J. Wilson, or Mike Pelfrey out there against them. Well, as long as Felix Hernandez isn't on the other side of the pitching pairing.
(Note: To make the list, I'll apply a loose definition that says you have to likely be unowned in a vast majority of 12-team mixed leagues. At the end of each player note, I'll also provide a suggested bid for those that use FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) for their waiver process (based on a $100 budget). Understand that this is only a suggestion ... if you just lost you're a starting outfielder to injury and you have an immediate need or gaping hole in your lineup, you will find it necessary to bid more in order to get that week's top available outfielder.)
Hitters
Franklin Gutierrez, OF, Seattle
Oh, yes, he still does play ... and, he bats 2nd! After missing all of 2014, the former near-20/20 outfielder is back in the Seattle lineup. I don't know if it says more about the Mariners than Gutierrez, but the M's are going to give him plenty of chances at the top of their lineup. Their offense has been one struggle after another (note the above paragraphs) and Gutierrez is a decent pop, decent speed kind of guy that could cover any injuries you might have cropping up in your outfield. He's well-beyond 30 nowadays (32 years old), but there's still a cheap upside here. Overall, he's an average outfielder that you might be able to ride to some positive results and he costs nothing, right now.
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Josh Phegley, C, Oakland
Phegley is in the midst of the hot streak (six hits, including three balls send over the wall, over his past five games) and for those in two-catcher leagues, he might be the answer to your unending questions at the position. The A's are making rumblings that would give Phegley more time behind the plate, while pushing Stephen Vogt to more time at first base and in the outfield. Phegley doesn't have an overwhelming background of work that leads you to think he's legit, but he's a catcher who does profile a good amount of power. There aren't going to be many more these guys that pop up later this summer, so if you're in the market, now is the time to strike.
Suggested FAAB bid - $5
Danny Santana, INF/OF, Minnesota
With Byron Buxton's injury, Santana got the ring from the minors and is back dressing in the nice locker rooms. Coming into the season, some thought Santana could actually repeat last year's strong 2nd-half (.319/.353/.472 in 101 games), but his 2015 start was brutal. Santana's batting mark has dropped more than 100 points this season and he's yet to hit a home run in his first 189 ABs. It would help if he worked a walk once in a while (21 of them in nearly 620 PAs), but Santana can provide roster flexibility (he is eligible as an outfielder/infielder in most leagues) and a possible lift in steals (24 in 152 total games at the big league level). The Twins are set to give Santana one more shot and if he falls into a hots streak, you have a nice score. Rarely, do you get that second chance to grab an over-drafted piece from three months ago at a relative pittance. Santana is a half-way decent bench option for those in 12-team leagues.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Pitchers
Alex Meyer, RP, Minnesota
Meyer has been discussed for quite some time when it comes to prospecting in the Minnesota organization and it's finally time to see him. Unfortunately, for his fantasy value, Meyer is expected to do most of his work out of the bullpen. He had been form-fitted for that role at Triple-A and the results were promising as he allowed one run in 17 innings. Then, he came to the majors. Taking over for a battered Trevor May, Meyer got his first taste on Friday night in a blowout game at Milwaukee. He coughed up a couple of homers in less than two innings, so no one will be interested in him when it comes to bidding this weekend. He works best for those in leagues with required 'relief pitcher' slots and I don't expect to see him manning the Twins' starting rotation anytime soon
Suggested FAAB bid - $1
Mike Montgomery, SP, Seattle
Speaking of prospects ... Montgomery was considered part of the future in Kansas City a few years back, but injuries and ineffectiveness caused him to search out a new home. And, the early returns for the Mariners have been hugely positive. His first five MLB starts have yielded a pair of wins, alongside an ERA just a shade over 2 and a WHIP under-1. His K/BB ratio isn't impressive, though (2.75) and he's never going to be confused for what we'd call a 'power pitcher.' But, he has a two-start week coming up (at San Diego and at Oakland) that makes him worth your attention. For all the streamers out there, he's a fair snag this week. Make the bid with the understanding that you may be releasing him as soon as next week, depending on what he provides in the games against the Friars and Athletics.
Suggested FAAB bid - $4
Ivan Nova, SP, NY Yankees
Just like Gutierrez up above, Nova missed nearly all of last season, but he made a solid return earlier in the week against Philadelphia. His career line shows a decent, but not above-average pitcher. You're unlikely to get any K-numbers that make a dent, but he's shown an ability to rack up some wins (28 over a run of 56 starts in 2011-2012). He's not a ratio pick-up, but he can grapple the raw wins' totals if you spot him in favorable match-up's. The Yankees have needs in their starting five, so you should be confident that he remains in the rotation as long as his health remains steady.
Suggested FAAB bid - $5
Roberto Osuna, RP, Toronto
Who really knows what the Blue Jays are doing in the 9th inning? And, frankly, you've got to wonder if it truly matters. With the way this team clubs the baseball, they often find themselves in blowouts ... both as the blowout-er and the blowout-ee. Look at the numbers, it's remarkable. The Jays have registered just 11 saves in their 40 wins this year. Of late, they appear to be set on a mix-and-match approach. Osuna will be a part of that crew, but we just don't know if he'll be the guy for manager John Gibbons. His arm has lit up the screen with over 10 punchouts per nine innings and all the other numbers like ERA (2.10) and WHIP (0.90) are there. We've reached a point in the season where the number of possible closers really dwindle. If you find yourself hoping for a cheap 10 saves moving forward, Osuna (only 20 years old) may be your answer. Plus, there's always the possible payoff of a big 2nd have for the Mexican righty, if Toronto is willing to ride the hot hand.
Suggested FAAB bid - $7
You can hear Kyle each weeknight on 'The SiriusXM Fantasy Drive' from 7-10 ET, Sirius 210, XM 87.
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