Monday’s Streaming Starters (9/23/19)

Down the stretch, we’ll be covering the probable starters and highlighting our favorites to stream as you chase down your fantasy titles. The pitcher in question must be available in 50% or more of leagues according to FantasyPros.com which combines ESPN and Yahoo! roster rates (sometimes exceptions just over 50% will be mentioned if they are really good and should have a much higher roster rate).

Note: The starters are listed in order of value

Hell Yea

Homer Bailey (30%) at LAA: He meets all the requirements for a good streamer, especially since joining the A’s, with an 8.6 K/9, just a 2.0 BB/9, six Wins, and a 4.21 ERA.

Partial Category Contribution

Rich Hill (39%)/Ross Stripling (39%) at SD: If Stripling starts, I love him in the follower role here. The only red flag may be a limited number of innings.

Dylan Bundy (19%) at TOR: Strikeouts (9.1 K/9) and a possible Win against the Jays. The strikeouts may not be as high since he’s reinventing himself as the season goes on. He’s starting to mix in a sinker and throw his four-seamer less. His strikeouts have gone from 9.5 K/9 in the first half to 8.5 K/9. Over the same time, his HR/9 has dropped from 2.0 to 1.1. The problem is the Orioles defense which has let too many groundballs through and his BABIP has increased from .276 to .339.

Anthony Kay (3%) vs BAL: I guess I’m the most interested in the Baltimore-Toronto game. Kay’s been striking out batters this season (8.4 K/9). He’s keeping the ball on the ground so far in the majors (52%) and has limited the homers. While his ERA is near 6.00, his ERA estimators are around 4.00. He’s a fine option.

Single Category Contribution

Mitch Keller (0%) vs CHC: A 12.1 K/9 gets the whiffs and a .476 BABIP leads to a 7.74 ERA.

Spencer Turnbull (7%) vs MIN: I wish I could recommend him more but the Tigers defense is atrocious and his allowed BABIP is at .393 in the second half.

Héctor Santiago (0%) vs CLE: Another strikeouts-only play (9.1 K/9) with a good chance to blow up your ratios.

Hell No

Brendan McKay (0%) vs NYY: I’d move him up but over his last four starts, he’s been limited to 60 pitches (59, 59, 64, and 61). It’s just not enough pitches to get strikeouts or a Win.

Sandy Alcantara (23%) at NYM: I took a lot of heat in the comments for ranking Alcantara in the Hell No category last week. I just didn’t see how he was going to help in the four roto categories. I was just not believing in his “hot” second half with a .255 BABIP. In his last start, he got hit around for four runs, seven hits, two walks, and just three strikeouts over 5.2 innings. He didn’t provide any help. I’m still not a believer in someone with just a 6.8 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9. His ERA is OK at 4.00 but his ERA estimators are closer to 5.00. He might be fine in points leagues but still not in Roto.

Danny Duffy (9%) vs ATL: Like Alcantara, I just don’t see the value which Duffy provides to a roto team. There is nothing above average and he’s facing Atlanta. He’s probably a better option in a points league.

Mike Leake (20%) vs STL: I’d like to say he’s a WHIP play but his 88-mph fast is getting hit around too much.

Erick Fedde (1%) vs PHI: He’s bad and I still ranked five pitchers below him.

Ariel Jurado (2%) vs BOS: He’s just not a positive contributor and faces the Red Sox.

Justin Dunn (1%)/Tommy Milone (2%) vs HOU: No.

Ronald Bolaños (0%) vs LAD: A high walk and flyball pitcher facing the Dodgers. Hard pass.

Cole Irvin (0%) at WAS: There is just nothing to build off, especially with a 35% GB% leading to a 1.7 HR/9.

Jeff Hoffman (0%) at SF: He could be a Win-only play but he’s facing Bumgarner. Useless.