Streaming Starters: September 19th, 2019

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).

I’m listing them in order of interest.

SCOOP ‘EM

Joe Musgrove (10-12, 4.52) v. SEA | 44%: It’s hard not to feel that Musgrove is getting ready for his standard “rug-pull” start given the ups and downs of the season, but I’m still starting him here. He’s got a 3.89 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in his last six starts spanning 34.7 innings, including 34 strikeouts against just six walks. The Mariners have just a .305 wOBA and 26% K rate against righties over the last month.

Jordan Lyles (11-8, 4.25) v. SD | 37%: Lyles has been excellent since rejoining the Brewers, posting a 2.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 49 innings. He’s one of the few Brewers starters going 5+ with regularity and winning four of his last five starts.

STRONG CONSIDERATION

Kyle Gibson (13-7, 4.76) v. KC | 40%: Gibson has greatly struggled down the stretch with a 6.75 ERA over his last 38.7 innings, but the Royals remain a team to attack if you’re streaming.

COINFLIPS

Andrew Heaney (4-5, 4.76) at NYY | 50%: After a brilliant August (1.82 ERA, 34 K in 24.7 IP), Heaney has been a bit wobbly in three September starts (8.79 ERA, 15 K in 14.3 IP). Plus, this is a difficult matchup. The Yankees are third in wOBA against lefties this past month with a .355 mark.

Yusei Kikuchi (6-10, 5.46) at PIT | 39%: The Pirates definitely aren’t a team to fear, but Kikuchi is difficult to trust. You can see the volatility in his earned runs over the last seven starts: 1, 5, 0, 5, 3, 1, and 5. Overall, it’s a 5.35 ERA in 33.7 innings.

Anthony Kay (0-0, 6.30) at BAL | 2%: This is more matchup-based than talent-based, but even that is a little suspect. Kay has just two MLB starts – one good, one bad – so we don’t have much to go off there. The Orioles have a .313 wOBA against lefties on the season, but they are up at .355 over the last month.

HAIL MARY

Mike Montgomery (2-7, 4.23) at MIN | 11%: Awful against Baltimore, great against Oakland, awful against Miami, strong against Houston… so I guess he’s going to dominate Minnesota?? I don’t have the stomach to go for it.

NO CHANCE

Aaron Brooks (5-8, 6.06) v. TOR | 3%: No, of course not.