This weekend is highlighted by the plethora of compelling streamers. Plenty of mid-level pitchers are available in most leagues and should face baseball’s weakest offenses in the coming days. On the hitting side, the Reds and Cardinals offer excellent streamers, and the A’s could be a surprising source of offense in deep leagues.
Combinations to target
Reds vs. Orioles
The Reds can throw a lot of long balls when playing in their happy spot against three everyday starters, two of whom tend to give up back-and-forth players (John Means, Dean Kremer). Jonathan India (55%) is a good streamer all weekend, and Stuart Fairchild (0%) is a viable option against lefties on Friday and Saturday. Pinch-hitter Jeimer Candelario (40%) could emerge from an early-season slump, while left-handed outfielder Jake Fraley (26%) and Will Benson (22%) are great options against right-hander Kremer on Sunday.
Cardinals x White Sox
The Cards’ underwhelming offense could get on track when they face a White Sox team that ranks 29th in baseball with a 5.15 ERA. Brendan Donovan (38%) and Lars Nootbaar (35%) are great options against right-handed starters on Friday and Saturday, but the club won’t offer any obvious streaming candidates against lefty Garrett Crochet on Sunday.
A’s vs. Marlins
The A’s regular offense could have a better weekend than usual when they face three Miami starters with an ERA above 4.30. Two of the Marlins’ starters are left-handed, which makes right-handed hitters Tyler Nevin (13%) and Brent Rooker (18%) viable options. Nevin is especially interesting as he is having the best season of his brief career (.875 OPS).
Guardians @ Angels
Although Reid Detmers is expected to defend on Saturday, he is sandwiched between two below-average right-handed starters. Additionally, the Angels’ bullpen ranks 27th in baseball with a 5.42 ERA. Bo Naylor (28%) is off to a slow start this season, but continues to be a good catch streamer on the weekend. Will Brennan (2%) and Gabriel Arias (5%) are elite options.
Fights to avoid
Astros vs. Mariners
This looks to be a low-scoring series, with all six starters having impressive skill sets. Besides Kyle Tucker, José Altuve, Yordan Álvarez and Yainer Díaz, the rest of the Astros’ hitters are questionable options. There are fewer strong options from the Mariners, who can only offer Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh.
Phillies vs Giants
Managers typically like to broadcast Philadelphia hitters playing at home, but they are less appealing when facing three San Francisco starters who each have an ERA under 3.20. The five team members who are rostered in over 90% of leagues will need to remain active, but otherwise this is not a situation that gives players the benefit of the doubt.
Looking for Salvages
LAST CALL: Héctor Neris, Chicago Cubs (57% rostered)
Neris is clearly the Cubs closer, having made four saves since April 20. Those in superficial leagues have yet to accept the change, as the right-hander remains just 57% of the roster. But there’s a good chance Neris gets a save or a Vulture win when he throws high-leverage innings in a home series against the Brewers this weekend.
Jason Adam, Tampa Bay Rays (46% rostered)
Adam is available in a few more leagues than Neris and remains the top prospect for saves in a Rays bullpen that will function without closer Pete Fairbanks for the foreseeable future. Adam has been excellent this year (1.29 ERA, 0.64 WHIP) and should work the ninth inning of close games during a weekend home series against the Mets.
Looking for robberies
Johan Rojas, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (7% rostered)
As previously mentioned, Rojas and his teammates may have trouble collecting base hits against three solid Giants starters. But the outfielder will be a major stealing threat when he gets on base, as Giants catcher Patrick Bailey has allowed more hits this year than all but two catchers. Six of Rojas’ seven steals also came against righties, and all three of San Francisco’s scheduled starters shoot from the right side.
Streaming Beginners
In order, here are the weekend’s best streamers, with start date and Yahoo! escalation rate in parentheses.
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Lance Lynn x CWS (Saturday 38)
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Paul Blackburn x MIA (Saturday 40)
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Erick Fedde @STL (Saturday 41)
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Clarke Schmidt x DET (Saturday, 37)
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Kyle Gibson x CWS (Sunday 19)
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Martín Pérez x COL (Friday, 25)
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Michael Wacha x TEX (Saturday, 46)
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Jake Irvin x TOR (Saturday 7)
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Dane Dunning @KC (Saturday 25)
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JP Sears x MIA (Friday the 6th)
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Ryan Weathers @OAK (Friday the 11th)
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Trevor Rogers @OAK (Saturday 8)
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Jon Gray @KC (Sunday 40)
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Cooper Criswell @MIN (Sunday 2)
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Ryan Feltner @PIT (Sunday 3)
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Jameson Taillon x MIL (Saturday, 32)
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Bailey Falter x COL (Sunday, 21)
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Sean Manaea @TB (Sunday 28)
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Ben Lively x LAA (Saturday 7)
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Slade Cecconi x SD (Saturday, 7)
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Dean Kremer @CIN (Sunday, 20)
