Two weeks ago, we enjoyed an A+ group of two-match streamers. And last week we managed to find several solid options. But now we’re paying for our newfound wealth, as this week’s streamer list is the worst of the season. Many teams have their aces lined up for two games this week, which doesn’t help those who need immediate help from the waiver wire. Hold your nose and try to determine the best of a bad batch from the list below.
Two-game pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Trevor Williams, 45% (vs. NYM, vs. ATL)
While going 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA, Williams (career 4.34 ERA) has used an altered pitch mix to greatly exceed expectations this year. And although his FIP of 2.87 is slightly higher than his ERA, it is still an excellent mark that shows his notable improvement over previous years. Williams has matchups this week that are challenging but not impossible, meaning he can be broadcast across all leagues.
Matt Waldron, 15% (@LAA, vs. ARI)
Waldron showed respectable skills (60:19 K:BB ratio, 0.95 HR/9 rate, 3.54 FIP), but was slowed by a .329 BABIP en route to posting a 4.26 ERA and a WHIP of 1.37. Still, in a bad week for streamers, the knuckleballer could be considered for matchups against an average Angels offense and a D-backs lineup that ranked 25th in OPS in May.
Joey Estes, 1% (vs. SEA, vs. TOR)
You know it’s a brutal week for streamers when an A’s pitcher with a 6.10 ERA earns third place on this list. But those who dig a little deeper will notice a solid 20:6 K:BB ratio in 20.2 innings and a 1.21 WHIP. Those in head-to-head leagues might give the 22-year-old some consideration based on his skills and a few matchups against teams that are in the bottom six in runs scored.
Tyler Anderson, 47% (vs. SD, vs. HOU)
There’s no doubt that Anderson was fortunate to have a 2.47 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, as his .211 BABIP and 87% wire rate are unsustainable marks. His K:BB ratio of 48:29 in 69.1 innings makes Anderson look like waiver fodder, but in a tough week for streamers, managers could run the risk of his happy run lasting another seven days.
But be warned: Anderson’s opponents rank in the top 10 in OPS.
Kyle Gibson, 24% (@HOU, vs. COL)
Gibson has similarities to Anderson, having benefited from a .256 BABIP, contributing to a 3.60 ERA that is much better than his 4.47 FIP. And like Anderson, Gibson has a poor K:BB ratio (52:25). The right-hander is a risky option this week, but his second matchup is good enough to put him in the mix as the Rockies struggle to score on the road.
Bryse Wilson, 10% (@PHI, @DET)
Wilson still maintains respectable ratios (3.19 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) but has struggled (4.50 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 12:9 K:BB ratio) in his last four starts. The right-hander is a risky option early in the week against a Phillies lineup that ranks first in runs scored, but if he can get past this game he should have more success against the Tigers.
André Pallante, 0% (@HOU, vs. COL)
After pitching six shutout innings in his first start of 2024, Pallante will get a chance at a two-game week. The right-hander benefits from being one of baseball’s most extreme groundball pitchers, but the good news stops there as he struggles to get whiffs (5.9 career K/9 rate) and boasts a bloated lifetime WHIP of 1 .48. Any other week, he wouldn’t be mentioned.
Single Start Streamers
In order, here are the week’s top streamers, with start date and Yahoo roster rate in parentheses.
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Jameson Taillon x CWS (Wednesday, 30)
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Cooper Criswell @CWS (Friday the 10th)
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Ben Lively @MIA (Friday the 45th)
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Robert Gasser @DET (Friday the 39th)
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Cole Irvin @TB (Friday the 45th)
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Albert Suárez @TOR (Wednesday, 16)
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Lance Lynn x COL (Friday the 24th)
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Dane Dunning x DET (Tuesday the 16th)
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James Paxton @PIT (Wednesday 36)
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Alec Marsh x SEA (Friday 28)
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Taj Bradley x BAL (Saturday 47)
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Braxton Garrett x TB (Wednesday, 44)
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Ryan Weathers x CLE (Saturday 34)
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Tylor Megill @PHI (Sunday 11)
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Micheal Lorenzen x SF (Saturday, 19)
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José Soriano x SD (Wednesday, 15)
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Simeon Woods Richardson @PIT (Saturday 14)
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Sean Manaea x PHI (Saturday, 32)
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Jake Irvin x ATL (Friday the 17th)
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Mitchell Parker x ATL (Thursday, 24)
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JP Sears x SEA (Thursday, 10)
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Spencer Schwellenbach x BOS (Wednesday, 15)
Favorable matches from Monday to Thursday
Reds @Rockies, vs. An underwhelming Reds offense could find life when it visits Coors Field for three games before returning home to face the Cubs. The club will face right-handers in three of four games, which makes left-handed outfielders TJ Friedl (38%), Jake Fraley (15%) and Will Benson (13%) viable options. These matchups are so good that Jonathan India (46%) and Jeimer Candelario (39%) are also useful options.
Fathers @Angels, vs. The Padres will have a favorable four-game slate, including three matchups against weak lefties and one game against right-hander Jose Soriano. Additionally, San Diego’s sluggers could benefit late in games against an Angels bullpen that boasts a 4.85 ERA. The trio of lefties makes rookie Jackson Merrill a bad option, but Luis Campusano (43%) is a solid streamer and Donovan Solano (1%) starts against all lefties and could be considered in deep formats.
D-backs vs. Giants, @Padres: Arizona hitters are good volume plays during a four-game slate that includes three everyday starters and three contests against a Giants bullpen that boasts a 4.42 ERA. The team doesn’t offer many streaming options, but Joc Pederson (10%) is a solid option, while Kevin Newman (4%) and Jake McCarthy (2%) could be considered in deep leagues.
