Those who follow baseball know all too well that a league-wide lack of offense has been the story of the 2024 season. And the trend should continue this weekend as many teams are scheduled to deploy a trio of solid starters in their effective rotations.
The good news is that the three clubs that can be identified as having favorable batting matchups also offer plenty of useful hitters who are on the ropes. On the pitching side, Reese Olson is in a league of his own in terms of streamers with good skills and a favorable matchup.
Combinations to target
Nationals @ Rockies
Washington ranks third in baseball in steals, which could make this club a three-game fantasy gold mine in a place that increases opportunities to get on base. And the good news is that only two players on this roster are rostered in more than half of the leagues. Jesse Winker (39%), Luis García Jr. (17%), Jacob Young (16%), Eddie Rosario (7%) and Nick Senzel (3%) could contribute in a variety of ways. Finally, Keibert Ruiz (29%) is a good catch streamer this weekend.
Mariners @ Marlins
Seattle will face three lefties with ERAs of 5.00 or higher during their series at Miami. The matchups make it easier to target the streamers who have the most lineup success against lefties, which means Mitch Garver (33%), Dylan Moore (12%), and Mitch Haniger (7%).
Tigers x White Sox
Facing the White Sox is less desirable than usual this weekend, as the club will feature Erick Fedde, who has been effective this season, and two notable youngsters in Drew Thorpe and Jonathan Cannon. But this remains a favorable matchup overall, given that these aren’t ace-level starters and the team’s bullpen ranks 28th in ERA. And with all three weekend starters playing on the right side, it’s easy to target the Detroit players who hit high in the lineup against righties, which means Wenceel Perez (4%), Matt Vierling (38%) and Mark Canha (23%).
Fights to avoid
Angels @ Dodgers
In terms of volume, Angels and Dodgers players are poor streamers, as the clubs will only play two games this weekend before sitting out on Sunday. Those who land in the top half of the Dodgers’ lineup will need to remain active and some Angels, like Logan O’Hoppe and Luis Rengifo, may remain on some rosters, but players released from those teams must remain there through Monday. .
Cardinals @ Giants
These two teams will also only play two games this weekend, with both clubs having Friday off. Neither club has a hitter ranked in the top 150 players this season, and Sunday’s pitching matchup (Jordan Wicks vs. Sonny Gray) should lead to a low-scoring game. I would avoid players from both clubs until Monday if possible.
Braves @ Yankees
Although this series takes place in a powerful venue, Braves hitters may have difficulty finding success against three Yankees starters with a sub-3.40 ERA and a bullpen with a 3.41 ERA. Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson will need to remain in the lineup, but every other member of Atlanta’s offense deserves at least critical evaluation, including Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley.
Looking for Salvages
Chad Green, 27% (Toronto Blue Jays)
Green has had good luck this year (.189 BABIP) and hasn’t pitched as well as is indicated by his 1.72 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. But fantasy managers aren’t making a long-term investment in the right-hander, and those who grab him now could get a save this weekend and a few more next week before closer Jordan Romano returns from the IL.
Looking for robberies
Jacob Young, 16% / Jesse Winker, 41% (Washington Nationals)
As mentioned earlier in this article, the steal-happy Nats are perfectly positioned to steal multiple sacks when they visit Coors Field, an elite park for boosting batting averages. Young and Winker are among the team’s top three base stealers and are available on more than 60% of Yahoo! leagues.
Wenceel Pérez, 4% (Detroit Tigers)
Pérez is expected to hit high in the lineup and get on base a few times during a weekend series against a White Sox team that ranks 29th in baseball with a 1.41 WHIP. And the outfielder might steal a base or two, as Chicago has allowed more steals than all but two teams.
Streaming Beginners
In order, here are the weekend’s best streamers, with start date and Yahoo! escalation rate in parentheses.
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Reese Olson x CWS (Sunday 28)
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Andrew Abbott x BOS (Friday the 45th)
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Tylor Megill @CHC (Saturday 22)
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Ben Lively x TOR (Saturday 48)
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Braxton Garrett x SEA (Sunday, 37)
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Jonathan Cannon @DET (Sunday 5)
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Chris Paddack @OAK (Saturday 18)
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Alec Marsh @TEX (Sunday 28)
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Albert Suárez @HOU (Sunday, 26)
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Aaron Civale @PIT (Sunday 35)
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Dane Dunning x KC (Sunday 16)
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Drew Thorpe @DET (Saturday 14)
