The first week of July offers a thin group of two-game streamers that includes some low-ceiling, low-floor options (Kyle Gibson, Sean Manaea, Zack Littell) and a quartet of boom-or-bust youngsters (Simeon Woods Richardson, Hayden Wesneski , José Soriano, Spencer Arrighetti). On the hitting side, the Brewers are by far the best place to look for streamers in the coming days.
Two-game pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Kyle Gibson, 37% (@PIT, @WSH)
Gibson is coming off his worst start to the season, when he allowed four runs on four hits and five walks in four innings against Atlanta. For now, we can ignore a bad outing and give the right-hander credit for posting a 3.70 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 15 starts. With two matchups this week and offenses that are in the bottom 7 in OPS, Gibson could be a starter in virtually every league.
Simeon Woods Richardson, 18% (vs. DET, vs. HOU)
Woods Richardson hasn’t been at his best lately, allowing nine runs and eight walks in 15.1 innings during his last three starts. And he can’t fault his matchups during this period, as he’s faced two teams (Oakland, Tampa Bay) that are in the bottom 8 in OPS. Still, he posted a 3.41 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in 13 starts, which is good enough to put him in roto 12-team lineups for a week with one favorable matchup (Tigers) and another difficult (Astros).
Sean Manaea, 24% (@WSH, @PIT)
Manaea is the poster child for a boring streamer. He averages five innings per game, strikes out one batter per inning, plays for an average lineup, and produces ratios (3.89 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) that don’t significantly move the needle in either direction during limited fantasy use . It can be broadcast this week in 12-team roto leagues and head-to-head formats for two matchups against teams that are in the bottom 7 in OPS.
Hayden Wesneski, 3% (vs. PHI, vs. LAA)
Wesneski moved from the bullpen to the rotation when he allowed three runs in four innings against the Giants on June 26. The long ball (two home runs) ruined his game, but the right-hander deserves some recognition for being able to strike out seven batters. Overall, Wesneski has a lot of potential and could be someone who becomes a mainstay on the roster in deeper formats. For now, he’s a solid one-week streamer who will benefit from the absence of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber when he faces a productive Phillies lineup.
Joseph Soriano, 12% (@OAK, @CHC)
Soriano returns from a short stay on the IL just in time for a two-start week that includes matchups against two teams that are in the bottom 10 in OPS. The right-hander is unlikely to rack up whiffs (7.5 K/9 rate) and may be on a lower pitch count in his initial outing, but his season-long ratios (3.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) show he could be more than a one-week streamer in deeper formats.
Spencer Arrighetti, 9% (@TOR, @MIN)
Arrighetti is coming off the best of his 14 MLB starts, when he struck out 10 in seven shutout innings in a favorable home matchup against the Rockies. He will now take his 6.34 road ERA into a mid-level matchup against the Blue Jays (18th in OPS) and a tough matchup with the Twins (7th in OPS). The right-hander’s ability to accumulate whiffs (10.4 K/9 rate) increases his game-changing potential in faceoff leagues.
Zack Littell, 24% (@KC, @TEX)
After enduring some tough outings in the first half of June, Littell righted the ship by recording a K:BB of 11:3, allowing four runs in 10 innings during his last two starts. It can be used in head-to-head leagues and deep roto formats this week for some mid-level matchups. The Royals and Rangers haven’t been playing their best baseball lately, as both clubs were in the bottom 10 in June OPS.
Michael Mercado, 4% (@CHC, @ATL)
After pitching one inning of relief in his MLB debut on June 24, Mercado is ready to take over the rotation spot that was vacated when Spencer Turnbull landed on the IL. The right-hander has average career numbers in the minors, but took a step forward by producing a 1.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 47.1 innings at Triple-A this year. He’s someone to consider in head-to-head leagues, but he’s not ready to join rosters in other formats.
David Peterson, 21% (@WSH, @PIT)
After struggling to get strikeouts in his first three starts, Peterson has struck out 14 times in his last two starts. Overall, the left-hander posted a K:BB ratio of 20:13 which isn’t strong enough to be considered in anything other than the deepest format. Their only saving grace this week is that their disaster potential is limited by virtue of facing two of the weakest lineups in baseball.
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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Landon Knack x ARI (Thursday, 29)
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Michael Wacha x TB (Wednesday, 36)
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Alec Marsh x TB (Thursday 18)
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Reese Olson @CIN (Friday the 45th)
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Mitchell Parker x NYM (Wednesday, 35)
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Andrew Heaney x TB (Saturday 15)
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Michael Lorenzen x TB (Friday, 30)
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Cade Povich @OAK (Saturday 12)
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Carson Spiers vs. DET (Friday the 12th)
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Davis Daniel @OAK (Wednesday 5th)
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Lance Lynn @WSH (Saturday 31)
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Joey Estes x LAA (Wednesday 3)
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Aaron Civale @TEX (Friday the 36th)
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José Quintana @WSH (Wednesday, 13)
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Roddery Muñoz x CWS (Friday, 1)
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Miles Mikolas @PIT (Wednesday 24)
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Jonathan Cannon @MIA (Friday the 6th)
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JP Sears x LAA (Thursday, 8)
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Albert Suárez @OAK (Friday 20)
Favorable matches from Monday to Thursday
Brewers in the Rocky Mountains
We’re ready to see fireworks in Colorado when Milwaukee brings in an offense that ranks seventh in runs scored in a four-game series at Coors Field against a pitching staff with a 5.60 ERA. Many of the top brewers are already widely rostered, but Joey Ortiz (40%) and Sal Frelick (14%) could be added by those who need temporary help. Ortiz has not started the last three games due to neck pain, but is expected to return for this series. Additionally, Jackson Chourio and Rhys Hoskins should be given the benefit of the doubt by managers, who can’t always keep these players on the active roster.
Astros @ Blue Jays
Houston is an excellent volume game over the next four days, as they are one of the few teams with four games scheduled. They will face a solid group of starters in Toronto, but could thrive late in games against a bullpen that is riddled with injuries and ranks 28th in baseball with a 4.74 ERA. Mauricio Dubón (11%) plays regularly and brings eligibility to four positions that make him easy to fit into lineups. Jake Meyers (11%) is another good option.
