While there have been many injuries to pitchers in 2024, the pool of available streamers remains plentiful. Roto league managers should continue to be aggressive with their streamers during the month of April, as another wave of pitching illnesses could leave us with few reliable options heading into the summer months.
On the hitting side, this is a great weekend to target Blue Jays and Nats players.
Combinations to target
Blue Jays vs. Rockies
Toronto must score early and often against a Rockies pitching staff that currently boasts a 6.57 ERA. With Colorado set to start righties on Friday and Saturday, left-handed swingers Daulton Varsho (47%) and Cavan Biggio (10%) are good options. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (1%) is eligible for multiple roles and deserves consideration in deeper formats.
Nationals @ A’s
Oakland is off to a respectable start to the season in terms of pitching, but the guess here is that they won’t be able to make it last. An inevitable slowdown could begin against the Nats this weekend, and at the very least, Washington should get on base often enough to increase the league’s steals total. Keibert Ruiz (55%) is a good streamer in one-receiver formats, while Trey Lipscomb (4%) has carved out the 3B role and is an option in 12-team leagues.
Phillies vs. Pirates
Managers in deep formats could get creative by broadcasting some Phillies right-handed hitting against Pirates lefties Bailey Falter (career 4.80 ERA) and Marco Gonzales (career 4.12 ERA) on Friday and Saturday. Options include Whit Merrifield (21%), Johan Rojas (6%) and Edmundo Sosa (0%).
Fights to avoid
Angels @ Red Sox
Los Angeles has a terrible time as it will play its second series of the young season against a red-hot Red Sox team that leads the Majors in ERA. Other than Mike Trout and Taylor Ward, every Angels hitter should be benched in mixed leagues.
Brewers @ Orioles
Milwaukee will face three effective right-handed starters and a solid supporting corps this weekend. Aside from Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio and William Contreras, the Brewers’ hitters belong on the bench in superficial leagues.
Astros vs Rangers
Having effective starting pitchers is just one reason why both the Rangers and Astros are among the best teams in baseball. Each of them will send a solid group of starters to their series this weekend. The stars of both teams need to remain in the lineup, but I would choose option B if you have reservations about a fringe player like Jeremy Peña or Leody Taveras.
Marlins vs. Braves
The Marlins are unlikely to get their season on track when they face three effective Atlanta starters and a large supporting corps from the Braves. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jake Burger and Luis Arraez are the only Miami players who should be anywhere near fantasy lineups.
Looking for Salvages
The following two men are available on waiver wire and could earn savings this weekend.
James McArthur (Kansas City Royals), 38% rostered
While he wasn’t dominant, McArthur (5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) pitched well enough to take the closer’s role away from Will Smith, who was off to a terrible start. With the Royals playing winning baseball (8-4 record), there could be plenty of saves for McArthur in the coming days.
Aroldis Chapman (Pittsburgh Pirates), 47% rostered
Chapman is among the most effective relievers in baseball this year (0.00 ERA, 0.23 WHIP, 8:1 K:BB). Meanwhile, closer David Bednar scored in three of five matches and was loudly booed as he left the field on Tuesday. It’s too early to recommend Chapman as a long-term defensive back option, but he could receive some opportunities during an upcoming four-game series in Philadelphia if Bednar receives a brief extension.
Streaming Startups (Yahoo roster rate in parentheses)
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MacKenzie Gore @ OAK (Saturday, 43%)
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Sean Manaea vs. KC (Friday, 43%)
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Michael Wacha @ NYM (Friday, 61%)
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Spencer Turnbull x PIT (Saturday 38)
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Tyler Wells x MIL (Friday the 43rd)
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James Paxton x SD (Sunday, 38)
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Dean Kremer x MIL (Saturday, 24)
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Reese Olson x MIN (Sunday, 21)
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Gavin Stone x SD (Saturday, 46)
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Louie Varland @ DET (Sunday 32)
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Javier Assad @ SEA (Sunday, 18)
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Steven Matz @ ARI (Friday the 7th)
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Paul Blackburn x WSH (Friday the 16th)
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Luis Gil @ CLE (Saturday, 30)
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Clarke Schmidt @ CLE (Friday the 18th)
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Bowden Francis x COL (Saturday 2)
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Tyler Anderson @ BOS (Sunday 17)
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Trevor Williams @ OAK (Sunday 2)
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Kenta Maeda x MIN (Friday, 30)
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Jake Irvin @ OAK (Friday the 1st)
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Graham Ashcraft @ CWS (Sunday 9)
