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FIELD OF STREAMS: WEEK 21 WEEKEND WARRIORS
August 22, 2014 August 26, 2014 Will Emerson
Come on in, it is time for more streaming fun! Before we get to the matter at hand, let's see how last weekend's streamers fared.
Last weekend's seven streamers went 3-3, with an ERA of 4.12, a 1.33 WHIP and a 9.07 K/9. So, not spectacular, but workable. Of course not all streams are the same (that sounds weird), so time for some Ups, Downs and What Have Yous!
Shane Greene, Yankees 6IP, 7H, 2ER, BB, 10K, ND
Tom Koehler, Marlins- 6IP, 6H, 2ER, 2BB, 7K, W
Brandon McCarthy, Yankees 6.1IP, 7H, 2ER, BB, 7K, L
Henderson Alvarez, Marlins- 7IP, 5H, ER, BB, 6K, W
Drew Hutchison, Blue Jays- 7IP, 8H, 7ER, 3BB, 3K, L
WHAT HAVE YOUS
Travis Wood, Cubs 5.1IP, 4H, 3ER, 4BB, 5K, L
Jon Niese, Mets- 6IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, 6K, W
So there's the appetizers, now onto the main course!
Carlos Carrasco, Indians (vs. Astros)- I have to say, I am a fan of Carlos Carrasco, and only part of that stems from me thinking he has a really cool sounding name. Carrasco started the season in the Tribe's rotation, but after allowing 17 earned runs in 20 innings over four stars, he was quickly sent to the bullpen…where he was a bit of alright. Out of the 'pen Carrasco sported a 2.30 ERA, a WHIP of 1.00 and a K/9 of 8.16. Not too shabby, right? Well after just 26 relief appearances, Carrasco was vaulted back on into the rotation. Fanfare was minimal outside of the Carrasco household. Now, in two starts since his triumphant return to the rotation, Double-C has been money, allowing no earned runs in 12 innings of work! Huzzah! If you didn't yell "Huzzah!" with me, might I also mention that those two starts were against the Yankees and Orioles? Yeah, not exactly offensive lightweights (except for the Yankees), my friends. The FIPs in those outings were 1.70 and 1.53, respectively, so, yeah, he will regress to giving up at least a run an outing, but I can deal with that, can't you? The Astros offense is currently more productive than the Yankees, but not quite as productive as the Orioles, so I says this Carlos grabs you a quality start, in this one. (1.8% owned in ESPN, 8% owned in Yahoo!)
Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays (vs. Rays)- So, what, one or two bad (gawd awful) starts and everyone starts jumping ship on the Stroman Candle? My long time (you know, the past few months) readers and friends will know I have been fairly high on Stroman Candle since he was thrust into the Jays' rotation, so it's going to take a bit more than the worst start of his major league career to turn me away. Some silver linings from that last start, though, the FIP was only 4.63 and his K/9 was 13.50! Yes, he did only retire two batters, if you are a glass half empty kind of person, but let's keep moving on, here, you negative Nellies. So, if you can't forget that start altogether, try to remember this was also in Chicago. Why is that relevant? I am so glad you asked! So, since Stroman Candle entered the Jays' rotation he has been outstanding at the Rogers Centre (née SkyDome). How outstanding? Why, it's like you are asking all the right questions. In eight starts in the Great White North, Marcus has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any one start and all eight starts have been of the quality variety. In fact, do you know how many total runs Stroman has allowed in those eight starts? I am guessing you don't and I am going to tell you, regardless, that it's ten. The answer is ten. Ten runs…over eight starts…for Marcus Stroman…when pitching in Canada. That home ERA is 1.62 ERA, with a .81 WHIP and, if you are into wins, he holds a 5-1 record at home. That and the fact the Rays are not so hot at the plate leads me to believe the Stroman Empire will rise again! (31.4% owned in ESPN, 45% owned in Yahoo!)
Colin McHugh, Astros (@ Indians)- Not sure if it is luck of the Irish or what, but Colin McHugh has been dazzling of late. In his last four starts, McHugh is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA, and a 1.03 WHIP. Dem's some nice looking numbers, folks. But, really McHugh has been very solid all season, when healthy. On the season, Colin has a 3.00 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and a 9.79 K/9. The FIP on the season for McHugh sits at 3.37, so it appears that the numbers are somewhat legit. Not only has McHugh been pitching extremely well lately, but he also draws a good matchup versus the Tribe. Over the past two weeks, the Indians have the third lowest wOBA and have scored the fewest runs in the majors. It is simple math, here, kids. Struggling Indians offense, plus some good McHugh pitching, equals a good streaming opportunity. Carry the luck of the Irish with you this week. (40.3% owned in ESPN, 38% owned in Yahoo!)
Edison Volquez, Pirates (@ Brewers)- Eddie V. has had quite the rollercoaster 2014, with all sorts of ups, downs and loopity loops. Or has it? In Volquez's 24 starts this season he has only allowed more than three earned runs in five of those starts. Of course, in 11 of those 24 starts, Volquez has not pitched six or more innings. So Volquez is hard to predict, but he has gone six or more innings in each of his three starts against the Brew Crew this season and all were quality starts. Now, in none of those starts was Volquez spectacular or anything. We're talking pitching to the tune of around a four ERA or so, but if you run the gamut of available streamers for Saturday, well, it ain't that pretty. What it boils down to is, come Saturday, amongst your streaming options, Volquez has one of the highest chances of pulling out a quality start. (15.4% owned in ESPN, 20% owned in Yahoo!)
Jason Vargas, Royals (@ Rangers)- Jason Vargas is never a flashy pick, but he usually provides a bunch of quality innings. 16 of Vargas' 23 starts this season have been quality starts and in only three starts has he not gone at least five innings. Now, also, oddly enough, Vargas has pitched much better on the road than at home. Vargas' road ERA is 2.05, his road WHIP is 1.09 and he is striking out just over one more batter per nine innings on the road. Now, not only does Vargas have a good road record he has a good road matchup. See, this is not your older brothers' Ranger offense. Over the past couple of weeks the Rangers have the third lowest wOBA and the third lowest slugging percentage in the majors. They have also, coincidentally, scored the third fewest runs in the majors over that same timeframe. All of this points to Vargas being a somewhat safe bet. (35% owned in ESPN, 36% owned in Yahoo!)
Chase Anderson, Diamondbacks (vs. Padres)- Things did not go so great for Chase in his last start, but let's call that an anomaly. Before that Anderson had thrown six consecutive quality starts and was cruising. The streaming options are not great on Sunday, but Anderson gets the Padres. The Padres have shown some improvement at the plate, but I am not sold on them being anything to shy away from just yet. The Padres have the worst wOBA in the majors against lefties. Of course, to be fair they have the worst wOBA against all pitchers. All in all, I will take that sub-four xFIP against the Padres lineup this week. (9% owned in ESPN, 14% owned in Yahoo!)
Alright kids, you've been a wonderful audience, happy streaming!
Written by Will Emerson
Affectionately know by close friends as Willie Moe, Will is back living in Boston after brief, 11 year stint, in upstate New York. Will loves numbers and baseball, so it is no surprise that he has been addicted to fantasy baseball for over two decades. That's right, Will was playing fantasy baseball since before the internet was providing up to the minute stats and standings, and you had to get your hands inky checking box scores in the newspaper.
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