RADIO
This piece focuses on the best two-start starting pitcher streamers and sleeper waiver wire pickups for Week 20 of fantasy baseball. These sleeper pitchers are near or below 50% ownership in Yahoo! leagues, and some are ideal for shallow leagues, but most are under-the-radar starters that can be considered in head-to-head leagues.
Jesse Hahn, SD / Odrisamer Despaigne, SD
56% / 11% Owned in Yahoo! (28% / 7% in Fleaflicker)
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A double-dose of Padres’ pitchers for this week. At this point, most people know of Hahn, as he’s been spectacular since being called up to San Diego. Pretty much all of his numbers, 2.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 57 strikeouts in 59 innings, and seven wins, warrant him being owned in more than just 56% of leagues. But his ownership in just over half of leagues means there’s a good chance he is still available in your league.
Despaigne, on the other hand, came bursting onto the scene with several good outings, as many people started comparing him to his fellow Cuban pitcher Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, given his quirky delivery and funky pitch repertoire. But his last few starts have resulted in some rough outings, dropping his ownership to 11%. Even so, he still supports a 3.10 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
I think both Hahn and Despaigne are very good streaming options for this week and, in Hahn’s case, may be worth a permanent roster spot. They get the Rockies at Petco Park, and Colorado has the third fewest road runs in the entire league, along with the third lowest road batting average and the fourth lowest road OPS. The Cardinals have been terrible offensively most of the year no matter where they play, and their struggles have been intensified ever since Yadier Molina went on the DL. In the bottom third in the league in almost all important offensive categories, any pitcher going up agains them right now is a plus matchup. Roll with your Padres this week.
Tom Koehler, MIA
17% Owned in Yahoo, 13% in Fleaflicker
Projected starts: Tuesday vs. STL, Sunday vs. AZ
Koehler was roughed up a bit his last time out, giving up four runs over six innings to the Pirates. But the righty has two home starts this week against subpar offenses, making him a very viable streaming option.
So far in August, both the Cardinals and the Dbacks rank in the bottom third in the league in runs scored, and in the case of the Red Birds, only the Padres have scored fewer runs than them the entire season. Moreover, Koehler’s numbers at Marlins Park have been outstanding this season, supporting a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and .197 BAA in 66 innings pitched. And oh yea, he is only 17% owned, so there is a 4/5 chance he is available in your league right now. I would be confident rolling with him for two home starts this week.
Joe Kelly, BOS
14% Owned in Yahoo!, 9% in Fleaflicker
Projected starts: Tuesday @CIN, Sunday vs. HOU
Kelly pitched well in his first start for Boston, tossing seven innings of one run ball and only allowing three hits against his former team. Many baseball people thought that the Red Sox did well in the trade to get Kelly and Allen Craig in exchange for John Lackey, in part due to Kelly’s potential.
It’s hard to judge from just one start, but Kelly could be a very good starting pitcher for the Sox. Next week, Kelly gets to return to the N.L. Central to face the Reds, who are 26th in the majors in runs scored on the season, as well as in OPS. He’ll then go up against an Astros team that, while improving offensively with young players, is hardly a strong lineup. He makes for a good two-start stream this week.
Kyle Hendricks, CHC
8% Owned in Yahoo, 8% in Fleaflicker
Projected starts: Tuesday vs. MIL, Sunday @NYM
In deeper leagues, Kyle Hendricks is a nice play this week. Since he has seen consistent time in the Cubs’ starting rotation, he has been excellent. His last four starts have totaled three wins, just four earned runs in over 23 innings pitched, and 14 strikeouts to five walks. The Cubs have also been swinging the bats better of late, as they are 8th in the league in runs scored in August.
Hendricks has given up only one run at home this season, which bodes well for his start against the Brewers, and only the Mets have scored fewer runs than the aofrementioned Cardinals post All-Star break. New York also has the worst batting average in the league, just .214, during the span as well. Hendricks is worth taking a shot at if you're in a deep league.
