Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 15 (Part 1)

I hope everyone had a fun-filled and safe Fourth of July weekend, capped by selection Sunday. And of course, if you didn’t have drama during the weekend, the All Star selections gave you plenty. Chris Sale? Really?!

Below are some of my Week 15 picks for starting pitchers to consider streaming off the waiver wire. Some of these pitchers may be two-start pitchers, and all of these SP options can be considered sleepers for your team depending on the league format and depth including NL-Only, AL-Only and head-to-head formats. I categorize each of the streaming options as either Desperate, Risky, Solid or Must Stream.

Monday’s SP Streamers

Mike Leake (CIN vs. CHC)

Ownership: 45% Yahoo!, 34% ESPN

Leake has regressed a bit since the calendar turned to June, but that shouldn’t preclude owners from starting him against the Cubs.  Chicago is second-to-last in run creation against right handers and in the bottom five in nearly all offensive categories.

The big cause for concern is Leake’s rocky history with most of Chicago's bats, as he’s been hit up by them in the past.  Then again, maybe he’ll get lucky and Starlin Castro will get traded before gametime.

MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream

Daisuke Matsuzaka (NYM vs. ATL)

Ownership: 5% Yahoo!, 1% ESPN

Dice-K has pitched admirably in a Mets uniform, especially at Citi Field where his K/BB rate is nothing to sneeze at and where he has yet to allow a home run.  However, his overall BB rate is exceedingly high, and with the Braves on a nine-game winning streak, you could go either way: 1) they’re extremely hot, and 2) they’re due for a loss.  Consider me crazy, but even though option one is accurate, I like option two better.

MATCHUP RATING: Must Stream

Tuesday’s SP Streamers

John Danks (CHW at BOS)

Ownership: 7% Yahoo!, 2% ESPN

Despite his seven wins, Danks has been relatively sub-par this season.  Against the Red Sox, that’s probably about all he’ll need to be.  The defending World Series Chumps Champs are struggling to create runs against righties.

Start Danks knowing there’s some risk, however, since he’s allowing hits and baserunners this season and the Red Sox have been above-average against his best pitch (the cutter).

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream

Chris Young: (SEA vs. MIN)

Ownership: 20% Yahoo!, 12% ESPN

I’ve stayed away from Young all season because of his walk rate, but he continues to win, defying daily projections.  Minnesota has cooled offensively over the last few weeks and Young has held hitters to an impressive .176/.253/.299 slash line at Safeco Field.  Still, that 1.5 K/BB rate (including a 9.1% BB rate) and 83.2% LOB rate will catch up to him at some point.

MATCHUP RATING: Desperate Stream

Wednesday’s SP Streamers

Brandon McCarthy (NYY at CLE)

Ownership: 4% Yahoo!, 1% ESPN

McCarthy is sure to get his fair share of strikeouts against the Indians, but Cleveland is “pretty not bad” at scoring against righties.  Add in that Cleveland can hit McCarthy’s two best pitches very well and it has all the makings of a short debut in pinstripes for him.  Perhaps the Yankee defense can bail him out in the field.

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream

Kyle Gibson (MIN at SEA)

Ownership: 9% Yahoo!, 5% ESPN

If Gibson were a football team, he’d be the unsexy team to watch on TV.  Picture an inept offense that plays for field position, but a deceptively suffocating defense at times that lulls offenses to sleep.  Though Seattle has played well over the last week, Gibson’s velocity change and movement on his fastball and slider should pose some problems for the Mariners.  His high GB rate and low HR/FB rate all point to the Mariners making a lot of weak contact at spacious Safeco Field.  Fantasy owners should be happy with the frustration Gibson will dole out.

MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream