Starting Pitcher Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 22 (Part 2)

This is a baseball article no doubt.  But let’s take a minute to recognize that the college football season kicks off tonight with a bang.  To start the NCAA season again in what seems to be a new tradition, the ninth ranked South Carolina Gamecocks will host the twenty-first ranked Texas A&M Aggies.  As a Gamecock alum I couldn’t be more ecstatic for today.  I’m even going to wear a black shirt and garnet tie just to showcase my colors.  I realize I’m being a bit biased here, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable for the Gamecocks to finish 15-0 (factoring in the new playoff system) while outscoring opponents by a mere 75 points per game.  It’s just going to be that kind of season.  Strap up and brace yourself for an outspoken Spurrier to be on a whole new level.

Below are some of my starting pitcher streamer sleepers for the second half of Week 22 to consider adding off your league’s waiver wire. Some 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.

Thursday SP Streamers

Jordan Lyles (COL at SFG)

Ownership: 7% Yahoo!, 9% Fleaflicker

Lyles’ away ERA is nearly a full run lower than his home ERA.  He’s also seeing substantial drops in most categories when on the road compared to when pitching at Coors Field.  Since the ASB, Lyles’ has also maintained a lower line drive rate but has given up home runs at a higher pace.  PacBell Park is a pitcher’s park, but day games can sometimes see some high scoring affairs.

MATCHUP RATING: Desperate Stream

John Danks (CWS vs. CLE)

Ownership: 5% Yahoo!, 7% Fleaflicker

If you really want to look like a genius in your league this week then take Danks against the Indians.  Even though he pitches better at U.S. Cellular Field than on the road, that “better” may not be the correct word considering his 4.86 FIP. At any rate, the Indians have been overall atrocious against LHPs on the road and at home.  Danks is due for a QS.

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream

Friday SP Streamers

Chris Capuano (NYY at TOR)

Ownership: 3% Yahoo!, 5% Fleaflicker

Speaking of stinking it up against LHPs, let’s throw the Blue Jays into that lot.  Toronto is in the bottom five in BA, weighted runs created and OPS against south paws with a 19.1% K rate.  Capuano may not mow down batters or even go deep into the game, but he should give enough of a boost to his owners.

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream

Kyle Hendricks (CHC at STL)

Ownership: 42% Yahoo!, 22% Fleaflicker

The Cubs rookie starter’s ownership has skyrocketed over his last two starts so it’s a strong possibility he may not be available off your league’s waiver wire.  If he is, scoop him up and ride his current hot streak for as long as possible.  Expect regression soon though, as he’s not striking out enough guys to maintain his 84% LOB rate.

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream

Saturday SP Streamers

Jake Odorizzi (TB vs. BOS)

Ownership: 43% Yahoo!, 22% Fleaflicker

After he got shellacked his last start against Baltimore, Odorizzi saw his ownership numbers drop considerably.  He still has a high K rate and will start in pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field, so expect him to bounce right back against an inconsistent Red Sox team

MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream

Bartolo Colon (NYM vs. PHI)

Ownership: 44% Yahoo!, 35% Fleaflicker

The Phillies are coming off arguably their best series of the season in a sweep over a white hot Nationals team.  Smart fantasy owners know that the numbers aren’t in Philadelphia’s corner to win four or even five in a row and Colon is more than good enough at home to help put an end to the Phillies’ win streak should they take the first game of the series.  Colon owns a 20.1% K-BB rate, 1.09 WHIP and 2.78 FIP at home.

MATCHUP RATING: Must Stream

Sunday SP Streamers

Dillon Gee (NYM vs. PHI)

Ownership: 21% Yahoo!, 39% Fleaflicker

Gee is coming off a strong start where he worked 6.2 innings for the win against Atlanta.  Philadelphia isn’t as bad as Atlanta against RHPs but they’re awfully close.  Even with Gee’s inconsistencies at home, he should be able to give his owners a QS on Sunday.

MATCHUP RATING: Solid Stream

Wei-Yin Chen (BAL vs. MIN)

Ownership: 42% Yahoo!, 28% Fleaflicker

There has been no bigger wildcard over the last ten to fifteen days than the Minnesota offense.  The Twins are capable of dropping 10 runs in an inning or striking out ten times in a one-hit loss.  Chen probably won’t give up 5 or 6 runs, but he has been allowing base runners and hits at a much higher pace than his 3.76 ERA potentially shows.

MATCHUP RATING: Risky Stream