I’ve been crushing it lately, but last week wasn’t my best plan. In fact, it was the worst week for broadcasters we’ve had all season. That’s going to happen, and I’m going to make it a trade deadline. That inspired me to go back and have a great week, so let’s get into this week’s hosts!
Popular Team Games
7 Games
Cincinnati Reds (MIA, MIL)
New York Mets (COL, SEA)
San Francisco Giants (at WAS, vs. DET)
Washington Nationals (vs. SF, vs. LAA)
6 Games
Atlanta Braves (vs. MIL, COL)
Colorado Rockies (vs. NYM, vs. ATL)
New York Yankees (vs. LAA, vs. TEX)
Oakland A’s (vs. CWS, at TOR)
San Diego Padres (PIT, MIA)
Toronto Blue Jays (BAL vs. CWS)
Throwing Streamers
Matt Waldron, SD (at MIA)
The knuckleballer has been off to a rough start in his recent outings, but the fight against LA is nothing to worry about. Waldron had allowed three runs or fewer in 13 of his previous 14 starts before that rarity, registering a 2.76 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 7.9 K/9 rate during that span. Those aren’t the numbers you expect to get from one of your broadcasters, but people foolishly dumped this guy after that guy against the Dodgers. Facing a team like Miami doesn’t compare to LA. The Marlins sit 29th or 30th in runs scored, OBP, OPS, wOBA, and xwOBA. It’s also one of the best parks in baseball, and it would be hard to imagine another bad start against such a team that traded away every decent hitter it had.
Streaming Average: $-4.3
Hayden Birdsong, SF (vs. DET)
Birdsong has been sent up and down all season, but should have stayed in San Fran with Alex Cobb traded and Jordan Hicks demoted to the bullpen. This kid has earned the right to pitch at this level, allowing three runs or fewer in all six starts. He’s also allowed just three complete runs in his last three starts, including a 1.69 ERA< 0.94 WHIP and a 12.9 K/9 rate over that span. Not many pitchers in the league were better than that, but it's no surprise since Birdsong averaged a 2.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 47 K percentage in the minors! That's huge as Detroit has a minor league list, ranking 21st in runs scored, 27th in wOBA, and 28th in OBP.
Streaming Rate: $NA
River Ryan, LAD (vs. PIT)
How often can one of your broadcasters be a -250 favorite? That’s probably what we’re looking at here because Pittsburgh has one of the worst offenses in baseball. The Pirates ranked 24th in runs scored, 27th in OBP, 28th in wOBA, and 23rd in K’s. That would make them huge underdogs in a road game against the Dodgers, especially with the way Ryan has looked this season. The rookie righty allowed just one hit between his two starts, registering a 0.82 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 8.2 K/9. He also had a 2.22 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in the minors this season, recording 32 Ks over 24.1 innings! As long as this kid keeps doing this, LA will likely keep Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler under him.
Average Stream: $-17.2
Kyle Harrison, SF (at WAS)
The Giants are quietly trying to get back into the playoff race and this resurgence from the rotation is a big reason why. Blake Snell looks like a Cy Young pitcher, and Birdsong and Harrison are good new starters in the making. This lefty has a 3.69 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP on the year, allowing four or fewer runs in every 18 starts! His recent form is even more comical, allowing one or more runs in four of his last five games! The lefty has a 2.36 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9 average in that span, striking out eight batters in a quality start in his last game with the Nats. That’s not surprising since Washington ranks 19th in runs scored, 24th in wOBA, and 26th in xwOBA.
Streaming Average: $4.1
Hitting Streamers
Jeimer Candelario, CIN (MIA, MIL)
It was shocking to see Candelario sitting on a 52 percent ownership stake in Yahoo. I went ahead and picked him up in multiple leagues because Candelario is on the verge of having a monster week. This guy has been hitting between third and sixth all season, and we love that since he got seven games against subpar pitching. Let’s start there, dealing with a Miami pitching staff that ranked 26th in ERA and WHIP while matching the back end of Milwaukee’s rotation. The most important thing is that he faces seven goals in all seven games. Candelario has compiled a .317 OBP, .484 SLG, and .801 OPS against righties since the start of last season! The OBP isn’t great, but Candy has to be one of the best hitters when you’re looking for runs, RBI, and homers!
Luis Garcia, WABA (vs. SF, vs. LAA)
The Nats have been one of the most surprising players in the league and Garcia has grown into one of the most underrated players. The second baseman collected 11 homers and 16 steals as an everyday five-hole hitter for his tricky offense, providing a .282 AVG and .752 OPS. That’s all you can hope for from one of your pitchers, especially since he has a .386 OBP and .944 OPS in his last 27 outings. The best thing about all this is that you get seven games at home against weaker clubs. Not only does Garcia have a .360 OBP and .887 OPS at home, but he faces an LA team that ranks 27th in ERA and xwOBA while San Fran sits 22nd in ERA and 23rd in WOBA.
SAGNOF (Saves/Steals No Face)
Theft Specialists
Victor Robles (SEA)
This Seattle offense was brutal, but it forced Robles to take a leading role. That’s the best spot for some speed, and he’s recorded eight steals in his last 13 games!
David Hamilton (BOS)
Hamilton has been demoted in many leagues, but remains a deceptive source of speed. He has 26 steals this season, 24 of which have come in the last two months. He has been playing again almost every day lately and should have plenty of opportunities to run!
Keeps Professionals
Victor Vodnik (COL)
It’s hard to believe we finally got the Rockies closer because Vodnik is the fifth guy to have this job. It looks like VV will keep it, recording five saves in his last 11 games. He also has a 1.96 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 9.8 K/9 average as of June 20!
Hunter Strickland/Ben Joyce (LAA)
With Carlos Estevez and Luis Garcia being traded, these two are in the backup lineup. Joyce is the better hitter because of his 105 MPH fastball, but Strickland got the first two save opportunities since that trade. Strickland hit the latter and Joyce made the save on Saturday, so don’t be surprised to see Joyce get the next chance!
Feel free to comment here or contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel if you have any questions!
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