It all comes down to this. In many leagues, the fantasy championship begins this week. Congrats to all that have reached this level. It is truly an achievement! Managers are looking for every advantage they can find in order to finish the season a winner. To that end, this Fantasy Baseball Championship Streamers is here to help!
As has been the case the entire season, I will be looking to the ESPN platform to find these undercover gems. All roster percentages are taken from that source. Of course, there are several different platforms in use. All managers should turn to whichever they are using to determine if the pitchers suggested are, in fact, available.
Additionally, if any manager has any other pitching alternatives, please share so others may benefit. Further, if anyone disagrees with these suggestions, state your case! With that out of the way, let's get down to business.
Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles, 15.5% Rostered
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Leading off this edition is a pitcher that has had his ups and downs this season. That starter is Dean Kremer. A glance at his last 15 starts illustrates this truth quite well. In his last 15 starts, Kremer has allowed four or more runs five times. However, over his past two, he has looked like a much different pitcher. In 13 innings against the Rays and Red Sox, Kremer allowed one earned run on seven hits with 14 Ks and five BBs. Over his past six starts, he hasn't endured the bitter taste of defeat.
For the season, Kremer is 7-9 with a 4.10 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, 113 Ks and 49 BBs in 118.2 innings. Further, he has a 92 ERA+ and a 4.23 FIP, a .259 BAbip, a 22.2 K% and a 9.6 BB%. Truly, his walk rate is high and he has to keep that under control.
Even so, as with all streamable pitchers, the matchup is a key factor. In Kremer's case, he will face the SF Giants at home on Wednesday. The Giants are not a good hitting team, especially on the road, where they rank 25th in team hitting. In conclusion: all is pointing up for Kremer and for any manager that adds him to the roster before he makes that start.
Albert Suarez, Baltimore Orioles, 11.6% Rostered
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Obviously, the above information on the Giants also applies here. If, by chance, Kremer is not available, Albert Suarez has an even better roster percentage. Indeed, except for a baffling start against the inept White Sox, Suarez has also pitched better than his teammate. Other than that turn against Chicago, over his past seven starts, Suarez hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in a game.
Furthermore, he hasn't pitched in a lot of great situations recently, either. He has faced the Red Sox and Rockies on the road, and Houston at home. For the season, Suarez is 8-5 with a 3.39 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, 95 Ks and 39 BBs. He has value ratings of an a 111 ERA+, a FIP of 3.83, a .295 BAbip, a 18.9 K% and a 7.7 BB% in 119.1 innings.
As with Kremer, the matchup is key. Facing the Giants at home should give Suarez, and other managers that add him to their rosters, a nice boost to start the fantasy championship round. This Fantasy Baseball Championship Streamers edition says to get him off waivers before your opponent does.
DJ Herz, Washington Nationals, 6.9% Rostered
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When it comes to young pitchers, few are making as good a impression as DJ Herz, especially lately. As a rookie, fantasy managers should expect no more than five innings out of Herz the rest of the way. Even so, those five innings have been rock solid. In his past five starts, Herz has allowed more than two runs just once. That was against the Cubs, who were on a bit of a run at the time.
Over 17 season starts, Herz has a 4-7 record, a 3.70 ERA, a 1.207 WHIP, 109 ERA+, a 3.74 FIP, 98 Ks and 30 BBs in 80.1 innings. Additionally, Herz has a .283 BAbip, a 28.7 K% and a 8.8 BB%. As for the matchup, he will face the Mets Wednesday in New York. While they are battling for a playoff spot, the Mets aren't doing it because of their offense, particularly at home. As this is being written, NY ranks an underwhelming 23rd in team home hitting.
Unfortunately, his starts for the year may be coming to a close soon, but he is confirmed as the starter for Wednesday. Unless that changes, get him on your roster this week.
Jose Quintana, New York Mets, 10.6% Rostered
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If the possibility of adding Herz does nothing for your pulse, how about his Wednesday opponent? In this instance, that would be Jose Quintana. Over his past four starts, few have pitched better than Quintana. In his last 25 innings, Quintana has allowed a grand total of two earned runs on 18 hits. In his last start, he walked no one, which was great news after issuing seven in the three previous.
For the season, Quintana is 9-9 in 29 starts with a 3.91 ERA, 1.270 WHIP, 122 Ks and 59 BBs. Truthfully, his advanced metrics don't look so grand. In 159 innings, Quintana has a 4.76 FIP, a 18.1 K% and a 8.8 BB%. Obviously, those are not on par with league averages.
However, as is usually the case, the matchup wins out in this instance as Quintana will face the Nationals his next time out. Washington ranks 19th in road hitting this season. Considering how well Quintana has pitched of late and the opponent, managers should want him in their lineups this week.
Nick Martinez, Cincinnati Reds, 9.4% Rostered
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While it is far too late to matter this season, Cincinnati's pitchers have thrown the ball very well this month. One of the leaders of this turnaround is Nick Martinez. In four of his last five starts, Martinez has allowed just one earned run. He has pitched into the sixth inning in each of his last four appearances. No question, anyone would take a pitcher like that with a championship on the line.
In 128.1 innings, Martinez is 9-6 with a 3.37 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 104 Ks and just 18 BBs. His advanced stats are 120 ERA+, 3.40 FIP, a 19.9 K% and a microscopic 3.4 BB%. Obviously, all of these numbers check out for Martinez. Add in his next opponent and we have the entire package on this Fantasy Baseball Championship Streamers edition. That team would be Pittsburgh at home on Friday. It's a positive situation all around for Martinez and for those chasing after the trophy.
Other Pitchers to Look Out For This Week
Another Washington pitcher, Mitchell Parker, has the Mets on Tuesday. He is 8.1% rostered and has allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, including a 6.1 inning three hit shutout of Miami Thursday.
Unquestionably, there are many mentions of Washington here. On Thursday, Jameson Taillon will give it a try against the Nationals. At 21.4% rostered, he may not be available on other platforms. If he is available, get him onto your team. He has allowed three earned runs in his last 19 innings.
Unlike everyone else in this article, Zach Littell does not have an ideal matchup this week. In fact, he goes up against the number three road hitting team in Boston on Thursday. Even so, at 8.7% rostered, he deserves a mention. In his last two starts, against Cleveland and Baltimore, both on the road, Zittell didn't give up an earned run. In his last five starts, he has allowed six runs total.
The Final Word
Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Baseball Championship Streamers edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com/ and bellyupfantasysports.com/ for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!
I am a co-host of The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show. The show will be live every Sunday at 8 pm Eastern from here to the end of the fantasy baseball season. Don't miss a single episode! Check out our latest show, dedicated to fantasy baseball strategies, pickups, drops and more here.
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