Trevor Cahill – OAK – RHP (16%) vs SF
Season Stats (9 GS) 1 W, 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 50 K/ 14 BB in 52 IP
Cahill is coming back off the DL after an injury a little before the break. He has had some great stretches already this season, and is boasting strikeouts barely below one an innings with an above average walk rate. So far the success hasn’t been unsustainable either. His ERA indicators show him anywhere in the low 3s, an encouraging sign for his success. Another big part of his success can be attributed to a groundball rate bordering 60%, a phenomenal rate. He should be counted on for solid rations, good Ks and a decent chance at the W with the way Oakland has been playing lately.
(The Giants rank 16th in the league with a .241 AVG and 25th in the league with a .682 OPS on the road this season. They also rank 4th in the league with a .257 AVG and 16th in the league with a .722 OPS vs RHP).
Stream in standard leagues
Vince Velasquez (PHI) – RHP (31%) vs SD
Season Stats (18 GS) 5 W, 4.39 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 110 K/ 35 BB in 94 IP
The strikeouts have been there all season long for Velasquez. His K rate sits at a phenomenal 28% and his walks haven’t done too much to hurt him. Despite the ERA in the mid 4s, his xFIP and SIERA both suggest a mid to high 3s ERA is deserved. His left on base percentage is a little low, and he hasn’t gotten any real luck in the BABIP department either, so he could see a better outcome in the future. You can expect a great K rate with decent ratios and a strong chance at the W.
(The Padres rank 26th in the league with a .230 AVG and 30th in the league with a .641 OPS on the road this season. They also rank 26th in the league with a .232 AVG and 30th in the league with a .653 OPS vs RHP).
Stream in standard leagues
Marcus Stroman – TOR – RHP (51%) vs BAL
Season Stats (12 GS) 2 W, 5.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 52 K/ 26 BB in 66 IP
Stroman by all means is not having a good season according to his stat line. Digging a little deeper, however, one thing stands out. His left on base percentage is extremely low. The average percentage of runners that get stranded on base league wide is close to 71% whereas Stroman currently has a 61% rate, much lower than any of his other years. While his K rate is not spectacular, his ground ball rate is still elite, above 60%. Combine all that with a face-off against a weakened Machado-less Baltimore lineup and we have a solid chance for decent ratios, some Ks, and a good chance at the W.
(The Orioles rank 30th in the league with a .222 AVG and 29th in the league with a .643 OPS on the road this season. They also rank 29th in the league with a .225 AVG and 27th in the league with a .671 OPS vs RHP).
Stream in standard leagues
Sonny Gray – NYY – RHP (55%) vs NYM
Season Stats (18 GS) 6 W, 5.46 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 85 K/ 39 BB in IP
Gray is another pitcher who should be in his prime age, but has struggled. He has shown flashes of brilliance, with 2 shutouts in since June collecting 16 Ks in 14 innings. However, in between those starts, he gave up 21 ER in 21 innings. Volatile is the right word for Gray over this stretch. Still, his K rate is up over the past few weeks, his groundball rate has been increasing as well, and he has garnered more and more soft contact. If Gray can find some stability, he has the potential to be worth an add. For now, he benefits from the matchup against the struggling Mets offense. He should have a solid chance at a good K rate, with decent ratios and a good chance at the win.
(The Mets rank 13th in the league with a .246 AVG and 8th in the league with a .749 OPS on the road this season. They also rank 27th in the league with a .232 AVG and 23rd in the league with a .705 OPS vs RHP).
Stream in standard leagues
Mike Montgomery – CHC – LHP (13%) vs STL
Season Stats (9 GS) 3 W, 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 33 K/ 15 BB in 50 IP
Montgomery’s stat line stands out, but mostly for his lack of strikeouts. Strangely enough, while he holds a K rate of 15% this year, he is actually getting slightly more swinging strikes than he did last year with a K rate of 18.5%, so there could be some room for growth there. His walk rate is better than last year, no doubt helping his WHIP along with a very helpful groundball rate over 50%. The K upside is not huge, and there may be a run or so of ERA regression over the course of the season, but he should have a good chance at the W, and provide decent ratios as a streamer.
(The Cardinals rank 15th in the league with a .243 AVG and 12th in the league with a .736 OPS on the road this season. They also rank 26th in the league with a .229 AVG and 19th in the league with a .700 OPS vs LHP).
Stream in deeper leagues
MLB Correspondent | Despite the inherent challenges of being a Rays fan, I’ve thrived as an avid fan of all things baseball and fantasy baseball for 20 years.
