Joey Lucchesi – SD – LHP (21%) @ NYM
Season Stats (14 GS) 4 W, 3.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 69 K/ 35 BB in 67 IP
After a brief demotion (to keep him on a regular throwing schedule) Lucchesi is back to start again the god-awful Mets. The lineup is a huge boost in this game, as the rank dead last in average and OPS at home, and against lefties this season. Lucchesi has been solid across his 14 starts with great K numbers and decent ratios. His deception and delivery especially as a lefty has made him quite effective this season. Not only is his K rate good, but he also gets a decent amount of ground balls, which helps to backup his xFIP and SIERA in the high 3s. He should be a good source of Ks, decent ratios and a solid chance for a W against the Mets.
(The Mets rank 30th in the league with a .211 AVG and 30th in the league with a .627 OPS at home this season. They also rank 30th in the league with a .219 AVG and 30th in the league with a .635 OPS vs LHP).
Stream in standard leagues
Jordan Zimmermann – DET – RHP (29%) @ KC
Season Stats (12 GS) 4 W, 3.71 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 61 K/ 11 BB in 63 IP
Zimmermann is having a resurgent season in his career. His Ks are up, hovering close to a K an inning, better than it’s been in any full season, actually. In fact, he has been able to locate his slider for strikes, as well as throw it when he needs a whiff. His command and control has been great this year as well, and there have only been two games this season where he walked more than one batter. On top of that, just two games ago he struck out 11. His ERA indicators say he is right in line with what is deserved, so it is completely possible that Zimmermann continues with a high 3 ERA, great Ks, and he even has a shot at a W against the dreadful Royals.
(The Royals rank 21st in the league with a .242 AVG and 27th in the league with a .674 OPS at home this season. They also rank 24th in the league with a .239 AVG and 28th in the league with a .668 OPS vs RHP).
Stream in standard leagues
Shane Bieber – CLE – RHP (50%) vs PIT
Season Stats (7 GS) 5 W, 3.53 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 42 K/ 8 BB in 43 IP
Bieber is another young rookie starter who has done well this season. While he has a few 4 run games under his belt this season, he usually pitches into the 6th and beyond, and has put up great K numbers outside of one game. His ERA indicators show he deserves his mid 3 ERA so far this season. One outstanding factor about Bieber is that he has shown outstanding control over the minors, with a career BB rate of less than 5%. This should better his WHIP in the future, and help him to limit damage. A lot of his hard contact this season has been given up on the ground, which also helps to limit damage. He still has some developing to do before he is a consistent major league contributor. However, he has solid K upside, should get you decent ratios, and has a good chance at the W.
(The Pirates rank 14th in the league with a .246 AVG and 13th in the league with a .723 OPS on the road this season. They also rank 7th in the league with a .254 AVG and 14th in the league with a .732 OPS vs RHP).
Stream in deeper leagues
Drew Pomeranz – BOS – LHP (21%) @ BAL
Season Stats (8 GS) 1 W, 6.81 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 36 K/ 21 BB in 37 IP
Honestly, Pomeranz has not had much of a season. His K rate is fine, but outside of that he has allowed 3 or more runs in most all but one of his appearances so far this season. So why is he a (deep) streaming option? First, the Red Sox are clearly the favorites for the game by a mile. Second, Pomeranz career numbers against this (weakened) O’s lineup include a 30% K rate and 2.46 FIP indicator in 109 plate appearances. So Pomeranz has had a lot of success against these batters so far. Pomeranz might not give you the best ratios, but if you’re in need of a win and some Ks, he’s a solid streamer.
(The Orioles rank 27th in the league with a .232 AVG and 24th in the league with a .696 OPS at home this season. They also rank 28th in the league with a .663 AVG and 23rd in the league with a .232 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.
