Welcome back to the FreezeStats weekly stating pitcher streaming article! I hope you enjoyed the All-Star break but now is not the time to relax, even if you have a strong lead in your league. We skipped week 15 because it was abbreviated with just the weekend series. You know the drill. I choose starting pitchers that are available in at least 75% of FantasyPros consensus leagues to help you win your matchup each week. The talent seems to be falling off a bit which means the fantasy community is really on their game. I’ve been able to uncover a nice blend of high ceiling and high floor streamers and of course will be picking on the Giants, Marlins, and Tigers next week.



Adam Plutko (SP – CLE), 3% owned home vs DET, Monday, 7/15

I’m not the biggest Plutko fan but he’s walking just under one batter per nine innings (0.99 BB/9). He’s not striking many batters out and has given up far to many dingers. I would never think about streaming Putko unless he was going up against one of the weakest offensives in the Majors. Will you look a this. The Tigers are tied for the lowest wRC+ in the league with the Marlins and only the Marlins have hit fewer home runs than Detroit. The Tigers are also prone to strikeouts which they do at a 26% clip. Given Plutko’s fly ball tendencies and low walk rate, there won’t be many runners on base. Fly ball pitchers typically suppress BABIP, so as long as he keeps the ball in the yard, I feel comfortable streaming. If Zach Plesac gets the call for Tuesday’s start against the Tigers, I’d also stream him and actually prefer him to Plutko. However, he’s still in the Minors and as of this writing, the Indians haven’t named a starter for Tuesday. Either way, STREAM

Dylan Cease (SP – CHW), 24% owned @KC, Tuesday, 7/16

Cease was impressive after the first inning of his debut before the break striking out six Tigers in five innings. His command of his fourseam wasn’t great so there’s no doubt risk in streaming him. He draws the Royals in Kauffman Stadium next week. Kauffman suppresses home runs more than any other park other than Oracle Park in San Francisco. In addition, theRoyals have just an 86 wRC+ as a team at home (100 is league-average) with a walk rate of just 7.5%. That’s the 25th lowest walk rate among all teams in the league. The aggressive nature of the Royals combined with the cavernous confines of Kauffman Stadium makes Cease a high-risk, high-reward streaming option. I’m streaming him looking for strikeouts and the high probability of a win.

Jason Vargas (SP – NYM), 10% owned, @SF, Thursday, 7/18

Jason Vargas had a rough start coming off the All-Star break in Miami of all places. That does not provide a whole lot of confidence going into his start next week. But wait! The Giants (74 wRC+) are even worse offensively than the Marlins (79 wRC+) and the last time he faced the Giants, he pitched a complete game shutout with eight strikeouts. Like many pitchers this year, Vargas has struggled with the long ball giving up six homers in his last five outings. Pitching in Oracle Park should limit the probability of the long ball. In addition, Vargas has utilized his changeup over 35% of the time this year. The changeup suppresses wOBA more than any other pitch, so I think Vargas has a good shot at a W/QS and plus ratios. STREAM

Dinleson Lamet (SP – SD), 14% owned, @MIA, Thursday, 7/18

Lamet is a risky option despite the favorable matchup in Miami. Following such a prolonged absence, control is the last thing that comes back for a pitcher. Lamet could go six shutout innings with nine strikeouts or give up five earned runs in two innings. The good news is Lamet still possess elite swing and miss stuff evidenced by the 14 punch outs in 10 innings pitched. I don’t trust his 6+ ERA as he’s only allowed 12 base runners in those 10 innings. He’s also averaging over 95 MPH on his fastball. Unfortunately, he’s only a two-pitch pitcher which isn’t great long term but for this start against a weak Miami offense, I’m going Streaming.



Daniel Ponce de Leon (SP – STL), 14% Owned, home vs PIT, Wednesday, 7/17

My favorite explorer is rocking a 1.99 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in just over 31 innings. OK, so a .175 BABIP and a 93.5% strand rate is not sustainable but Ponce is effectively pitching up in the zone inducing whiffs and popups at a high clip. His fourseam has a swinging strike rate of 13.2% which is nearly five percent above the League average for fourseamers. It’s helped him get strikeouts over 35% of the time with his heater. The Pirates have been better than advertised but have been carried by Josh Bell and Starling Marte. I think Ponce can neutralize them and I’m rolling the dice. STREAM

Anthony DeSclafani (SP – CIN), 16% Owned, home vs STL, Sunday, 7/21

Would I prefer this start if it was in St Louis? Well, of course, but Tony Disco is known for his hot stretches. His 24.1% strikeout rate would be the highest of his career along with his K-BB%. Some of those improvements are due to a career-best fastball velocity of 95.0 mph. Other than a six-run shellacking in Milwaukee in June, Disco has given up just five earned runs in his previous five outings. It cannot be overstated how bad the Cardinals offense has been. Over the last 30 days, they have a 79 wRC+ which would be the lowest in the Majors over that time if not for the Tigers. I think DeSclafani can go at least six innings and strike out six to seven batters. The Reds should provide enough run support to give him a good chance at a win. STREAM



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