Sometimes you just have to play the matchup. Let’s take a look at the best matchups for streaming candidates this week. Keep in mind, matchups are subject to change, especially late in the week.
Monday, September 2:
Danny Duffy vs. SEA: Duffy has been unstoppable since being called up, posting a 1.10 ERA and 17 K/5 BB over his first 16.1 IP of the season. The Mariners ranked 23rd in the league in runs over the month of August.
Jason Vargas vs. TB: Vargas has been hot lately, posting a 1.93 ERA and 15 K/7 BB over his last 18.2 IP. He faced off against Tampa just last week, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits, three walks, and striking out seven.
Tyler Thornburg vs. PIT: Thornburg has made three spot starts this season, allowing just one earned run over 18 IP. He owns a 1.94 ERA on the season and has held the Bucs to just one earned run, seven strikeouts, three hits, and three walks over 7.2 IP.
Tuesday, September 3:
Jarred Cosart vs. MIN: He hasn’t been striking out many batters but he’s sporting a 2.00 ERA and 11 K over his last 18 IP and held the Twins to just one run while striking out four over seven in his first start against them.
Carlos Torres at ATL: Torres looked good his last start, allowing just one run over 6.2 IP against the Phils. He has owned Atlanta all season, posting a 0.68 ERA and 14 K/3 BB over 13.1 IP against the Braves.
Michael Wacha at CIN: Wacha faced the Reds in his last game before being sent down, pitching four scoreless innings out of the pen and striking out seven. The 22-year-old posted a 2.65 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 73 K/19 BB over 85 IP in Triple-A this year.
Wednesday, September 4:
Dillon Gee at ATL: Gee has looked good of late, posting a 2.53 ERA and 14 K/4 BB over his last 21 IP. He has put up a 3.10 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and .197 BAA over 20.1 IP vs. Atlanta this season.
Thursday, September 5:
Sonny Gray vs. HOU: Gray has been impressive since moving to the rotation, posting a 2.90 ERA, .204 BAA, and 31 K/9 BB over 31 IP. In his first start against the paltry Astros offense, Gray pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and a walk while striking out nine.
Jerome Williams vs. TB: Williams has allowed just four runs over 17.1 IP against the Rays over the last two seasons. Tampa ranked 28th in the league in offense in August.
Friday, September 6:
Zack Wheeler at CLE: Wheeler has posted a 3.36 ERA on the season and a 3.15 ERA over his last three starts. The Indians ranked just 27th in offense over the last month.
Mike Pelfrey vs. TOR: Pelfrey has been much improved of late, putting up a 2.41 ERA over his last three starts and allowing just one run over seven innings his last time out. In one start against the Blue Jays this season, Pelf pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and three walks. Toronto ranked 11th in the AL in runs last month.
Chris Rusin vs. MIL: Rusin has been impressive with a 2.74 ERA on the season and a 2.12 ERA over his last three starts. In his one previous start against the Brew Crew, Rusin allowed just one run, one hit, and two walks while striking out four over five innings.
Joe Kelly vs. PIT: Kelly has been good all season, going 7-3 with a 2.82 ERA. He doesn’t strike out many but he’s good in every other category, going 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA over his last 18 IP. In two starts and three relief outings against the Pirates, Kelly has put up a 2.93 ERA and 12 K over 15.1 IP.
Yusmeiro Petit vs. ARI: Petit has been a pleasant surprise in his first three outings of the season, posting a 3.12 ERA and 23 K/4 BB over 17.1 IP. He just faced Arizona over the weekend and held them to two runs, seven hits, and one walk while striking out 10.
Saturday, September 7:
Danny Salazar vs. NYM: Salazar has been good all season, posting a 3.00 ERA and 37 K/9 BB over 33 IP. Over his last three starts, Salazar is sporting a 1.76 ERA and 15 K/4 BB. He’ll face a Mets offense that ranked 21st in the league over the last month.
Alex Wood at PHI: Wood has been very good this season, posting a 3.15 ERA and 68 K/22 BB over 65.2 IP. In his last start against Philly, Wood allowed just two runs, four hits, two walks, and struck out four over 7.2 IP.
Sunday, September 8:
Tyler Thornburg at CHC: I’ll take Thornburg for a second time this week as his 0.50 ERA as a starter is too good to pass up against a Cubs offense that ranked 26th over the last month.
