July 26 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Streamers: Andrew Heaney, Drew Thorpe and Carson Fulmer
A look at Friday's probable starters who are widely available in fantasy leagues and have good matchups.
We don’t have a lot of streamers today, but let’s look at Friday’s probable starters (according to MLB.com) who are widely available in fantasy leagues and have good matchups, creating streaming value. Most stats and rankings are from MLB. The full streamer rankings are listed at the bottom.
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Carson Fulmer, Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics
Fulmer has mostly worked as a reliever in his career, but he took a turn in the starting rotation the last time through, facing these same Athletics. Fulmer threw 4.2 innings and allowed three runs with three strikeouts and two walks. That’s about where we can expect him again this time. It’s hard to project a high ceiling, but the matchup gives him an OK floor.
Speaking of that matchup, the A’s have shown life at times, particularly fighting for the division lead in the first month-plus of the season. That dissipated quickly, though, and Oakland is back to last place in their division. They hit for power but also strike out a lot.
Fulmer is a low-level streamer. A short start is likely given his bullpen role, and Fulmer hasn’t shown sustained strikeout numbers.
Andrew Heaney, Texas Rangers @ Toronto Blue Jays
Heaney is several percentage points better than average in both strikeout rate and walk rate; not many streamers can boast that claim. The results have been positive too, as Heaney has a 3.60 ERA and allowed just 14 home runs, much better than his career HR rate.
Toronto is on the precipice of a new era, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are among those coming up in trade rumors. The most likely outcome is that they both stay north of the border, but either one could help swing a division race if they ended up on the right team.
Heaney is a mid- to high-level streamer. His strikeout work is great for a streamer, but the Blue Jays don’t strike out much, limiting his ceiling a bit.
Drew Thorpe, Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners
Speaking of those trade rumors, Seattle needs offensive reinforcements more than any contender in baseball. Guerrero has been mentioned as a perfect fit, but it’s unlikely the Mariners will spend the prospects and money it would take to acquire him. As things stand, Seattle has one of the worst offenses in the league.
Thorpe has thrown just 38.2 innings, making it hard to get a real read on him. His minor league strikeout work was very good, an area in which the White Sox excel. He’s walked too many guys in the big leagues, but there’s hope he can be a good pitcher in the future.
Thorpe is a low- to mid-level streamer. He’s untested, but the matchup is right for a good outing, and Seattle’s high K rate gives Thorpe a little upside.
Friday’s Streamer Rankings
- Andrew Heaney, TEX
- Drew Thorpe, CWS
- Carson Fulmer, LAA
