September 19 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Streamers: Yusei Kikuchi, Clarke Schmidt, Kumar Rocker and Erick Fedde

I mentioned yesterday that we were on a run of light streamer days, and it gets even a little tougher today because six teams have the day off. (We’re all working, and these millionaires are taking a day off? Outrage!)

The streaming pool is light again today, meaning I had to stretch the rules to get a few guys on the list. There is a pitcher who is owned in many leagues and a few others against teams who are capable, making for lower ceilings and floors for some hurlers.

Let’s look at Thursday’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.

Erick Fedde, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh has been hitting better recently than they did most of the season. They have been close to a league-average offense over the past month, though they still don’t have much power. Most importantly for opposing pitchers, Pittsburgh batters strike out at a top-10 rate, something that has continued even as they’ve improved.

Fedde has done worse with the Cardinals than he did with the White Sox before the trade deadline. Essentially every number has regressed, maybe most importantly his strikeout and walk rates: Fedde was average or better in both categories with Chicago and has been worse than average with both since coming to St. Louis.

Fedde is a low- to mid-level streamer. With his strikeout work falling, it knocks him down a level as a streamer.

Yusei Kikuchi, Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Angels

Kikuchi is owned in about 70% of leagues, more than our usual streamer. That’s enough availability to look and hope you get lucky in free agency, though, as Kikuchi has been good enough to be a keeper in most leagues. His strikeout rate near 27.5% is reason enough for fantasy consideration.

The Angels are bad; it’s just what it is. Mike Trout was trying to make it back for the end of this season, but he experienced a setback in his recovery last month and shut it down. It’s probably for the best, as the oft-injured star seems more likely to get hurt than compete for an MVP any time soon.

Kikuchi is a high-level streamer. He might not be available, but Kikuchi is a possible keeper if you can grab him.

Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays were a target for opposing fantasy pitchers for most of the season, but they have been a better offensive team over the last few months. In the past 30 days, Toronto has been in the top 10 in essentially every offensive stat. This is a middling-at-best matchup at this point in the season.

Rocker’s skill and upside are the reasons he ends up here today (along with the light schedule). Rocker was drafted in the top 10 twice, most recently third overall by the Rangers. He made his debut last Thursday against the Mariners (he was listed here as a streamer), and while he threw just four innings, Rocker looked good, allowing three hits and one run with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Rocker is a mid-level streamer. His strikeout upside puts him on the fantasy radar every start, but this is just a middling matchup.

Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners

Speaking of the Mariners, they are a target for every fantasy pitcher because of their weak offense and their proclivity for strikeouts. Seattle hitters have struck out over 1,500 times, the only team averaging more than 10 per game. They are a bottom-five offensive team overall.

Schmidt missed more than three months with injury and has only thrown 71 innings. He has a league-average walk rate and is well above average with strikeouts, setting a nice base for himself to be successful. In a start against the Mariners back in May, Schmidt threw five innings with two runs allowed, six strikeouts, and two walks.

Schmidt is a mid- to high-level streamer. His strikeout work is above average, and if it weren’t for the long injury absence, he would probably be on a roster in most leagues.

Thursday’s Streamer Rankings

1. Yusei Kikuchi, HOU
2. Clarke Schmidt, NYY
3. Kumar Rocker, TEX
4. Erick Fedde, STL