Cash In on the MLB Strikeout Epidemic With These Fantasy Baseball Streaming Pitchers

Ten teams are currently averaging at least 9.9 strikeouts per game from their hitters. Only one team was at that mark in 2025, and two squads reached the number in 2024. It's still early, and most of those teams will fall below that mark, but the strikeout epidemic in MLB isn't going anywhere.

That's good news for fantasy pitchers, as they can rack up stats that help them have at least moderately successful days even if they give up some hits and/or runs. Taking advantage of those struggling teams early will set you up for success later in the year.

Let's look at five starting pitchers in action on Monday who have good matchups and are widely available in fantasy leagues. Most stats are from MLB.com, as are the probable pitchers. The full streamer rankings are listed at the bottom.

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Janson Junk, Miami Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati is tied for the fewest runs scored so far on the season. They vacillated a bit last season, spending time on our streaming list at points and showing at least league-average work at other times, but it has been mostly the negative side in 2026. With some of our initial targets playing well early, the Reds are a suitable replacement.

Junk has thrown 154 1/3 innings in his career, sporting a fantastic walk rate but also a well-below-average strikeout rate. He has been susceptible to giving up hits (177) but not home runs, as he has allowed one every 8.6 innings, a better-than-average rate. Junk is fine when the matchup is right but doesn't have much upside.

Junk is a low-level streamer. Though things are in his favor here, Junk generally has a defined ceiling, and we are early enough in the season to be stingier with innings.

Zack Littell, Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Littell has a similar profile to Junk in that he does well limiting walks but also strikes out batters at a below-average rate. His K work is better than Junk (19.6% career rate versus league average around 21-22%), and he does better limiting hits (less than one per inning), but Littell is more prone to giving up homers, allowing one about every six innings, a rate a little worse than average.

The Cardinals top out as a middling team in most offensive categories, especially lacking in the power categories. They started out as one of our secondary target teams to start the season, and they haven't done much to play themselves out of that range, making them a good target today.

Littell is a low-level streamer. He is fine, but the lower strikeout rate limits his ceiling a bit, and this early in the season, we don't need to push things too much.

Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins

Mize does well limiting walks, but he was a below-average strikeout pitcher until last season, when he finally hit the top end of the average range. He also had a successful first start in 2026, throwing six innings with four hits, one run (a solo home run), two walks, and nine strikeouts. Mize was the top overall pick in 2018, so there's reason to believe he can keep excelling.

The Twins shed a ton of talent at the trade deadline last year and came into this season with a few decent players but a lot of question marks and a low floor. There has been good and bad, but Minnesota ranks last in hits and batting average, generally a bad start no matter what else a team is doing.

Mize is a mid-level streamer. Though his strikeout work was strong last year, he has more history with below-average marks, so while I am intrigued, I'm also tempering expectations just a bit.

Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Philles @ San Francisco Giants

San Francisco is the team tied with Cincinnati for the fewest runs, but the Giants have done that in 10 games, while the Reds have only played nine. San Francisco has been below average in most areas, including hitting the fewest home runs. They also play in a pitcher's park, where this game takes place.

Painter made his big-league debut last Tuesday against the Nationals, throwing 5 1/3 innings with four hits, one run, one walk, and eight strikeouts. The 13th overall pick in 2021, Painter has pedigree and did big strikeout work in the minors, so there's a decent chance he continues to find success early. He is also owned in over 40% of fantasy leagues and might not be available long, so this could be your last chance to pick him up if you need a pitcher.

Painter is a mid-level streamer with upside. It's risky to trust guys with no track record, even those who were highly drafted, but Painter looked good in his opener, and the matchup couldn't be much better based on early results.

Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals @ Cleveland Guardians

Wacha had a very good first start against the Braves, throwing six innings with three hits, no runs, one walk, and seven strikeouts. His career rate is a little better than average with BBs and right at average with Ks, and he has also done well limiting hitters in all aspects. The only question with Wacha is when age slows him down, as he turns 35 on July 1.

Cleveland ranks in the bottom 10 (or very close to it) in most offensive box stats, only doing better with doubles and homers. A team can do well hitting for power and failing elsewhere, but the Guardians haven't been able to tip the scales in their favor. Cleveland has picked up where they left off last year.

Wacha is a mid-level streamer. He's not a top guy, but Wacha has been a good pitcher for a long time. After his successful opener, and with the matchup in his favor, Wacha is a good streamer today.

Monday's Streamer Rankings

1. Andrew Painter, PHI
2. Michael Wacha, KC
3. Casey Mize, DET
4. Janson Junk, MIA
5. Zack Littell, WSH