Streaming Starters: May 14-20: Are There Any Under-The-Radar Options To Trust? (Heaney, Harvey & More)

by Ken Balderston

Streaming pitchers off the waiver wire can be a very effective way to add innings to your staff.  Maybe you missed out on some of your end game pitchers in the draft, have run into a string of injuries or just want to take advantage of some matchups.  Here’s a look at some options owned in less than 50% of CBS leagues to help you gain an advantage this week.

A Grade

To be considered in most leagues

Chad Kuhl – Pirates (vs. Padres, 35% owned) ‘A’
I’m surprised Chad Kuhl is only 35% owned in CBS leagues as he’s owned in all the leagues I play in.  He’s been solid so far, putting up a 4.12 ERA (3.17 at home) with a 3:1 K:BB ratio and 8.24 K/9.  He does give up a few home runs (7 so far) but thanks to a 2.75 BB/9 and .296 BABIP he’s managed to minimize the damage.  This week he’ll be facing the Padres, who have had all sorts of trouble on offense this season. 

On the road they’re only behind the lowly Marlins with a .647 road OPS.  They also strike out at an elevated rate, 393 K in 40 games.  They’ve continued to be cold in May, failing to score more than 3 runs in a full game in 6 of their 10 games (Saturday’s game was 1-1 in the 7th at the time of this writing), and they’ve scored more than 5 in a game once so far this month.  Kuhl has emerged as a capable starter and the Padres have emerged as an inept offense.

B Grade

Some nice upside but also some risk

No ‘B’ Grades this week

C Grade

Solid option but also a fair amount of uncertainty

Andrew Heaney – Angels (vs. Astros, 30% owned) ‘C’
Heaney was a big-time prospect, and though he went under the knife for Tommy John surger he’s back healthy and starting to show some hints he’s ready to break out.  On the surface he has a less than enviable 4.78 ERA, but thanks in part to a 29:8 K:BB in 26 IP he also sports a 3.46 FIP.  In his last 3 starts Heaney has produced a 2.12 ERA, and 16 K in 17 IP.  So why is he rated a ‘C’ grade for streaming, at home none the less?  The Astros lead baseball in road OPS, currently sitting at .831, and have scored 117 runs in 18 games (over 6/gm).  Short of playing in Coors it’s about as tough a matchup as you’ll find.  The way Heaney is throwing the ball right now there’s a good chance he can neutralize the Astros offense, but there’s enough risk to earn a ‘C’ grade.

D Grade

Significant risk but also potential to put up a solid outing

Ty Blach – Giants (vs. Reds, 45% owned) ‘D’
He has had a solid start to the season, seeing his ownership rate rise to 45% in CBS leagues.  While his strikeout rate is low, actually a bit of a concern, he’s managed to avoid blowup starts and is facing a weak offense (.679 road OPS).  The Reds best hitter, Joey Votto, started to heat up as the calendar turned to May but the Reds as a team continue to struggle on the road, putting up a .732 May OPS.  There’s not a lot of upside, mostly due to the strikeouts (or lack there of).  Blach has shown he can hold his own and the Reds have shown they’re not formidable on offense, nor in the W-L column.  If he’s available in your leagues, you might consider running him out there.

F Grade

Options you might be considering but are not recommended

Matt Harvey – Reds (at Giants, 27% owned) ‘F’

I get it, fans who loved the ‘Dark Knight’ want to see him come back to his previous glory.  A change of scenery is all he needs right?  Well the Reds don’t exactly have a recent history of developing starting pitchers, nor do they have a history of getting the most out of reclamation projects.  One thing they are famous for is having several relievers nobody’s ever heard of… but that doesn’t apply here.  The Giants somewhat surprisingly have a tough offense at home (.737 home OPS), despite AT&T park being notoriously pitcher friendly.  They have a veteran laden lineup who don’t give up at bats or away many outs.  I get it, if you’ve held onto Harvey this long you want to see him turn it around even if it’s in a Reds uniform.  While that may very well happen odds are against it, and there’s no harm leaving him on your bench (or the wire) and not risking a potential blow up this week.

Sites consulted: CBSsports, MLB.com, Fangraphs, Baseballreference

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