The theme for Saturday’s full slate exploits bottom fractures. All of our starting pitcher recommendations go square against lineups that either do not score many races or do not make much contact - or sometimes both. Sometimes streaming starters is as simple as that; When in doubt, attack the bad offenses.
Here’s a look at Saturday’s best streaming options, focusing on players ranked in less than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Domingo German (R), listed in 41% of ESPN leagues, New York Yankees on Baltimore Orioles: German has been a solid presence in the Yankees rotation this season. He has allowed three or fewer earned races in five of six starts, and delivers a quality start in three of his last four excursions. Although home runs have been a problem (2.0 HR / 9), the Germans whip almost one batter per round (8.9 K / 9) and show sharp control (1.7 BB / 9). On Saturday, the German is in a prime position against a lower part of the Orioles offense that is last in the AL with a 79 wRC + against right-handed pitching. The last time the German met Baltimore in late April, he closed them over seven photos.
Johnny Cueto (R), 39%, San Francisco Giants on Pittsburgh Pirates: In his first start back from IL after missing time with a lazy load, Cueto was roughed up by Padres (5 ER in 3 IP). Then again, this is a matchup that most fantasy leaders avoided anyway. In his other three starts this season, the veteran is right-handed 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. We’ve seen enough from Cueto over the last couple of years to know that there is plenty of volatility here, but there should be little hesitation for Saturday’s matchup against a Pittsburgh offense that has a bottom-five wRC + (84) and the worst slugging percentage in baseball (.345).
Luis Garcia (R), 9%, Houston astros vs. Rangers in Texas: It is unclear how long Garcia will remain in Houston’s rotation, as Jake odorizzi and Framber Valdez both could return in the next few weeks, but the 24-year-old is taking advantage of his opportunity. Garcia has produced a 3.60 ERA with 10.5 K / 9 over seven appearances (five starts), which includes starts at Coors Field and Yankee Stadium, so he’s not just choosing usable opponents. Fortunately, he do draw a usable opponent on Saturday, as Rangers flag on an MLB-worst 28.1% clip against right-handed boxes.
Trevor Williams (R), 5%, Chicago Cubs on Detroit Tigers: Williams may not be the most attractive slate thrower, but it’s hard to beat a matchup against the Tigers, who have an MLB worst .283 wOBA and the highest strike percentage in baseball at 29.3%. Despite a couple of tough starts this season, the right-handers have limited opponents to two or fewer races in four of his last five turns. He has also seen his strike rate increase to 24% this season, thanks to his slider which generates a 54.1% whiff rate. Stream Williams to Detroit and then send him back to the drop line.
Bullpen: Diego Castillo, who leads Rays with seven saves, is currently on the injury list, but he is on his way to being activated on Friday. Many fantasy leaders have already lost patience with the Tampa right-hander and dropped him, so he is actually available in almost 45% of ESPN leagues. Pick him up if he was cut in your league.
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Meeting
Catcher - Yan comes in (R), 9%, Citizens of Washington on Arizona Diamondbacks (RHP Luke weaves): Gomes beats. 313 with three homers since the beginning of May, and he gets a nice matchup against Weaver, who at times has looked good, but has mostly struggled this season. The right-hander has passed the fifth round only once during the last five starts, setting up a 6.57-ERA in that span.
First base - Andrew Vaughn (R), 37%, Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals (LHP Mike Minor): The overall state line may not look so impressive, but Vaughn is slowly looking more comfortable on the record. The 23-year-old beats 0.308 / .383 / .462 over his last 16 fights and has an average elite exit speed of 93.1 mph. Vaughn clubbed his first major league homer earlier this week, and there are many more on the horizon.
Second base - Jonathan wants to (S), 15%, New York Mets on Tampa Bay Rays (LHP Shane mcclanahan): Villar is no longer an exclusive fantasy alternative, but he still owns a versatile skill set. He can steal bases, pop the occasional homer, and he arrives at the base consistently with a 12.5% walking frequency. With qualifying at second base, third base and shortstop, Villar is an easy guy to fit into your lineup if you have a vacancy.
Third base - Yandy Diaz (R), 6%, Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Mets (LHP Joey Lucchesi): Right-handed batter has beaten Lucchesi for a .398 wOBA this season, making it the perfect time to place Diaz in your starting lineup. A career .291 / .401 / .428 hitter against lefty pitching, Diaz beats .298 with a 17.5% walk rate versus southpaws this season.
Shortstop - Amed Rosario (R), 6%, Cleveland Indians on Seattle Mariners (LHP Justus sheffield): After hitting just .179 / .257 / .299 in April, Rosario is starting to show signs of life. During his last nine fights he has set up a .333 / .368 / .583 triple slash. Rosario even beat others in each of the last three starts, which increases his overall fantasy potential.
Corner Infield - Jeimer candelario (S), 36%, Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs (RHP Trevor Williams): The Tigers offense has largely been a black hole this season, but Candelario at least gives an expression of fantasy value. The Switch hitter shaved in May and set up a .387 / .472 / .613 slash with a pair of homers in nine games. Candelario should stay warm against Williams, who allows a .417 wOBA to left-handed hitters.
Middle Infield - Gavin Lux (L), 41%, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins (Not determined): Lux has not met expectations so far this season, but he is starting to turn things around. After hitting .179 / .213 / .250 in April, the youngster strikes .343 / .378 / .457 over his last nine fights. Most importantly, Lux plays every day, also to the left. The window to list the previous MLB draft from the first round may close soon.
Utmark - Taylor department (R), below 1%, Los Angeles Angels on Boston Red Sox (LHP Martin perez): Ward has been given everyday playing time with the angels, and while he still does not do much on the plate, there is some potential here. He showed good strength and patience in minors, clubbed 27 homers and swept 11 bags on Triple-A in 2019 to go along with a .306 / .427 / .584 triple slash. A fight against a beatable Martin Perez could be the thing to get Ward started.
Utmark - Joc pederson (L), 42%, Chicago Cubs at Detroit Tigers (RHP Jose urena): Since joining IL, Pederson has shown himself well on the plate, hitting .444 in seven games, including a trio of three-hit efforts. The power has not appeared yet, but we know it is coming. For his part, Urena allows an inflated 47.2% hard hit rate, and left flutes hit 0.325 against him.
Utmark - Tyler o’neill (R), 30%, St. Louis Cardinals on San Diego Padres (RHP Chris Paddack): It may be time to start giving O’Neill more attention. Sure, 2.2% walk and 32.6% strike is an ugly combination, but his seven home runs and three steals make the poor discipline easier to swallow. A legitimate set of power / speed is hard to find, and O’Neill has it.