Field of Streams 2021: Week 6
We are back once again in an attempt to help fantasy baseball managers out with their starting pitching needs. Whether you have a staff riddled with injuries, guys that are underperforming, or a cruel combination of the two, here are a few pitchers that may be able to help you out in the meantime.
As was the case last year, any game that I reference here is subject to change should individual players or full teams end up missing games due to the COVID protocols. Sometimes we have little to no heads up on any of these schedule adjustments, and games — especially later in the weekdays after this series posts — may not play out as they were originally expected to at the time of this writing. Two-Start Adds may turn into Single Game Streamers if one of their games gets postponed or pushed back in the week and SGS picks may not actually have that selected game happen, so be sure to check on player and team news daily to make sure you put yourself in the best possible position.
NOTE: I will typically try to stay around the 50% owned mark for my selections, but may reach up to guys owned in around 65% of leagues as well depending on different matchup factors. Owned percentages will read (ESPN, Yahoo), and all percentages and stats are current prior to Sunday’s games unless stated otherwise.
Without further ado, here are my streaming picks for Week 6 of the 2021 season.
Two-Start Adds
Dylan Cease — CHW (57.1%, 62%) vs MIN, vs KC
Cease has dominated in his last two starts, as he did not allow a run and recorded a quality start in both contests. He finally appears to be realizing his potential at the major league level, as the former highly-touted prospect now owns a 2.37 ERA (backed by a 2.81 FIP), 1.22 WHIP, and a very strong 11.9 K/9 rate through his first six starts of the 2021 season. Though his BB/9 rate is still sitting at an unsettling 4.5 mark, his significantly lowered H/9 and HR/9 rates help point to his progression.
Although the Twins may pose a threat to end his quality start streak with an offense that ranks above the league average in most main categories, I do believe his recent performance will give him the upper hand in that matchup. And regardless of how that first start goes, the Royals offense has cooled off since their hot start to the year and look to be a game Cease should perform well in.
Jon Gray — COL (52.2%, 43%) vs SD, vs CIN
Gray has had a nice bounce-back start to the 2021 season, as he currently owns the lowest ERA (3.18), FIP (3.70), H/9 (7.1), and WHIP (1.190) since his strong 2017 campaign. In addition to those improved stats he has also posted a quality start in three of his last four outings, and in the one non-quality start he did come just shy of meeting the requirements with 4 ER in 6 IP.
After being talked about as a World Series hopeful this past offseason, the Padres have had a hard time bringing everything together. Offensively they rank in the bottom-five of the entire sport in runs per game (3.76), SLG (.353), and OPS (.664), and they have collectively nose-dived over the last week. Even in launch pad known as Coors Field, Gray should be able to continue his stretch of quality starts.
The Reds are a little bit of a different story in the sense that they actually do rank well in most offensive categories, but are similar to the Padres in the fact that they have not been playing well recently. Over the last 28 days entering Sunday the Reds own a .215/.294/.371 slash line, but they have still managed to score just under 4 RPG despite that. The rates should win out in this one and help keep Gray roll along.
Honorable Mentions: So there’s this guy that you all may or may not have heard of named Ryan Yarbrough (25.0%, 35%) of the Rays. He is on pace for a pair of starts (or at least “bulk reliever” roles) this week, so if you need another name to throw in the hat he may be able to help you out a bit…If it weren’t for the fact that he is slated to go head-to-head with Shane Bieber in his first matchup of the week, Adbert Alzolay (9.7%, 13%) of the Cubs would be an intriguing name to watch for. He has a 13:2 K:BB rate over his last two starts (which includes a quality start against the Atlanta Braves), and in his five starts in 2021 he owns a 0.885 WHIP and a 4.29 K/BB ratio.
Single Game Streamers
Adbert Alzolay — CHC (9.7%, 13%) at DET on 5/16
You know what? I talked myself into it. Put it on the board!
As I just mentioned roughly five seconds ago, Alzolay has some solid peripheral stats this season. In addition to his aforementioned 0.885 WHIP and 4.29 K/BB ratio (thanks to a strong 10.4 K/9) it is also worth noting that Alzolay has run into some bad luck with balls put in play, as his solid 3.72 FIP suggests that his 4.50 ERA is due to regress. He has put up a pair of solid starts in his last two outings, and even if his start against Cleveland does not go as well he should be able to get another quality start against the Tigers.
Robbie Ray — TOR (35.8%, 41%) at ATL on 5/11
Ray is quietly building up a strong season for himself. Over his last three outings (all of which were quality starts) he has posted a 23:0 K:BB over 18 2/3 IP. That’s right, folks, Ray has not walked a batter since his start against the Royals on April 18 (when he allowed six of them). Overall on the season he owns a 3.14 ERA, 1.151 WHIP, and a 3.22 K/BB ratio which is currently a career best for the former All-Star. If Ray keeps rolling out quality starts on a regular basis, he could very well be worth a roster spot depending on how your pitching staff is holding up.
The Fantasy Life app is the best sports community app to talk fantasy football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, WWE, MMA, Nascar, golf, eSports, or anything else you would hear about at a sports bar. Find or post funny memes, polls, GIFs, or join chats about your teams. Matthew Berry (ESPN, The Talented Mr. Roto), the face of fantasy football co-founded the app as a place for fans to chat about sports, get fantasy advice, or find sleepers for your team. Find Matthew on the app @matthewberry
Download the iPhone or Android app at fantasylifeapp.com. Also available in the App Store and Google Play.
