Weekend Spot Starters for June 28-29
Streaming starting pitchers can be one of the most effective strategies in fantasy baseball. The following slideshow highlights seven good streaming options for this weekend.
7. Jonathon Niese June 28 @ PIT
7. Jonathon Niese June 28 @ PIT
Frankly, I'm a bit shocked that Niese isn't owned in more leagues. The lefty boasts a 2.78 ERA this season to go with a 1.16 WHIP and 69 strikeouts in 97 innings. Niese also hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a single start this season. Unless he's playing the Rockies in Colorado, I'd start Niese against any opponent at this point.
6. Roenis Elias June 28 vs. CLE
6. Roenis Elias June 28 vs. CLE
Elias has been a pleasant surprise for the Mariners this season. In his first big-league season, Elias boasts a 3.74 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 85 strikeouts over 98.2 innings and he's given up three runs or fewer in 11 of his 16 starts. The Indians have struggled against lefties all season, especially when it comes to hitting for power; their .294 wOBA against southpaws is 26th in MLB and their .101 ISO is dead last.
5. Wei-Yin Chen June 28 vs. TB
5. Wei-Yin Chen June 28 vs. TB
Chen owns a 2.61 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in the month of June and he's allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of his 15 starts this season. The Rays aren't particularly great against left-handed pitching; their .304 wOBA against lefties is 22nd in MLB.
4. Marcus Stroman June 28 vs. CWS
4. Marcus Stroman June 28 vs. CWS
Since May 31, Stroman owns a 2.43 ERA to go with a 1.15 WHIP and 26 strikeouts over 29.2 innings. Four of his last five starts have been quality starts, including an eight-inning, one-run start against the Yankees (three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts) in his most recent outing. Outside of Jose Abreu, the White Sox offense has been fairly "meh" this month. If you're in a deep league and need a start, Stroman's a guy you should consider.
3. Josh Collmenter June 28 @ SD
3. Josh Collmenter June 28 @ SD
Collmenter is a pitcher who owns a 3.49 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 422.2 career big-league innings and he gets to start in Petco Park against the offensively abysmal Padres on Saturday; enough said.
2. Bartolo Colon June 29 @ PIT
2. Bartolo Colon June 29 @ PIT
Colon has been solid -- literally -- this season. He has a 3.67 ERA to go with a 1.15 WHIP and his 3.4 percent walk percentage is the third best in baseball. The big man has allowed three runs or less in 12 of his 15 starts this season and he's pitched at least seven innings in 10 of those 12 starts.
1. Edinson Volquez June 29 vs. NYM
1. Edinson Volquez June 29 vs. NYM
Volquez has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 15 starts this season and he gets to face the New York Mets on Sunday. The Mets are one of the worst offenses in baseball; their .296 wOBA against right-handed pitching is 26th in MLB and their .127 ISO is 22nd.