Fantasy Baseball 2018: 3 Streaming options for Week 11

With Fantasy Baseball Week 11 underway, here are three starting pitchers with favorable matchups and low ownership percentages that are worth streaming.

The number of injuries, especially to starting pitchers, is through the roof this season. The fantasy baseball waiver wire is practically run dry of any healthy arms. Yet, there are still some worth adding, even if it’s for a week, which is what this piece is about.

There are a few pitchers with some good matchups in Week 11 (June 11 to 17) that are widely available in most league formats. If your current group of pitchers isn’t getting the job done, then you should look into adding one or two of these pitchers this week.

The pitchers listed will be owned in less than 30 percent of ESPN leagues. It’s not about their previous performances, it’s about what you think they can do in their next appearance. So, here are the three pitchers worth a speculative add for their next matchup this week.

Steven Matz (NYM)

The New York Mets are in a tough spot regarding their future. But that will continue to be speculation until the trade deadline. This week, Matz has a good matchup in his Week 11 start. He and the Mets will travel west to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

We know about the impact the humidor has had on the offense and pitching this season. Paul Goldschmidt has just two of his 12 home runs on the road. The pitching staff has the second-best home ERA at 3.12 in 32 games.

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This lines up for a perfect streaming option for Matz. He has a 3.53 ERA and 1.26 WHIP on the season. Facing the struggling Arizona offense will help Matz’s season-long numbers but will have a bigger short-term impact for all fantasy owners.

He’s owned in just 11.8 percent of leagues.

Trevor Richards (SD)

The young Miami Marlins pitcher hasn’t pitched well this season, 0-3 with a 5.02 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Though Richards does a seven-inning shutout against Pittsburgh and 10 strikeouts in 4.2 innings against the Dodgers.

Richards actually has two starts that I would stream him for. The first is at home on June 12 against the San Francisco Giants. The offense is hitting .253 on the road this season.

The second game is on June 17 on the road against the Baltimore Orioles. Do I have to say how bad the Orioles offense is? Manny Machado is the only batter with a .300 or higher average. Machado and Adam Jones are the only two with double-digit homers.

If you use wins as a category, Richards has a good shot to pick up two this week. He’s owned in just 0.4 percent of leagues.

Adam Plutko (CLE)

Plutko made his first start back on May 3, earning a win against Toronto. He was sent back down for a couple of weeks before rejoining the Indians. His last start was bad, despite earning a win. He allowed five runs in innings against the White Sox.

He also has two starts this week. The first comes against the White Sox again, this time on the road. Chicago is hitting .227 and scored 37 runs so far this month.

Plutko’s second start is on June 17 at home against the Minnesota Twins. The Twins are hitting .255 with 14 home runs, both in the top half this month.

Both teams rank in the top half in strikeouts this month, too. Plutko is owned in 4.5 percent of ESPN leagues. With the Indians offense behind him, Plutko also has another shot to earn two wins in a week.

Next: Top Waiver Wire Targets

These three pitchers have their faults, which is why they are widely available. But they also have some strengths that make them ownable for a short time. The matchups are right, making the probably for a win very likely. Pick up these pitchers if you want a boost to your pitching stats this week.

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