There are plenty of streaming options this week if you need a starting pitcher or two to round out your weekly stat line. Remember that all these pitchers are owned in less than 50% of leagues, so there should be someone available for you to pick up off the wire.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Brett Oberholtzer HOU vs OAK Scott Kazmir

Eric Stults SD @ WAS Jordan Zimmermann

Oberholtzer has looked strong in his last two outings, holding the opponent to a single earned run and racking up 10 strikeouts, although he only has one no decision and a loss to show for it. If you are looking for peripherals only, he is a decent option. Stults has also been stingy with runs, having given up just 5 earned tallies over his last 16.2 IP. Not much in the way of Ks, but at least he was able to come away with a win in his last outing against the Giants. As with all Padre pitchers, I would prefer him to be pitching at Petco, but being in Washington isn't terrible given his past few outings.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Robbie Erlin SD @ WAS Stephen Strasburg

Roberto Hernandez PHI @ ARI Josh Collmenter

Colby Lewis TEX @ SEA Roenis Elias

Jordan Lyles COL @ LAD Josh Beckett

Facing Strasburg doesn't fill opposing pitchers with fear, and as I noted above, I do not worry about a Padre pitcher throwing in Nationals Park. In fact, the Nationals' home field is more pitcher friendly early on in 2014 than Petco. Erlin has been demonstrating excellent control this season, having allowed only one walk versus 14 strikeouts in 11.1 IP. Hernandez finally racked up a Quality Start in his last outing, although he exhibited more wildness than he had shown previously. He has a 17:8 K/BB ratio over his past 3 starts, and while his peripherals aren't great, he does keep his team in the game which is about all you can ask of a back of the rotation starter. Lewis is back in action, and pulled out a win against the Tigers in his last start, where he limited the runs more so than in his first start since coming off the DL. Expect his ERA and WHIP to continue to trend downward, making him a good SP that is not match up dependent. Lyles has been solid to start the season, and pitching on the road in LA should be a good thing for him on Friday. His team will provide him a good chance to chalk up a win, and despite his limited K numbers, he has been very good at limiting opponent run production this season.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

John Danks CHW vs TB Cesar Ramos

Dallas Keuchel HOU vs OAK Dan Straily

Tyler Lyons StL vs PIT Francisco Liriano

Paul Maholm LAD vs COL Juan Nicasio

Brandon Maurer SEA vs TEX Robbie Ross

Robbie Ross TEX @ SEA Brandon Maurer

Danks has put up 3 consecutive QS this month, and if he could get his control in line, even with his average K rate, he could be a superb back of the rotation option. Do not expect him to miss a ton of bats, but he limits damage and almost always has a chance to secure a win. Keuchel has limited opponents to just three earned runs over his last two starts, and has also struck out 16 hitters in his three starts while limiting the free passes to two, two and one over those same three games. Lyons is filling in for Joe Kelly, and has been very good at Triple-A, racking up two wins and posting a fine 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in three starts. He is worth a flier at home. Maholm has allowed just 2 earned runs over his past three appearances for the Dodgers, but don't expect many Ks from him. Instead, look for great peripherals and the potential for a QS and/or W when he takes the mound. Maurer and Ross face off in Seattle, and while I trust Ross more, both have potential as streaming options. Just be aware that Maurer may be skipped in the rotation due to Thursday's off day for the Mariners. Ross has not allowed an earned run in his last two starts, but his K/BB ratio is not good, having walked 6 batters while striking out the same number over 13 innings.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Kyle Gibson MIN vs DET Justin Verlander

Tom Koehler MIA @ NYM Dillon Gee

Edinson Volquez PIT @ StL Adam Wainwright

Gibson has been on fire of late, at least with regard to limiting opponent's scoring, having only given up 2 earned runs over 19.1 IP while tallying 3 consecutive victories. His K/BB is nothing to write home about, settling in at 10:9 over three starts, but the ERA is nice as are the Ws. Koehler has also been stingy with earned runs, having held the opponents to 4 ER over 3 starts, all Quality Starts, although he only managed to go 2-1 over those games. Volquez has been a great addition to the Pirate rotation, allowing only 4 earned runs while posting a K/BB ratio of 13:4 in his four starts this season. His 1.71 ERA and 0.95 WHIP are due to regress, but then again, he could put up another couple of excellent starts and you should be taking advantage of his dominance early this season.

Should you have questions regarding fantasy baseball, especially starting pitching, you can reach me at ia@fantasyalarm.com to continue the discussion.