On a weekly basis, I am profiling those starting pitchers who are scheduled to take the mound in the upcoming scoring period. This is done to help you determine who to try to grab from your league's freeWade Miley Arizona Diamondbacks agent pool and/or who you should target as a player on whom to spend your FAAB funds. Note that all the streaming options listed below are owned in less than 50% of leagues, and thus could be available on your waiver wire. Here are this week's set of potential streaming targets.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Kyle Lohse MIL vs ATL Matt Wisler

For Monday, we are sort of scrapping the bottom of the barrel for a streaming option. Not having a full slate of games makes it tough to find someone to promote, and here Lohse is the top option. Were this game in Atlanta, I would probably switch the choice to the Brave rookie, but I am not going to trust the youngster on the road, as that was where his one bad start out his total three games started happened. I realize this is a small sample size, but when streaming, try to go with the odds. I like Lohse mostly because the Braves are without their slugging first baseman, Freddie Freeman. I do not especially like his limited K potential, nor his ugly results at home this season. If you were to decide that Monday is not a day to stream, I would applaud your wisdom.

Tuesday, July7, 2015

Wade Miley BOS vs MIA Dan Haren

I had written off Miley, as I had done with most of the Boston arms, but his recent resurgence provides some hope that he has settled in with the Red Sox. Miley is not an ace by any stretch of the imagination, but he has been providing increased strikeouts while showing better control. The Boston offense is not a plus for any of their starting pitchers, but I do like the trend shown by Miley lately. The Miami offense is not nearly as frightening to go up against with Giancarlo Stanton on the DL, as well.

Charlie Morton Pittsburgh PiratesWednesday, July 8, 2015

Charlie Morton PIT vs SD Andrew Cashner

Tommy Milone MIN vs BAL Ubaldo Jimenez

Morton did rebound from his worst start of the season, yet still gave up four earned runs over six innings to the Braves at home. He has a terrible K rate, sitting at just 4.95 strikeouts per nine innings,  but he gets by with exceptional control and an extreme ground ball rate of 4.14 GB/FB in his seven starts. San Diego is not a bad road team, however, although they do strikeout more than their fair share, so despite his K rate, I like Morton to do well in his outing.

Milone is going to stick in the Minnesota rotation for the moment, with Trevor May being the choice to either head to the pen or go down to Triple-A and continue to start after the return of Ervin Santana from his suspension. Baltimore hits much better at home, so getting a chance to stream against them in a pitcher’s park like Target Field is tempting. As with many streaming options, do not expect a ton of Ks from Milone, although given his minor league numbers, it is a mystery why he does not miss more MLB bats.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Jeff Locke PIT vs StL Carlos Martinez

Locke does not strike out many batters, nor does he exhibit great control or a devastating fastball. What he does is avoid trouble when he is on the mound. He possesses luck, and that is not somethingJeff Locke Pittsburgh Pirates you can quantify with stats, but can take advantage of when looking for a pitcher to throw in on a day where there is not a lot to choose from. The ground ball inducing tendency helps him with his fortunes on the hill, and he is much better when pitching at PNC Park than on the road.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Chase Anderson ARI @ NYM Noah Syndergaard

Anderson is the only Anderson in this week’s offering as Brett Anderson has now gone well above 50% ownership and he gets to pitch in a favorable environment when he faces the Mets at Citi Field. To continue a trend, he is not much of strikeout artist, with a 5.44 K/9 rate on the season, although his control is good (2.08 BB/9). He gave up four runs on three homers in his last start, but again, this game is being played at Citi Field, not known for its long ball production although it is more hitter friendly this year.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Ryan Vogelsong SF vs PHI Sean O'Sullivan

Taylor Jungmann MIL @ LAD Carlos Frias

Vogelson is an option simply because he is pitching at AT&T Park. He has a 2.63 ERA at home as opposed to an ugly 5.40 on the road. Any pitcher facing the Phillies is to be considered, especially in a favorable venue.

Jungmann certainly could be pitching above his head, as his minor league numbers did not predict the level of success he has had in the big leagues. What I would do with him is ride out his hot streak, and not be surprised if the wheels come off at some point. His 3.89 FIP suggests that a correction is coming, but right now he is dealing on the mound and that is worth a shot while this hot streak continues.

Andrew Heaney Miami MarlinsSunday, July 12, 2015

Andrew Heaney LAA @ SEA Taijuan Walker                                                                     

Heaney was a top-ranked prospect who struggled with the Marlins, but has been excellent in his two starts with his new team: 13 IP, 1.38 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and a 12:3 K/BB rate. We are dealing with a limited sample size and his FIP, BABIP and strand rate all scream that regression is going to raise its ugly head at some point, but pitching in spacious Safeco Field is not likely the spot for the worm to turn. The Seattle offense is also one of the most friendly to face, especially in their home park. By the way, I am cheating on Heaney's ownership percentage, as it has recently risen above 50%, but he is the best option on Sunday.

If you have any questions about starting pitching or fantasy baseball, feel free to contact me at ia@fantasyalarm.com.