Daily Starters – Saturday, September 15th

Compared to yesterday’s streaming options, today’s group could win the Cy Young. While there are still some clunkers a few usable options exist. For the pitcher examined, I’m using pitcher owned in 20% or fewer FanTrax leagues.

Erasmo Ramirez at Angels (18%)

I’d have no issues starting him for this game. His year-long results look uninviting (5.31 ERA and 2.3 HR/9) but he’s pitched decently since coming off the DL (shoulder). Since returning, he’s posted a 7.1 K/9, 0.9 HR/9, and 3.68 ERA.

He’ll face a beatable Angels team starting Andrew Heaney. He’s a fine streaming option.

Sean Reid-Foley at Yankees (15%)

I didn’t like what I saw from Reid-Foley when he debuted and nothing has changed (6.86 ERA, 9.4 K/9, 1.62 WHIP). Now, if an owner is only needing strikeouts and doesn’t mind how much the rest of his stats get abused, Reid-Foley is the day’s best strikeout option.

Yonny Chirinos vs A’s (14%)

I’m a little surprised Chirinos’s ownership is only 14%. He’s a perfectly fine streaming option (7.4 K/9, 3.81 ERA) and faces a shaky Trevor Cahill.

Jaime Garcia vs Nationals (13%)

I’m just staying away. His velocity is down over 1 mph from last season, his Zone% is down 1%, and walks are through the roof (4.9 BB/9). No need to gamble here.

Cody Reed at Cubs (7%)

Reed has the potential to be a streaming option but not against a Jon Lester led Cubs team. While Reed gets a decent number of strikeouts (7.6 K/9), he prone to walks (3.5 BB/9) and bombs (1.6 HR/9). The combination has derailed his potential and I don’t see it turning around with this start.

Jefry Rodriguez at Braves (4%)

Don’t do it. He has no control (6.1 BB/9 in 44 IP) placing his ERA and estimators are all over 5.50. Hard pass.

Ariel Jurado at Padres (4%)

They keep getting worse. The humanity. He has a negative K%-BB% with the Rangers using him for 40 innings.

Corey Oswalt at Red Sox (4%)

I’m only starting a few arms at Fenway Park and Oswalt (5.8 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, 6.62 ERA) sure isn’t one of them.

Yefry Ramirez at White Sox (3%)

Owners could do worse. The 24-year-old righty gives his owners the chance for strikeouts (8.6 K/9) and a Win (vs. White Sox). Like many of these pitchers, he lacks control (5.2 BB/9) which has led to a 5.94 ERA.

Chase De Jong at Royals (3%)

This 24-year-old righty has me intrigued. He’s had one other major league start, also against the Royals, where he went four innings, striking out five, and allowing no runs. He’s a heavy flyball pitcher (good at spacious Kaufman Stadium) who has been around 7 K/9 at two minor league levels in 2019. It’s tough to get too excited about a starter with a 90-mph fastball but he’s one of the day’s best options.

Brett Kennedy vs Rangers (3%)

I’m about 95% sure Kennedy isn’t starting (injury) but a replacement hasn’t been named. I’ll update once the sub is known.

Elieser Hernandez at Phillies (1%)

There is a reason he’s only 1% owned. Nothing positive here.

Final Rankings

1. Yonny Chirinos
2. Erasmo Ramirez
3. Chase De Jong
4. Yefry Ramirez
5. Sean Reid-Foley (K’s only)
6. Any decent middle reliever
7. Cody Reed
8. Jaime Garcia
9. Corey Oswalt
10. Elieser Hernandez
11. Ariel Jurado
12. Jefry Rodriguez
13. Brett Kennedy – UNK