July 20 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Streamers: Yusei Kikuchi, MacKenzie Gore, Luis Severino, and More

Rather than resetting their rotation after the All-Star break, many teams pick up where things left off. What I mean is that during the four days off, most pitchers could come back the first day after the break on full rest, but teams will still start the third starter, for instance, because his turn in the rotation is up after the previous game.

It’s a chance for teams to get their best players on the field as much as possible, but many probably care about limiting the stress on their hurlers more than the chance to get one more start out of their ace. It also ensures that a guy won’t go almost two weeks without making a start because of the schedule quirks.

With an array of pitcher levels taking the field across the league, let’s run through Saturday’s probable starters (according to MLB.com) who are widely available in fantasy leagues and have good matchups, creating streaming value. Most stats and rankings are from MLB. The full streamer rankings are listed at the bottom.

 

MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals vs Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati is right on the line of teams to target, so a good pitcher like Gore makes the streamer cut. The Reds hit for some power, ranking near the league average in doubles, home runs, and slugging percentage and in the top five in triples. They are in the bottom five in hits and batting average, though, and in the top 10 in most batter strikeouts.

That last stat is most important for Gore, who has struck out nearly 27% of the batters he has faced this season (league average is around 21%). Though he walks too many guys, he has seen that rate drop each year since his debut in 2022, and it is close to league average (around 8%).

Gore is a high-level streamer. His strikeout work has him on the cusp of keeper status, and he should be owned in all deeper leagues.

 

Yusei Kikuchi, Toronto Blue Jays vs Detroit Tigers

Kikuchi was a highly owned player in fantasy leagues until a string of starts beginning in mid-June, which has seen him allow 24 runs in 28.2 innings over his past six starts. He is still excelling with strikeouts and walks, though, owning season-long rates of 26% and 5.8%, respectively. Those percentages have him on the keeper line, much like Gore.

Detroit is closer to 20th than 30th in many offensive stats, still worth targeting but not offering the same level of matchup as some others. The Tigers were in the playoff hunt for a few months but have seemingly fallen out of the race. It will be interesting to see how they handle the trade deadline and the effect it has on the lineup.

Kikuchi is another high-level streamer. His strikeout and walk work point toward better results in the future, and this is a good time to grab him before he sees that uptick.

 

Reese Olson, Detroit Tigers @ Toronto Blue Jays

Opposing Kikuchi will be Olson, a pitcher who has performed much better than his superficial stats would indicate. Despite a 4-8 record, Olson has better-than-average strikeout and walk rates and a 3.30 ERA. It’s been more bad luck than bad performance for Olson, who is just below one strikeout per inning.

Toronto is in the bottom 10 in runs scored, hits, home runs, batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS. They are in the top 10 in most batter walks and the bottom 10 in strikeouts, so they don’t offer a high ceiling, but the Blue Jays have hit poorly enough to earn their status among the teams to target.

Olson is a mid-level streamer. His performance has mostly been positive, but the matchup isn’t great for strikeouts, so he is unlikely to have a huge game.

 

Luis Severino, New York Mets @ Miami Marlins

Severino has faced the Marlins twice this season, first giving up five runs in 6.2 innings then allowing just one run in six innings, combining for six walks and five strikeouts. He was a high-level strikeout pitcher earlier in his career, but Severino has been well below average the last two seasons.

Miami is one of the doldrums playing out the string before another unexciting offseason. The only intrigue Marlins fans will have between now and next season is the level of return they get for the veterans they trade. Every pitcher has fantasy value against this team.

Severino is a mid-level streamer. The matchup is pristine, but his lack of strikeouts limits his ceiling.

 

Mitch Spence, Oakland Athletics vs Los Angeles Angels

With Mike Trout missing most of the season, the Angels are left without many proven stars. A few young guys are doing OK, and Luis Rengifo should bring back a prospect before the trade deadline if health permits. The lineup has sunk to bottom-10 status, though. One interesting note: every position player who has made an appearance has more strikeouts than walks for the Angels.

Other than limiting walks, Spence has been a little below average in every facet this season, his first in the big leagues. Half of his 22 appearances have been out of the bullpen, and he seemingly joined the rotation for good back in the middle of May. Spence started two games against LA on June 25th and July 2nd; the results were split:

• June 25: 5.1 innings, 6 runs allowed, 6 strikeouts, 1 walk, earned loss
• July 2: 5.1 innings, 1 run allowed, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, earned win

Spence is a low- to mid-level streamer. He is likely to post something between those two starts, and his strikeout work was good in both. His strikeout rate is below average overall, though, bringing him down a notch.

 

Saturday’s Streamer Rankings

1. Yusei Kikuchi, TOR
2. MacKenzie Gore, WSH
3. Reese Olson, DET
4. Luis Severino, NYM
5. Mitch Spence, OAK