August 13 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Streamers: Yusei Kikuchi, Nestor Cortes, Taijuan Walker and More

The Dodgers are tied for the best record in baseball, but we are treating it like a code red meltdown because they haven’t been steamrolling everyone. They are 7-3 in August and still boast the most star-studded roster in baseball.

It’s funny how expectations shape our view of things. If the Royals were doing this, we’d think of them as the hottest new team in baseball, primed for a World Series run (essentially the Orioles). When a team that wins SO much is at only a league-best number, though, it’s time for panic. LA will be fine; no need to shed tears.

Let’s look at Tuesday'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.

Paul Blackburn, New York Mets vs. Oakland Athletics

This is a fun one, as Blackburn was pitching for the A’s until being sent to New York at the trade deadline. I doubt there’s any bad blood here; Blackburn had been in Oakland since 2017, and the team was going nowhere, so it made sense to move the 30-year-old starter. Blackburn limits walks to an average level, but his strikeout rate has been below average his whole career.

Speaking of Oakland going nowhere, that’s a great way to describe the franchise. Not literally, of course, as the team is planning to play in Sacramento for three seasons before settling in their new home in Las Vegas, but the roster is devoid of talent and needs a lot to go right to be in contention any time soon.

Blackburn is a mid-level streamer. He’s fine as a pitcher, and the matchup is good, the exact situation we look for in the streaming world.

Nestor Cortes, New York Yankees @ Chicago White Sox

I was talking up Cortes before his last start, and he let me down big time: six runs allowed in 4.2 innings with just two strikeouts and a walk. That was against the lowly Angels, and this is against the lowlier White Sox. Chicago might be the worst team in the league, but they did go off for double-digit runs in a 12-2 win over New York yesterday.

Cortes is an above-average strikeout pitcher who also limits walks. His availability in fantasy leagues is more likely due to his superficial numbers, as a 4.42 ERA isn’t great, and his 5-10 record is ugly. Cortes is a better pitcher than those numbers and probably good enough to be owned in most leagues.

Cortes is a high-level streamer in this one. His skill along with the ineptitude of the White Sox (except yesterday) is a recipe for a good start for the struggling veteran.

Carson Fulmer, Los Angeles Angels vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Fulmer continues his foray into starting after working almost exclusively as a reliever in his career. I’m all for it: Fulmer was the eighth overall pick in 2015 with thoughts he could be an ace. He never really found sustained success in the bullpen, so maybe lengthening out is a better plan for him. What does LA have to lose?

The Blue Jays are a decent team who started horribly, killing their playoff chances, especially in the AL East. Baltimore looks like they are going to be good for a long time, and the Yankees and Red Sox never go too far away from contention; the Rays have been regular contenders lately also. Good luck, Toronto. I have a feeling you’ll be tearing down before you next compete.

Fulmer is a low-level streamer. He is still in the transition to a starter, but he’s striking out an above-average number of guys this year, so there’s hope for value there.

Yusei Kikuchi, Houston Astros @ Tampa Bay Rays

One player Toronto did trade at the deadline, Kikuchi has made two starts for Houston, combining for 11 innings, four runs allowed and 19 strikeouts (!!!) versus six walks. Kikuchi has been better than average with walks and well above average striking guys out this season. Add him to your roster as a possible keeper if you’re in need of arms.

The Rays traded away a lot of talent at the deadline to load up for future runs. This year’s team was torn apart by injuries, leaving them as a bottom-10 offense. Specific to Kikuchi’s main strength, Tampa is eighth in most batter strikeouts this season.

Kikuchi is a high-level streamer. He’s on a winning team now, and his underlying stats point toward a successful pitcher. He’s a player to consider keeping on your roster depending on your pitching staff.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies

Rodriguez missed the whole season until returning last Wednesday to make his first start. He threw 5.2 innings against Cleveland and picked up the win despite three runs allowed, two walks and just one strikeout. Rodriguez’s career strikeout rate is above average and his walk rate right at average, so there’s reason to expect good things.

The Rockies are away from home, so it’s another chance to go after their weak lineup. Strikeouts are the biggest appeal to targeting the Rockies with fantasy pitchers. Their hitters have struck out the second most of any team over the full season and are in the top four over the past week, two weeks and month.

Rodriguez is a mid- to high-level streamer. I don’t want to start expecting him to put up big outings when he’s just returned to action, but the matchup is right, and Rodriguez’s career numbers point to a possible big day (though his pitch count may be limited).

Taijuan Walker, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins

Walker has missed some time of his own, last pitching on June 21 due to a finger injury. He had been throwing like a below-average pitcher before that time; that’s a trend that started last season. Walker started against the Marlins in May and threw six innings while allowing just one run with one walk and four strikeouts.

Speaking of Miami, they are a bottom-feeder who seems on the way down rather than ready to bounce back up. They have continued struggling in August, ranking in the bottom 10 in runs scored, hits, doubles and all four slash categories over the past two weeks while striking out the second most in that time.

Walker is a low- to mid-level streamer. In his first action back, he could be limited to a short start, lowering his value, but the matchup is right for the veteran pitcher to have at least an OK day.

Tuesday’s Streamer Rankings

1. Yusei Kikuchi, HOU
2. Nestor Cortes, NYY
3. Eduardo Rodriguez, ARI
4. Paul Blackburn, NYM
5. Taijuan Walker, PHI
6. Carson Fulmer, LAA