I know that it is hard to believe, but June is coming to an end. Even more difficult to comprehend is this coming week is the thirtieth of the fantasy schedule. In my last edition, I took a look ahead at hitters that had the advantage. This week, I switch to the pitching side. There are some mostly available pitchers that are playing well for us to examine. Even better, these pitchers also have the benefit of plus matchups. Often, who the pitchers are facing isn’t considered when looking for a starter. Doing so is a mistake. No problems here, though. I take both factors into account on this Week Thirteen Streaming Pitchers edition.

As has been the case all season, discussion and debate are strongly encouraged. Disagree with a selection? Do you think a pitcher should be added to the list? Sound off and let’s talk about it! Additionally, as I do with all my articles, roster percentages are taken from ESPN. Consult the platform you use for further consideration. With all of that behind us, let’s get to the nitty gritty.

James Paxton, Los Angeles Dodgers, 13.5% Rostered

When it comes to opposing matchups, it doesn’t get any easier than the Chicago White Sox. They have the worst record in MLB to go along with the fewest home wins. As could be expected, they have a terrible offense. The Southsiders rank dead last in average, RBIs, OBP, SLG and OPS. Further, they rank 29th in walks, 26th in HR and 20th in strikeouts. Even when Chicago is at home, you want to target pitchers opposing them.

Without question, that is where James Paxton comes in, as he will take the mound in the Windy City Monday. As for Paxton himself, he comes in pitching well enough to earn a start against almost any team. In 66.2 innings, Paxton has a stellar 7-1 record with a 3.65 ERA. Further, he has a 1.31 WHIP and 43K and 33BB. Those last two stats are worrisome, to be sure, if looking at Paxton as a long term add.

However, against the White Sox, those figures are not a concern. Additionally, not an issue are his 4.94 FIB, his 15.4 K%, nor his 11.8 BB%. His ERA+ is 108, the league is hitting .225 off him and he has a depressed .240 BAbip. With all of that said, Paxton has pitched some gems of late. Impressively, he held the Rockies to one run on just two hits in seven innings with 8 Ks and just 1 BB. Even more mind blowing: he did it in Colorado.

Prior to that, he held the Rangers to just one run on two hits in six innings at home. Except for a start against Pittsburgh, Paxton has been much more boom than bust this season. Best of all, he is widely available. If he is on your waiver wire, pick him up RIGHT NOW. He is near the top of the starters list for the coming week, not just as a streamer.

Bryse Wilson, Milwaukee Brewers, 2.8% Rostered

Right off the bat, let me say that I’m not recommending Bryse Wilson because of his last name. In fact, this isn’t a recommendation solely based off what he has done on the mound of late. No, Wilson is included on this Week Thirteen Streaming Pitchers edition more because of the team he will oppose than anything else. Surprisingly, that team is the Texas Rangers.

Last season, the Rangers tore the cover off the ball, especially in the first half. Without doubt, that has not been the case in 2024, even more so on the road. When the team leaves Texas, they forget their bats. As this is being written, the Rangers have the following miserable figures when away from Arlington: 24th in batting, 20th in OBP, 28th in SLG, 24th in OPS, 23rd in HRs and 22nd in SBs. Truly, that fall from grace is one of the biggest stunners of the season entering the month of July.

As for Wilson himself, he sports a 4-3 record with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.294 WHIP in 18 games, including nine starts. In 68 innings, Wilson sports 55 Ks, 26 BBs, a 98 ERA+, a 5.14 FIB, a .240 average against, a .260 BAbip, a 19.0 K% and a 9..0 BB%.

Obviously, with stats like those, this is nothing more than a recommendation for this start alone. Wilson is available nearly everywhere and the matchup is a good one. Add him for this one game and then move him back to waiver jungle immediately when the game starts.

Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona Diamondbacks, 21.3% Rostered

When a pitcher is rostered in over 20 percent of ESPN leagues, there is a high probability that he isn’t available on other platforms. Even so, managers in all formats and platforms should see if Brandon Pfaadt is on the wire and pick him up if, indeed, he is there. Let me say right up front that his recommendation isn’t because of his last start against the Nationals.

In that game, Pfaadt pitched 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Further, he walked four and stunningly, didn’t strike out a single batter. Look a little further back, though, and it is revealed what kind of starter Pfaadt can be. Pitching against the Angels, he threw six innings, allowing just one run on six hits. More characteristic of him, Pfaadt struck out eight and walked three.

For the year, he is 3-6 with a 4.37 ERA, a very good 1.18 WHIP, 84 Ks and 22 BBs in 90.2 innings. Additionally, Pfaadt has a 92 ERA+, and a 3.66 FIP. Batters are hitting .244 against him, he has a .290 BAbip, a 22.3 K% and a 5.9 BB%. As for the matchup, he faces the Twins at home.

Clearly, Minnesota is the best team featured on this list so far. Even so, they are an inconsistent bunch and bring in the 22nd ranked team in hits with a .234/.394/.704 slash line into Arizona. The Twins are a station to station offense, ranking 24th in steals and are middle of the road in both strikeouts and walks.

Like Wilson, Pfaadt is an add for his next start and that is as far as this recommendation goes.

Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs, 12.3% Rostered

Coming into this weekend, the New York Mets were about as hot as any team. Sporting a seven game winning streak and wins in eight of your last nine accomplishes that quite nicely. Then came Saturday and they ran into Jameson Taillon. The good feelings of victory went into the dumpster for New York, as Taillon dominated them. One run on six hits with 10 Ks and no walks in seven innings proves that statement. Undoubtedly, Taillon belongs on this Week Thirteen Streaming Pitchers edition

For the season, Taillon is 4-3 with a 2.90 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP with 53K and 16BB. As for advanced stats, he has a 144 ERA+, a 3.82 FIP, a .264 average against, a .300 BAbip, a 18.3 K% and a 5.5 BB%. Without doubt, the Cubs have been struggling of late, but certainly not because of Taillon. In his last three starts, he’s pitched 19 innings with three runs on 13 hits with 13 Ks and two walks.

As well as Taillon is pitching, his opponent this week helps immensely. On Thursday, the Cubs will journey into Oracle Park to take on the Giants. To be sure, Oracle Park favors pitching. When you look at the figures the San Francisco hitters put up, that fact becomes blindly clear. The Giants rank 20th in batting, 21st in SLG, dead last in homers, 20th in walks and 18th in runs. Obviously, Taillon is in a great position to provide his managers with quality fantasy stats come Thursday evening.

Cal Quantrill, Colorado Rockies, 11.4% Rostered

Finally, we come to a pitcher that won’t take the mound until next weekend. Even so, you will definitely want to keep him on your radar. The reason is exactly the same for Paxton, who led off this article. Once the Dodgers leave Chicago, the Rockies will follow them. As good as Paxton has been of late, Cal Quantrill has been even better.

In his last 22 innings, he has allowed six runs on 20 hits with 14 Ks and 9 BBs. For the year, in 90 innings, Quantrill has a 6-5 record, a 3.50 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP. His 16 starts leads the league. Any pitcher that has a 3.50 ERA that takes the mound for half his starts in Coors is at the top of any discussion on best pitchers in the game. Further, Quantrill has a 132 OPS+, a 4.32 FIP, 1 .249 average against, a .281 BAbip with a 17.0 K% and a 9.0 BB%.

As mentioned at the top, Quantrill will take the mound next against the White Sox Sunday in Chicago. I am certain that no other discussion points are necessary on why he must be in your lineup. Just know that he will need to be added well in advance of that start, or another manager will surely pick him up.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this Week Thirteen Streaming Pitchers edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

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