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5ive Guys to Stream: Week 5 (May 9 – 15)

Another edition of 5ive Guys to Stream looks at guys like Brandon Finnegan and Nate Karns with match-ups to exploit.

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Adam Conley vs MIL Tues, May 10 (26% owned ESPN)

Why isn’t he owned in your league? He’s only owned in a quarter of ESPN leagues and needs to be owned in more. He goes up against the same squad he no-hit through 7.2 back on 4/29. Conley has shown some great improvement this year from last and will continue to do so. He is posting a K/9 of 9.46 through 32.1 IP and impressively has some reverse splits. Against righties (Brewers lineup is very righty heavy) Conley has an xFIP of 3.57 and a K/9 of 10.00. Fire him up to have another gem against the Brewers on Tuesday, but don’t expect him to no-hit them again.

Aaron Blair vs PHI Thurs, May 12 (6% owned ESPN)

Although Blair hasn’t shown much of what he was doing in AAA this year, he has still pitched half-decently. Aaron’s best showing thus far has been against the best hitting club in the NL where he went 6 strong innings allowing only 2 hits and 1 ER. Throughout his minor league career, Aaron had been touted for his ability to create weak contact and has shown that in spurts so far with the Atlanta Braves. This week he gets the Phillies who rank dead last in Hard% vs RHP. I have a feeling Aaron is going to feel comfortable enough at home to get through a weaker Phillies lineup and be a great stream for Thursday.

Bartolo Colon @ LAD Thurs, May 12 (34% owned ESPN)

The big boy gets it done. Over his last 2 games, which have both been quality starts, Colon has pitched 14.2 innings; allowed only 3 runs, struck out 12, walked only 1, and blasted a majestic HR of his own. He’s absolutely feeling himself. On paper it looks like a tough match up in Los Angeles, but this should be just another QS for the pin-point-accurate veteran. Over the past calendar year, Bartolo Colon ranks 2nd behind Phil Hughes among pitchers who have pitched a minimum of 120 innings in BB/9. Colon should continue to post another good start in a pitcher-friendly park against a team who has struggled to hit over the past 2 weeks. As a team, the Dodgers have posted a wRC+ of only 81 in the past 14 days. Pick up Colon and he should hit another homerun for you this week, figuratively speaking.

Brandon Finnegan @PHI Fri, May 13 (20% owned ESPN)

Finnegan is one of those streamers you have to get lucky with. He’s what you would call wildly effective. He has the stuff, but can’t always figure how to get it over the plate to get guys out. He faces a team that is dead last in almost all major hitting categories against LHP. The last time Finnegan faced them he went 6 innings, struck out 9, and only gave up 2 runs on 3 hits. I foresee the same type of outing from him on Friday. Lock him in for a quality start with a good amount of strikeouts.

Nathan Karns vs LAA Fri, May 13 (17% owned ESPN)

Nate Karns made the Astros look silly during his most recent start in Houston. He has a career K/9 above 9.00 and so far this year it is flirting with 10.00 (9.87 through 6 starts). Karns is 3-1 this year with a 3.38 ERA and a 3.48 FIP. Trout has caught ablaze, but looks like the only guy on that offense that can muster up a battle against Karns. I’ll take Karns this week at home for a win and another impressive start. He should be on your radar. Pick him if you need a streamer this week. He might be the safest of this week's recommendations.