5ive Guys to Stream: Week 12 (June 20 - 26)

Daniel Mengden vs MIL (2% owned ESPN)

Wed, June 22

The 23-year-old Athletic has been quietly impressive in his first two major league starts. He made his debut against a red-hot Reds team on 6/11 and almost went 6 innings. He struck out five and suppressed some runs while giving up only two. His latest start, versus TEX at home, went masterfully. He went 6.1 innings, struck out seven, and walked only one. His sole ER was a HR ripped by sizzling Ian Desmond. The overall beauty of a performance was overshadowed by Colby Lewis' near perfect-game.

I like Mengden at home in his huge park this week against a poor-hitting MIL club who has the highest K% in the majors at 25.3. They aren't nearly as good as the Rangers and are arguably worse than the Reds (right now). Line up Mengden on Wednesday. I foresee another quality start with a good amount of strikeouts.

Adam Conley vs ATL (18% owned ESPN)

Wed, June 22

The hype on Conley to enter the seasons was well-deserved, but has since faded. He still has good stuff and flashes excellence every now-and-again. This Wednesday, he'll have another chance to do so. The Braves have picked up a little steam offensively, but still nothing to be worried about for a stream-against. They head into MIA with the worst road wRC+ on the season. Don't get cute. This is a safe play.

Jared Eickhoff @ MIN (27% owned ESPN)

Thurs, June 23

The second year pitcher keeps getting better with each start. He's had some rough patches this season, but that's normal for a 25-year-old with less than 150 Major League innings under his belt. He has good command and has made some really good offenses look bad. Eickhoff gets a cold Twins team that holds a bottom-five wRC+ in the last two weeks. Although Eickhoff has some good home/roads splits (surprisingly: 3.54 xFIP at home vs 4.23 xFIP on road) I really like Eickhoff and his money curve ball. The Twins are in the bottom half of the league in efficiency versus curve balls. I can see Jared striking out more than 8 K/9 this week.

Cody Reed vs SD (9% owned ESPN)

Fri, June 24

The rookie Phenom that you should probably get to know. Cody Reed made his big-league debut on Saturday and was very impressive. He gave up two HRs but also struck out 9 batters in 7 innings. That's tough to do versus a good lefty hitting lineup that the Astros possess.

I know that the Padres have actually been alarmingly good against LHP, but I think Cody Reed is a tough match up for the Friars. He has a funky delivery and a mid-to-high 90's fastball that is said to be hard to pick up. I am streaming him this week. Feel free to follow me.

Brandon Finnegan vs SD (20% owned ESPN)

Sat, June 25

Another lefty versus the Padres is a little sketchy, but I've been watching Finnegan over his last five. He hasn't gone less than 6 innings in any of those games and only gave up more than 2 ER in one of them.

I can see Finnegan rolling along here and pitching better at home than he has this year. He has a sub-3.00 ERA on the road and I know he can turn his 4.28 ERA at home down a couple notches. He has electric stuff that can be effectively wild at times. The Padres are not the "poster club" for plate discipline. Feel confident in streaming the former 1^st round draft pick of 2014.