10. Seth Lugo, P - Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are off to a hot start this year and look to be a competitive team throughout the year. Seth Lugo has played a big role so far, sitting at 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA through 3 starts.
Lugo will face a struggling Chicago White Sox on Monday and then catch a tougher matchup against the Baltimore Orioles later in the week. Look to stream Lugo for at least the first start, as the projected Chicago lineup he'll face is hitting for a combined slashline of .212/.270/.273 when facing Lugo.
9. Martin Perez, P - Pittsburgh Pirates
Another team starting the season hot, the Pittsburgh Pirates look to keep the momentum going and will need pitcher Martin Perez to keep his current form. Perez is in line for two starts against the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox this week.
Perez is certainly a gamble as he's prone to getting blown up from time to time, but with Pittsburgh's current hot streak, look at streaming Perez against either of these middle-of-the-pack lineups if help is needed. Stats actually prefer the Boston start for Perez, as multiple Mets hitters have done well against him in past matchups.
8. Graham Ashcraft, P - Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft has always had elite velocity and a nasty pitch mix; he just needs to work on the walks. So far this year, he's doubled his strikeout-to-walk ratio from last season and will look to further that improvement this week with a matchup against a very weak Los Angeles Angels team.
The Angels have not seen Ashcraft often, if at all, and could make for a very solid stream this week with an opportunity for big strikeout numbers.
7. Blake Perkins, OF - Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins is seeing some solid playing time now that teammate Christian Yelich is heading to IL. So far, Blake has not disappointed, with a .385/.467/.615 slashline over 26 at bats.
Look to stream Perkins while he's hot and at least until the return of Christian Yelich from IL.
6. Jose Butto, P - New York Mets
Mets pitcher Jose Butto has been great in two outings so far this year. In two starts against decent Royals and Tigers lineups, Butto currently has a 0.75 ERA and a 15:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Butto has a very tough matchup this week against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but look for the 26-year-old long-term to be a sneaky streaming option for a weaker Mets rotation.
5. Simeon Woods Richardson, P - Minnesota Twins
23-year-old Minnesota Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson made the most of his first opportunity this year. Richardson shut down the Tigers over six innings, only allowing two hits and one walk while striking out 5.
Richardson was sent back down after his start, but he looks to be the go-to guy whenever the Twins need a spot starter. Expect his name to pop back up in the coming weeks and look to get the jump on opposing fantasy teams.
4. Sal Frelick, OF - Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick has proven his worth and should have an everyday spot in the lineup throughout the year. Frelick's current batting average for the season sits at .308, and he's coming off an insane week.
Over the last seven days, Frelick's slashline stands at .414/.485/.483. While he won't offer much in terms of power numbers, he should be a lock to hit for a higher average and rack up plenty of stolen bases.
3. Dane Dunning, P - Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning has been consistent this year, giving up 3 runs in all 3 starts so far. Dunning is a mixed bag, but he has a solid matchup this week against the Detroit Tigers.
As long as Dunning keeps the runs and walks both under three, he should be in line for another decent outing.
2. Josh Smith, UTIL - Texas Rangers
27-year-old Rangers infielder Josh Smith has stepped up to the plate as the man who will help replace injured teammate Josh Jung. Smith is currently hitting .308 with 9 RBIs and five walks over 46 plate appearances.
Smith will sit against lefties but has shown his ability to produce against righties in a stacked Rangers batting order.
1. Ryan Jeffers, C - Minnesota Twins
Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is starting to hit and might be someone to watch. Through the last seven days, Jeffers has posted a slashline of .318/.348/.636 with two bombs and five RBIs.
The playing time is iffy as of now, but with a .955 OPS over the last two weeks, Jeffers could start to see more playing time.
