Imanaga is off to great start

For fantasy managers in need of starting pitching streamers for Week 8, the options aren’t great. However, there are some big names who are projected to take the mound two times each, as well as some starters to consider benching based on their matchups. Let’s dig into five of them and discuss what to expect from them in Week 8.

Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs: at ATL, vs. PIT

Imanaga has produced ridiculous numbers right out of the gate with the Cubs. He has a 1.08 ERA and a 2.39 FIP. His 3.1 percent walk rate has helped him produce a 0.82 WHIP. He has also given up just three home runs across 41 2/3 innings, while generating a 26.9 percent strikeout rate.

A matchup against the Braves is troublesome, especially in Atlanta. The Pirates should be a much easier foe, given that they have struck out the fifth-most times in baseball. Even with that difficult matchup against the Braves, Imanaga is pitching so well that he shouldn’t be benched in any formats.

Jordan Montgomery, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. CIN, vs. DET

Montgomery had one bad start against the Dodgers in which he gave up six runs over three innings. In each of his other three starts, he has logged at least six innings and allowed three or fewer runs. Facing the Reds in his last start, he allowed just two runs over seven innings. If there is an area of concern for fantasy managers, it is that he has just 10 strikeouts over 23 innings.

The Reds only have a .642 OPS against left-handed pitchers, so Montgomery should have success against them again in their rematch. The Tigers have also struggled to produce on offense, posting the sixth-lowest OPS in baseball. Even with the limited number of strikeouts that Montgomery has been providing, he has the potential to help his fantasy managers significantly in ERA and WHIP during Week 8.

Graham Ashcraft, Cincinnati Reds: at ARI, at LAD

Ashcraft struggled last season to the tune of a 4.76 ERA and a 5.06 FIP. He was not an overwhelming force on the mound, generating a 17.8 percent strikeout rate. He has another pedestrian strikeout rate this season at 18.6 percent. As nice as his 3.86 ERA is, he’ll need to improve on his 45.7 percent hard-hit rate allowed if he’s going to maintain it over the course of the season.

Ashcraft should only be started in fantasy when matchups work in his favor, given his limited strikeout upside. That won’t be the case for him in Week 8 with matchups against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers on tap. The Dodgers have scored the most runs in baseball, while the Diamondbacks have scored the fifth-most runs. Stay far, far away from Ashcraft.

Aaron Civale, Tampa Bay Rays: at BOS, at TOR

Civale had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, finishing with a 3.46 ERA and a 3.57 FIP. His first eight starts this year have left him with a 5.88 ERA and a 4.47 FIP. The big difference is that he has already given up eight home runs over 41 1/3 innings. Last year, he was taken deep just 12 times over 122 1/3 innings.

The Red Sox and Blue Jays have middling lineups that aren’t as dangerous as they were in seasons past. However, facing the Red Sox at Fenway Park is never easy. The Blue Jays have been better at home, where they have a .695 OPS. On the road, they only have a .649 OPS. It’s difficult to justify rolling out Civale will how poorly he has pitched lately, especially for fantasy managers who play in shallow leagues.

Gavin Stone, Los Angeles Dodgers: at SF, vs. CIN

Stone dominated the Marlins in his last outing, allowing one run over seven innings. They have a terrible lineup, but he has also pitched well against good teams. Two starts ago, he gave up only one run over six innings against the Braves. His 3.55 ERA for the season is supported by his 3.79 FIP. Another key stat working in his favor is that he has allowed just a 31.4 percent hard-hit rate.

Facing the Giants in San Francisco is a favorable matchup for Stone to begin the week. They have a .698 OPS on the road, but just a .643 OPS at home. The Reds have also been awful on the road, posting a .620 OPS away from Cincinnati. In a week with limited viable streaming options, Stone is one that stands out as someone to take a chance on.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.