In one of the biggest weeks of the fantasy baseball season, managers will be treated to an excellent array of two-start options. This is a week that will favor aggressive managers, as there are six hurlers on this list who can be started in most leagues.
On the hitting side, the Orioles and White Sox each have some left-handed hitters who could come off the wire to make a major impact.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Peter Lambert, Astros, 44% (vs. CWS, vs. ARI): Lambert bounced back from his worst start of an otherwise solid season when he allowed two earned runs (three total) over 5.2 innings at Yankee Stadium. Outside of a nine-run debacle on August 20, the right-hander has thrown at least five innings while allowing no more than two earned runs in all of his past nine starts. He has favorable matchups this week, as the White Sox rank 13th in OPS versus righties and the D-backs place 29th, which makes him a must-start option in most leagues.
Gage Jump, Athletics, 17% (@ TEX, @ SEA): Although he has unimpressive ratios (4.69 ERA, 1.46 WHIP), Jump has shown exciting potential at times in his rookie year. The southpaw strikes out batters in bunches (9.9 K/9 rate) and will be ready to take the next step as soon as he lowers his 4.3 BB/9 rate. A consistent theme of Jump’s season is that he has struggled at his hitter-friendly home park (5.62 ERA) while faring well on the road (3.49 ERA), which means that he is well-positioned this week to provide managers with respectable ratios and at least a dozen strikeouts.
Eric Lauer, Dodgers, 11% (vs. STL, vs. WSH): After getting off to a great start as a member of the Dodgers, Lauer has struggled (6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) this month. Still, his August stats include a solid 14:5 K:BB ratio, which provides hope that the lefty with solid Dodgers ratios overall (3.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) can soon return to being a fantasy asset. Given that Lauer has pitched to a 2.37 ERA at Dodger Stadium this year and is backed by an elite team, he is a solid option in 12-team leagues.
J.T. Ginn, Athletics, 30% (@ TEX, @ SEA): Because he induces so many grounders, Ginn hasn’t endured the same home-road splits as Jump and his other teammates. Still, although he has been the Athletics’ most consistent starter this season (9-8, 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP), the right-hander has been consistently underwhelming in August (4.66 ERA). Given that he is about to face two subpar offenses in the two most favorable parks for pitchers, Ginn still needs to be started in most leagues. But his recent mediocrity and lack of elite swing-and-miss skills push him down a few spots on this loaded list.
Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, 44% (vs. PHI, @ HOU): From the moment he rejoined the rotation until August 14, Pfaadt was a fantasy savior (7-0, 1.15 ERA, 0.88 WHIP), albeit with a poor 4.9 K/9 rate. The right-hander took a major step back in his past two starts, allowing nine runs over 12.1 innings, which has left fantasy managers wondering if they should still trust him. His matchups this week are average, as the Phillies rank 17th in OPS versus righties and the Astros place 11th. But in most leagues at this time of year, it will be hard for managers to resist someone who has had so much success this summer.
Jackson Jobe, Tigers, 20% (@ MIN, @ CLE): Jobe has fared well overall in four starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, allowing zero or one run in three outings. As expected, he hasn’t worked deep into games, although he did reach the five-inning threshold twice. He has reasonable matchups this week, as the Twins are above average against right-handers and the Guardians are among the worst in those matchups. His potential for a win makes Jobe a viable streamer, albeit one with a low ceiling.
Randy Dobnak, Royals, 11% (vs. MIA, vs. TOR): Since being called up on July 2, Dobnak has produced an impressive 1.92 ERA across 51.2 innings. The 31-year-old journeyman has allowed plenty of baserunners (1.37 WHIP) but the combination of inducing plenty of grounders (52.8%) and some good luck (89.8% strand rate) has allowed him to limit scoring. With two home starts that include a matchup against the low-scoring Blue Jays, Dobnak has a chance to remain productive for another week, even if his long-term potential is minimal.
Brady Singer, Reds, 17% (vs. SD, vs. MIL): Singer is expected to avoid the IL after leaving his last start with rib soreness. The right-hander is the definition of an innings eater, having logged a 4.72 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 137.1 frames. Singer would need favorable matchups to be considered, and that’s not the case this week, as he is working at his hitter-friendly home park against two teams who will likely play in October.
One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
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Jacob Lopez @ TEX (Wednesday, 34)
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Patrick Sandoval vs. SEA (Wednesday, 8)
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Andrew Painter @ ARI (Wednesday, 26)
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Zac Thornton vs. SF (Saturday, 27)
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Keider Montero @ CLE (Friday, 33)
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Seth Lugo vs. TOR (Saturday, 26)
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Cody Bradford vs. ATH (Wednesday, 8)
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Dustin May @ CIN (Saturday, 31)
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Shane Drohan @ CIN (Friday, 29)
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Cristian Javier vs. ARI (Friday, 8)
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Dean Kremer vs. DET (Wednesday, 10)
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Cal Quantrill vs. TB (Thursday,42)
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Grant Holmes @ PHI (Friday, 34)
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Grayson Rodriguez vs. NYY (Wednesday, 10)
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Jake Bennett @ BAL (Thursday, 40)
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Christian Scott @ TB (Wednesday, 27)
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Anthony Kay vs. MIN (Friday, 16)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Orioles @ Rockies, vs. Red Sox: The Orioles will start off a seven-game week by visiting Coors Field to face a trio of right-handed starters from a pitching staff with a 5.49 ERA. Jackson Holliday (26%) should be a source of runs, as he will hit leadoff throughout that series. Dylan Beavers (3%) and Colton Cowser (4%) are fine options as well, as they do almost all of their damage against righties.
White Sox @ Astros: Although the matchups are more average than favorable, the White Sox will present two great options for volume plays when they face right-handed starters over each of the next four days. Sam Antonacci (30%) has logged a solid .800 OPS against righties this season and could be an excellent source of runs and steals from the leadoff spot. Tristan Peters (37%) is swinging a hot bat and has done most of his damage against righties this season (.855 OPS).
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