This is a good week to find a two-start pitcher for fantasy baseball, as there are three especially appealing options and several other hurlers who can make the cut in points leagues or deeper Roto formats. The hitting options are even more plentiful, with most of the worst pitching staffs playing four games over the next four days. Finding hitters who oppose those teams should provide a path to victory.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Jack Leiter, Rangers, 39% (vs. KC, @ PIT)
Leiter has not pitched as well as is indicated by his 3.88 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. His 45:28 K:BB ratio is below average, and he has greatly benefited from a .232 BABIP. So, why is Leiter atop this list? Well, despite being due for regression at some point this season, the 25-year-old should continue to excel for one more week, as he is scheduled to face the Royals (29th in runs) and Pirates (30th).
Mick Abel, Phillies, 37% (@ MIA, vs. NYM)
Although Abel has excelled overall (2.35 ERA, 1.11 WHIP in three starts), he stumbled for the first time when he allowed three runs over four innings against the Cubs on June 10. The disappointing start could have been even worse, as Abel allowed nine baserunners and three homers — all solo shots. Still, the Cubs have tormented plenty of pitchers this year, and Abel still has a 14:3 K:BB ratio, which makes him a desirable two-start pitcher for a week with one tough matchup (the Mets are 9th in runs) and one favorable matchup (Marlins, 23rd).
Lance McCullers, Astros, 44% (@ ATH, @ LAA)
McCullers faltered with his control skills last time out when he allowed four walks and four runs across five innings against the Astros. Still, the right-hander has been successful during his past five starts (3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) while showing outstanding swing-and-miss skills (12.4 K/9 rate). He will face an Athletics offense that has been above average against righties and an Angels lineup that has been below average in those same matchups.
Chad Patrick, Brewers, 30% (@ CHC, @ MIN)
Patrick endured his worst start of a solid rookie season when he allowed five runs over five innings against the Braves last time out. The fly-ball heavy hurler surrendered two homers for the first time in that start, but he also deserves credit for striking out eight batters. In fact, Patrick has really boosted his strikeout numbers of late, punching out 33 batters in 26.1 innings during his past five starts. He can be started in many leagues, but his difficult matchups in Chicago will keep Patrick on the waiver wire in shallow formats.
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Jake Irvin, Nationals, 20% (vs. COL, @ LAD)
We know the book on Irvin at this point – he’s a below-average starter who gives up too many homers, but he can be serviceable when he has a favorable matchup. Such is the case at the start of the week, when the Nationals host a Rockies team that ranks last in runs scored on the road and first in total strikeouts. That matchup is offset by a dangerous Dodgers offense, which makes Irvin a boom-or-bust option this week.
Zack Littell, Rays, 45% (vs. BAL, vs. DET)
The good news is that Littell has regularly flashed his trademark control skills this season, which has helped him to post a 1.11 WHIP. The bad news is that living in the strike zone has made him more homer-prone than ever, evidenced by his 2.2 HR/9 rate. Both of Littell’s upcoming opponents are slightly above average in home run rate, which makes him a fringe option in 12-team leagues.
Jose Soriano, Angels, 20% (@ NYY, vs. HOU)
Soriano is coming off the best start of his career, when he struck out 12 batters over seven innings of one-run ball against the Athletics. The lofty strikeout total came out of nowhere, as he still has a modest 7.3 K/9 rate this season. His matchups this week are challenging. Soriano faces two division leaders, but at least his groundball lean is well-equipped to handle homer-happy Yankee Stadium.
Slade Cecconi, Guardians, 4% (@ SF, @ ATH)
Cecconi enjoyed arguably his best of five starts with the Guardians when he struck out eight batters while allowing one walk and zero homers across five innings of one-run ball in his previous start. The 25-year-old is still a work in progress with a 2.1 HR/9 rate, but his swing-and-miss rate gives him plenty of potential. Cecconi is a fringe option in 12-team leagues this week because the Athletics and Giants have middle-of-the pack offenses. He is more appealing in points leagues thanks to his reliever eligibility.
Bailey Falter, Pirates, 19% (@ DET, vs. TEX)
Falter continues to outperform his ERA estimators, having posted helpful ratios (3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) despite a poor 46:25 K:BB ratio. The southpaw with a lifetime 4.40 ERA will almost certainly experience regression at some point, and he is a risky option for a two-start week that includes one favorable matchup (Rangers) and a challenging start in Detroit. Overall, Falter is best left for leagues with more than 12 teams.
JP Sears, Athletics, 15% (vs. HOU, vs. CLE)
Sears took advantage of a strikeout-prone Angels team last time out, when he racked up a season-high nine punchouts. But overall, the southpaw has struggled of late, and carries a bloated 5.08 ERA. Sears is one of many Athletics pitchers who have struggled at home this season (6.00 ERA), which is where both of this week’s starts will occur. He can remain on waivers in all mixed leagues.
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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Michael Wacha @TEX (Thursday, 49%)
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Clayton Kershaw vs. WSH (Friday, 46%)
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Hunter Dobbins @SF (Friday, 5%)
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Keider Montero vs. PIT (Thursday, 1%)
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Gavin Williams @SF (Thursday, 50%)
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Cade Horton vs. MIL (Thursday, 28%)
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Nick Martinez vs. MIN (Thursday, 32%)
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Brandon Walter @LAA (Saturday, 22%)
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Erick Fedde @CWS (Thursday, 18%)
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Andrew Heaney @DET (Wednesday, 22%)
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Luis Severino vs. HOU (Thursday, 24%)
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Jeffrey Springs vs. CLE (Friday, 35%)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Astros @ Athletics: Houston should score plenty of runs at a hitter-friendly road venue against an Athletics pitching staff that ranks 29th in home ERA (5.85). Most of the Astros hitters are widely rostered, but Jake Meyers (8%) and Cam Smith (10%) are viable options who are easy to add in all formats.
Phillies @ Marlins: Members of the Phillies productive offense are easy to stream when they face four right-handed starters from a Marlins staff with a 5.03 ERA. Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos are widely rostered and should be in the active lineup in shallow leagues where they are sometimes benched. Because all four Miami starters throw from the right side, Max Kepler (3%) and Brandon Marsh (3%) are good players to add from waivers.
Nationals vs. Rockies: Players on both sides of this series are great options, as both pitching staffs rank among the bottom four teams in ERA. From the Nationals, Nathaniel Lowe (45%) and Keibert Ruiz (21%) could have a productive series. And although Rockies hitters are rarely recommended on the road, Ryan McMahon (26%), Thairo Estrada (6%) and Jordan Beck (16%) are worth consideration.
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