After two consecutive weeks with plenty of quality options, this week’s list of two-start pitchers leaves much to be desired. Those who aren’t concerned with their ratios could consider any of the top-four options, while those who need to play it safe will want to stick with the one-start list, which has several excellent candidates. On the hitting side, the Mariners are by far the best place to look for a short-term solution at the start of the week.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Stephen Kolek, Royals, 19% (vs. TEX, vs. HOU): Although his swing-and-miss skills are below average (6.4 K/9 rate), Kolek gives himself a chance to work deeper into games by limiting walks. His current ratios (3.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) give a false impression of his abilities, as he has benefited from a .222 BABIP, but he still projects as a useful streamer who can maintain a sub-4.00 ERA. His matchups this week are average, as the Astros and Rangers have both been middle-of-the-pack offenses against righties.
Grant Holmes, Braves, 29% (@ CWS, @ NYM): Holmes has benefited from a .256 BABIP en route to posting a 3.86 ERA, and all of the popular ERA estimators have assigned him a mark that is north of 4.20. His strikeout skills are respectable (21.2%), but his 10.0% walk rate is below average, and he has allowed 12 homers in 12 starts. Manager in points leagues, or those in category leagues who aren’t especially concerned with their ratios, can give Holmes a chance in hopes that his quality supporting cast helps him to earn a win.
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, 24%: (vs. MIL, vs. COL): There are some significant factors working in Springs’ favor this week, as the Brewers have struggled against lefties and the Rockies are often easy pickings when they are on the road. The main factor working against the left-hander is his hitter-friendly home park, as Springs has posted a 4.70 ERA at home and a 3.68 mark on the road since joining the Athletics last season. The homer-prone veteran with a solid 60:21 K:BB ratio is a boom-or-bust option who may make the cut due to a dearth of options this week.
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Trevor Rogers, Orioles, 48% (vs. SEA, vs. SD): Rogers has accomplished the dubious feat of being 100% drafted in March and available in the majority of leagues by early June. Of course, it’s not surprising for someone who has produced a 6.29 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 11 starts. For those who want to take a chance this week, I’ll offer one reason to grab the left-hander — his two opponents have been the worst in baseball against southpaws. Although Rogers hasn’t struck out more than three batters in a start since April 19, perhaps he could squeak out a win in one of these games. I used the same theory with Sean Manaea, who faced the Mariners and Padres last week. It worked — he allowed three runs on seven baserunners over nine innings combined.
Patrick Corbin, Blue Jays, 7% (vs. PHI, vs. NYY): I won’t argue with any manager who is unwilling to consider Corbin. After all, the 36-year-old last posted an ERA below 4.40 or a WHIP below 1.36 way back in 2019. But it’s worth noting that Corbin has been a reliable innings eater over 11 starts with the Blue Jays, which has resulted in a 3.98 ERA. His 1.38 WHIP is enough reason to leave the left-hander on waivers in virtually every league, but there may be a few managers who are willing to take a walk on the wild side.
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, 44% (@ MIA, @ CIN): When you’re ranked behind Corbin, you know that things have gone poorly. Gallen has logged awful ratios (5.32 ERA, 1.52 WHIP) while achieving a quality start in just two of his 13 tries. Since the beginning of May, he has produced a 7.07 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. He should be dropped in every mixed league.
Grayson Rodriguez, Angels, 13% (vs. HOU, vs. TB): Like Gallen, Rodriguez is someone who was nearly 100% rostered in past seasons but has fallen on hard times to the point where innings eaters such as Corbin are preferable options. Things really bottomed out in his most recent start, when he allowed eight runs on eight hits (three homers) and three walks over 3.2 innings in a home start against the lowly Rockies. A former top prospect, Rodriguez can’t be started in any leagues right now.
One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
Foster Griffin @ SF (Wednesday, 49%)
Dustin May @ NYM (Tuesday, 26%)
Zebby Matthews @ DET (Wednesday, 26%)
Peter Lambert @ LAA (Wednesday, 22%)
Cade Cavalli vs. SEA (Saturday, 44%)
Christian Scott vs. STL (Thursday, 25%)
Griffin Jax @ LAA (Saturday, 31%)
Trevor McDonald vs. CHC (Saturday, 13%)
Jack Leiter @ BOS (Friday, 40%)
Jameson Taillon @ SF (Saturday, 18%)
Reid Detmers vs. HOU (Wednesday, 47%)
Michael McGreevy @ MIN (Sunday, 38%)
Kumar Rocker @ BOS (Thursday, 10%)
Hunter Dobbins @ NYM (Thursday, 1%)
Jared Jones vs. LAD (Wednesday, 43%)
Connor Prielipp vs. STL (Friday, 10%)
Noah Cameron vs. HOU (Saturday, 44%)
Randy Vásquez @ BAL (Saturday, 43%)
Eric Lauer @ PIT (Tuesday, 8%)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Mariners @ Orioles: The Mariners are a solid volume play over the next four days, as they will play four games against an Orioles pitching staff that ranks 24th in baseball with a 4.58 ERA. Baltimore is using right-handed starters in three of the games, which is a good fit for a Seattle offense that ranks fourth in OPS vs. righties. Luke Raley (28%) is by far the top Mariner to target, as he excels against righties and is as powerful as any player who remains available in more than half of Yahoo leagues. Dominic Canzone (6%) and Colt Emerson (27%) are good options in deeper formats.
Cubs @ Rockies: Chicago gets their turn at Coors Field, where the benefits of a hitter-friendly home park are amplified by facing a staff that ranks last in baseball with a 5.60 ERA. Unfortunately for waiver-wire hunters, seven members of the Cubs lineup are rostered in the majority of Yahoo leagues. Still, this is a reminder for those in shallow formats to ensure that the likes of Dansby Swanson and Michael Busch are in the active lineup in the coming days.
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