As injuries add up across Major League baseball, the list of two-start pitchers for fantasy baseball tends to get worse each week. There aren’t any surefire studs this week, although the top two hurlers on the list have plenty of long-term potential. On the hitting side, there are plenty of players on Rays and Mariners who could provide a temporary boost.
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Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Joe Boyle, Rays, 22% (@ NYY, vs. LAD)
Fantasy managers have been clamoring for Boyle to get a shot in the rotation, as he has been outstanding in the Minors (1.85 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) and Majors (1.42 ERA, 0.63 WHIP) this season. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old is welcomed back to the rotation with a treacherous two-start week that includes the Yankees (third in runs scored) and Dodgers (first in runs scored). Still, Boyle has premium upside and should benefit from facing the Yankees without Aaron Judge.
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Edward Cabrera, Marlins, 51% (@ STL, vs. NYY)
Cabrera is finally pairing his ample swing-and-miss skills with an acceptable walk rate, which has made him a useful fantasy asset (3.48 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) and one of the most coveted pitchers on the MLB trade market. The righty is a tricky gamble as a two-start pitcher this week, as his second outing could come as a member of a different team. That scenario wouldn’t be the end of the world, as the start against the Yankees is the more challenging of the two matchups. There is also a chance that Cabrera’s new team pushes his debut into next week, or that he remains a member of the Marlins.
Patrick Corbin, Rangers, 20% (@ LAA, @ SEA)
Corbin has shown improved swing-and-miss skills of late, registering at least six strikeouts in five of his past six starts. The southpaw has been serviceable overall this year (3.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP), which makes him a viable streamer in 12-team leagues for a two-start week that includes average matchups. Susceptible to homers, Corbin should benefit from the power-suppressing nature of T-Mobile Park.
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Frankie Montas, Mets, 18% (@ SD, vs. SF)
Montas stumbled in some of his initial starts that followed a long stint on the injured list, but he has looked better of late by logging an 11:2 K:BB ratio while allowing three runs across 11.2 innings in his past two outings. The righty hasn’t pitched well enough to warrant a significant investment in most formats, but fits the fringe of 12-team streamer options for a week with mid-level matchups.
Zach Eflin, Orioles, 47% (vs. TOR, @ CHC)
Eflin enjoyed a successful return from nearly a month on the IL when he struck out five batters across five innings of two-run ball on July 23. He could become a fixture on 12-team rosters down the stretch by showing the skills that led to a 3.59 ERA and 1.15 WHIP last season. However, Eflin can’t be trusted yet, especially for matchups against the hot-hitting Blue Jays and a Cubs offense that ranks second in runs scored.
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Eduardo RodrÃguez, D-backs, 14% (@ DET, @ ATH)
Rodriguez has been all over the map of late, allowing a total of six runs in six of his past eight starts but 12 earned runs in the other two outings. Given his unpredictability, the left-hander is too risky to be started by managers who care about their ratios, especially since he is set to face a quality Tigers’ offense and then pitch in a hitter-friendly park later in the week. Those in points leagues may want to give him a chance.
Logan Evans, Mariners, 4% (@ ATH, vs. TEX)
Evans has a solid 3.64 ERA but a dismal 1.40 WHIP. Predictably, he has been great at his pitcher-friendly home park (2.60 ERA) while struggling on the road (4.55 ERA). He struggles to put batters away (6.5 K/9 rate), which limits his upside. I can’t trust Evans at the Athletics’ hitter-friendly park, which makes him too risky for mixed leagues.
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Andre Pallante, Cardinals, 8% (vs. MIA, @ SD)
Pallante has fallen on hard times, posting a 9:5 K:BB ratio while allowing 17 runs over 15.2 innings during his past three starts. The righty can sometimes use his heavy groundball lean to limit scoring, but is likely to hurt a fantasy team’s WHIP. His recent slump and overall lack of skills will relegate Pallante to waivers in points leagues.
Simeon Woods Richardson, Twins, 12% (vs. BOS, @CLE)
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli greatly limits the potential of Woods Richardson by pulling him early in games. The 24-year-old has pitched into the sixth inning just once in eight starts since returning from a stint in the Minors, and in his past two outings he has failed to finish five frames. His low ceiling should cause Woods Richardson to stay on waivers.
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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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Ryne Nelson @ DET (Wednesday, 47%)
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José Soriano vs. TEX (Wednesday, 38%)
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Max Scherzer vs. KC (Saturday, 50%)
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Zebby Matthews @ CLE (Friday, 22%)
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Brayan Bello @ MIN (Wednesday, 45%)
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Cade Horton vs. BAL (Friday, 24%)
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Bailey Falter @SF (Tuesday, 10%)
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Jack Leiter @SEA (Friday, 39%)
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Jeffrey Springs vs. SEA (Wednesday, 36%)
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Logan Allen vs. COL (Tuesday, 15%)
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Cam Schlittler vs. TB (Tuesday, 21%)
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Tyler Anderson vs. CWS (Friday, 10%)
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Kyle Hendricks vs. CWS (Saturday, 5%)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Rays @ Yankees
Tampa is fortunate to visit Yankee Stadium before New York improves its rotation at the deadline. The club will miss Carlos Rodon during a four-game series, which gives them three favorable matchups with vulnerable starters. All three of those hurlers through from the right side, which makes Chandler Simpson (42%), Josh Lowe (42%) and Jake Mangum (5%) the best players to add.
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Mariners @ Athletics
Seattle has the third highest road OPS in baseball, and they could push that number even higher when they play at a hitter-friendly venue against a pitching staff with a 5.10 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. There are plenty of Mariners to add, including Jorge Polanco (31%), J.P. Crawford (19%) and Ben Williamson (1%).
