Fantasy Baseball: The Best Starting Pitchers to Broadcast in Week 4

The next few days will be busy on the fantasy scene, as nearly half of the teams are at the start of a seven-game week. This could be a good week to release struggling players who are taking up roster space and instead use roster spots to begin the streaming process.

In shallow leagues, two-match streamers are especially attractive.

Two-game pitchers (listed in order of preference)

Zack Littell, 46% (vs. DET, @CWS)

Although Littell didn’t fully repeat his incredible control skills from last season, he still produced an excellent K:BB ratio of 22:5 in 21 innings. He could be a game-changer in fantasy circles this week, as both of his matchups are against offenses that rank in the bottom six in OPS.

Keaton Winn, 8% (vs. NYM, vs. PIT)

Winn gets a lot of ground balls, and while it’s not overpowering, his career 7.3 K/9 ratio is good enough to warrant the streamer’s consideration. He will benefit this week from playing both starts in his pitcher-friendly home park, and the Mets and Pirates have middle-of-the-road offenses. It’s an easy “yes” to streaming in 12-team roto leagues and all head-to-head formats.

Jon Gray, 24% (vs. SEA, vs. CIN)

After struggling in his 2024 debut, Gray has allowed two earned runs in 14.2 innings during his last three starts and pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief on Saturday. He’s also struck out 16 batters in his last two games, which raises his ceiling to two home games against an offense that so far has been respectable (Reds) and one that has struggled (Mariners).

Lance Lynn, 39% (vs. ARI, @NYM)

Lynn was all over the map in four matches. He was great in two games, although one of them was against the lowly A’s. But he struck out four times in one appearance and gave up three home runs in another. The right-hander has two mid-level matchups next week, and the guess here is that his inconsistency will continue. Therefore, their greatest appeal comes in direct confrontations.

José Quintana, 15% (@SF, vs. STL)

Quintana was fortunate to be limited in scoring (3.05 ERA) in his four starts, as his 16:11 K:BB ratio in 20.2 innings should have led to disaster. I can find some reason for optimism in their matchups this week, as both games will take place in offense-suppressing parks and the Cardinals’ offense is off to a slow start. But Quintana didn’t pitch well enough to be considered in most leagues roto.

Paul Blackburn, 50% (@NYY, @BAL)

After throwing 19.1 scoreless innings in his opening three starts, Blackburn allowed three runs in 5.2 frames last time out. But the right-hander struggles to accumulate puffs and has an extremely difficult schedule this week, which should keep him out of most lineups.

BONUS: Check to see if these two-start pitchers are still available in your leagues, then add and activate them this week:

• Michael Wacha, 58% (against TOR, @DET): Wacha excelled as a member of the Royals (3.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP), albeit with his two best starts coming against the White Sox. Still, he’s a quality streamer in virtually every league for a mid-level matchup against Toronto and favorable against a struggling Tigers offense.

• Reynaldo López, 67% (vs. MIA, vs. CLE): López has appeared in this article for three consecutive weeks as his matches continue to be postponed. This serves as a great reminder that when the options are similar, managers should generally pick a two-start pitcher, with his second start scheduled for Saturday, rather than one scheduled for Sunday. López has had success in his three starts (0.50 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) and his matchups are favorable, making him an excellent option.

• Yusei Kikuchi, 66% (@KC, vs. LAD): Based on skills, Kikuchi could be at the top of the entire list. After all, he recorded an excellent K:BB ratio of 29:8 in 21 innings. But their matchups are tough this week, as the Dodgers (4th) and Royals (12th) are formidable opponents. Still, Kikuchi pitched well enough to be a starter in virtually every league.

Single Start Streamers

In order, here are the week’s top streamers, with start date and Yahoo roster rate in parentheses.

• Seth Lugo @DET (Friday the 63rd)

• Clarke Schmidt x OAK (Wednesday, 25)

• Edward Cabrera x WSH (Saturday 67)

• Sean Manaea @SF (Wednesday 29)

• José Buttó x STL (Friday, 33)

• Casey Mize x KC (Saturday 28)

• Dean Kremer @LAA (Wednesday 18)

• Dane Dunning x SEA (Wednesday 23)

• Cole Irvin x OAK (Saturday 3)

• José Soriano x MIN (Saturday, 4)

• Martín Pérez @SF (Friday, 34)

• Tyler Alexander x DET (Wednesday, 1)

• Reese Olson vs. KC (Friday the 17th)

• Steven Matz x ARI (Tuesday, 9)

• Trevor Williams @MIA (Friday the 8th)

• Mitchell Parker @MIA (Saturday 9)

• Graham Ashcraft x PHI (Thursday 18)

Favorable matches from Monday to Thursday

Padres @ Rockies: Padres hitters must be struggling to play four games at Coors Field against a team that ranks last in ERA. Jake Cronenworth (62%) and Luis Campusano (56%) should be starters across all leagues, while Jurickson Profar (27%) is an excellent streamer in 12-team formats. The Rockies also scored frequently, with Charlie Blackmon (12%) and Brenton Doyle (12%) ranking as their top streamers.

Gemini vs. White Sox: The Twins’ offense may finally find a rhythm as they face three unimpressive right-handers and left-hander Garrett Crochet, who has cooled off after a hot start. Edouard Julien (49%), Ryan Jeffers (35%) and Alex Kirilloff (12%) are excellent streaming options.

Yankees vs. The Yankees are expected to score a lot of runs in four games at their offense-inducing home park against an A’s team that lacks top-notch pitching. Most of New York’s top hitters are widely rostered, but Anthony Rizzo (39%) and Alex Verdugo (36%) are waiver options to consider.