Without a doubt, this is the worst week of the season to find two-start pitchers on the ropes, as the group with two starts this week is an even mix of top pitchers who are already rostered and men who are the fifth starters in their respective teams.
The prospects are much better for beginning streamers, with several useful players who will face the weakest lineups in baseball. On the hitting side, managers can chase volume over the next four days with players from the Red Sox, Reds and Astros.
Two-game pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Trevor Williams, 29% (@CWS, @PHI)
Williams entered the year with low expectations, but has pitched well (1.96 ERA, 1.06 WHIP) so far. Most of his changes are unremarkable, although he deserves some credit for small improvements in his strikeout and barrel rates. The start in Philadelphia is scary, but I hope he pitches well enough against the White Sox to warrant his value early in the week.
Chris Paddack, 16% (vs. NYY, @CLE)
Paddack pitched better than his 4.34 ERA and 1.50 WHIP would indicate, as his 37:8 K:BB ratio is an excellent mark. Furthermore, his ratios were heavily influenced by a disastrous start in Baltimore on April 16, and he allowed two or fewer runs in five of his seven starts. Finally, with 10 hits in two of his last four games, Paddack has more upside than most managers realize.
Sean Manaea, 25% (vs. PHI, @MIA)
Manaea is keeping the ball in the yard (1 HR), but otherwise has been mediocre (K:BB ratio of 31:19). The lefty is risky early in the week against a Phillies lineup that ranks second in OPS, but at least he gets this matchup at home. His second matchup is why he belongs on this list, as the Marlins are 30th in OPS and 25th in runs scored.
Michael Lorenzen, 12% (vs. CLE, vs. LAA)
Lorenzen has produced poor fantasy stats (4.66 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) and unimpressive ratios (23:14 K:BB) in five starts since joining the Texas rotation. Their clashes are against midfield attacks, but at least they are both at home. Overall, Lorenzen starts a new level on this list, where I would pass in a roto league, but broadcast in a head-to-head format.
José Soriano, 5% (vs. STL, @TEX)
Soriano throws hard (average fastball 90 mph), but doesn’t always know where his pitches are going (11.6% walk rate). He’s not striking out as many batters (21.9%) as his premium velocity suggests, which makes him a risky option in roto leagues. I can barely live with Soriano in the head-to-head categories in his two-game week, but I would definitely use him in the points format.
Colin Rea, 13% (vs. PIT, @HOU)
Rea has limited scoring this year (3.29 ERA) primarily due to the strength of an 81.4% pitch rate. His strikeout rate is the worst of his career at 15.2%, and his matchup in Houston is tough. He must do well against the Pirates (27th in OPS) to at least meet the expectations of those in points leagues.
Single Start Streamers
In order, here are the week’s best streamers, with start date and Yahoo! escalation rate in parentheses.
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Luis Gil x CWS (Saturday, 58)
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Reese Olson x MIA (Tuesday, 25)
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Erick Fedde x WSH (Tuesday, 35)
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Casey Mize x MIA (Wednesday, 18)
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Mitchell Parker @CWS (Tuesday 25)
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Cole Irvin x TOR (Wednesday, 37)
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Dean Kremer x SEA (Saturday 44)
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Andrew Abbott @ARI (Wednesday 44)
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Michael Wacha @SEA (Tuesday 31)
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Robert Gasser x PIT (Wednesday, 8)
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Cooper Criswell x TB (Thursday, 16)
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Ryan Weathers @DET (Tuesday 6)
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Ryan Feltner @SF (Friday the 2nd)
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Bryce Elder x SD (Saturday 19)
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Clarke Schmidt @MIN (Thursday 44)
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Mason Black x COL (Friday the 4th)
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Simeon Woods Richardson @CLE (Friday the 20th)
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Logan Allen x MIN (Sunday, 20)
Favorable matches from Monday to Thursday
Red Sox vs. Red Sox Rays: While the quality of opposing pitchers is quite high, Boston presents an easy set of streamers based on facing four right-handers in their hitter-friendly home park over the next four days. Managers should start looking for Wilyer Abreu (41%), who hits high in the lineup against right-handers. Other options include Vaughn Grissom (26%) and Reese McGuire (2%).
Reds @ D-backs, Dodgers: It’s rarely advisable to stream Cincinnati players on the road, but they should face a weak four-starter group by Thursday. The plan here is to start Jonathan India (51%) and TJ Friedl (52%) throughout the stretch and consider Jake Fraley (19%) and Will Benson (17%) against righties on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Astros vs. A’s: Oakland has done better than expected this year, but it’s still generally advisable to focus on the hitters of the teams facing them in a four-game series. Jon Singleton (8%) and Mauricio Dubon (4%) have been playing regularly, and rookie Joey Loperfido (17%) is also someone to consider.
