The last week before the All-Star break is a make-or-break period in terms of two-game pitcher streaming. The first two players on this list are great options, but the rest of the members are risky and best left for deeper formats or points leagues.
On the hitting side, the Reds and Rangers are poised to score a lot of runs in the coming days.
Two-game pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Christian Scott, 28% (@PIT, vs. COL)
After spending a month in Triple-A, Scott was one step away from a successful return to the Mets when Luis García Jr. ruined his night with a three-run home run. Overall, this prized prospect has been solid but unspectacular in his six MLB starts (4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 27:8 K:BB ratio). This is the perfect week for coaches to chase Scott’s high ceiling, as he will face a Pirates offense that ranks 27th in OPS before working at home against a Rockies team that ranks 29th in OPS on the road . If all goes well, the 25-year-old could remain on the roster after the All-Star break.
Andrew Abbott, 61% (vs. COL, vs. MIA)
This addition is more for shallow leagues with their lineup percentage above 60, but Abbott is worth using across the board this week. He was effective this year (3.28 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) while also benefiting from a .232 BABIP and an 85.5% strand rate. His good luck is why he can’t be recommended for long-term use, but the lefty is an attractive option with two favorable matchups in Week 15. As was mentioned with Scott, the Rockies fare poorly on the road. And the Marlins are even more vulnerable as they rank last in baseball in OPS. So far, Abbott has outperformed his offense-inducing home park, posting a 3.43 career ERA at that spot.
Frankie Montas, 18% (vs. COL, vs. MIA)
Montas is desirable for the same reason as Abbott – his matches are excellent. The right-hander hasn’t been especially effective this year (4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP), and while he’s allowed just five earned runs in his last three starts, he’s posted an unimpressive 13:7 K:BB ratio in those games. There is some potential for failure with this option, but Montas could also pick up two wins against such weak opponents.
Dean Kremer, 33% (vs. CHC, vs. NYY)
After struggling during his rehab assignment, Kremer made an impressive return from the IL by striking out eight batters in five scoreless innings in Seattle. He will now return home for a week with a favorable (Cubs, 22nd in OPS) and difficult (Yankees, third in OPS) matchup. Kremer can be streamed in deep roto formats and in all head to head leagues.
Colin Rea, 37% (vs. PIT, vs. WSH)
Rea is in the midst of his best fantasy season, going 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 17 appearances (15 starts). He benefited from an 81.2% strand rate and an 11.7% HR/FB rate, and his 4.61 FIP is a better indicator of his true ability. Recommending Rea for long-term use would be irresponsible, but he should extend his successful campaign until the All-Star break when he faces two lineups that rank in the bottom 10 in OPS.
Miles Mikolas, 26% (@WSH, vs. CHC)
Mikolas has been all over the map lately. The veteran put together five consecutive quality starts before allowing 13 earned runs in two starts and then getting back on track with six innings of two-run ball last time out. He is too risky to use routinely, but remains an option in points leagues for two games against teams that are in the bottom 10 in OPS.
Mitchell Parker, 34% (vs. STL, @MIL)
Parker gave up the worst five runs of his career last time out as the long pass caused him problems for the first time in his brief career. Still, with solid fantasy numbers (3.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and a 68:18 K:BB ratio in 15 starts, the rookie remains an option for use in deep rot leagues and all formats. direct confrontation. He’ll open the week with a reasonable matchup against the Cardinals before finishing it off with a tough opponent in the Brewers.
Davis Daniel, 11% (vs. TEX, vs. SEA)
After loudly announcing his arrival in the majors by pitching eight shutout innings on June 27, Daniel fell back to Earth when the A’s plated him for four earned runs (five total) in 5.1 innings last time out. Fantasy managers wondering which version of Daniel to believe could look to his poor Triple-A numbers this season (5.33 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) for guidance. For now, its usefulness is limited to 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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Carson Spiers x COL (Wednesday, 13)
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Reese Olson x CLE (Wednesday 46)
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Tobias Myers x PIT (Wednesday, 43)
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Aaron Civale x PIT (Thursday, 33)
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José Soriano x SEA (Friday, 20)
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James Paxton @DET (Saturday 40)
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David Peterson x WSH (Thursday 13th)
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Michael Wacha @STL (Tuesday 43)
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Alec Marsh @STL (Wednesday 15)
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Spencer Schwellenbach @ARI (Thursday 14)
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Lance Lynn x CHC (Friday the 27th)
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Zack Littell x CLE (Saturday, 27)
Favorable matches from Monday to Thursday
Reds vs. Rockies
The Reds could throw a lot of long balls in their hitter-friendly home park against a Rockies pitching staff that ranks last in baseball with a 5.47 ERA. Colorado will use two righties and two lefties in this series, which means managers must look for players who remain in the lineup for every matchup. This list is headed by Noelvi Marte (40%).
Rangers @ Angels
The Rangers will arrive in Los Angeles at the right time, as they are scheduled to face the Angels’ three weakest starters and a relief corps that ranks 28th in baseball with a 4.70 ERA. Many members of this roster are widely rostered, but it’s worth mentioning that Josh Smith, Nathaniel Lowe, and Jonah Heim should be starters in situations where they’re on the roster bubble. In terms of waiver wire streamers, Leody Taveras (8%) is the best option.
