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The final week before the All-Star break is a boom-or-bust period in terms of pitchers streaming two starts. The top two players on this list are excellent 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 primed to score plenty of runs in the coming days.
Two-Start Pitchers (Listed in Order of Preference)
Christian Scott, 28% (@PIT, vs. COL)
After spending a month in Triple-A, Scott was one out away from a successful return to the Mets when Luis Garcia Jr. ruined his night with a three-run homer. Overall, this prized prospect has been solid, but unspectacular, in his initial six MLB starts (4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 27:8 K:BB ratio). This is the perfect week for managers to pursue Scott’s high potential, as he’ll 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 rosters after the All-Star break.
Andrew Abbott, 61% (vs. Colorado, vs. missing)
The addition is more of a minor leaguer with his roster percentage above 60, but Abbott is worth using across the board this week. He’s been effective this year (3.28 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) while benefiting from a .232 BABIP and 85.5% stick rate. His good luck is why his long-term use can’t be recommended, but the lefty is an attractive option with two favorable matchups in Week 15. As 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. Abbott has so far outperformed his offense-inducing home park, posting a career 3.43 ERA at that spot.
Frankie Montas, 18% (vs. COL, v. MIA)
Montas is desirable for the same reason Abbott is: His matchups are exceptional. 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 strikeout-to-base ratio in those games. There’s some bust potential in this option, but Montas could also pull off two wins against such weak opponents.
Dean Kremer, 33% (vs. CHC, vs. NYY)
After struggling through his rehab assignment, Kremer enjoyed an impressive return from the injured list by striking out eight batters in five scoreless innings in Seattle. He’ll now return home for a week with one favorable matchup (Cubs, 22nd in OPS) and one tough one (Yankees, 3rd in OPS). Kremer can be streamed in deep-round formats and across all head-to-head leagues.
Colin Rea, 37% (vs. PIT, v. WSH)
Rea is in the midst of his best fantasy season, going 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 17 outings (15 starts). He’s benefited from a steady 81.2% hit rate and 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 breakout campaign into the All-Star break when he faces two lineups that rank in the 10 worst in OPS.
Miles Mikolas, 26% (@WSH, vs CHC)
Mikolas has been everywhere lately. The veteran strung together five straight quality starts before allowing 13 earned runs in two outings and then bouncing back with six two-run innings last time out. He’s too risky for roto usage, but remains an option in points leagues for two starts against teams that rank in the bottom 10 in OPS.
Mitchell Parker, 34% (vs. STL, @MIL)
Parker allowed a career-low five runs the last time he played, as the home run gave him trouble for the first time in his brief career. Still, with solid fantasy numbers (3.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and a 68:18 strikeout-to-base ratio in 15 starts, the rookie remains an option to use in deep roto leagues and all head-to-head formats. He’ll open the week with a reasonable matchup against the Cardinals before finishing with a tough opponent in the Brewers.
Davis Daniel, 11% (vs. TEX, v. SEA)
After loudly announcing his arrival in the majors by pitching eight scoreless innings on June 27, Daniel came back down to Earth when the A’s touched him down for four earned runs (five total) in 5.1 innings last time out. Fantasy managers wondering which version of Daniel to believe in might look to his poor numbers in Triple-A this season (5.33 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) for guidance. For now, his usefulness is limited to points leagues.
Single input transmitters
In order, here are the top streamers of the week, with their start date and Yahoo ranking in parentheses.
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Carson Spiers vs. COL (Wednesday 13)
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Reese Olson vs. CLE (Wednesday, 46)
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Tobias Myers vs. PIT (Wednesday, 43)
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Aaron Civale vs. PIT (Thursday, 33)
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Jose Soriano vs. SEA (Friday 20th)
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James Paxton @DET (Saturday, 40)
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David Peterson vs. WSH (Thursday 13)
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Michael Wacha @STL (Tuesday, 43)
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Alec Marsh @STL (Wednesday 15th)
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Spencer Schwellenbach @ARI (Thursday 14)
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Lance Lynn vs. CHC (Friday 27th)
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Zack Littell vs. CLE (Saturday 27)
Favorable batting matchups Monday through Thursday
Reds vs Rockies
The Reds could launch plenty of home runs 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 right-handers and two left-handers in this series, meaning managers should look for players who will remain in the lineup in every matchup. That list is headlined by Noelvi Marte (40%).
Rangers @ Angeles
The Rangers will arrive in Los Angeles at the right time, as they’re 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 lineup are spread thin, but it’s worth mentioning that Josh Smith, Nathaniel Lowe and Jonah Heim should all be starters in situations where they’re on the lineup bubble. As for players on waivers, Leody Taveras (8%) is the best option.