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Unbalanced schedules are the theme this week, as 11 teams will play seven games, while five teams are scheduled for only five games. Smart managers will look for volume on the hitting side, with the Royals, Giants, Rangers and Rockies being good offensive sources in the coming days. And with many teams playing a light schedule, the list of pitchers with two attractive starts is shorter than usual. Managers should try to secure the services of the top four men on this list as soon as possible.
Two-start pitchers (listed in order of preference, including two options for shallow leagues)
Jack Flaherty, 62% (@CLE, vs. HOU)
Flaherty owns a mediocre 4.00 ERA and has yet to record a win, which is terrible luck for someone who has pitched very well (50:5 K:BB ratio, 1.03 WHIP) in his six starting starts. The right-hander’s 2.71 FIP is an excellent indicator that he should be in a lot more leagues, especially when he’s at the beginning of a two-start week.
Triston McKenzie, 63% (vs. DET, @CWS)
After disappointing managers during his initial three starts, McKenzie has posted a solid 19:6 K:BB ratio in 20 innings over his last three outings. I remain skeptical that the right-hander can be a long-term asset this season, but he should start everywhere this week against two offenses that rank in the bottom six in OPS.
Luis Gil, 38% (vs. HOU, @TB)
Gil has been a mixed bag so far, as his ratings are solid (3.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) and his strikeout rate (11.6 K/9) is impressive, but his 20 walks rank fourth among all pitchers. . Still, his control skills have improved lately, which is good enough to put him in most lineups thanks to the strength of his swing-and-miss skills.
Simeon Woods-Richardson, 7% (vs. SEA, @TOR)
Woods-Richardson has shown intriguing skills in three starts by producing a 13:4 K:BB ratio along with a 2.45 ERA. And their matchups this week are attractive, with the Mariners ranking 22nd in OPS and the Blue Jays 20th. He’s a solid one-week streamer who has the potential to remain on long-term rosters in deeper formats.
Logan Allen, 22% (vs. DET, @CWS)
Allen owns a respectable 31:12 K:BB ratio in 37 innings, but has struggled with the long ball (7 HR), contributing to a 5.11 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. Normally it would be easy to leave the lefty on the waiver wire, but his upcoming matchups are so attractive that he needs to be used in 12-team leagues.
Tyler Anderson, 42% (@PIT, vs. KC)
Anderson continues to post solid ratings (2.23 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) despite showing poor skills (27:15 K:BB ratio) in six starts. The southpaw is a good option in head-to-head leagues, but the correction of luck will come soon, making him a risky streamer in broken formats.
Patricio Sandoval, 4% (@PIT, vs. KC)
Sandoval (5.91 ERA, 1.69 WHIP) is too much of a risk in the ratio categories to find a spot in rotation lineups for a two-start week. But he has struck out 38 batters in 32 innings, and the potential for a dozen strikeouts makes him a viable streamer in points leagues.
Single Start Streamers
In order, here are the top streamers of the week, with their start date and Yahoo listing rate in parentheses.
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Christian Scott vs. ATL (Friday the 33rd)
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Ben Lively @CWS (Thursday 18)
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Javier Assad @PIT (Saturday 60)
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Jameson Taillon @PIT (Friday 42)
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Michael Lorenzen @OAK (Wednesday 16)
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Paul Blackburn @SEA (Friday 40)
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Reese Olson @CLE (Wednesday 20)
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José Buttó @STL (Tuesday 25)
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Cole Irvin vs. ARI (Friday the 18th)
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John Means vs. ARI (Saturday 53)
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Dean Kremer vs. ARI (Sunday 31)
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Clarke Schmidt @TB (Friday, 40)
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Zack Littell vs. NYY (Friday the 38th)
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Erick Fedde vs. CLE (Thursday 42)
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Mitchell Parker vs. BAL (Wednesday 31)
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José Soriano @PIT (Wednesday 5)
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Cooper Criswell vs. WSH (Saturday 14)
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Ben Brown vs. SD (Wednesday 4)
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Martín Pérez vs. LAA (Wednesday 25)
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Tobias Myers vs. STL (Thursday 1)
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José Quintana @STL (Wednesday 10)
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Lance Lynn @MIL (Thursday 35)
Favorable Batting Matchups Monday-Thursday
Royals against Brewers and Angels: The Royals will open the week facing three mediocre Milwaukee right-handers before taking on a tougher assignment from Angels left-hander Reid Detmers on Thursday. Vinnie Pasquantino is already on a great roster, but this is a good time to add him to the lineup in shallow leagues where he is on the fringes of the roster. In deeper formats, Michael Massy (2%) can be streamed from the waiver wire.
Giants @ Phillies, Rockies: The Giants will face four right-handers between now and Thursday, with three of the matchups taking place at Coors Field. This is a good time to pass on the team’s left-handed hitters, such as Michael Conforto (48%), Jung Hoo Lee (51%), LaMonte Wade Jr. (7%), and Mike Yastrzemski (2%).
Rangers @ Athletics: Thanks to a doubleheader on Wednesday, the Rangers will face four mediocre Oakland starters over the next three days. Pitchers are equally balanced between righties and lefties, and all of Texas’ best hitters are amply included. Still, Josh H. Smith (42%) and Leody Taveras (4%) can be streamed in 12-team leagues.
