Two-Start Pitcher Streamers: Fantasy Baseball SP Pickups and Starts (August 28 - September 3)

August 27, 2023

Starting pitcher two-start streamers for Week 23 (2023). Fantasy baseball SP waiver wire pickups for pitchers with two starts scheduled in the week ahead, August 28 - September 3.

Welcome back to our Two-Start Pitcher Streamers article - Waiver Wire Streamers and Starts for Week 23, from August 28 to September 3. With plenty of teams that have seven games on their schedule this week, we're looking at a variety of two-start pitchers.

For those new to this recurring column, each week this fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups column will identify starting pitchers expected to make two starts in the upcoming week. It can be considered as fantasy baseball streamers ahead of the Sunday night waiver wire run for leagues with weekly transactions.

There are 32 pitchers currently scheduled to make two starts during this period. We will be looking at pitchers who are less than 50% owned in Yahoo leagues. Listed will be those who are rostered over 50%, those who are best available under 50%, and risky options under 50%. There are a few other two-start pitchers available, but they should be avoided.

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Two-Start Pitchers - Over 50% Rostered

• Chris Sale (vs. HOU, @ KC)
• Kevin Gausman (vs. WAS, @ COL)
• Kenta Maeda (vs. CLE, @ TEX)
• Bryce Elder (@ COL, @ LAD)
• Charlie Morton (@ COL, @ LAD)
• Sandy Alcantara (vs. TB, @ WAS)
• Taijuan Walker (vs. LAA, @ MIL)
• Justin Steele (vs. MIL, @ CIN)
• Andrew Abbott (@ SF, vs. CHC)
• Zac Gallen (@ LAD, vs. BAL)
• Bobby Miller (vs. ARI, vs. ATL)
• Blake Snell (@ STL, vs. SF)
• Alex Cobb (vs. CIN, @ SD)

Best Available Two-Start Pitcher Streamers

Tarik Skubal (44% Rostered), Detroit Tigers

Scheduled Starts: vs. NYY, @ CHW

Since returning from injury on July 4, Tarik Skubal has quietly been one of baseball's best starting pitchers. The 26-year-old sports a 1.91 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, 28.2% strikeout rate, and 4.5% walk rate through nine starts this season.

He's scheduled for easy bouts this week, with the Yankees and White Sox ranking in the bottom six in runs scored since the All-Star break. Skubal is about as sure a bet as they come this week.

Seth Lugo (41% Rostered), San Diego Padres

Scheduled Starts: @ STL, vs. SF

Seth Lugo has been one of the more consistent pitchers this season, with a 3.84 SIERA, 23.6% strikeout rate, and 5.5% walk rate through 20 starts. He'll start this week with a Cardinals offense that ranks 26th in runs scored this month. He'll get his second start against the Giants (dead last in scoring this month).

Bryan Woo (21% Rostered), Seattle Mariners

Scheduled Starts: vs. OAK, @ NYM

A couple of blow-up starts along the way have tarnished Bryan Woo's incredible rookie year, but his 3.28 xERA, 25.3% strikeout rate, and 104 Pitching+ grade are good indicators of the 23-year-old's general strength. Consider him with matchups against two offenses that rank in the bottom third of the league in scoring.

Reese Olson (3% Rostered), Detroit Tigers

Scheduled Starts: vs. NYY, @ CHW

Reese Olson's rookie year looks disappointing on the surface, but his 4.03 SIERA, 23.5% strikeout rate, and 107 Stuff+ grade show that the 24-year-old has been shoving for Detroit.

He'll get the same easy matchups as Skubal, making him a solid stream in deeper leagues.

Risky Two-Start Streamer Picks

Luis Severino (43% Rostered), New York Yankees

Scheduled Starts: @ DET, @ HOU

Don't let the high rostered rate fool you. Steadfastly avoid Luis Severino and his bloodcurdling 7.26 ERA.

Wade Miley (37% Rostered), Milwaukee Brewers

Scheduled Starts: @ CHC, vs. PHI

The 36-year-old veteran has long been one of the more underrated pitchers in baseball, but his 5.02 SIERA and 16.5% strikeout rate are indications of decline. A pitcher of Wade Miley's caliber is still competitive occasionally, but he'll get matchups against two of the best offenses in baseball.

Jameson Taillon (33% Rostered), Chicago Cubs

Scheduled Starts: vs. MIL, @ CIN

After an impressive stretch of performances heading into August, Jameson Taillon has relapsed with an 8.59 ERA across his last three starts. The Reds and Brewers are in the top half of the league in scoring since the All-Star break, meaning it'll be a tough week for Taillon to rebound.

Josiah Gray (27% Rostered), Washington Nationals

Scheduled Starts: @ TOR, vs. MIA

Josiah Gray holds a 3.85 ERA across 25 starts this season despite a 5.11 SIERA and 11.6% walk rate. His good luck may continue this week, with Toronto and Miami ranking in the bottom third of scoring since the All-Star break. But luck is a notably fickle concept in baseball, making it tough to trust Gray this week.

Johan Oviedo (21% Rostered), Pittsburgh Pirates

Scheduled Starts: @ KC, @ STL

Surprise, surprise! Johan Oviedo followed a blow-up start with five innings of one-run ball against the Cardinals.

Oviedo is predictably unpredictable, which makes it incredibly tough to stream him -- regardless of the opponent.

Brandon Williamson (20% Rostered), Cincinnati Reds

Scheduled Starts: @ SF, vs. CHC

Another rookie pitcher in the throes of an up-and-down season, Brandon Williamson has finally settled in. Since July 1, Williamson holds a 3.00 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 24.8% strikeout rate, and 1.09 WHIP across 10 starts.

He's on a good run, but his second start against Chicago presents some concerns. Williamson has had very few bad starts since the calendar flipped to July, but his unequivocal worst is a start against the Cubbies on August 2 -- he allowed five runs in four-and-a-third innings. Williamson is less concerning than some of the other pitchers in this section, but his history against Chicago is an obvious risk.

Michael Kopech (18% Rostered), Chicago White Sox

Scheduled Starts: @ BAL, vs. DET

Michael Kopech will always be an intriguing pitcher; it's hard to deny the former top prospect's electric stuff. But with his terrible 5.35 SIERA and 92 Location+ grade, it's best to leave Kopech alone this week.

Kyle Harrison (15% Rostered), San Francisco Giants

Scheduled Starts: vs. CIN @ SD

You could analyze plenty from Kyle Harrison's three-inning debut, but that doesn't mean you should. Harrison only went three-and-a-third innings deep, but his breathtaking stuff was still on full display. Despite his talent, the stakes are too high at this point of the season to place your trust in the hands of a 22-year-old.

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