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Welcome back to our Two-Start Pitcher Streamers article - Waiver Wire Streamers and Starts for Week 22, from August 21 to August 27. 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 25 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.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and weekly lineup resources:- Nick Mariano's fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups (Premium)
- Start/Sit recommendations - All Pitcher Matchups for Week Ahead
- Fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings (top 80 players)
- FAAB fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Starting pitcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Outfield fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- 1B/3B fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- 2B/SS fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Catcher fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Hitter streamers - fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Two-start pitcher streamers - fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups
- Cut List- Players To Consider Dropping
Two-Start Pitchers - Over 50% Rostered
- James Paxton (@ HOU, vs. LAD)
- Carlos Rodon (vs. WAS, @ TB)
- Bailey Ober (@ MIL, vs. TEX)
- Jordan Montgomery (@ ARZ, @ MIN)
- Bryce Elder (vs. NYM, @ SF)
- Zac Gallen (vs. TEX, vs. CIN)
- Bobby Miller (@ CLE, @ BOS)
- Blake Snell (vs. MIA, @ MIL)
Best Available Two-Start Pitcher Streamers
Jose Urquidy (37% Rostered), Houston Astros
Scheduled Starts: vs. BOS, @ DET
Jose Urquidy has been bogged down by injuries, but he's finally recovered and is now ready to step into a two-start week.
He's taken only two starts since returning from injury in early August. He was forced out after three-and-one-third innings in his first start, allowing five runs and only striking out one batter against the Yankees. He went five innings against the Angels in his next start, allowing just one run and striking out seven batters. There's not much to conclude from his first two starts, but his 105 Stuff+ grade since returning is encouraging.
He'll get a relatively easy two-start week. The Boston Red Sox have slowed down a bit, ranking 18th in runs scored since the All-Star break; Detroit remains a bottom-10 offense.
Zack Littell (14% Rostered), Tampa Bay Rays
Scheduled Starts: vs. COL, vs. NYY
The Tampa Bay Rays pitching lab strikes again, this time in the form of 27-year-old Zack Littell. With Tampa Bay's pitching staff hampered by injuries, Littell has stepped in as a full-time starter. Since permanently joining the rotation, he sports a 2.78 ERA, 3.22 FIP, and a 1.1% walk rate through four starts.
He'll take his first start against a Rockies team that holds a .656 OPS in road games. His second start is against a backsliding Yankees offense that ranks 28th in scoring since the All-Star break. Confidently stream Littell this week.
Paul Blackburn (8% Rostered), Oakland Athletics
Scheduled Starts: vs. KC, @ CHW
Paul Blackburn has put up some great performances lately, with a 2.10 ERA, 3.23 FIP, and 23.8% strikeout rate in his last five starts.
He'll get his first matchup against a Royals offense that ranks third in scoring this month. His second bout is against a White Sox offense that ranks 27th in scoring since the All-Star break. His matchup with the White Sox gives him a high enough floor to consider streaming him this week.
Risky Two-Start Streamer Picks
Graham Ashcraft (45% Rostered), Cincinnati Reds
Scheduled Starts: @ LAA, @ ARZ
Graham Ashcraft has silenced bats as of late, with a 1.09 WHIP and 2.17 ERA in his last nine starts. However, a 4.49 FIP and 4.55 xFIP show that the 25-year-old is on shakier ground than most assume.
It's not entirely out of the question that he continues the improbable streak in this precious two-start week. But with the Angels and Diamondbacks being top-11 offenses this season, there's risk involved with trusting Graham Ashcraft.
Mike Clevinger (29% Rostered), Chicago White Sox
Scheduled Starts: vs. SEA, vs. OAK
With a 1.64 ERA in his last seven starts, Mike Clevinger looks like one of the better two-start pitcher streamers this week. But he hides a hideous 4.98 xFIP in that same stretch, with only a 20.8% strikeout rate to fall back on.
While the lowly Athletics lineup should be a decent start for Clevinger, there should be fear over how he performs against a Mariners offense that ranks 10th in scoring since the All-Star break.
Johan Oviedo (23% Rostered), Pittsburgh Pirates
Scheduled Starts: vs. STL, vs. CHC
In a tale repeated countless times this season, Johan Oviedo followed three straight incredible starts (combined 20 innings pitched, 16 strikeouts, two runs allowed) with two stinkers (combined nine innings pitched, 10 earned runs allowed, seven strikeouts).
Don't trust the inconsistent Oviedo with a start against a Cubs team that ranks behind only the Atlanta Braves in scoring since the All-Star break.
Ross Stripling (15% Rostered), San Francisco Giants
Scheduled Starts: @ PHI, vs. ATL
While Ross Stripling is better than his 5.29 ERA suggests, his 4.03 SIERA is still not good enough to trust against a dangerous Braves offense.
Javier Assad (14% Rostered), Chicago Cubs
Scheduled Starts: @ DET, @ PIT
Javier Assad was only supposed to fill the gaps for Marcus Stroman, but he has secured himself a spot in the Cubs rotation with a 2.21 ERA. I hate to spoil the fun again, but Assad's 4.44 FIP, 4.78 xFIP, 16% strikeout rate, 9.9% walk rate, and 94 Pitching+ score makes him a risky start.
He's easier to trust this week with matchups against two bottom-10 offenses, but he's not a safe streaming option.
Tanner Houck (8% Rostered), Boston Red Sox
Scheduled Starts: @ HOU, vs. LAD
After being out for two months, Tanner Houck will return with a two-start week. Unfortunately, those two starts will come against the two dynastic offenses of our time. Houck has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but it won't be enough this week.
David Peterson (7% Rostered), New York Mets
Scheduled Starts: @ ATL, vs. LAA
David Peterson somehow managed to let across only one run in three-and-two-thirds innings of pitching, despite sporting a 9.81 FIP and 30% walk rate on the night. Don't expect that miracle to reoccur with a matchup against the juggernaut Atlanta Braves.
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