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With plenty of teams with seven games on their schedule this week, we're looking at a bunch of two-start pitchers. On a less positive note, most of those players are already rostered heavily or just unplayable. There are very few streamers this week, but there is still much to dissect.
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 and can be considered as fantasy baseball streamers ahead of the Sunday night waiver wire runs for leagues with weekly transactions.
There are 38 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 Bassitt (@ TB, @ MIN)
- Zack Wheeler (vs. ARI, @ ATL)
- Charlie Morton (vs. LAD, vs. PHI)
- Luis Castillo (vs. OAK, vs. PIT)
- Alex Cobb (@ MIN, @ MIL)
- Drew Smyly (vs. NYM, vs. CIN)
- Taj Bradley (vs. TOR, vs. LAD)
- Gerrit Cole (vs. BAL, vs. SD)
- Dylan Cease (@ CLE, @ DET)
- Eduardo Rodriguez (@ KC, vs. CWS)
- Jordan Montgomery (@ CIN, @ CLE)
- Jose Berrios (@ TB, @ MIN)
- Bailey Ober (vs. SF, vs. TOR)
- Corbin Burnes (vs. HOU, vs SF)
- MacKenzie Gore (vs. SD, @ KC)
- Marcus Stroman (vs. NYM, vs. CIN)
- Kodai Senga (@ CHC, @ COL)
- Eury Perez (@ COL, @ LAA)
- Spencer Strider (vs. LAD, vs. PHI)
- Dane Dunning (@ PIT, @ BAL)
Best Available Two-Start Pitcher Streamers
Edward Cabrera (46% Rostered), Miami Marlins
Scheduled Starts: vs. DET, vs. LAA
Edward Cabrera has struggled to start the season, with a 5.13 ERA in nine starts, but there is still value in streaming him.
The 25-year-old has impressive stuff. His mean mid-90s changeup and low-80s curveball have heavy lateral movement, and both pitches have been extremely successful with both pitches having close to 40% whiff rates. Cabrera's 30.1% strikeout rate is a byproduct of the success of those two pitches, as his four-seam fastball hasn't missed as many bats as it did in 2022 (.304 opponent batting average this year, .182 opponent batting average in 2022).
Edward Cabrera, Stupid 94mph Changeup. 🥴 pic.twitter.com/xAjTIfJasx
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 17, 2023
He's also coming off his best outing yet, striking out six batters, walking none, and allowing two runs across five innings. While he did sustain a blister in that start (it forced him out of the game at just 79 pitches), he should be healthy in time for his start against Detroit.
He'll first face off against a Detroit offense that is 29th in OBP and SLG. It's hard to struggle against an offense that poor. With two straight solid starts, he'll come into his second start against the Angels with a ton of momentum. Cabrera is the premier streaming option this week.
Mike Clevinger (24% Rostered), Chicago White Sox
Scheduled Starts: @ CLE, @ DET
While Mike Clevinger has been patently mediocre with a 4.56 ERA this season, he has a weak schedule this week. Cleveland and Detroit are the worst offensive teams in the league. Clevinger has gone six innings in every start this month and should do the same this week barring anything crazy. The 32-year-old will be a solid streamer this week.
Michael Lorenzen (13% Rostered), Detroit Tigers
Scheduled Starts: @ KC, vs. CWS
Michael Lorenzen is amidst a career month. The 31-year-old is pitching lights out in May with a 0.90 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched. While his opponents were the struggling Guardians, Mets, and Pirates, his run of quality starts won't get spoiled just yet. With starts against a Royals offense that is 28th in OPS and a White Sox offense that is 21st in OPS, the good times should keep rolling for Lorenzen.
Risky Two-Start Streamer Picks
Graham Ashcraft (39% Rostered), Cincinnati Reds
Scheduled Starts: vs. STL, vs. CHC
After keeping a 2.10 ERA in April, many were ready to crown Ashcraft breakout pitcher of the year. The 25-year-old has been battered around in May, with a 9.33 ERA. His early-season performance was likely a mirage, as there have been few improvements in his peripherals compared to his 4.89 ERA in 2022. It's hard to imagine he recovers, especially with top-10 offenses in the Cardinals and Cubs coming up next.
Taijuan Walker (19% Rostered), Philadelphia Phillies
Scheduled Starts: vs. ARI, vs. ATL
Philadelphia brought out the Brinks trucks for Taijuan Walker this offseason, but he has yet to deliver. His 6.53 ERA and 10.5% walk rates are career-worst marks. While the rest of his profile is in line with his career averages, and his 4.77 xERA indicates some bad luck, his luck won't turn good against powerhouse offenses in Arizona and Atlanta.
Kyle Bradish (11% Rostered), Baltimore Orioles
Scheduled Starts: @ NYY, vs. TEX
Bradish is having a decent sophomore season with a 3.90 ERA across seven starts. His season looks even better if you take out a terrible two-inning start against the Red Sox where he allowed seven runs. There's a lot to like about Bradish, but the Rangers and Yankees are tough opponents. It's hard to trust Bradish against strong offenses when his most successful starts have come against the Nationals and Pirates.
Gavin Stone (10% Rostered), Los Angeles Dodgers
Scheduled Starts: vs. ATL, vs. TB
Gavin Stone is a very good prospect, and he will likely have success in the MLB for many years. But with starts against Atlanta and Tampa Bay, you should hold off on starting Stone if you don't need to.
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