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Welcome back to our Two-Start Pitcher Streamers article - Waiver Wire Streamers and Starts for Week 27, from September 25 to October 1. We're looking at a variety of two-start pitchers this week.
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 27 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
- Kyle Bradish (vs. WAS, vs. BOS)
- Michael King (@ TOR, @ KC)
- Kevin Gausman (vs. NYY, vs. TB)
- Kenta Maeda (vs. OAK, @ COL)
- Justin Verlander (@ SEA, @ ARZ)
- Luis Castillo (vs. HOU, vs. TEX)
- George Kirby (vs. HOU, vs. TEX)
- Jon Gray (@ LAA, @ SEA)
- Bryce Elder (vs. CHC, vs. WAS)
- Braxton Garrett (@ NYM, @ PIT)
- Aaron Nola (vs. PIT, @ NYM)
- Justin Steele (@ ATL, @ MIL)
- Hunter Greene (@ CLE, @ STL)
- Mitch Keller (@ PHI, vs. MIA)
- Ryan Pepiot (@ COL, @ SF)
- Blake Snell (@ SF, @ CHW)
- Logan Webb (vs. SD, vs. LAD)
Best Available Two-Start Pitcher Streamers
Martin Perez (18% Rostered), Texas Rangers
Scheduled Starts: @ LAA, @ SEA
After Martin Perez threw four-and-two-third innings out of the bullpen against the Boston Red Sox on September 20, Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said, "It's fair to say" that Perez has done enough to rejoin the rotation after Max Scherzer's injury. Managerial language couldn't get more clear; Perez is likely stepping into an incredibly favorable two-start week.
The 32-year-old has demonstrated he can again handle a starting pitching role after putting up a 1.32 ERA and 2.55 xFIP through seven appearances this month. His matchups couldn't get much easier, with the Angels ranked 29th in scoring this month and the Mariners ranked 21st. Martin Perez has had a seriously uneven season, but he'll get his best shot yet at stabilizing himself.
Adrian Houser (9% Rostered), Milwaukee Brewers
Scheduled Starts: vs. STL, vs. CHC
Adrian Houser continued a strong second half of pure pitching with six innings of one-run baseball against the Cardinals. While his 5.04 ERA since the All-Star break doesn't seem to add to the argument that the 30-year-old has had a solid second half, he also maintains an impressive 3.78 FIP, 3.82 xFIP, 24.2% strikeout rate, and 6% walk rate across 10 starts since July 16.
He'll get another matchup against St. Louis this week and should see repeat success against a Cardinals team with nothing to play for. While a matchup against a Cubs offense that ranks seventh in scoring this year is worrying, Houser has held the Cubbies to just one run in two starts in the past two years. With few solid streaming options, Adrian Houser is your best option this week.
Risky Two-Start Streamer Picks
Paul Blackburn (14% Rostered), Oakland Athletics
Scheduled Starts: @ MIN, @ LAA
Paul Blackburn has been among the better pitchers in baseball since the All-Star break, with a 3.68 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and 21.7% strikeout rate through 12 starts. Unfortunately, he'll get his first start against the hottest offense in baseball, as Minnesota leads the league in runs scored this month. Even with a matchup against the lowly Angels, Blackburn is too risky to stream.
Zack Thompson (11% Rostered), St. Louis Cardinals
Scheduled Starts: @ MIL, vs. CIN
Zack Thompson has been a mighty useful cog since moving into a starting pitching role, with a 4.50 ERA, 4.19 FIP, 3.90 xFIP, and 24.7% strikeout rate in nine appearances since joining the St. Louis rotation.
However, there should be concerns with his matchups this week. He's coming off one of his worst starts of the season, going five innings deep and allowing four runs with just four strikeouts. His opponent in that matchup was the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers, who will unfortunately be the first start of his week. Thompson isn't worth the risk this week.
Tanner Houck (9% Rostered), Boston Red Sox
Scheduled Starts: vs. TB, @ BAL
Tanner Houck has had to run through the gauntlet since returning from a facial fracture on August 22, with matchups against the Astros, Dodgers, Orioles, and Rangers resulting in a 4.60 ERA, 5.03 FIP, and 4.68 xFIP through six starts. He won't get a reprieve with matchups against Tampa Bay and Baltimore this week.
Ryne Nelson (5% Rostered), Arizona Diamondbacks
Scheduled Starts: @ CHW, vs. HOU
With a 5.29 SIERA and 15.2% strikeout rate through 27 starts this season, Ryne Nelson isn't worth trusting against a juggernaut Astros offense.
Jose Urena (1% Rostered), Chicago White Sox
Scheduled Starts: vs. ARZ, vs. SD
Jose Urena has been surprisingly effective since being recalled to join Chicago's rotation, with a 4.41 ERA, 3.70 xFIP, 19.7% strikeout-to-walk-rate ratio, and 105 Location+ grade through three starts. He's intriguing, but he's yet to see success against above-average offenses (he allowed six earned runs over six innings in a September 14 start against Minnesota). Urena doesn't have the track record to place trust in him during championship week.
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