Welcome RotoBallers to our Two-Start Pitcher Streamers article - Waiver Wire Streamers and Starts for Week 8, from May 13 to May 19. With multiple teams having six or seven games on their schedule, we're looking at a nice variety of two-start pitchers.
Each week of this fantasy baseball season, 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
- Corbin Burnes (vs. TOR, vs. SEA)
- Kutter Crawford (vs. TB, @ STL)
- Nick Pivetta (vs. TB, @ STL)
- Carlos Rodon (@ MIN, vs. CHW)
- Zach Eflin (@ BOS, @ TOR)
- Aaron Civale (@ BOS, @ TOR)
- Jose Berrios (@ BAL, vs. TB)
- Tanner Bibee (@ TEX, vs. MIN)
- Brady Singer (@ SEA, vs. OAK)
- Ronel Blanco (vs. OAK, vs. MIL)
- George Kirby (vs. KC, @ BAL)
- Reynaldo Lopez (vs. CHC, vs. SD)
- Cristopher Sanchez (@ NYM, vs. WAS)
- Aaron Nola (@ NYM, vs. WAS)
- Shota Imanaga (@ ATL, vs. PIT)
- Hunter Greene (@ ARZ, @ LAD)
- Mitch Keller (@ MIL, @ CHC)
- Jordan Montgomery (vs. CIN, vs. DET)
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto (@ SF, vs. CIN)
- Jordan Hicks (vs. LAD, vs. COL)
Best Available Two-Start Pitcher Streamers
Chris Paddack (15% Rostered), Minnesota Twins
Scheduled Starts: vs. NYY, @ CLE
While he hasn't had a sub-4.00 ERA since his rookie year, Chris Paddack's 3.98 FIP, 22.2% strikeout rate, 4.2% walk rate, and four wins through seven starts this season make him a decent option this week. His fastball is also still among the best in the league, with a 12.2% SwStr%, 32.3% CSW%, and .288 opponent xwOBA.
While the Guardians and Yankees are both top-10 scoring offenses, Paddack has bested a juggernaut Dodgers lineup and a streaky Seattle offense. He's also amid a hot streak, with a 1.93 ERA, 2.25 FIP, 28.9% strikeout rate, and 3.1% walk rate in his last four starts.
There's still risk involved, but Paddack's ceiling -- with the support of a Minnesota offense that has led the league in scoring since April 20 -- is too high to disregard.
Chris Paddack's 3Ks in the 2nd.
5Ks thru 2. pic.twitter.com/i8QiIecX3y
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 9, 2024
Trevor Williams (14% Rostered), Washington Nationals
Scheduled Starts: @ CHW, @ PHI
There likely wasn't a soul on earth who thought Trevor Williams would be pitching like he has in 2024. Coming off a 2023 season where he put up a 5.55 ERA through 30 starts, Williams holds a sparkling 1.96 ERA, 2.51 FIP, 1.06 WHIP, and 21.1% strikeout rate through seven starts in 2024.
It's easy to say this kind of run is unsustainable, but the 32-year-old has made serious improvements to his arsenal. The crux of his success lies in pitch usage change, as he lowered his fastball usage from 43% in 2023 to 36% in 2024. To fill that space, he has increased his sweeper usage from 3% in 2023 to 18% in 2024. Those two pitches have performed incredibly, as his fastball pounds the zone with an elite 31.5% CSW%, and his sweeper carries an impressive .097 opponent xBA, 41.2% whiff rate, and 35% strikeout rate.
While you'd rather not tussle with a Phillies offense ranked fourth in scoring, Williams shutout the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers offenses in his last two starts. There isn't a better option this week.
Trevor Williams, Dirty 77mph Sweeper. 😨
7th K thru 4 pic.twitter.com/eKKh5kY4II
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 7, 2024
Risky Two-Start Streamer Picks
Sean Manaea (26% Rostered), New York Mets
Scheduled Starts: vs. PHI, @ MIA
While he hasn't seen the same level of success as Trevor Williams, Sean Manaea has performed pleasantly well in 2024. Through seven starts, he holds a 3.31 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 1.39 WHIP, 20.4% strikeout rate, and 12.5% walk rate. If a start against the Phillies causes doubt with a seemingly invincible Trevor Williams, Sean Manaea and his 4.98 xFIP must be left alone.
Graham Ashcraft (17% Rostered), Cincinnati Reds
Scheduled Starts: @ ARZ, @ LAD
You simply can't entertain streaming a pitcher with starts against the top-scoring Dodgers offense and an Arizona offense ranked fifth in scoring this season -- especially if that pitcher holds a 4.17 FIP and 18.6% strikeout rate.
Colin Rea (14% Rostered), Milwaukee Brewers
Scheduled Starts: vs. PIT, @ HOU
As predicted in last week's two-start pitchers column, Colin Rea's unusual luck subsided in his latest start against the Kansas City Royals, with four runs allowed across 4 2/3 innings. While his 5.76xERA/4.56 FIP may be enough against an ineffectual Pittsburgh offense, a Houston offense ranked seventh in wOBA shouldn't be messed with.
Michael Lorenzen (13% Rostered), Texas Rangers
Scheduled Starts: vs. CLE, vs. LAA
With a 4.66 ERA, 5.46 FIP, and 11.7% walk rate through five starts, Michael Lorenzen should not be trusted in most weeks. While a middling Los Angeles Angels offense may seem like a tempting spot to stream the Texas starter, you'd be better off leaving Lorenzen alone this week.
JP Sears (12% Rostered), Oakland Athletics
Scheduled Starts: @ HOU, @ KC
With a 4.20 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 17.8% strikeout rate, and the Oakland Athletics lineup in his corner, JP Sears is not someone most fantasy baseball managers should rely on. His chances don't look good this week, with road starts on the slate against two offenses that rank in the top half of the league in nearly all offensive metrics.
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