April 9, 2017

Troy analyzes five under-the-radar starting pitcher (SP) streamers making two starts in Week 2. Potential fantasy baseball waiver wire for head-to-head leagues.

Now that it's Week 2 of the fantasy baseball season, rotations are all jumbled up, and we can really get to streaming.

Time to get rid of that bench bat off to a slow start or that middle reliever you have hanging around. Instead, maximize your starts with some pitchers who have two starts this week and are probably still available in your league.

Here are the top two-start pitchers to stream for Week 2 of the fantasy baseball season. This can be especially helpful for head-to-head (H2H) leagues, where every start can be that much more valuable.

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Under the Radar Two-Start SP Streamers - Week 2

Charlie Morton (SP, HOU)

Projected starts: @SEA, @OAK

After missing almost all of 2016 with a torn hamstring, Charlie Morton has been overlooked in many fantasy circles. Morton, the Astros third starter, had a great spring which included carrying over an increase in velocity that he experienced last year. In his first regular season start against the Mariners, Morton was able to touch 96 mph and struck out four in six innings. He rematches the Mariners in his first start, who were only able to score two runs off of him, then gets a fantastic matchup against Oakland. Seattle is dead last in wOBA through their first five games, while the A’s were 27^th in wOBA vs righties last year and play in a pitcher’s paradise. In deep leagues, Morton may even be able to worth holding on to, but he’s certainly worth streaming this week in all formats.

Dan Straily (SP, MIA)

Projected starts: ATL, NYM

Dan Straily got roughed up in his first start against the Nationals, giving up five earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings. Luckily for us, Straily won’t have to face a lineup anywhere near the caliber of the Nats in Week 2. Straily’s first start comes against the Braves, who have scored just nine runs through their first four games. He then gets the Mets, who came up 22^nd in wOBA vs R last season. Both of these starts are at home in Miami, a great pitcher’s park. Straily doesn’t offer a ton of strikeout potential, putting up a 7.62 K/9 in 2016, but if you’re looking for two solid starts this week for cheap, Straily is your guy.

Antonio Senzatela (SP, COL)

Projected starts: SD, @SF

Antonio Senzatela came out of nowhere to win the Rockies fourth starter job this spring, and proved himself with five shutout innings in Milwaukee in his first regular season start. Senzatela recorded six strikeouts in five innings against the Brewers, and gave up just two hits in one of the best hitter’s environments in baseball. He will return home to the absolute best hitter’s park at Coors Field for his start on Tuesday, but gets to face the meager Padres lineup. The Padres are in full tank mode after putting up a league-worst .291 wOBA against right handers last year – they are so bad, even Coors won’t save them. After he rolls through the Padres, Senzatela will go to San Francisco to face a far more competent lineup. However, the Giants ballpark will do wonders to suppress opposing hitters’ power, so Senzatela should be able to survive. Senzatela is virtually unheard of, which makes him a great stream for this week.

Jharel Cotton (SP, OAK)

Projected starts: @KC, HOU

Jharel Cotton’s hype entering 2017 was dampened by his first start against the Angels where he gave up five earned runs. That’s just one start, though – he still had great minor league numbers and a strong major league stint last year, riding on his devastating changeup and effective cutter. Cotton’s first start in Kansas City should go swimmingly, as they were 28^th in wOBA versus righties in 2016 and have done nothing to show they have improved this season. His second matchup of the week won’t be as easy, as he faces a good Houston lineup. However, this start will be at the cavernous Ricky Henderson Field, where any damage done will be limited. Don’t give up on Cotton after one start, as he’s a nice play for this week.

Jerad Eickhoff (SP, PHI)

Projected starts: NYM, @WAS

Even after a solid performance in his first full season last year, Jerad Eickhoff bizarrely remains unowned in many fantasy leagues. Eickhoff had a 3.65 ERA in 33 starts in 2016, and had a quality start in his first outing against the Reds this year. He gets whiffs on both his curveball and slider, plus a sinker that racks up groundouts. His first start of Week 2 comes against the Mets, who had a .312 wOBA versus righties last year, so they should be no trouble for Eick. His next start against Washington won’t be so easy, but if he can have a decent start there, his overall week will give you great value. Grab Eickhoff if he’s still available.