RADIO
As a new week is upon us, it's time to get rid of that bench bat or middle reliever you have hanging around. Instead, maximize your roster slots 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 4 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. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @TroyKlauder.
Note: I will be selecting starting pitchers who are owned in 50% or less of ESPN leagues.
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Under the Radar Two-Start SP Streamers - Week 5
Robert Gsellman, New York Mets – owned in 11.7% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @ATL, vs. MIA
If Arthur Miller were alive today, he might have written the play Death of a Gsellman after watching Mets starter Robert Gsellman give up six runs to the Atlanta Braves last week. After this outing, Gsellman now owns an awful 6.23 ERA. However, Gsellman's peripherals show that there is lots of positive regression on the way, as his 3.41 xFIP suggests that Gsellman has gotten very unlucky so far this year. He has an unsustainably high .377 BABIP and incredibly low 52.5 LOB%, two metrics that are certain to improve. Gsellman has a very strong 9.14 K/9, so he should be a good starting pitcher moving forward this season. For this week alone, he's an even better play, as he gets the weak Braves lineup that is 20th in wOBA with a .309 mark. Then Gsellman faces off against the Marlins, who have been even worse this year with a .307 wOBA. Gsellman's underlying metrics and good matchups make him Week 5's top two-start pitcher.
Alex Cobb, Tampa Bay Rays – owned in 15.9% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @MIA, TOR
Alex Cobb's schedule has been remarkably tough entering Week 5, as he has faced the Orioles, Astros, Red Sox, and Yankees (twice) so far this year. Finally, he has two great matchups this week against Miami and Toronto. The Marlins, as mentioned earlier, aren't going to do much damage, and their home park is great for pitchers. Then Cobb gets the Blue Jays, who have been garbage this season with a .285 wOBA, putting them 28th in the league. They are without Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki and are away from the Rogers Centre, instead playing at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. Cobb's 4.66 ERA is largely due to an inflated BABIP of .351 -- he is a better pitcher than that, limiting baserunners with his 1.86 BB/9, so he should have a nice Week 5.
Zach Davies, Milwaukee Brewers – owned in 12.7% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @STL, @ATL
Zach Davies had a great rebound start against the Reds last week, throwing five scoreless with six strikeouts and one walk. He looks to keep the momentum heading into Week 5 with two great matchups. The Cardinals are 17th in the league with a 94 wRC+, while the Braves are 22nd with their 89 wRC+. The best part of these matchups is that they are both on the road, as Davies' home park in Milwaukee is one of the best hitter's parks in the league. Against two below average offenses on the road, Davies should find success. The 24-year-old is striking out 8.03 per nine, an improvement over last season, and is getting killed by a .386 BABIP that should fall. Start him this week as he continues to get back on course.
Hector Santiago, Minnesota Twins – owned in 21.3% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: vs. OAK, vs. BOS
Hector Santiago has surprised everybody this season with a 2.43 ERA through his first five starts. He has been able to keep his walks down to the tune of a 2.43 BB/9, much lower than his career norms. While Santiago might not be quite as good as his ERA makes him out to be, he is still a great play for Week 5. The Athletics are no tough task, and they strike out at a 24.2% clip, the 4th most in all of baseball. The Red Sox have performed worse than you might realize, as they have a .303 wOBA against lefties, which is 15th in the league. They are away from Fenway Park, which is great news for Santiago, as they can't do nearly as much damage in Minnesota. Hop on Santana's hot streak for Week 5.
Trevor Cahill, San Diego Padres – owned in 4.0% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: vs. COL, vs. LAD
Trevor Cahill has quietly been doing some very impressive things this year with the Padres. After putting up a 2.74 ERA in 50 games with the Cubs as a reliever, the Padres have tried him out as a starter, where he has posted a 4.50 ERA. However, if you look under the hood, Cahill has pitched much better than his ERA. Cahill has a fantastic 11.25 K/9 and is rocking a 60.7% groundball rate. That's an outstanding groundball rate, and he has 25 swinging strikes in his last two starts. His first start is against the Rockies, who have just a .293 wOBA when away from Coors Field, 20th among teams on the road. The Dodgers are 16th in wOBA with their .313 mark, and both teams will be at Petco Park, one of the best pitcher's parks in the league. Cahill is a great pickup for Week 5 and beyond.
