Navigating the waiver wire in fantasy baseball can be a daunting task, especially when searching for reliable pitching options. This week presents a unique landscape with a top-heavy selection of two-start pitchers, offering both high-potential gems and risky propositions. Among them, Max Meyer stands out as a prime target, but beyond Meyer, fantasy managers must carefully weigh their options. The key to success this week lies in identifying high-floor pitchers and supplementing them with strategic one-start streamers. This article will dissect the two-start pitcher rankings, spotlighting Max Meyer’s potential dominance, and guide you through the best one-start streamers to maximize your fantasy baseball performance.
In this comprehensive analysis, we’ll delve into the strengths and weaknesses of each two-start pitcher, providing a clear order of preference to aid your decision-making process. Furthermore, we’ll explore favorable hitting matchups to exploit and offer insights into maximizing your roster’s potential. Whether you’re in a deep 12-team league or a shallow format, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to make informed choices and gain a competitive edge.
Two-Start Pitchers: Finding an Edge
This week in fantasy baseball presents a mixed bag for those scouring the waiver wire for two-start pitching options. While a few names offer genuine upside, many carry significant risk, demanding careful evaluation and strategic decision-making. Let’s break down the top contenders and those best left untouched.
Max Meyer, Marlins (vs. CIN, @SEA)
Max Meyer headlines this week’s two-start options. With a strong 27:7 K:BB ratio, a 2.63 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP, Meyer is showcasing breakout potential. Despite only having one win due to his team’s poor run support, his swing-and-miss ability and favorable matchups make him a top choice.
“Meyer is off to a fine start in a possible breakout season… Collecting victories will be a problem for Meyer all season, but his reasonable matchups and swing-and-miss abilities make him an outstanding option this week.” – Fred Zinkie, Yahoo Sports
Meyer’s strikeout potential and ability to limit damage make him a valuable asset, even if wins are hard to come by. Target him aggressively in your leagues.
José Soriano, Angels (vs. PIT, @MIN)
José Soriano relies heavily on his high-velocity sinker to generate ground balls. While he may not rack up strikeouts, his ability to induce weak contact provides a solid floor, making him a reliable option for two-start weeks. Soriano’s matchups this week offer a chance to showcase his groundball prowess and limit damage.
Consider Soriano a safe, if unspectacular, choice for your rotation. His high-floor nature makes him a less risky option compared to boom-or-bust alternatives.
Jordan Hicks, Giants (vs. MIL, vs. TEX)
After struggling in tough road starts against the Yankees and Phillies, Jordan Hicks gets a reprieve with two home starts in San Francisco. Like Soriano, Hicks relies on a sinker to generate ground balls, but struggles with strikeouts. A return to his pitcher-friendly home park should help him get back on track.
Hicks offers similar value to Soriano: a high floor with limited upside. Use him as a steady, if unexciting, option in your rotation.
Quinn Priester, Brewers (@SF, @STL)
Quinn Priester shares similarities with Soriano and Hicks, excelling at inducing ground balls despite lacking strikeout skills. The Brewers believe they can unlock his potential, making him a desperation play in deeper leagues. Priester’s ability to keep the ball on the ground could lead to favorable outcomes in his matchups this week.
Priester is a higher-risk, higher-reward option. His groundball tendencies could pay off, but his lack of strikeouts limits his overall upside.
Mid-Tier Options: Proceed with Caution
Beyond the top four, the two-start options become considerably less appealing. These pitchers carry more risk and should be approached with caution.
Mitchell Parker, Nationals (vs. BAL, vs. NYM)
Mitchell Parker has shown flashes of effectiveness, but his 16:9 K:BB ratio suggests inconsistency. While he’s coming off a solid start, his lack of strikeouts limits his upside, making him a low-end option in 12-team leagues. Facing the Orioles and Mets presents a mixed bag of challenges, requiring careful consideration.
Parker is a fringe option best suited for deeper leagues. His inconsistency makes him a risky play in standard formats.
Osvaldo Bido, Athletics (vs. TEX, vs. CWS)
Osvaldo Bido’s 2.61 ERA is misleading, as he struggles to put batters away. His inability to strike out White Sox batters in his last start is a major red flag. Two starts at his hitter-friendly home park raise his blowup potential, though a second outing against the White Sox mitigates some of the risk.
Bido is a risky play, even with a matchup against the White Sox. His lack of strikeouts and unfavorable home park make him a liability.
José Quintana, Brewers (@SF, @STL)
José Quintana’s increased sinker usage has led to more ground balls and fewer strikeouts. His limited upside and potential for ugly starts make him a pass in 12-team leagues. Quintana’s matchups this week offer little reason for optimism.
Quintana’s limited upside makes him an unappealing option, even in deeper leagues. Avoid him unless absolutely necessary.
Avoid These Pitchers: High Risk, Low Reward
The following pitchers should be avoided in most fantasy formats due to their high risk and limited upside.
Gavin Williams, Guardians (vs. NYY, vs. BOS)
Gavin Williams has been a disappointment, struggling with walks and inconsistency. Matchups against the Yankees and Red Sox make him unplayable in fantasy leagues. Despite preseason hype, Williams has failed to live up to expectations.
Williams is best left on the waiver wire. His struggles with walks and tough matchups make him a liability.
Randy Vasquez, Padres (@DET, vs. TB)
Randy Vasquez’s 1.74 ERA is deceiving, masking an awful 8:14 K:BB rate. Pitchers can’t survive with more walks than strikeouts, making him a ticking time bomb. Vasquez is a disaster waiting to happen.
Vasquez is a trap. His unsustainable ERA and poor K:BB rate make him a pitcher to avoid at all costs.
Brayan Bello, Red Sox (vs. SEA, @CLE)
Brayan Bello is set to debut after a shoulder strain, but his poor rehab outings (7.07 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) suggest he’s not ready. Despite the potential reward of a two-start week, he belongs on waivers in most leagues. Bello’s struggles in rehab raise serious concerns about his readiness.
Bello is a wait-and-see player. His poor rehab outings make him too risky to roster at this time.
One-Start Streamers: Strategic Gems
Supplementing your two-start pitchers with strategic one-start streamers can provide a significant boost to your fantasy performance. Here are the best options for the week:
- Jeffrey Springs vs. CWS (Saturday, 43%)
- Michael Lorenzen vs. COL (Wednesday, 6%)
- Luis Severino vs. CWS (Friday, 36%)
- Hayden Wesneski @KC (Saturday, 39%)
- David Festa vs. CWS (Wednesday, 8%)
- Landen Roupp vs. MIL (Thursday, 27%)
- J.T. Ginn vs. TEX (Thursday, 4%)
- Nick Martinez @MIA (Tuesday, 16%)
- Matthew Liberatore vs. MIL (Saturday, 16%)
- Andrew Heaney @LAA (Wednesday, 26%)
- Chase Dollander @KC (Thursday, 13%)
- Ben Brown vs. PHI (Saturday, 12%)
- Reese Olson vs. SD (Wednesday, 23%)
- Tyler Anderson vs. PIT (Thursday, 12%)
- Merrill Kelly vs. ATL (Saturday, 37%)
- Eduardo Rodriguez vs. TB (Wednesday, 22%)
- Shane Smith @MIN (Thursday, 12%)
- Jameson Taillon vs. PHI (Sunday, 21%)
- Ryan Gusto vs. TOR (Wednesday, 3%)
Favorable Hitting Matchups: Capitalize on Opportunities
Exploiting favorable hitting matchups can provide a crucial edge in fantasy baseball. Here are some teams with advantageous matchups this week:
Red Sox vs. White Sox, Mariners
The Red Sox have the best hitting matchups to open the week, playing four games at their hitter-friendly home park. Consider Trevor Story (70%) in shallow formats, and ensure Triston Casas and Wilyer Abreu are active against the right-handed pitching they’ll face.
Giants vs. Brewers
Despite their pitcher-friendly home park, the Giants play four games and face manageable starters. Wilmer Flores (42%), Mike Yastrzemski (20%), and Tyler Fitzgerald (49%) are potential additions.
Conclusion: Strategic Roster Management is Key
This week in fantasy baseball requires a strategic approach to roster management, particularly when navigating the two-start pitching landscape. Max Meyer stands out as a top target, offering significant upside with his strikeout potential and favorable matchups. However, beyond Meyer, fantasy managers must carefully evaluate the risk-reward profile of each two-start option, prioritizing high-floor pitchers like José Soriano and Jordan Hicks.
Supplementing your two-start pitchers with strategic one-start streamers can provide a crucial boost to your team’s performance. Target pitchers with favorable matchups and strong underlying metrics to maximize your chances of success. Additionally, exploiting favorable hitting matchups can provide a valuable edge, particularly for teams like the Red Sox and Giants who have advantageous schedules this week.
By carefully considering these factors and making informed decisions, you can optimize your roster and gain a competitive advantage in your fantasy baseball league. Remember to stay active on the waiver wire and adapt your strategy as the season progresses to maintain a winning edge.
Leave a Reply