Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: Be sure to snag the top-2 options in a weak list of streamers
The first full week of the second half failed to deliver an embarrassment of riches from the two-start group. In fact, this is one of the weakest lists we have seen this season. Fantasy managers should move quickly to scoop the top-two options, while crossing their fingers that some fresh blood enters Major League rotations in the coming weeks. On the hitting side, adding members of the Nationals is the top priority.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Kyle Leahy, Cardinals, 22% (@ LAA, vs. CIN): Leahy went into the All-Star break on a roll, going 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in his final four starts of the first half. However, his underlying stats, including a 16:7 K:BB ratio and .188 BABIP, suggest that his success was generated more by good fortune than strong skills. Leahy has favorable matchups this week, as the Angels and Reds both rank among the top-five teams in total strikeouts and bottom-10 clubs in OPS vs. righties. Although I would be wary in a long-term investment in Leahy, I’m ready to take the plunge this week.
Reynaldo López, Braves, 26% (vs. SD, @ BAL): Although he faltered (5 IP, 4 ER) in his final start of the first half, López has been effective overall (3.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 15:4 K:BB ratio) in four outings since returning to Atlanta’s rotation. His improvements are tied to the recovery of velocity that he lost earlier in the season. The right-hander will open the week against a Padres offense that ranks 29th in OPS vs. righties before engaging in a mid-level matchup with the Orioles. In a week with poor options, he is one of the best.
Tyler Mahle, Giants, 4% (@ KC, vs. LAA): Mahle is coming off one of his most effective outings of the season, when he held the Rockies to one run over seven innings. But the appearance included a 4:3 K:BB ratio, and even with the solid start, his season-long ratios are poor (5.31 ERA, 1.46 WHIP). The right-hander has reasonable matchups this week against the two teams with the worst records in the American League. For that reason alone, he can be considered in deep formats, especially by those who are chasing wins.
Erick Fedde, White Sox, 4% (@ TEX, vs. HOU): I’m not here to tell you that Fedde is a good pitcher. His 4.15 ERA is favorable (5.22 FIP), while his 1.42 WHIP and 60:35 K:BB ratio are better representations of someone who is a below-average major leaguer. But it’s worth mentioning that Fedde has gone 5-1 with a 2.27 ERA and 1.32 WHIP since the beginning of June, and those numbers were achieved without terrific batted-ball luck (.295 BABIP). His first matchup is a favorable one, which makes Fedde a possible dice roll for those who are desperate to make a move in the standings.
Ronel Blanco, Astros, 6% (vs. MIA, @ CWS): Blanco is set to make his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of last year. The right-hander was a useful fantasy starter during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, posting a 3.09 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 rate over 38 starts. And he was effective during his rehab stint, logging a 1.06 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 17 innings. There is long-term potential with Blanco, but it’s too risky to put him in the lineup until we see him face major league hitters.
Janson Junk, Marlins, 5% (@ HOU, vs. SD): Junk had a relatively successful return from over a month on the injured list when he allowed one earned run (two total) while striking out five and walking four over five innings on July 9. Although the run prevention was great, the highest single-start walk total of his six-year career was concerning. Even with a favorable second matchup against the Padres, Junk is at best a points-league option.
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, 11% (@ ARI, @ MIN): Although Springs has notable home-road splits during his time with the Athletics, his road results this season (5.19 ERA) haven’t been much to write home about. The left-hander has polarizing matchups this week, as the Diamondbacks have been among baseball’s best against southpaws, while the Twins have struggled in those matchups. He can be considered in points leagues.
Slade Cecconi, Guardians, 8% (vs. MIN, @ TB): Cecconi found success during June (1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP), but his improvements were mostly the result of good luck (.232 BABIP) rather than strong skills (20:9 K:BB ratio). Predictably, the right-hander took at step back at the outset of July when he allowed eight runs over 8.2 innings. The Twins and Rays are both among the top-10 clubs in OPS vs. righties, which makes Cecconi especially risky this week.
One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
J.T. Ginn @ MIN (Friday, 42%)
Shane Drohan vs. COL (Friday, 37%)
Brandon Pfaadt @ STL (Thursday, 15%)
Walbert Ureña vs. STL (Tuesday, 29%)
Michael McGreevy @ LAA (Wednesday, 35%)
Brady Singer @ SEA (Wednesday, 18%)
Andre Pallante vs. CIN (Friday, 33%)
Dean Kremer @ BOS (Wednesday, 12%)
Brandon Young vs. ATL (Saturday, 31%)
Brandon Sproat vs. NYM (Tuesday, 17%)
Eric Lauer @ PHI (Wednesday, 13%)
Bailey Ober @ CLE (Wednesday, 20%)
Grant Holmes @ BAL (Friday, 28%)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Rays @ Blue Jays: The streamers will be obvious when the Rays spend four games facing right-handed Blue Jays starters. And aside from Dylan Cease, Toronto’s rotation has been full of erratic members in recent weeks. Cedric Mullins (5%) should bat cleanup in every game, while Chandler Simpson (54%) will be a great source of steals in shallow leagues. In deep formats, Richie Palacios (1%) is worth consideration.
Nationals vs. Rockies: Scoring should come in bunches when the highest scoring offense in baseball faces the league’s least effective pitching staff at the top hitting venue. Fantasy managers will want as many shares as possible of Washington’s lineup over the next few days, which includes Curtis Mead (46%), Dylan Crews (31%), Nasim Nuñez (25%) and Keibert Ruiz (9%).
