The upcoming week in fantasy baseball sees most teams’ number-two and number-three starters making multiple appearances. The matchups aren’t as optimal as the current two-start pitchers. My “No-Brainer” selections don’t have the best matchups, but so far they’ve proven to be reliable fantasy assets regardless of the matchup.
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In my breakdown, the first tier is the “No-Brainers,” with ideal pitchers and matchups that require no thought to start. Then the “Next In Line” tier, which will include other optimal matchups but carries a sense of risk.
The third tier is the “Streamer” tier, which is what the name suggests: pitchers who can produce decent stats, but the matchups aren’t ideal, so start at your own risk. The last tier is the “Avoid” tier, which includes pitchers with terrible matchups or who have been pitching badly and can be left on the bench or on the waiver wire. I also share my insights into my favorite two-start pitchers for the upcoming week.
April 20-26 Two-Start Pitchers
My Two Favorite Two-Start Pitchers
Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays (@ Angels, vs Guardians)
Cease has been lights out this season, posting a 1.74 ERA over 20.2 innings in his first four starts on the season. He’s second in MLB in strikeouts with 32, thanks to a 41% whiff rate, which ranks in the 98th percentile. A major flaw throughout his eight-year career has been walking batters, averaging 3.84 walks per nine innings, and this season is no exception.
So far, Cease has his second-worst career walk rate (5.23 per nine innings), but he’s proven he can leave these runners on base with a 77.8% left-on-base rate. With the high strikeout and walk rates, Cease has only thrown six or more innings once.
The righty’s pitch count will be tested against an Angels team that has the second-most strikeouts and most walks in MLB, and a Guardians team that ranks 21st in strikeouts, but 12th in walks. However, Cease’s last two outings were against better lineups in the Dodgers and Brewers, where he allowed only six hits and one earned run over 11 combined innings. Look for two more solid outings from Cease if he can keep the pitch count down.
Nolan McLean, New York Mets (vs Twins, vs Rockies)
The Mets’ rookie has looked elite over his young career. This season, McLean has a 2.28 ERA with a 28:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 23.2 innings. Through his four starts, he has struck out eight batters in three of them and has walked two batters in each start.
Although it’s only a small sample size, McLean has been better on the road than at home, allowing four earned runs in two games, but hitters have only had a .175 batting average off the Mets’ righty. Even though the games are at home, McLean gets two optimal teams next week, with the Twins ranking 10th in strikeouts and the Rockies ranking first.
No-Brainers
Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs (vs Phillies, @ Dodgers)
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies (@ Cubs, @ Braves)
Reynaldo Lopez, Atlanta Braves (@ Nationals, vs Phillies)
Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves (@ Nationals, vs Phillies)
Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners (vs Athletics, @ Cardinals)
Next In Line
Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies (@ Cubs, @ Braves)
Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles (@ Royals, vs Red Sox)
Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals (vs Orioles, vs Angels)
Sonny Gray, Boston Red Sox (vs Tigers, @ Orioles)
Chad Patrick, Milwaukee Brewers (@ Tigers, vs Pirates)
Carmen Mlodzinski, Pittsburgh Pirates (@ Rangers, @ Brewers)
Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers (@ Red Sox, @ Reds)
Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers (@ Pirates, @ Athletics)
Max Meyer, Miami Marlins (vs Cardinals, @ Giants)
Connelly Early, Boston Red Sox (vs Yankees, @ Orioles)
Rhett Lowder, Cincinnati Reds (@ Rays, vs Tigers)
Streamers
Tyler Mahle, San Francisco Giants (@ Dodgers, vs Marlins)
Sean Burke, Chicago White Sox (@ Diamondbacks, vs Nationals)
Foster Griffin, Washington Nationals (vs Braves, @ White Sox)
Michael McGreevy, St. Louis Cardinals (@ Marlins, vs Mariners)
Slade Cecconi, Cleveland Guardians (vs Astros, @ Blue Jays)
J.T. Ginn, Athletics (@ Mariners, @ Rangers)
Mick Abel, Minnesota Twins (@ Mets, @ Rays)
Avoid
Colin Rea, Chicago Cubs (vs Phillies, @ Dodgers)
Luis Gil, New York Yankees (@ Red Sox, @ Astros)
Jake Irvin, Washington Nationals (vs Braves, @ White Sox)
Jack Kochanowicz, Los Angeles Angels (vs Blue Jays, @ Royals)
Tomoyuki Sugano, Colorado Rockies (@ Padres, @ Mets)
Jose Quintana, Colorado Rockies (vs Dodgers, @ Mets)
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