Two-Start Pitchers/Streaming Starters: Where The Studs At?

This is not a bountiful week if you rely on two-start pitchers to fill out your rotations, as there are only three teams with seven contests on the slate and nine with just five games scheduled. Thus, although there are a good set of top tier options, it is far less than we have been seeing to this point in the season, and there are a mere four middle tier SPs to consider. Not that many to avoid in the bottom group, if we are seeking small favors.

Please realize that these articles feature most recent rotation information available when the article is written, but that circumstances do change due to weather conditions, injuries and general craziness with managers. If a pitcher listed here as having two starts ends up with one (or perhaps none) in the upcoming week, apologies but this article is meant to provide analysis, it is up to the manager to set the lineups or rotations.

Without further ado, here are this week’s two start pitchers:

There are only seven top-tier two start SP's this scoring period, and neither of the arms facing the Rockies has to do so at Coors Field, which is simply good fortune. These pitchers are the ones to insert in your rotation for both their trips to the mound, and rely on their skills to provide for your fantasy efforts.

Lamet is cautiously being extended in his appearances by the Padres in his return from the elbow issues that ended his 2020 campaign, and pitched 4.0 innings against the Cubs in his latest start, a no-decision. He did collect six Ks in that performance, and now gets to face the same Chicago team at home to open Week 11. He then heads to the Big Apple to take on the Mets, but his performance on the road in his major league career does not suggest that is a cause for serious concern.

Alzolay is going to be toeing the rubber, facing the SP profiled directly above to open the scoring period. The 26-year-old righthander is demonstrating both command and control in 2021, as witnessed by his 9.5 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 ratios over his 10 starts this season (54.2 IP). The only advanced metric that seems poised for regression to the mean is his unnaturally low BABIP (.227), so not a huge concern that his effectiveness on the hill will suddenly disappear.

Pivetta was able to collect his fourth quality start (QS) of the season, although this effort resulted in a loss on the road to the Astros. He did manage to add to his strikeout totals by fanning nine opposing hitters for the second game in a row, and is racking up whiffs at better than a K per inning (10.3 K/9 through 59.2 IP this season). He now has two home games, the first against the Astros where he will look to turn the tables on the visitors from Houston.

Bubic only managed to last one out into the fifth inning in his last start, his shortest stint since joining the Royal rotation. Prior to that, his performance had been superb, although he still owns an enticing 2.12 ERA on the season. His WHIP reflects the bloated walk rate (4.2 BB/9 through his 34.0 IP) albeit still not horrible at 1.26. He is on the road for both these Week 11 trips to the bump, but his home/road splits are not such that is a major concern.

Despite being a two-start option, it is difficult to use Price until he starts going more than a couple of innings in appearances. Boyd and Lauer are too generous with the long ball to be trusted, even if one of their matchups looks promising. The remainder of these arms are too risky to be relied upon, even with the allure of a dual-start status in Week 11. Bite the bullet, and realize this dearth of two-start options will soon pass us by.

Potential Streaming Options for Week

There is no promise that each game day will provide a streaming option. First of all, the pitcher must be available in at least 50% of leagues to be a viable candidate to snag off the wire. Then, the pitchers discussed above are not included as they have a different sort of value, even though some might be available as free agents in your league. Plus, some days the matchups and/or venues just do not figure as positive enough factors to favor plugging the arm into your rotation, even for one start. That all being said, here are this week’s best streaming candidates:

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Marco Gonzales SEA @ DET Matthew Boyd

In his return from a forearm injury, Gonzales was able to limit the A’s to just a single earned run on two hits in a limited outing of 4.0 IP. He should be allowed to pitch deeper in this contest, assuming he is successful at holding the Tiger hitters at bay, and he should rack up some Ks against the free-swinging Detroit batters.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Brad Keller KC @ LAA Griffin Canning

The Royal righty has been working to reduce his inflated ERA and WHIP over the past month plus, and has been missing more bats over the past few starts, as well. Despite being on the road, he does get to face a weaker opponent in the form of the Angels, making him a worthwhile streaming option for this mid-week contest.

Ryan Yarbrough TB vs WAS Patrick Corbin

Coming off a complete game victory against the host Yankees, the Ray’s 29-year-old southpaw gets the unimposing Nationals at home in this contest. He has pushed his ERA below the 4 mark (3.95) and the 1.14 WHIP reflects his good control (1.6 BB/9 over 66.0 IP in 2021). Just do not plan on a ton of Ks, as his 7.2 K/9 rate is below average.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Austin Gomber COL @ MIA Cody Poteet

Both sides of this SP matchup have attractive features, although the MCL injury to the Marlin’s rookie righthander makes him a risky option. Thus, we turn to the Colorado southpaw as the streaming option in this matchup. Over his last five outings, Gomber has amassed a stellar 1.53 ERA and 0.82 WHIP through those 29.1 IP. He is also the best K option in the streaming options so far, with a nice 9.4 K/9 ratio to date.

Friday, June 11, 2021

Josh Fleming TB vs BAL Keegan Akin

Taking on the Orioles is a good bet this season, again, and doing so at home add a bit of extra oomph for the Ray 25-year-old lefty. He will not provide much in the way of Ks, with a sub-par 5.6 K/9 rate on the season but he is positioned well to add to his season total of five victories in this matchup.

Tarik Skubal DET vs CHW Lucas Giolito

Skubal, unlike the pitcher profiled immediately above, is a fine source of Ks, as evidenced by his 10.5 K/9 rate on the year. He is also slowly working to reduce his bloated ratio stats, with his ERA now sitting at 4.59 and WHIP at 1.45. Certainly not attractive but great improvements from where they sat in late April. Not the greatest matchup, to be sure, but the Tiger southpaw is trending in the right direction.

Matt Peacock ARI vs LAA Shohei Ohtani

Peacock tosses a QS against the visiting Cardinals, where he collected six Ks while continuing to demonstrate excellent control (3 walks through his 11 appearances, including his recent three starts). As with Skubal above, not the best matchup, as he takes on the Angel ace Ohtani, but his recent results make him worth a shot in a streaming role.

Sunday, June 13, 2021

John Gant StL @ CHC Adbert Alzolay

Gant has not allowed more than two earned runs over his last eight appearances, and is working on a two-game scoreless streak. Be wary of his lack of control (6.04 BB/9 over his 10 starts) and the below-average K rate (6.93 K/9 through 50.2 IP). His advanced metrics also indicate a bit of negative regression is likely coming. So, stream him but be prepare for the inevitable bad outing on the horizon.

Feel free also to send any starting pitching or other fantasy baseball questions to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a private response to your specific issue. The more detail you can provide about your team and league, including settings (H2H vs roto, points or categories, weekly or daily moves, roster size, league size, etc.) the better the response will be suited to your individual situation. As ever, good luck and Godspeed in all your fantasy endeavors.