Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers/Streaming Starters: Twins SP Sonny Gray Seeing Double Next Week

June will soon be in the books, and here’s to hoping your fantasy baseball roster is graced with one or more of top tier starting pitchers to aid you in your fantasy baseball lineup decisions. Of course, keep an eye on the weather in the host MLB cities this coming scoring period, as this can have an effect on a pitcher’s dual start eligibility, as well as shifting the streaming matchups potentially. Once more into another scoring period for the 2022 fantasy baseball season, and it's time to set your fantasy baseball rosters for the coming scoring period. Plenty of options in the middle tier this week to aid with setting your fantasy baseball rotations, but if you drafted well, or employed your fantasy league’s waiver wire/free agent marketplace efficiently, you may have one or more starting pitchers from the upper tier to use for dual starts this coming scoring period. Loads of bottom group arms, as ever, that you are suggested to avoid. Remember to keep a close eye on the MLB injury report, so as to be able to bob and weave accordingly. 

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…

These 10 starting pitchers are the ones suggested on a weekly basis to simply insert into your fantasy rotations and let them perform. There are, of course, no guarantees in the fantasy baseball world, and any of these aces could stumble, but the chances are improved for an effective scoring period if you can start one or more of these hurlers in Week 12 for a pair of trips atop the hill.

Baz owners were patiently awaiting his return to the Ray rotation, and he is settling in nicely. Over the past two starts comprising 10.2 IP, he has only yielded a single earned run, and is racking up the Ks at better than a whiff per frame rate. The matchups are not ideal, but getting to trot out the rookie righty for two games is too enticing for those patient enough to have held him on their rosters to pass up.

Kirby has collected three quality starts (QS) in his last four outings, and his great ratios (3.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) through his 49.0 IP in 2022 will mean his availability on the market is limited. He has two enticing matchups this week, both at home. The 47:6 K/BB ratio speaks well of his skillset, also.

Wacha continues to post great ratios: 2.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through his 12 starts this season. He is not a great K producer, but has tripled his win total over the past four starts, picking up win number six against the visiting Tigers and notching a QS at the same time. Two road starts are not ideal, but it is difficult to argue with his results thus far.

Perez has 10 QS that he has amassed during his last 11 trips to toe the rubber for the Rangers. No wonder his ratio stats are looking so spectacular: 2.10 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over his 87.1 IP this year so far. He only offers average K potential (7.3 K/9) but couples that with good control (2.2 BB/9) to accomplish his fine performance on the hill.

Wainwright has pitched into the fifth inning in all his starts this season, except when facing the Brewers…and they are not on his dance card this week, so expect him to go deep enough to be in line for a decision potentially. He offers an attractive 3.32 ERA but a slightly inflated WHIP (1.26), while contributing average K numbers and decent control. Of his dual starts this scoring period, the best of the two is the first home start against the Marlins.

Gausman has two home starts on the schedule this week, but that has not been his preferred venue for plying his trade over the past couple of seasons, so look instead to the division matchups to inspire you to plug him into your rotations for the scoring period. He has been allowing a lot of traffic on the basepaths recently, while still racking up the Ks, so be careful in your use of the veteran SP.

Lopez has seen some struggles over his last few appearances, but still boasts a fine 2.61 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over his 14 starts in 2022. He is good for strikeout per inning, while offering decent control (2.5 BB/9). Based on the opponents in Week 12, the second road game in the District of Columbia portends to be his best opportunity to shine for his fantasy owners.

Montas held the visiting Mariners hitless for 7.2 IP in his most recent appearance on the bump, redeeming his recent slump where he allowed eight earned runs over two starts. He still has an attractive set of ratio stats, with a 3.21 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over the course of 89.2 IP. The 92:22 K/BB ratio over those frames is also charming for fantasy purposes. He does have a pair of away contests in Week 12, and that lessens his allure.

Anderson sports an eye-catching 0.97 WHIP together with a nice-looking 3.00 ERA. His record is full of victories with nary a loss, which is also an attractive feature in his stat line. Pitching at Coors to open the week is not an ideal venue, but then he gets a home start against Dodger’s closest competitor in the division, the Padres.

McKenzie is coming off a tough road no-decision in Minnesota, but still is in possession of a useful 3.51 ERA and superb 1.01 WHIP through his 74.1 IP to date. He has two home starts in Week 12 to build on his 66:20 K/BB ratio, and the first opportunity also provides a chance to redeem himself against the Twins.

Wells only offers modest K potential, but is blessed with a 3.34 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, nice ratio stats for an Oriole hurler. His schedule plays out with two road contests this coming week, although he has been a decent enough road warrior over the past couple of seasons.

Garcia collects a good number of swings and misses, and turns those into a fantasy-useful 9.4 K/9 rate. He also has good control for the most part, as evidenced by his 1.07 WHIP on the season. His second start, at home against the Angels, lines up as the better start to use him this week, unless you simply need the strikeouts.

Castillo looks like a top ace SP again, although pitching for the lackluster Cincinnati baseball squad does not do a lot to emphasize his value on the mound. He is striking out nearly a batter per inning (8.6 K/9 through his limited 51.0 IP), and while could have better control, does possess a valuable 1.14 WHIP. His home start is not his most appealing matchup, but he has been better at home this season than when on the road. Plus, his team is not good. Thus, he is at the bottom of the middle tier.

Bumgarner has been featured in the streaming section below a few times this season, and this week he makes up the base of the middle tier. He is a variable commodity on the mound, tossing a good game followed by a less than stellar effort atop the hill, making his also an occasionally valuable commodity. His second start at Coors Field might engender some discretion.

The odd start from one or more of these arms may pay dividends, but the issue is that for the most part, these arms are not trustworthy enough to plug in for two starts. Sometimes, even using one of these SPs for a single start will not prove beneficial. Damage to your ratio stats while not providing for great counting stats is not a recipe for success. Syndergaard at home against the White Sox or Taillon facing the A’s in the Bronx do have some attractiveness if you absolutely need a start or two to fill out your roster.

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 28, 2022

Johnny Cueto CHW @ LAA Shohei Ohtani

The 36-year-old righthander has been solid if not spectacular over his recent activity, with three QS over his last five starts. He still features a useful 3.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through his 48.0 IP this season, and a beneficial 40:12 K/BB ratio. Not the greatest matchup, to be honest, although he has been a road warrior this season to date.

Jon Heasley KC vs TEX TBD

The Royal second-year SP also has twirled three QS among his last five starts, although he has not been so spectacular of recent vintage, and is coming off a two-homer effort which resulted in his ERA jumping up over 4.00 again (4.14 to be precise). He does have a home contest here, and that is a positive for him.

Dean Kremer BAL @ SEA Robbie Ray

The Oriole righty has held opponents off the scoreboard for two consecutive starts, and displays a stellar 1.71 ERA heading into this road contest in Seattle. His WHIP sits at 1.24, as he does allow a fair number of hits, but has shown good control to offset his below average K production. 

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Cole Irvin OAK @ NYY Luis Severino

Irvin has tossed four QS during his recent seven starts since the end of April, but has only three losses to show for that demonstration of pitching skills due to the team he toils on behalf of, the last place A’s. If you can look past the absence of win potential, his ratio stats are useful: 3.14 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a nice 43:15 K/BB ratio. Taking on the Yankees on the road does not bode well for him to notch a victory, so keep that in mind if you want to stream him here.

Chris Flexen SEA vs BAL Kyle Bradish

The Mariner’s righty has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last five starts, which is slowly pushing his ERA down, now at 4.23. The WHIP is inflated, due to the 3.1 BB/9 rate and the tendency to allow better than a hit per IP. He has a home start against an opponent who struggles on the road.

Mitch Keller PIT @ WAS Paolo Espino

Since rejoining the Pirate rotation at the end of May, he has allowed just six earned tallies over 22.1 IP. Collecting 18 Ks over those frames is acceptable, but the control is lacking (4.4 BB/9). Despite pitching on the road, this is a good matchup for the young righty.

Thursday, June 30, 2022

JT Brubaker PIT vs MIL Adrian Houser

Brubaker picked up his first win of the 2022 season, after suffering six losses, after shutting out the visiting Cubs through six innings. He is a good source of Ks (9.0 K/9 through 70.0 IP) but suffers from poor control (4.0 BB/9). Facing the Brewers at home helps level the field for the righthander.

Mitch White LAD vs SD Joe Musgrove

White offers better than a K per frame strikeout rate (9.5 K/9). He will be starting on Saturday, so before plugging him into your streaming rotation, see how he fares against the Braves on the road. Still, nice K option if you need those stats.

Friday, July 1, 2022

Zach Davies ARI @ COL Antonio Senzatela

Antonio Senzatela COL vs ARI Zach Davies

The one head-to-head matchup this week, there is some risk in that the game is being played at Coors Field, never a preferred venue for a streaming pitching option. Davies’ ERA is now south of 4.00 (3.96 actually) and offers reasonable strikeout potential (7.2 K/9 through 75.0 IP). Senzatela has pitched better at home than away from Coors, so there is that aspect in his favor, although he is a terrible K producer (4.6 K/9). 

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Beau Brieske DET vs KC Brad Keller

Not much to rely on in terms of streaming options at the end of the scoring period, and the Detroit rookie is coming off a rough outing at Fenway where he was touched for four earned runs, including a three-run dinger allowed to Trevor Story. He gets a home start against a division rival who is scuffling this season.

Sunday, July 3, 2022

David Peterson NYM vs TEX Jon Gray

The Met southpaw is coming off a 5.1 IP effort where he held the visiting Marlins off the scoresheet on six hits (and two walks) while striking out seven Miami hitters. The 8.3 K/9 rate helps offset the questionable control demonstrated by an inflated walk rate of 4.4 BB/9 over his 45.1 IP this season.

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.

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