Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: 3 headliners rule the week ahead
This week's list of two-start pitchers has three headliners but falls off quickly after that point. In fact, fantasy managers will may want to leave all of the additional options on waivers and instead focus on streaming the top one-start options.
On the hitting side, the Rockies have multiple players who should be added and streamed this week.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Griffin Jax, Rays, 41% (@ KC, @ HOU): Moving Jax to the rotation has been a tremendous success for the Rays, as the right-hander has posted a 2.40 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP across 11 starts. His ceiling is capped by his inability to work deep into games, but Jax still has proven his win potential by logging five innings in six of his past eight starts. The Royals and Astros have both been average against righties, and Kansas City has been one of baseball's worst offenses on the road. The matchups are good enough to make Jax the top option in an shallow group.
Sean Burke, White Sox, 42% (@ BAL, @ CLE): After enduring some inconsistencies during May and the first half of June, Burke ironed out the rough spots when he allowed two runs over 13.2 innings while posting a 14:2 K:BB ratio in his past two starts. The 26-year-old has been effective overall this year (3.71 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 rate) and can be used in all formats for a week with reasonable matchups. The start against the Guardians is especially enticing, since the team has struggled against righties and is missing centerpiece José Ramírez.
Zebby Matthews, Twins, 16% (@ HOU, @ NYY): Matthews has endured two seven-run disasters while tossing a quality start in his other six appearances. The right-hander is prone to the long ball (1.8 HR/9 rate), which is the only blemish on an otherwise solid skill set. Matthews would normally be atop this list but facing the clubs that rank first (Yankees) and fourth (Astros) in home runs makes him riskier than usual.
Eric Lauer, Dodgers, 14% (@ ATH, vs. SD): The Dodgers seem to have done it again, as Lauer has thrived in five appearances with the team (2.54 ERA, 0.92 WHIP) after the Blue Jays designated him for assignment. But the left-hander's success seems to be spurred more by luck than skill, as he has enjoyed the benefit of a .169 BABIP while earning a 5.19 FIP. Lauer has a favorable matchup against the Padres, but his start against the Athletics will come vs. a team that ranks first in OPS at home and eighth in OPS vs. southpaws. Managers who are desperate for wins can take a chance on Lauer, but they need to be aware of the risk.
Martin Pérez, Braves, 32% (vs. STL, vs. NYM): Fantasy managers need to be aware that Perez hasn't been as effective as is indicated by his 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. The right-hander has benefited from a .242 BABIP and 80.6% strand rate, and his 60:27 K:BB ratio is an unimpressive mark. Still, Pérez has thrown as least five innings in all but one of his 12 starts, and he has a pair of reasonable home starts this week, which puts him on the radar in some 12-team formats.
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Kyle Leahy, Cardinals, 14% (@ ATL, @ CHC): Leahy has been a below-average pitcher during his first season in the rotation, as his 62:28 K:BB ratio is an unimpressive mark and his 1.51 WHIP makes him unusable in fantasy leagues. This week, the right-hander will face two top-10 teams in runs scored, although it's worth noting that the Braves have fallen on hard times in June. Leahy needs to stay on waivers in mixed leagues.
Aaron Nola, Phillies, 49% (vs. PIT, @ KC): Nola has somehow found a way to be less effective than he was during his disastrous 2025 season (6.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP). Sure, he has made slight improvements in run prevention (5.58), but his 1.45 WHIP makes him unusable in mixed leagues. The right-hander has also been burned by the long ball of late, allowing six homers in his past three starts. Nola should be dropped everywhere.
One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
Jake Bennett @ LAA (Friday, 15)
Walbert Ureña vs. BOS (Friday, 38)
Joey Cantillo vs. TEX (Wednesday, 40)
Noah Cameron vs. TB (Tuesday, 28)
Anthony Kay @ CLE (Friday, 31)
Keider Montero @TEX (Thursday, 16)
Sean Manaea @ TOR (Tuesday, 15)
Michael McGreevy @ ATL (Wednesday, 31)
Troy Melton @ NYY (Wednesday, 41)
J.T. Ginn vs. LAD (Wednesday, 43)
Andre Pallante @ CHC (Friday, 42)
Kumar Rocker vs. DET (Saturday, 12)
Mitch Keller @ WSH (Friday, 35)
Stephen Kolek vs. TB (Thursday, 10)
Brady Singer vs. BAL (Saturday, 30)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Marlins vs. Rockies: Hitters on both sides of this series should be in high demand. Miami will benefit from playing four games at Coors Field against the least effective pitching staff in baseball. Meanwhile, the Rockies are an easy source of streamers during a four-game series in which they will face four right-handed starters. Outfielder Owen Caissie (6%) and catcher Joe Mack (4%) are the top Miami hitters to target. From the Rockies, Mickey Moniak (38%), TJ Rumfield (44%) and Jake McCarthy (29%) are the best options from any team over the first half of the week.
Dodgers @ Athletics, vs. Padres: The Dodgers should score plenty of runs when they play three games against an Athletics staff that ranks 29th in ERA before opening a series against the Padres. Armed with multi-position eligibility, Tommy Edman (13%) is a great option and should be easy to fit into a lineup.
