Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: J.T. Ginn, Ian Seymour headline deep group of streamers
This week's two-start pitcher list lacks a headliner, but it deserves credit for being a deep group with 5-7 viable options, depending on a manager's league format and tolerance for risk. The one-start list is spectacular this week, as there are nearly 10 members who can be started with enthusiasm. On the hitting side, the Brewers and Cardinals are about to embark on a rare eight-game week, which makes their players easy streaming targets.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
J.T. Ginn, Athletics, 43% (@ DET, @ CWS): Thanks to a heavy groundball lean, Ginn has been one of baseball's most consistent starters over the past two months (2.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP). Fantasy managers shouldn't confuse the right-hander's consistency with dominance, as over that stretch he has logged a mediocre 59:27 K:BB ratio. Still, consistent success is good enough to make Ginn a strong option during a two-start week with two road outings. As is the case with many of his teammates, Ginn has been much more successful when working away from his hitter-friendly home park (2.31 ERA).
Ian Seymour, Rays, 33% (vs. NYY, vs. SEA): Since moving into a role as a starter/bulk reliever who follows an opener, Seymour has produced a 2.52 ERA and 0.76 WHIP. The southpaw has also logged an impressive 27:4 K:BB ratio over those five outings, while enjoying the benefits of good fortune (.158 BABIP). Assuming that he handles the Judge-less Yankees in his initial start, Seymour could have a dominant week that will include a start against a Mariners lineup that sits last in OPS vs. lefties.
Joey Cantillo, Guardians, 47% (@ MIN, @ MIA): Cantillo got his season back on track by lowering his walk rate in June before issuing five free passes on July 1. The southpaw collects just enough whiffs (8.8 K/9 rate) to be an effective starter when his control skills are respectable, and this week he will face two offenses that are in the middle of the pack in terms of walk rate. Fantasy managers should view Cantillo as a boom-or-bust option who can be deployed by managers who are not overly concerned with their WHIP.
Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, 31% (vs. MIL, vs. ATL): The combination of strong control skills (2.1 BB/9 rate) and good luck (.252 BABIP) has helped McGreevy to be a ratios asset (3.12 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) despite poor swing-and-miss abilities (5.7 K/9 rate). The right-hander has been terrific at home this season (1.96 ERA), which helps him to earn a lineup spot despite having a start against a Brewers offense that ranks sixth in OPS vs. righties.
Shane Drohan, Brewers, 29% (@ STL, @ PIT): After transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation, Drohan has logged a 3.56 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over six starts. He has recorded a solid 31:10 K:BB ratio in those outings, while also giving up homers (4) at a reasonable rate. Drohan has also logged at least five innings in four of the six starts. Both of his upcoming opponents are slightly below average in OPS vs. lefties, which makes the southpaw a reasonable streaming option in 12-team leagues.
Walker Buehler, Padres, 24% (vs. ARI, vs. TOR): After allowing exactly one run in five straight starts, Buehler faltered badly last time out when he was tagged for nine runs on seven hits, three homers and four walks over four innings. The right-hander has two favorable home starts this week, as the D-backs have the worst OPS in baseball against righties and the Blue Jays haven't been much better. That being said, many managers will struggle to deploy someone who is coming off such a dismal outing.
Reynaldo López, Braves, 31% (vs. NYM, @ STL): After being shuttled to the bullpen in April, López was pressed back into starting duty on June 26. The 32-year-old handled the challenge well, allowing two runs over eight innings and posting a 7:1 K:BB ratio. He could continue to get his career back on track this week, when he faces a Mets lineup that ranks 29th in OPS vs. righties and a Cardinals offense that is a mid-level matchup.
Trevor McDonald, Giants, 6% (vs. TOR, vs. COL): After struggling (5.73 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 18:13 K:BB ratio) in five June starts, McDonald turned things around by holding Arizona to one baserunner over six scoreless innings on July 1. The strong start puts him back on the radar for a week with two games at his pitcher-friendly home park, with one start coming against the low-scoring Blue Jays and the other against a Rockies offense that sometimes struggles on the road.
Noah Cameron, Royals, 22% (vs. PHI, @ BAL): After enjoying a pair of dominant starts at the outset of June, Cameron faltered badly (9.00 ERA, 2.22 WHIP) in his past four starts. His struggles extend beyond his ratios, as the right-hander struck out one or fewer batters in two of those outings, gave up a pair of homers on two occasions and issued at least a pair of walks three times. Simply put, Cameron isn't pitching well enough to be considered right now in any league.
Seth Lugo, Royals, 26% (@ MIN, @ BAL): Although he struck out seven batters over six innings of three-run ball last time out, Lugo has struggled to compile whiffs in most of his recent outings. He has also been hit hard of late, allowing five homers over his past two starts and 11 long balls in his past eight outings. The combination of a low ceiling and low floor should keep Lugo glued to the waiver wire in mixed leagues 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.
Troy Melton vs. ATH (Wednesday, 49%)
Cade Cavalli vs. NYY (Saturday, 36%)
Zebby Matthews vs. LAA (Friday, 17%)
Walbert Ureña @ TEX (Wednesday, 33%)
Jake Bennett @ CWS (Wednesday, 38%)
Dean Kremer vs. CHC (Wednesday, 10%)
Andre Pallante vs. MIL (Wednesday, 36%)
Logan Henderson vs. @STL (Thursday, 45%)
Brandon Young vs. KC (Friday, 33%)
Tyler Mahle vs. COL (Friday, 5%)
Anthony Kay vs. BOS (Thursday, 12%)
Brady Singer vs. PHI (Thursday, 17%)
Spencer Miles @ SF (Tuesday, 3%)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Brewers @ Cardinals: Not only will the Brewers play five games over the next four days, but all of the contests will come against right-handed starters who will not be confused for aces. The consistent matchups create obvious streamer candidates, including left-handed hitters Sal Frelick (9%), Garrett Mitchell (14%) and David Hamilton (2%). In shallow leagues, managers should ensure that Jake Bauers (71%) is in the active lineup. Although the Brewers have top-notch starters appearing in some of the five contests, the sheer volume of games makes St. Louis hitters appealing. That list is led by outfielder Nathan Church (2%) and shortstop Masyn Winn (35%).
