A wise fantasy baseball manager never rests. He is never satisfied with his team and is always on the hunt for the player that can help in both the present and future. For this article, we’ll focus on the present, as we present the top pitcher streamers who’ll be making two outings this week.

We do this every week, because deep down we all know those last two or three guys taken in drafts won’t be with us the whole way through. Mix and match is the name of the game and maximizing these players’ values is the goal. Here are the top five two-start pitching streamers for week 26, as we reach the home stretch with the final week of the season. NOTE: these are expected starts.

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Going Twice, Roll The Dice

James Shields, CHW

vs TB 9/26, vs MIN 10/1

Owned In: 62% of Fleaflicker Leagues

The days of “Big Game” James are way behind us at this point. 34-year-old James Shields is wrapping up the worst season of his career, as he’s lost 18 games and has posted an ERA of 5.98 through 31 starts. He began his season with the Padres, but after continued struggles he was traded to the White Sox early June. Shields has displayed similar results in Chicago, although he did enjoy a strong July, making five appearances and posting all quality starts. Heading into the final week of the season, however, results continue to be disappointing. So why elect him as one of our final two-start streamers of the week? Shields has been surprisingly effective at home in two starts this month. Against the Royals and Indians, he’s given up four runs in 12 innings, striking out 13 along the way, and he'll be back at home for his two final starts. His first start this week will be against his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa is fresh off losing a series to the Yankees and is hitting .250 this month. Considering they’re the second worst road team in the American League, look for Shields to post a third consecutive productive home start. While the Rays are the second worst road team in the American league, the Minnesota Twins stand alone at the bottom. They’re also hitting poorly this month, ranking near the bottom in average, runs and hits. Shields tossed six and two-thirds of one-run ball against them in June. Look for the veteran to finish the season with two encouraging home starts against the two worst road teams in the AL.

Collin McHugh, HOU

vs SEA 9/26, @ LAA 10/2

Owned In: 60% of Fleaflicker Leagues

Right-hander Collin McHugh has not lost a start in over a month. The 29-year-old has been instrumental as the Houston Astros march towards a Wild Card spot and has one final chance to help them this week. McHugh will make two starts, one at home and one on the road, against division rivals. The first will come against the Seattle Mariners, also in the Wild Card fight. McHugh is fresh off tossing seven shutout innings against them at Safeco Field in the best start of his season. The five-year veteran has actually won all four of his starts against the Mariners this year, surrendering just three runs across 25 innings. It seems clear that he has their number, so expect another effective outing one last time. The Angels are not in contention and have developed into one of the worst teams in the league, but that’s not the only reason to trust McHugh in his start against them. Like with Seattle, McHugh has had success against the Halos, recording quality starts each time out against them. Possibly with a Wild Card spot at stake on the final day of the season, expect McHugh’s best and another worthy performance as he seeks yet another victory.

Aaron Sanchez, TOR

vs BAL 9/27, @ BOS 10/2

Owned In: 58% of Fleaflicker Leagues

For the fourth and final time this season, 24-year-old Aaron Sanchez is one of our two-start streamers of the week. The right-hander has had his highs and lows, going from Cy Young candidate at one point, to struggling youngster. The latter is where he finds himself now, slowly fading these past two months after an outstanding first three months of the season. The three-year veteran has seen his ERA rise from 2.71 to 3.12 the last two months as the Blue Jays have carefully managed his innings, limiting his number of starts. Three of his last four starts, however, have been quality starts and he appears to be approaching the form he had earlier in the season. Beginning with his last start in July, he’s faced teams holding or chasing a playoff spot, making his starts more pressure-packed. Outside of three starts, he’s passed the test, and he’ll need to display his growth this week. His first outing of the week is scheduled for Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles. At the time of this writing, the Orioles have fallen outside of the Wild Card game after holding a spot for weeks. Nevertheless, this will be the biggest start of the youngster’s career, and prior experience could be the key. Sanchez has recorded three consecutive quality starts against the O’s and is 3-0 against them on the season. Look for him to give his best at the biggest moment against a team he knows well. His second start of the week will come at Fenway Park on the final day of the season. That should be the key for Sanchez, as Boston will surely have everything clinched at that point, while the Blue Jays could have plenty to play for in the Wild Card chase. Pitching for the team with more incentives for victory, look for Sanchez to shake the cobwebs off his most recent start against the Sox and deliver on the road, where he’s been dominant.

Ian Kennedy, KC

vs MIN 9/27, vs CLE 10/2

Owned In: 45% of Fleaflicker Leagues

31-year-old Ian Kennedy’s topsy-turvy season appears to be headed for a positive finish. After starting effectively and struggling in the middle months, Kennedy has turned things around in the final two months of the season. The right-hander just lost his first game in two months, but prospective onlookers shouldn’t be dismayed. Kennedy’s first start this week will come against the aforementioned Minnesota Twins, who rank as one of the worst offensive teams this month and are the worst team in all of baseball. Combining Kennedy’s better numbers at home with his 3-0 record against the Twins this season bodes well for the Royals, who’ll likely be out of the playoff race by the time this game rolls along. His second start will come against the Cleveland Indians, who, like the Red Sox, will surely have the American League Central clinched at that point. While Kennedy did lose against the Tribe his last time out, Cleveland should be resting guys and avoiding any possible freak injuries. With fantasy championships on the line, look for Ian Kennedy to provide effective starts at Kauffman Stadium.

Bartolo Colon, NYM

@ MIA 9/26, @ PHI 10/2

Owned In: 36% of Fleaflicker Leagues

Bartolo Colon is 43 years old, but it’s hard to believe it sometimes. The Dominican right-hander is putting on another strong season for the New York Mets, going 14-7 with a 3.12 ERA through 31 starts this season. His importance to the club is seemingly greater than ever as they deal with numerous blows to the starting rotation. Colon hasn’t lost a game in over a month and is 4-0 with a 2.35 ERA across his last seven starts. Simply put, he’s the team’s most experienced pitcher and surely the number two man in the rotation behind Noah Syndergaard. This week, the 19-year veteran makes two pivotal starts for the Mets as they remain locked in a bitter three-way battle for the two National League Wild Card spots. While the prospects of two road starts could be worrying, Colon’s splits show he’s virtually the same pitcher no matter where he takes the mound. His first start will come in Miami against the Marlins. In his lone appearance at Marlins Park this year, Colon gave up one earned run in five innings, getting removed before he had the chance of recording a quality start. With the Mets treating every game like a decisive affair, expect sheer desperation to guide them to victory. His second start is expected to come on the final day of the season. Colon has faced the Phillies three times this year, recording quality starts every time out. Look for the veteran to deliver what he always does: consistency.

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