X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Two-Start Pitcher Streamers for Fantasy Baseball - Week 5

Michael Simione's fantasy baseball two-start pitchers and wavier wire streamers for Week 5. He analyzes starting pitchers projected to make two starts in Week 5.

Welcome to RotoBaller's weekly article of two-start pitcher streamers for 2020! Successfully streaming pitchers can literally be a game-changer when it comes to fantasy baseball. When it comes to daily leagues, two-start streams aren't that important, since you can stream every day. But when it comes to weekly leagues, two-start streams become exponentially more important.

With that said, what do we look for when it comes to streaming pitchers? Well, there are a lot of aspects. When looking at the actual pitcher, how have they performed lately? Have they made a pitch-mix change? Have they had a recent velocity bump? Reviewing pitchers every day on your own time will be very useful.

You also want to play matchups by looking at recent trends of the pitcher's opponent. How does their lineup perform when at home versus away? What has their wRC+ been in the last week or two? Have they been striking out a lot? Matchups are key when it comes to streaming. With all of that said, let's take a look at our picks, which we are going to rank in order with corresponding tiers.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Stream With Confidence

Griffin Canning, LAA (28% rostered)

vs SFG, @OAK

Analysis: Griffin Canning has been rather frustrating. He has been pretty erratic and I am sure frustrating for fantasy owners. But he still has what it takes and he certainly is getting close to putting it together. His slider still has above average movement and when it's working well it becomes unstoppable. As for the matchups, he first draws the Giants who are bottom ten in the league in terms of hitting. The Athletics are a little scary but I am willing to bet on skill with Canning. He has the best skill set of any pitcher here and that definitely means something.

David Peterson, NYM (7% rostered)

@MIA, vs NYY

Analysis: As a Mets fan I have watched every single one of Peterson's starts. While he does struggle to command his fastball at times, he usually can rebound nicely and get the job done. Peterson has a high floor and you know when he is on the mound he won't kill your ratios. Drawing Miami is a nice first matchup because the Marlins really have half of a lineup. The Yankees of course are no joke, but Peterson has some grit. When his back is against the wall he turns it up and has what it takes. Expect a decent start at home versus the Yankees.

 

Stream With Some Risk

Elieser Hernandez, MIA (5% rostered)

vs NYM, @WSN

Analysis: Mr. Hernandez is a pitcher I can't seem to quit. If you haven't watched his slider do yourself a favor and watch one of these starts. Sometimes his slider looks just as crazy as Dustin May's sinker. Elieser is usually good at home and while the Mets offense is no joke this year they tend to struggle against the slider. The Nationals can be pretty explosive as well but a lot of pitchers have shut them down this year. Aside from Soto and Turner that lineup isn't very scary.

Gio Gonzalez, CHW (3% rostered)

vs DET, @CHC

Analysis: Gio just faced the Detroit Tigers and put up a solid start pitching 4.2 innings while allowing two runs. He has been building up his arm strength and should start going deep into the game. Gio is a perfect match for the Tigers because they rely on hitting home runs and Gio is very good at inducing weak contact. Going into Wrigley is what worries me about his two-start week. Here's to hoping that wind is blowing in.

Zach Davies, SDP (24% rostered)

@TEX, vs HOU

Analysis: How about Zach Davies putting up a 2.78 ERA four starts into the 2020 season! Davies won't give you strikeouts but he will provide you with great ratios. The Rangers offense is very very bad. They are right down there with the Mariners as the worst offenses in the league. Combine a horrible offense with a hot pitcher in a pitchers ballpark and you should have a great start here. Shockingly the Astros offense hasn't been very good this year. They are average in just about every offensive category, making Davies a decent streaming option overall.

Brandon Bielak, HOU (16% rostered) 

vs COL, @SDP

Analysis: Bielak has been rather impressive so far. He throws a really good four-seam changeup combination that often leaves hitters confused at the plate. The only issue with Bielak is that he won't get you the strikeouts, which isn't the end of the world when it comes to streamers. We all know the Rockies aren't the same on the road but still a viable offense. This start certainly won't be easy and I am sure Blackmon will get a hit but I think pitchers who induce weak contact have a slight edge against this Rockies offense. Unfortunately, he moves on to the red hot Padres and that is what makes this stream playable but risky at the same time.

 Justin Dunn, SEA (2% rostered) 

@LAD, vs TEX

Analysis: Justin Dunn is getting closer and closer to becoming a viable starter. Everything looks terrible on the surface K-BB%, ERA, and SwStr% are all brutal. He has a good slider though and it seems to be coming around. In his last start, he had his highest pVAL off of the pitch and also had his highest O-Swing%. He is a very raw pitcher and will take this season and next season to provide any kind of value. The Dodgers start will be tough to take in, but then he draws one of the worst offenses in the league and in their stadium.

Zach Eflin, PHI (17% rostered)

@BOS, @ATL

Analysis: While I do think Eflin's recent ten strikeout performance is an aberration, I do think he provides some upside. We have seen Eflin go on these great runs before and this might be a sign that he is about to create something beautiful. He goes into Boston against a lineup that has been struggling and then moves to Atlanta who is missing Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albeis at the moment. Taking on two injury-riddled lineups and pairing it with a pitcher who is catching fire seems to be a good mix.

Brad Keller, KCR (15% rostered)

vs CIN, vs MIN

Analysis: Did you know that Brad Keller has had an above-average ERA in the last two seasons? Did you also know that Keller is only 25? Keller is a good pitcher and has a good four-seam slider combination. He has a good skill set and he also has the tendency of having a high floor. So far in this short season, the Twins and Reds have been hot and cold. Actually, as of right now in the past week the Twins have been barely an average offense. Keller could certainly see two decent starts in this two-start week, one that most people wouldn't look at.

Dylan Cease, CHW (24% rostered)

vs DET, @CHC

Analysis: Dylan Cease has been slightly improving as the season goes on. He still has the major issue of fastball command, he constantly tries to put it up in the zone but often goes above it. Drawing the Tigers at home works especially since he just handled them pretty well. He pitched six innings and only gave up one run in his start against them in Detroit. Now he gets them at home in a ballpark that isn't as hitter-friendly. As for the Cubs, yea that could be a rough outing. You never know with Cease's awesome slide though, maybe he can pull it out.

 

Do Not Stream

Wade LeBlanc, BAL (2% rostered)

vs TOR, vs BOS

Analysis: Nothing to see here with this 36-year-old pitcher who has a combined 5.89 ERA in the last two seasons.

Zack Godley, BOS (2% rostered)

@NYY, @BAL

Analysis: I like to think of Godley as a ticking time bomb. You never know what you are going to get but he can easily explode. For instance in his first appearance this year he pitched four innings while tallying seven strikeouts! So what does Boston do? They make him a starter. Well, then he goes out there and throws three innings while letting up five runs. You don't want any part of this roller coaster.

Anibal Sanchez, WSN (11% rostered)

@ATL, vs MIA

Analysis: At age 36 is seems like father time is finally catching up with Anibal Sanchez. He has been a great pitcher in the last two seasons putting up a 3.39 ERA. He just seems lost right now and it doesn't look like he is worth rostering at all.

Tyler Alexander, DET (10% rostered)

@CHW, @CLE

Analysis: There was a lot of hype behind Alexander after he struck out 10 batters in only 3.2 innings against the Reds. Unfortunately, the Tigers let him grab a start and he only went 3.2 innings while allowing five earned runs. Taking a glance at Alexander, he has a good swing and miss pitch with his curveball but when it does get hit, it gets hit hard. The rest of his offerings aren't much to mull over either. Don't trust him moving forward!

Kris Bubic, KCR (4% rostered)

@MIN, vs MIN

Analysis: Bubic doesn't look like he belongs at the major league level. He really only has one developed pitch and drawing two starts against the Twins is a recipe for disaster.

Mike Fiers, OAK (25% rostered)

@ARI, vs LAA

Analysis: It seems like Fiers 4.97 FIP and 5.19 xFIP from last year are finally catching up to him. Through four starts he has a torrid 6.86 ERA and you don't want to be streaming that.

Trevor Cahill, SFG (1% rostered)

@LAA, vs ARI

Analysis: Cahill will definitely still be on a pitch limit and won't reach five innings.

Jordan Lyles, TEX (4% rostered)

vs SDP, @SEA

Analysis: Lyles was an interesting pitcher coming into this year. He moves to a pitcher-friendly ballpark and had a much better second half in 2019. Those results have not transitioned over and his 6.06 ERA is very telling. Streaming him against the red hot Padres is not a good idea.

Trevor Williams, PIT (5% rostered)

vs CLE, vs MIL

Analysis: Trevor Williams is just flat out bad. Even when he is pitching well he is a heavy ground ball pitcher limiting any strikeout upside. Williams is not a streamable pitcher.

Jordan Yamamoto, MIA (4% rostered)

vs NYM, @WSN

Analysis: Yamamoto came up last year and impressed early on as he put up a 1.57 ERA in June. But teams started to figure him out and he finished with a 4.46 ERA on the year. Yamamoto is definitely streamable but it has to be the perfect matchup. The Mets and Nationals aren't it.

Tom Eshelman, BAL (1% rostered)

vs TOR, vs BOS

Analysis: Eshelman was impressive pitching against the Phillies as he lasted five innings while allowing only two runs. The question is, is he for real? His most thrown pitch is his sinker and it is a lethal pitch. So far this year it has a -24 wRC+ and .116 wOBA against. His four-seam isn't good with minimal rise and velocity and his slider seems to be over performing. There isn't much there and you definitely aren't going to get any strikeouts. Stream him only in a perfect situation.

Wade Miley, CIN (5% rostered)

@KCR, @STL

Analysis: Miley just doesn't look right this year and injuries are clearly bothering him. Until he proves otherwise you want no part of Miley and his 16.20 ERA.

Eric Lauer, MIL (2% rostered)

@MIN, @PIT

Analysis: Lauer has been beyond disappointing. He was a decent pitcher last year (4.45 ERA) and always pitched extremely well at home. He was a nice streaming option in 2019. 2020 seems to be different, I am not sure if maybe there is an underlying injury but his 12.54 ERA is abysmal. Leave Lauer on the wire until he can prove himself.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!






POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
Luke Keaschall

Removed Early On Friday
Blake Snell

Likely Avoids Major Injury
Cole Ragans

Dealing With Mild Groin Strain

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Detroit Lions

Lions Acquire 57th Pick From Broncos

Seahawks Draft Elijah Arroyo 50th Overall
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Acquire 51st Pick From Broncos
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47

Jets Add A Pass-Catcher With Mason Taylor At No. 42

Rams Select Terrance Ferguson With 46th Pick
Houston Texans

Texans Acquire 48th Pick From Raiders, Draft Aireontae Ersery

Saints Snag Tyler Shough At No. 40
Brenton Doyle

Out For Personal Reasons On Friday
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Will Smith

Back From Injury On Friday
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

To Miss Game 4 On Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Erik Swanson

Ryan Burr Progressing
Daulton Varsho

To Return On Tuesday At The Latest
Max Scherzer

Takes Positive Step On Friday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
Gabriel Landeskog

Set For Larger Role In Game 4
Calvin Pickard

To Start Game 3 For Oilers
Randy Arozarena

Resting For First Time This Year
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
MLB

Red Sox-Guardians Game Postponed On Friday
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
MLB

Tigers-Orioles Postponed On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
Yainer Diaz

Out On Friday Against Royals
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Salvador Perez

Sitting Out For First Time This Season
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Brendan Donovan

Back In Action On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Coby Mayo

Getting On A Roll At Triple-A
Moises Ballesteros

Riding An 11-Game Hit Streak
Victor Mesa Jr.

Starting Rehab Assignment On Saturday
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Victory
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF