Two-start pitching options are especially thin this week, with many teams featuring a frontline hurler for a pair of outings. Jack Leiter of the Rangers stands out as the best option in the group, despite still carrying notable risk. On the hitting side, Rockies, Dodgers, and Mets bats look like sensible streaming plays for fantasy managers.
Two-start pitchers (ordered by preference)
– Jack Leiter, Rangers (36% owned) at Kansas City and vs. Cleveland
Leiter has walked too many batters at times, but he’s posted two or fewer earned runs in seven of his prior eight starts and has shown the ability to pile up strikeouts in several outings. He benefits from favorable matchups this week, with KC ranking near the bottom in runs scored and Cleveland not faring much better. He’ll need to go deeper into games to deliver a win, but a 10–12 strikeout week isn’t out of the question.
– Nestor Cortes, Padres (21% owned) vs. San Francisco and vs. Los Angeles
Cortes has been decent since returning from a lengthy injury stint, allowing just three runs across two starts. However, he didn’t finish the fifth inning in either outing, and his 9:4 K:BB ratio is only so reassuring. A pitcher-friendly home park helps, and the Giants are a plus matchup, but the Dodgers game adds risk.
– Dustin May, Red Sox (37% owned) vs. Baltimore and at New York (Yankees)
May arrived off a strong performance against Houston, but his season has been inconsistent. It’s hard to trust him for a reliable two-start week unless the matchups are favorable, which they aren’t this time around.
– Spencer Arrighetti, Astros (29% owned) at Detroit and at Baltimore
Arrighetti has not looked sharp since coming off the injured list, allowing seven runs on 12 hits and six walks across two starts. The matchups are tough this week (Tigers and Orioles), so he’s probably worth a developmental hold in shallower leagues.
– Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals (22% owned) at Miami and at Tampa Bay
Liberatore appears worn down in his first full MLB season. His last quality start came on June 29, and he hasn’t gone five innings in five straight starts. Strikeouts have lagged, and while season-long numbers are solid, this veteran waiver-wire option belongs on benches in mixed leagues right now.
– Jake Irvin, Nationals (11% owned) vs. New York Mets and at Philadelphia
Desperate situations would be required to deploy Irvin this week. His season metrics aren’t kind (5.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP), and he’s been limited on strikeouts as of late, making him a last-resort option at best.
One-start streamers (top options for single-start weeks)
– Emmet Sheehan at COL (Tuesday) – 20% owned
– Nolan McLean at ATL (Friday) – 26% owned
– Joe Boyle vs. STL (Thursday) – 9% owned
– Joey Quintana vs. SF (Friday) – 46% owned
– Joey Wentz vs. NYM (Friday) – 7% owned
– J.T. Ginn at MIN (Wednesday) – 4% owned
– Mike Burrows vs. COL (Friday) – 6% owned
– Zebby Matthews at CWS (Friday) – 20% owned
– Patrick Corbin at KC (Thursday) – 14% owned
– Landen Roupp at SD (Wednesday) – 23% owned
– Michael Lorenzen vs. TEX (Thursday) – 9% owned
– Justin Verlander at SD (Thursday) – 22% owned
– Cam Schlittler at TB (Wednesday) – 14% owned
– Jack Perkins at MIN (Thursday) – 8% owned
Hitters with favorable matchups this week
– Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies (14% owned): Moniak has been a regular target in favorable schedules. Colorado plays seven games this week, including four at Coors Field. With several right-handed starters on the slate, he should continue to benefit as a righty-friendly hitter on the left side. A practical approach is to ride him until Friday, then consider dropping him before a two-lefty slate that follows, when Moniak’s splits may drift.
– Michael Conforto, OF, Dodgers (4% owned): Conforto isn’t the season’s flashiest hitter, but he’s a value play with the Dodgers’ powerful offense. The team has a four-game series at Coors Field, and Conforto should start three consecutive games against right-handed starters from Tuesday through Thursday. Consider letting him ride those three games and potentially dropping him on Friday.
– Colson Montgomery, 3B/SS, White Sox (39% owned): Montgomery has delivered power, with 10 homers across 35 games since joining the majors. He’s positioned well this week, facing Braves and Twins squads that have struggled with second-half ERA or rotation depth. The two matchups offer plus potential for homers and runs.
– Jeff McNeil, 2B/OF, Mets (6% owned): The Mets are set up to score in waves this week against the Nationals and Braves, who rank near the bottom in second-half ERA. McNeil is a steady contributor in a solid lineup, typically batting in the middle of the order. If you’re short on middle-infield or outfield depth, he’s a reliable streamer.
– Francisco Alvarez (monitor), catcher, Mets (18% owned): Alvarez is coming off a thumb issue and is undergoing an MRI, so keep an eye on his status. If he’s cleared to play, he could provide a strong run-producing option if he’s back in lineup protection and hitting well.
Additional notes and outlook
– With two-start weeks thinning out quickly, Leiter is the clear top option among pitchers expected to contribute both depth and strikeouts. The rest of the group comes with meaningful risk, often tied to innings limits, walk rates, or tougher matchups.
– In hitting, the Dodgers’ stacked lineup continues to offer upside for those who manage multiple lineups and streaming matches. Rockies and Mets hitters offer value in specific weeks when the schedule lines up with favorable parks and opposing pitchers.
– Practical strategy: prioritize Leiter if you need a reliable anchor. For other two-start options, weigh risk versus your roster depth and innings caps. For one-start streamers, target matchups with favorable parks and weaker opposing lineups, and be ready to pivot if a pitcher’s spot in the rotation shifts.
Summary
This week tests fantasy managers’ ability to navigate scarce two-start pitching. Leiter stands out as the best option despite his risks, while Cortes, May, Arrighetti, Liberatore, and Irvin require careful matchup consideration. On the hitter side, Moniak, Conforto, Montgomery, McNeil, and Alvarez (if healthy) offer solid streaming potential, particularly when matchups and parks align in their favor. Stay flexible, monitor injuries and lineup changes, and use a mix of steady veterans and favorable matchups to optimize your week. If you’d like, I can tailor a daily plan based on your current roster and competing teams.