This week's two-start pitcher rankings reveal several options that may appear appealing but are misleading due to poor underlying skills. Managers should consider streaming one-start pitchers instead, as no standout options are available.
Key points
This week's two-start pitcher list is described as 'fool's gold'.
Managers may be better off streaming one-start pitchers.
Jeffrey Springs has a 3.89 ERA but struggles in his hitter-friendly home park.
Joey Cantillo has a low strikeout rate and a 1.37 WHIP.
The Mariners are a good team to target for hitting.
AthleticsGuardiansMarinersJeffrey Springs
Video Player Cover
The best way to describe this week’s list of two-start pitchers is “fool’s gold”. There are several hurlers who have solid fantasy stats that are not supported by their underlying skills, which means that managers who fail to take a deep dive on their options could be burned. In fact, there is no one on this list who is a terrific option this week. Managers may be better off streaming one-start pitchers. On the hitting side, the Mariners are a terrific team to target.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, 36% (vs. STL, vs. SF): At first glance, Springs is a terrific option this week. After all, the southpaw has fared well this season (3.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) while logging a solid 39:14 K:BB ratio. The problem is that both his starts this week will come at his hitter-friendly home park, where he has logged a 4.82 ERA since joining the Athletics. Having an outing against a Giants team that ranks last in runs scored raises his floor and gets him into the lineup in 12-team leagues.
Joey Cantillo, Guardians, 38% (vs. LAA, vs. CIN): Where have the whiffs gone? Usually an above-average strikeout pitcher, Cantillo has compiled just seven punchouts over 14 innings during his past three starts. The lefty needs to discover his swing-and-miss skills in a hurry, as he walks multiple batters in nearly every outing, which has contributed to a 1.37 WHIP. Fortunately, his two opponents this week rank among the five worst in strikeouts, which raises his ceiling. Still, Cantillo is a borderline option in 12-team leagues.
Stephen Kolek, Royals, 2% (@ CWS, @ STL): Kolek was solid (6 IP, 3 ER, 3:0 K:BB) in his first start since replacing in the rotation. He also fared well (1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 21:5 K:BB) in five starts with the Royals after arriving at the 2025 trade deadline. The 29-year-old has reasonable upcoming matchups, which makes him the most underrated pitcher in this article when comparing his potential with his roster rate.
Q&A
Which two-start pitchers are considered 'fool's gold' this week?
Jeffrey Springs and Joey Cantillo are highlighted as two-start pitchers with misleading stats that may not perform well.
Why should fantasy baseball managers be cautious with two-start pitchers?
Many two-start pitchers have solid fantasy stats but lack strong underlying skills, which could lead to disappointing performances.
What are the recommended alternatives to two-start pitchers this week?
Streaming one-start pitchers is suggested as a safer option for fantasy managers this week.
Which teams should fantasy managers target for hitting this week?
The Seattle Mariners are recommended as a strong team to target for hitting this week.
Related Articles
Sports
De cuarta división a viajar por Europa en apenas siete años: el Como, la nueva imagen de la Serie A
El Como, dirigido por Cesc Fàbregas, logra clasificar a Europa en solo siete años.
Marca··1 min read
Sports
Colorado's early trap game could expose 2026 team for Deion Sanders
Colorado's 2026 football schedule includes a crucial early test against Weber State.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Cricket·Recap
IPL 2026 | 'You die from that cramp': Ex-CSK star's remark on Krunal Pandya sparks fan outrage
Former cricketer's joke about Krunal Pandya's cramps ignites fan backlash.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Updated Jaguars' running back depth chart after 2 roster moves
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran running back Ameer Abdullah and waived Ja'Quinden Jackson, updating their running back depth chart. Abdullah's experience enhances the team's young roster.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Former Real Madrid star criticises Florentino Perez over state of the team
Former Real Madrid star Helguera slams Perez amid team crisis
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
9 Detroit Lions Change Jersey Number for 2026
9 Detroit Lions Players Changing Jersey Numbers for 2026 Season
Peter Lambert, Astros, 27% (vs. SEA, vs. TEX): During four starts as a member of the Astros, Lambert has shown strong swing-and-miss skills (24.7% strikeout rate), which has overshadowed inconsistent control (11.8% walk rate). The 29-year-old struggled for several years as a member of the Rockies before spending 2025 in Japan, and while there is hope that his time away has unlocked a better pitcher, four starts aren’t enough to get him into the lineup in 12-team leagues. For those who are more daring than I am, it’s worth noting that he has reasonable matchups.
Trevor McDonald, Giants, 11% (@ LAD, @ ATH): McDonald enjoyed a memorable 2026 debut when he struck out eight over seven innings of one-run ball last week. He returned to the minors for a few days before an injury to Logan Webb gave the prospect another opportunity to stick in the rotation. McDonald is not viewed as a top prospect, but it’s hard to ignore a youngster who has produced a 23:3 K:BB ratio in 25 major-league innings over the past three seasons. Still, while recognizing that McDonald has notable long-term potential, his matchups are especially challenging this week. And the righty may be unable to earn a win while being backed by baseball’s lowest-scoring team. He can be started in points leagues but may not be worth the risk in categories formats.
Erick Fedde, White Sox, 3% (vs. KC, vs. CHC): Despite a lack of dominant skills (24:13 K:BB ratio in 38 innings), Fedde has managed to log solid ratios (3.79 ERA, 1.13 WHIP). Perhaps there is something that clicks with the veteran and the White Sox, as he played his best baseball (3.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) when he took his first tour through the organization in 2024. Still, his 5.77 FIP is a strong warning sign to keep expectations in check, and at best he is a borderline option in 15-team leagues.
Bailey Ober, Twins, 28% (vs. MIA, vs. MIL): It’s hard to know what to make of Ober. His average fastball velocity has dropped to a career-worst 89.3 mph. And his 32:15 K:BB ratio across 43 innings makes him look like someone who should be stapled to the waiver wire. But his ratios (4.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) are good enough to warrant some attention during a two-start week with home outings and average matchups. I’m inclined to pass, given that he has accumulated the same number of strikeouts and earned runs (8) in his past three starts.
Colin Rea, Cubs, 21% (@ ATL, @ CWS): Rea is meeting expectations, which isn’t a good thing. The veteran lacks the skills to keep the bases clean (1.37 WHIP) but does a decent job limiting the damage (4.03 ERA). With his first start of the week coming against a Braves offense that leads the majors in runs scored, Rea cannot be considered in a mixed format.
Andre Pallante, Cardinals, 6% (@ ATH, vs. KC): With a 4.34 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, Pallante has posted ratios across his seven starts that are nearly identical to his career marks. Nothing has changed with the 27-year-old, who limits the damage of weak strikeout skills and mediocre control by inducing oodles of ground balls. It’s hard to recommend him for any two-start week, and having an outing at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park is the last straw.
JR Ritchie, Braves, 17% (vs. CHC, vs. BOS): After excelling in his major league debut, Ritchie has come crashing back to earth. The rookie has logged an ugly 6:10 K:BB ratio over his past two starts, which is especially concerning from someone who had control issues in the minors. No matter the matchups, he would belong on waivers. And when factoring in that one start is against a productive Cubs lineup, Ritchie becomes even less appealing.
One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
Mariners @ Astros: The Mariners are the best team to target for immediate hitting help by a wide margin. Not only are they one of the few teams who will play four games over the next four days, but they will also play all four contests against an Astros team that ranks last in baseball with a 5.57 ERA. Even better, all four games will be started by right-handers, which makes the best streamers obvious. Lefty batters Dominic Canzone (4%), Luke Raley (13%), Cole Young (23%) and J.P. Crawford (10%) are the players to add.
Reds vs. Nationals: Cincinnati’s hitters should enjoy working at their hitter-friendly home park against a Nats pitching staff that ranks 28th in ERA. TJ Friedl (16%) and JJ Bleday (13%) should hit atop the lineup for the two games that will be started by righties. Spencer Steer (17%) is another solid option, as he should start all three contests.
