Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: Fly with the Cardinals during a weak week

A strong previous week for two-start pitchers is followed up by a weak group for the current scoring period. A pair of Cardinals headline the list, but once we get past that point, the options mostly include subpar pitchers with favorable matchups.

On the hitting side, a five-game series at Great American Ball Park could provide fireworks.

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Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)

Kyle Leahy, Cardinals, 39% (@ CIN, @ PHI): The Cardinals tend to save this column during down weeks, as their rotation ranks ninth in baseball in ERA despite lacking a member who is rostered in 50% of Yahoo leagues. After a slow start in his first season as a rotation member, Leahy has been the team’s most consistent starter of late, having logged a 1.52 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB ratio in his past nine starts. Although he has been more effective at home (2.91 ERA) than on the road (3.96 ERA), he should have success in two road starts against the Phillies and Reds, who rank 16th and 29th respectively in OPS vs. righties.

Andre Pallante, Cardinals, 38% (@ CIN, @ PHI): Although Leahy has been the Cardinals most reliable starter this summer, Pallante is the rotation member who has been the most consistent throughout the season (3.46 ERA, 1.22 WHIP). The righty lacks the strikeout skills to be a high-end fantasy contributor but maintains a significant floor thanks to his elite groundball rate (55.6%). In a poor week for two-start pitchers, he can be started in any format.

Tyler Mahle, Braves, 30% (@ MIN, @ MIL): Mahle has been terrific across two starts as a member of the Braves, posting a 16:2 K:BB ratio, along with a 0.75 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. But we can’t overlook the fact that his 18 outings with the Giants resulted in a 5.13 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. It’s worth noting that the ERA estimators don’t mind Mahle, assigning him marks in the range of 4.00 this season. The right-hander is set to tangle with two top 10 offenses in terms of OPS versus righties, but his success with Atlanta should still get him a look in 12-team leagues.

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Rhett Lowder, Reds, 6% (vs. STL, @ ARI): Although he has struggled at times this season, Lowder has enjoyed his most consistent stretch of late by allowing exactly two runs in each of his past four starts. The right-hander owns a subpar 77:40 K:BB ratio overall but has been slightly better (16:5) over the improved recent stretch. Although most managers will look at his season-long ratios (5.15 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) and move on, it’s worth noting that the right-hander will face two offenses that rank 26th (Cardinals) and 28th (Diamondbacks) respectively in OPS against righties.

Cristian Javier, Astros, 5% (vs. LAA, vs. ATH): Although Javier has endured a rocky season that includes a stint on the 60-day IL due to a shoulder injury, he deserves credit for logging a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB ratio over his past three outings. He heads into a week with favorable matchups, as the Angels have the second most strikeouts and rank last in OPS versus righties, and the Athletics are abysmal (.644 OPS) when they aren’t at their offense-inducing home park. Surprisingly, the righty may be worth the risk in 12-team leagues.

Martin Pérez, Braves, 35% (@ MIN, @ MIL): Pérez has quietly been one of the most successful pitchers in the second half (1.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP). Unfortunately, his success has mostly been the result of a .194 BABIP, rather than excellent skills (18:11 K:BB ratio). Pérez induces plenty of grounders, but the compliments stop there. His matchups are reasonable this week, as although the Twins and Brewers are top 10 in runs scored, they are both among the bottom 10 clubs in OPS versus lefties. Still, his luck is likely to run out soon.

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Brandon Young, Orioles, 32% (@ TB, vs. TB): Young is about to accomplish the rare feat of facing the same opponent in both matchups of a two-start week. Unfortunately, that opponent is a Rays offense that has the best record in the American League and ranks third in baseball in OPS versus righties. Young has been consistently mediocre this season (3.33 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 93:41 K:BB ratio) and has slightly outperformed his ERA estimators, which sit in the vicinity of 4.00. Given his low odds of dominating the opposition or earning a win this week, he is only an option in 15-team leagues.

Jansen Junk, Marlins, 4% (@ PHI, vs. WSH): Junk is the definition of a fifth starter in the modern era, as he averages five innings per start and logs mediocre ratios (4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP). His lack of swing-and-miss skills (6.6 K/9 rate) lowers his ceiling, and he would only be a use in favorable matchups. That isn’t the case this week, as the Phillies are a respectable foe and the Nats continue to lead the majors in runs scored.

Carson Whisenhunt, Giants, 1% (@ CLE, @ BOS): A notable prospect, Whisenhunt has thus far been overmatched (5.61 ERA, 1.60 WHIP) in 11 career major league starts. The lefty has logged a miserable 22:18 K:BB ratio this season, and he cannot be considered in any fantasy leagues until those numbers improve. Even if one were to take a second look thanks to a matchup against the low-scoring Guardians, a start against a Red Sox offense that ranks fourth in OPS versus left-handers closes the door.

One-Start Streamers

In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.

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• Walbert Ureña @ HOU (Wednesday, 44)

• Gage Jump @ KC (Wednesday, 16)

• Chad Bradford vs. LAA (Saturday, 14)

• Zac Thornton vs. SD (Tuesday, 23)

Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups

Cardinals @ Reds: By sheer volume, players on the Cardinals and Reds are terrific options for a five-game, four-day series. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that the quintet of contests will be played at Cincy’s homer-happy venue. Rookie Joshua Baez (62%) is the top St. Louis hitter to add in shallow leagues, while Nathan Church (2%) and Masyn Winn (32%) should be contributors as well. There are more options from the Reds, as Matt McLain (27%) could contribute homers and steals, while JJ Bleday (22%) is a good candidate to hit a homer. Finally, Tyler Stephenson (16%) is a great option for those who are streaming the catcher position.

Rays vs. Orioles, Blue Jays: A Tampa Bay offense that uses strict platoons and ranks third in OPS versus right-handers will face righties in each of the next four days. Cedric Mullins (5%), Richie Palacios (1%) and Victor Mesa Jr. (1%) will start all four contests, while those in shallow formats should ensure that Chandler Simpson (69%) is in their lineup and not on the bench.