Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: At least 5 hurlers warrant strong consideration as streamers this week
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Fantasy managers will be treated to a deep list of two-start options this week. Even without an obvious headliner, there are at least five pitchers who warrant strong consideration and a few others who make sense in the right situation. On the hitting side, the Red Sox and Mets should meet the needs of anyone who is looking for immediate help.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Zebby Matthews, Twins, 15% (vs. LAD, vs. COL): Matthews has logged a 4.78 ERA that has been heavily influenced by a pair of 7-run disasters. The 26-year-old has notched a quality start in each of his other five appearances, and his 34:9 K:BB ratio is an impressive mark. Homer prevention has been the main problem for Matthews, both this season (1.7 HR/9 rate) and throughout his brief career. If he can survive a start against the high-scoring Dodgers at the outset of the week, he could thrive against a Rockies offense that typically struggles on the road.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAndre Pallante, Cardinals, 42% (vs. ARI, vs. MIA): Pallante has always ranked among the league leaders in groundball rate, and is showing some skill improvements this year by producing a career-best 19.3% strikeout rate. Because he gives up plenty of contact, the right-hander will always be a weak option in the WHIP category. But he has become a serviceable innings eater on a team that has played better than expected, which makes him a viable option in 12-team leagues for two home starts this week.
Anthony Kay, White Sox, 13% (vs. CLE, vs. KC): Although he struggled in a tough matchup at Yankee Stadium last time out (4 IP, 4 ER), Kay has produced respectable results (3.77 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 40:14 K:BB ratio) in nine starts since the calendar flipped to May. The southpaw finished six innings just twice this season, and the combination of a poor 7.0 K/9 ratio and inability to work deep into games gives him a low ceiling. That being said, he has favorable matchups this week, especially with the Guardians working without José Ramírez.
Mitch Keller, Pirates, 31% (vs. SEA, vs. CIN): Keller is having a disappointing season that includes his worst ERA since 2021 and worst WHIP since 2022. While the right-hander must take responsibility for a small drop in his strikeout rate, the biggest reason for his struggles is a 63.1% strand rate that is the second-worst mark among qualified pitchers. Keller won't make the cut in many leagues this week due to his bust potential, but with two starts at his pitcher-friendly home park, he is a better option than many will realize.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMerrill Kelly, Diamondbacks, 41% (@ STL, @ TB): Kelly took a step backward in an inconsistent season when he gave up six runs on 11 hits over 5.1 innings against a mediocre Angels lineup last time out. The veteran has allowed two or fewer runs in half of his 12 starts, but unfortunately, he has surrendered five or more runs on five occasions. The result is a 5.81 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and a poor 42:28 K:BB ratio. Kelly is the ultimate boom-or-bust option in a week where he has mid-level matchups.
Zack Littell, Nationals, 9% (vs. PHI, @ BAL): There are a few reasons to pass on Littell, who ranks second in baseball in homers allowed and lacks strikeout abilities (5.2 K/9 rate). But it's worth noting that since May 1, the veteran has gone 6-2 while posting solid ratios (3.83 ERA, 1.13 WHIP). Being backed by a high-scoring offense gives Littell some win potential, which means that he can be considered by managers who are desperate to make a move in that category.
Grant Holmes, Braves, 25% (@ SD, @ SF): Holmes' most recent start was cut short due to a weather delay, which may have been for the best given that he had allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over two innings. The right-hander has been the definition of a rotation filler this season, logging unimpressive ratios (4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) while failing to work past the fifth inning in six of his past eight starts. Holmes has favorable matchups this week, which makes him usable for those in deep leagues who have modest expectations.
Kumar Rocker, Rangers, 8% (@ MIA, @ TOR): Rocker is coming off arguably his worst start of the season, when he allowed six earned runs (seven total) over 3.1 innings in a loss to the Twins. The former top prospect remains a below-average starter in most areas, including his swing-and-miss abilities (7.3 K/9 rate) and control skills (3.9 BB/9 rate). Although his matchups this week are favorable, Rocker lacks the skills to climb high on this week's deep list.
AdvertisementAdvertisementKyle Leahy, Cardinals, 4% (vs. ARI, vs. MIA): Overall, Leahy has no real strengths and one glaring weakness. The first-year starter has average control and below-average strikeout ability. He could likely survive those skills if opposing hitters weren't regularly tagging him with hard contact. Until Leahy lowers his 11.5% barrel rate and 92.6 mph average exit velocity, he belongs on waivers in every mixed league.
One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
Gage Jump @ SF (Wednesday, 39%)
Griffin Jax vs. KC (Wednesday, 35%)
Troy Melton vs. HOU (Thursday, 30%)
Noah Cameron @ TB (Wednesday, 37%)
Sean Burke vs. BOS (Tuesday, 24%)
Walbert Ureña vs. ATH (Friday, 43%)
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J.T. Ginn @ LAA (Friday, 48%)
Michael McGreevy vs. ARI (Thursday, 33%)
Jeffrey Springs @ SF (Thursday, 16%)
Stephen Kolek @ CWS (Friday, 38%)
Eric Lauer @ MIN (Monday, 15%)
Matthew Liberatore vs. ARI (Wednesday, 8%)
Sean Manaea vs. CHC (Wednesday, 16%)
Keider Montero vs. HOU (Friday, 16%)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Red Sox @ Rockies, vs. Yankees: Not only do the Red Sox play four games over the next four days, but they also get to ply their trade at offense-inducing Coors Field against a Rockies staff that ranks last in baseball with a 5.53 ERA. The team lacks an obvious streamer, but those in deep leagues can try Marcelo Mayer (4%). Caleb Durbin (11%) also deserves credit for turning around a poor season with a recent hot stretch.
AdvertisementAdvertisementMets vs. Cubs: New York should produce some strong volume plays when they face four right-handed starters over the next four days. Outfielders Carson Benge (45%) and A.J. Ewing (16%) both bat from the left side, making them the top players to add. They are especially appealing in categories leagues, thanks to their steals potential.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
