Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitcher Streaming Options: May 27-June 2
Gavin Stone and Zack Littell highlight this list of the top available streamers in fantasy baseball who will make two starts next week.
Streaming starting pitchers is a common strategy that often leads to success in fantasy baseball. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the idea is simply to pick up a “lesser” pitcher for an inviting matchup or two that is soon to come.
The strategy certainly comes with risk, as there is usually a good reason, or several, that a particular hurler is rostered at a lower rate in most leagues. Still, the gamble can pay off nicely if a fantasy manager gets it right and their waiver add delivers.
The goal of this weekly article is to help fantasy managers pinpoint some two-start streamers with favorable matchups for the following week of the 2024 MLB season. These suggestions should be able to help out in a variety of season-long formats, but they can be especially useful to gain an edge in weekly head-to-head leagues.
*** Each SP below was rostered in less than 70% of Yahoo leagues at time of writing
Next Week’s Best Two-Start Streamers for Fantasy Baseball
Gavin Stone (LAD) – at NYM, vs. COL – 49%
Stone’s run of four straight starts of at least six innings and only one run allowed came to an end this past Tuesday. He wasn’t awful in a loss to the Diamondbacks, but his performance was just so-so, as he surrendered four earned on eight hits over a half-dozen frames while tying a season-high with five strikeouts.
Stone’s work overall during the past month simply cannot be ignored. The rookie right-hander has posted a stellar 2.25 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while limiting the opposition to a .220 AVG across five starts. He has only struck out 18 batters in 32.0 innings, but Stone is not really aiming for whiffs.
Stone regularly generates weak contact (31.0% HardHit%) and groundballs (46.0%). That approach should continue to serve him well against the struggling Mets and the Rockies away from Coors Field.
Zack Littell (TB) – vs. OAK, at BAL – 32%
Littell has turned into just the next successful pitching restoration project for the Rays. The 28-year-old righty has been a steady performer since the outset of the campaign, logging at least five innings in nine of 10 starts while giving up more than three earned runs just twice.
One of those strong outings came Tuesday, as Littell held the Red Sox to two runs on only three hits and one walk over 5.2 frames. He also matched a season-best seven strikeouts, which is a total he has hit four times this year.
Overall, Littell is sporting a nice 3.42 ERA across 55.1 innings in 2024. His 1.25 WHIP is a bit high, as the opposition is batting .270 against him. However, he does not beat himself with walks and can load up for a punchout when needed.
Littell’s pinpoint control has led to a remarkable 55-to-9 K/BB, and his 3.9 BB% is sixth-best in the bigs. His matchups next week are split between favorable and unfavorable, but he’s earned some trust.
Alec Marsh (KC) – at MIN, vs. SD – 26%
Selected in the second round of the 2019 draft by Kansas City and having just turned 26 years of age, Marsh could be viewed as something of a late bloomer. This year, however, the club’s patience is paying off, as Marsh has been a very valuable piece for the upstart Royals.
On either side of a minimal stint on the IL from late April to early May, Marsh has made eight starts so far this season, compiling an excellent 2.72 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 36-to-12 K/BB across 43 innings. He has allowed one earned run or less in five of eight starts and not more than four in any of them.
In his most recent effort, Marsh held the Tigers to three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five, improving his record to 4-1 in the process. The Royals’ offense, which is currently averaging 4.84 runs per game (tied for 6th in MLB), supplied Marsh with ample run support.
As he’s consistently done so far in 2024, Marsh made a lead stand up this past Tuesday. He’ll look to do the same opposite two middle-tier lineups next week.
Stats, rankings, and roster percentages updated prior to first pitch on May 23.
Other Fantasy Streaming Options to Consider
- Brayan Bello (BOS) – at BAL, vs. DET – 64%
- Cooper Criswell (BOS) – at BAL, vs. DET – 12%
- Griffin Canning (LAA) – vs. NYY, at SEA – 10%
- Jake Irvin (WSH) – at ATL, at CLE – 7%
Written by
Nate Miller is a feature writer at FantasyPros and Just Baseball. He has been an analyst in the fantasy sports industry for the past decade, covering…