After enjoying a wide range of two-start options last week, fantasy baseball managers will need to live with a more moderate list for the current scoring period. Still, there are four serviceable options on this list, depending on a manager’s level of risk tolerance. On the hitting side, the Rays are the top source of short-term help, while the Phillies could have some great options for those in shallow leagues.
Sean Manaea, Mets, 15% (@ CLE, @ PIT): Since rejoining the rotation on June 13, Manaea has posted a 3.88 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB ratio across nine starts. And his road hasn’t been easy, as he has faced clubs that currently hold a playoff spot in seven of those nine outings. The southpaw has thrown six or more innings in three of his past four starts and should have a productive week against the Guardians and Pirates, who rank 27th and 20th, respectively, in OPS vs. lefties.
Ian Seymour, Rays, 40% (@ COL, @ SEA): Although the Rays are keeping him on a short leash, Seymour is showing strong skills (90:28 K:BB ratio). The southpaw’s most recent start was a prime example, as he earned a win by following an opener and throwing 4.2 scoreless innings. Although an outing at Coors Field will be challenging, Seymour has pitched well enough to get the benefit of the doubt, especially when his second matchup is a favorable one against a Seattle squad that ranks 29th in OPS vs. lefties.
J.T. Ginn, Athletics, 34% (@ CIN, @ BOS): A breakout season for Ginn was briefly interrupted when he spent the past two weeks on the injured list while dealing with a blister on his right middle finger. The southpaw induces oodles of groundballs and has solid strikeout skills, which has allowed him to post a 3.47 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 19 starts despite walking more batters than he should (4.1 BB/9 rate). He would rank slightly higher on this list if not for the unknown factor of how effective he will be in his return from injury.
Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, 29% (vs. SD, vs. LAD): Since altering his delivery and pitch mix, Pfaadt has finally become a reliable starter. The right-hander has logged a 1.85 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while showing outstanding control skills (4 BB) over six starts since rejoining the rotation on June 30.
There is one caveat — the remade version of Pfaadt gets plenty of grounders while logging a low strikeout rate (4.8 K/9) that limits his fantasy ceiling. Still, most managers will happily take low ratios and significant win potential. In his most recent start, Pfaadt tossed seven shutout innings in a road start against a Pirates squad that ranks second in OPS vs. righties and first in OPS at home.
Brady Singer, Reds, 25% (vs. ATH, @ WSH): For the second straight season, Singer has been a reliable innings eater for a Reds rotation that sorely needs one. And with a 2.70 ERA and 1.18 WHIP since the beginning of June, the right-hander is enjoying his best stretch in recent years. The guess here is that he can handle a home start against an Athletics lineup that fares worse on the road, but his second matchup is a scary one, as the Nats lead the majors in runs scored. It all adds up to a fringe option in 12-team leagues.
Zack Littell, Nationals, 6% (@ PHI, vs. CIN): Managers who look past Littell’s season-long ratios will see that he has become an option in deep formats. The right-hander has produced a 3.89 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across his past 14 outings, as the Nats mix between using him as a traditional starter and having him follow an opener. And his matchups are reasonable this week, as the Phillies and Reds rank 20th and 24th, respectively, in OPS against righties.
Brandon Sproat, Brewers, 16% (vs. PIT, vs. MIN): Although the start wasn’t exceptional (4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP), Sproat threw six innings last time out, which was his first start of at least five innings since June 30. The shorter starts have been helpful, as the rookie has posted a 3.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over his past six outings. But his control skills have remained poor over that stretch (4.3 BB/9 rate), and until that changes Sproat will remain a weak option in 12-team leagues.
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
- Kyle Leahy vs. COL (Friday, 36%)
- Walbert Ureña @ MIA (Saturday, 42%)
Shane Drohan vs. PIT (Thursday, 40%)
Keider Montero @ SF (Saturday, 38%)
Brandon Young vs. LAA (Thursday, 36%)
David Peterson vs. TOR (Thursday, 16%)
Quinn Mathews vs. COL (Saturday, 13%)
Kumar Rocker vs. BAL (Sunday, 23%)
Andre Pallante @ NYY (Wednesday, 32%)
Gage Jump @ BOS (Saturday, 22%)
Grant Holmes vs. MIA (Wednesday, 21%)
Noah Cameron vs. MIN (Wednesday, 26%)
Hayden Wesneski vs. TOR (Tuesday, 6%)
Noah Schultz vs. CLE (Saturday, 6%)
Ronel Blanco @ SD (Friday, 7%)
Walbert Ureña @ MIA (Saturday, 42%)
Shane Drohan vs. PIT (Thursday, 40%)
Keider Montero @ SF (Saturday, 38%)
Brandon Young vs. LAA (Thursday, 36%)
David Peterson vs. TOR (Thursday, 16%)
Quinn Mathews vs. COL (Saturday, 13%)
Andre Pallante @ NYY (Wednesday, 32%)
Grant Holmes vs. MIA (Wednesday, 21%)
Noah Cameron vs. MIN (Wednesday, 26%)
Hayden Wesneski vs. TOR (Tuesday, 6%)
Noah Schultz vs. CLE (Saturday, 6%)
Rays @ Rockies: The Rays platoon their players heavily, which makes the targets obvious when they spend three games against right-handed starters at the best hitting park in baseball. Lefty slugger Cedric Mullins (5%) is clearly the man to add, as he will bat cleanup for every game. In deeper formats, Richie Palacios (0%) is a fine target.
Phillies vs. Nationals: The Phillies will face three beatable right-handers during a four-game series, and that total may rise to four if the Nats trade Foster Griffin by Monday’s deadline. Philadelphia hitters could also thrive late in games against a Nationals bullpen that ranks 27th in ERA. Those in shallow leagues should ensure that Brandon Marsh (58%) and Bryson Stott (50%) are in a lineup, rather than on the waiver wire or bench. In deeper formats, Justin Crawford (6%) can collect a few hits and swipe a base.
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