As a new week is upon us, it's time to get rid of that bench bat or middle reliever you have hanging around. Instead, maximize your roster slots with some pitchers who have two starts this week and are probably still available in your league.
Here are the top two-start pitchers to stream for Week 16 of the fantasy baseball season. This can be especially helpful for head-to-head (H2H) leagues, where every start can be that much more valuable. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @TroyKlauder.
As always, I will be selecting starting pitchers who are owned in 50% or less of ESPN leagues.
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Under the Radar Two-Start SP Streamers - Week 16
Brent Suter, Milwaukee Brewers – owned in 6.4% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @PIT, @PHI
Brewers lefty Brent Suter has been outstanding in his two starts since re-joining the Brewers rotation, throwing 12 1/3 innings with just two earned runs, while striking out 13 and walking two. His last start against the Yankees was particularly impressive, as the Yanks have one of the toughest lineups in baseball. In his 27 1/3 innings this year, Suter has a 2.96 ERA and a 2.78 FIP, so his success has been legitimate. That success should continue against two poor lineups in Week 16. The Pirates have just a .308 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season, which ranks them at 19th in the league. The Phillies are even worse at .297, putting them at 25th. Suter should have no trouble with these lineups, and he's widely available.
Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox – owned in 45.2% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: vs. TOR, @LAA
Eduardo Rodriguez will be making his return from the disabled list on Monday, putting him in line for a two-start week. The 24-year-old looked fantastic before his knee injury, putting up a 3.54 ERA in 61 innings with an outstanding 26.3% K-rate. His first start back is against Toronto, who has a .315 wOBA against lefties this season, ranking them 15th in baseball. He then gets the Angels, who are atrocious against lefties, with a .289 wOBA against them. That puts the Angels at 27th in the league, and Rodriguez's start is at LA's home park, where pitchers thrive. With one great matchup and one average matchup, Rodriguez should have a productive Week 16.
Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians – owned in 43.2% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @SF, vs. TOR
Mike Clevinger has quietly been carving up major league lineups since coming up to the bigs, recording a 3.00 ERA in his 60 innings pitched this season. Clevinger's got a stellar 27.5% K-rate, so he'll be providing lots of strikeouts in Week 16. His first matchup is the best one a pitcher can ask for, facing the Giants in San Francisco. The Giants are dead last in wOBA against right-handed pitching, with a pathetic .291 mark, and they play in one of the best pitcher's parks in the league. Clevinger then takes on the Blue Jays, who are well below-average with their .311 wOBA against righties, which is 23rd among all teams. And of course, Clevinger racks up style points with his hair. Pick him up if he's still available in your league.
Jerad Eickhoff, Philadelphia Phillies – owned in 9.0% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: @MIA, vs. MIL
Jerad Eickhoff had a triumphant return from the disabled list in his last start, striking out eight batters in five scoreless innings. Eickhoff certainly hasn't had the best season, so that start is quite encouraging. He looks to keep it going in Miami, against a Marlins team that has a .320 wOBA against righties, which is 16th in the league. He will benefit from Miami's ballpark, which is very pitcher friendly. Eickhoff then takes on the Brewers, who are a better lineup, but strike out a ton. Their 24.9% K-rate versus righties is third-most in the league, so Eickhoff will have the opportunity for lots of K's. While he may not be the safest pick, Eickhoff brings upside and is at a low ownership rate.
Zack Wheeler, New York Mets – owned in 11.3% of ESPN leagues
Projected starts: vs. STL, vs. OAK
For those in deeper leagues or NL-only formats, Zack Wheeler may be able to provide some usable innings in Week 16. He certainly isn't having a great season, but against two average lineups, he should be able to hold up and have two solid outings for your fantasy team. The Cardinals and Athletics are back-to-back in wOBA rankings against right-handed pitchers, at 14th and 15th, respectively. The Athletics are particularly enticing for their 25.8% K-rate against righties, which is the second highest mark in all of baseball. With Wheeler's 21.0% K-rate this season, he should get lots of K's. He's certainly worth taking a look at.
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