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Welcome to RotoBaller's weekly article of two-start pitcher streamers for 2020! Successfully streaming pitchers can literally be a game-changer when it comes to fantasy baseball. When it comes to daily leagues, two-start streams aren't that important, since you can stream every day. But when it comes to weekly leagues, two-start streams become exponentially more important.
With that said, what do we look for when it comes to streaming pitchers? Well, there are a lot of aspects. When looking at the actual pitcher, how have they performed lately? Have they made a pitch-mix change? Have they had a recent velocity bump? Reviewing pitchers every day on your own time will be very useful.
You also want to play matchups by looking at recent trends of the pitcher's opponent. How does their lineup perform when at home versus away? What has their wRC+ been in the last week or two? Have they been striking out a lot? Matchups are key when it comes to streaming. With all of that said, let's take a look at our picks, which we are going to rank in order with corresponding tiers.
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Stream With Confidence
Zach Plesac, CLE (21% rostered)
@CIN, @CHW
Analysis: Plesac shocked the world in his first start producing eight innings pitched, zero earned runs, and ELEVEN strikeouts. Literally no one expected this, but the Indians might be on to something here. With him and Aaron Civale, their pitchers are throwing a ton of breaking balls. While Civale's performance is a lot more believable we can't ignore this stellar performance by Plesac. Pitching in Cincinnati isn't very ideal but with a new pitch mix, we can assume he pulls out a decent start. Then he goes on to face the White Sox, the team he just demolished. Plesac is the only two-start starter you should really be going after.
Stream With Some Risk
Danny Duffy, KC (12% rostered)
@CHC, vs MIN
Analysis: Duffy has shown some high strikeout upside early on this season. Both of these starts are risky no doubt. But with slim pickings this week he might be worth taking a leap of faith. So far he seems to be extremely unlucky. His 5.79 ERA doesn't do him justice as he isn't walking anyone and is keeping the ball in the park. He essentially has just given up one bad home run. Duffy is a nice rebound target and someone to keep an eye on!
Kyle Gibson, TEX (8% rostered)
@OAK, vs LAA
Analysis: Kyle Gibson is so undervalued it is criminal. He has two stellar breaking balls and in his season opener, he pitched five innings without letting in a run. The start in Oakland is a little dangerous but the Athletics offense hasn't been that good. They are ranked 25th in wRC+ and have been struggling at the plate. Then the Angels come to town with an offense that has been pretty average but he gets to pitch at home in a ballpark that certainly isn't hitter-friendly.
Josh Lindblom, MIL (7% rostered)
vs CHW, vs CIN
Analysis: This is, of course, contingent on Lindblom's health as he had some back issues in his first outing and got pulled after three innings. This two-start slate should be a good one if Lindblom pitches. While the White Sox and Reds certainly can hit, these starts are at home and both of these teams are striking out a ton. Expect a run or two given up but you should also expect some decent strikeout totals.
Do Not Stream
Carlos Rodon, CHW (5% rostered)
@MIL, vs CLE
Analysis: Rodon got lit up in his first outing and quite frankly, he's never been a really good pitcher. With a career 1.38 WHIP and walk rate over 10% three years running, it's hard to trust him. Against Cleveland, in his first start, he allowed five runs in just three innings. Now he faces them again. No thank you.
Derek Holland, PIT (1% rostered)
@MIN, vs DET
Analysis: Holland surprisingly had a great start to begin the year. The issue with Holland is that he tends to give up the long ball. Well, the Tigers and Twins have been the two best teams in doing so. Move on.
Daniel Mengden, OAK (1% rostered)
@SEA, vs HOU
Analysis: You can't really trust Mengden's skills and with Seattle's offense exploding at times and Houston being Houston let this ticking time bomb go.
Justus Sheffield, SEA (6% rostered)
vs OAK, vs COL
Analysis: Sheffield has a lethal slider and a ton of strikeout upside. But he seems to still be a work in progress. The good thing is both of these starts are at home and against struggling offenses. While I wouldn't blame anyone taking the risk, I would rather stay away.
Ivan Nova, DET (2% rostered)
vs STL, @PIT
Analysis: Never stream Nova, ever.
Brady Singer, KC (25% rostered)
@CHC, vs MIN
Analysis: Mr. Singer has had quite the run so far in his debut. He certainly is everything the scouting report shows. He has an excellent slider that can produce whiffs while also producing a ton of ground balls. He is an exciting young player but with the Cubs and Twins coming up he isn't worth an add.
Kevin Gausman, SF (6% rostered)
@COL, @LAD
Analysis: In Colorado and in Los Angeles?! Wow, what a schedule for Gausman here. Albeit when he has decent matchups at home he is an intriguing starter that the Braves might be kicking themselves for letting go.
Justin Dunn, SEA (3% rostered)
vs LAA, vs COL
Analysis: Dunn didn't turn out the best start recently. He certainly will be limited for a few more starts. The youngster does have some good stuff in the arsenal. His slider, four-seam, changeup combo looks good at times, but he is just too raw at this point in time.
Framber Valdez, HOU (1% rostered)
@ARI, @OAK
Analysis: Valdez has never been good in the majors and probably won't start now. While these two offenses are struggling he has to go on the road twice and you just cannot trust his skills.
