Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: Target Yankees starters with soft matchups vs. the Nationals, White Sox

The list of two-start pitchers has a couple solid options this week, which is more than we can say about the lists that appeared in recent articles. Fantasy baseball managers with plenty of available roster moves would be wise to use the one-start streamers list this week, as there are several pitchers who are widely available and have a terrific chance for success.

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]

Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)

Cam Schlittler, Yankees, 46% (vs. WSH, @ CWS): A favorable schedule against two teams who sit in last place in their respective divisions makes Schlittler the top option this week. The rookie has plenty of win potential, especially since the Yankees have emerged from an early August slump. And Schlittler has been effective of late, allowing five runs while racking up 23 strikeouts across 21.2 innings during his past four starts.

Advertisement

Sean Manaea, Mets, 40% (vs. PHI, vs. MIA): Manaea has produced a mixed bag of results in 36.2 innings since returning from a season-opening injured list stint. His 5.15 ERA is keeping him on waivers in many leagues, but his 45:8 K:BB ratio and 1.12 WHIP suggest that the left-hander should soon have more success in preventing runs. Manaea could produce 12-15 strikeouts and hopefully his batted-ball luck (67.4% strand rate) starts to correct itself.

José Soriano, Angels, 36% (@ TEX, @ HOU): The story with Soriano never changes — his heavy ground ball lean means that he will hurt your WHIP, but he shouldn’t have much impact in either direction on your ERA. He’s a safe source of 10-12 strikeouts and has a decent chance of getting a win during a week with reasonable matchups. Because of the WHIP impact, Soriano is more appealing in points leagues.

Luis Gil, Yankees, 48% (vs. WSH, @ CWS): After giving up five runs in his 2025 debut, Gil has allowed four earned runs (five total) over 15.2 innings during his past three starts. However, walks continue to be an issue for one of the wildest starters in baseball, as he issued nine free passes in those three outings. Gil will likely do damage to a fantasy team’s WHIP next week, but his favorable schedule gives him potential to earn a win while racking up 10 whiffs.

Advertisement

Justin Verlander, Giants, 19% (vs. CHC, vs. BAL): Verlander has been one of the least consistent pitchers in baseball of late. In four of his past six starts, the 42-year-old has allowed one or zero runs. But in the other two outings, he surrendered a total of 12 runs. Making his two starts at home this week should help, as he has recorded a 4.14 ERA at Oracle Park this year. And he is facing the Cubs at the right time, as they rank 26th in runs scored since the All-Star break. There is risk here, but Verlander is far from the worst option on this list.

Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, 21% (vs. PIT, @ CIN): McGreevy has an awful 5.2 K/9 rate, but his lack of expected strikeouts is less of an issue during a two-start week. The right-hander opens the week with a favorable matchup against the Pirates, who are the lowest-scoring team in baseball. He wraps things up with a tougher matchup in Cincinnati, but McGreevy has rarely allowed homers this year, which should help his chances at Great American Ball Park. Those who are chasing wins will want to pick him up for the Pirates start alone.

Shane Smith, White Sox, 11% (vs. KC, vs. NYY): Smith has been solid since returning from the IL on August 1, producing a 3.54 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP across four starts. Still, he’s sitting at 3-7 this year and rarely goes past five innings, which gives him a low ceiling for two starts against teams that are still chasing postseason berths. He’s best left for those in 15-team leagues.

Advertisement

Andre Pallante, Cardinals, 6% (vs. PIT, @ CIN): With a 5.17 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP and 6.2 K/9 rate, Pallante has one of the lowest ceilings of any starter. He’s on this list for one reason — managers who are chasing wins without concern for their ratios can stream him for the start against the Pirates. Like his teammate McGreevy, Pallante’s heavy groundball lean gives him a fighting chance at Great American Ball Park on the weekend.

J.T. Ginn, Athletics, 3% (vs. DET, vs. TEX): Ginn has struggled when working as a starter this year (5.24 ERA). But he has potential to fare better, as his 47:17 K:BB ratio in that role is a solid mark, and he induces ground balls at an elite rate. I would normally recommend Ginn as a sneaky option, but I can’t make that call when both of his starts will come at his hitter-friendly home park, where he has logged a 6.75 ERA. He’s someone to remember for road starts in future weeks.

[Upgrade to Fantasy Plus and gain your edge from draft day to the playoffs]

One-Start Streamers

In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.

Advertisement

• Joey Wentz @ MIA (Wednesday, 6%)

• Dustin May vs. PIT (Friday, 35%)

• Parker Messick vs. TB (Tuesday, 7%)

• Braxton Ashcraft @ STL (Wednesday, 11%)

• Nestor Cortes @ MIN (Friday, 19%)

• Ryan Bergert @ CWS (Wednesday, 22%)

• Taijuan Walker @ NYM (Wednesday, 15%)

• Adrian Houser @ WSH (Friday, 22%)

• Michael Lorenzen @ CWS (Tuesday, 8%)

• Slade Cecconi vs. TB (Wednesday, 12%)

• Cade Cavalli @ NYY (Wednesday, 10%)

Hitters with favorable matchups this week

Alec Burleson, 1B/OF, Cardinals, 46%: The left-handed-hitting Burleson is in prime position for an excellent week. The Cardinals will play seven games, with six coming against right-handed starters. St. Louis will miss Paul Skenes during a four-game series against the Pirates and will wrap up the week at homer-happy Great American Ball Park. Those who don’t have access to Burleson in deeper formats can instead grab Nolan Gorman (3%).

Trent Grisham, OF, Yankees, 22%: After surging out of the gate in April, Grisham has been consistent in the subsequent four months. Working as the Yankees leadoff hitter, he should score plenty of runs in a seven-game week against the Nats and White Sox. The lefty swinger will be helped by the fact that there are five right-handed starters on the docket.

Advertisement

Lenyn Sosa, 1B/2B/3B, White Sox, 42%: Sosa has swung a hot bat this summer, posting a .791 OPS since the beginning of July. He should collect plenty of counting stats this week, when he plays seven home games against a mediocre group of starters. Sosa could receive plenty of help from his teammates, as the White Sox rank 4th in runs scored since the All-Star break.

Samuel Basallo, C/1B, Orioles, 27%: With Adley Rutschman on the IL, Basallo should play often during a 7-game week. The lefty slugger will enjoy five matchups against unimposing right-handed starters and could get a day off when the team faces lefty Garrett Crochet. He and fellow youngster Dylan Beavers (7%) are poised for big weeks.