Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: Yu Darvish, Luis García among top options to add for this week

There are more pitching options this week than we have seen in a long time. The hurlers who top the two-start pitcher list are fine options, but the real value is in the one-start fantasy baseball streamers list, where there are several pitchers who are poised for dominant outings. Jake Cronenworth and Kyle Manzardo are the top hitters to add.

Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)

Cade Cavalli, Nationals, 10% (@MIA, vs. PIT): Cavalli righted the ship after a dismal start in the Bronx when he held the Marlins to two runs across five innings last time out. The single poor performance against the Yankees is heavily impacting the 27-year-old’s ratios, but outside of that start he has allowed just nine runs across five outings. Having favorable matchups moves Cavalli to the top of this list.

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Ryan Bergert, Royals, 36% (@CLE, @PHI): Bergert has quietly become one of baseball’s most consistent starters, as he has allowed more than two runs in just two of his 13 starts and has never been scored on more than three times. And although he has finished the sixth inning just once, he has tallied at least five frames in all of his past six appearances. Bergert has one favorable (Guardians) and one challenging (Phillies) matchup this week, which makes him a viable option in 12-team leagues.

José Quintana, Brewers, 34% (@TEX, vs. STL): Quintana continues to plod along as a steady contributor with minimal upside who has now amassed 11 wins as an innings eater on the best team in baseball. His matchups are reasonable this week, which makes him a great fit for managers who can live with an ERA around 4.00 and 5-8 strikeouts while hoping to pick up at least one win.

Luis García, Astros, 25% (@TOR, @ATL): García returned from a two-year absence when he tossed six innings of three-run ball against the Angels last week. His career ratios (3.62 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) suggest that the right-hander should be started in all leagues, but there is plenty of risk with someone who has only recently returned from such a long absence. The fact that the Blue Jays rank second and the Braves eighth in runs scored since the All-Star break makes García a marginal option in 12-team leagues.

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Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates, 16% (@BAL, @WSH): Ashcraft has looked great in five starts since joining the rotation, posting a 1.23 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. And although he was a bit wild last time out, his 24:7 K:BB ratio in those five outings is an excellent mark. Ashcraft’s matchups are average this week, as the Orioles have had an above-average offense in the second half but the Nats have been among the lowest-scoring teams during that same time span. He doesn’t go deep enough into games to have a high ceiling, but his floor is very solid.

Yu Darvish, Padres, 40% (vs. CIN, vs. COL): Darvish has been inconsistent of late, allowing one or fewer runs in three of his past seven outings but failing to pitch into the fourth inning in the other four starts. He should benefit from working at home twice this week, as he has a 3.55 ERA at Petco Park but a 7.86 mark on the road. And his matchups are favorable, as the Reds are a mid-level matchup and the Rockies are the best matchup in baseball.

Luis Morales, Athletics, 47% (vs. BOS, vs. CIN): Morales continues to impress in a late-season rotation audition, as he has allowed four runs while logging a 26:5 K:BB ratio in his past four starts. Despite having difficult matchups, he will be a viable two-start option this week when he faces the Red Sox and Reds. If the matchups were better, he could top this list.

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Nabil Crismatt, D-backs, 5% (@SF, @MIN): Crismatt is a 30-year-old journeyman who is eating innings down the stretch for a team that is out of contention. Still, he has been solid in his 21.0 innings with Arizona (2.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP), and this week he gets to work at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park before facing a Twins team that has the worst second-half record in baseball. He’s a desperation play for those who need wins.

Adrian Houser, Rays, 21% (@CWS, @CHC): Houser has befuddled fantasy managers this year. He fared well with the lowly White Sox but has struggled since the trade deadline as a member of a Rays organization that typically gets the most out of its starters. His matchups are peculiar this week, as the White Sox have hit well since the All-Star break while the postseason-bound Cubs rank 26th in second-half runs scored. Add in the fact that Houser maintains a poor strikeout rate, and he isn’t worth the risk in most leagues right now.

One-Start Streamers

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

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• Kyle Bradish vs. PIT (Tuesday, 35%)

• Emmet Sheehan vs. COL (Tuesday, 26%)

• Parker Messick vs. CWS (Saturday, 27%)

• Jonah Tong vs. TEX (Friday, 48%)

• Ryne Nelson @MIN (Saturday, 49%)

• Tyler Wells vs. PIT (Wednesday, 3%)

• Charlie Morton @MIA (Saturday, 39%)

• José Soriano vs. MIN (Wednesday, 43%)

• Zebby Matthews @LAA (Tuesday, 17%)

• Randy Vasquez vs. COL (Thursday, 3%)

• Matthew Liberatore @SEA (Tuesday, 18%)

• Brandon Sproat vs. TEX (Saturday, 22%)

• Shane Smith vs. TB (Thursday, 22%)

• J.T. Ginn vs. CIN (Friday, 7%)

Hitters with favorable matchups this week

Jake Cronenworth, 1B/2B, Padres, 20%: Cronenworth caught fire in August (.400 OBP, 17 RBI, 14 R) before cooling off in early September. He could get back on track this week, when the Padres play seven home games that include four games against a Rockies pitching staff with a 6.01 ERA. San Diego is still holding out hope to catch the Dodgers, which means that the lineup regulars will be heavily used in the coming weeks.

Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians, 17%: Manzardo has broken through in his first full season as a successful power hitter who gets on base just often enough to maintain a spot in the heart of the lineup. The lefty masher fares best against righties, and this week he will draw those matchups in five of Cleveland’s seven games. He’s the best option on this list for those who are looking for power numbers.

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Jorge Polanco, 2B/3B, Mariners, 51%: Polanco deserves credit for reviving his career in 2025. He has been consistently effective and has a solid .802 OPS to go along with 24 homers and six steals. He could have an effective week, as the Mariners will play seven games against two pitching staffs (Angels, Cardinals) that lack high-end hurlers. All seven games will be played in Seattle and Polanco is one of the few Mariners who has been more effective at home than on the road.

Luis García Jr. 2B, Nationals, 50%: Garcia has been consistent but mediocre this season, even though his expected stats have consistently indicated that he deserves to be more productive. This could be a good week to give him one more chance as the Nats will play seven games against two teams (Marlins, Pirates) who fell out of the postseason race a long time ago. And it’s worth noting that Washington will not face Paul Skenes during their series vs. Pittsburgh. Those in deeper leagues can also consider Nats OF Daylen Lile (6%).