We’re still not a point where there’s enough evidence to fully support two-start pitchers. But with the growing number of games we’ve seen this year, we’re starting to get a better glimpse of who is having a solid season as a starter and which teams are going to continue to struggle hitting the ball.
Here’s my favorite two-start pitchers on the waiver wire for week 4 fantasy baseball.
Yonny Chirinos, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
There’s been a little good and bad this season with Chirinos, but I’ll trust the good this week for two starts.
He’s been used a long reliever and a starter so far this season, and with the offenses greeting him this week, I anticipate there will a solid return on the investment on the waiver wire.
The Rays are squaring off against Kansas City and Boston this week, two offenses that are in the bottom-half of MLB in batting average. The Royals are ranked 19th in batting average, while the Red Sox are ranked 21st.
Eventually, Boston will turn this season around, but for right now, I believe Chirinos. In three of his four appearances, he’s allowed only one earned run. That’s the good. However, in his other appearance, he allowed six earned runs.
I won’t worry about that. Pick him up this week for two starts.
Erik Swanson, SP, Seattle Mariners
It’s not easy to trust a rookie, but I like the matchups this week for Swanson.
The Mariners will face San Diego and Texas. The Padres rank 26th in batting average, so Swanson should get off to a good start to the week.
The Padres rank in the bottom of Major League Baseball in the majority of offensive categories, offering up a nice opportunity. Swanson looked sharp in his most recent outing with five strikeouts and no walks over six innings. Possibly most encouraging, he only allowed one earned run.
The Rangers offer a bit more resistance, especially since they rank 10th in runs scored, but the batting average is still in the bottom half of Major League Baseball, so I’ll overlook those concerns with Swanson being someone who can contribute in the strikeouts and possibly twice in the quality starts category.
