Fantasy Baseball: Osvaldo Bido and David Festa are among the top two starting options for Week 23

As noted in last week’s issue, fantasy baseball managers looking to make two starts at this point in the year should look to add pitchers who will make their second outing on Saturday. Unfortunately, Bellozo is the only guy on this week’s roster who fits that description. On the hitting side, the Guardians and Tigers are the best sources of help over the next four days.

Two-start pitchers (ranked in order of preference)

Osvaldo Bido, 38% (@HOU, @CWS)

Playing the White Sox is fantasy baseball gold these days. Not only is Chicago the worst team and offense in baseball, but the gap between them and the next team is huge. Bido is at the top of this week’s list because he got a start against Chicago And for producing a solid 3.41 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 63.1 innings. His start against the division-leading Astros is much tougher, though it’s worth noting that Houston ranks 17th in runs scored in the second half. One other note: Bido’s start against Chicago is scheduled for Sunday, meaning any schedule change could wipe him out.

David Festa, 27% (vs. LAA, vs. CIN)

After some initial struggles, Festa has shown improved consistency, posting a 3.27 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB ratio in his last seven starts. The rookie has plenty of potential to post useful ratios and pick up a win this week when he makes two home starts against teams with a losing record. The matchup against the Angels (ranked 27th in runs scored) is especially favorable.

MacKenzie Gore, 39% (vs. ATL, vs. MIA)

Gore’s 1.50 WHIP has made him a player to avoid in fantasy baseball leagues this year. He’s made progress of late, though, allowing just four runs and posting a 19:2 K:BB ratio in his last three starts. This week, Gore will face two offenses that have been middle of the pack in most measurables in the second half, though Miami ranks 29th in runs scored this season. Like Bido, he’d be more appealing if managers didn’t have to wait until Sunday for his favorable matchup.

Rhett Lowder, 12% (@STL, @MIN)

Lowder, the seventh overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has produced a mixed bag in his first two MLB starts. The right-handed pitcher has limited scoring (0.87 ERA) and has not allowed a home run, but he also has an unimpressive 9:8 K:BB ratio in 10.1 innings. His matchups this week have been mediocre, as both the Cards and Twins have had average offense in the second half. Overall, Lowder checks enough of the boxes to be useful in head-to-head leagues and deep roto formats.

Aaron Civale, 40% (@SF, @ARI)

At first glance, it appears the Brewers have helped Civale get on the right track. After all, the right-handed pitcher has a 3.88 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with his new team after posting a 5.07 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 17 starts with the Rays. But there’s little data to suggest a change in Civale’s abilities, as his strikeout, walk and homer percentages are largely the same between the two teams. Civale’s start at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park is good for someone who struggles with homers, but his outing against the highest-scoring offense in baseball (Arizona) will keep him on waivers in roto leagues.

Valente Bellozo, 8% (@PIT, @WSH)

In nine starts with the Marlins, Bellozo has posted respectable rates (3.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) despite struggling to strike out batters (6.2 K/9 rate). He’s allowed three homers in two of his last three starts and struck out just six batters in those outings, which is reason enough for managers to be cautious about using him outside of run-scoring competitions. A few starts against teams with below-average offense is the only reason to give Bellozo any consideration.

Keider Montero, 5% (vs. COL, vs. BAL)

Montero is not a great major league pitcher; he has a 5.47 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 74 innings in his rookie year, and in his last two starts he has allowed eight runs in 9.1 frames. He opens the week with an attractive home game against a Rockies team that ranks 28th in visiting runs scored, but his start on Sunday against the Orioles (fourth in total runs scored) is intimidating. Fantasy Baseball managers could use him for the first game and hope the second is postponed.

Single Start Streamers

Below you’ll find the top streamers of the week, with their start date and Yahoo! roster percentage in parentheses.

• Matthew Boyd @CWS (Wednesday, 37)

• JT Ginn @CWS (Saturday, 9)

• Andrew Heaney @SEA (Sunday, 39)

• DJ Herz vs. MIA (Thursday, 16)

• Mitch Spence @CWS (Friday, 7)

• Simeon Woods Richardson vs. CIN (Saturday, 20)

• Casey Mize vs. COL (Wednesday, 6)

• Patrick Corbin vs. MIA (Saturday, 20)

• Edward Cabrera @WSH (Friday, 14)

• Martín Pérez @SEA (Wednesday 17)

• Mitchell Parker vs. MIA (Friday, 20)

• Joey Estes @HOU (Thursday, 13)

• Frankie Montas @SF (Thursday, 24)

• Davis Martin vs. CLE (Wednesday, 2)

• Dean Kremer @BOS (Wednesday, 20)

• Albert Suárez @BOS (Tuesday 31)

Favorable Monday-Thursday Hit Matchups

Guardians @White Sox, vs. Rays

The Guardians should score often against a White Sox team with the worst ERA in the second half of the league, and they have the added benefit of a fourth game on Thursday. There aren’t many waiver wire options to consider from this team, but Daniel Schneemann (1%) and Kyle Manzardo (6%) are options. David Fry (37%) and Bo Naylor (18%) could also be drafted at catch.

Tigers vs. Rockies

Detroit plays just three games over the next four days, but their matchup against baseball’s worst pitching staff is good enough to make them a good choice over the teams with four games. The Tigers are also an attractive choice for this section due to the fact that they have several waiver wire hitters to offer, including Colt Keith (33%), Matt Vierling (26%), Spencer Torkelson (43%) and Parker Meadows (9%).