Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Last Chance for Kyle Harrison!

This is the best group of two-start options fantasy baseball managers have seen in weeks. There’s only one hurler I’d label a surefire hit, but there are plenty of other guys with solid chances to get the job done. The only caveat to this week’s group is that several members have at least one start against a powerful lineup. On the hitting side, the two best offenses to look to for short-term help are the high-scoring D-backs and the disappointing Rays.

Two-start pitchers (ranked in order of preference)

Kyle Harrison, 54% (vs. CWS, @SEA)

Zebby Matthews, 3% (@SD, vs. STL)14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) has some incredible matchups this week. His first start comes against the historically poor White Sox, who have scored 68 fewer runs than any other team. He then closes out the game against a Mariners lineup that leads the majors in strikeouts and is 26th in runs allowed. Harrison should be an all-league option for one week, and fantasy baseball managers are quickly catching on, with his roster percentage jumping from 45% to 54%.

Zebby Matthews, 21% (@SD, vs. STL)

Matthews is an exciting rookie who was terrific in the minors this year (2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 10.6 K/9 rate) and solid in his big league debut (5 IP, 2 ER, 5 SO). He has incredible control skills (22 BB in 205.1 career Minor League innings), which should make him an immediate WHIP asset. Matthews has a tough matchup against the Padres (ranked ninth in runs scored, last in strikeouts) and a favorable matchup against the Cardinals (ranked 24th in runs scored).

DJ Herz, 6% (vs. COL, @ATL)

After a mix of great and terrible outings in his first few Major League starts, Herz has become more predictable of late. The left-hander has a 3.04 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in the second half while posting a solid 27:10 K:BB ratio. His home run against the Rockies (ranked 28th in road runs scored, second in total strikeouts) has been good enough to land Herz in most roto lineups, with managers rooting for a successful start against the Braves.

Martín Pérez, 22% (vs. MIN, vs. NYM)

An under-the-radar deadline deal has had a surprising impact, as Pérez has been terrific (1.96 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 21:3 K:BB ratio) in three starts with the Padres. Previously a fantasy afterthought, the left-hander can now start in most leagues during a two-start week at his pitcher-friendly home park against top-12 offenses.

Joey Estes, 7% (vs. TB, vs. MIL)

There is a silver lining for those looking past Estes’ 4.72 ERA. The righty has used impressive control (2.2 BB/9 rate) to produce a respectable 1.21 WHIP, and he’s been better at run prevention of late, posting a 3.28 ERA since the All-Star break. Still, there’s limited upside with someone who has collected just 66 punchouts in 87.2 innings. Estes can start in most head-to-head formats and deep roto leagues.

Matthew Boyd, 15% (@NYY, vs. TEX)

Boyd returned from Tommy John surgery last week and posted a promising stat line with six strikeouts and no walks in 5.1 one-run innings. For those who have forgotten about the veteran left-hander, he has a history of struggling to keep the ball in the yard. The start at Yankee Stadium will be enough to scare managers in roto leagues.

Frankie Montas, 13% (@STL, @OAK)

Being traded from the Reds to the Brewers hasn’t made much difference for Montas, who has posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with his new teams. Still, he has the potential to limit the scoring and pick up a win this week against two bottom-10 scoring offenses. The total package is compelling enough to consider in scoring competitions.

José Quintana, 23% (vs. BAL, @SD)

After posting a 1.91 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in eight starts from mid-June through late July, Quintana has failed to appear in three August games (15.2 IP, 12 ER, 13:10 K:BB). His early summer success was more a result of luck than improved skill, and overall Quintana remains a streamer-worthy starter who should spend the majority of his time on the waiver wire. Two matchups against offenses ranked in the top 10 in scoring limit the righty to points-league consideration this week.

Luis L. Ortiz, 19% (@TEX, vs. CIN)

Ortiz enjoyed some initial success as a starter before posting a 6.33 ERA and 12:9 K:BB ratio in his last four starts. The lack of whiffs is especially concerning for someone who is now a risky option and would be better utilized in point competitions for two starts this week against mid-pack offenses.

Single Start Streamers

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

• Jeffrey Springs @OAK (Thursday, 45)

• Bowden Francis vs. LAA (Friday, 24)

• Eduardo Rodríguez @MIA (Tuesday 48)

• Jordan Montgomery @MIA (Wednesday, 45)

• Keider Montero @CWS (Friday, 3)

• Osvaldo Bido vs. TB (Thursday, 18)

• Yariel Rodríguez vs. CIN (Wednesday, 11)

• Michael Lorenzen vs. LAA (Wednesday, 16)

• Mitchell Parker vs. COL (Wednesday, 16)

• Hayden Birdsong @SEA (Friday, 16)

• David Festa vs. STL (Friday, 14)

• Brant Hurter @CHC (Thursday, 0)

• Aaron Civale @STL (Thursday, 32)

• Simeon Woods Richardson @SD (Wednesday, 18)

• Paul Blackburn @SD (Friday, 29)

• Kyle Gibson vs. MIL (Wednesday, 29)

• Mitch Spence vs. TB (Wednesday, 4)

• Max Meyer vs. CHC (Friday, 17)

• Cal Quantrill @WSH (Thursday, 8)

Favorable Monday-Thursday Hit Matchups

Shining at A’s

The Rays’ streaming options are easy to determine, as the club faces four mediocre right-handed starters over the next four days. Brandon Lowe (46%) is playing well and batting second in the lineup against righties, while Junior Caminero (56%) remains available in shallow leagues.

D-backs @ Marlins

This is too easy. An Arizona offense that leads the majors in runs scored is about to face a Marlins staff that ranks 28th in ERA. Joc Pederson (50%) and Geraldo Perdomo (25%) are the best streamers from this offense, while Adrian Del Castillo (4%) is a solid catcher-streamer in deep formats.