The number of high-end pitchers making two starts in Week 3 (April 12-18) allows for fewer two-start sleepers, which means more of my recommendations here are in line for only one start. It's worth the reminder, then, that most of you shouldn't need to resort to streaming so early in the season. Chances are the pitching staff you intended is still mostly intact and still your best bet, particularly in a week when the high-end guys are all throwing more.
But if you are in a pinch, there's some impact to be found on the waiver wire still. It's not even so much matchup-driven as just ... these guys have been overlooked so far. Particularly for the first six of these 10, you might just decide to hold on for the long haul.
Here are my favorite streamer pitchers rostered in less than 75 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
- Week 3: Sleeper hitters | Two-start pitcher rankings
We talk Yermin Mercedes and Griffin Canning plus Week 3 Sleepers on the Fantasy Baseball Today in 5 Podcast. You can follow us to make sure you get the latest episodes when they drop on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
As good as Carlos Rodon has looked so far, he's basically a must for a two-start week, even with the Red Sox swinging the bats so well right now.
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The continued improvement of his secondary arsenal has him looking like a better swing-and-miss pitcher this year, enough that I'll roll with him despite the two tough matchups.
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His first start with the Braves saw him do something he didn't do with the Giants last year: go six innings. If they're using him like a conventional starter, expect a lot of strikeouts.
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This one enters more dangerous territory because it's two questionable matchups for a pitcher still with much to prove, but I like the general direction Casey Mize is headed. They're sleepers, not must-starts.
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Not only has he recaptured the slider that made him so interesting as a rookie in 2019 but he's apparently now throwing it closer to 50 percent of the time. The matchup is solid.
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The Rangers have talked about using him more as the first starter in a piggyback situation than a conventional starter, but as good as he looked over five innings last time, you'll take the chance with two good matchups.
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A so-so first couple of starts has taken some of the wind out of Logan Webb's sails, but the matchup is strong enough that it might be worth giving him one more look if you're in a bind.
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He followed up a terrible start on opening day with a terrific one Wednesday. He shows enough bat-missing ability that he'll always be tempting with the right matchups.
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He flashed improved velocity and looked very much in control while striking out nine in his first start for the Blue Jays. His second start over the weekend was decent, too.
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You're pinning most of your hopes to the first matchup, of course, but he was pretty reliable for the Mariners last season, delivering a quality start in six of his 10 outings.
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