Two Start Pitchers: Week of June 20 - 26

When streaming starting pitching in fantasy baseball, especially in leagues with moves limits, knowing who the two-start pitchers are is valuable information to have. Each week we will give you the rundown on who is in line for a big week and give you one option which is poised to make for a great streaming option for the week.

Most weeks you can go to the waiver wire and debate over multiple options to pick up; not in Week 12. With eight of the top 11 pitchers in all of fantasy getting two starts and most of the other playable options unavailable, the pickings are slim this week. While our spotlight pitcher may not have the easiest of matchups, he is owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is one of the hottest pitchers in all of baseball.

James Paxton (@DET, STL)

Not too long ago Paxton was seen as one of the most promising dynamic young arms, along with Taijuan Walker and Felix Hernandez to give the Mariners one of the deadliest rotations in the majors. However, due to injuries and inconsistencies, the 27-year-old has pitched more innings in Tacoma than in Seattle. With the luster worn off the once bright and shining prospect, Paxton made his 2016 with little-to-no expectations.

Adding some new found velocity this year, Paxton has the third-highest average fastball velocity at 97.5 mph; the southpaw has re-emerged as one of Seattle's best prospects. After a rocky first start of the year, Paxton has tossed three straight quality starts with a sub-2.00 ERA and 22 Ks in his last 18.1 IP. While his 1.54 WHIP is downright ugly, he does seem to be a bit unlucky as his opponents' BAbip is .403, way above the league average of .300.

I will give that his two opponents this week seem like tough outs; St. Louis and Detroit rank 2nd and 7th, respectively in runs scored. Against lefties, though, they both are nothing special, both ranking in the middle of the pack. If Paxton can continue to rack up the punch-outs and get some better defensive play behind him, he may become a fantasy staple and not just a one-week stream.

Aces

Madison Bumgarner (@PIT, PHI)

Johnny Cueto (@PIT, PHI)

Jose Fernandez (ATL, CHC)

Clayton Kershaw (WAS, @PIT)

Chris Sale (@BOS, TOR)

Stephen Strasburg (@LAD, @MIL)

Noah Syndergaard (KC, @ATL)

After a disastrous stint in the American League, Cueto has regained his All-Star form with the Giants. The 30-year-old is leading the NL in wins, complete games, and HR/9; all while posting a career-best 2.10 ERA...Miami skipped Fernandez's last start as they try to keep the 23-year-old's innings in check. The timing couldn't have come at a better time as the Marlins' ace was coming off his worst start since mid-April...Whenever you get to face the 26th and 29th ranked offenses in the majors, it will be a good week. When you also own a sub-2.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and average 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings, like Syndergaard does, you could easily be the No. 1 pitcher of the week.

Lineup Locks

Jason Hammel (STL, @MIA)

John Lackey (STL, @MIA)

Justin Verlander (SEA, CLE)

Steven Wright (CWS, @TEX)

At age 37, Lackey is enjoying his time on the North side as he is having a career year so far. His 2.66 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 9.3 K/9 rate are by far the best he has had in his 14 big league seasons...Wright has been as steady as the come this year as through 13 starts the knuckleballer has given up more than three runs only once. His 2.22 ERA ranks second in the American League. The Red Sox righty has also been a big innings eater as he is tied with Chris Sale for the AL lead with three complete games and is top 10 with 89.1 IP.

Solid Starts

Doug Fister (LAA, @KC)

Sonny Gray (MIL, @LAA)

Aaron Nola (@MIN, @SF)

Drew Smyly (@CLE, @BAL)

Josh Tomlin (TB, @DET)

You are never going to get big strikeout numbers from Fister, but with a 2.35 ERA, eight quality starts and a 6-0 record since May 1, the veteran right-hander can help you in every other category. Available in over 60 percent of fantasy leagues, pick the Astros starter up wherever you can....In his first 17.2 IP since coming off the disabled list, Gray has appeared to right the ship as he has allowed only three earned runs. Even factoring in the disastrous five-run sixth inning versus Texas, his last time out, the A's ace has a respectable 3.87 ERA and .257 BA against since June 5...In Nola's last two starts he was lit up to the tune of 10 runs in 6.2 IP, inflating his ERA from 2.65 to 3.51. Starting the week with a turn against the worst offense in the American League, Minnesota, the burgeoning Phillies ace will look to get back on track before facing a tough Giants squad.

Not a Sure Thing

Patrick Corbin (@TOR, @COL)

Jaime Garcia (@CHC, @SEA)

Kevin Gausman (@TEX, TB)

Jeremy Hellickson (ARI, @SF)

Nathan Karns (@DET, STL)

Juan Nicasio (SF, LAD)

Hector Santiago (@HOU, OAK)

Pitching away from Chase Field has been kind to Corbin this year as he owns a 2.66 road ERA and 7.02 mark at home. However, this week brings a pair of brutal road matchups. First up is the hottest offense in the majors, Toronto. Follow that up with the best home offense in the NL, Colorado and it may be best to stay away...In his second start of the year, Garcia threw a one-hit, 13 strikeout shutout versus the Brewers. Over the last month, though, the Cardinals southpaw has struggled with a 5.93 ERA, 4.5 K/9 rate, and a .369 opposing BA. Things won't get easier this week either as he faces two of the top five offenses in the majors...In the month of May, Hellickson had a 3.58 ERA with 37 Ks compared to only eight walks. June has been a different story so far though, as he has gone 0-2 with a 7.41 ERA and a .328 BA against.

Shot in the Dark

Anthony DeSclafani (@TEX, SD)

Bud Norris (@MIA, NYM)

Tyler Wilson (SD, TB)

Since rejoining the Braves rotation, Norris owns a 2.65 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP. Opponents are hitting .169 with 15 strikeouts in the 31-year-old's last three starts. Add in that his two opponents are the 12th and 13th ranked offenses in the NL, and the journeyman right-hander makes for a good gamble this week....Wilson has a pair of favorable matchups this week and is coming off tossing eight shutout innings against the most potent offense in the majors, Boston. In a week light on streaming options, the second-year Orioles' starter may be the best choice out on the wire, especially in deep leagues.

No Thank You

Chad Bettis (@NYY, ARI)

Jhoulys Chacin (@HOU, OAK)

Jorge De La Rosa (@MIA, ARI)

Tyler Duffey (PHI, @NYY)

Miguel Gonzalez (@BOS, TOR)

Derek Holland (BAL, BOS)

Jeff Locke (SF, LAD)

Shelby Miller (@PHI, @COL)

Justin Nicolino (COL, CHC)

Mike Pelfrey (SEA, CLE)

Luis Perdomo (@BAL, @CIN)

Eduardo Rodriguez (CWS, @TEX)