Two Start Pitchers: Week of July 25 - 31

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.

Coming off the massive 10-day scoring period that followed the All-Star Break, fantasy rosters are heading into the home stretch. MLB teams too. With the trading deadline looming on August 1, we may see a few arms dealt during Week 16. Any of those transactions will have a direct impact on your two-start waiver options this week, which to be honest, there are not a whole lot. One of those pitchers possibly on the move is our spotlight pitcher of the week.

Jeremy Hellickson (@MIA, @ATL)

Pitching for his third team in three seasons, Hellickson could make it four by the end of the month. With the Phils closer to the basement the top of the NL East, they are in prime position to continue their rebuild by dealing away their Opening Day starter. Sporting a 3.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 8.0 K/9 rate, Hellickson has been one of the more undervalued fantasy arms this season.

In his last trip out, he continued to showcase his potential for a contender as the 2011 AL Rookie of the Year spun eight innings of five-hit, one run ball. He also struck out eight. If everything stays on track, Hellickson is due to face off against two of the weaker offenses in the NL including the Braves, who rank dead last in home runs, runs scored, and batting average.

Unowned in over two-thirds if both Yahoo and ESPN fantasy leagues, Hellickson should be your top waiver-wire two-start target in Week 16.

Aces

Jake Arrieta (@CHW, SEA)

Noah Syndergaard (STL, COL)

Just when we started to think Arrieta was unhittable, he proves he is human. From May 25 through the All-Star Break the Cubs' ace sported a 4.38 ERA with 23 walks through 51.1 IP. Not to worry, though, after his long lay off he bounced back with another gem, tossing seven innings with one run, five hit, and eight punchouts...After a rough June, where Syndergaard had a 3.86 ERA, the 23-year-old has settled down in July. In his lone start since the break, the big righty punched out eight Cubs.

Lineup Locks

Anthony DeSclafani (@SF, @SD)

Kyle Hendricks (@CHW, SEA)

Carlos Martinez (@NYM, @MIA)

Justin Verlander (@BOS, HOU)

Since coming off the disabled list June 10, DeSclafani has a perfect 5-0 record through eight starts. His 30 strikeouts compared to only two walks over his last five starts, has helped lead the Reds' ace to a top 10 fantasy ranking in the last 30 days... Also, somewhat quietly, ranked in the top 10 of starting pitchers over the past thirty days is Hendricks. In his last 31.1 IP, the Cubs starter has allowed only two earned runs, leaving him with a 2.27 ERA on the season, good for third in the NL.

Solid Starts

Gio Gonzalez (@CLE, @SF)

Dallas Keuchel (NYY, @DET)

Michael Pineda (@HOU, @TB)

Drew Pomeranz (DET, @LAA)

Aaron Sanchez (SD, BAL)

James Shields (CHC, @MIN)

Chris Tillman (COL, @TOR)

Steven Wright (DET, @LAA)

Slowly working his way back to his 2015 Cy Young form, Keuchel has been cooking his last four starts. Allowing two or fewer runs in all four outings, he is trustworthy again. While the walks are still a concern, nine free passes in last 25 IP, the HRs allowed are down (2), and Ks are up (21)...In Pomeranz's first start since being dealt to Boston, he was lit up, allowing five runs in three innings. With two favorable matchups on the docket this week, the southpaw should resemble the stud who held a 2.47 ERA and 10.1 K/9 rate with San Diego.

Not a Sure Thing

Wei-Yin Chen (PHI, STL)

Bartolo Colon (STL, COL)

Patrick Corbin (@MIL, @LAD)

Jerad Eickhoff (@MIA, @ATL)

Jaime Garcia (@NYM, @MIA)

Ian Kennedy (LAA, @TEX)

Jake Peavy (CIN, WAS)

Through his first six starts of the year, Kennedy posted a 2.13 ERA and looked to have reclaimed his ace status. Since May 12, he has allowed a league-high 23 home runs on his way to a 5.48 ERA and a 2-6 record. On the bright side, he is causing a ton of swings and misses with 29 punchouts in 23.3 IP this July....In 10 starts at Chase Field, Corbin has a 0-7 record with a 6.91 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. On the road, the D-Backs southpaw has fared much better with a 3.64 ERA and .257 BA against. With a visit to the Brewers and Dodgers up next, who rank 24th and 25th in runs scored at home; Week 16 should be a good week for Corbin.

Shot in the Dark

Chad Bettis (@BAL, @NYM)

Jorge De La Rosa (@BAL, @NYM)

Ervin Santana (ATL, CHW)

Hector Santiago (@KC, BOS)

Anytime you get a Rockies pitcher away from Coors, the fantasy intrigue increases. With Colorado making visits to Camden Yards and Citi Field this week, the Rockies duo are interesting gambles this week. Bettis is coming off three straight quality starts while De La Rosa had a run of five consecutive QS, from June 20 to July 15, snapped in his last outing...The White Sox and Braves are 24th and 30th, respectively, in runs scored this season. Over Santana's last six starts he has allowed only nine earned runs in 40 IP. The combination of his recent success and the favorable matchups make the Twins' veteran, owned in only 20 percent of Yahoo leagues, the perfect waiver option in Week 16.

No Thank You

Chase Anderson (ARI, PIT)

Matt Cain (CIN, WAS)

Yovani Gallardo (COL, @TOR)

Matt Garza (ARI, PIT)

Miguel Gonzalez (CHC, @MIN)

Lucas Harrell (@MIN, PHI)

Tom Koehler (PHI, STL)

Jeff Locke (SEA, @MIL)

Kyle Lohse (OAK, KC)

Daniel Mengden (@TEX, @CLE)

Martin Perez (OAK, KC)

Colin Rea (@TOR, CIN)

Cody Reed (@SF, @SD)