Many MLB teams are using their Opening Day starter for two starts this week, which makes the group of available waiver wire options a weak group. I can generate enthusiasm for the initial two starters on the list, and there are three other pitchers who can be respectable volume plays. On the hitting side, the Rangers, Yankees and Pirates will open the week with favorable four-game series.
Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Ryan Weathers, Yankees, 30% (vs. LAA, vs. KC): After opening the season with two unimpressive starts, Weathers, who was a fast riser in March drafts, held the Athletics to one run across eight innings last time out. The lefty has massive strikeout potential when he opens the week against an Angels team that leads the majors in whiffs, and his second matchup against the Royals is a respectable one. In a weak scoring period for two-start pitchers, it’s enough to put him atop this list.
Joey Cantillo, Guardians, 36% (@ STL, vs. BAL): After lasting just 3.2 innings in his 2026 debut, Cantillo has shown improvement in each of his past two starts, which includes nine punchouts while allowing one earned run (two total) over 5.2 innings last time out. The lefty has excellent swing-and-miss skills and would be a lineup fixture in 12-team leagues if not for a mediocre walk rate. For now, he one of the top streamers, especially during a two-start week. Cantillo’s potential for 15 strikeouts this week makes him especially appealing in points leagues.
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, 42% (vs. TEX, vs. CWS): Springs’ velocity is up this year, and so far the results have been excellent (1.47 ERA, 0.76 WHIP). I’m skeptical that he can continue to post excellent results while also logging a mediocre 7.4 K/9 rate, but he has easily pitched well enough to warrant use in a two-start week against a pair of mediocre lineups. The one reason for pause is that both starts are at home, where he logged a 4.81 ERA last season (3.45 ERA on the road).
Mitch Keller, Pirates, 42% (vs. WSH, vs. TB): Managers shouldn’t get carried away with Keller’s excellent ratios (1.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP), as his 11 strikeouts across 18 innings is a strong sign that he is not at the outset of a dominant season. Still, streaming someone who has three straight six-inning starts in April makes plenty of sense, especially when both outings will come at his pitcher-friendly home park. He’s a high-floor, low-ceiling option in 12-team leagues.
Grant Holmes, Braves, 45% (vs. MIA, @ PHI): Hitters have thus far struggled to make strong contact against Holmes’ offerings, as the right-hander has allowed an 86.2 mph average exit velocity which has contributed to a .191 BABIP. I’m not sold on Holmes as a long-term option, as his 14:8 K:BB ratio is unimpressive, and his batted-ball luck will likely change at some point. Still, he’s someone to consider in 12-team leagues.
Brady Singer, Reds, 20% (vs. SF, @ MIN): Although Singer struggled in his initial three starts (7.71 ERA, 2.06 WHIP), his 13:3 K:BB ratio and 4.03 FIP are strong indicators that he has deserved a better fate. The right-hander is more of an innings-eater than a difference maker, but his reasonable matchups make him a viable streamer in 12-team leagues during a week that lacks high-end options.
Mike Burrows, Astros, 29% (@ SEA, vs. STL): Burrows was a late-round draft darling during March but is off to a slow start thanks to allowing three homers and six walks over 16 innings. Some of his struggles have been caused by a .396 BABIP, which offers hope that better days are ahead, but I’ll stop short of predicting that he’s a roster mainstay at any point soon. The Cardinals have a mediocre lineup and the Mariners have scuffled thus far, which makes Burrows an option in 15-team leagues.
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, 19% (vs. CLE, @ HOU): After showing some signs of a possible breakout during spring training, Liberatore has mostly looked like himself during his initial three starts. Sure, he has limited scoring (3.38 ERA), but he also has a bloated 1.50 WHIP and has struck out just 10 batters in 16 innings. The lefty’s ceiling makes him a weak option in 12-team leagues, but he can be streamed by those who are hoping to pick up a win in 15-team formats.
Cade Cavalli, Nationals, 14% (@ PIT, vs. SF): Cavalli has some similarities to Liberatore and Burrows, in that they were all draft risers in March who has flopped since the real games began. In Cavalli’s case, an 11:9 K:BB ratio has cemented his status as someone who belongs on waivers in mixed leagues. He has reasonable matchups this week but is still a risky option in 15-team formats.
One-Start Streamers
In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets.
Reynaldo López vs. MIA (Tuesday, 38%)
Kyle Harrison vs. TOR (Thursday, 34%)
Randy Vásquez vs. SEA (Wednesday, 50%)
Jansen Junk vs. MIL (Friday, 5%)
Landen Roupp @ CIN (Thursday, 19%)
Sean Burke vs. TB (Wednesday, 5%)
Carmen Mlodzinski vs. WSH (Wednesday, 5%)
Michael McGreevy vs. CLE (Tuesday, 13%)
Chad Patrick vs. TOR (Wednesday, 20%)
Rhett Lowder vs. SF (Wednesday, 16%)
Slade Cecconi @ STL (Wednesday, 5%)
Spencer Arrighetti vs. COL (Wednesday, 8%)
Eduardo Rodriguez @ BAL (Tuesday, 26%)
Mick Abel vs. BOS (Tuesday, 8%)
Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups
Rangers @ Athletics: The Rangers will spend four games facing a weak Athletics pitching staff at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. The good news is that there are only three Texas hitters who are rostered in at least 30% of Yahoo leagues. The bad news is that the remaining players have mostly struggled this season. Still, Jake Burger (22%) has a couple homers and is a solid corner infield streamer.
Yankees vs. Angels: New York could go deep often when they play four games at their power-inducing home park against a subpar Angels staff. Unfortunately, there are six Yankees hitters who are already rostered in most leagues. Still, this is a good reminder to ensure that Giancarlo Stanton (59%) is in the active lineup. Also, Trent Grisham (44%) and Austin Wells (13%) could turn around their slow starts to the season.
Pirates vs. Nationals: An improved Pirates lineup includes five members who are rostered in 60% of leagues. Still, there are some deep-league options for a four-game series against a Washington staff that could be the worst in baseball. Spencer Horwitz (2%) has the skills to reach base often, especially in the three games that will be started by righties.
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