These 2-start fantasy pitchers have boom-or-bust potential

The last week before the All-Star break is a boom-or-bust scoring period in terms of streaming two-start pitchers. The top two players on this list are terrific options, but the rest of the members are risky and best left for deeper formats or points leagues.

Two-start pitchers (listed in order of preference)
Christian Scott, New York Mets, 28% (at PIT, vs. COL)

After spending a month at Triple-A Syracuse, Scott was one out away from a successful return to the Mets when Luis García Jr. ruined his night with a three-run homer. Overall, this prized prospect has been solid but unspectacular in his initial six MLB starts (4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 27-8 K-BB ratio). This is the perfect week for managers to chase Scott’s high ceiling, as he will face a Pirates offense that ranks 27th in OPS before working at home against a Rockies squad that ranks 29th in OPS on the road. If all goes well, the 25-year-old could stay on rosters after the All-Star break.

Andrew Abbott, Cincinnati Reds, 61% (vs. COL, vs. MIA)

This add is more for shallow leagues with his roster percentage over 60, but Abbott is worth using across the board this week. He has been effective this year (3.28 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) while benefiting from a .232 BABIP and an 85.5% strand rate. His good fortune is the reason that he can’t be recommended for long-term use, but the southpaw is an appealing option with two favorable matchups in Week 15. As was mentioned with Scott, the Rockies fare poorly on the road. And the Marlins are even more vulnerable, as they rank last in baseball in OPS. Abbott has thus far overcome his offense-inducing home park, logging a 3.43 career ERA at that venue.

Frankie Montas, Cincinnati Reds, 18% (vs. COL, vs. MIA)

Montas is desirable for the same reason as Abbott -- his matchups are outstanding. The right-hander hasn’t been especially effective this year (4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP), and although he allowed just five runs in his past three starts, he posted an unimpressive 13-7 K-BB ratio in those games. There is some bust potential in this option, but Montas could also pick up two wins against such weak opponents.

Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles, 33% (vs. CHC, vs. NYY)

After struggling during his rehab assignment, Kremer enjoyed an impressive return from the IL by striking out eight batters over five scoreless innings in Seattle. He will now return home for a week with a favorable matchup (Cubs, 22nd in OPS) and a difficult one (Yankees, third in OPS). Kremer can be streamed in deep roto formats and all head-to-head leagues.

Colin Rea, Milwaukee Brewers, 37% (vs. PIT, vs. WSH)

Rea is in the midst of his best fantasy season, going 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP across 17 outings (15 starts). He has benefited from an 81.2% strand rate and an 11.7% HR/FB rate, and his 4.61 FIP is a better indicator of his true ability. Recommending Rea for long-term use would be irresponsible, but he should extend his successful campaign into the All-Star break when he faces two lineups that rank among the bottom 10 in OPS.

Miles Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals, 26% (at WSH, vs. CHC)

Mikolas has been all over the map of late. The veteran put together five consecutive quality starts before allowing 14 runs (13 earned) over two outings and then getting back on track with six innings of two-run ball last time out. He is too risky for roto use but remains in option in points leagues for two starts against teams that rank among the bottom 10 in OPS.

Mitchell Parker, Washington Nationals, 34% (vs. STL, at MIL)

Parker allowed a career-worst five runs last time out, as the gopher ball gave him trouble for the first time in his brief career. Still, with solid fantasy numbers (3.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and a 68-18 K-BB ratio across 15 starts, the rookie remains an option for use in deep roto leagues and all head-to-head formats. He will open the week with a reasonable matchup against the Cardinals before finishing up with a tough opponent in the Brewers.

Davis Daniel, Los Angeles Angels, 11% (vs. TEX, vs. SEA)

After loudly announcing his arrival to the Majors by throwing eight shutout innings on June 27, Daniel fell back to Earth when the A’s touched him up for five runs (four earned) across 5 1/3 innings last time out. Fantasy managers who are wondering which version of Daniel to believe could look at his poor Triple-A numbers this season (5.33 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) for direction. For now, his usefulness is limited to points leagues.