Greene can rack up the strikeouts

A busy schedule for Week 5 leaves several pitchers who are projected to start two times each for their team. In particular, there are some appealing streaming options to target on the waiver wire. Let’s dig into five pitchers who are set to take the mound twice each, and discuss what their matchups could mean for their value in fantasy baseball.

Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles: at LAA, vs. OAK

In his second season in the majors, Rodriguez has shown significant improvement in the early going. He has made four starts, logging at least 5 2/3 innings and allowing two or fewer runs in each of them. He had a 1.34 WHIP last season, but that mark sits at 1.17 this year. Another encouraging stat is his 27.8 percent strikeout rate, compared to his 25.0 percent strikeout rate last season.

As dangerous as Mike Trout is, the Angels don’t have an overly imposing lineup. Through their first 19 games, they have averaged 4.5 runs. Rodriguez’s second matchup of the week against the Athletics is about as good as it gets. Not only have they scored the second-fewest runs in the league, but they have also struck out the sixth-most times. Look for Rodriguez to continue his excellent start to the year.

Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds: vs. PHI, at TEX

Greene is a tantalizing fantasy option because of his ability to miss bats. In both of his first two seasons in the majors, he finished with a strikeout rate of at least 30.5 percent. He does have home run issues, though, allowing 1.6 HR/9 for his career. Last season, he underwhelmed with a 4.82 ERA and a 4.25 FIP.

Through his first four starts this year, Greene hasn’t been great with a 4.35 ERA, but his 3.59 FIP is noteworthy. He is racking up strikeouts again, posting a 32.6 percent strikeout rate. As valuable as his strikeout upside is, these are not matchups to feel confident about Greene. Both of these teams have plenty of power in their lineups, while the Rangers have struck out the fifth-fewest times in baseball. If ever there was a week to sit Greene, this might be it.

Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals: vs. TOR, at DET

Unlike Rodriguez and Greene, Wacha doesn’t provide much in the strikeout department. For his career, he has a 21.1 percent strikeout rate. Still, he produced a 3.22 ERA and a 3.89 FIP over 24 starts with the Padres last season. He has carried over that success with the Royals, recording a 3.75 ERA and a 3.28 FIP over his first four starts this year. The key for him is inducing weak contact. For his career, he has only allowed a 35.2 percent hard-hit rate.

Based on his matchups, Wacha could help fantasy managers in terms of ERA and WHIP this week. Both the Blue Jays and the Tigers rank inside the bottom-10 in baseball in runs scored. The Tigers have also struck out the eighth-most times. Start Wacha with confidence.

Reynaldo Lopez, Atlanta Braves: vs. MIA, vs. CLE

Lopez was exclusively a reliever in 2023 and had made a total of just 10 starts over the last three seasons. He pitched well after making the switch to being a reliever, but with the Braves short on options, they named him a member of their starting rotation heading into this season. To say the initial results have been good would be an understatement. Across three starts, he has a 0.50 ERA and a 2.20 FIP.

In the two seasons during his career in which Lopez made more than 10 starts, he finished with a FIP of at least 4.63 in both campaigns. While regression is likely in the cards, it might not start this week. Up first will be a great matchup against the Marlins, who have scored an average of 3.7 runs per game. The Guardians’ lineup won’t be as easy to navigate, but it has plenty of holes in it that Lopez can exploit. For those looking for a streaming option, Lopez should be towards the top of the list.

Zack Littell, Tampa Bay Rays: vs. DET, at CWS

Littell has mostly worked as a relief pitcher, with the majority of his appearances in the majors coming out of the bullpen. However, the Rays transitioned him into the starting rotation part of the way through last season. Of his 28 appearances, 14 came as a starter. While his overall numbers didn’t win anyone a fantasy title, he produced a respectable 4.10 ERA and 4.02 FIP.

Little has been excellent over his first four starts this year, posting a 2.14 ERA that is supported by a 2.44 FIP. One of those outings came at Coors Field, making his stats even more impressive. In terms of matchups, Littell might have hit the jackpot for Week 5. We’ve already highlighted the Tigers’ offensive ineptitude, while the White Sox have scored the fewest runs in baseball. Like Lopez, Littell stands out as an excellent streaming option.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.