Fantasy baseball managers, beware: this week's two-start pitcher waiver wire is loaded with fool's gold. While several arms boast shiny stats on the surface, a closer look reveals shaky underlying skills that could leave you burned. In fact, no pitcher on this list is a slam dunk—so you might be better off streaming one-start options instead. On the hitting side, the Seattle Mariners stand out as a prime team to target.
First up is Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics, rostered in 36% of leagues. At first glance, the lefty looks like a steal with a 3.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a solid 39:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. But here's the catch: both of his starts this week come at his hitter-friendly home park, where he's posted a 4.82 ERA since joining Oakland. The silver lining? A matchup against the Giants, who rank dead last in runs scored, gives him a decent floor. He's worth a look in 12-team leagues, but don't expect ace numbers.
Joey Cantillo of the Guardians (38% rostered) is another head-scratcher. Known for his swing-and-miss stuff, the lefty has managed just seven strikeouts over his last 14 innings across three starts. Add in a tendency to walk multiple batters per outing, and you get a troubling 1.37 WHIP. The good news? His opponents this week—the Angels and Reds—both rank among the bottom five in strikeouts, which boosts his upside. Still, he's a borderline play in 12-team formats.
Now for a hidden gem: Stephen Kolek of the Royals, rostered in a mere 2% of leagues. After replacing Cole Ragans in the rotation, Kolek tossed six solid innings in his first start, allowing three earned runs with a 3:0 K:BB ratio. He also impressed down the stretch in 2025 after joining Kansas City, posting a 1.91 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 21:5 K:BB ratio over five starts. With favorable matchups against the White Sox and Cardinals, he's easily the most underrated option on this list.
Finally, Peter Lambert of the Astros (27% rostered) faces a tough test with starts against the Mariners and a second opponent still to come. While he's shown flashes, his inconsistency makes him a risky streamer this week. Proceed with caution.