McLean can keep it going

While there are projected to be a lot of two-start pitchers next week, there are some potential landmines among them. While a good two-start pitcher can help lead your squad to victory, the wrong one can also tank your ratios. Let’s highlight five pitchers who are lined up to take the mound twice each and discuss what their matchups could mean for their fantasy value.

Nolan McLean, New York Mets: vs. MIN, vs. COL

It doesn’t get much more impressive than McLean’s last start. Facing the loaded Dodgers lineup, he allowed one run, two hits and two walks over seven innings. He needed just 95 pitches to record eight strikeouts, marking the third time in four starts that he finished with eight strikeouts. After posting a 1.06 WHIP in eight starts with the Mets last season, he has a 0.76 WHIP this year.

McLean is quickly becoming a rising star in fantasy. The Twins rank eighth in baseball in OPS to begin the season, but they have also struck out the 10th-most times. The Rockies have struck out the most times, and McLean will have the benefit of facing them at home instead of at Coors Field. Look for McLean to keep rolling next week.

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies: at CHC, at ATL

Nola finished last season with a 4.12 xERA that indicated he didn’t pitch as poorly as his 6.01 ERA would lead one to believe. His 1.35 WHIP was the highest mark of his career, which made things even more difficult when factoring in that he gave up 1.7 HR/9. His WHIP sits at 1.30 through four starts this year, and he has given up a total of three home runs.

It’s difficult to feel confident in Nola for fantasy purposes right now. These two matchups in Week 5 won’t help matters. He just faced the Cubs in his last start and gave up three runs, eight hits and two walks over five innings. His second outing of the week will come against the Braves, who have hit the fourth-most home runs in the majors. The correct decision might be to bench Nola in 10 and 12-team leagues.

Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners: vs. ATH, at STL

An injury to Bryce Miller (oblique) opened a rotation spot for Hancock. The right-hander hasn’t let his opportunity go to waste, recording a 2.28 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over four starts. His xERA is equally as impressive at 2.83, and he has seen his strikeout rate jump up to 29.4%. For his career, he has a 17.1% strikeout rate. He has relied a lot more on his sweeper, which has a 30.8% whiff rate.

The Athletics have struck out the fourth-most times in baseball, which puts Hancock in a favorable spot for his first start of Week 5. The Cardinals do a better job of making contact, but they only have a .666 OPS against right-handed pitchers. Last year, they had the fifth-worst OPS versus righties. Be sure to lock Hancock into your fantasy starting lineups.

Luis Gil, New York Yankees: at BOS, at HOU

Gil looks like a very different pitcher than the one who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2024. While battling injury last year, he walked 33 batters over 57 innings on his way to a 1.40 WHIP. Serving as the Yankees’ fifth start this year, he has issued five walks and given up four home runs over nine innings. That left him with a 7.00 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

In addition to his lack of control, a decline in velocity may also be contributing to Gil’s struggles. His average fastball velocity was 96.6 mph in 2024. It was 95.3 mph last season and is 95.4 mph this year. Ignore the success that he had in 2024. He’s not a viable fantasy option right now. When the Yankees get Gerrit Cole (elbow) and Carlos Rodon (elbow) back from injuries, Gil is likely ticketed for the bullpen or the minors.

Colin Rea, Chicago Cubs: vs. PHI, at LAD

The Cubs already received difficult news for their starting rotation with Cade Horton needing season-ending surgery on his right UCL. Justin Steele (elbow) hasn’t made his season debut yet, either, putting them in a tough. Rea has either started or followed an opener lately, posting a 3.63 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP over his four outings as he tries to help keep the Cubs’ pitching staff afloat.

As good as Rea has been, he doesn’t bring a ton of fantasy upside to the table with his career 19.3% strikeout rate. Week 5 includes two awful matchups against the Phillies and Dodgers, who have two of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. Despite the success that he has had so far, he’s not someone to consider starting in anything but the deepest of leagues.

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.