Welcome to your Wednesday 7-Day Pitcher Outlook, covering all expected starts from Wednesday through next Tuesday. This week’s fantasy baseball landscape features several elite arms with favorable matchups and exceptional peripherals. Below, I’ve ranked the six best starting pitchers to target over the next seven days based on cumulative projections, strength of schedule, and their likelihood to pile up points across multiple starts. Whether you’re looking for a safe floor or ceiling-breaking upside, this guide will help you navigate the waiver wire and trade market with confidence.
Must-Start Aces
Shohei Ohtani continues to be the fantasy pitcher you build around, projecting for an elite 48.50 fantasy points over the next seven days. The Dodgers’ ace has been virtually untouchable this season with a microscopic 0.82 ERA, and his strikeout prowess figures to remain on full display over his expected starts this week. With that dominant ERA paired with consistent high-volume strikeout production, Ohtani represents the safest ceiling in fantasy baseball right now—lock him in without hesitation.
Paul Skenes is the second-best option on the board, projecting for 46.40 fantasy points this week and showcasing why he’s emerged as one of baseball’s most dominant young arms. The Pirates’ phenom carries a 2.89 ERA and has already accumulated 75 strikeouts on the season, with his next seven days of starts offering multiple opportunities to extend that strikeout total significantly. In what shapes up to be a busy week for Pittsburgh’s rotation, Skenes’ combination of elite stuff and favorable workload makes him a no-brainer for your roster.
Strong Streamers
Cristopher Sánchez deserves top billing among the second tier, projecting for 44.10 fantasy points over the next seven days while boasting the single most impressive ERA on this entire list at 1.47. The Phillies’ southpaw has also struck out 95 batters already this season, and his exceptional control and strikeout rate should continue to generate fantasy production across his upcoming starts. While Sánchez sits slightly below the top two aces in total projected points, his elite ERA and high strikeout ceiling make him a premium streaming option with ace-like consistency.
Gavin Williams projects for 44.30 fantasy points this week, backed by an impressive 8-3 win-loss record and a respectable 3.07 ERA to date. The Guardians’ right-hander has accumulated 88 strikeouts already this season, positioning him nicely to cross the century mark over his expected starts in the coming days. With a win-heavy resume and strong strikeout production, Williams offers a balanced fantasy profile that should deliver solid floor with upside to exceed his projections.
George Kirby projects for 44.80 fantasy points over the next seven days, making him a sneaky-high producer despite a slightly inflated 3.77 ERA. The Mariners’ starter has managed 59 strikeouts already this season, and Seattle’s favorable playoff-race schedule should funnel him quality matchups throughout the week. His proximity to the top tier in projected points combined with strikeout upside makes Kirby a strong streaming candidate if you need immediate rotation help.
Risky Upside Plays
Payton Tolle projects for 44.90 fantasy points this week, offering intrigue as a potential league-winner for aggressive fantasy managers willing to take on volatility. The Red Sox’s left-hander carries an impressive 2.61 ERA despite his 2-2 record, and he’s already recorded 46 strikeouts on the season, suggesting consistent swing-and-miss stuff. However, Tolle’s unproven track record and Boston’s inconsistent offensive support make him riskier than the five pitchers above him—only rostering him if you’re chasing points in a competitive league or have the bench depth to absorb potential underperformance.