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MLB Waiver Wire Week 2 2026 — AI-Powered Pickup Targets

WEEK 2 · 2026 May 28, 2026

Week 2 of the 2026 MLB season delivered plenty of waiver wire intrigue as teams settled into their early-season rotations and unexpected offensive performances emerged. The week showcased several pitching performances that dominated daily fantasy slates while also producing one notable position player contribution worth revisiting.

Streaming starting pitchers proved highly valuable during this stretch, with numerous options delivering 40-plus fantasy points in a single week. Here is a comprehensive look at the standout Week 2 waiver wire acquisitions that shaped the early fantasy baseball landscape.

Kris Bubic (KC) - SP, 58 pts

Bubic delivered the week's top fantasy performance, tossing 7.0 innings while striking out 11 batters for the Kansas City Royals. The left-hander's 11-strikeout outing stood as the highest strikeout total of the week and provided immediate value to teams that had him rostered or targeting him off waivers.

His dominant strikeout display made him one of the most efficient streaming options available during Week 2. Managers who picked up Bubic off the waiver wire found themselves with a legitimate ace-caliber performance that justified immediate roster spots in competitive leagues.

José Soriano (LAA) - SP, 51 pts

Soriano matched Bubic's innings pitched with 7.0 frames while recording 10 strikeouts for the Los Angeles Angels. His strong outing placed him second on the week's scoring leaderboard and demonstrated the Angels had a capable arm in their rotation worthy of attention.

The 51 fantasy points made Soriano an attractive addition for teams seeking reliable depth pitching. His performance represented the type of consistent mid-range output that helped stabilize fantasy rosters during the second week of play.

Michael Wacha (KC) - SP, 49 pts

Wacha impressed for Kansas City by pitching a full 8.0 innings while fanning 7 batters. His extended outing provided excellent innings pitched value even though his strikeout total trailed some other Week 2 performers.

The depth that the Royals rotation displayed with both Bubic and Wacha producing elite fantasy numbers gave waiver wire hunters confidence in streaming from that staff. Wacha's 49-point performance solidified him as a useful weekly addition for managers building pitching depth.

Drew Rasmussen (TB) - SP, 45 pts

Rasmussen contributed 6.0 innings and 7 strikeouts for the Tampa Bay Rays. Though his innings pitched fell shorter than several peers, his strikeout rate remained solid enough to generate meaningful fantasy value.

His performance added to the growing list of reliable streaming options available to teams seeking daily fantasy contributions. The 45 fantasy points represented a respectable mid-tier output during a week dominated by strong pitching performances.

MacKenzie Gore (TEX) - SP, 44 pts

Gore recorded 9 strikeouts across 5.0 innings pitched for the Texas Rangers. Despite the shorter outing, his high strikeout rate kept him competitive with performers who threw significantly more innings.

His efficient strikeout performance demonstrated that volume was not always necessary to generate substantial fantasy points. Gore represented an alternative streaming option for teams seeking strikeout-heavy pitching production during the week.

Keider Montero (DET) - SP, 43 pts

Montero delivered 6.0 innings and 7 strikeouts for Detroit. His steady performance added another mid-tier option to the week's available waiver wire depth.

The consistent output made Montero a useful addition for teams assembling rotation depth. His 43-point contribution fit within the cluster of reliable mid-range performances that characterized much of Week 2's pitching landscape.

Joey Cantillo (CLE) - SP, 43 pts

Cantillo struck out 9 batters while allowing just 1 earned run across 5.2 innings for Cleveland. His efficiency with a strong strikeout total generated 43 fantasy points despite the shortened appearance.

Managers who targeted Cantillo found a useful streaming option that provided meaningful contributions. His one-run outing demonstrated the value available when pitching efficiently over limited innings.

Logan Gilbert (SEA) - SP, 43 pts

Gilbert tossed 7.0 innings with 7 strikeouts and permitted only 1 earned run for the Seattle Mariners. His quality start provided reliable fantasy value during a week of strong pitching performances.

The one-earned-run outing made Gilbert an attractive waiver addition for teams seeking both innings pitched volume and efficiency. His contribution helped establish the Mariners rotation as a potential streaming source during early 2026.

Shota Imanaga (CHC) - SP, 43 pts

Imanaga delivered 6.0 innings and 9 strikeouts for the Chicago Cubs. His strikeout production matched the week's elite performers despite working fewer innings than several competitors.

His strong strikeout rate made him an efficient fantasy option during Week 2. Managers seeking strikeout-heavy performances found value in adding Imanaga from the waiver wire.

Ryan Weathers (NYY) - SP, 42 pts

Weathers pitched a full 8.0 innings with 7 strikeouts and just 1 earned run allowed for the New York Yankees. His extended volume provided excellent innings pitched accumulation while maintaining strong efficiency metrics.

The dual value from both innings and efficiency made Weathers a desirable streaming target. His 42-point outing represented the type of consistent depth production that supported fantasy rosters throughout the week.

Jacob deGrom (TEX) - SP, 42 pts

deGrom recorded 9 strikeouts across 6.0 innings with 1 earned run allowed for Texas. His strikeout production remained elite even in a limited appearance.

The continued strikeout prowess made deGrom a relevant waiver consideration during Week 2. His performance added to the Rangers' emerging pitching depth as a streaming source.

Robbie Ray (SF) - SP, 41 pts

Ray pitched 6.2 innings while striking out 7 batters for the San Francisco Giants. His solid volume and strikeout performance provided reliable fantasy value.

His contribution added another respectable option to the week's available pitching pool. The 41-point output helped establish the Giants as another viable streaming source for fantasy teams.

Jeffrey Springs (ATH) - SP, 41 pts

Springs worked 7.0 innings while collecting 6 strikeouts for the Athletics. His full inning outing provided quality volume even though strikeouts trailed some contemporaries.

The reliable innings pitched made Springs a useful depth addition for teams seeking consistent contributions. His performance demonstrated Oakland's capability to provide usable streaming options during early-season weeks.

Tarik Skubal (DET) - SP, 40 pts

Skubal pitched 6.2 innings with 7 strikeouts and allowed just 1 earned run for Detroit. His efficient outing provided solid production despite the partial-inning format.

The Tigers' multiple productive starting pitchers made them an attractive streaming target during Week 2. Skubal's 40-point performance contributed to Detroit's emerging rotation depth.

Brandon Lowe (PIT) - 2B, 40 pts

Lowe delivered the week's only significant position player contribution, recording 2 hits, 5 RBIs, 2 home runs, and 2 runs scored for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 5-RBI, 2-homer explosion generated 40 fantasy points and demonstrated unexpected offensive production.

His breakout Week 2 performance made Lowe a relevant waiver consideration for teams seeking position player production. Managers who added him capitalized on his hot streak despite it representing an outlier performance from the Pirates second baseman.

Full 2026 MLB Season Archive

For comprehensive coverage of the entire 2026 MLB season, including advanced analytics and daily fantasy insights, visit PlayCaller at playcallerapp.com. The platform provides detailed waiver wire analysis and performance tracking throughout the season.

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