Hello and welcome to the 24th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.
I will continue to be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.
With only a couple of weeks left to go, every decision that you make with your roster takes on extra importance and could be the difference between winning and losing. If you’re chasing, now is the time to take extra risk. Stream those two-start pitchers if you need to make up ground in wins and strikeouts. Avoid unnecessary risk if you’re ahead and need to protect your ratios. This is where championships are won and lost.
This is a living document, so we’ll update the options below as the weekend moves along.
Before we get into it, we’ll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week.
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The Braves are currently rolling with a six-man rotation, and with just six games on tap for next week that means that none of their hurlers will get the honor of a two-start week. If anything were to change, AJ Smith-Shawver would be the likely beneficiary (at Cubs, at Astros), and he would make for a decent streaming option. That seems very unlikely though, and it’s certainly not worth using him for a single start at Wrigley Field in the hopes that someone gets bumped and he picks up the extra start on Sunday.
The Brewers continue to utilize a six-man rotation as they want to ensure that all of their starter’s workloads are managed and everyone is ready for the postseason. There have been some rumblings of moving Kyle Harrison to the bullpen given his recent struggles, in which case that could set up Robert Gasser for a two-start week (at Pirates, at Orioles), though nothing has been confirmed on that front. We’ll update here if anything changes throughout the weekend.
With the recent injury to Braxton Ashcraft, the Pirates’ rotation is really in flux at the moment and they have yet to announce a starter for Monday. Whoever does take the ball there, assuming it’s not a bullpen game, would line up for a two-start week (vs. Brewers, vs. Royals). We’ll monitor the situation through the weekend and keep you updated here if anything becomes official.
The Nationals have been tinkering with a six-man rotation as well, and with only six games on tap, that means that none of their hurlers will pitch twice. Jackson Kent is lined up to pitch on Monday and he would be the one to get a two-start assignment (vs. Phillies, at Cardinals) if anything changes. he hasn’t pitched well this season though and is not a recommended streaming option either way.
Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of September 11 and are subject to change.
American League
▶ Strong Plays
Reid Detmers, Angels, LHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Twins)
For years, fantasy managers have been preaching that Detmers would develop into an upper echelon fantasy starter. Finally, in 2026, it has happened. The 27-year-old southpaw boasts an outstanding 3.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 191/45 K/BB ratio across 168 innings in his 29 starts. He has been especially dominant since the All-Star break, registering a minuscule 1.37 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and a 68/10 K/BB ratio over 59 1/3 innings. Dominant stuff. He needs to be treated like an elite option and started in all leagues every week going forward. With home matchups against the Mariners and Twins this week, he looks like the top overall play on the board.
Hunter Brown, Astros, RHP (vs. Royals, vs. Braves)
Sandwiched around time on the injured list, Brown has pitched well for the Astros once again this season, compiling a 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 100/46 K/BB ratio over 92 innings of work. He’s the type of arm that should be started in all mixed leagues in most weeks regardless of matchups. The fact that he’s starting twice this week just means that you get to sit back and enjoy double the production. He’s one of the top overall plays on the board this week.
Troy Melton, Tigers, RHP (at Blue Jays, at White Sox)
Melton seems to have hit a bit of a wall recently, but has still been spectacular overall on the season with a 2.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and an 87/30 K/BB ratio across 108 innings through his first 18 starts. Even with the recent struggles, I have confidence that he’ll deliver quality results over a two-start week and I’d be starting him in all leagues without hesitation.
Tanner Bibee, Guardians, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Athletics)
Bibee has been a major victim of bad luck and poor run support this season, as his 5-15 record does not paint an accurate picture of how well he has actually pitched. Through 30 starts, he holds a respectable 4.22 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 133/52 K/BB ratio over 170 2/3 innings. That’s not terrific production, but it’s still worthwhile in most mixed leagues. He now gets to take on the White Sox and a shell of the Athletics’ offense in a week where both starts are going to come at home and he’s likely to be a favorite in both of them. If other managers have abandoned him on waivers, he makes for a terrific streaming option this week.
Michael Wacha, Royals, RHP (at Astros, at Pirates)
Wacha never seems to get the respect that he deserves in fantasy circles. He’s having a terrific season for the Royals, putting together a 3.25 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 147/48 K/BB ratio over a league-leading 182 2/3 innings through his first 29 starts. He’s never going to blow up your ratios and his strikeout game has actually been on point lately, with 27 punchouts over 27 innings across his last four starts. He should be started in all leagues for what looks like a particularly strong two-start week.
José Soriano, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Tigers, at Rangers)
Soriano has pitched decently in his first seven starts since joining the Blue Jays, posting a 4.05 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 27/14 K/BB ratio across 40 innings of work. He gets a dream draw this week getting to battle the Tigers and Rangers, which should lead to all sorts of fantasy goodness. Expect double digit strikeouts and a good shot at a victory to go along with quality ratios. That makes him a strong option in all formats.
▶ Decent Plays
Kade Anderson, Mariners, LHP (at Angels, at Rockies)
Through his first four MLB starts, the 22-year-old southpaw has done a decent job overall, registering a 4.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 16/8 K/BB ratio over 21 innings of work. The Mariners are being careful with his workload at the moment, which is why he hasn’t thrown more than 85 pitches in any outing yet. The strikeout upside remains high, especially in a two-start week, and if he can avoid serious damage at Coors Field over the weekend he could deliver a very strong week for fantasy purposes. I’m a sucker for the high ceiling and will be rolling him out there whenever possible in all leagues.
Davis Martin, White Sox, RHP (at Guardians, vs. Tigers)
After a strong start to the season, we saw Martin fall on hard times once the calendar flipped to June, posting a 7.06 ERA over a 13-start stretch before landing on the injured list in early August. Since returning from the IL though, he has allowed just one run over 10 2/3 innings while posting a 4/3 K/BB ratio. I’m not going to say he’s magically cleared of his woes and should be a dependable option going forward, but perhaps the injury issue was lingering longer than they were letting on. He gets to battle a pair of familiar divisional foes this week, and neither one is particularly frightening at the moment. I’d stream Martin with confidence in all league sizes.
Griffin Jax, Rays, RHP (vs. Athletics, vs. Red Sox)
For the most part, Jax has been terrific since shifting to the Rays’ rotation mid-season. The only blip on the radar has been a six-run disaster over 2 2/3 innings against the Mets to open the month of September. He rebounded with a strong start in a victory over the Braves in Atlanta his last time out, so I’m choosing to view the Mets’ start as an outlier instead of being the expectation going forward. He gets a strong draw to start his two-start week, batting the A’s at home before finishing up with a home tilt against the Red Sox. He’s an easy start in all leagues.
Drew Anderson, Tigers, RHP (at Blue Jays, at White Sox)
Since shifting to the starting rotation in early August, Anderson has done a really nice job for the Tigers, registering a 2.97 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 27/16 K/BB ratio across 33 1/3 innings in his seven starts. The matchups this week aren’t terribly imposing, which sets the right-hander up for continued success. He’s likely languishing on the waiver wire in many mixed leagues and makes for a quality streaming option.
Will Warren, Yankees, RHP (at Twins, at Diamondbacks)
Warren’s 2026 season has been a major rollercoaster ride. Over his first seven starts, he posted a brilliant 2.39 ERA. Then he gave you 14 starts of a brutal 5.60 ERA in the middle of the season. Since then, he’e back to strong results with a 3.12 mark over his last eight outings. He could turn back into a pumpkin at any time, but I’m tempted to ride the hot hand this week with a pair of road matchups against offenses that we aren’t going to be shying away from.
Erick Fedde, White Sox, RHP (at Guardians, vs. Tigers)
The 33-year-old right-hander has quietly done a very nice job over the past few months. Since the end of May, he holds a 3.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 60/28 K/BB ratio over 84 1/3 innings. The strikeout numbers aren’t great obviously, but the added volume of the two-start week helps to combat that. He has also been working behind an opener in most outings, which increases his chances of earning a win. The matchups fall in his favor as well, making this a good week to take a chance on Fedde if you’re looking to add volume without blowing up your ratios.
Ryan Johnson, Angels, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Twins)
A quick glance at Johnson’s overall line on the season would lead most fantasy managers to conclude that he’s not a viable streaming option, especially in a two-start week. You’d be overlooking what has actually been a good run lately though. Over his last seven starts he holds a terrific 2.11 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 26/19 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings. Sure, the 5.42 FIP during that stretch paints a different picture, but he hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of those starts and has been very consistent. I’d roll the dice and use him for a two-start week at home against the M’s and Twins.
Zebby Matthews, Twins, RHP (vs. Yankees, at Angels)
Matthews had been pitching brilliantly and looked like he had figured something out in the Twins’ rotation this time around. That was until his last two starts, where he gave up nine runs over 7 1/3 innings against the White Sox and Tigers. Yikes. Whether he’s able to bounce back here and deliver quality results is really anyone’s guess at this point. He’s a highly variable option this week, with an extremely high ceiling and a very low floor.Whether or not you want to chance him is dependent on your own level of risk tolerance.
Brandon Young, Orioles, RHP (at Mets, vs. Brewers)
Young has been a stabilizing force in the middle of the Orioles’ rotation this season, posting a solid 3.71 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 112/50 K/BB ratio across 140 2/3 innings in his 25 starts. He has made for a decent streaming option in weeks where the matchups line up in his favor, I’m just not entirely sure that this week qualifies as that. Taking on the Mets in New York looks like a solid spot, but having to finish up against the Brewers isn’t an easy task. He also enters the week in bad form, getting clobbered for six runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings against the Guardians his last time out. If you want to trust the track record on the season and believe that he’s going to bounce back on Monday, be my guest. Just understand that there’s more risk here than his overall line indicates.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Dean Kremer, Twins, RHP (vs. Yankees, at Angels)
While he has been a bit better in seven starts since joining the Twins, Kremer still hasn’t delivered the type of results that we’re looking for from a fantasy perspective – posting a 4.79 ERa, 1.23 WHIP and a 31/14 K/BB ratio over 35 2/3 innings. I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt, since he has proven to be a viable mixed league option in the past, he just hasn’t shown me enough this season to do so. He’s nothing more than a fringe streaming option if you’re in need of wins and strikeouts and can handle the potential ratio damage.
Patrick Sandoval, Red Sox, LHP (at Rangers, at Rays)
Sandoval was supposed to make two starts this past week, but got pushed back after Brayan Bello made a spot start for the Red Sox on Monday. Assuming that doesn’t happen again, the veteran left-hander once again lines up for a two-start week. He’s still an unappealing option though as he has really struggled in his return from the injured list. In 11 starts he holds a 4.58 ERA, a cringe-inducing 1.76 WHIP and a 57/27 K/BB ratio across 55 innings of work. The matchup against the Rays looks particularly troubling here, as their patient approach could lead to a disastrous outing for Sandoval. If your only focus is strikeouts and you can risk the ratio damage, fire away. Otherwise, stay away from this one.
Cody Bradford, Rangers, LHP (vs. Red Sox, vs. Blue Jays)
Bradford has had a really difficult time in his return to the Rangers’ rotation following major surgery, going 0-5 with a 4.72 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 17/9 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings through his first seven starts. The Rangers just want him to get right and get as many innings under his belt as he can heading into the 2027 season, so they’ll keep trotting him out there every fifth day. It doesn’t look like he’ll be a viable option from a fantasy perspective though. It’s best to avoid this one.
Jack Perkins, Athletics, RHP (at Rays, at Guardians)
The entire 2026 campaign has been a major struggle for Perkins, who boasts a miserable 6.53 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 119/47 K/BB ratio over 103 1/3 innings in 34 appearances (14 starts). The only thing that he has been reliable for is strikeouts. It actually is to his benefit that he gets to make both starts away from Sutter Health Park this week, but that’s not enough of a reason to risk trotting him out there, especially when you consider his 5.82 ERA and 1.45 WHIP on the road this season. Unless the only thing that you care about is strikeouts, there are better options to stream this week.
National League
▶ Strong Plays
Tarik Skubal, Dodgers, LHP (at Reds, vs. Giants)
Since joining the Dodgers, Skubal has pretty much looked like the elite version that we have come to expect over the years, posting a 2.93 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 48/10 K/BB ratio over 43 innings in his seven starts. He should obviously be started in all fantasy leagues each and every week regardless of the matchup. Taking on the Reds in Cincinnati isn’t ideal, but finishing up the week against the Giants at home more than balances that one out. He’s easily one of the top plays on the board once again this week.
Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies, LHP (at Nationals, at Mets)
The Phillies’ star southpaw is in the midst of an absolutely brilliant season, sporting a 17-5 record, 2.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 210/42 K/BB ratio over 187 1/3 innings through his first 30 starts. He has been everything that the Phillies and fantasy managers have hoped for this season. This week, he gets to battle a pair of familiar divisional foes on the road where he should continue to put up elite numbers across the board. Sánchez is a true ace and should never leave fantasy lineups.
▶ Decent Plays
Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Yankees)
It was so nice to see Burnes back on an MLB mound last week, completing his arduous journey back from Tommy John surgery. He pitched decently over three scoreless innings against the Royals, but only threw 57 pitches. His workload is going to continue to be limited for the remainder of the season, limiting his ability to work deep enough into the game to earn a victory. That doesn’t mean he can’t have any utility from a fantasy perspective though. In a two-start week here, he’s still capable of delivering eight or nine innings with quality ratios, eight or nine strikeouts and at least an outside shot at a win if he’s efficient. To me, that’s worth a gamble in most leagues.
Jonah Tong, Mets, RHP (vs. Orioles, vs. Phillies)
Even though he gave up four runs over five innings against the Marlins in his return to the Mets last week, we saw the upside that fantasy managers are looking for with seven strikeouts while allowing only five walks+hits. It’s hard to find that type of strikeout upside on the waiver wire and he makes for a viable streaming option in all formats for his two-step this week. The matchup against the Orioles to start the week looks particularly juicy, so if for any reason he has his second start pushed back, you take advantage of the front end and lose the tougher matchup over the weekend.
Quinn Mathews, Cardinals, LHP (vs. Giants, vs. Nationals)
The 25-year-old rookie left-hander has been solid through his first six MLB starts, compiling a 4.11 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 28/14 K/BB ratio over his first 30 2/3 innings. Once he’s able to improve his command and limit the walks, the sky is the limit here. He gets an especially nice draw this week, getting to tangle with the bottom feeding Giants and Nationals with both starts coming at home. He should be able to approach double digits in strikeouts with a good shot at snagging a victory. The only real concern is the WHIP. There’s enough meat on the bone here that I would be starting him in all leagues.
Walker Buehler, Padres, RHP (at Rockies, vs. Marlins)
The overall line for Buehler on the season looks much more mediocre than something that would be useful from a fantasy perspective. Since the All-Star break though, he has quietly put together a very nice run over 10 starts – posting a 3.26 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 40/18 K/BB ratio over 49 2/3 innings. It’s a tough draw taking on the Rockies at Coors Field, but he gets to finish the week with a home tilt against the Marlins and hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any start since before the break. I’d be inclined to trust him as a streaming option in all league sizes.
Landen Roupp, Giants, RHP (at Cardinals, at Dodgers)
Roupp has been a solid and steady producer both for the Giants and for fantasy managers this season, posting a 4.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 139/72 K/BB ratio over 150 2/3 innings. The elevated walk rate leaves him open to blow up starts on occasion, and having to battle the Dodgers in Los Angeles over the weekend could wind up being one of those starts. He should be good for around eight strikeouts on the week though with a chance at a win if you feel like taking the chance.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Sandy Alcantara, Marlins, RHP (at Diamondbacks, at Padres)
Alcantara has done a very nice job overall this season for the Marlins and for fantasy managers, posting a 3.78 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 143/55 K/BB ratio over a major-league leading 200 innings in his 31 starts. There’s reason to believe that the heavy workload in his second season back from Tommy John surgery is taking it’s toll though. Over his last three starts (against the Nationals, Royals and Mets), he has struggled to an 8.27 ERA and a 6/6 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings. That’s extremely concerning, especially when the competition is factored in. Honestly, I’d be scared to roll him out there for a two start week in his current form and would look for alternative options.
Casey Mize, Padres, RHP (at Rockies, vs. Marlins)
Mize has really struggled since joining the Padres at the trade deadline, posting a cringe-inducing 6.34 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 22/10 K/BB ratio over 32 2/3 innings in his first seven starts. He has dealt with a variety of injury issues this season and doesn’t appear to be 100 percent at the moment. Trusting him in a two-start week that begins at Coors Field feels like you’re asking for trouble. Go ahead and gamble if you wish, but I would try to find an alternative option if possible.
David Peterson, Cubs, LHP (vs. Braves, at Reds)
While the version of Peterson that we have seen since joining the Cubs is slightly better than the one we saw with the Mets, he still hasn’t been a viable mixed league option – posting a 4.41 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 54/29 K/BB ratio across 63 1/3 innings in his first 13 appearances. It’s not going to get any easier for him this week, having to battle the Braves at Wrigley Field before tangling with a red-hot Reds’ offense in Cincinnati. Maybe you can squint and see him getting seven or eight strikeouts on the week, but it’s likely to come with very poor ratios and his chances of securing a victory aren’t strong either. I’d only look here if you’re really desperate.
Nick Lodolo, Reds, LHP (vs. Dodgers, vs. Cubs)
After a breakout 2025 season, Lodolo has taken a major step back and been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2026 campaign. Through 18 starts he sits at 3-4 with a 5.12 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 75/38 K/BB ratio over 89 2/3 innings. It’s not going to get any better for him this week as he draws an especially brutal pair of matchups, having to take on the Dodgers and Cubs both in the hitter-friendly confines in Cincinnati. The only utility that he has right now is in the strikeout department, and the ratio risk that you’re taking on to get them is extremely high. There are probably better options out there.
Ryan Feltner, Rockies, RHP (vs. Padres, vs. Mariners)
I actually like Ryan Feltner and feel like he could be a viable streaming option in some instances away from Coors Field. In a two-start week where both matchups come at home though, there’s really no reason to go here. He holds a 6.18 ERA and 1.44 WHIP while serving up 11 home runs in 59 2/3 innings at home this season. Just don’t do it.
Rhett Lowder, Reds, RHP (vs. Dodgers, vs. Cubs)
Lowder has been extremely inconsistent throughout the season for the Reds and enters this week in especially bad form – having given up 13 runs over 7 1/3 innings over his last two starts against the Dodgers and Brewers. He now gets to take on those same Dodgers at home before having to battle the Cubs over the weekend. What little help that he’s able to provide in strikeouts won’t offset the ratio damage and his chances of ending up the win column look slim as well. Unless strikeouts are your only concern, look elsewhere.
Tomoyuki Sugano, Reds, RHP (vs. Padres, vs. Mariners)
Never Rockies. Especially for two starts at Coors Field. Why put yourself through that? It’s not even like Sugano is any good – he boasts a 5.30 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 84/33 K/BB ratio over 137 2/3 innings on the season. If your only goal is to gain ground in wins and strikeouts and you can absorb the ratio damage that he’s going to inflict, sure, roll the dice. Otherwise there’s just no justification for trotting him out there for two starts.
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