Hello and welcome to the 22nd 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.
We’re no longer pacing ourselves through the marathon that is the fantasy baseball season, we’re getting ready to sprint to the finish line. Every decision that you make from here on out is going to impact your ability to finish near the top of the standings in your league. If you have ground to make up in wins and strikeouts, now could be the time to be streaming as many extra quality two-start options as you can find, as one win could be the difference between a league title and a second place finish when all is said and done.
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. With teams still trying to get their rotations lined up for the second half, there’s more uncertainty than usual for a Friday afternoon:
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The Braves are rolling with a six-man rotation for the time being, so with six games on the docket for next week none of their hurlers are set up to take the ball twice. Bryce Elder is set to start on Monday, so if anyone were to get a two-start week (vs. Giants, at Phillies) if the team opts to deploy a traditional five-man alignment or if anyone gets skipped, he would be the guy.
With the return of Yusei Kikuchi, the Angels plan to go with a six-man alignment this trip through the rotation, which means that none of their hurlers will draw a two-start week. That’s a letdown for George Klassen who has been pitching pretty well and would have drawn the two starts (vs. Yankees, at Pirates) and would have made for a solid streaming play.
The names change each week depending on who’s healthy, but the Dodgers still have more than enough weapons in their rotation to continue rolling with a six-man rotation despite the injuries to Justin Wrobleski and Roki Sasaki. With only six games on tap, that means no one will draw a two-start week.
It’s possible that Robert Stock (at Rays, vs. Giants) could make two starts next week, but if you read between the lines, it’s very likely that Stock gets booted from the rotation if he struggles on Monday and Jonah Tong is likely to get an opportunity once rosters expand for September. That means that no one on the Mets would draw a two-start week. If anything changes or we gain more clarity on the situation, we’ll update here.
It’s also unclear what the Yankees plan to do for next week. It’s expected that Max Fried will rejoin the rotation for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox. Keeping everyone else on regular rest would have the rest of the rotation start on Tuesday-Friday next week, with Fried on Saturday and Will Warren getting the ball on Sunday. It’s possible they use a bullpen day or some sort of bulk reliever on Monday and that no one winds up with a two-start week there.
As of Friday, it’s unclear who will start for the Blue Jays on Monday and potentially draw a two-start week (at Guardians, at Royals). It’s possible it’ll be Spencer Miles in a bulk role, though that has yet to be confirmed. If it is, he makes for a solid streaming option in deeper mixed leagues.
We also don’t have word yet on who will be taking the ball for the Nationals on Monday. Whoever does, will line up for two starts (vs. Marlins, at Dodgers), though they may not be an enticing option for fantasy purposes. Stay tuned.
Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of August 28 and are subject to change.
American League
▶ Strong Plays
Sonny Gray, Red Sox, RHP (vs. Mariners, at Orioles)
What Sonny Gray has been able to do in his age-36 season with the Red Sox has been absolutely outstanding. He sits at 16-4 on the season with a minuscule 2.82 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 128/37 K/BB ratio over 143 2/3 innings. With the way that he’s throwing the ball right now, he should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week regardless of matchup. The fact that he gets to make two starts against inferior competition is just an added bonus. Enjoy double the production.
Payton Tolle, Red Sox, LHP (vs. Mariners, at Orioles)
Tolle is having himself an extremely impressive rookie campaign. Through his first 22 starts, the 23-year-old left-hander has dazzled to a 3.09 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 141/35 K/BB ratio across his 125 1/3 innings of work. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last six starts and now gets to battle a pair of offenses that have struggled against left-handed pitching in the second half of the season. Tolle easily looks like one of the top overall plays on the board for this week.
Gavin Williams, Guardians, RHP (vs. Jays, vs. Tigers)
Williams has been a force for the Guardians and for fantasy managers this season, racking up 204 strikeouts over 156 innings in his first 27 starts while putting together a respectable 3.98 ERA and a strong 1.12 WHIP. He’s pitching for a team that still has plenty to play for this season and gets to take on a pair of teams whose offenses are struggling mightily at the moment – especially against right-handed pitching. I think he’s a lock for 10+ strikeouts on the week with a good shot at earning at least one victory. He’s one of the strongest plays on the board this week and should be locked into all fantasy lineups without question.
Logan Gilbert, Mariners, RHP (at Red Sox, vs. Athletics)
With the M’s deploying a six-man rotation for the majority of the season, it’s rare than any of their starters line up for two starts in a week. Gilbert gets the honor this week and enters in terrific form with a 3.36 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 162/39 K/BB ratio across 155 1/3 innings on the season. He’s one of the most dependable starters in the American League and has allowed more than four runs in a start just once since the start of April. He’s a weekly starter in all leagues every week, so sit back and enjoy double the production this time around from the M’s ace.
Ian Seymour, Rays, LHP (vs. Mets, at Rangers)
Since moving to the Rays’ rotation full-time, Seymour has posted a respectable 3.79 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 95/17 K/BB ratio over 76 innings of work. Look for those good times to continue this week with the Mets and Rangers on tap. He looks like a very strong option in all league sizes for the upcoming week and one that I would start without question.
Peter Lambert, Astros, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Diamondbacks)
Lambert has been an absolute godsend to an injury-riddled Astros’ rotation this season, posting a 3.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 125/51 K/BB ratio over 128 innings in his 23 starts. Those numbers include a nine-run debacle against the Angels two starts ago. I had been worried that trend would continue into this past week’s start, but he bounced right back and pitched well against the Yankees in New York, which should give fantasy managers confidence heading into a solid two-start week where he gets to take the ball twice at home. If you have been rolling with him all season, continue to do so this week.
▶ Decent Plays
Hayden Wesneski, Astros, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Diamondbacks)
Wesneski hasn’t been on the mound much this season, making just six starts around stints on the injured list, but when he has taken the ball he has pitched very well. He has gone 4-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 28/12 K/BB ratio over 32 2/3 innings and looked especially sharp in a dazzling performance against the Yankees his last time out. I feel like there’s greater risk of a re-injury than there is of Wesneski actively hurting your ratios over two starts against the White Sox and Diamondbacks. He should be fired up in all formats.
Trevor Rogers, Orioles, LHP (at Rockies, vs. Red Sox)
Before getting lit up for six runs over five innings against the Cardinals his last time out, Rogers had been on a really nice stretch where he had registered a 2.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 76/18 K/BB ratio over 84 innings in his previous 14 starts. I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt here, but when we saw him struggle early in the season, it wound up being for an extended period of time before he was able to correct the issue. Traveling to Coors Field isn’t ideal if he doesn’t have his best stuff, which makes this two-step a bit more risky than usual. I’d still be rolling with him in most leagues, I’d just temper my expectations for this week.
Kyle Bradish, Orioles, RHP (at Rockies, vs. Red Sox)
Like rotation-mate Trevor Rogers, Bradish had appeared to turn around his season after struggles early on, compiling a 3.27 ERA over an 18-start stretch from May 8 to August 20. That was until he ran into a buzzsaw against the Cardinals his last time out where he was tagged for seven runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings. Maybe you can just chalk it up to a hot Cardinals’ offense, but I’m a bit more leery than I probably should be of this two-start week as Bradish is heading into Coors Field. Like Rogers, I’d probably still use Bradish in all leagues, I’d just lower my expectations a bit and understand that he may not deliver the type of quality ratios that we have come to expect from him in the second half of the season.
JT Ginn, Athletics, RHP (at Rangers, at Mariners)
Ginn has done a really nice job for the Athletics this season, compiling a 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 121/57 K/BB ratio across 138 1/3 innings in his 27 appearances (24 starts). Unsurprisingly, he has been even better on the road, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 71/25 K/BB ratio over 72 frames away from Sutter Health Park. Fortunately, both starts this week are on the road and the matchups fall in his favor as well. He makes for a solid streaming option in all leagues.
Taj Bradley, Twins, RHP (vs. Tigers, at White Sox)
He has still been a bit too inconsistent to rely on week-to-week for fantasy purposes, but Bradley has shown signs that he’s finally putting all of his talent together this season. The 25-year-old hurler holds a respectable 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and has racked up 169 strikeouts over 147 1/3 innings through his first 26 starts on the season. The Tigers’ offense has really been scuffling the past couple of weeks and that looks like a terrific matchup for him to take advantage of to start the week. Bradley looks like a nice end of the rotation option in all formats this week.
Freddy Peralta, Rays, RHP (vs. Mets, at Rangers)
After struggling through his first four starts with the Rays, Peralta fired a gem his last time out, with six shutout innings in a victory over the Tigers. Perhaps the changes to his pitch usage are finally going to unlock his true potential and get him back to being a fantasy asset. I’d much rather gamble with a proven commodity who has shown to be an elite performer in the past than I would on some of the names further down on the list. If I had Peralta rostered still, I’d definitely be using him this week.
Randy Dobnak, Royals, RHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Blue Jays)
Dobnak is certainly running with the opportunity that he has been given in the Royals’ rotation. Through 10 appearances (eight starts), he has compiled a 1.92 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 34/21 K/BB ratio over 51 2/3 innings of work. Is he likely to continue to defy the advanced metrics and have this type of success? Probably not. We have seen crazier things though. For this week specifically, the matchups fall in his favor, getting to take on the Marlins and Jays at home, making him a viable streaming option in all league sizes.
Anthony Kay, White Sox, LHP (at Astros, vs. Twins)
Kay has functioned as a solid innings eater for the division-leading White Sox this season, posting a 4.09 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 108/47 K/BB ratio over 132 innings while also plunking a league-leading 22 batters. He has made for a decent streaming option in two-start weeks when the matchups fall in his favor and that’s exactly the situation that we get this week. While the Astros and Twins are both solid offenses, they aren’t teams that we’re fearful of throwing left-handers against. He makes for a nice volume play with limited risk of blowing up your ratios.
Jackson Jobe, Tigers, RHP (at Twins, at Guardians)
As expected after such a long layoff due to Tommy John surgery, we have seen some inconsistency in Jobe’s command and his performance in his first four starts with the Tigers this season. He still holds a 3.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 15/8 K/BB ratio over his first 18 1/3 innings, so it hasn’t been awful, just not the dominant form that fantasy managers had been hoping for. If you’re trying to gain ground in strikeouts and wins, I can see taking the chance on him this week against a pair of divisional foes. There’s a chance that he does damage in the WHIP department though, so just be aware of that going in.
Gage Jump, Athletics, LHP (at Rangers, at Mariners)
The 23-year-old southpaw has shown flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign while at times proving to be far too hittable to trust from a fantasy perspective. What has been there all season though is the strikeout upside, with 97 punchouts over 88 1/3 innings of work. He’s coming off of a strong start his last time out and he draws a terrific set of matchups, getting to take on a pair of light-hitting, familiar divisional foes, both in pitcher’s parks and away from the house of horrors that Sutter Health Park can be. If there’s ever a week to stream Jump, this is it. I’d be comfortable using him in all mixed leagues.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Sean Burke, White Sox, RHP (at Astros, vs. Twins)
Burke has been outstanding through his first 27 appearances (23 starts) for the White Sox this season, registering a 3.32 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 161 strikeouts over 149 innings. What’s concerning is that he hasn’t been quite right over his last three starts – with a concerning 9/11 K/BB ratio over 13 1/3 innings while posting a 6.75 ERA. I know it’s easy to look at his season-long numbers and automatically lock him into lineups for a two-start week, but something really didn’t look right his last time out and I just have a bad feeling about this one. If you want to trot him out there, just understand there’s elevated risk in doing so. I’d try to find an alternative if possible.
National League
▶ Strong Plays
Paul Skenes, Pirates, RHP (vs. Giants, vs. Angels)
Even though his overall numbers on the season aren’t quite as elite as we’re used to seeing from Skenes, he has still been very good overall. He sports an inflated 3.79 ERA with a strong 1.12 WHIP and a 175/41 K/BB ratio over 145 innings in his 27 starts. He spun six scoreless innings against the Padres his last time out and now gets to tangle with a pair of weak offenses at home this week. He should still be locked into all fantasy lineups each and every week, and this particular week he actually looks like one of the top overall options on the entire board.
Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Phillies, at Astros)
Pfaadt was listed here last week as a strong option as well, but with the unusual schedule last week with Saturday’s doubleheader and an off-day on Sunday, the Diamondbacks opted to add an extra starter to the mix instead of using Pfaadt on Saturday. He now draws a tougher assignment having to battle the Phillies and Astros, but with the way that he’s throwing the ball right now, fantasy managers should feel confident against anyone. Since returning to the rotation on June 30, the 27-year-old right-hander holds a 2.15 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 41/9 K/BB ratio over 67 innings in 11 starts, going 7-0 during that stretch. He should be started in all leagues.
Clay Holmes, Cubs, RHP (vs. Brewers, at Marlins)
While Holmes has been brilliant whenever he has been healthy enough to take the mound this season, he has kicked his game up a notch since joining the Cubs. Through his first four starts with his new ballclub, he sports a 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 10/7 K/BB ratio over 23 innings of work. Strikeouts have never been his forte, but the added volume from pitching twice this week will more than make up for that deficiency. Eventually, the wins are going to fall in his favor, especially with the improved offense that is now backing him. He’s an easy start in all formats this week.
Kyle Harrison, Brewers, LHP (at Cubs, at Reds)
Harrison has been absolutely exceptional for the Brewers this season, going 10-3 with a 2.79 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 127/27 K/BB ratio across 103 1/3 innings of work. That’s elite work no matter how you slice it. What’s interesting is how much better he has been at home this season (1.26 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 57 innings) vs. on the road (4.66 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 46 1/3 innings). It could just be an anomaly, but having to battle two strong offenses in two hitter’s parks this week will really put that to the test. I’d still have a hard time sitting him for a two-start week, just be aware that the elite ratios he has provided throughout the season may not be there in this particular week.
Michael King, Padres, RHP (at Reds, vs. Yankees)
While he never seems to be lumped in with the elite starting pitchers, all Michael King has done is go out and dominate once again this season – putting together a 3.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 135/60 K/BB ratio across 156 innings of work in his 27 starts. Are the strikeouts lower and the walks higher than you’d like to see, sure, but you can’t argue with results. The matchups are more middling than anything to really worry about this week and King is about as consistent as they come, so there’s no real risk of a blowup to worry about. He should be started with confidence in all leagues.
Logan Webb, Giants, RHP (at Pirates, at Mets)
Aside from a couple of disasters, like getting bombarded by the Red Sox for five runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings a couple of weeks ago, Webb has been great for the Giants this season. He still owns a solid 3.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 147 2/3 innings on the season, while the strikeouts have fallen off a cliff from a season ago with just 118 punchouts so far. He looks to be in a strong position to succeed this week, getting to battle the Pirates and Mets. It goes without saying, but Webb should be started in all league sizes.
▶ Decent Plays
Matthew Boyd, Cubs, LHP (vs. Brewers, at Marlins)
While there have been some ups and downs throughout the season, the overall line for Boyd looks relatively strong through 17 starts, sitting at 8-3 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 76/30 K/BB ratio. The matchups this week are a mixed bag, having to battle the Brewers at home to start the week before finishing up with a softer spot against the Marlins in Miami. He’s an automatic start in all 15-team leagues and I’d have a hard time sitting him in 12’s as well unless I had a deep enough pitching staff that I somehow had enough stronger options. He’s a good bet for 10+ strikeouts and a victory on the week with a strong WHIP and an ERA in the 4.00 range.
Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, RHP (at Dodgers, at Rockies)
I like Michael McGreevy as much as the next guy and he has done a very nice job for the Cardinals this season with a 3.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 98/38 K/BB ratio over 142 1/3 innings of work. In most two start weeks and in solid single-start weeks, I would throw him out there without hesitation. This week is different though. Having to take on the Dodgers in Los Angeles and the Rockies in Colorado is about as tough as it gets. Can he have success there? Sure. It’s just not something that I would be betting on.
Tyler Phillips, Marlins, RHP (vs. Nationals, vs. Cubs)
Phillips has done a pretty solid job overall in whatever role the Marlins have deployed him in this season, posting a 3.59 ERA, a sketchy 1.37 WHIP and an 86/45 K/BB ratio over 105 1/3 innings of work. He gets to make a pair of starts at home this week, and while the opposing offenses can be scary at times, his likelihood of a blowup in either start here seems relatively low. He makes for a high-floor, low ceiling streaming option.
Ryan Gusto, Marlins, RHP (vs. Nationals, vs. Cubs)
Gusto has been quietly putting together some really nice numbers since rejoining the Marlins’ rotation in late July. He had one rough outing against the Phillies, but since then, he has registered a 1.85 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 19/5 K/BB ratio across 24 1/3 innings in his last five starts. It has only led to one victory, but fantasy managers would be thrilled with those ratios. I have enough confidence to use him in 15-teamers and maybe even in some 12’s if I needed the extra volume to try to gain ground in wins and strikeouts.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (vs. Padres, vs. Brewers)
When I think of a weekly two-start streamer that’s almost always available on the waiver wire, Singer always comes to mind. He’s a solid enough real-life pitcher that he maintains his spot in the Reds’ rotation, but his 4.72 ERA and 1.42 WHIP and limited strikeouts make him a tough sell from a fantasy perspective. If the matchups were better, I’d absolutely advocate for trying to stream him, but having to battle the Padres and the Brewers – with both matchups coming in an extreme hitter’s park in Cincinnati – and I think you’re asking for trouble if going here.
Aaron Nola, Phillies, RHP (at Diamondbacks, vs. Braves)
It has been a very rough season overall for the 33-year-old hurler who sits at 5-10 with a miserable 5.03 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 153/49 K/BB ratio over 143 innings while serving up a league-leading 32 home runs. Ouch. There’s at least a glimmer of hope in his recent performance though. Over the last six starts, he holds a 2.60 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 41/13 K/BB ratio over 34 2/3 innings. Can that carry over against two strong offenses this week? That’s for you to decide. In some situations, it’s probably worth the risk.
Tanner Gordon, Rockies, RHP (vs. Orioles, vs. Cardinals)
Never Rockies. Especially never Rockies for two starts at Coors Field. Especially when the pitcher holds a 5.75 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and a 64/15 K/BB ratio over 76 2/3 innings on the season. There’s really no good reason to go here. Just stay away.
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