Hello and welcome to the 21st 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 each passing week, I’m getting more emotional thinking about the fact that there may not be a full season in 2026 due to the uncertainty surrounding the labor dispute between Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association. I’m really trying to take time to appreciate each day that we have baseball and the joy that it’s able to bring me.
As fantasy managers have turned their full attention to football, there are opportunities to creep up in the standings where others aren’t giving their teams the full attention that they still deserve. Keep putting in the work and plugging away, striving to improve each week, and you’ll reap rewards at the end of this season.
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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Someone is likely to make two starts for the Astros next week (at Yankees, at Mets), but as of now we still aren’t quite sure who that’s going to be. Ethan Pecko worked 3 2/3 innings in that spot last time through and he hasn’t been optioned out or moved to the bullpen as of yet, so as things currently stand he’s most likely to take the ball there. Pecko held a 4.94 ERA and 71/28 K/BB ratio across 74 2/3 innings in his time at Triple-A Sugar Land and makes for a particularly tough sell from a fantasy perspective, especially with two starts on the road. We’ll update here if we get confirmation or if anything changes over the weekend.
The Dodgers continue to operate with a six-man rotation, even with Justin Wrobleski on the injured list, so expect them to fire off with a spot starter or a bullpen game on Tuesday. With a six-game week on tap, that’ll mean that none of their hurlers will take the mound twice. It’s possible that they could have Eric Lauer pitch on Tuesday on regular rest, which would then line him up to start on Sunday as well (at Braves, at Tigers), in which case he would make for a solid streaming option. As always, we’ll update here when/if we get additional clarity.
It’s possible that someone will wind up making two starts for the Marlins next week (vs. Red Sox, at Nationals), but as of now we’re not completely sure what their plan will be. The last time this spot in the rotation came around they went with a bullpen game, though the Fish could opt to move Sandy Alcantara up to Monday, or have him stay on Tuesday and pitch on regular rest on Sunday. If he draws two starts, he’ll make for a viable option in all formats.
Like the Dodgers, the Brewers continue to operate with the luxury of a full six-man rotation, meaning that once again in a six- game week, none of their starters will take the mound twice. Kyle Harrison starts on Tuesday and would be the most likely to get a two-start week (at Mets, vs. Rangers) if the Brewers were to suffer any injuries or skip any starters this time through.
With the Mariners adding Kade Anderson to their rotation on Saturday, and not removing anyone from the mix, they’ll be back to the six-man setup they employed earlier in the season before Luis Castillo was dealt to the White Sox. That means, unfortunately, that no one will pitch twice. The best shot will be Bryce Miller who pitches on Monday, but his recent struggles also make him the most likely to be skipped or pushed back.
Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of August 21 and are subject to change.
American League
▶ Strong Plays
Parker Messick, Guardians, LHP (at Angels, vs. Royals)
Messick has performed as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball this season, posting a minuscule 2.54 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 152/40 K/BB ratio across 149 innings through his first 25 starts. He has been in especially good form recently, as he hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start since June 29. He also gets the added benefit of two very strong matchups this week, getting to battle the bottom-feeding Angels and Royals. Messick could be the top overall play on the board this week and obviously needs to be started in all leagues.
Payton Tolle, Red Sox, LHP (at Marlins, at Yankees)
Tolle is in the midst of a very impressive rookie campaign, registering a 3.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 134/33 K/BB ratio over 120 innings through his first 21 starts. He looks to be getting stronger as the season goes on, with a 2.37 ERA and a 38/7 K/BB ratio across 30 1/3 innings over his last five starts. At this point, he should be locked into fantasy lineups every week regardless of matchups. The fact that he gets to toe the rubber twice is just an added bonus.
Walbert Ureña, Angels, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Phillies)
The 22-year-old rookie right-hander is having an exceptional season for the Angels, posting a stellar 2.80 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 109/59 K/BB ratio over 112 2/3 innings. He’s walking too many people to continue to operate with strong ratios like that, but there’s an awful lot to like about this young right-hander. He gets to make a pair of starts at home this week, and while the matchup against the Phillies over the weekend is on the tougher side, it’s not enough to shy away from using him for a two-start week. He’s an easy start in all leagues right now.
▶ Decent Plays
Ranger Suarez, Red Sox, LHP (at Marlins, at Yankees)
While Suarez has been terrific overall on the season, we have seen him struggle a bit recently, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 16/7 K/BB ratio over 22 innings in five starts since he returned from the injured list. The matchups this week aren’t terribly imposing, and Suarez has done enough to earn the trust of fantasy managers, just be prepared that you may end up with numbers more in line with his recent work than his impeccable ratios to start the season. He’s still an easy start in all formats.
Framber Valdez, Tigers, LHP (vs. Rays, vs. Dodgers)
It has been tough sledding for Valdez in his first season away from the Astros, posting an uninspiring 4.35 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 111/54 K/BB ratio over 138 2/3 innings. He’ll get an extra day of rest before this one, but the matchups don’t do him any favors, having to battle a pair of the toughest offenses in the league. At least it works in his favor that he gets to make both of those starts at Comerica Park. He’s fine to start in all league sizes, just don’t expect much more than he has given you so far this season.
Zebby Matthews, Twins, RHP (at Athletics, vs. White Sox)
The 26-year-old hurler has been a major disappointment through his first 17 starts on the season, posting a miserable 5.12 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and an 81/31 K/BB ratio across 96 2/3 innings of work. He has pitched a bit better recently, and emerged victorious in each of his last three starts. To continue that trend this week, he’ll need to survive a tough battle against the Athletics in West Sacramento before taking on a familiar divisional foe at home over the weekend. I don’t mind the play in 15-team formats but it may be a bit too thin for me to trust in 12-teamers.
▶ At Your Own Risk
José Urquidy, White Sox, RHP (vs. Rangers, at Twins)
Urquidy has struggled to a 5.06 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 16 innings in total on the season, but he looked exceptional his last time out with six scoreless innings and eight strikeouts in a bulk role against the Cubs at Wrigley field. Whether or not that’s a sign of things to come remains to be seen. We can expect inconsistency from him over the final six weeks of the season, but we have also seen Urquidy be a viable streaming option for fantasy managers in the past. The matchups aren’t terrible and part of me is inclined to roll the dice on this one in deeper leagues.
Will Warren, Yankees, RHP (vs. Astros, vs. Red Sox)
Warren has had a tumultuous season in the Yankees’ rotation, which has led to plenty of frustration for fantasy managers. He has been especially bad recently, with a 6.34 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP over 32 2/3 innings in his last eight appearances. The assignment isn’t going to get any easier this week, having to battle two of the most potent offenses in the American League. With as poor as he has been pitching, it’s difficult to trust him for a two-start week, even in the deepest of leagues.
Chris Bassitt, Orioles, RHP (at Cardinals, at Athletics)
The 37-year-old right-hander has shown no noticeable signs of rust in his return from a lengthy stay on the injured list, allowing five runs over 11 innings with a 9/4 K/BB ratio over his first two starts. The issue this week is the matchups. The Cardinals have been hitting the ball well against right-handed pitching and you never want to be pitching against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. If the matchups were better, maybe I could consider it, but I think there are just better streaming options on the board this week.
Seth Lugo, Royals, RHP (at Blue Jays, at Guardians)
Lugo has had a bit of a rough season for the Royals in 2026, posting an uninspiring 4.71 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 145 1/3 innings in his 26 starts while notching only five victories. He has been hit especially hard as of late, surrendering five or more earned runs in three of his last four outings. He has never been a strong strikeout option and he’s not going to be a favorite to earn a victory in either of those starts, so unless he’s delivering quality ratios (which he isn’t right now) there’s really no reason to go here.
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, LHP (vs. Twins, vs. Orioles)
There are so many reasons to stay away from this two-start week, we shouldn’t even have to go through all of them. Springs has been terrible this season, going 3-11 with a 6.02 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 113 2/3 innings. He has pitched even worse recently, with an 8.75 ERA over 47 1/3 innings in his last 11 starts. He also has to make both of these starts at home, in a minor league ballpark where the ball flies out of the yard in the summer and where Springs holds a 6.63 ERA and 1.59 WHIP on the season. There’s no justification for going here this week. Stay far, far away.
National League
▶ Strong Plays
Zack Wheeler, Phillies, RHP (at Mariners, at Angels)
Wheeler’s dominance in his return from last August’s surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome has been one the best stories of the 2026 season. The 36-year-old hurler sports an elite 2.92 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 144/33 K/BB ratio over 120 1/3 innings in his first 21 starts, numbers right in line with his career norms. He may be the top overall play on the board this week as he gets a pair of juicy matchups against the Mariners and Angels – both in pitcher’s parks. He’s obviously an every week start in all leagues already, so just sit back and enjoy double the production from one of the game’s best pitchers this week.
Chase Burns, Reds, RHP (at Giants, at Cubs)
Burns has been one of the breakout pitching stars of the 2026 season so far, going 14-2 with a 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 159/48 K/BB ratio across his 136 innings of work. Fantasy managers that have enjoyed his outstanding production all season long know the drill by now, he should be started every week regardless of opponent. The matchups are a mixed bag this week, getting a dream spot against the Giants in San Francisco before having to battle the Cubs at Wrigley over the weekend. He’s one of the top overall plays on the board this week and should be started in 100 percent of leagues.
Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Cubs, at Giants)
Since rejoining the team’s rotation at the end of June, Pfaadt has been absolutely brilliant, going 7-0 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 38/7 K/BB ratio over 60 1/3 innings in his 10 starts. Those numbers include a rough outing his last time out where he gave up five runs against the Red Sox. With as well as he’s throwing the ball right now, we aren’t worried about a tough matchup against the Cubs, especially when he gets to finish the week battling the Giants in San Francisco. Pfaadt makes for a strong option in all leagues this week.
Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates, RHP (at Padres, at Cardinals)
Ashcraft has been perhaps the most consistent starter in the Pirates’ rotation this season, going 13-5 with a 3.68 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 159/33 K/BB ratio across 149 1/3 innings in 25 starts. He has gone at least eight innings and allowed just one run in each of his last two starts, including a 10-strikeout complete game gem against the Marlins in Miami. He should be started every week in all leagues until further notice.
▶ Decent Plays
Robbie Ray, Padres, LHP (vs. Pirates, at Rays)
Ray has struggled a bit since moving to the Padres at the trade deadline, posting a 4.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 10/11 K/BB ratio over 15 innings through his first three starts. He has a long enough track record that we’re certain he’ll figure out the command issues soon enough. A matchup against a struggling Pirates’ offense to begin the week should be just what the doctor ordered. Fantasy managers should stay the course and continue to have him active in all formats for this two-start week.
Tyler Mahle, Braves, RHP (vs. Dodgers, vs. Rockies)
Mahle has looked impressive in his three starts since joining the Braves, registering a 1.45 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 19/3 K/BB ratio over 18 2/3 innings of work. A matchup against the Dodgers is never ideal, but it gets balanced out by getting to battle the Rockies at home over the weekend. His win equity has certainly been increased with the backing of the powerful Braves’ offense and we have seen Mahle be a dependable mixed league option in the past, so this isn’t completely out of nowhere. I trust him enough that I’d be using him in both 15 and 12-team formats for this two-start week.
Landen Roupp, Giants, RHP (vs. Reds, vs. Diamondbacks)
Roupp has been fine as an innings eater for the Giants this season, even though his poor run support has led to an unsightly 7-13 record to go with a middling 4.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 134 2/3 innings. He’s fine as a streaming option when the matchups line up in his favor, and that’s the situation this week as he gets to make a pair of starts at home against the Reds and Diamondbacks. Count on around 10 strikeouts and a shot at a victory to go with decent ratios and limited chances of a blowup. That makes him worth a look in all formats.
Kevin Gausman, Cubs, RHP (at Diamondbacks, vs. Reds)
After pitching well in his first start with the Cubs, Gausman has been knocked around in each of his last two starts and now holds a troublesome 6.19 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 16 innings with his new squad despite a solid 16/4 K/BB ratio. It’s not going to get any easier for him this week, having to battle the Diamondbacks in Arizona before taking on a strong Reds’ offense at Wrigley Field on Sunday. Gausman has enough of a track record that I’m still using him in 15-teamers and may even take the plunge in 12’s depending on my alternative options.
Zac Thornton, Mets, LHP (vs. Brewers, vs. Astros)
Thornton has pitched well through his first nine MLB starts, compiling a 3.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 36/14 K/BB ratio across his 50 1/3 innings of work. Unfortunately, his 4.85 xERA and 4.12 xFIP hint that those stellar ratios may not be sustainable. It’s possible that there will be a correction coming this week with a pair of tough starts against the Brewers and Astros. I know the numbers look good on the surface, and he’s fine if all you’re looking for is extra volume with an outside shot at a victory, but I’d be looking for more overall upside if taking shots at streaming two-start weeks.
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, LHP (vs. Orioles, vs. Pirates)
Liberatore has been a major disappointment for the Cardinals and for fantasy managers this season, going 5-11 with a miserable 5.04 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 125/44 K/BB ratio across 125 innings. Aside from the strikeouts, that’s not helping anyone. The matchups aren’t terrible this week though, so if you are looking for volume to try to gain ground in wins and strikeouts, he’s not a terrible option. I certainly like his chances of success much more than I do the options further down on the list. I could get behind using him in 15-team leagues.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Cubs, at Giants)
It has been a very rough season overall for the 37-year-old right-hander, as he sports a miserable 5.37 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and an 84/57 K/BB ratio across 129 innings through his first 23 starts. He also appears to be getting worse as the season goes on, allowing five runs or more in three of his four starts since the calendar flipped to August. Trotting him out there in a two-start week that includes a tough matchup against the Cubs just feels like playing with fire at this stage. The minimal upside in strikeouts isn’t worth the ratio risk. Avoid this one.
Ryan Feltner, Rockies, RHP (at Nationals, at Braves)
Never Rockies. Never. Even if both starts are on the road. We saw how poorly that ended up with Gabriel Hughes last time. Just stay away. That’s without even considering Feltner’s 5.97 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 92 innings on the season. Unless you have punted ratios and just need the volume for wins and strikeouts, there’s no reason to go here.
Kyle Freeland, Rockies, LHP (at Nationals, at Braves)
Never Rockies. Never. Even if both starts are on the road. We saw how poorly that ended up with Gabriel Hughes last time. Just stay away. Freeland has been terrible, even by his standards this season, posting a cringe-inducing 6.37 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 124 1/3 frames. It’s possible that he could deliver a good outing in one of these starts, but expecting him to survive both of them seems like a fool’s errand. There are better risks to take.
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