If you’re searching for a comprehensive list of all 38 two-start pitchers for Week 8 of the fantasy baseball season, I sure have some good news for you. I’ve ranked them all below and left notes in cases where leaving notes seemed like a good idea. Hope you’ll have a scroll. Hope your season is going well. And I hope you find the list helpful when making sit/start/streaming decisions.
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Corbin Burnes SP Orioles
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th @ Nationals – 6.1IP L 3ER 5H 3BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Blue Jays + Sunday, May 19th vs. Mariners
Yoshinobu Yamamoto SP Dodgers
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Marlins – 8IP W 2ER 5H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Giants + Saturday, May 18th vs. Reds
George Kirby SP Mariners
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Twins – 5IP L 4ER 4H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 12th vs. Royals + Sunday, May 19th @ Orioles
Aaron Nola SP Phillies
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Blue Jays – 5.2IP L 4ER 9H 0BB 7K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 13th @ Mets + Sunday, May 19th vs. Nationals
Zach Eflin SP Rays
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. White Sox – 7IP W 1ER 6H 0BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Red Sox + Saturday, May 18th @ Blue Jays
Shota Imanaga SP Cubs
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Padres – 7IP 2ER 7H 1BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Braves + Saturday, May 18th vs. Pirates
Kutter Crawford SP/RP Red Sox
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th @ Braves – 6IP 2ER 5H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13 vs. Rays + Saturday, May 18th @ Cardinals
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Tanner Bibee SP Guardians
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Tigers – 4IP 4ER 5H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Rangers + Sunday, May 19th vs. Twins
Notes: It’s still too early to bench/give up on Tanner Bibee. Despite an xERA (4.77) that confirms the rough start (4.46 actual ERA), his whiff rate and K rate are both actually up so far this season. Even on Wednesday, he did generate 11 swinging strikes on just 82 pitches. His hard-hit rate is a tick down too. If you have lots of better options, fine, go ahead and bench him. But I’m still thinking he should figure this out sooner rather than later.
Ronel Blanco SP/RP Astros
Last start: Thursday, May 9th @ Yankees – 6IP 3ER 5H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th vs. A’s + Sunday, May 19th vs. Brewers
Carlos Rodon SP Yankees
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Astros – 6.1IP W 2ER 7H 0BB 7K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th @ Twins + Sunday, May 19th vs. White Sox
Notes: It was good to see the 16 swinging strikes (on 100 pitches) for Carlos Rodon on Wednesday. Elite whiff rates sure were the recipe for his success over the years. Last year, and this year so far? Not so much. But with a White Sox matchup (last in team wOBA) next week, hopefully, we’ll see more of that.
Jordan Hicks SP/RP Giants
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Rockies – 5IP W 3ER 7H 2BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Dodgers + Sunday, May 19th vs. Rockies
Notes: We should probably expect some regression from Jordan Hicks. That’s based on a decreased strikeout rate (20.0% k rate), and an increased average exit velocity (88.9 MPH) since his transition out of the bullpen. His xERA (3.49) is still respectable, though. So hopefully that regression will be gradual. Two games at Oracle Park (ranked 6th-best for pitchers) next week doesn’t hurt either.
Cristopher Sanchez SP Phillies
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Blue Jays – 7IP W 1ER 6H 2BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 12th @ Mets + Saturday, May 18th vs. Nationals
Notes: Feels like I write about Cristopher Sanchez every week in this column. But with the Phillies’ seven-game schedule, I think the lefty will finally be a two-start pitcher. Opponents aren’t so tough (Mets ranked 16th in wOBA, Nationals ranked 21st). And with a nice effort on Tuesday (12 out of 20 balls in play were on the ground), I’m confident starting him.
Hunter Greene SP Reds
Last start: Thursday, May 9th vs. DBacks – 5IP 3ER 4H 5BB 6K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th @ DBacks + Sunday, May 19th @ Dodgers
Nick Pivetta SP/RP Red Sox
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Braves – 4IP 5ER 7H 1BB 1K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Rays + Sunday, May 19th @ Cardinals
Notes: Nick Pivetta’s return from the IL didn’t go so great. It was against the Braves (3rd in wOBA), though. And it was only the second start since April 3rd. It would be fair to give him a pass this time out and hope the landing is a little softer against two more favorable opponents. The Rays rank 24th in wOBA while the Cardinals rank 27th.
Brady Singer SP Royals
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Brewers – 5.1IP W 1ER 5H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 14th @ Mariners + Sunday, May 19th vs. A’s
Notes: Hard to not like Brady Singer’s results so far (2.36 ERA/1.01 WHIP). Though we should be expecting some regression due to his xERA being a bit higher (3.89), and his BABIP being exceedingly low (.233), the matchups next week are too juicy to pass up. The Mariners are 26th in wOBA while the A’s are 28th.
Reynaldo Lopez SP/RP Braves
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Red Sox – 5.1IP 1ER (2R) 6H 4BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Cubs + Sunday, May 19th vs. Padres
Jordan Montgomery SP DBacks
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Reds – 7IP W 2ER 7H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Reds + Sunday, May 19th vs. Tigers
Notes: A concerning lack of whiffs (just 18% rate) and strikeouts (just 10.5%) through his first four starts make Jordan Montgomery feel a little risky. Probably not much you can do about it though.
Gavin Stone SP Dodgers
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Marlins – 7IP W 1ER 6H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th @ Giants + Sunday, May 19th vs. Reds
Notes: The upside for Gavin Stone could be limited if his K rate doesn’t improve (just 6.39 K/9 over his first 69 Major League innings). But then again, he’s pitching for the Dodgers and should collect some wins. As a two-start pitcher with some nice matchups (Giants rank 20th in wOBA, while the Reds away from home have just a .621 OPS), this seems like a worthwhile stream.
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Jose Berrios SP Blue Jays
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Phillies – 3.2IP L 8ER 7H 2BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Orioles + Sunday, May 19th vs. Rays
Notes: Based on xERA (4.91) and loads of hard contact (average exit velocity and hard-hit rate in single-digit percentiles), the rough start for Jose Berrios on Wednesday was a long-time coming. With the actual ERA still at 2.85, and with an Orioles team up next who rank 5th in wOBA, I’m worried this trend will continue. You may not have the horses to bench the 29-year old. But if you do, you won’t hear me complaining. Most especially in categories leagues.
Chris Paddack SP/RP Twins
Last week: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Mariners – 5.1IP W 1ER 8H 1BB 10K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th @ Yankees + Sunday, May 19th vs. Guardians
Notes: Things have been getting interesting for Chris Paddack. The 19 swinging strikes (on 99 pitches) Wednesday were particularly encouraging. Fantasy managers also enjoyed the 10 strikeouts. RP eligibility makes the 28-year-old a very attractive points-league stream as a two-start pitcher. Probably deep categories leagues too. If the 24.3% whiff rate on the fastball holds up, we could be talking about standard-league relevance.
Aaron Civale SP Rays
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. White Sox – 4.2IP L 2ER 5H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th @ Red Sox + Sunday, May 19th @ Blue Jays
Notes: After a fine start, regression has hit Aaron Civale pretty hard. He’s likely better than a 5.88 ERA. But still, against a couple of decent offenses (Red Sox ranked 8th in wOBA, Blue Jays 18th but better at home), I can’t get too excited about him as a two-start pitcher/streamer. I guess points leagues, maybe.
Hayden Wesneski SP/RP Cubs
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Padres – 6.1IP 0ER 3H 2BB 8K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th @ Braves + Sunday, May 19th vs. Pirates
Notes: Not many pitchers can succeed with low whiff and K rates. And usually they are extreme ground-ball pitchers. So, not sure how long Hayden Wesneski can maintain a 1.59 ERA (even with a 2.67 xERA), especially against a very tough Braves team (ranked 3rd in wOBA) up next. The Pirates are ranked 25th, though. If you’re looking to fill your RP spot in a points league, the 26-year-old seems like a decent option while he’s hot. Categories? The league would have to be deeper than 12-team standard leagues. Keep an eye on him, though.
Trevor Williams SP Nationals
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Orioles – 5IP W 0ER 2H 0BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ White Sox + Sunday, May 19th @ Phillies
Notes: Whether Trevor Williams keeps up his hot start or not will likely hinge on whether his amazing home-run rate (0.0 through seven starts) continues. His increased use of an effective sweeper (38% whiff rate) could be the reason for the improvement. With at least one very safe start next week (the White Sox are last in wOBA), this might be a solid streaming opportunity. Definitely for points leagues, but categories leagues wouldn’t be crazy either.
Graham Ashcraft SP Reds
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. DBacks – 5IP L 3ER 6H 3BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ DBacks + Saturday, May 18th @ Dodgers
Jose Butto SP Mets
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th @ Cardinals – 5IP W 3ER 5H 3BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Phillies + Saturday, May 18th @ Marlins
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Sean Manaea SP/RP Mets
Last start: Monday, May 6th @ Cardinals – 6IP W 3ER 6H 1BB 1K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 14th vs. Phillies + Sunday, May 19th @ Marlins
JP Sears SP A’s
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Rangers – 5.2IP W 4ER 7H 1BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Astros + Saturday, May 18th @ Royals
Jose Soriano SP/RP Angels
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Pirates – 4.2IP 4ER 6H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Cardinals + Sunday, May 19th @ Rangers
Kenta Maeda SP Tigers
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th @ Guardians – 2IP 7ER 5H 3BB 1K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Marlins + Sunday, May 19th @ DBacks
Martin Perez SP/RP Pirates
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Angels – 5IP 4ER 8H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 14th @ Brewers + Sunday, May 19th @ Cubs
Colin Rea SP Brewers
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th @ Royals – 4.2IP 4ER 7H 1BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Pirates + Sunday, May 19th @ Astros
Notes: Despite his good start (3.29 ERA/1.28 WHIP), Colin Rea’s xERA is well over two runs higher (xERA: 5.78).
Matthew Liberatore SP/RP Cardinals
Last start: Sunday, May 5th vs. White Sox – 3.2IP 1ER 3H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Angels + Sunday, May 19th vs. Red Sox
Chris Flexen SP/RP White Sox
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Rays – 6IP W 1ER 3H 1BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Nationals + Sunday, May 19th @ Yankees
Randy Vasquez SP/RP Padres
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th @ Cubs – 4.1IP 1ER 5H 0BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. Rockies + Sunday, May 19th @ Braves
Sixto Sanchez SP/RP Marlins
Last start: Sunday, May 5th @ A’s – 4IP 2ER 3H 3BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Tigers + Sunday, May 19th vs. Mets
Quinn Priester SP Pirates
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Angles – 4.2IP L 3ER (5R) 7H 2BB 1K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Brewers + Saturday, May 18th @ Cubs
Spencer Arrighetti SP Astros
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th @ Yankees – 5IP L 5ER 8H 3BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th vs. A’s + Saturday, May 18th vs. Brewers
Peter Lambert SP/RP Rockies
Last start: Wednesday, May 8th vs. Giants – 3IP 7ER 9H 0BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 13th @ Padres + Sunday, May 19th @ Giants
Osvaldo Bido SP/RP A’s
Last start: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Rangers – 2.2IP 4ER 3H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 13th @ Astros + Sunday, May 19th @ Royals
Notes: Osvaldo Bido left his last start due to a blister issue. There’s been no indication he’ll miss either of his two starts next week, but if for some crazy reason you’re rostering him, do check first.