Unlike last week, there’s a ton of two-start pitchers for Week 22. Also unlike last week, there’s likely to be many options available to fantasy managers scouring the waiver wire. So whether you’re deciding who to start or sit, or looking for an extra boost to your rotation, this article has you covered. As usual, all 39 two-start pitchers are included below in a ranked order. There’s even lots of player notes. So feel free to have a scroll and, as always, please remember to stream responsibly.
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Hunter Greene SP Reds
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Cardinals – 7IP W 1ER 4H 1BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Blue Jays + Saturday, August 24th @ Pirates
Michael King SP/RP Padres
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Pirates – 6IP W 0ER 7H 0BB 10K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Twins + Saturday, August 24th vs. Mets
Kevin Gausman SP Blue Jays
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Angels – 7IP W 0ER 6H 2BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Reds + Saturday, August 24th vs. Angels
Luis Gil SP Yankees
Last start: Monday, August 12th @ White Sox – 4IP L 4ER 7H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Guardians + Sunday, August 25th vs. Rockies
Ronel Blanco SP/RP Astros
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th @ Rays – 6IP 0ER 2H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Red Sox + Sunday, August 25th @ Orioles
Notes: After getting hit by a comebacker on his non-throwing hand on Wednesday, Ronel Blanco looks like he avoided serious injury. He should be started in all formats as a two-start pitcher.
Bryan Woo SP Mariners
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th @ Tigers – 7IP 0ER 4H 0BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Dodgers + Sunday, August 25th vs. Giants
Seth Lugo SP Royals
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Twins – 4IP L 7ER (8R) 9H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Angels + Sunday, August 25th vs. Phillies
Zack Eflin SP Orioles
Last start: Thursday, August 15th vs. Red Sox – 6IP W 1ER 5H 0BB 8K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Mets + Sunday, August 25th vs. Astros
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Mitch Keller SP Pirates
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th @ Padres – 5IP L 8ER 8H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Rangers + Sunday, August 25th vs. Reds
Notes: OK, you’re probably shell-shocked if you’ve started Mitch Keller the last two weeks. 15 earned runs in nine innings! So it’s totally understandable to bench him in a categories league if you’re worried about ratios. Keller, though, is known for occasional rough stretches. He had seven starts last year that resulted in five or more runs. Just three so far this season. The good news is, the 28-year-old always seems to figure out a way to course correct. I’d bet that happens sooner rather than later. So in a week against two mediocre offenses (Rangers rank 22nd in wOBA, Reds 16th), it’s also totally understandable to start him despite the struggles.
Brandon Pfaadt SP DBacks
Last start: Monday, August 12th vs. Rockies – 7IP W 4ER 8H 0BB 11K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Marlins + Sunday, August 25th @ Red Sox
Jose Berrios SP Blue Jays
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th @ Angels – 7IP W 1ER 2H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Reds + Sunday, August 25th vs. Angels
Reynaldo Lopez SP/RP Braves
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th (rehab in minors): 71 pitches 4IP 3ER 6H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Phillies + Sunday, August 25th vs. Nationals
Notes: It looks likely that Reynaldo Lopez will return from the IL (elbow inflammation) Tuesday. It was a short stay. He only needed one rehab start. And his numbers this year are solid (2.06 ERA/1.19 WHIP/8.77 K/9). Do be warned, though, the 30-year-old’s expected stats imply there should be some negative regression moving forward (4.38 xERA and .326 xwOBA vs. .283 wOBA). Still makes sense to start him as a two-start pitcher in points leagues (RP eligibility). But in categories, make sure you don’t have safer options for his first week back.
Tanner Houck SP Red Sox
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Rangers – 6.2IP 2ER 6H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Astros + Sunday, August 25th vs. DBacks
Notes: Though Tanner Houck’s results have been great this season (3.01 ERA/1.15 WHIP), he’s not getting nearly the amount of strikeouts we saw early on. In his last seven starts, for example, he has just a 5.1 K/9 rate. He’s lost some control, too, with a 4.85 BB/9 rate during the same period. That’s led to an xERA of 3.98, almost a run higher than what we’ve seen play out. Added to those concerns, the 28-year-old is in unchartered innings territory (146.2 innings this season vs. career high of 119 in 2018) and if not shut down by the Red Sox, could possibly have his innings limited down the stretch. Finally, his opponents this week are solid (Astros rank 11th in wOBA, DBacks rank 2nd). Add it all up, you should tread carefully. Make sure you have no better options.
Tyler Anderson SP Angels
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Blue Jays – 5.2IP L 7ER 6H 4BB 8K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Royals + Sunday August 25th @ Blue Jays
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Yusei Kikuchi SP Astros
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Rays – 5.2IP W 1ER 3H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Red Sox + Saturday, August 24th @ Orioles
Notes: Would probably rank Yusei Kikuchi a little higher (based on a nice surge in strikeouts (24 in last 16.2 innings) if not for next week’s opponents. The Red Sox rank 5th in wOBA while the Orioles rank 3rd. The last time he faced a high-caliber offense (DBacks on July 14th who rank 2nd in wOBA), the lefty yielded seven runs. Still makes sense in a points league, but categories could be dicey. Depends on how risk-averse you are.
Erick Fedde SP Cardinals
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Reds – 6IP L 4ER 6H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Brewers + Sunday, August 25th @ Twins
Notes: Although Erick Fedde’s overall line still looks good (3.40 ERA/1.15 WHIP), he’s hit a rough patch over the last four starts (13 earned runs in last 20 innings). With all the home runs allowed (seven in his last five starts), it would be understandable to bench him in a two-start week that includes both the Brewers (ranked 9th in wOBA) and Twins (ranked 6th in wOBA and 4th in home runs). I’d be less likely to bench him in a points league.
Kyle Harrison SP Giants
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Braves – 5IP 3ER 6H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. White Sox + Sunday, August 25th @ Mariners
Notes: Though neither Kyle Harrison’s ERA (4.14) nor xERA (4.85) is particularly good, he has improved the strikeout rate a bit lately (30 in his last 25 innings). This makes me super tempted to start the lefty as a two-start pitcher with some ideal matchups. The White Sox rank last in wOBA. The Mariners are not much better (27th). Worth a shot if there are no better options.
Shane Baz SP Rays
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Astros – 7IP L 3ER 7H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ A’s + Saturday, August 24th @ Dodgers
Notes: Though we can believe in the pedigree (former 1st overall pick), and even though it was nice to see some improvement on Tuesday (13 swinging strikes and six strikeouts), it would be hard to start Shane Baz outside of a points league next week. The Dodgers are ranked 4th in wOBA. And the A’s are ranked 9th over the last month. There’s lots of upside for sure, but the 25-year-old doesn’t look like he’s all the way back yet. I still wouldn’t drop him though.
Zebby Matthews SP Twins
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Royals – 5IP W 2ER 5H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Padres + Sunday, august 25th vs. Cardinals
Notes: Just three months ago, Zebby Matthews was still in single-A. Needless to say, his stock has risen greatly this season. While the 24-year-old’s career minor-league ERA is good (3.20), and he gets lots of whiffs (10.2 K/9 rate), what truly makes him stand out is the pin-point control (1.0 BB/9 over 205 minor league innings). It’s definitely worth watching. And with such good pitchcount economy, makes for a reasonable stream in points leagues during a two-start week. Maybe not categories yet, but do stay tuned.
Gavin Stone SP Dodgers
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Brewers – 5IP W 1ER 3H 0BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Mariners + Sunday, August 25th vs. Rays
Notes: The regression has hit Gavin Stone hard over the last few weeks. Heading into Tuesday he had a 6.91 ERA/1.90 WHIP over six starts. Due to his improvement on Tuesday (albeit with just eight swinging strikes on 86 pitches), and his light-hitting opponents next week (Mariners ranked 27th in wOBA, Rays ranked 25th), the 25-year-old makes for a plausible stream in leagues where he was dropped. But do make sure the names above are not available.
Dean Kremer SP Orioles
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Nationals – 6IP W 1ER 5H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Mets + Saturday, August 24th vs. Astros
Notes: With a 4.48 ERA and an xERA even worse (5.08), you shouldn’t be eager to add Dean Kremer as a pitching streamer. Even in a two-start week. But it’s worth noting that he pitched really Wednesday. And that it was largely due to an increased usage of his splitter (34% of the time was a season-high), a pitch he just started using this season. After the game, he told reporters that he’s getting “a lot more comfortable with it.” And that it’s getting “a lot more consistent.” Given that it’s been his most effective pitch this season (33.1% whiff rate/.173 xBA/.245 xwOBA), a continued increased usage could lead to better results on the field. You could do worse in a deeper sort of points league this week. But either way, keep an eye on him down the stretch.
Martin Perez SP/RP Padres
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Pirates – 5.1IP W 1ER 5H 1BB 8K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Twins + Sunday, August 25th vs. Mets
Notes: You might be tempted to start/stream Martin Perez next week. And with RP eligibility in a points league, that makes sense given his recent hot streak (1.48 ERA/1.06 WHIP over four starts). But outside of that situation, and the necessity of needing an extra pitcher, I’ll pass on the 4.45 ERA/1.45 WHIP over 13 seasons.
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Zack Littell SP/RP Rays
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Astros – 5IP 1ER 1H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ A’s + Sunday, August 25th @ Dodgers
Matthew Boyd SP Guardians
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Cubs – 5.1IP 1ER 3H 0BB 6K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Yankees + Sunday, August 25th vs. Rangers
Notes: Matthew Boyd, now 33, is back from Tommy John surgery. It was nice to see his 12 swinging strikes (on 80 pitches) and six strikeouts in his season debut. Given one of the opponents next week – the Yankees who rank 1st in team wOBA – I think a wait-and-see approach is probably best.
Javier Assad SP/RP Cubs
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Guardians – 4.2IP 1ER 5H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Tigers + Sunday, August 25th @ Marlins
Notes: Just not enough innings (seven out of last nine starts were less than five) or strikeouts (19.7% K rate) to matter much. Don’t be tempted by the juicy matchups.
DJ Herz SP Nationals
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th @ Orioles – 6IP L 2ER 4H 2BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Rockies + Sunday, August 25th @ Braves
Jose Quintana SP Mets
Last start: Thursday, August 15th vs. A’s – 4IP 4ER 7H 4BB 1K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Orioles + Sunday, August 25th @ Padres
Edward Cabrera SP Marlins
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th @ Phillies – 4IP L 6ER 6H 4BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. DBacks + Sunday, August 25th vs. Cubs
David Peterson SP/RP Mets
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. A’s – 6.1IP W 0ER (1R) 3H 4BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Orioles + Saturday, August 24th @ Padres
Frankie Montas SP/RP Brewers
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Dodgers – 5IP 0ER (3R) 5H 3BB 6K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Cardinals + Sunday, August 25th @ A’s
Joey Estes SP A’s
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th @ Mets – 5.1IP L 3ER 7H 0BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th vs. Rays + Sunday, August 25th vs. Brewers
Notes: Though I can’t recommend Joey Estes this week, I did want to offer heartfelt condolences on the loss of his brother-in-law who died in an accident over the weekend. Wednesday’s outing was surely an emotional one for the 22-year-old and he handled it with aplomb.
Carson Spiers SP/RP Reds
Last appearance: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Cardinals – 2.2IP 2ER 6H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Blue Jays + Sunday, August 25th vs. Astros
Jonathan Cannon SP White Sox
Last start: Tuesday, August 14th vs. Yankees – 4.2IP L 3ER 5H 3BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Giants + Sunday, August 25th vs. Tigers
Joe Boyle SP A’s
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Mets – 4IP 4ER 7H 3BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Rays + Saturday, August 24th vs. Brewers
Luis Ortiz SP/RP Pirates
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Padres – 5IP L 2ER 3H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Rangers + Saturday, August 24th vs. Reds
Tyler Phillips SP/RP Phillies
Last start: Wednesday, August 14th vs. Marlins – 4.1IP 5ER 9H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Braves + Sunday, August 25th @ Royals
Carson Fulmer SP/RP Angels
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Blue Jays – 3IP L 5ER 5H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th @ Royals + Saturday, August 24th @ Blue Jays
Jose Urena SP/RP Rangers
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ Red Sox – 4.2IP L 6ER 7H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 19th vs. Pirates + Sunday, August 25th @ Guardians
Austin Gomber SP Rockies
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th @ DBacks – 6IP 2ER 6H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 20th @ Nationals + Sunday, August 25th @ Yankees