Welcome to the Week 8 edition of two-start pitchers. An essential strategy throughout the fantasy baseball season is to keep track of the week’s two-steppers, as they can give you a boost in strikeouts and wins. However, you must also be careful about the two-start pitchers you roll with, as they can blow up your ratios if you choose poorly.
This weekly write-up will help you choose the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some are easy decisions, while others require more thought. To help you decide, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers and include brief thoughts on each option.
Teams often shuffle their starting rotations. As this write-up is submitted on Saturday, you’ll need to check out the league’s latest schedule of probable pitchers to make sure you have the latest information. Now, let’s look at the two-start pitchers for Week 8.
Don’t Overthink These Two-Start Pitchers
These are your set-it-and-forget-it arms for the week. All are elite starting pitchers with strong matchups.
Max Fried (SP — NYY)
First Start: @ SEA
Second Start: vs. NYM
The matchups aren’t the friendliest, but Max Fried should be fine. He’s allowed a total of one earned run across his last four starts with a 19:6 K:BB across those 27.1 innings. He’s also picked up three wins in that stretch. Fire up Fried this week.
Cristopher Sanchez (SP — PHI)
First Start: vs. STL
Second Start: vs. PIT
You really can’t go wrong with Cristopher Sanchez. He’s a ground ball machine (59.4%) with a 2.89 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. Oh, and he’s snagged four wins in his last five starts. Look for Sanchez to add to his win total in Week 8.
Michael King (SP — SDP)
First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: vs. SEA
Michael King hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any of his last five starts. He’s also sporting a 32:7 K:BB in that 31.1-inning stretch. He’s a strong start this week against the Angels and Mariners at home.
Paul Skenes (SP — PIT)
First Start: @ NYM
Second Start: @ PHI
If we want to pick nits with Paul Skenes, he’s given up four free passes in back-to-back starts. But you’re still rolling with him this week against the Mets and Phillies.
Framber Valdez (SP — HOU)
First Start: vs. KCR
Second Start: @ TEX
Framber Valdez takes his 3.94 ERA and 1.19 WHIP into two great matchups this week. Must-start.
Roll With These Two-Start Pitchers
These are solid two-starters for the week. While they come with more risk than the arms above, they’re worthy two-steppers in Week 8.
Spencer Schwellenbach (SP — ATL)
First Start: vs. WAS
Second Start: @ BOS
After a rough outing against the Dodgers, Spencer Schwellenbach bounced back nicely last week, allowing one earned run with six punchouts against the Reds. He should continue rolling this week in two plus matchups. Schwellenbach has a 3.61 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with a 43:9 K:BB across 47.1 frames this season. Start him confidently in 12s and 15s.
Michael Liberatore (SP — STL)
First Start: @ PHI
Second Start: @ KCR
Michael Liberatore had a couple of bumpy outings to start the season, but has since been on cruise control. He hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any of his last five starts and has a 27:6 K:BB across those 28.2 innings. For the year, Liberatore’s 23.8% strikeout rate comes with a minuscule 3.8% walk rate, and his estimators support his 3.07 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. The Phillies could present a challenge this week, but Liberatore should be fine against a Royals team with a 68 wRC+ against lefties.
Michael Wacha (SP — KCR)
First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: vs. STL
Michael Wacha is a Steady Eddie arm who will chew up innings and not hurt your ratios. He’s looking for his fourth consecutive quality start and has snagged two wins in his last three outings. Wacha is a solid two-stepper in 12+ team leagues.
Grant Holmes (SP — ATL)
First Start: vs. WAS
Second Start: @ BOS
Grant Holmes has pitched better in his last three starts than his surface stats indicate. His 6.35 ERA and 1.29 WHIP come with a 3.13 xFIP and 3.35 SIERA. Additionally, he has an 18:6 K:BB over those 17 innings. Holmes should provide double-digit strikeouts this week and has a decent shot of picking up a win. Slot Holmes into starting lineups in 12+ teamers.
Colin Rea (SP — CHC)
First Start: vs. MIA
Second Start: @ CWS
Colin Rea has looked decent since being stretched out as a starter. Over his last three games, Rea has a 3.38 ERA (4.48 SIERA) and 1.31 WHIP with a 13:6 K:BB across 16 innings. He also picked up two wins in that span. Up next are a couple of favorable matchups. While Rea likely won’t be lights-out, he should go 5+ frames without blowing up your ratios and offers win opportunity. He’s a solid two-start pitcher in 12+ team leagues.
Tyler Mahle (SP — TEX)
First Start: vs. COL
Second Start: vs. HOU
Tyler Mahle is having a fantastic season. He hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any of his eight starts and has a sparkling 1.48 ERA and 0.98 WHIP to show for it. However, luck factors are driving much of Mahle’s success as he has a .214 BABIP and 89.3% LOB% on the year. But despite the luckiness, I’m not concerned about regression coming against the Rockies and Astros this week. Consider Mahle a go in 12+ team leagues in Week 8.
Merrill Kelly (SP — ARI)
First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: vs COL
Besides a nine-earned-run blowup game against the Yankees in early April, Merrill Kelly has been fairly reliable. He holds a 4.09 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 44 frames this season. While there’s nothing flashy here, Kelly is a decent bet for grabbing a quality start or two and offers win opportunity without killing your ratios. He’s a better 15-team play but can be used in 12-teamers as well this week.
Ryan Gusto (SP — HOU)
First Start: vs. KCR
Second Start: @ TEX
Ryan Gusto has been a nice fill-in for the Astros this season. In four starts, he has a 3.79 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. He’s also collected six strikeouts in three of those four starts while registering a 20% K-BB in that 19-inning stretch. Gusto is better suited for 15-teamers this week. But he’s also not a bad gamble in 12-team leagues, as the Royals and Rangers rank 25th and 27th, respectively, in team wRC+.
Tanner Houck (SP — BOS)
First Start: @ DET
Second Start: vs. ATL
Tanner Houck has been sneaky-good since his disaster outing against the Rays (11 ER in 2.1 IP). He registered a 3.57 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in his four subsequent starts, with a 21:5 K:BB across 22.2 frames. Houck should continue to roll this week and is a solid two-start pitcher in 15-teamers.
Justin Verlander (SP — SFG)
First Start: vs. ARI
Second Start: vs. ATH
Justin Verlander had a rough start to the season but has looked much better over his last four starts, cutting down on walks and limiting earned runs. Over that 23.1-inning stretch, Verlander combined for seven earned runs with an 18:6 K:BB, and posted a 2.70 ERA (4.32 xFIP) and 0.94 WHIP. His start against the Diamondbacks is tougher than not, but Verlander should fare well against the Athletics at home to cap the week.
Jose Berrios (SP — TOR)
First Start: vs. TBR
Second Start: vs. DET
The walks (4.05 BB/9) and barrels (12.2%) have been a problem for Jose Berrios this season. However, he’s recently strung together some strong outings. Berrios hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his previous three starts while striking out at least eight batters in his last two. He also has a 2.00 ERA (3.66 SIERA) and 1.39 WHIP across 18 frames in that three-game span. There’s nothing flashy with Berrios, but he’s a decent bet for a quality start or two and has some strikeout upside. He’s a solid play in 15-team leagues this week.
Shane Baz (SP — TBR)
First Start: @ TOR
Second Start: @ MIA
Shane Baz has struggled after a strong start to the season. He’s allowed at least five earned runs in three of his last four starts with an ugly 14.1% strikeout and 10.9% walk rate across 19.1 frames. However, despite the underwhelming numbers, Baz is a decent two-stepper this week with two favorable matchups on the docket. The Blue Jays are 24th in runs scored this season and the Marlins’ 91 wRC+ on the year is tied for eighth-worst. Roll out Baz in 15-teamers.
How Lucky Do You Feel About These Two-Start Pitchers?
This is the tier of tough decisions, with most of these two-start options best suited for 15-team leagues. These are primarily riskier arms with plus matchups who could bloat your ratios if things go south. Tread carefully.
David Peterson (SP — NYM)
First Start: vs. PIT
Second Start: @ NYY
How lucky do we feel about David Peterson? He’s been decent this season with a 3.52 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 7.8% K-BB across 38.1 innings. Peterson should hold his own against the Pirates and their 26th-ranked 68 wRC+ against southpaws. However, the Yankees could be problematic. They lead the league against lefties with a 154 wRC+ and .889 OPS.
Michael Soroka (SP — WAS)
First Start: @ ATL
Second Start: @ BAL
In his first start since coming off the IL, Michael Soroka sailed through five scoreless innings with eight punchouts before things came undone. He loaded the bases in the sixth and got the hook after Carlos Santana cleared them. It was a promising return for Soroka, who missed all of April with a bicep strain. In his two starts this season, he has a 7.20 ERA (3.22 SIERA) and 1.30 WHIP with an 11:3 K:BB across 10 innings. Soroka could be worth taking a shot on in 15-teamers this week. Just know he hasn’t been able to put it together as a starter since his terrific rookie season in 2019, so start at your own risk.
Forget About These Two-Start Pitchers
This tier is pretty straightforward. If you roll with these two-start pitchers, you’re playing with fire. Fuhgeddaboudit!
Jake Irvin (SP — WAS)
First Start: @ ATL
Second Start: @ BAL
Jake Irvin has been serviceable this season with a 3.94 ERA (4.55 SIERA) and 1.15 WHIP across eight starts. But some cracks have started to show of late. In his last two starts, Irvin combined for eight earned runs on 12 hits with a 2:6 K:BB across 11.1 innings. He also posted a 6.35 ERA (7.05 SIERA) and 1.59 WHIP in that span. In addition to the down starts, Irvin has had trouble with the long ball this season with a 1.69 HR/9 — not what you want to take into starts against the Braves and Orioles. Irvin should be good for a quality start or two — and possibly a win. But he also offers few strikeouts and ratio risk. Beware.
Blake Lively (SP — CLE)
First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: @ CIN
Blake Lively’s 3.36 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 41.2 frames this season looks good, but there’s a whole lot of regression lurking under the surface (4.51 xERA and 4.80 xFIP). Plus, Lively is giving up too much hard contact with a 92 mph average exit velocity and is lacking in the strikeout department (6.4% SwStr%). That could come back to back to bite Lively this week, especially at Great American Ball Park.
Emerson Hancock (SP — SEA)
First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: @ SDP
After a disastrous debut start, Emerson Hancock has settled in nicely. Over his last four starts, he holds a 3.52 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with a 17:6 K:BB across 23 frames. He also picked up quality starts in his last three outings. However, Hancock hasn’t faced overpowering offenses yet, and a two-step start against the Yankees and Padres isn’t how you want to test those waters.
Yusei Kikuchi (SP — LAA)
First Start: @ SDP
Second Start: @ LAD
Free passes have been a problem for Yusei Kikuchi this year. His 4.25 BB/9 is nearly double his rate from 2024, and his 1.85 WHIP in his last four starts has been a killer. While Kikuchi is good for about a strikeout per inning, he offers little win opportunity, bloated ratios, and gets two difficult Week 8 matchups. Kikuchi is a sit in 15-teamers this week unless you’re desperate for strikeouts.
Jackson Jobe (SP — DET)
First Start: vs. BOS
Second Start: @ TOR
Jackson Jobe got lit up in his last start, coughing up six earned runs across 3.2 frames at Coors Field. Overall, Jobe hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. He has a 4.88 ERA and 1.48 WHIP on the year with a 4.1% K-BB. Additionally, Jobe doesn’t pitch deep into games, logging only one quality start in six outings. This week’s schedule isn’t the scariest, but with not much to chase, Jobe is a benchwarmer in 15-teamers.
Cade Povich (SP — BAL)
First Start: vs. MIN
Second Start: vs. WAS
The matchups are favorable, but how much do we trust Cade Povich? He didn’t reward fantasy managers who started him against the Twins last week, as he coughed up five earned runs across six innings and took the loss. With a rematch on the slate and a start against the Nationals, it’s tempting to roll Povich out there. But a 5.55 ERA and 1.54 WHIP on the season, with a 10.8% K-BB and .393 xwOBA, should hold you back.
Jeffrey Springs (SP — ATH)
First Start: @ LAD
Second Start: @ SFG
Since leaving Tampa Bay, Jeffrey Springs’ strikeouts are down (7.32 K/9), and his walks are up (4.35 BB/9). There’s a ton of ratio risk here and not much else. Pass.
Cal Quantrill (SP — MIA)
First Start: @ CHC
Second Start: vs. TBR
Cal Quantrill is coming off a strong outing against the Dodgers, allowing only one earned run with six strikeouts across five frames. Unfortunately, that’s just an outlier performance. Over his previous six starts, Quantrill registered an 8.10 ERA (5.08 SIERA), 1.80 WHIP and 4.9% K-BB. He’s an easy avoid against the Cubs and Rays this week.
Simeon Woods Richardson (SP — MIN)
First Start: @ BAL
Second Start: @ MIL
Simeon Woods Richardson brings bloated ratios and loud contact to the fantasy table. He has a whopping 17% barrel rate on the year with a 46% hard-hit rate and .543 xSLG. No, thank you.
Jack Leiter (SP — TEX)
First Start: vs. COL
Second Start: vs. HOU
Despite the favorable matchups, Jack Leiter has been too inconsistent to trust as a two-stepper. In his three starts since coming off the IL with a blister, Leiter has combined for 12 earned runs on 12 hits with an 8:10 K:BB across 13 innings. Leiter is best left riding the pine until he can string together a couple of good outings.
Jonathan Cannon (SP — CWS)
First Start: @ CIN
Second Start: @ CHC
Jonathan Cannon hasn’t been terrible over his last four starts, registering a 3.86 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. But he also hasn’t been good enough that we trust him at Great American Small Park. Or against the Cubs.
Chase Dollander (SP — COL)
First Start: @ TEX
Second Start: @ ARI
Chase Dollander has allowed at least five earned runs in three of his last four starts to go with a 1.90 WHIP in that stretch. Hard pass.
Chase Petty (SP — CIN)
First Start: vs. CWS
Second Start: vs. CLE
Chase Petty fills in for Hunter Greene this week. Petty debuted against the Cardinals earlier this season and was crushed to the tune of nine earned runs across 2.1 innings. Easy avoid.
