Welcome to the Week 9 edition of two-start pitchers. One way to maximize fantasy production throughout the season is to track the week’s two-start pitchers, as they can give you an advantage in strikeouts and wins. However, you must also be careful about the two-steppers you roll with, as they can blow up your ratios if you choose poorly.
This weekly write-up helps you choose the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-start options 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.
Keep in mind that teams often shift 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 ensure you have the latest information. Now, let’s look at the two-start pitchers for Week 9.
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.
Tarik Skubal (SP — DET)
First Start: @ STL
Second Start: vs. CLE
You don’t need me to tell you that Tarik Skubal is a stud and a must-start option each week.
Bryan Woo (SP — SEA)
First Start: @ CWS
Second Start: @ HOU
There’s not much to say about Bryan Woo. He’s a ratio stabilizer who strikes out a batter per inning and has thrown at least six frames in all eight starts. Woo is a must-start two-stepper against the anemic White Sox and Astros.
Cristopher Sanchez (SP — PHI)
First Start: @ COL
Second Start: @ ATH
Cristopher Sanchez is having a career year. While his walks are up, Sanchez is also striking out batters at a career-high 28.4% clip. Double-digit strikeouts and wins are in the cards for Sanchez this week.
Jesus Luzardo (SP — PHI)
First Start: @ COL
Second Start: @ ATH
Jesus Luzardo has been an excellent addition to the Phillies’ rotation. He’s allowed more than two earned runs only once in nine starts. Luzardo has a sparkling 2.00 ERA (3.41 SIERA) and 1.19 WHIP across 54 frames this season with a 19.2% K-BB. His start against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park could be challenging. But Luzardo should cruise against the Rockies, who are terrible against lefties this year (59 wRC+). Expect double-digit strikeouts and a win or two with Luzardo this week.
Spencer Strider (SP — ATL)
First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: vs. SDP
Spencer Strider threw 65 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday and is returning during Atlanta’s series against the Nationals. If he lines up for Tuesday’s start, slot him in as a solid two-stepper this week. Strider could be limited in his return, but he shouldn’t hurt you ratio-wise while providing strikeouts. Plus, we’re talking about Spencer Strider — you’re never benching him when healthy.
Robbie Ray (SP — SFG)
First Start: vs. KCR
Second Start: @ WAS
Robbie Ray has been cruising lately. He’s picked up four consecutive quality starts with a 30:8 K:BB across his last 26 frames. Ray is also sporting a sparkling 2.08 ERA (3.04 xFIP) and 0.96 WHIP in that stretch to go with three wins. Look for Ray to keep rolling against the Royals and Nationals, teams that have struggled against southpaws this season.
Framber Valdez (SP — HOU)
First Start: @ TBR
Second Start: vs. SEA
Framber Valdez has been chewing up innings lately, logging at least seven innings in three of his last four starts. He also has a 2.57 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in that 28-inning stretch. Expect more of the same this week.
Dylan Cease (SP — SDP)
First Start: @ TOR
Second Start: @ ATL
Dylan Cease is coming off one of his better starts of the year, racking up a season-high 10 punchouts across 6.2 innings. He’s looked especially sharp in his last two starts, combining for three earned runs across 13.1 frames with a 19:3 K:BB. Cease should have another good week with matchups against the middle-of-the-pack Blue Jays and Braves in Week 9.
Kris Bubic (SP — KCR)
First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: @ MIN
Kris Bubic is having a fantastic season. He’s tossed five scoreless games this season, picked up six quality starts in nine outings, and has a 1.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 18.7% K-BB to show for his efforts. He’s an easy two-start pitcher this week.
Bailey Ober (SP — MIN)
First Start: vs. CLE
Second Start: vs. KCR
It’s been a mixed season for Bailey Ober. He continues to do a great job of limiting walks and getting batters to chase. But his strikeouts are down, and he’s giving up a ton of hits with his 7.45 K/9 and 1.37 WHIP career-worst marks. However, this week’s matchups aren’t the scariest, and the Twins are shooting up the standings with 12 straight wins. Fire up Ober this week.
Kodai Senga (SP — NYM)
First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: vs. LAD
It’s a difficult two-step for Kodai Senga, but you’re still rolling him out there. Senga hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any of his eight starts while striking out just under a batter per inning. He holds a 1.22 ERA and 1.20 WHIP for the season, with a 42:19 K:BB across 44.1 innings. Senga’s shiny ERA won’t last (4.20 xFIP), but we’ll keep our fingers crossed that it holds up this week.
Roll With These Two-Start Pitchers
These are solid two-starters for the week. While they come with more risk than the arms above, you’re likely rolling with these two-steppers in Week 9.
Will Warren (SP — NYY)
First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: @ COL
Will Warren has picked up his game in his last three starts, especially on the strikeout front. He’s sporting a 24:5 K:BB across his last 17 innings with a 3.18 ERA (2.65 SIERA), 1.18 WHIP and 25.7% K-BB in that stretch. The good times should continue against the Rangers and Rockies in Week 9. Double-digit strikeouts and win upside make Warren a nice two-start option in 12+ team leagues.
Ben Brown (SP — CHC)
First Start: @ MIA
Second Start: @ CIN
Ben Brown has been terrific since his recent blowup against the Phillies. In his last three starts, he has a 2.76 ERA (2.54 xFIP) and 1.04 WHIP across 16.1 innings with a 19:2 K:BB. He’s also showcasing a lofty 26.2% K-BB in that stretch. Brown has slashed his walks lately, going from 13 in his first five starts to three in his last four starts. He’s also an asset in punchouts (10.80 K/9) and brings win opportunity to all of his starts. Brown is a strong two-start pitcher in 12-team leagues this week.
Nick Lodolo (SP — CIN)
First Start: @ PIT
Second Start: vs. CHC
Nick Lodolo has been great at limiting home runs and keeping traffic off the bases this season, and his 3.42 ERA (3.93 SIERA) and 1.08 WHIP have been more than serviceable in all league sizes. Lodolo starts the week with a drool-worthy matchup against a Pirates team that struggles against southpaws (.608 OPS). The Cubs are another story, as their .828 OPS against lefties is third-best. Plus, Lodolo faces them at Great American Ball Park, which is not ideal. However, despite the challenging matchup, Lodolo is a strong two-start option in 12+ teamers.
Luis Castillo (SP — SEA)
First Start: @ CWS
Second Start: @ HOU
Luis Castillo has underwhelmed this season. His 18.2% strikeout rate is a seven-point drop from his career rate, and his 1.38 WHIP on the year is a career-worst mark. However, Castillo has a get-right opportunity with friendly matchups against the White Sox and Astros this week. Castillo picked up quality starts in three of his last four outings and should be good for a win or two this week.
Ryan Pepiot (SP — TBR)
First Start: vs. HOU
Second Start: vs. TOR
Ryan Pepiot has been a decent starter this season with a 3.93 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 50.1 innings. While he’s had trouble with the long ball this year (1.61 HR/9), Pepiot has recently cut down on the dingers. He’s given up only one home run across his last four starts, compared to eight in his first five. He also put up a 2.82 ERA (4.66 xFIP) and 1.03 WHIP in that four-game span. Pepiot is looking for his fifth quality start in six games and could pick up a win or two this week. He’s a solid two-start option 12- and 15-team leagues.
Tomoyuki Sugano (SP — BAL)
First Start: @ MIL
Second Start: @ BOS
The strikeouts are starting to show up for Tomoyuki Sugano. After starting the season with a 2.89 K/9 in his first five starts, Sugano has upped his strikeouts to 7.30 K/9 in his last four. He logged a 20:4 K:BB in that 24.2-inning span with a 2.55 ERA (3.72 SIERA) and 0.89 WHIP. Sugano is an innings eater who shouldn’t blow up your ratios. He offers a quality start or two with some strikeout upside and is a nice two-start pitcher in 15-team leagues.
Jose Soriano (SP — LAA)
First Start: @ ATH
Second Start: vs. MIA
Jose Soriano has been pretty solid over his last four outings. He tossed two shutout starts with a 20:9 K:BB across those 23 frames. The walks aren’t ideal, but Soriano’s 2.35 ERA (3.23 xFIP) and 1.39 WHIP in that span are more than serviceable. Soriano doesn’t offer much win potential. But he keeps the ball on the ground (62.1% GB%), brings some strikeouts to the table, and should be good for a quality start or two. Soriano is a decent two-stepper this week in 15-teamers.
Mitch Keller (SP — PIT)
First Start: vs. CIN
Second Start: vs. MIL
Mitch Keller is doing Mitch Keller things this season: He’s churning through innings while posting a 4.15 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 52 frames. Keller doesn’t offer much win potential, but he’s a decent option with home matchups against the Reds and Brewers. Plus, he’s picked up the punchouts lately, with 23 strikeouts across 24 innings in his last four starts.
Gunnar Hoglund (SP — ATH)
First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: vs. PHI
The sample size is small, but Gunnar Hoglund has been solid since his call-up. Across his three starts, he has a 15:4 K:BB across 16.2 innings, and his estimators match his 3.78 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Hoglund stumbled against the Dodgers, but it’s encouraging that his 8.10 K/9 and 2.16 BB/9 are consistent with his minor league marks. A couple of matchups at Sutter Health Park aren’t ideal, but the Angels aren’t scary. The Phillies could be problematic, but Hoglund is still a nice play in deeper leagues.
How Lucky Do You Feel About These Two-Start Pitchers?
This is the tier of tough decisions, with most of these two-start pitchers best suited for 15-team leagues. These are primarily riskier starters who could bloat your ratios if things go south. Tread carefully.
Brandon Pfaadt (SP — ARI)
First Start: @ LAD
Second Start: @ STL
I don’t love the matchups for Brandon Pfaadt. The Dodgers are never a team you want to attack in fantasy, and the Cardinals have been pesky. However, Pfaadt did snag a win against the Dodgers a few weeks ago. He threw 6.1 scoreless frames with six punchouts against them, so there’s that. While Pfaadt offers double-digit strikeouts and win opportunities every week, I like him better in 15-teamers in Week 9, given the challenging schedule.
Chris Bassitt (SP — TOR)
First Start: vs. SDP
Second Start: @ TBR
It was smooth sailing for Chris Bassitt in his first four starts of the year. But then the hits and home runs started to pile up, leaving Bassitt with a 5.14 ERA (3.74 SIERA), 1.43 WHIP, and 18.8% strikeout rate over his last five starts. Additionally, Bassitt has given up four earned runs in three of five outings while pitching six frames only once. Those aren’t encouraging numbers with the Padres and Rays on deck.
Gavin Williams (SP — CLE)
First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ DET
Gavin Williams is a tough call. On the one hand, he’s been fantastic in the strikeout department over his last three starts (14.79 K/9). On the other hand, he’s also been a WHIP killer, posting a 1.79 WHIP in that 14-inning stretch. Williams also hasn’t pitched more than five frames in any of those starts. You’ll likely get enough Ks — and possibly a win — to warrant a start in 15-team leagues. The question is whether you can stomach the ratio risk.
Hunter Dobbins (SP — BOS)
First Start: vs. NYM
Second Start: vs. BAL
Hunter Dobbins has been a solid placeholder for the Red Sox. He holds a 3.90 ERA (3.55 xFIP) and 1.30 WHIP with a 23:4 K:BB across 27.2 frames this season. However, he hasn’t faced stiff competition, and the Tigers just mauled him for five earned runs. If you’re desperate for a win or some strikeouts in 15-teamers, Dobbins isn’t a terrible option. But it’s still a risky start that could go sideways.
Patrick Corbin (SP — TEX)
First Start: @ NYY
Second Start: @ CWS
Patrick Corbin rewarded fantasy managers who took a shot on him last week against the Rockies, snagging a win and throwing a season-high nine punchouts across six frames. We all know the Yankees aren’t the Rockies, but the White Sox are pretty close. Corbin isn’t the worst start in 15-teamers if you are desperate for a win. He’s done a solid job of limiting hard contact this year. Also, Corbin hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his seven starts while holding a 1.30 WHIP. Starting Corbin this week comes down to your level of risk tolerance — and whether you can absorb a possible blowup start in the Bronx.
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!
Walker Buehler (SP — BOS)
First Start: vs. NYM
Second Start: vs. BAL
Walker Buehler is expected to return this week after being on the shelf with shoulder inflammation. However, his return won’t be easy, as he faces the Mets and Orioles at home. Plus, the Red Sox may put Buehler on a pitch count and limit his innings. There’s too much uncertainty here to risk the start, especially in shallower leagues.
Davis Martin (SP — CWS)
First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: vs. TEX
Davis Martin hasn’t been terrible this season, posting a 3.65 ERA (4.35 SIERA) and 1.36 WHIP across eight starts. But he also hasn’t been good enough for you to start him against the Mariners and Rangers. Combine that with 6.02 strikeouts per inning and little win opportunity, and Martin is a no-go in Week 9.
Dean Kremer (SP — BAL)
First Start: @ MIL
Second Start: @ BOS
Dean Kremer has cobbled together a solid start or two this season, but nothing consistent. Plus, his 5.36 ERA (4.59 SIERA), 1.31 WHIP, and 9.7% K-BB don’t help our fantasy squads. He’s a benchwarmer.
Erick Fedde (SP — STL)
First Start: vs. DET
Second Start: vs. ARI
Erick Fedde is coming off back-to-back shutout starts. However, don’t be fooled into slotting him into your lineups this week. Fedde’s 14.8% strikeout rate and 11.6% walk rate aren’t what you want to take into battle against the Tigers and Diamondbacks.
Logan Allen (SP — CLE)
First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ DET
Logan Allen is coming off his best outing of the season, tossing six scoreless frames with six strikeouts and one walk against the Brewers. It was his first quality start of the year. However, we shouldn’t get too excited as this was likely an outlier performance. Allen’s 3.70 ERA this season comes with a 5.06 xFIP and 5.04 SIERA. Add a 1.52 WHIP and 6% K-BB on the year, and you’re looking at a risky starter who brings bloated ratios to a pair of divisional matchups. No, thank you.
Kyle Hendricks (SP — LAA)
First Start: @ ATH
Second Start: vs. MIA
There’s not much to chase with Kyle Hendricks. His 14.5% strikeout rate and 9.3% walk rate are underwhelming, and he offers little win opportunity pitching for the Angels.
Bailey Falter (SP — PIT)
First Start: vs. CIN
Second Start: vs. MIL
On the surface, Bailey Falter’s 0.54 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over his last three starts pop out. But looking a little closer takes the shine off, as Falter has a 12:9 K:BB across those 16.2 frames, coupled with a 5.02 xFIP. Falter should be riding the pine in Week 9.
Quinn Priester (SP — MIL)
First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: @ PIT
Don’t be fooled by Quinn Priester’s last two starts, as he posted a sub-.185 BABIP in both outings. On the year, Priester has a 4.59 ERA (5.34 SIERA) and 1.56 WHIP across 33.1 innings with a 1.4% K-BB. He’s a benchwarmer who has yet to snag a quality start this year.
Mitchell Parker (SP — WAS)
First Start: vs. ATL
Second Start: vs. SFG
Mitchell Parker started the season strong but has recently hit a wall. He’s allowed at least four earned runs in all of his last four outings, with a 1.98 WHIP in that span. Parker’s arrows are pointing in the wrong direction this year. His strikeouts have decreased from 20.6% in 2024 to 14.8% this season, and his walks have increased from 6.7% to 11.1%. Combine that with elevated ratios, and Parker should be riding the pine.
Edward Cabrera (SP — MIA)
First Start: vs. CHC
Second Start: @ LAA
Edward Cabrera cut down on his walks and limited his home runs in his last two starts. But he still brings elevated ratios to the table (5.52 ERA and 1.53 WHIP). I’d like to see more before slotting him into a two-stepper, especially with the Cubs on the slate.
Kyle Freeland (SP — COL)
First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: vs. NYY
Kyle Freeland has pitched better than his surface stats this season. But that doesn’t mean we trust him against the Phillies and Yankees at home this week. Yikes.
Antonio Senzatela (SP — COL)
First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: vs. NYY
You’re not starting Antonio Senzatela against the Phillies and Yankees at Coors Field. Case closed.
