Welcome to the Week 12 edition of two-start pitchers. We always want to keep tabs on the week’s two-steppers because they can give our strikeouts and wins a boost. However, we also want to be cautious about which two-start pitchers we go with, as they can blow up our ratios if we choose poorly.
This weekly write-up helps you identify the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-start options are easy decisions, while others require some hemming and hawing. To help you decide, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers and provide brief notes on each option.
One thing to remember is that teams frequently adjust their starting rotations. As this write-up is submitted on Saturdays, you’ll want to check the league’s latest schedule of probable pitchers to make sure you’re up to date with the correct starters. With that, let’s look at the two-start pitchers for Week 12.
Don’t Overthink These Two-Start Pitchers
These are your set-it-and-forget-it arms for the week. Most are elite starting pitchers with strong matchups.
Chris Sale (SP — ATL)
First Start: @ MIL
Second Start: vs. COL
Chris Sale continues to dominate. He racks up Ks and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last nine starts. You don’t need me to tell you to start Sale.
MacKenzie Gore (SP — WAS)
First Start: @ NYM
Second Start: vs. MIA
MacKenzie Gore is having a phenomenal season. He leads the league in strikeouts (108), and his 28.2% K-BB% is second only to Tarik Skubal. He’s a weekly must-start at this point.
Kris Bubic (SP — KCR)
First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: vs. ATH
Kris Bubic has been cruising this season. Sure, some luckiness has played a factor (.266 BABIP and 86.5% LOB%). But fantasy managers will happily take his 1.43 ERA (3.35 SIERA), 1.00 WHIP and 19.4% K-BB% on the year. In his last eight appearances, Bubic has only given up two long balls and allowed more than one earned run only once. His matchups this week are tough, but at least he gets the benefit of two home starts. Bubic is a solid two-start pitcher in Week 12.
Merrill Kelly (SP — ARI)
First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: vs. SDP
Despite a couple of down starts, Merrill Kelly has looked sharp over his last six games. He’s sporting a 2.82 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in that stretch, with a noticeable uptick in strikeouts. He punched out 45 batters across those 38.1 innings and issued only seven walks. The uptick in Ks has contributed to a career-best 17.5% K-BB% on the year. Kelly is a fine two-start pitcher in shallow leagues this week.
Matthew Boyd (SP — CHC)
First Start: @ PHI
Second Start: vs. PIT
Matthew Boyd has been outstanding since the calendar flipped to May. He’s rocking a 3.31 ERA (2.72 SIERA) and 0.96 WHIP in that span, with a 40:3 K:BB over those 35.1 innings. The strikeouts are there, the walks aren’t, and Boyd offers win opportunity every time he takes the mound. That’s all we ask as fantasy managers. Fire up Boyd in his Week 12 Pennsylvania two-step.
Nick Pivetta (SP — SDP)
First Start: vs. LAD
Second Start: @ ARI
Nick Pivetta is coming off a down start and gets two difficult matchups this week. However, he’s flexing a 3.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 21% K-BB% across 12 starts. We’re rolling with Pivetta.
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 12.
Eury Perez (SP — MIA)
First Start: @ PIT
Second Start: @ WAS
Generally, we don’t want to immediately start pitchers who are coming back from Tommy John surgery. But Eury Perez is an exception. The hurler has a history of missing bats, sporting a career 28.9% strikeout rate and 33.7% whiff rate. Additionally, Perez already logged eight rehab starts across Single- and Triple-A, where he registered a 1.99 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 22.2 frames with a 27:10 K:BB. Perez gets an ideal debut matchup against the Pirates, whose .660 OPS against righties is ranked 27th. Perez offers significant strikeout upside every time he takes the mound, and this week is no different. Start Perez with confidence in 12+ team leagues.
Andrew Abbott (SP — CIN)
First Start: @ CLE
Second Start: @ DET
Andrew Abbott had a dud start against the Brewers last week, coughing up two home runs and five earned runs across six frames. It was the first time Abbott registered more than one earned run in his previous six starts. Overall, Abbott has been firing on all cylinders this year. While some luck factors have worked in his favor, there’s little to complain about. Abbott limits hard contact and earned runs while striking out more than a batter per inning. He’s also snagged three wins in his last four starts. Abbott is a go in 12+ team leagues this week.
Jack Leiter (SP — TEX)
First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: vs. CWS
Jack Leiter looks to be rounding into form. He’s thrown six punchouts in each of his last two games and combined for one earned run across 10.2 innings. He also cut down on the free passes. Leiter should continue to roll with a favorable two-step against the Twins and White Sox. He’s worth taking a shot on in shallow leagues.
Zebby Matthews (SP — MIN)
First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: @ HOU
Zebby Matthews is rounding into form. He’s fresh off his first win of the season, and he’s pitched 5+ frames in back-to-back outings. Matthews’ 9.6% walk rate is a little high, but when it comes with a 30.1% strikeout rate, the sting isn’t so bad. Matthews’ 5.21 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across four starts don’t look appealing, but his indicators say he’s pitched better than that (3.14 xFIP and 3.31 SIERA). Up next for Matthews is a favorable two-step, as both Lone Star teams are bottom-eight in runs scored this year. Roll out Matthews in 12+ team leagues.
Jose Berrios (SP — TOR)
First Start: @ STL
Second Start: @ PHI
Free passes have been an issue for Jose Berrios this year, with his 9.5% walk rate his worst mark since 2016. However, he’s curbed the walks over his last four starts and looked good in the process. Berrios sported a 2.23 ERA (3.75 SIERA) and 0.96 WHIP in that 24-frame span with a solid 16.1% K-BB%. He also picked up four quality starts. The matchups this week are tough, but Berrios should chew up innings and provide some strikeout upside without doing much damage to your ratios. He’s a solid 15-team option in Week 12.
Griffin Canning (SP — NYM)
First Start: vs. WAS
Second Start: vs. TBR
Griffin Canning has had a couple of down starts recently, but he bounced back in his latest outing against the Dodgers. He tossed six scoreless frames against them with seven punchouts and one walk. Overall, Canning has had a more than solid season. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in all but three of his 12 starts this year. He also has a serviceable 2.90 ERA (4.02 SIERA) and 1.32 WHIP across 59 innings. Pencil in five strikeouts per game to go with some win upside in Week 12.
Clarke Schmidt (SP — NYY)
First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: @ BOS
Clarke Schmidt upped the strikeouts in his last three outings and looked good in the process. He posted a 3.31 ERA (2.93 SIERA) and 1.29 WHIP with a 20:4 K:BB across those 16.1 innings with a 23.5% K-BB%. Combine that with win upside this week, and Schmidt makes a solid play in 12+ team leagues.
Luis L. Ortiz (SP — CLE)
First Start: vs. CIN
Second Start: @ SEA
Luis L. Otriz is coming off one of his best starts of the season, blanking the Yankees with seven strikeouts across 5.2 innings. Overall, Ortiz has been solid across his last five starts. He gave up more than two earned runs only once in that stretch, with a 31:14 K:BB across 27.2 frames. The walks aren’t ideal, but a 2.28 ERA (3.64 SIERA) and 1.37 WHIP plays, especially in deeper leagues. Ortiz benefits from facing the Reds away from cozy Great American Ball Park, and his start at T-Mobile Park is a plus. Ortiz is a solid two-start option in 15-teamers and could prove helpful in 12-teamers as well.
Sean Burke (SP — CWS)
First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: @ TEX
Sean Burke has looked sharp in his last three starts. He limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in all three of his appearances. He also threw a season-high six strikeouts in two of those outings. Burke is looking for his fourth consecutive quality start and is a good bet to pick up one or two this week with a soft Texas two-step on the slate. Burke doesn’t offer much win potential. But count on double-digit Ks and smooth ratios against the Astros and Texans — teams that rank 23rd and 29th in OPS against righties.
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 starters who could bloat your ratios if things go south. Tread carefully.
Freddy Peralta (SP — MIL)
First Start: vs. ATL
Second Start: vs. STL
Freddy Peralta has been struggling of late. In his last five starts, he’s registered a 22.9% strikeout rate and 11.9% walk rate. He’s also put up a very mediocre 4.21 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in those 25.2 innings. Overall, the Ks aren’t there this year. Peralta’s 25.1% strikeout rate is a career-low — and five points lower than his career rate — taking some of the shine off his upside. The matchups this week aren’t the worst, but they could also go sideways. Peralta is still worth starting, but he’s not a must-start for me and comes with the risk of elevated ratios.
Mitch Keller (SP — PIT)
First Start: vs. MIA
Second Start: @ CHC
Mitch Keller is coming off one of his worst starts of the year, surrendering six earned runs across 6.1 innings against the Astros. But despite the down start, Keller has been a solid arm this season and has put up very Keller-esque numbers with a 4.13 ERA (3.84 SIERA) and 1.27 WHIP across 76.1 frames. Unfortunately, he’s been plagued by low run support, recording six losses in his last seven starts. Plan on a quality start or two and 10-12 Ks from Keller this week to go with stable ratios.
Quinn Priester (SP — MIL)
First Start: vs. ATL
Second Start: vs. STL
Quinn Priester has either started or provided bulk relief for the Brewers over the past month and has pitched well of late. Over his last six appearances, Preister posted a 2.51 ERA (3.94 SIERA) and 0.99 WHIP across 32.1 innings with a 19:10 K:BB. The strikeouts aren’t there, but he limits hits and earned runs while inducing ground balls at a 60% clip. Priester is looking for his third consecutive win and is a decent two-start option in 15-team leagues.
Jeffrey Springs (SP — ATH)
First Start: @ LAA
Second Start: @ KCR
Jeffrey Springs has pitched better since the beginning of May. But he’s coming off three down starts, including a six-earned run outing against the Blue Jays that lasted two innings. Over those three appearances, Springs posted an elevated 7.36 ERA (4.77 SIERA) and 1.70 WHIP. He also continued to struggle with the long ball, coughing up four dingers across 14.2 frames. Springs’ matchups this week are favorable, and he benefits by pitching away from Sutter Health Park. But he’s a somewhat risky two-start pitcher that should only be considered in deeper leagues.
Colin Rea (SP — CHC)
First Start: @ PHI
Second Start: vs. PIT
After two ugly starts, Colin Rea provided bulk relief in his last outing and was solid. He picked up a win after firing off 5.1 scoreless innings against the Nationals with zero strikeouts. Overall, Rea doesn’t pitch deep into games. He’s made it to the sixth inning twice in his nine starts since moving to the rotation. He also holds an underwhelming 3.96 ERA (4.35 SIERA) and 1.39 WHIP in that stretch with a 10.8% K-BB%. There aren’t a ton of Ks to chase with Rea, but he offers some win opportunity. Just be aware of the ratio risk.
Cade Povich (SP — BAL)
First Start: vs. DET
Second Start: vs. LAA
It’s been a mixed bag for Cade Povich lately. While he’s been dealing strikeouts over his last four starts (29 Ks in 20.2 frames), he also has a 4.35 ERA (3.11 xFIP) and 1.35 WHIP in that stretch and hasn’t made it to the sixth inning in any of those outings. Povich tends to pitch better on the road, which isn’t great for him this week. Plus, he faces a Tigers team that is 7th-best in OPS against southpaws. If you’re needy for strikeouts, consider Povich in deeper leagues. But he shouldn’t be a target.
Miles Mikolas (SP — STL)
First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: @ MIL
Miles Mikolas is coming off two down starts, and a 5.28 K/9 doesn’t give us much to chase. However, he’s picked up four wins in his last seven starts, so there’s that. If you’re desperate for a W in deeper leagues, have at it. And good luck.
Yusei Kikuchi (SP — LAA)
First Start: vs. ATH
Second Start: @ BAL
Yusei Kikuchi’s last four starts have been ugly. While his 2.11 ERA in that stretch stands out, it comes with a 5.55 xFIP and 5.77 SIERA. Additionally, Kikuchi can’t stop walking batters. He issued at least four free passes in each of his last four starts, fueling a 1.88 WHIP in that span. Yuck. Kikuchi’s matchups this week are favorable, and he provides decent strikeout upside (8.14 K/9). But his walks have limited his innings of late, and he’s a significant ratio risk. Start at your peril if you’re desperate for Ks in 15-teamers.
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!
Brayan Bello (SP — BOS)
First Start: vs. TBR
Second Start: vs. NYY
Brayan Bello doesn’t bring enough strikeouts to the table (6.46 K/9) and he issues too many free passes (4.70 BB/9). He also doesn’t go deep into games, pitching more than five innings only three times in nine starts. Add in unfavorable starts against the Rays and Yankees, and we have ourselves a benchwarmer for Week 12.
Shane Baz (SP — TBR)
First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: @ NYM
Shane Baz got off to a strong start this season. But things have gone sideways since the beginning of May, as he has issued fewer strikeouts and more home runs. Baz has coughed up 10 long balls in his last seven starts, and he allowed at least three earned runs in all but one of those appearances. Additionally, Baz’s strikeouts have dried up, going from a 31.6% rate in April to 14.5% since May. Unfortunately, there’s not much to look forward to with Baz this week, as he faces two teams that are top-six in OPS against righties. Baz is a sit in Week 12.
Sawyer Gipson-Long (SP — DET)
First Start: @ BAL
Second Start: vs. CIN
Sawyer Gipson-Long didn’t have the best debut last week. He allowed three earned runs across 3.2 frames against the White Sox with a 3:1 K:BB. Gipson-Long last pitched in the majors in 2023 before Tommy John surgery and hip surgery sidelined him. While he could provide upside down the line, he’s too risky of an arm right now to trust as a two-stepper in Week 12.
Chase Dollander (SP — COL)
First Start: vs. SFG
Second Start: @ ATL
Chase Dollander walks too many batters (4.54 BB/9) and is a ratio killer (6.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP). Plus, it’s few and far between when we recommend starting a Rockies arm.
Ryan Gusto (SP — HOU)
First Start: vs. CWS
Second Start: vs. MIN
On paper, a start against the White Sox is appealing. But Ryan Gusto brings bloated ratios to the table and has pitched more than five frames only twice in eight starts. Gusto isn’t two-start material.
Andre Pallante (SP — STL)
First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: @ MIL
Andre Pallante just coughed up seven earned runs against the Royals to go with two strikeouts across 4.1 frames. He hasn’t pitched well in his last three games, registering a 7.47 ERA (4.30 SIERA), 1.53 WHIP and 7% K-BB% across 15.2 innings. Pallante shouldn’t be in starting lineups this week.
Mike Burrows (SP — PIT)
First Start: vs. MIA
Second Start: @ CHC
Following two ugly starts since his call-up, Mike Burrows tossed 5.1 frames of shutout ball against the Astros. The start was encouraging, and a soft matchup against the Marlins is next. But a date with the Cubs spoils the two-step for me. There’s too much risk here with little win opportunity.
