Welcome to the Week 13 edition of two-start pitchers. Keeping track of the week’s two-steppers is a vital strategy in fantasy baseball, as they can give our fantasy squads a boost in strikeouts and wins. However, we also need to be careful about which two-start pitchers we start, 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 more thought. To help you decide, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers and provide brief notes on each option.
It’s worth noting 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 13.
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.
Robbie Ray (SP — SFG)
First Start: vs. CLE
Second Start: vs. BOS
It’s tough to find much to complain about with Robbie Ray. He’s allowed two earned runs or less in nine of his last 10 outings while earning eight quality starts and five wins in that stretch. He also holds a respectable 18% K-BB% on the year. The Red Sox hit lefties well this season (.781 OPS), but Ray benefits from facing them at home.
Kris Bubic (SP — KCR)
First Start: @ TEX
Second Start: @ SDP
Kris Bubic is coming off his worst start of the year. He coughed up five earned runs against the Yankees and issued more walks (4) than strikeouts (3). Are we concerned? Nope! Aces aren’t perfect, and it was the Yankees. Before Bubic’s down start, he didn’t allow more than one earned run in six consecutive starts while posting a 42:10 K:BB across 39.1 frames. Continue to roll out Bubic with confidence.
Jesus Luzardo (SP — PHI)
First Start: @ MIA
Second Start: vs. NYM
Jesus Luzardo regained his form following two horrendous starts. He spun six frames of one-run ball to go with 10 punchouts against the Cubs in his latest outing. It was the third time in five starts that Luzardo struck out 10 batters. The Ks should keep coming this week, especially with the Marlins on tap. A matchup against the Mets isn’t ideal, but it’s not preventing us from slotting Luzardo into our starting lineups.
Andrew Abbott (SP — CIN)
First Start: vs. MIN
Second Start: @ STL
Following a rare dud start, Andrew Abbott got back on track in his latest outing. He fired off a complete shutout game with five strikeouts and one walk. Abbott has been fantastic this season. He’s allowed more than one earned run only twice in his 11 starts while sporting a 1.87 ERA (3.75 SIERA) and 0.97 WHIP across 62.2 frames with an 18% K-BB%. Abbott snagged four wins in his last five appearances and is a weekly must-start.
David Peterson (SP — NYM)
First Start: @ ATL
Second Start: @ PHI
David Peterson’s terrific season continued last week as he tossed a complete shutout game against the Nationals. Peterson has been excellent at limiting barrels and inducing ground balls. He’s also been tough to score on — Peterson has allowed fewer than two earned runs in all but two of his 13 starts. Expect double-digit strikeouts this week while Peterson looks to pick up his fourth win in five starts. He’s a strong two-start pitcher in Week 13.
Dylan Cease (SP — SDP)
First Start: @ LAD
Second Start: vs. KCR
Dylan Cease is fresh off a solid outing where he blanked the Dodgers and racked up 11 punchouts. However, he also racked up the walks, issuing a season-high five on the day. Cease faces the Dodgers again this week, and while I wouldn’t bet on a repeat, Cease’s strikeout upside (11.42 K/9) secures him weekly must-start status.
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 13.
Clarke Schmidt (SP — NYY)
First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: vs. BAL
Clarke Schmidt has been cruising in his last four starts. He piled up 27 Ks in 22.1 innings while flexing a 2.42 ERA (3.11 SIERA) and 1.16 WHIP. He’s also flexing a 22.2% K-BB% in that stretch. Schmidt gets a tasty two-step this week where he should pick up some Ws to go with plenty of strikeouts. Schmidt is a solid two-start pitcher in shallow leagues in Week 13.
Lance McCullers (SP — HOU)
First Start: @ ATH
Second Start: @ LAA
Lance McCullers is starting to settle in, posting a 3.80 ERA (2.75 SIERA) and 1.17 WHIP in his last four starts. He also racked up the Ks in that span with 33 strikeouts across 21.1 innings — good for a whopping 35.9% strikeout rate. However, it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns for McCullers. His velocity is down (91.9 mph), and he’s been giving up too much quality contact. McCullers’ 53.8% hard-hit rate this season is an 18-point jump from his career rate, and his 91.2 mph average exit velocity is a career-low mark. But given his strikeout upside, McCullers is still a solid two-start pitcher this week. Just be mindful that the hard contact could come back to bite him, especially at Sutter Health Park.
Will Warren (SP — NYY)
First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: vs. BAL
Will Warren has had a couple of bumpy outings recently. But he’s coming off a nice get-right start against the Royals, blanking them across 5.2 frames to go with four strikeouts. Warren gets a nice two-step this week and should continue to roll. He brings the Ks (11.29 K/9) and offers win upside without killing our ratios, which is all we ask for as fantasy managers. Warren is a solid two-start pitcher in shallow leagues this week.
Grant Holmes (SP — ATL)
First Start: vs. NYM
Second Start: @ MIA
On the surface, Grant Holmes’ 4.22 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over his last four starts aren’t remarkable. But a 2.72 xFIP and 2.85 SIERA are pretty appealing. Plus, Holmes cranked up the Ks in that stretch, throwing 28 punchouts across 21.1 innings. His upcoming start against the Mets could prove challenging, as they’ve been tough on righties. But there should be enough strikeout upside this week (and maybe a win!) to make Holmes a worthy start in 12+ team leagues.
Ryan Pepiot (SP — TBR)
First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: vs. DET
Ryan Pepiot brings nice ratios to the fantasy table with a 3.31 ERA and 1.14 WHIP on the year. He’s also upped the Ks in his last two starts, recording 17 punchouts across 11.2 innings. I wouldn’t bank on that moving forward, but it’s not like Pepiot is a slouch in the strikeout department (8.04 K/9). He’s a solid two-start pitcher in 12+ teams, despite both starts coming at Steinbrenner Field.
Jack Leiter (SP — TEX)
First Start: vs. KCR
Second Start: @ PIT
Jack Leiter lasted only four frames against the Twins in his latest outing and surrendered four earned runs with a 3:4 K:BB. Minus the down start, Leiter had done a good job of curbing earned runs, allowing more than two only once in his previous five outings. He also sported a 2.20 ERA (4.60 SIERA) and 1.05 WHIP in that 28.2-inning span. Some regression should kick in, but Leiter’s two-step this week is enticing. While he’s better suited for 15-team leagues, he could prove helpful in 12-teamers, too.
Zack Littell (SP — TBR)
First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: vs. DET
Zack Littell has a home run problem. His 21 long balls allowed this year lead the league, and they’ve been piling up of late. However, the dingers haven’t blown up Littell’s ratios, and he’s still a useful starter in 15-teamers. Across 14 starts, Littell holds a serviceable 3.84 ERA to go with a cool 1.11 WHIP. Additionally, he’s a top-20 pitcher in quality starts (9) and wins (6). What does that mean for Littell’s two-step this week? It means we roll him out there in deeper formats. Littell should churn through innings without ratio damage, cobble together 8-10 strikeouts, and offer W/QS upside.
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.
Slade Cecconi (SP — CLE)
First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: @ ATH
Slade Cecconi is coming off his best start of the season. He limited the Reds to one earned run across five frames to go with eight punchouts. Outside of a down start against the Angels a few weeks ago, Cecconi has looked fairly good in his five starts this season. He strikes out more than a batter per inning and limits free passes. His Achilles’ heel has been hard contact. Cecconi has a whopping 18.1% barrel rate across 25.1 frames, which is fueling an ugly 2.13 HR/9. That shouldn’t be an issue against the Giants at Oracle Park, but his start at Sutter Health Park could go sideways.
Sean Burke (SP — CWS)
First Start: vs. STL
Second Start: @ TOR
Sean Burke was crushed by the Astros in his last start, coughing up seven earned runs across 3.2 frames. It was a disappointing outing, as Burke looked sharp in his previous three appearances. On the plus side, Burke’s 17.18 ERA was partially the result of a .500 BABIP, and it came with a more palatable 4.49 SIERA. Additionally, Burke continued to strike out more than a batter per inning. Despite the poor performance, I’d consider rolling out Burke in deeper leagues this week. He held a 2.37 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in his previous three starts with an above-average 23.3% K-rate. While he doesn’t offer much win opportunity, there’s some strikeout upside and solid ratios — assuming his latest start was just a hiccup.
Zach Eflin (SP — BAL)
First Start: @ TBR
Second Start: @ NYY
Zach Eflin has looked sharp in his last three starts. He limited runs and turned up the Ks, posting a 1.83 ERA (3.20 SIERA) and 0.97 WHIP across 19.2 frames with an 18:2 K:BB. He also snagged three quality starts and three wins in that stretch. Generally, Eflin is a nice WHIP stabilizer. But he could get tagged with long balls this week in a brutal two-step against the Rays and Yankees on the road. Eflin carries more risk than usual in Week 13 and should only be considered a two-start option in 15-team leagues.
Michael Liberatore (SP — STL)
First Start: @ CWS
Second Start: vs. CIN
The bumpy starts are starting to pile up for Michael Liberatore. He’s given up 3+ earned runs in each of his last three appearances, registering a 9.00 ERA (4.48 SIERA) and 1.86 WHIP across 14 innings with an 11:3 K:BB. However, with a juicy two-step on tap, it’s worth considering Liberatore in 15-teamers if you’re chasing wins. Just make sure you can absorb the potential ratio damage.
David Festa (SP — MIN)
First Start: @ CIN
Second Start: vs. MIL
David Festa is fresh off his first win of the season and pitched six frames, also a first. He’s carried over his strong strikeout rates from the minors, posting a 13.3% swinging-strike rate across five starts. However, Festa’s 11.5% barrel rate could cause problems at the cozy confines of Great American Ball Park this week, especially given his 49.2% fly ball rate. On the flip side, the Brewers shouldn’t be too much of a problem, as they’re in the bottom five in OPS against righties. There’s risk with Festa, but I don’t mind the start if you’re in need of Ks.
Michael Soroka (SP — WAS)
First Start: vs. COL
Second Start: @ LAD
Michael Soroka’s 5.14 ERA this season doesn’t look great on the surface. But looking a little closer, a 3.72 xFIP and 3.57 SIERA have us interested, especially when they’re paired with a 1.12 WHIP and 22.9% strikeout rate. Those numbers should fare well against the Rockies at home — and could be enough to offset possible damage from the Dodgers’ matchup. Soroka is a decent two-start pitcher this week and worth considering in deeper leagues.
Chad Patrick (SP — MIL)
First Start: @ CHC
Second Start: @ MIN
Chad Patrick is coming off his worst start of the year, surrendering five earned runs across five frames to the Braves. On the plus side, he also logged a season-high eight punchouts. Overall, Patrick has looked sharp lately, outside of his dud start. He piled up at least six Ks in each of his previous four starts, good for a 29.1% strikeout rate in that span. Patrick also kept the earned runs to a minimum and sported a 1.69 ERA (3.23 SIERA) and 1.03 WHIP over those 21.1 innings. I’d like Patrick more if his matchups were easier. But he still offers double-digit strikeouts and is a decent play in 15-teamers.
Casey Mize (SP — DET)
First Start: vs. PIT
Second Start: @ TBR
Casey Mize’s 2.95 ERA (3.98 SIERA) and 1.28 WHIP across 11 starts this season sure look good. But his 4.73 ERA and 2.25 WHIP across his last three starts sure look bad. What’s more concerning is that he faced the Royals, White Sox, and Orioles in those three outings — all teams in the bottom five in run production this season. That doesn’t give us a ton of confidence in his upcoming start against the toothless Pirates, let alone a start against the Rays at George Steinbrenner Field. Mize is worth considering in deeper leagues, but there’s significant ratio risk lurking under the surface.
Chris Bassitt (SP — TOR)
First Start: vs. ARI
Second Start: vs. CWS
If you’re chasing wins, Chris Bassitt is one of the better bets, as he’s tallied seven Ws on the year. However, those wins will likely come with a side of bloated ratios. Bassitt has allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last four starts, compiling a 5.87 ERA (4.63 SIERA) and 1.52 WHIP across 23 innings. He also fell short in the strikeout department in that span with a below-average 16.7% K-rate. Wins are flukey, so starting Bassitt comes down to your risk tolerance in deeper leagues.
Lucas Giolito (SP — BOS)
First Start: @ SEA
Second Start: @ SFG
Lucas Giolito (SP — BOS)
First Start: @ SEA
Second Start: @ SFG
Here are Lucas Giolito’s earned runs over his last seven starts: 0, 7, 1, 0, 6, 1, 6. Your guess is as good as mine as to which version of Giolito we’ll see this week. I’m inclined to think the zero-or-one earned run version, as he should benefit from pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park and Oracle Park. Plus, all of his blowups came at home. But I really don’t know. Go with your gut here.
Brandon Pfaadt (SP — ARI)
First Start: @ TOR
Second Start: @ COL
Following two brutal starts, Brandon Pfaadt bounced back in his latest outing against the Mariners. He allowed two earned runs across five frames with a 4:1 K:BB and picked up a win. It was the first time Pfaadt allowed fewer than at least three earned runs in his last five starts. Despite the rebound, Pfaadt is difficult to trust. His strikeouts have fallen to a career-low 17.7% this season, and batters are smoking the ball against him — his 93.1 mph average exit velocity, 13.9% barrel rate and 52.8% hard-hit rate are all in the bottom 5% of the league. The one thing Pfaadt has going for him is win opportunity. He sports eight Ws on the year and could pick up more this week. Consider Pfaadt if you need wins; just be aware that the ratio risk is real.
Jose Soriano (SP — LAA)
First Start: @ NYY
Second Start: vs. HOU
Jose Soriano is fresh off his best start of the season, fanning 12 batters and allowing one earned run across seven frames against the Athletics. It was a nice rebound for the hurler, who had a seven-earned-run outing in his previous start. However, don’t expect a repeat in the strikeout department, as Soriano is a 7.26 K/9 man this season. He also walks too many batters with a 4.42 BB/9 — the fourth-worst rate among qualified starters. I don’t love those numbers going against the Yankees on the road. While Soriano’s start against the Astros should be an easier task, there’s too much ratio risk with little upside this week.
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!
Randy Vasquez (SP — SDP)
First Start: @ LAD
Second Start: vs. KCR
Randy Vasquez held his own against the Dodgers in his latest start (4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K). But do we really want to bet on a repeat in Week 13? Plus, Vasquez has pitched deeper than 4.2 frames only once in his last five starts. He hasn’t looked terrible in those limited outings, posting a 3.80 ERA (4.69 SIERA) and 1.23 WHIP with a 9.1% K-BB%. But little stands out as a reason to target Vasquez as a two-start pitcher this week.
JP Sears (SP — ATH)
First Start: vs. HOU
Second Start: vs. CLE
JP Sears just pitched his best game of the year against the Angels. He allowed two earned runs across 5.1 frames and threw a season-high nine punchies. However, this is likely just an outlier game for Sears. He holds a 5.08 ERA (4.25 SIERA) and 1.25 WHIP across 14 starts this season. While the WHIP doesn’t look bad, it’s been trending in the wrong direction over Sears’ last six starts with a 1.66 mark. Up next is an Astros team that is fifth-best in OPS against southpaws. They also roughed Sears up in their last meeting to the tune of nine earned runs over 3.1 innings. There’s more risk than reward here.
Kyle Freeland (SP — COL)
First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: vs. ARI
Kyle Freeland is the Rockies’ best starter, and he faces a lefties-heavy Nationals lineup that struggles against southpaws. But don’t be fooled into slotting him into your lineups this week. Freeland also brings bloated ratios to the table and strikes out batters at an underwhelming 17.4% clip. Plus, a matchup against the Diamondbacks at Coors Field could quickly unravel.
Kyle Hendricks (SP — LAA)
First Start: @ NYY
Second Start: vs. HOU
We don’t want any part of Kyle Hendricks with the Yankees on tap this week. Hard pass.
Jake Irvin (SP — WAS)
First Start: vs. COL
Second Start: @ LAD
Jake Irvin has been terrible over his last three starts. He allowed a combined 13 earned runs across 15 innings with an ugly 7:6 K:BB. He also posted a 1.4% K-BB%. That’s not gonna work against most teams, let alone the Dodgers. Irvin is a poor two-start pitcher this week, despite a plus matchup against the Rockies.
Bailey Falter (SP — PIT)
First Start: @ DET
Second Start: vs. TEX
Bailey Falter is sporting some smooth ratios over his past four starts (3.00 ERA and 1.10 WHIP). But a closer look reveals he’s been pretty lucky (.217 BABIP and 5.66 SIERA). Plus, Falter isn’t bringing anything else to the table, with a 0.0% K-BB% in that 21-frame stretch. The Tigers are second-best in OPS against lefties this season, and Falter is a prime blowup candidate against them. He should be riding the pine in Week 13.
Sandy Alcantara (SP — MIA)
First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: vs. ATL
Sandy Alcantara is in the midst of a terrible season. His 17.7% strikeout rate and 11% walk rate are career lows, contributing to an elevated 7.14 ERA (4.71 SIERA) and 1.49 WHIP across 13 starts. On the bright side, Alcantara is coming off two strong outings where he allowed a combined two earned runs across 12 frames with a 10:2 K:BB. It was the first time Alcantara allowed fewer than 4+ earned runs in six consecutive starts. Woof. However, Alcantara should remain on fantasy benches. His plus starts were against the Pirates and Rockies, the league’s bottom two teams in runs scored this year. If Alcantara starts holding his own against stiffer competition, a la the Phillies, then we’ll consider starting him.
Dean Kremer (SP — BAL)
First Start: @ TBR
Second Start: @ NYY
Dean Kremer hasn’t been great as a starter or as a bulk reliever. No matter how he’s deployed this week, we’ll want to avoid. Bloated ratios and two tough road starts against the Rays and Yankees likely won’t mix well.
Antonio Senzatela (SP — COL)
First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: vs. ARI
I don’t need to go into all the reasons why you shouldn’t start Antonio Senzatela.
