Two-Start Pitchers for Week 26 (Sept. 15 - 21)

It’s hard to believe that the 2025 fantasy baseball season is almost over. With two weeks left, it’s all about maximizing our rosters and exploiting matchups. Targeting two-start pitchers is a strategy that can come in especially handy as the season winds down. Two-steppers are a sneaky way to boost our strikeout and win columns, so long as we choose our two-start pitchers wisely. However, if we don’t, we run the risk of blowing up our ratios.

This weekly write-up helps determine the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-starters are no-brainers, while others require more thought. To help you decide, I rank the two-steppers into tiers, along with brief notes on each player.

Most starting rotations aren’t finalized until late in the weekend. As this write-up gets submitted on Saturday, 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 26.

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.

Paul Skenes (SP — PIT)

First Start: vs. CHC
Second Start: vs. ATH
You don’t need me to tell you to start Paul Skenes.

Freddy Peralta (SP — MIL)

First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: @ STL
Freddy Peralta caught the wrath of the Rangers in his last outing. But there’s not much to worry about here. Peralta has been stellar lately, racking up five consecutive shutout starts in his previous five games. Peralta brings the Ks, the Ws, and has a dreamy two-step this week. He’s a no-brainer start in all formats this week.

Logan Gilbert (SP — SEA)

First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: @ HOU
It’s been smooth sailing for Logan Gilbert over his last four starts. He’s sporting a 2.38 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in that 22.2-inning stretch to go with a whopping 17.7% swinging-strike rate. It’s all systems go for Gilbert this week.

Kevin Gausman (SP — TOR)

First Start: @ TBR
Second Start: @ KCR
There’s not a lot to not like about Kevin Gausman. He keeps our ratios smooth, fans a batter per inning and pitches deep into games. Oh, and there’s win opportunity every time he takes the mound. Gausman’s two-step is tougher than not, but that shouldn’t disuade us from rolling him out this week.

Cade Horton (SP — CHC)

First Start: @ PIT
Second Start: @ CIN
Cade Horton has been fantastic all season, but has really come on strong in the second half. Over his last 10 starts, he’s flexing a sub-1.00 ERA and WHIP with a 46:14 K:BB over 53.1 frames. Oh, and he’s snagged seven Ws in that stretch. The strikeouts are a little light, but that’s pretty nitpicky. Roll out Horton as usual this week.

Carlos Rodon (SP — NYY)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ BAL
Carlos Rodon has limited opponents to two earned runs or less in all of his last seven starts. He’s also been a nice ratio stabilizer in that stretch, posting a 2.38 ERA (4.76 SIERA) and 1.10 WHIP over those 41.2 frames. Luck has contributed to Rodon’s recent success, and it’s slightly concerning that his strikeouts fell off in this period (6.48 K/9). But regression shouldn’t hit too hard this week with the Twins and Orioles on the docket. Rodon is looking for his sixth win in eight games and is a strong bet to pick up one or two victories in Week 26.

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 26.

Kyle Bradish (SP — BAL)

First Start: @ CWS
Second Start: vs. NYY
Kyle Bradish has been excellent since returning from Tommy John surgery. He’s limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in all three of his starts while sporting a 2.65 ERA (2.90 SIERA) and 0.94 WHIP across 17 frames. Bradish is also mowing down batters at a whopping 32.2% clip. A matchup against the Yankees is less than ideal, but we should start Bradish while he’s rolling.

Cam Schlittler (SP — NYY)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ BAL
Cam Schlittler is coming off a down start against the Blue Jays, but has otherwise looked terrific. In his previous nine starts, Schlittler showcased a 2.62 ERA (3.84 SIERA) and 1.24 WHIP with 54 punchouts across 48.1 frames. His 10.1% walk rate in that stretch isn’t ideal, but I’m not too concerned about that this week. Schlittler should cruise against the Twins and Orioles, who are both bottom-10 in OPS against righties over the last month. He’s a solid play in 12-teamers in Week 26.

Jack Leiter (SP — TEX)

First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: vs. MIA
Jack Leiter has been excellent of late, rocking a 2.66 ERA (3.12 SIERA) and 1.01 WHIP over his last four starts (23.2 IP). Most impressively, he racked up 29 punchouts in that span, good for a 31.5% strikeout rate. Leiter is looking for his fourth quality start in five games, and is a good bet to pick it up. The Astros are 27th in OPS against righties over the last 30 days, and the matchup against the Marlins isn’t scary. Fire up Leiter in 12-team leagues this week.

Shohei Ohtani (SP — LAD)

First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: vs. SFG
Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch deep into either of his starts this week. But a 32.7% strikeout rate on the year means he needs to be in lineups. There’s a little ratio risk this week as both the Phillies and Giants have been top-five in OPS against righties over the past month. But if you’re chasing strikeouts, Ohtani will bring the fantasy goodness.

Ryan Pepiot (SP — TBR)

First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. BOS
Ryan Pepiot has fired off three consecutive shutout starts and has looked sharp in his six starts since August. In that 32.2-inning span, Pepiot is sporting a 2.76 ERA (3.90 SIERA) and 0.92 WHIP with a 27% strikeout rate. He gets two difficult home matchups this week, but still warrants a start in most formats.

Andrew Abbott (SP — CIN)

First Start: @ STL
Second Start: vs. CHC
It’s been a rollercoaster of starts for Andrew Abbott recently, posting earned runs of 1, 5, 2, 6, and 0 over his last five outings. On the bright side, Abbott has maintained a useful 1.26 WHIP and 9.73 K/9 in that span. I’m not wild about his home start against the Cubs, but Abbott has been too good of an arm this season to leave on the bench. You should be starting Abbott in 12+ teamers this week.

Jason Alexander (SP — HOU)

First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: vs. SEA
Jason Alexander has been a sneaky-good arm of late. He’s fresh off a seven-inning shutout against the Blue Jays. Additionally, Alexander has limited opponents to three earned runs or fewer in all of his last eight starts. He posted a 2.36 ERA (3.80 SIERA) and 1.03 WHIP in that 45.2-inning span with 41 strikeouts. While his two-step isn’t the easiest, Alexander offers win opportunity along with some strikeout upside. He’s a solid play in 12-teamers in Week 26.

Michael King (SP — SDP)

First Start: @ NYM
Second Start: @ CWS
In his first start since returning from his latest IL stint, Michael King tossed five frames of two-run ball with two strikeouts against the Reds. The low K total is a little concerning, and there’s some risk this week since King has only two starts under his belt since May. But a 2.87 ERA (3.75 SIERA) and 1.04 WHIP across 12 starts this season is hard to pass up. Not to mention a healthy 9.62 K/9 on the year. The Mets have been tough against righties all season, but King should still be locked into most lineups this week.

Connelly Early (SP — BOS)

First Start: vs. ATH
Second Start: @ TBR
It’s hard to beat Connelly Early’s debut. He tossed five shutout frames against the Athletics and threw in 11 punchies to boot. With a rematch on tap, followed by a Rays team that has struggled to hit southpaws all year, Early is worth the gamble in 12-team leagues if you need strikeouts and don’t need to protect your ratios. There’s risk, but the skills are there. Throughout the minors, Early carried strikeout rates above 30% and ground ball rates above 50%. Color me intrigued.

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.

Zac Gallen (SP — ARI)

First Start: vs. SFG
Second Start: vs. PHI
Zac Gallen is coming off a down start against the Giants, where he coughed up two homers and five earned runs across 6.2 frames. He also logged three walks and three strikeouts. A rematch is on tap this week, followed by a tough start against the Phillies, neither of which is ideal. However, Gallen looked sharp before his dud outing, limiting opponents to three earned runs or fewer in each of his previous seven starts. He held a 2.20 ERA (4.10 SIERA) and 1.05 WHIP in that stretch (41 IP) with a 19.9% strikeout rate. There’s some risk this week, but Gallen is a good bet to pick up a quality start (and maybe a win!), and should bring double-digit Ks to the table as he’s an innings eater. Gallen is best suited for 15-teamers, but isn’t a terrible choice in 12-teamers.

Casey Mize (SP — DET)

First Start: vs. CLE
Second Start: vs. ATL
Casey Mize has been a little uneven lately. But he fared well in his last two starts against the Yankees and Mets, allowing a combined three earned runs over 11 innings with an 11:0 K:BB. Mize also walked away with a couple of wins. Softer opponents await Mize in Week 26, and he’s a decent bet to pick up more Ws. Mize offers an okay-ish amount of strikeouts (8.07 K/9) and is a solid arm in 15-teamers this week.

Michael Wacha (SP — KCR)

First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: vs. TOR
The strikeouts have fallen off for Michael Wacha this year (6.62 K/9), but his ratios are still helpful (3.45 ERA and 1.18 WHIP). Plus, he’s picked up five wins over his last seven starts. Wacha’s two-step isn’t an easy one, but he’s a solid arm that should be started in 15-teamers.

Jameson Taillon (SP — CHC)

First Start: @ PIT
Second Start: @ CIN
Since coming off the IL shelf with a groin strain, Jameson Taillon has been solid, albeit a little lucky. In three starts, he holds a 2.35 ERA (4.87 SIERA) and 1.11 WHIP with nine strikeouts across 15.1 innings. The Ks leave something to be desired, but there’s win upside this week with a favorable two-step on the slate. Plus, Taillon shouldn’t rock the ratios too much.

Zack Littell (SP — CIN)

First Start: @ STL
Second Start: vs. CHC
Zack Littell can help stabilize your WHIP, but that’s about it. In his seven starts with the Reds, he holds a 4.50 ERA (4.22 SIERA), 1.13 WHIP and 19.3% strikeout rate. There’s some win potential against the Cardinals, but I don’t love the start at home against the Cubs. I’d only consider Littell in 15-teamers.

Jose Berrios (SP — TOR)

First Start: @ TBR
Second Start: @ KCR
Jose Berrios hasn’t been pitching deep into games as he usually does, which has contributed to a recent rise in ratios. He’s made it to the sixth inning only once in his last six starts, holding a 4.71 ERA (4.11 SIERA) and 1.43 WHIP across 28.2 innings. There’s some strikeout and win upside with Berrios, but the ratios aren’t as smooth as we’re used to.

Ian Seymour (SP — TBR)

First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. BOS
Ian Seymour has been operating as a hybrid bulk reliever and starter over his past four appearances. While he’s been effective — especially on the strikeout front (12.10 K/9) — Seymour is a fairly risky option this week. He faces two challenging opponents, with both starts at home. Plus, there’s a good chance he doesn’t pitch past five innings. If you need strikeouts and don’t need to protect your ratios, Seymour is a decent option this week. But otherwise I’d steer clear.

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!

Eury Perez (SP — MIA)

First Start: @ COL
Second Start: @ TEX
Eury Perez has been an unreliable arm recently. In his last seven starts, he’s carrying a 7.84 ERA (4.48 SIERA) and 1.39 WHIP with a 28:10 K:BB across 31 innings. He’s also given up a bunch of loud contact in that stretch with a 52.6% hard-hit rate and 92.3 mph average exit velocity. I’m not wild about that, especially as Perez holds a fly ball rate just above 50%. That could be problematic at Coors Field this week, and the Rangers have been on a tear lately. Perez offers some strikeout upside, but the juice may not be worth the squeeze this week.

Jeffrey Springs (SP — ATH)

First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: @ PIT
Unless you’re chasing Ks and don’t need to protect your ratios, I’d shy away from Jeffrey Springs this week. He’s allowed 4+ earned runs in three of his last six starts, including a five-earned run game against the Red Sox in his last outing. Springs posted an elevated 6.00 ERA (4.50 SIERA) and 1.53 WHIP in that 30-inning span with 25 strikeouts. Dicey performances and a rematch against the Red Sox don’t give me the warm and fuzzies.

Kyle Freeland (SP — COL)

First Start: vs. MIA
Second Start: vs. LAA
Kyle Freeland is the Rockies’ best starter, but that doesn’t mean we should put him in our lineups. Especially with two home starts on the docket.

Simeon Woods Richardson (SP — MIN)

First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: vs. CLE
Simeon Woods Richardson hasn’t looked sharp since his return from the IL. In those three starts, he holds an elevated 6.59 ERA (4.37 SIERA) and 1.32 WHIP and hasn’t pitched past five innings. On the bright side, he logged 15 strikeouts over 13.2 innings. With little win opportunity, I’d only consider Woods Richardson if you’re desperate for Ks and can afford the ratio hit. Otherwise, he’s best left on the bench.

Michael Liberatore (SP — STL)

First Start: vs. CIN
Second Start: vs. MIL
Michael Liberatore doesn’t pitch deep into games and has allowed at least three earned runs in all but one of his last six starts. The result is an unappealing 5.86 ERA (4.72 SIERA) and 1.48 WHIP over 27.2 innings. Liberatore did snag 25 strikeouts in that stretch, but there are better options to target if you’re desperate for Ks.

Kyle Hendricks (SP — LAA)

First Start: @ MIL
Second Start: @ COL
Don’t be fooled by Kyle Hendricks’ shiny 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over his last three starts. Luck played a major factor as he stranded nearly 99% of runners in that stretch and posted a .211 BABIP. Additionally, a 4.78 xFIP and 5.09 SIERA suggest the regression monster is coming — and there’s a good chance he rears his ugly head this week. With few strikeouts and little win upside, you want to stay away from Hendricks.

Spencer Strider (SP — ATL)

First Start: vs. @ WAS
Second Start: @ DET
We can’t trust Spencer Strider at this point. While a 3.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over his last three starts look good on the surface, a 5.36 SIERA indicates risk is lurking. Additionally, Strider posted an underwhelming 16.4% strikeout rate in this 18-inning span to go with an 11% walk rate. Blegh. There’s little fantasy juice worth squeezing here, even with an appealing matchup against the Nationals on the docket.

Mitchell Parker (SP — WAS)

First Start: vs. ATL
Second Start: @ NYM
Mitchell Parker has looked decent over his last three starts, albeit a little lucky. But do we really want to rely on a starter who has elevated ratios and offers little strikeout and win upside?

Sean Burke (SP — CWS)

First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: vs. SDP
Sean Burke has allowed either two or three earned runs in each of his last four starts. While that doesn’t sound so bad, the problem is that Burke has only made it to the fifth inning once in that stretch. The result is an elevated 5.51 ERA (4.11 SIERA) and 1.84 WHIP over 16.1 innings. And while we can’t complain about the 28.6% strikeout rate in that stretch, a 13% walk rate is cringeworthy. Too much can go sideways with his two-step this week, and it’s best to avoid Burke altogether.

Carson Whisenhunt (SP — SFG)

First Start: @ ARI
Second Start: @ LAD
Bloated ratios and low strikeouts aren’t a recipe for success with two-start pitchers.

Carson Seymour (SP — SFG)

First Start: @ ARI
Second Start: @ LAD
There shouldn’t be interest in Carson Seymour this week. He’s allowed four earned runs in two of his three starts and brings a lowly 4.84 K/9 to the table. No, thank you.

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