Pitchers with two starts in a week bring great value to fantasy managers who have them on their rosters or need a streamer. Each week, I’ll put these two-start pitchers into four tiers. The first tier is the “No-Brainers,” with ideal pitchers and matchups that require no thought to start. Then the “Next In Line” tier, which will include other optimal matchups but carries a sense of risk.
The next tier is the “Streamer” tier, which is what the name suggests: pitchers who have only one optimal matchup in their two starts but start at your own risk. The last tier is the “Avoid” tier, which includes pitchers with terrible matchups who should be left on the bench or on the waiver wire. I’m also including my favorite starters of the week.
April 6-12 Two-Start Pitchers
My Favorite Starting Pitchers of the Week
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (@ Twins, vs Marlins)
How could I not pick the back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner for the last two seasons? It really doesn’t matter who Skubal faces, but facing the Twins and Marlins solidifies him as one of my favorite starters.
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves (@ Angels, vs Guardians)
Sale has been unhittable to start the season, posting a 0.75 ERA and nine strikeouts over 12 innings. One of these matchups was against the Royals, who have struck out the least in MLB. Sale now gets the Angels and Guardians, who are in the top five in strikeouts, with the Angels leading MLB. Look for the Braves ace to rack up the K’s in both outings.
Cam Schlitter, New York Yankees (vs Athletics, @ Rays)
Schlitter has started the season as well as it goes. He’s thrown 11.2 innings, struck out 15 batters, and only allowed three hits. Plus, this was against the Mariners and Giants, so he’s shut down good competition.
Look for the hot start to continue with the Athletics hitting .177 and striking out the second most in MLB. The Rays are slightly tougher, being fourth in batting average (.274) and seventh in runs (30). However, Schlitter’s pitches are filthy, and he should continue to dominate.
No-Brainers
- Hunter Brown, Houston Astros (@ Rockies, @ Mariners)
- Cole Ragan, Kansas City Royals (@ Guardians, vs White Sox)
- Freddy Peralta, New York Mets (vs Diamondbacks, vs Athletics)
- Case Mize, Detroit Tigers (@ Twins, vs Marlins)
- Noah Cameron, Kansas City Royals (@ Guardians, vs White Sox)
Next In Line
- Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners (@ Rangers, vs Astros)
- Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (vs Mariners, @ Dodgers)
- Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (vs Tigers, @ Blue Jays)
- Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins (vs Reds, @ Tigers)
- Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres (@ Pirates, vs Rockies)
- Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers (@Red Sox, vs Nationals)
- Tanner Bibee, Cleveland Guardians (vs Royals, @ Braves)
- Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs (@ Rays, vs Pirates)
Streamer
- Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins (vs Tigers, @ Blue Jays)
- Brayan Bello, Boston Red Sox (vs Brewers, @ Cardinals)
- Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates (vs Padres, @ Cubs)
- Max Scherzer, Toronto Blue Jays (vs Dodgers, vs Twins)
- Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies (@ Giants, vs Diamondbacks)
- German Marquez, San Diego Padres (@ Pirates, vs Rockies)
Avoid
- Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks (@ Mets, @ Phillies)
- Shane Smith, Chicago White Sox (vs Orioles, @ Royals)
- Adrian Houser, San Francisco Giants (vs Phillies, @ Orioles)
- Zack Littel, Washington Nationals (vs Cardinals, @ Brewers)
- Jansen Junk, Miami Marlins (vs Reds, @ Tigers)
- Andre Pallante, St. Louis Cardinals (@ Nationals, vs Red Sox)
- Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies (vs Astros, @ Padres)
- Erick Fedde, Chicago White Sox (vs Orioles, @ Royals)
- Ryan Felter, Colorado Rockies (vs Astros, @ Padres)
With Zack Eflin (Baltimore Orioles) heading to the IL, his replacement has yet to be determined.
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