Continuing with my two-start pitcher series, there are two left-handers and an NL Rookie of the Year candidate that top my list this week. There are quite a few matchups I like, so it’s a good week to get multiple outings out of your fantasy baseball pitchers.
If you’re new to the series, here’s how I break down the two-start pitchers that can be used this week. 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 third tier is the “Streamer” tier, which is what the name suggests: pitchers who can produce decent stats, but the matchups aren’t ideal, so start at your own risk. The last tier is the “Avoid” tier, which includes pitchers with terrible matchups or who have been pitching badly and can be left on the bench or on the waiver wire.
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MLB Two-Start Pitchers for May 18-24
My Favorite Two-Start Pitchers of the Week
MacKenzie Gore, Texas Rangers (@ Rockies, @ Angels)
MacKenzie Gore bounced back in his last start after allowing 16 earned runs over four games. On May 12, he held the Arizona Diamondbacks to three hits and one earned run while striking out five over eight innings. He’s been better at home (2.63 ERA), compared to a 6.38 ERA on the road. However, he gets the top two teams in strikeouts, but they are in the middle of the pack in runs and OPS.
Gore’s 26% strikeout rate is the second-highest over his five-year career, which will play well with facing the two best strikeout targets. The Rockies also hit lefties worse, sporting a .636 OPS, compared to .739 against right-handers. However, they have nearly 740 fewer at-bats on the season versus southpaws. When the Rockies face lefties, they either replace Mickey Moniak or bump him down in the lineup. Also, TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston struggle, hitting .189 and .167, respectively. Those are three of the biggest contributors in the lineup.
Pitching in Coors Field is always a massive test, though. Gore’s first outing in Denver was awful, allowing eight earned runs, including three homers. However, this outing was during his 2022 rookie season. The lefty has since pitched twice there, allowing two earned runs over six innings in each game.
The Angels fare slightly better against left-handers this season. However, they only have a .238 batting average and a .407 slugging percentage. Also, their OPS at home (.623) is nearly 0.140 points below their OPS on the road. In addition, the Angels have the worst expected batting average (.229). I like Gore to continue pitching well, facing a Rockies team that strikes out 32% of the time against left-handed pitchers and the Angels, who have a 29% strikeout rate.
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves (@ Marlins, vs Nationals)
Chris Sale has once again been at the top of his form on the mound. For a third straight season, he has an ERA under 2.60. Although he’s only thrown 55 innings this season, Sale is in elite form. He’s holding hitters to a .183 batting average, his best since 2018, and has a 3.24 FIP.
The Nationals will be a test, as they rank in the top six in wOBA and wRC+ this season, plus they hit lefties well with a .270 batting average and .781 OPS. However, Sale has held the Nationals hitters to a combined .167 batting average and .543 OPS, though only one player has faced Sale more than eight times. The Braves ace has also been exceptional at Truist Park, posting a 0.60 ERA over 30 innings.
The Marlins will be an easier matchup, as their offense ranks in the bottom five in most statistics, including expected batting average, expected wOBA, and barrel percentage. Christopher Morel is the only Marlins starter to have faced Sale and is 1-for-5. I’ll gladly take a matchup when the batters are seeing a pitcher for the first time, especially when they are facing a former Cy Young Award winner.
Nolan McLean, New York Mets (@ Nationals, @ Marlins)
Nolan McLean quickly established himself as the Mets’ ace for the foreseeable future after a strong eight starts last season. He’s picked up right where he left off, continuing to thrive, striking batters out. His 31.5% strikeout rate would be a career high through a season since being drafted in 2023, and his walk rate (7.4%) is also a career best.
He faces the same opponents that Sale does, so the stats I stated for him apply here as well, except that McLean throws from the right side. The Nationals struggle against right-handers, with a .230 batting average, but have posted a respectable .710 OPS. The Marlins have hit right-handed pitchers more effectively than left-handed pitchers, but their .703 OPS is within the MLB average. However, McLean has been nearly unhittable versus batters on both sides of the plate, with neither side hitting above a .205 average.
No-Brainers
Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays (@ Yankees, vs Pirates)
Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays (vs Orioles, @ Yankees)
Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners (vs White Sox, @ Royals)
Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs (vs Brewers, vs Astros)
Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers (@ Cubs, vs Dodgers)
Michael King, San Diego Padres (vs Dodgers, vs Athletics)
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates (@ Cardinals, @ Blue Jays)
Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants (@ Diamondbacks, vs White Sox)
Next In Line
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (@ Padres, @ Brewers)
Max Meyer, Miami Marlins (vs Braves, vs Mets)
Walbert Urena, Los Angeles Angels (vs Athletics, vs Rangers)
Foster Griffin, Washington Nationals (vs Mets, @ Braves)
Parker Messick, Cleveland Guardians (@ Tigers, @ Phillies)
JR Ritchie, Atlanta Braves (@ Marlins, vs Nationals)
Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks (vs Giants, vs Rockies)
Matthew Liberatore, St. Louis Cardinals (vs Pirates, @ Reds)
Will Warren, New York Yankees (vs Blue Jays, vs Rays)
Christian Scott, New York Mets (@ Nationals, @ Marlins)
J.T. Ginn, Athletics (@ Angels, @ Padres)
Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals (vs Red Sox, vs Mariners)
Framber Valdez, Detroit Tigers (vs Guardians, @ Orioles)
Streamers
Trevor Rogers, Baltimore Orioles (@ Rays, vs Tigers)
Ryne Nelson, Arizona Diamondbacks (vs Giants, vs Rockies)
Nick Schultz, Chicago White Sox (@ Mariners, @ Giants)
Patrick Corbin, Toronto Blue Jays (@ Yankees, vs Pirates)
Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels (vs Athletics, vs Rangers)
Keider Montero, Detroit Tigers (vs Guardians, @ Orioles)
Jacob Lopez, Athletics (@ Angels, @ Padres)
Avoid
Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds (@ Phillies, vs Cardinals)
Jake Irvin, Washington Nationals (vs Mets, @ Braves)
Jose Quintana, Colorado Rockies (vs Rangers, @ Diamondbacks)
Slade Cecconi, Cleveland Guardians (@ Tigers, @ Phillies)
Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins (vs Braves, vs Mets)
Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Astros (@ Twins, @ Cubs)
Simeon Woods-Richardson (vs Astros, @ Red Sox)
Brayan Bello, Boston Red Sox (@ Royals, vs Twins)
Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies (vs Reds, vs Guardians)
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