Well, the Seattle Mariners have thrown a curveball into their two-start pitcher possibilities for fantasy baseball managers. They had Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller piggybacking games, but neither starter liked the approach, and a six-man rotation was putting pitchers on too many days between starts. So, the team has decided to rotate piggybacking responsibilities throughout the starting rotation due to the increased number of off days before the All-Star break.
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It’s a unique approach that we haven’t seen before, but could that mean there’s a reason it’s never been implemented? It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. It’s a perfect time to insert Jason Bateman’s famous Dodgeball quote, “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for them.” As for the rest of my two-start pitcher’s list, I found two starting pitchers whose matchups I love.
MLB Two-Start Pitchers for June 22-28
My Favorite Two-Start Pitchers of the Week
Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays (vs Royals, vs Diamondbacks)
Drew Rasmussen has been outstanding over his last three starts. He’s thrown seven innings in each game and only allowed one earned run, a Shohei Ohtani solo home run. He has also averaged 9.6 strikeouts over these three outings. Rasmussen is one of the hottest pitchers in the league, and he gets two ideal matchups next week.
The Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks have had up-and-down seasons, but are struggling offensively. Both teams rank in the bottom third of MLB teams in slugging percentage, run differential, and runs per game. However, they aren’t optimal strikeout targets, but Rasmussen is dealing and is matchup-proof. The Boston Red Sox have the ninth-fewest strikeouts, but the Rays’ righty struck out 13. Rasmussen has shown that stats don’t matter to him, so enjoy the ride if you’re lucky enough to have the star on your roster.
Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies (@ Nationals, @ Mets)
Jesus Luzardo started the season rough, giving up 20 earned runs combined over his first four starts. However, lately he has flipped a switch. The lefty has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his last seven games. With how good he’s been, Luzardo is a stud away from Citizens Bank Stadium. In seven away starts, he has a 1.55 ERA, compared to a 6.60 ERA in eight home starts.
The Mets have been a disappointing offense all season. They have a .238 batting average against lefties, but they rank in the bottom third versus southpaws. The Nationals are more successful hitting off of left-handed pitchers, leading MLB teams with a .273 batting average. However, I’m riding Luzardo’s hot streak into both starts.
No-Brainers
Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers (vs Yankees, @ Astros)
Hunter Brown, Houston Astros (@ Blue Jays, @ Tigers)
Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays (vs Royals, vs Diamondbacks)
Nolan McLean, New York Mets (vs Cubs, vs Phillies)
Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees (@ Tigers, @ Red Sox)
Ryan Weathers, New York Yankees (@ Tigers, @ Red Sox)
Sonny Gray, Boston Red Sox (@ Rockies, vs Yankees)
Trey Yesavage, Toronto Blue Jays (vs Astros, vs Rangers)
Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers (@ Reds, vs Cubs)
Next In Line
Framber Valdez, Detroit Tigers (vs Yankees, @ Astros)
Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals (@ Rays, @ White Sox)
Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers (@ Marlins, @ Blue Jays)
Foster Griffin, Washington Nationals (vs Phillies, @ Orioles)
Gavin Williams, Cleveland Guardians (@ White Sox, vs Mariners)
Anthony Kay, Chicago White Sox (vs Guardians, vs Royals)
Andre Pallante, St. Louis Cardinals (vs Diamondbacks, vs Marlins)
Ranger Suarez, Boston Red Sox (@ Rockies, vs Yankees)
Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles (@ Angels, vs Nationals)
Grant Holmes, Atlanta Braves (@ Padres, @ Giants)
Michael King, San Diego Padres (vs Braves, vs Dodgers)
George Kirby, Seattle Mariners (@ Pirates, @ Guardians)
Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants (vs Athletics, vs Braves)
Streamers
Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers (@ Marlins, @ Blue Jays)
Edward Cabrera, Chicago Cubs (@ Mets, @ Brewers)
Javier Assad, Chicago Cubs (@ Mets, @ Brewers)
Tyler Phillips, Miami Marlins (vs Rangers, @ Cardinals)
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates (vs Mariners, vs Reds)
Luinder Avila, Kansas City Royals (@ Rays, @ White Sox)
Eric Lauer, Los Angeles Dodgers (@ Twins, @ Padres)
Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds (vs Brewers, @ Pirates)
Zebby Matthews, Minnesota Twins (vs Dodgers, vs Rockies)
Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks (@ Cardinals, @ Rays)
Aaron Civale, Athletics (@ Giants, @ Angels)
Avoid
Kodai Senga, New York Mets (vs Cubs, vs Phillies)
Brandon Sproat, Milwaukee Brewers (@ Reds, vs Cubs)
Zack Littell, Washington Nationals (vs Phillies, @ Orioles)
Jake Bennett, Boston Red Sox (@ Rockies, vs Yankees)
Kyle Leahy, St. Louis Cardinals (vs Diamondbacks, vs Marlins)
Ryan Feltner, Colorado Rockies (vs Red Sox, @ Twins)
Sam Aldegheri, Los Angeles Angels (vs Orioles, vs Athletics)
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