Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers: The Mizard of Milwaukee

Targeting two-start pitchers in fantasy baseball will always be an optimal strategy when fantasy managers can utilize it in their favor. As we get closer to the August 3 trade deadline, you’ll want to monitor your team for any pitchers being talked about as likely trade targets, especially in leagues that require you to set your lineup before the week begins. Luckily, the deadline expires on a Monday and shortly before games begin. However, during the weekend before the deadline, we may see some big names change teams.

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In my two-start pitchers breakdown, I rank the eligible pitchers into four categories. 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, as 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. I also highlight my favorite matchups for the week.

MLB Two-Start Pitchers for June 20-26

My Favorite Two-Start Pitchers of the Week

Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers (vs Mets, vs Rockies)

Captain Obvious here… Jacob Misiorowski is one of my favorite two-start pitchers next week. I don’t need to say much to convince you why, but in 111 innings, he has a 10-4 record, 1.62 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and a 167:27 strikeout-to-walk ratio. It’s just astounding that he’s pitching this amazing this far into the season.

The Brewers’ ace had some arm fatigue after his July 7 start, which led to the team pushing back his return from the All-Star break. I’m sure the Miami Marlins are celebrating. Misiorowski’s workload will be monitored for the rest of the season to keep him fresh for a postseason run. So he may have a day or two extra rest between starts, or shortened outings periodically, but next week the fireballer gets two ideal matchups.

In strikeouts, the Rockies rank eighth and the Mets 15th. The Mets also rank 22nd in runs scored and 29th in OPS. Plus, they have announced that everyone is available, except for a few young stars and Juan Soto. So the Mets are already giving up on the season. The Rockies rank in the top third of MLB teams in runs and OPS, but playing in Coors Field is a massive cheat code for hitters.

Although the Miz was immune to the high altitude of Denver this season, pitching against the Rockies on June 6. He went seven innings, while allowing only four hits, one unearned run, and striking out eight. Next week’s start will be in Milwaukee, though the location is irrelevant because Misiorowski could pitch on the moon and we’d start him.

Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (@ Guardians, vs Athletics)

Joe Ryan is having his best season in his six-year career. His 2.85 ERA would be a career best if this were the end of the season. He’s also on pace to set career highs in games pitched and strikeouts, and he could eclipse 200 strikeouts for the first time. These projections are due to his being healthy, knock on wood.

Next week, Ryan gets a division rival, the Cleveland Guardians, and the Athletics. The Guardians are benefiting from a stellar pitching staff that is doing the heavy lifting. Their offense ranks 29th in both runs and OPS, while the Athletics rank 18th and 16th, respectively. However, the Athletics have struggled outside of Sacramento and Las Vegas. They’ve had two more games away, but have scored 68 fewer runs and have an ugly .644 OPS. So Ryan is getting two offenses that provide optimal matchups for the right-handed pitcher.

* All stats before June 17 games

Two-Start Pitcher No-Brainers

Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies (vs Dodgers, vs Yankees)

José Soriano, Los Angeles Angels (vs Cardinals, @ Giants)

Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays (@ Blue Jays, vs Guardians)

Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays (vs Rays, @ Red Sox)

Payton Tolle, Boston Red Sox (vs Orioles, vs Rays)

Parker Messick, Cleveland Guardians (vs Twins, @ Rays)

Nick Martinez, Tampa Bay Rays (@ Blue Jays, vs Guardians)

Next In Line Two-Start Pitchers

Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays (vs Rays, @ Red Sox)

Framber Valdez, Detroit Tigers (@ Cubs, vs Royals)

Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals (vs Giants, @ Tigers)

Reynaldo Lopez, Atlanta Braves (vs Padres, @ Orioles)

Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves (vs Padres, @ Orioles)

Kyle Leahy, St. Louis Cardinals (@ Angels, vs Reds)

Two-Start Pitcher Streamers

Erick Fedde, Chicago White Sox (@ Rangers, vs Astros)

Andrew Abbott, Cincinnati Reds (@ Mariners, @ Cardinals)

Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Ranger (vs White Sox, vs Mariners)

Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers (@ Cubs, vs Royals)

Will Warren, New York Yankees (vs Pirates, @ Phillies)

Slade Cecconi, Cleveland Guardians (vs Twins, @ Rays)

Janson Junk, Miami Marlins (@ Astros, vs Padres)

Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs (vs Tigers, @ Pirates)

Andrew Alvarez, Washington Nationals (@ Rockies, vs Diamondbacks)

Luinder Avila, Kansas City Royals (vs Giants, @ Tigers)

Avoid These Two-Start Pitchers

Freddy Peralta, New York Mets (@ Brewers, vs Dodgers)

Jeffrey Springs, Athletics (@ Diamondbacks, @ Twins)

Tyler Mahle, San Francisco Giants (@ Royals, vs Angels)

Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates (@ Yankees, vs Cubs)

Walker Buehler, San Diego Padres (@ Braves, @ Marlins)

Mitch Pratt, Arizona Diamondbacks (vs Athletics, @ Nationals)

Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies (vs Nationals, @ Brewers)

Randy Vasquez, San Diego Padres (@ Braves, @ Marlins)