Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers: Shades of Gray

I had trouble this week picking my favorite two-start starting pitchers for fantasy baseball. I didn’t love many matchups. I found two, but for the first time all season, I’m not 100% confident in this week’s selections. Heading into September, we may see matchups change as rosters expand from 26 to 28 players and prospects get called up. We may also see outings shortened to keep starting pitchers fresh for the postseason.

More great Fantasy Baseball Analysis: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire | Weekly SP Rankings | Pitching Streamers | Two-Start Pitchers | Lineup Analysis | MLB Injury Report | Rookie Report | Advanced Stats | Under the Radar | Overvalued & Undervalued | Bullpen Report

In my fantasy baseball two-start pitcher report, I break eligible pitchers into four categories. The first tier is the “No-Brainers,” with ideal pitchers and matchups that require no thought. Next is the “Next In Line” tier, which includes other optimal matchups but carries some 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 August 31 – September 6

My Favorite Two-Start Pitchers of the Week

Sonny Gray, Boston Red Sox (vs Mariners, @ Orioles)

Sonny Gray has been a workhorse for the Boston Red Sox this season, going at least six innings in 14 of his last 16 games. He’s 16-4 with a 2.82 ERA and a 128:37 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The 36-year-old continues to turn back time with dominant performances while staying healthy for most of the season.

The righty gets two opponents who have been better since the trade deadline, but Gray should still handle them. Both teams rank in the top 11 in strikeout rate, but are also in the top 13 in OPS against right-handed pitchers. The Mariners have an ugly .569 OPS against Gray, but it’s a small sample size, other than Josh Naylor (7-for-23).

Even though the Orioles are division rivals, Gray has only faced Pete Alonso, Colt Cowser, Gunnar Henderson, and Leody Taveras. However, all but Cowser (0-for-4) have batting averages in the .300s. Alonso is scary as he is red hot right now and has two home runs off of the Red Sox pitcher. Although the Orioles have some success, I’m still riding with the veteran pitcher next week.

Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates (vs Giants, vs Angels)

This year’s version of Paul Skenes is something we weren’t expecting. His velocity is down, and the ERA has skyrocketed. In his first two seasons, he posted an ERA under 2.00, but this season it’s up to 3.79. The righty is also struggling to get the same movement on his pitches as the last two seasons.

However, Skenes gets two favorable matchups next week. The Giants rank in the middle of the pack in strikeout percentage and OPS against right-handed pitchers since the trade deadline. They also have six players with less than a full year of service time. Skenes hasn’t pitched against any of the Giants hitters, so it gives the three-year pitcher the edge.

The Angels are the optimal matchup, ranking second in strikeout percentage (26.6%) and 28th in OPS (.653). Only five players have faced Skenes in one game. So, even though Skenes isn’t himself this season, I’m going to trust the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner in two advantageous matchups.

Two-Start Pitcher No-Brainers

Payton Tolle, Boston Red Sox (vs Mariners, @ Orioles)

Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners (@ Red Sox, vs Athletics)

Michael King, San Diego Padres (@ Reds, vs Yankees)

Gavin Williams, Cleveland Guardians (vs Blue Jays, vs Tigers)

Clay Holmes, Chicago Cubs (vs Brewers, @ Marlins)

Next In Line Two-Start Pitchers

Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves (vs Giants, @ Phillies)

Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (vs Athletics, vs Rays)

Sean Burke, Chicago White Sox (@ Astros, vs Twins)

Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers (@ Twins, @ Guardians)

Peter Lambert, Houston Astros (vs White Sox, vs Diamondbacks)

Hayden Wesneski, Houston Astros (vs White Sox, vs Diamondbacks)

Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants (@ Braves, @ Mets)

Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona Diamondbacks (vs Phillies, @ Astros)

Randy Dobnak, Kansas City Royals (vs Marlins, vs Blue Jays)

Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins (vs Tigers, @ White Sox)

Michael McGreevy, St. Louis Cardinals (@ Dodgers, @ Rockies)

J.T. Ginn, Athletics (@ Rangers, @ Mariners)

Two-Start Pitcher Streamers

MacKenzie Gore, Texas Rangers (vs Athletics, vs Rays)

Tyler Phillips, Miami Marlins (@ Nationals, vs Cubs)

Ryan Gusto, Miami Marlins (@ Nationals, vs Cubs)

Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs (vs Brewers, @ Marlins)

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies (@ Diamondbacks, vs Braves)

Jameson Taillon, Toronto Blue Jays (@ Guardians, @ Royals)

Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles (@ Royals, vs Red Sox)

Trevor Rogers, Baltimore Orioles (@ Royals, vs Red Sox)

Anthony Kay, Chicago White Sox (@ Astros, vs Twins)

Ian Seymour, Tampa Bay Rays (vs Mets, @ Rangers) * Possibly has an opener

Avoid These Two-Start Pitchers

Gage Jump, Athletics (@ Rangers, @ Mariners)

Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds (vs Padres, vs Brewers)

Tanner Gordon, Colorado Rockies (vs Orioles, vs Cardinals)

Robert Stock, New York Mets (@ Rays, vs Giants)