Double-Up! Two-Start Pitchers For July 23 – 29

Can you believe the All-Star break is behind us and the playoffs are just around the corner? Now is the time in fantasy baseball where you are forced to make a decision. Whether you’re making that push towards a playoff spot or accepting the reality that your season is all but over. It’s an important time for any fantasy owner. For those making a push, or just trying to gain back some dignity, two-start pitchers can be a big help. The days off from the break shuffled rotations a bit but there are still a handful of quality names out there making two starts.

For more help setting this week’s lineups, check out Eric Cross’ Waiver Wire Pickups.

Two-Start Pitchers for Week of July 23

*As always, keep in mind that these are the probable two-start pitchers as of Saturday, July 21 and are subject to change. This is especially true this week, as many teams haven’t been very forthcoming about who they will be running out there to start the second half.

No-Brainer Two-Start Pitchers

It’s simple. These are the two-start pitchers you should slot into your roster and not worry about them. These are the guys that have a pair of favorable matchups, are hot of late, or are just plain studs.

• Kyle Hendricks – 7/24 vs. ARI, 7/29 @ STL
• Aaron Nola – 7/23 vs. LAD, 7/28 @ CIN
• Luis Severino – 7/23 @ TB, 7/28 vs. KC
• Jose Berrios – 7/24 @ TOR, 7/29 @ BOS
• Patrick Corbin – 7/23 @ CHC, 7/28 @ SD
• Rick Porcello – 7/23 @ BAL, 7/28 vs. MIN
• Blake Snell – 7/24 vs. NYY, 7/29 @ BAL
• Corey Kluber – 7/23 vs. PIT, 7/29 @ DET

The mix-up in rotations did favors for the teams who can start their aces twice this week. That includes Severino, Snell, and Kluber who all get a shot at putting up huge points for their fantasy teams.

Safe Bets

There’s no doubt that these guys could go out there and keep opposing hitters at bay. They’re the kind of pitchers you can lean on to give you six quality innings. They’re solid, safe bets and should be relied on to put forth respectable outings.

• CC Sabathia – 7/24 @ TB, 7/29 vs. KC: After a terrific June, July hasn’t been as kind to CC. He’s allowed 11 runs in three July starts. However, his subpar starts can mostly be attributed to making one mistake. Sabathia has been a reliable starter this season and draws two favorable matchups to start the second half.
• Julio Teheran – 7/23 @ MIA, 7/29 vs. LAD: Teheran has looked more and more like the Teheran of old in his last four starts. Three of them went for quality starts and he’s struck out 25 batters in 24 innings over those starts. Facing the Dodgers’ offense is no easy task but Teheran has shown me enough recently to trust him.
• Zack Wheeler – 7/23 vs. SD, 7/28 @ PIT: Wheeler looked great in June after a terrible start to the season. He’s coming off his longest start of the season, working two outs into the eighth in a win against the Nationals. Wheeler gets the Padres in his first matchup, something that’s always nice to see for fantasy owners.
• Carlos Rodon – 7/24 @ LAA, 7/29 vs. TOR: Rodon is riding a hot streak, as he headed into the All-Star break with three of his last four starts going as quality starts. His last start was his best of the season, throwing 7.1 shutout innings and striking out seven against the Cardinals. Personally, I’m going to keep riding Rodon until he inevitably cools off.

Survive and Thrive

It’s not often that pitchers are granted the fortune of drawing two favorable matchups. Sometimes they’re gifted with one chance to thrive and one where they might struggle to survive. If you’re willing to take the risk on these guys and their harsh matchup, you’ll be rewarded with what they can do against the favorable one.

• Andrew Suarez – 7/24 @ SEA, 7/29 vs. MIL: Suarez has been a pleasant surprise for the Giants this year. The rookie owns a 3.94 ERA over 16 starts and has struck out 82 batters of 89 innings. He’ll have two very different matchups this week, drawing the Mariners and Brewers. While the Brewers have been horrible against lefties this season, the Mariners have crushed them. If he can make it through the tough Seattle offense, he’ll have a chance to put up big numbers against Milwaukee.
• Joe Musgrove – 7/24 @ CLE, 7/29 vs. NYM: Musgrove entered the All-Star break with some momentum and will look to keep it going in the second half. While he’ll get a shot to beat up on the Mets, he’ll have to get through the Indians first. Fortunately for Musgrove, the Indians haven’t been hitting righties as well as they have lefties this season. They’re batting .272 against the southpaw but just .251 against righties.
• Trevor Williams – 7/23 @ CLE, 7/28 vs. NYM
• Mike Minor – 7/24 vs. OAK, 7/29 @ HOU

Proceed With Caution

It’s never a sure thing what you’re going to get from these guys. Their matchups aren’t overly challenging, which could allow them to turn in some really solid numbers. There’s always risk, though, so don’t expect too much.

• Cole Hamels – 7/23 vs. OAK, 7/28 @ HOU: As of now, Hamels is still a member of the Texas Rangers. Obviously, that could change before this article is even published. As it stands now, he’s scheduled to make two starts, one of which comes against the hard-hitting Astros. If you’re a believer in trends than stay away from Hamels. He owns a 9.53 ERA over his last four starts, spanning 17 innings.
• Zach Eflin – 7/24 vs. LAD, 7/29 @ CIN
• Drew Pomeranz – 7/24 @ BAL, 7/29 vs. MIN

Keep up with all the latest Fantasy Baseball happenings with Van Lee, Jeff Zimmerman and Rob Silver on the Launch Angle Podcast.

Nothing To See Here

Stay away from these two-start pitchers. I know the thought of two starts in a week is tempting, but it’s more likely these guys put you in the negative than help you.

• Jose Urena – 7/23 vs. ATL, 7/29 vs. WAS
• Lucas Giolio – 7/23 @ LAA, 7/28 vs. TOR
• Jaime Barria – 7/23 vs. CHW, 7/28 vs. SEA
• Felix Pena – 7/24 vs. CHW, 7/29 vs. SEA
• Jason Vargas – 7/24 vs. SD, 7/28 @ PIT
• Heath Fillmyer – 7/23 vs. DET, 7/28 @ NYY
• Burch Smith – 7/24 vs. DET, 7/29 @ NYY

It’s time to multi-task! Keep up with all of our baseball coverage, but kick off your football prep and dig into our 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit. Then head on over to Fantrax and join a Fantasy Football league.