This week marks the first full week of fantasy baseball in August. For some leagues, August will be the last full month of the regular season. Teams are looking everywhere to find momentum to bring into the playoffs and towards that championship trophy. If you’re one of those owners looking for any help you can get, give these two-start pitchers a look.
For more help setting this week’s lineups, check out Eric Cross’ Waiver Wire Pickups.
Two-Start Pitchers for Week of August 6
*As always, keep in mind that these are the probable two-start pitchers as of Saturday, July 28 and are subject to change.
No-Brainer Two-Start Pitchers
It’s simple. These are the two-start pitchers you should slot into your roster and not worry about. These are the guys that have a pair of favorable matchups, are hot of late, or are just plain studs.
- Trevor Bauer – 8/6 vs. MIN, 8/11 @ CHW
- Carlos Carrasco – 8/7 vs. MIN, 8/12 @ CHW
- Max Scherzer – 8/7 vs. ATL, 8/12 @ CHC
- Charlie Morton – 8/6 @ SF, 8/12 vs. SEA
- Noah Syndergaard – 8/6 vs. CIN, 8/12 @ MIA
- Sean Newcomb – 8/7 @ WAS, 8/12 vs. MIL
- Jameson Taillon – 8/7 @ COL, 8/12 @ SF
By now, it’s likely that most of these guys are a big reason why your team is still in it heading into the playoffs. The Indians duo of Bauer and Carrasco get the good fortunes of facing two struggling teams in Minnesota and Chicago. With Syndergaard healthy and Newcomb coming off an absolute gem, there’s really no reason to second guess any of these guys this week.
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.
- Sean Manaea – 8/7 vs. LAD, 8/12 @ LAA: I’ve been saying the same thing about Manaea for the last couple months now. While he’s not putting up spectacular numbers, he’s getting the job done. Over his last seven starts, he’s sporting a 3.32 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. His efficiency on the mound has allowed him to consistently complete six innings and give owners enough reason to send him out there.
- Zack Godley – 8/6 vs. PHI, 8/12 @ CIN: There’s been a lot to like from Godley over his past few starts. In his last start, he went seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out 10. He didn’t allow a single home run in July and struck out 43 batters in 34.2 innings.
- Jake Arrieta – 8/6 @ ARI, 8/12 @ SD: Arrieta put together a fantastic month of July, posting a 2.80 ERA and going a perfect 4-0 in six starts. He also struck out 28 batters over 35.1 innings, his most in a month thus far. Arrieta draws the Diamondbacks and Padres this week, two teams that rank sixth and second, respectively in the Majors in strikeouts.
- Chase Anderson – 8/7 vs. SD, 8/12 @ ATL: Not only does Anderson boast a 2.11 ERA over his last seven starts, he is also blessed with two favorable matchups in the coming week. While he’s been much better on the road than at Miller Park, Anderson draws the Padres, who are hitting just .232 on the season. In his other matchup, he gets a lefty-heavy Braves team on the road. Lefties are hitting just .206 against Anderson this year, so I like my chances with Anderson this week.
- Cole Hamels – 8/6 @ KC, 8/12 vs. WAS: It’s well documented that Hamels had been bad at Globe Life Park for the first half of the season. Like 6.41 ERA and 1-7 record over 10 starts bad. Hamels obviously received a solid boost to his value after being traded to the Cubs at the deadline. In 10 road starts, Hamels sports a 2.93 ERA. The Cubs and fantasy owners are hoping that’s the Hamels they got from the Rangers.
- Matthew Boyd – 8/6 @ LAA, 8/12 vs. MIN: Boyd’s last start was a masterful eight-inning no-run performance against the Reds where he walked just one and struck out seven. His strikeout numbers have skyrocketed over his last four starts as well, collecting 28 over his last 25 innings.
- Kyle Freeland – 8/6 vs. PIT, 8/11 vs. LAD
- Luke Weaver – 8/6 @ MIA, 8/12 @ KC
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.
- Rich Hill – 8/7 @ OAK, 8/12 @ COL: Few starters have as tough a set of matchups as Hill does next week. The Rockies at home is one thing but the A’s have been equally as scary over the past 10 games. Hill’s been good over his last seven starts I’m staying away this week.
- Marcus Stroman – 8/7 vs. BOS, 8/12 vs. TB: Speaking of the A’s, Stroman was a victim of their offense in his last outing, allowing seven runs over five innings. Before that, he was riding a modest hot streak over his previous four starts. I’m not as against Stroman as I was earlier in the year but a matchup against the Red Sox still doesn’t bode well.
- Kyle Gibson – 8/6 @ CLE, 8/11 @ DET
- CC Sabathia – 8/7 @ CHW, 8/12 vs. TEX
- Lance Lynn – 8/6 @ CHW, 8/11 vs. TEX
- Drew Pomeranz – 8/7 @ TOR, 8/12 @ BAL
- Dereck Rodriguez – 8/6 vs. HOU, 8/12 vs. PIT
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.
- Joe Musgrove – 8/6 @ COL, 8/11 @ SF
- Wade LeBlanc – 8/6 @ TEX, 8/11 @ HOU
- Felix Hernandez – 8/7 @ TEX, 8/12 @ HOU
- Dan Straily – 8/6 vs. STL, 8/12 vs. NYM
- Jake Junis – 8/6 vs. CHC, 8/12 vs. STL
- Clayton Richard – 8/7 @ MIL, 8/12 vs. PHI
- Alex Cobb – 8/7 @ TB, 8/11 vs. BOS
- Nick Tropeano – 8/6 vs. DET, 8/12 vs. OAK
- Antonio Senzatela – 8/7 vs. PIT, 8/12 vs. LAD
- Bartolo Colon – 8/6 vs. SEA, 8/11 @ NYM
- Andrew Cashner – 8/8 @ TB, 8/12 vs. BOS
- Yovani Gallardo – 8/7 vs. SEA, 8/12 @ NYY
- Dylan Covey – 8/6 vs. NYY, 8/12 vs. CLE
- Tommy Milone – 8/7 vs. ATL, 8/12 @ CHC
- Adalberto Mejia – 8/7 @ CLE, 8/12 @ DET
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