The MLB trade deadline expires Monday, August 3, at 6:00 pm EST, which could affect several of the matchups for players on my fantasy baseball two-start pitchers list. Fantasy managers will need to pay attention to news about players on their teams, as it could drop right up to the deadline, which is close to games starting on Monday night.
For players not affected, I break down all the eligible two-start pitchers for the upcoming week 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.
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MLB Two-Start Pitchers for August 3-9
My Favorite Two-Start Pitchers of the Week
Logan Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers (vs Pirates, vs Twins)
The Milwaukee Brewers have one of the best pitching staffs in MLB, and their young star starters are a big reason they rank among the top five in many major categories. Logan Henderson is one of those stars, although he’s only made eight starts this season due to injuries. He missed the start of the season due to elbow discomfort before returning in May, but only made four starts before going back on the IL with a low back strain.
After a month and a half absence, Henderson returned July 9 and has made four additional starts. Even though he’s been slowly ramping up his pitch count, he’s gone five innings in these four starts. The Brewers will continue to monitor his pitch count to ensure he’s healthy for the postseason. Although he draws two matchups next week that aren’t optimal, he should handle them nicely. He gets both starts at home, where he’s been solid versus good teams: the Yankees, Dodgers, Marlins and Mets.
The Pirates and Twins rank in the top seven in OPS against right-handed pitchers. The Pirates rank sixth (23.5%), and the Twins rank 22nd in strikeout rate (21.3%) against righties, but Henderson faced the Twins on May 16 this season. He threw five innings, allowing one earned run and striking out seven. The sharp start makes Henderson primed for a repeat.
Despite the Pirates being NL Central foes, Henderson has only faced Ryan O’Hearn and Jared Triolo, each twice in the Pirates lineup. So, I always like to target strikeout pitchers versus a team that is seeing them for the first time, and that’s why I have no doubts firing Henderson away in both starts.
Troy Melton or Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers (@ Mariners, @ Giants)
Casey Mize was scratched from his previous start ahead of the trade deadline, so the Tuesday start is dependent on whether Mize is dealt or not. Either way, the righties get matchups that pit them against two teams that should provide favorable matchups. Against right-handed pitching, the Mariners rank 21st in OPS (.704) and ninth in strikeout rate (22.6%), which align well regardless of whether Melton or Mize gets the start.
The Giants fare slightly better in both categories, but they’re sellers this trade season, and it looks like Logan Webb and Jung Ho Lee are the only untouchables. So, losing a combination of Luis Arraez, Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, Heliot Ramos, and/or Willy Adames greatly changes the lineup. Even though some of those aren’t having their best seasons, they’re still a threat that a prospect call-up can’t match. If you have either of Melton or Mize on your fantasy baseball lineup, then keep an eye on the Tigers trade action to see which pitcher gets the two starts.
Christian Scott, New York Mets (@ Guardians, @ Pirates)
Christian Scott is off to a solid start this season, posting a 2.99 ERA and 11.03 strikeouts per nine innings through 69.1 innings. He’s also been better away from Citi Field with a 2.82 ERA. The Guardians are a good target for right-handed pitchers, as they rank 26th in OPS (.690) and 15th in strikeout rate (21.9%). Plus, they haven’t faced Scott, aside from Patrick Bailey, giving the fireballer an ideal matchup.
Even though the Pirates aren’t an ideal matchup, a majority of the lineup hasn’t faced Scott, other than Nick Gonzales, Marcell Ozuna, Bryan Reynolds, and Jared Triolo, two or three times, with Ozuna the only one to get a hit. Start Scott with confidence as he has two-plus strikeout matchups and is facing the bulk of each team’s lineup for the first time. However, keep an eye on the Mets’ trade-deadline activity, as Freddy Peralta had his last start scratched and is a likely trade target. The pitching staff will be affected, but we aren’t sure how yet.
Two-Start Pitcher No-Brainers
Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies (vs Nationals, vs Blue Jays)
Cam Schlitter, New York Yankees (vs Cardinals, vs Braves)
Justin Wrobleski, Los Angeles Dodgers (@ Cubs, @ Diamondbacks)
Trey Yesavage, Toronto Blue Jays (@ Astros, @ Phillies)
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves (vs Marlins, @ Yankees)
Next In Line Two-Start Pitchers
Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates (@ Brewers, vs Mets)
Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants (@ Rangers, vs Tigers)
Peter Lambert, Houston Astros (vs Blue Jays, @ Padres)
Ian Seymour, Tampa Bay Rays (@ Rockies, @ Mariners)
Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs (vs Dodgers, @ Royals)
Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (@ Royals, @ Brewers)
Randy Dobnak, Kansas City Royals (vs Twins, vs Cubs)
Davis Martin, Chicago White Sox (@ Red Sox, vs Guardians)
Patrick Sandoval, Boston Red Sox (vs White Sox, vs Athletics)
Jared Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates (@ Brewers, vs Mets)
Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks (vs Padres, vs Dodgers)
Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels (@ Orioles, @ Marlins
Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds (vs Athletics, @ Nationals)
Two-Start Pitcher Streamers
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies (vs Nationals, vs Blue Jays)
Zack Littell, Washington Nationals (@ Phillies, vs Reds)
Dustin May, St. Louis Cardinals (@ Yankees, vs Rockies)
JP Sears, San Diego Padres (@ Diamondbacks, vs Astros)
Brandon Sproat, Milwaukee Brewers (vs Pirates, vs Twins)
Javier Assad, Chicago Cubs (vs Dodgers, @ Royals)
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners (vs Tigers, vs Rays)
Avoid These Two-Start Pitchers
Jake Irvin, Washington Nationals (@ Phillies, vs Reds)
Cal Quantrill, Texas Rangers (vs Giants, vs Orioles)
Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays (@ Astros, @ Phillies)
Michael Lorenzen, Colorado Rockies (vs Rays, @ Cardinals)
Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona Diamondbacks (vs Padres, vs Dodgers)
Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles (vs Angels, @ Rangers)
Jacob Lopez, Athletics (@ Reds, @ Red Sox)
Slade Cecconi, Cleveland Guardians (vs Mets, @ White Sox)
Ryan Gusto, Miami Marlins (@ Braves, vs Angels)
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