The MLB regular season is winding down with a couple of weeks to go. It’s crunch time to pick up last-minute pitching stats. That’s why you should focus on eligible fantasy baseball two-start pitchers for next week. This week’s report is headlined by a pitcher who is facing a few struggles but is in line for a rebound.
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MLB Two-Start Pitchers for September 14-20
My Favorite Two-Start Pitchers of the Week
Troy Melton, Detroit Tigers (@ Blue Jays, @ White Sox)
Melton has been one of the better pitchers in MLB this season, getting down to a 1.49 ERA by August 15. Since then, he’s had a rough go, allowing three or more earned runs in four straight games. He faced the Twins back-to-back in his last two outings, a massive disadvantage for pitchers, as they saw the same opponent twice in such a short time. It was also the second and third time he’s faced Minnesota this season.
The skid could also be fatigue, as his 119.2 innings, including minor-league starts, is the most Melton has thrown in a single season over his short professional career. Despite the ugly outings, I’m expecting a better showing facing two teams who have decent targets for right-handed pitchers since the trade deadline. The Toronto Blue Jays are the better of the two opponents, but they rank 11th in OPS (.727). However, they’re coming off a poor showing, scoring 11 runs in a three-game series at an extremely hitter-friendly Sutter Heath minor-league ballpark.
The White Sox are sliding, losing eight of 11 games before August 11’s matchup, and their AL Central lead has shrunk to 1.5 games. They rank 22nd in OPS (6.85) and have struck out the fourth most since the trade deadline when facing a righty (24.5%). This will be the third time Melton has faced the Southsiders, but the outings have been spaced out throughout, so I’m a little more comfortable starting Melton. He allowed an earned run in each start, but the White Sox are only hitting .214 off of him with a .661 OPS. I’m looking at Melton rebounding next week.
Tarik Skubal, Los Angeles Dodgers (@ Reds, vs Giants)
It hasn’t been the smoothest of transitions to the Dodgers, allowing two or more earned runs in five of his seven outings. He’s also allowed hitters to bat .313 on batted balls put in play over 43 innings, compared to .278 over 96.2 innings with the Tigers this season. The strikeout pitcher gets two teams ranking in the top nine in strikeout rate against lefties since the trade deadline.
Both teams are good targets in OPS as well, with the Reds ranking 15th (.712) and the Giants ranking 29th (.637). Even though Skubal hasn’t been at his top form, he’s still the stud two-time Cy Young Award winner. You don’t need me to tell you to start him with confidence.
Two-Start Pitcher No-Brainers
Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies (@ Nationals, @ Mets)
Hunter Brown, Houston Astros (vs Royals, vs Braves)
Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels (vs Mariners, vs Giants)
Next In Line Two-Start Pitchers
Drew Anderson, Detroit Tigers (@ Blue Jays, @ White Sox)
Jose Soriano, Toronto Blue Jays (vs Tigers, @ Rangers)
Brandon Young, Baltimore Orioles (@ Mets, vs Brewers)
Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals (vs Astros, @ Pirates)
Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks (vs Marlins, vs Yankees)
Will Warren, New York Yankees (@ Twins, @ Diamondbacks)
Quinn Mathews, St. Louis Cardinals (vs Giants, vs Nationals)
Casey Mize, San Diego Padres (@ Rockies, vs Marlins)
Kade Anderson, Seattle Mariners (@ Angels, @ Rockies)
Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins (@ Diamondbacks, @ Padres)
Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays (vs Athletics, vs Red Sox)
Two-Start Pitcher Streamers
Davis Martin, Chicago White Sox (@ Guardians, vs Tigers)
Tanner Bibee, Cleveland Guardians (vs White Sox, Athletics)
Dean Kremer, Minnesota Twins (vs Yankees, @ Angels)
Zebby Mathews, Minnesota Twins (vs Yankees, @ Angels)
Landon Roupp, San Francisco Giants (@ Cardinals, @ Dodgers)
Walker Buehler, San Diego Padres (@ Rockies, vs Marlins)
Erick Fedde, Chicago White Sox (@ Guardians, vs Tigers)
Patrick Sandoval, Boston Red Sox (@ Rangers, @ Rays)
Corey Bradford, Texas Rangers (vs Red Sox, vs Blue Jays)
Jonah Tong, New York Mets (vs Orioles, vs Phillies)
Avoid These Two-Start Pitchers
Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds (vs Tigers, vs Cubs)
Rhett Lowder, Cincinnati Reds (vs Tigers, vs Cubs)
David Peterson, Chicago Cubs (vs Braves, @ Reds)
Tomoyuki Sugano, Colorado Rockies (vs Padres, @ Mariners)
Ryan Feltner, Colorado Rockies (vs Padres, @ Mariners)
Ryan Johnson, Los Angeles Angels (vs Mariners, vs Giants)
Jack Perkins, Athletics (@ Rays, @ Guardians)
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