Two-Start Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball Week 20 (8/15-8/21)

With less than two months left of the fantasy baseball season, it is now do-or-die time! If you are trailing in wins or strikeouts, two-start pitchers can help move you up the standings. However, please remember that a good one-start pitcher is almost always better than a risky two-start pitcher. Lastly, make sure you consistently check the Fangraphs Starting Pitchers Grid before you make any moves or transactions. Pitching rotations change daily. Let’s take a look at the two-start pitchers for Week 20 (8/15-8/21)!

Must-Start: These pitchers should be started regardless of match-up. They are a must-start in all leagues until further notice.

Should-Start: These pitchers should start in most leagues. This is based on the pedigree of the pitcher and/or favorable matchups.

Risky Business: Only start these pitchers if you are in a deep roto or points league, desperate for counting stats, or feeling lucky.

Must Sit: Do not start these pitchers.

Week 20 Two-Start Pitchers

Must Start

Dylan Cease has solidified himself as a bonafide ace this season. Cease just recorded his 14th consecutive start with one or zero earned runs allowed. No pitcher in baseball has ever done that. On the season, Cease has a 2.60 xERA with 174 strikeouts in just 128.2 innings. His 33.0 strikeout percentage ranks in the 95th percentile in MLB while his .182 xBA against ranks in the 96th percentile. Next week Cease stays home to take on the Houston Astros and then travels to Cleveland to face the Guardians.

Since joining the Seattle Mariners, Luis Castillo is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA, giving up only three earned runs in 14.2 innings. Castillo has 15 strikeouts in that time and only five walks. He should continue to flourish outside of the Great American Ball Park and next week he is a “must start.” He travels to Los Angeles to take on the lackluster Angels then heads to northern California to play the abysmal Oakland Athletics.

Should Start

The Minnesota Twins are making a strong push for the playoffs and their young gun, Joe Ryan, has been a solid contributor. Ryan is 8-5 with a 3.49 xERA with 93 punchouts in 95.2 innings. Next week Ryan takes on two below-average offenses in the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers.

The Chicago Cubs’, Justin Steele, has two friendly matchups next week. Steele will battle the Washington Nationals on the road and the Milwaukee Brewers at home. Quietly, Steele has a 2.65 xERA and he has done a great job limiting hard contact. Steele’s 33.3 hard hit percentage ranks in the 87th percentile in baseball while his 3.7 barrel percentage against ranks in the 94th percentile. The Fangraphs starting pitcher grid current states Wade Miley will pitch for the Cubs on Sunday but that has not been confirmed. Either way, keep an eye on that matchup if you roster Steele.

Risky Business

Kyle Wright has a brutal schedule next week as he goes against the New York Mets and the Houston Astros. Even though Wright is 14-5 with 129 strikeouts in 134.2 innings, his ERA indicators suggest regression is coming. His 4.11 xERA is nearly a full point higher than his current 3.14 ERA. Usually, he is a “should start” but his schedule is so tough it’s going to be hard for him to come out unscathed.

Must Sit