Two-Start Pitchers for the Week of May 15

I probably say this every year but I don’t remember a tougher year to handle a fantasy baseball pitching staff. First, you have an almost complete change in the offensive environment across baseball. Now toss on an ever-increasing barrage of injuries to some of the best pitchers in baseball and you have the difficult situation most fantasy baseball managers find themselves in right now. These adverse conditions make it as important as ever that we try and take advantage of two-start pitchers on a weekly basis.

Below, you will find my two-start pitcher rankings for the week beginning May 15. I group my rankings by the general depth of league I would consider each pitcher in. As always, trying to project probable pitchers is a challenge. I’ve compared pitching schedules from several sites and done my best to come up with an accurate list. It’s on you to keep an eye out for any last-minute changes and react as necessary.

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Two-Start Pitchers for the Week of May 8

Start in All League Sizes

The top 11 here are pretty much no-brainers you’re going to start every week. I include Josiah Gray and Merrill Kelly here, both because of their matchups and how well they’ve been pitching. They may not dominate but the floor is high enough that I’m not too concerned about a big blow-up.

Start in 15-Team Mixed Leagues

It’s in this tier where the big questions begin. I love the matchups for Lance Lynn, but he’s been a complete enigma. Jameson Taillon and Grayson Rodriguez are two more pitchers I’m probably starting, but the matchups will have me thinking twice. As a whole, using two-start pitchers in this tier is largely context-driven. If you’re doing well in the ratio categories, then you probably want to limit your exposure to these pitchers. If however, you’re more about building up your counting stats, these pitchers offer enough upside that they’re probably worth the risk in deeper mixed leagues.

Start in AL- and NL-Only Leagues

This tier of two-start pitchers is similar to the tier above, except you’re not going anywhere near these pitchers in a mixed league. I’m considering these pitchers in mono-leagues but even then, if I’m trying to protect ratios, a good middle reliever is probably the safer play.

Start These Pitchers If You’re Trying to Tank the Season

Rank this group of two-start pitchers however you want. Just don’t put them in your active roster for the week ahead. The chances of a huge 10-ER start just aren’t worth it… Unless of course you’re in a keeper or dynasty league and you’re trying to ensure that top overall pick in next year’s draft.