Two-Start Pitchers for Week 14 (June 23-29)

Welcome to the Week 14 edition of two-start pitchers. Tracking the week’s two-steppers is an essential strategy in fantasy baseball, as they can give our fantasy squads an advantage in strikeouts and wins. However, we also need to be careful about which two-start pitchers we roll with, as they can blow up our ratios if we choose poorly.

This weekly write-up helps you identify the best two-start pitchers of the week. While some two-start options are easy decisions, others require more thought. To help you decide, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers and provide brief notes on each option.

Keep in mind that teams frequently adjust their starting rotations. As this write-up gets submitted on Saturdays, you’ll want to check the league’s latest schedule of probable pitchers to make sure you’re up to date with the correct starters. With that, let’s look at the two-start pitchers for Week 14.

Don’t Overthink These Two-Start Pitchers

These are your set-it-and-forget-it arms for the week. Most are elite starting pitchers with strong matchups.

Tarik Skubal (SP — DET)

First Start: vs. ATH
Second Start: vs. MIN
Elite arm + drool-worthy home starts = fantasy goodness. Tarik Skubal is a no-brainer start each and every week.

Framber Valdez (SP — HOU)

First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: vs. CHC
Framber Valdez has been mowing down batters recently. Over his last four starts, he racked up 35 Ks across 27 innings, which is good for a 32.7% strikeout rate. He also registered a sparkling 2.33 ERA (2.48 SIERA) and 1.07 WHIP in that span. Valdez’s matchups this week aren’t the friendliest, but he brings serious strikeout upside and induces ground balls at a near 60% clip. Valdez is a strong two-start pitcher in Week 14.

Spencer Schwellenbach (SP — ATL)

First Start: @ NYM
Second Start: vs. PHI
Spencer Schwellenbach has been outstanding this season with a 3.26 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 96.2 innings of work. He’s a weekly set-it-and-forget-it arm and is a solid two-start pitcher in Week 14.

Ranger Suarez (SP — PHI)

First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: @ ATL
Ranger Suarez has been rolling this season, and we’re gonna keep rolling with him. The Astros have been tough on lefties, but Suarez is still a lineup staple.

Bryan Woo (SP — SEA)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ TEX
Bryan Woo got back on track in his latest outing. He fired seven scoreless frames with six punchouts against the Red Sox. Woo was plagued by the long ball in his previous three appearances, surrendering two home runs in each start and allowing a combined 12 earned runs across 18.2 innings. Assuming his homers are in check, Woo is a solid two-start pitcher who eats up innings and should iron out your ratios.

Kris Bubic (SP — KCR)

First Start: vs. TBR
Second Start: vs. LAD
Kris Bubic stumbled in his past two starts, allowing an uncharacteristic eight earned runs across 9.2 innings. He also was a WHIP killer in this stretch, registering a 2.07 mark. But Bubic has been too good to be concerned about a couple of down outings. In his previous six starts, Bubic hadn’t allowed more than one earned run while posting a 1.65 ERA (3.41 SIERA), 1.01 WHIP and 18.6% K-BB%. Bubic’s upcoming matchups are tougher than not, but he at least gets to face his opponents at home.

Roll With These Two-Start Pitchers

These are solid two-starters for the week. While they come with more risk than the arms above, you’re likely rolling with these two-steppers in Week 14.

Chad Patrick (SP — MIL)

First Start: vs. PIT
Second Start: vs. COL
Back-to-back poor starts against the Braves and Cubs aren’t enough for me to sour on Chad Patrick. He’s been a nice surprise this season for fantasy managers, carrying a 3.32 ERA (4.06 SIERA) and 1.26 WHIP across 15 starts. He’s also come on strong in the strikeout department of late. In his last six starts, Patrick registered a 28.1% strikeout rate — up from 18.9% in his first nine appearances. Patrick gets a tasty two-step in Week 14 and should be started with confidence in shallow formats.

Jameson Taillon (SP — CHC)

First Start: @ STL
Second Start: @ HOU
Jameson Taillon is coming off a down start, coughing up five earned runs against the Brewers. However, he’s had a nice season overall, posting a 3.84 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 15 starts. Taillon doesn’t bring a ton of Ks to the table. But he’s snagged five wins in his last six starts and shouldn’t balloon your ratios. Trot out Taillon in 12+ teamers this week.

Luis Castillo (SP — SEA)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ TEX
Luis Castillo is striking out fewer batters this season and giving up a bunch of quality contact with a 12.1% barrel and 45.5% hard-hit for the year. Fortunately, it hasn’t caught up to Castillo’s ratios yet, as he holds a 3.38 ERA (4.24 SIERA) and 1.24 WHIP across 15 starts. Castillo is generally a solid start. But it’s worth noting that the long balls have been piling up lately — he’s surrendered seven homers in his last three appearances. Roll with Castillo is Week 14, but keep your fingers crossed that the balls stay in the park.

Michael Liberatore (SP — STL)

First Start: vs. CHC
Second Start: @ CLE
Following three bumpy starts, Michael Liberatore bounced back in his latest outing against the White Sox. He tossed six innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts against zero walks. Before his down starts, Liberatore hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in eight consecutive appearances. With Liberatore seemingly back on track, he offers some strikeout upside (7.49 K/9) without shaking up your ratios. The Cubs and Guardians have been mediocre against southpaws of late, making Liberatore a nice two-start option.

Eduardo Rodriguez (SP — ARI)

First Start: @ CWS
Second Start: vs. MIA
Eduardo Rodriguez’s overall numbers aren’t good. But he’s pitched fairly well in his three starts since coming off the IL. He carries a 2.81 ERA (4.50 SIERA) and 1.38 WHIP in that 16-inning stretch with a 12:4 K:BB. Luck has played a factor. But I wouldn’t expect a ton of regression to hit in matchups against the White Sox and Marlins. This is one of the better two-steps of the week, making Rodriguez a worthy stream in shallow leagues.

Shane Smith (SP — CWS)

First Start: vs. ARI
Second Start: vs. SFG
The Cardinals just hung five earned runs on Shane Smith in one of his worst outings of the season. But we’re still sticking with Smith for his two-start week. He strikes out just under a batter per inning and carries a 2.85 ERA (4.27 SIERA) and 1.22 WHIP across 72.2 innings of work. Plus, he’s nabbed two wins in his last three starts. While the Ws likely won’t be there this week, Smith still brings some strikeout upside and shouldn’t kill your ratios. He’s a better play in 15-teamers but still makes for a decent two-start pitcher in 12-teamers, too.

Chris Paddack (SP — MIN)

First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: @ DET
Chris Paddack is coming off a couple of down starts against the Astros and Reds, surrendering a combined 12 earned runs across nine frames. While that doesn’t give us much confidence, Paddack should still be rolled out in 15-teamers. He held opponents to two or fewer earned runs in his previous six appearances with a 28:6 K:BB across 39 innings. Paddack also posted a 1.85 ERA (3.94 SIERA) and 0.82 WHIP in that span and picked up four quality starts and two wins.

Ryan Yarbrough (SP — NYY)

First Start: @ CIN
Second Start: vs. ATH
There’s not much to complain about with Ryan Yarbrough. He surrendered two earned runs or fewer in all but one of his eight games as a starter, posting a 3.83 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in that 40-inning span. While Yarbrough doesn’t strike out a batter per inning (7.43 K/9), he limits hard contact and doesn’t issue a ton of free passes. The Yankees’ bats have cooled off of late. But Yarbrough is still a solid two-start pitcher who brings win opportunity to the fantasy table in Week 14.

How Lucky Do You Feel About These Two-Start Pitchers?

This is the tier of tough decisions, with most of these two-start options best suited for 15-team leagues. These are primarily riskier starters who could bloat your ratios if things go south. Tread carefully.

Nick Lodolo (SP — CIN)

First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: vs. SDP
Nick Lodolo has been a solid arm this year. While his 10.4% swinging-strike rate is underwhelming, he’s done a good job of limiting free passes and holds a respectable 3.71 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 15 starts with a 15.9% K-BB%. However, Lodolo’s two-step gives me pause. Not only are his opponents tough, but Lodolo also has significant home/road splits, with a 5.70 FIP at home versus a 2.59 FIP on the road. He’s worth considering in 15-team leagues, but there’s blowup potential.

Patrick Corbin (SP — TEX)

First Start: @ BAL
Second Start: vs. SEA
Patrick Corbin has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his seven last starts. However, he generally doesn’t pitch past the fifth inning, so his ERA tends to be inflated. In his last seven starts, Corbin holds a 4.54 ERA (4.06 SIERA) and 1.13 WHIP with a 13.7% K-BB% across 39.2 frames. Not terrible, but also not great either. The Orioles and Mariners aren’t too scary. So assuming your team can take the elevated ERA, Corbin is a decent two-start pitcher in Week 14.

Justin Verlander (SP — SFG)

First Start: vs. MIA
Second Start: @ CWS
Justin Verlander’s latest start after returning from the IL was mixed. While he totaled six Ks over 4.2 innings, he also allowed three earned runs and finished with a 5.79 ERA (4.51 SIERA) and 1.71 WHIP. High WHIPs have been an issue for Verlander over his last four starts. He holds a 1.68 WHIP in that span to go with a 4.58 ERA (4.91 SIERA) and 6.7% K-BB%. While he has a couple of tasty upcoming matchups, his elevated ratios are problematic. However, if you’re desperate for Ws, Verlander is worth considering in Week 14. Just be sure you can absorb the ratio risk.

Stephen Kolek (SP — SDP)

First Start: vs. WAS
Second Start: @ CIN
It’s tough to know what you’re going to get from Stephen Kolek each week — either a shutout start or a 3+ earned run outing. Either way, he doesn’t bring many Ks to the table (6.32 K/9) and typically doesn’t make it to the sixth inning. But if you’re chasing wins, Kolek isn’t the worst two-start option, and he likely won’t blow up your ratios.

Taj Bradley (SP — TBR)

First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: @ BAL
Taj Bradley has hit a rough patch, allowing at least six earned runs in two of his last three starts. He also hasn’t pitched more than four frames in any of those outings. More concerning is that his two blowup starts came against the Orioles and Marlins — teams in the bottom 10 in runs scored this season. A re-match against the Orioles is on tap this week, as well as a start against the Royals. On paper, it’s a somewhat appealing two-step. But given Bradley’s recent struggles, it’s probably best to avoid. I wouldn’t fault you if you want to take a gamble in deeper leagues, but it might get ugly.

Forget About These Two-Start Pitchers

This tier is pretty straightforward. If you roll with these two-start pitchers, you’re playing with fire. Fuhgeddaboudit!

Bailey Ober (SP — MIN)

First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: @ DET
It’s difficult to have much confidence in Bailey Ober right now. He allowed at least four earned runs in all of his last three starts and coughed up a combined seven homers. He also registered an ugly 8.31 ERA (5.28 SIERA), 1.56 WHIP and 6.3% K-BB% in that 17.1-inning span. Overall, Ober is having a terrible 2025. His strikeout rate dropped from 26.9% in 2024 to 17.8% this year, and his WHIP has spiked from 1.00 to 1.40. Ober is best left on benches until he can string together a couple of decent starts.

Luis Severino (SP — ATH)

First Start: @ DET
Second Start: @ NYY
There’s little to chase with Luis Severino, and he’s been awful in June with a 6.00 ERA (4.61 SIERA), 1.67 WHIP and 3.6% K-BB% across three starts. Add two difficult matchups into the mix, and Severino is a Week 14 benchwarmer.

Logan Allen (SP — CLE)

First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. STL
Logan Allen is coming off a couple of solid starts, but that doesn’t move the needle for me. Allen is a mid-4.00 ERA talent with a 1.48 WHIP and 6.8% K-BB% this season. Plus, the Blue Jays and Cardinals are top-10 in OPS versus lefties. Allen should be off fantasy radars in Week 14.

Walker Buehler (SP — BOS)

First Start: @ LAA
Second Start: vs. TOR
Walker Buehler is coming off one of his worst starts of the year, surrendering eight earned runs against the Mariners across 3.1 frames. Buehler has looked especially bad over his last four starts. He allowed 5+ earned runs in three of those outings and coughed up six long balls in that 18-inning stretch. Not much is going right for Buehler, and the Blue Jays are third in OPS against righties since May. Buehler is best left riding the pine.

Mitchell Parker (SP — WAS)

First Start: @ SDP
Second Start: @ LAA
Mitchell Parker is fresh off his best game of the year. He tossed six frames of one-run ball to go with a season-high eight punchouts. But we shouldn’t pay too much attention because it was against the Rockies. Plus, Parker has been terrible in his previous nine starts with a 7.50 ERA (5.19 SIERA), 1.67 WHIP and 5.2% K-BB%. Pass.

Cal Quantrill (SP — MIA)

First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: @ ARI
Cal Quantrill hasn’t given up more than three earned runs in any of his last four starts. But he also hasn’t pitched more than five frames in any of those outings, resulting in an elevated 4.74 ERA (3.98 SIERA) and 1.42 WHIP across 19 innings. Quantrill doesn’t offer much for fantasy managers, and his strikeouts per game are erratic. The Diamondbacks lead the league in OPS versus righties, making Quantrill a two-starter to avoid.

Jack Kochanowicz (SP — LAA)

First Start: vs. BOS
Second Start: vs. WAS
Jack Kochanowicz has given up four earned runs in four of his last six starts while pitching deeper than 4.1 innings only twice in that stretch. He’s not a recommended two-start option despite the plus matchups.

German Marquez (SP — COL)

First Start: vs. LAD
Second Start: @ MIL
German Marquez has pitched better of late, posting a 2.94 ERA (4.06 SIERA) and 1.43 WHIP in his last six starts with a 29:8 K:BB across 33.2 innings. He also bumped up his Ks in this stretch with a 7.75 K/9 compared to a 4.73 K/9 in his first nine starts. Unfortunately, all of this means nothing when a date against the Dodgers at Coors Field is on tap. Marquez is a sit in Week 14.

Paul Blackburn (SP — NYM)

First Start: vs. ATL
Second Start: @ PIT
It’s tough to trust Paul Blackburn as a two-start option. He’s tossed 13 innings this season with a 6.92 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across four appearances (two starts). Plus, his latest start wasn’t encouraging as he surrendered three earned runs across 3.2 frames against the Braves. A re-match is on tap this week, followed by a date with the Pirates. Blackburn could be fine in Pittsburgh. However, there’s too much uncertainty and not a strong enough track record to warrant starting.

Trevor Rogers (SP — BAL)

First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: vs. TBR
Trevor Rogers’ two starts for Baltimore couldn’t be more different. In his first start, he threw 6.1 shutout innings against the Red Sox with five Ks and no walks. Rogers followed that up by allowing three earned runs against the Rays across 2.1 frames. In a very limited sample, the strikeouts are there (9.35 K/9). But with question marks everywhere else, Rogers makes for a risky play in all league sizes.

Frankie Montas (SP — NYM)

First Start: vs. ATL
Second Start: @ PIT
Frankie Montas didn’t pitch well in his rehab assignments, and it’s best to steer clear of him this week. In four Triple-A starts, he posted a 13.19 ERA and 2.23 WHIP with an 8:6 K:BB across 14.1 innings. Despite struggling, Montas will take the mound as injuries have forced the Mets’ hand. This could get ugly fast and is a situation to avoid for fantasy.

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