Welcome to the Week 16 edition of two-start pitchers. It’s essential to keep track of the week’s two-steppers, as they can pad our strikeout and win columns. However, we also need to be selective about which two-start pitchers we roll with, as they can balloon our ratios if we choose poorly.
This weekly write-up helps you identify the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-start options are easy decisions, while 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 16.
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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.
Jacob deGrom (SP — TEX)
First Start: @ LAA
Second Start: @ HOU
Jacob deGrom hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in his last 14 starts while carrying a sub-2.00 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP. He has also racked up five wins in his previous six starts and should add more to the pile in Week 16. deGrom is a stud.
Hunter Brown (SP — HOU)
First Start: vs. CLE
Second Start: vs. TEX
Hunter Brown is a must-start arm with a dreamy two-step this week. Start with more confidence than usual this week.
Nathan Eovaldi (SP — TEX)
First Start: @ LAA
Second Start: @ HOU
Nate Eovaldi is rounding into form. In his second start since returning from the IL, he tossed five frames of shutout ball with a 5:1 K:BB. Before being shelved with a triceps injury, Eovaldi carried a sparkling 1.56 ERA (2.81 SIERA) and 0.81 WHIP across 12 starts with a 23.7% K-BB. Roll Eovaldi out with confidence this week.
Cristopher Sanchez (SP — PHI)
First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: @ SDP
Cristopher Sanchez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven straight appearances while maintaining pristine ratios and a near 58% groundball rate. He strikes out a batter per nine and is looking for his seventh consecutive quality start. Both the Giants and Padres are bottom-five in OPS versus southpaws in May, making Sanchez a strong two-start option in Week 16.
Nick Pivetta (SP — SDP)
First Start: vs. ARI
Second Start: vs. PHI
Nick Pivetta has been cruising lately. In his last four starts, he’s showcasing a 2.55 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with a 27.5% K-BB. He also picked up three wins and quality starts in that 24.2-frame stretch. The matchups this week are challenging, but Pivetta more than held his own against the Diamondbacks in mid-June. He spun seven frames of two-run ball with nine punchies and snagged a win. Consider Pivetta a solid two-start pitcher this week.
Logan Gilbert (SP — SEA)
First Start: @ NYY
Second Start: @ DET
Logan Gilbert hasn’t pitched as well since returning from the IL, but he also hasn’t been a slouch, either. He has a 4.95 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across four starts since his return with a 29.8% K-BB. The strikeouts alone (13.50 K/9) are enough to throw Gilbert into lineups for a two-step, but a 2.47 SIERA seals the deal. Gilbert doesn’t get any favors this week as the Yankees and Tigers are top-10 in OPS against righties. But let’s not get cute and sit him.
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 16.
Yusei Kikuchi (SP — LAA)
First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: vs. ARI
Yusei Kikuchi has looked like a completely different pitcher over his last five starts — and for the better. His 34.4% strikeout rate in that stretch is up from 20.3% in his first 13 starts, and his 4.8% walk rate is down from 12.9%. The drop in walks has helped Kikuchi pitch deeper into games, as he’s logged 7+ innings in three of those five outings. Kikuchi is now in must-start territory and gets a solid two-step this week. While the Diamondbacks are tough on lefties, the Rangers are 29th in OPS against them.
Ryan Pepiot (SP — TBR)
First Start: @ DET
Second Start: @ BOS
Ryan Pepiot bounced back from a down performance in his latest start. He threw six frames of two-run ball against the Athletics to go with nine punchouts to three walks. The plus strikeouts continue a recent trend, as Pepiot has been mowing down batters since June. He holds a 34.4% strikeout rate in his last six starts — up from 19.9% in his previous 12 starts. Pepiot’s two-step isn’t the friendliest, but he should benefit from facing the Tigers on the road. Expect plenty of Ks while Pepiot seeks his fourth win in five starts. He’s a strong two-start pitcher in shallow leagues this week.
Jose Berrios (SP — TOR)
First Start: @ CWS
Second Start: @ ATH
The Yankees got to Jose Berrios in his last outing as he allowed six earned runs across 4.1 innings of work. However, we shouldn’t be too concerned. Berrios has looked especially sharp in his last seven starts, sporting a cool 2.76 ERA and 1.06 WHIP — and that includes two six-earned-run performances. While a 3.84 xFIP indicates Berrios has been lucky in that stretch, regression shouldn’t hit too hard this week in a favorable two-step. Berrios is a strong bet to notch a couple of wins and quality starts.
Shane Baz (SP — TBR)
First Start: @ DET
Second Start: @ BOS
It’s been smooth sailing for Shane Baz since the calendar flipped to June. In his last six starts, he’s sporting a 3.38 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 37.1 frames. Most notably, Baz’s strikeout rate jumped from 21.4% in his first 11 starts to 28%. Baz is looking to pick up his fifth win in seven games, and it’s a good bet that he’ll snag at least one in Week 16. Baz is a fine two-start pitcher in shallow leagues this week.
Shota Imanaga (SP — CHC)
First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ NYY
In his two starts since returning from the IL, Shota Imanaga has looked very Shota-esque. He posted a 2.61 ERA in that limited span with a 0.58 WHIP and 15.8% K-BB across 10.1 innings. He also picked up a couple of wins. Expect more of the same moving forward. His road start against the Yankees isn’t ideal, but Imanaga should continue to be a WHIP stabilizer while offering win opportunity — a solid two-start option in 12-teamers.
Jose Soriano (SP — LAA)
First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: vs. ARI
Jose Soriano pitched a nice get-right game against the Braves in his last outing. He spun seven frames of scoreless ball and racked up seven strikeouts. The Ks have been coming in bunches lately, as Soriano has accumulated 39 strikeouts in 31.2 innings over his last five starts. He also sports a 2.84 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in that stretch. The bump in strikeouts, combined with a league-leading 65.8% ground ball rate, is music to fantasy managers’ ears. He’s a strong two-start pitcher in shallow leagues in Week 16.
Jack Flaherty (SP — DET)
First Start: vs. TBR
Second Start: vs. SEA
Jack Flaherty is starting to look more like himself. Following back-to-back 7+ earned-run starts in mid-June, Flaherty has allowed three earned runs in each of his last two appearances with a combined 16:6 K:BB across 11 innings. However, he isn’t out of the woods yet, as walks continue to be an issue. His 12.8% walk rate in this span helped fuel an inflated 1.45 WHIP. Flaherty is still worth rolling out in most formats, as he offers Ks and win upside. Just cross your fingers that he lays off the free passes.
Tanner Bibee (SP — CLE)
First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: @ CWS
Tanner Bibee is coming off one of his worst starts of the season. He surrendered five earned runs across four frames against the Cubs, with four walks and five strikeouts. Despite the ugly start, Bibee has been fairly solid recently. He holds a 4.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 18.8% K-BB over his last five starts. The ERA is high, but it comes with a more palatable 3.34 SIERA. Bibee has also increased his ground balls in this stretch, with his near 52% rate an 11-point increase from the start of the season. Bibee brings strikeouts to the table and shouldn’t kill your ratios. He’s a solid two-start option this week in both shallow formats.
Merrill Kelly (SP — ARI)
First Start: @ SDP
Second Start: @ LAA
The ERA and WHIP have started ticking upwards for Merrill Kelly of late. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in three of his last four starts. He also has two three-walk games in that stretch. The result is a 4.91 ERA (3.85 SIERA) and 1.64 WHIP across his last 22 innings. On the plus side, the Ks are still there with a 24.7% strikeout rate. Kelly’s matchups this week aren’t the scariest, and he should still be started in shallow formats given his strikeout and win upside. Just don’t be surprised if his ratios are a little higher than usual.
Andre Pallante (SP — STL)
First Start: vs. WAS
Second Start: vs. ATL
Andre Pallante has been sneaky-solid over his last five starts. He allowed two earned runs or less in four of those outings and posted a 2.22 ERA (3.56 SIERA) and 1.06 WHIP in that 28.1-frame stretch. Pallante doesn’t bring many strikeouts to the table with a 6.01 K/9 on the year. But he induces ground balls at a near 64% clip and doesn’t hurt our ratios. Pallante is seeking his fourth quality start in six appearances, and is a good bet to snag more this week as the Nationals and Braves are bottom-10 in OPS against righties. Pallante is a nice two-start pitcher in Week 16.
Brady Singer (SP — CIN)
First Start: vs. MIA
Second Start: vs. COL
Brady Singer is a low-to-mid 4.00 ERA talent whose WHIP hovers around 1.30. Expect more of the same this week to go along with double-digit strikeouts in a tasty two-step at home. He’s a solid two-start option in 15-teamers and could prove helpful in shallow formats as well.
Brandon Pfaadt (SP — ARI)
First Start: @ SDP
Second Start: @ LAA
Brandon Pfaadt has started to turn the corner in his last three starts, especially in the strikeout department. He notched at least seven Ks in each outing, totaling 22 strikeouts across 16 innings (31.9% K%). Pfaadt also posted a 5.63 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in that span. The ERA is discouraging on the surface, but it comes with a much more appealing 2.28 xFIP. Pfaadt gets a nice two-start week, as the Padres have trouble against righties and the Angels aren’t very scary. While he pitches better at home, Pfaadt’s increased strikeouts, combined with win upside, still make an enticing combo.
Sean Burke (SP — CWS)
First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. CLE
Sean Burke pitched as a bulk reliever against the Dodgers in his last outing and looked good. He allowed one earned run across six frames with five Ks. Outside of a terrible outing against the Astros, Burke has pitched well in his last six starts. He registered a 3.23 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in that stretch to go with a respectable 17.9% K-BB. He also picked up two wins and three quality starts. There’s nothing flashy here, but Burke strikes out a batter per inning and doesn’t harm your ratios. The Blue Jays will be a challenge, but the Guardians are 28th in OPS against righties since May. Burke should be started in deeper leagues and could be useful in shallower formats if you’re chasing strikeouts.
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 Martinez (SP — CIN)
First Start: vs. MIA
Second Start: vs. COL
Nick Martinez has been inconsistent this season and was demoted to the bullpen for a couple of stints near the end of June. However, we should still expect an ERA in the low-4.00 range, which pairs well with his 1.17 WHIP on the year. Martinez doesn’t bring a ton of Ks to the table (6.35 K/9), but his two-step is worth exploiting this week in deeper leagues.
Eury Perez (SP — MIA)
First Start: @ CIN
Second Start: @ BAL
Eury Perez is fresh off his best start of the season, blanking the Twins across six frames with seven punchouts. It was his first win and longest start of the year. His two-step is more difficult than not, as he heads to two hitter-friendly ballparks. However, Perez brings the Ks, and the Marlins have been peskier of late, so there’s some win opportunity here. There’s some ratio risk, but Perez is worth rolling the dice on, given his upside.
Dylan Cease (SP — SDP)
First Start: vs. ARI
Second Start: vs. PHI
Dylan Cease has been struggling recently with a 5.82 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in his last four starts. He still struck out more than a batter per inning in this span, and his estimators indicate he pitched better than his surface stats (3.79 xFIP). However, it still feels a little meh, and I don’t love his two-step in Week 16. The Diamondbacks are second in OPS against righties, and Cease is fresh off a lackluster start against the Phillies (6.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 HR, 0 BB, 4K). It’s also the second time in as many games that Cease coughed up two home runs. I’d sit Cease in 12-teamers if you have a better option, but his strikeouts likely warrant a start in 15-teamers. Just be aware he could torpedo your ratios.
Brayan Bello (SP — BOS)
First Start: vs. COL
Second Start: vs. TBR
Brayan Bello has pitched well in his last five starts. He holds a 2.87 ERA (4.22 SIERA) and 1.21 WHIP in that 31.1-inning stretch with a 23:10 K:BB. The strikeouts are underwhelming, but Bello limited opponents to three runs or fewer while snagging quality starts in all five outings. He also generated ground balls at a hefty 57% clip. The Rays will be a challenge this week, but when balanced with the Rockies, Bello comes out as a decent two-start pitcher in Week 16.
Noah Cameron (SP — KCR)
First Start: vs. PIT
Second Start: vs. NYM
Noah Cameron’s two poor performances this year came against the Dodgers and Yankees. But outside of struggling against the league’s heavy-hitting teams, Cameron has more than held his own. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in his other eight starts, posting a 2.56 ERA (4.45 SIERA) and 1.01 WHIP across 56.1 innings. Some regression is due, and Cameron offers little win opportunity. But he shouldn’t harm your ratios, and has struck out just under a batter per inning over his last five starts. Cameron is a solid two-start pitcher in 15-teamers this week.
Will Warren (SP — NYY)
First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: vs. CHC
The Blue Jays lit up Will Warren in his last outing to the tune of eight earned runs across four frames. Warren issued four free passes in the blowup, the second time in as many games. The start is somewhat surprising, as Warren was terrific in his previous four appearances. He registered a 1.96 ERA (2.98 SIERA), 1.09 WHIP, and 22.6% K-BB in that 23-inning span. The matchups in Week 16 aren’t the easiest, especially as the Cubs are one of the toughest teams against righties. However, Warren brings strikeout and win opportunity to the table, making him a decent two-start pitcher for the week.
Janson Junk (SP — MIA)
First Start: @ CIN
Second Start: @ BAL
Janson Junk has been solid since joining the rotation, with two strong starts and one dud under his belt. He posted a 4.91 ERA (3.43 SIERA) and 1.30 WHIP in that 14.2-inning stretch, while not issuing a walk and logging 13 strikeouts. Junk’s two-step isn’t an easy one as he heads to two hitter-friendly ballparks. However, he’s worth considering in deeper formats. The strikeouts are there, and the Marlins have piled up the wins recently. Starting Junk boils down to your level of risk tolerance.
Jeffrey Springs (SP — ATH)
First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. ATL
Since a disastrous outing against the Blue Jays at the end of May (2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K), Jeffrey Springs has been solid. He’s since posted a 3.47 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across his last six starts with a 30:8 K:BB in 36.1 frames. Unfortunately, Springs has a less-than-ideal two-step in Week 16. A rematch against the Blue Jays is on the docket. Plus, both of Springs’ starts are at home, where his 1.80 HR/9 could be problematic. Springs isn’t the worst two-start option in deeper leagues, as he brings some strikeout upside. But ratio risk is attached.
Clay Holmes (SP — NYM)
First Start: @ BAL
Second Start: @ KCR
Clay Holmes has been a WHIP killer of late. He’s piled up 14 walks over his last three starts, carrying a 1.60 WHIP in that span. The strikeouts have also disappeared, as Holmes logged eight Ks in those 15 innings. The result is a horrific -8.8% K-BB. If you’re desperate for wins, Holmes makes some sense in deeper leagues. But he’s a dicey start at best and could submarine your ratios.
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!
Landen Roupp (SP — SFG)
First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: vs. LAD
On the surface, Landen Roupp’s 1.17 ERA over his last three starts stands out. But a 93.2% LOB% and 4.67 SIERA take some of the shine off. Not to mention Roupp’s 1.57 WHIP in that span. The regression monster is coming, and there’s a good chance it will rear its ugly head in Week 16. While Roupp gets the benefit of facing the Phillies and Dodgers at home, his two-step isn’t something we want to attack in fantasy. There’s some strikeout upside (8.23 K/9) with Roupp, but the risks outweigh the rewards this week.
Simeon Woods Richardson (SP — MIN)
First Start: vs. CHC
Second Start: vs. PIT
On the surface, Simeon Woods Richardson’s 1.71 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his last four starts look pretty good. But a closer look reveals a .143 BABIP and estimators that sit in the high-4.00 ERA range. Woods Richardson’s luck could continue against the Pirates. However, the Cubs are another story, as their .798 OPS against righties leads the league since May. There aren’t many strikeouts to chase with Woods Richardson, and he has made it to the sixth inning only once in 12 starts. He’s best left on benches.
Aaron Civale (SP — CWS)
First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. CLE
Elevated ratios, little win opportunity, and a 7.9% K-BB on the year? No, thank you.
Didier Fuentes (SP — ATL)
First Start: @ ATH
Second Start: @ STL
Didier Fuentes hasn’t pitched well in any of his three starts. He’s allowed a combined 12 earned runs across 12 frames and hasn’t made it to the fourth inning in his last two outings. We can’t trust Fuentes as a two-starter at this point.
Brandon Young (SP — BAL)
First Start: vs. NYM
Second Start: vs. MIA
Brandon Young has struggled mightily as a fill-in for a depleted Orioles rotation. He has an inflated 7.02 ERA (5.01 SIERA) and 1.98 WHIP in his four starts this season (16.2 IP). While the Orioles have to roll with Young and his struggles, fantasy managers don’t have to — and shouldn’t.
Joey Cantillo (SP — CLE)
First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: @ CWS
Joey Cantilo held his own against the Cubs following his spot start. He worked 3.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and three walks. However, we’re not trusting Cantillo in a two-step this week. Lefties get pummeled by the Astros, and the White Sox are 12th-best in OPS against southpaws.
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