Two-Start Pitchers for Week 18 (July 21 – 27)

The All-Star break is in the rearview mirror, and we are firmly in the back half of the fantasy baseball season. While the past week has been an ideal time to assess and make changes to our fantasy rosters, our goal moving forward should remain the same: keep grinding and try to gain an edge wherever possible. One way to stay competitive is to pay attention to the week’s two-start pitchers. They can help our fantasy squads by squeezing out extra juice in categories like strikeouts and wins. However, we need to be selective about which two-start pitchers we insert into our lineups, as they can also torpedo our ratios.

This weekly write-up helps you identify the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-starters 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.

Coming out of the All-Star break, many teams may not finalize their starting rotations until later in the weekend. 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 18.

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: vs. ATH
Second Start: vs. ATL
Jacob deGrom’s strikeouts are down this season (9.05 K/9), but no matter. He’s a stud, and our ratios love him — weekly must-start.

Zack Wheeler (SP — PHI)

First Start: vs. BOS
Second Start: @ NYY
Zack Wheeler had a bumpy start against the Padres heading into the All-Star break. But that doesn’t alter his must-start status. Neither does a daunting two-step against the Red Sox and Yankees. Continue to fire up Wheeler as usual.

Framber Valdez (SP — HOU)

First Start: @ ARI
Second Start: vs. ATH
Strikeouts? Check. Ground balls? Check. Win opportunity? Check. Framber Valdez is about as set-it-and-forget-it as they come, despite a tough outing against the Diamondbacks this week.

George Kirby (SP — SEA)

First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: @ LAA
The Tigers got to George Kirby in his last outing after he issued an uncharacteristic three walks. However, outside of the down start, Kirby has been more than solid over his last four appearances. He posted a 2.31 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in that 23.1-frame stretch with a 21.1% K-BB rate. Expect more of the same from Kirby in a favorable two-step this week.

Bryan Woo (SP — SEA)

First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: @ LAA
Bryan Woo stumbled for a couple of starts in early June but has since been cruising. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in all five of his last starts while posting a 1.11 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. Woo’s estimators indicate his ERA should be a couple of runs higher, but he’s still a strong two-stepper. Woo strikes out a batter per inning, brings win upside to the table, and is looking for his sixth consecutive quality start. Woo is a go in all formats this week.

Kodai Senga (SP — NYM)

First Start: vs. LAA
Second Start: @ SFG
Kodai Senga looked good in his return from the IL. He tossed four scoreless frames (67 pitches) against the Royals to go with four punchies and two walks. Senga should pitch deeper into his starts this week, and we should expect more of the same from him: stabilizing ratios and a strikeout per inning. Start Senga in all formats.

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 18.

Shane Baz (SP — TBR)

First Start: vs. CWS
Second Start: @ CIN
Shane Baz has dialed up the Ks since June. He increased his strikeout rate from 21.4% to 25.9% over his last eight starts while flexing a 3.26 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in that stretch. The good times should keep rolling with a favorable two-step on the docket. Baz doesn’t give up many dingers and induces ground balls at a 49% clip, which should bode well this week. Baz is one of the better two-start pitchers in Week 18.

Eury Perez (SP — MIA)

First Start: vs. SDP
Second Start: @ MIL
Boy, oh boy, has Eury Perez turned the corner over his past three starts. Mainly, he’s cut down the dingers and walks while pumping up the Ks. In that 18-inning span, Perez allowed a combined one earned run with a 21:1 K:BB. He also flexed a 0.50 ERA (2.29 SIERA) and 0.39 WHIP with a 33.3% K-BB rate. The Padres and Brewers struggle against righties, so look for Perez to keep cruising while bringing plenty of strikeouts.

Carlos Rodon (SP — NYY)

First Start: @ TOR
Second Start: vs. PHI
Carlos Rodon’s Ks have ticked down since June, going from 31.7% to start the season to 23.2% in his last eight games. But his ratios are still helpful, and he brings win opportunity every time he takes the mound. Rodon’s two-step is a tough one, but he should still be rolled out in most formats.

Casey Mize (SP — DET)

First Start: @ PIT
Second Start: vs. TOR
Casey Mize posted a dud start to finish the first half. He surrendered six earned runs against the Mariners and got the hook in the third inning. However, that’s likely just a hiccup for Mize. He limited opponents to two earned runs or less in each of his previous six appearances. Mize has also been sharp overall in 2025. On the year, he’s sporting a 3.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 16 starts to go with a decent 7.82 K/9. The Pirates and Blue Jays are on opposite ends of the spectrum, but Mize offers enough strikeout and win upside that he should be in lineups this week.

Brady Singer (SP — CIN)

First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: vs. TBR
We know who Brady Singer is at this point — a low to mid-4.00 ERA talent who brings a 1.30ish WHIP to the table. While we should expect more of the same, Singer could pack a punch in the strikeout department this week. He’s rocking a 28.6% strikeout rate over his last five starts as well as a 21.4% K-BB. Singer’s start against the Rays at home isn’t ideal. But a matchup against the lowly Nationals could make up for it, especially if his uptick in strikeouts sticks.

Jacob Lopez (SP — ATH)

First Start: @ TEX
Second Start: @ HOU
It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride for Jacob Lopez since he moved to the rotation. While the Ks are there (11.22 K/9), his 52% fly ball rate has fed an elevated 1.58 HR/9. However, Lopez has still been a useful arm, posting a 4.56 ERA (3.54 SIERA) and 1.29 WHIP across his 10 starts. Up next is a true Texas two-step for Lopez. While the homers shouldn’t be a problem against the Rangers, the Astros pummel southpaws at home. But given his strikeout upside, Lopez is still worth starting in most formats. Just know the ratios could take a hit.

Tanner Bibee (SP — CLE)

First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: @ KCR
Tanner Bibee has been the picture of inconsistency lately. However, his ratio estimators suggest he’s been a mid-3.00 ERA pitcher over his last five starts (28.1 IP), accompanied by a 1.31 WHIP. Not amazing, but serviceable. Bibee is also striking out just over a batter per inning in this stretch to go with a healthy 18.9% K-BB rate. His matchups this week aren’t the scariest, and if Bibee can keep the walks at bay, he’s a nice two-start option.

Max Scherzer (SP — TOR)

First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: @ DET
Max Scherzer hasn’t been lights-out since returning from the IL, but he’s been solid enough. He has a 4.50 ERA (3.58 SIERA) and 1.30 WHIP across four starts (20 IP). Scherzer also carries a healthy 19.3% K-BB rate in this span. While he’s walking batters at a higher clip than usual in 2025 (3.15 BB/9), Scherzer brings enough Ks to the table (10.35 K/9) to warrant starting, despite the daunting two-step. He’s a solid two-start option who shouldn’t torpedo your ratios.

Mitch Keller (SP — PIT)

First Start: vs. DET
Second Start: vs. ARI
There’s nothing flashy about Mitch Keller, and he’s not a flame-thrower. But he’s an innings eater who racks up quality starts without harming your ratios. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last six starts while posting a 27:7 K:BB over that 36.2-inning stretch. Keller gets a tough two-start draw this week against a couple of potent offenses. However, he’s still a solid play in deeper formats and points leagues.

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.

Kevin Gausman (SP — TOR)

First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: @ DET
Kevin Gausman’s ratios have ballooned since the start of June. His walk rate jumped from 4.7% to 11.2% over his last eight starts. The increase in free passes fueled a 1.49 WHIP in that stretch to go with an elevated 4.95 ERA. Those aren’t numbers you want when facing two top-eight offenses in OPS versus righties. There’s some strikeout upside with Gausman (8.53 K/9), but the risk likely outweighs the reward.

Zac Gallen (SP — ARI)

First Start: vs. HOU
Second Start: @ PIT
Zac Gallen is giving up a ton of hard contact, and it’s been biting him. He’s coughed up at least five earned runs in three of his last five starts with an inflated 1.91 HR/9 in that stretch. He’s still making batters miss at an above-average clip (23.6% K%), but his ratios are taking a hit. Wins are flukey, but Gallen has snagged three in his last five appearances and offers strikeout upside. If you’re desperate for either category, Gallen is a decent two-start option this week, albeit with blowup potential.

Michael Liberatore (SP — STL)

First Start: @ COL
Second Start: vs. SDP
Michael Liberatore started the season strong but hasn’t looked sharp since June. In his last seven starts, he has an elevated 6.00 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 36 innings. Most notably, his Ks have dropped from 19% to 14.8% in this span, and his walks have increased from 5.2% to 8%. The Rockies and Padres aren’t strong opponents against southpaws. However, it’s difficult to trust Liberatore right now, and starting him comes down to your level of risk tolerance.

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!

Joey Cantillo (SP — CLE)

First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: @ KCR
Joey Cantillo offers fantasy managers a heavy dose of both strikeouts and walks. In his three games as a starter (12.2 IP), he’s flexing a 31% strikeout rate to go with an unhelpful 10.3% walk rate. The free passes fueled a troublesome 1.58 WHIP and 4.97 ERA (3.35 SIERA) in this stretch. While the sample size is small, the high rates are consistent with Cantillo’s minor league numbers. If you’re chasing Ks and your ratios are already shot, Cantillo is your man this week. Otherwise, steer clear.

Kyle Hendricks (SP — LAA)

First Start: @ NYM
Second Start: vs. SEA
Kyle Hendricks is a pitcher with a high 4.00 ERA and 1.30 WHIP who offers few strikeouts. Hendricks is best utilized as a streamer in favorable matchups, but that’s not the case in Week 18. Both the Mets and Mariners have been top-five in OPS against righties since June. With little to chase, Hendricks a benchwarmer this week.

Cade Horton (SP — CHC)

First Start: vs. KCR
Second Start: @ CWS
Cade Horton gets a dream matchup this week, but he’s far from a dreamy two-start option. In his last four starts, Horton has allowed a combined 14 earned runs across 20.1 frames while pitching into the fifth inning only once. Additionally, the strikeouts have been tough to come by (6.20 K/9), while the walks are rampant (4.43 BB/9). Horton is best left on benches, despite the favorable two-step.

Jake Irvin (SP — WAS)

First Start: vs. CIN
Second Start: @ MIN
Jake Irvin closed out the first half of the season with one of his best starts of the year (5 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K). However, outings like that are few and far between for Irvin. His ratios are always at risk of blowing up because he gives up too much hard contact (12.7% barrel and 47.2% hard-hit rate). Irvin has looked especially bad since June, carrying a 5.70 ERA (4.52 SIERA) and 1.50 WHIP to go with a whopping 2.53 HR/9. Irvin is rarely a good two-start option.

Tomoyuki Sugano (SP — BAL)

First Start: @ CLE
Second Start: vs. COL
Tomoyuki Sugano gets a nice two-step this week, but unfortunately, he’s not start-worthy of late. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in all of his last six starts (28.1 IP) while being a ratio killer. He holds a 7.94 ERA (5.18 SIERA) and 1.94 WHIP in that stretch with a 19:11 K:BB. Don’t target Sugano this week.

Randy Vasquez (SP — SDP)

First Start: @ MIA
Second Start: @ STL
Randy Vasquez has done a decent job of limiting runs this season. But his strikeouts have all but disappeared recently, while his walks have spiked. Over his last five starts, Vasquez has issued more free passes (9.4%) than Ks (7.7%) while posting a 4.39 ERA (6.48 SIERA) and 1.39 WHIP. If you start Vasquez, you’re playing with fire.

Hayden Birdsong (SP — SFG)

First Start: @ ATL
Second Start: vs. NYM
Hayden Birdsong has issued at least four walks in each of his last three starts, and has been a WHIP killer in the process. He has a 1.77 mark in that span to go with an inflated 7.62 ERA and 0.0% K-BB rate. Nope.

Austin Gomber (SP — COL)

First Start: vs. STL
Second Start: @ BAL
A 13.8% barrel rate and 53.3% fly ball rate is a dangerous combo for any pitcher, let alone one who plays half his games at Coors Field. Leave Austin Gomber and his ballooned ratios on the wire.

Erick Fedde (SP — STL)

First Start: @ COL
Second Start: vs. SDP
Erick Fedde has been extra terrible recently. In his last four starts, he allowed a combined 20 earned runs over 14.2 frames. He’s also issued more walks than strikeouts while carrying a WHIP above 2.00. Avoid.

Davis Daniel (SP — ATL)

First Start: vs. SFG
Second Start: @ TEX
Davis Daniel was decent in his spot start against the Cardinals (4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K). But we shouldn’t rely on him in a two-step until he strings together a couple of strong outings.