Call it an All-Star-Break hangover, but many teams appear to be in no great rush to report their full starting rotations to open up the 2nd half of the season. That makes two-start-pitchers articles particularly difficult. I did my best. If there is still speculation involved, I put that in my notes. Everything else is as it usually is. Below is a comprehensive list of all 35 two-start pitchers for Week 18.
There are only six weeks left until the playoffs for most fantasy baseball leagues. Hope you find yourself atop the standings, good luck, and please remember to stream responsibly.
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Tarik Skubal SP Tigers
Last start: Friday, July 12th vs. Dodgers – 6IP 2ER 2H 1BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Guardians + Saturday, July 27th vs. Twins
Chris Sale SP Braves
Last start: Sunday, July 14th @ Padres – 5IP W 1ER 4H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Reds + Saturday, July 27th @ Mets
Zack Wheeler SP Phillies
Last start: Tuesday, July 9th vs. Dodgers – 5IP W 1ER 3H 2BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Twins + Sunday, July 28th vs. Guardians
Notes: After being removed with back spasms in his last start, Zack Wheeler appears to be good to go for the 2nd half. It’s not a sure thing he pitches Monday (could be Tuesday instead), but either way he’d be in your starting lineup.
Cole Ragans SP/RP Royals
Last start: Friday, July 12th @ Red Sox – 7IP W 1ER 4H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. DBacks + Sunday, July 28th vs. Cubs
Paul Skenes SP Pirates
Last start: Thursday, July 11th @ Brewers – 7IP 0ER 0H 1BB 11K
2 starts next week (tentative): Monday, July 22nd vs. Cardinals + Sunday, July 28th @ DBacks
Notes: Starting him, obviously, but just note that the Pirates have yet to announce whether he’ll start Monday or Tuesday. If it’s the latter, you’ll have to settle for one amazing start. Mitch Keller would be the other option for Monday and, likewise, should be in your lineup regardless.
Logan Gilbert SP Mariners
Last start: Sunday, July 14th @ Angels – 7IP 0ER 2H 0BB 9K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Angels + Sunday, July 28th @ White Sox
Hunter Greene SP Reds
Last start: Thursday, July 11th vs. Rockies – 6IP W 1ER 2H 2BB 10K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Braves + Sunday, July 28th @ Rays
Bailey Ober SP Twins
Last start: Wednesday, July 10th @ White Sox – 6IP L 3ER 4H 1BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Phillies + Sunday, July 28th @ Tigers
Garrett Crochet SP/RP White Sox
Last game: Friday, July 12th vs. Pirates – 2IP 0ER 0H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd @ Rangers + Sunday, July 28th vs. Mariners
Notes: The White Sox pulled Garrett Crochet after just 28 pitches last Friday. Whether this was because they knew he’d pitch in the All-Star Game four days later, or they’re highly concerned about long-term health (he hasn’t thrown more than 54 innings in any season including minors), or they are keeping their biggest trade piece as marketable as possible is hard to pinpoint. Probably all three. If you have him on your roster, I feel you. But due to the quality of whatever innings you’re getting, there’s really not much of a choice here. You just have to roll with it.
Reynaldo Lopez SP/RP Braves
Last start: Saturday, July 13th @ Padres – 6IP L 3ER 11H 0BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd vs. Reds + Sunday, July 28th @ Mets
Ryan Pepiot SP/RP Rays
Last start: Sunday, July 14th vs. Guardians – 6IP W 0ER 2H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd @ Blue Jays + Sunday, July 28th vs. Reds
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Blake Snell SP Giants
Last start: Sunday, July 14th vs. Twins – 7IP 0ER 1H 0BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Dodger + Sunday, July 27th vs. Rockies
Notes: It’s looking like Robbie Ray will return in the middle of next week from the IL. That makes Monday’s pitcher for the Giants the only one likely to draw two starts despite the seven-game week. Blake Snell seems to be the most likely starter for that day, but the Giants haven’t officially announced that yet. If so, his recent two-start stretch of yielding no runs and striking out 11 is sure a welcomed sight. Hopefully, this is the beginning of an elite stretch. We’ve seen enough of them over the years.
Jose Berrios SP Blue Jays
Last start: Saturday, July 13th @ DBacks – 4IP L 5ER 7H 4BB 0K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd vs. Rays + Sunday, July 28th vs. Rangers
Notes: Jose Berrios has been getting touched up lately. Over his last three starts, the 30-year-old has a hard-hit rate of 47.2%. It’s raised his season rate to 42.7% (20th percentile) and led to 14 earned runs over his last 15 innings. Though the Rays (24th in wOBA) and Rangers (20th) aren’t feared lineups, it’s understandable to sit what should be one of your best pitchers.
Erick Fedde SP White Sox
Last start: Wednesday, July 10th vs. Twins – 5IP W 0ER 4H 2BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22 @ Texas + Saturday, July 27th vs. Mariners
Notes: I wrote about Erick Fedde yesterday in my Pitching Streamers article. To sum up: his xERA nearly backs up what he’d done (2.99 ERA vs. 3.58 xERA), he’s been great for six straight starts (2.43 ERA/1.03 WHIP), and sometime soon he might get traded to a contender. If the 31-year-old is available in your league, this makes for a very nice stream.
Tyler Anderson SP Angels
Last start: Friday, July 12th vs. Mariners – 6IP 4ER 6H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd @ Mariners + Sunday, July 28th vs. A’s
Notes: Though Tyler Anderson has limited hard contact this season (average exit velocity ranks in the 86th percentile, hard-hit rate ranks 84th), his lack of strikeouts (16.8% K rate) and high walk rate (9.8%) are likely to catch up to him eventually. That explains his xERA (4.42) being well over a run higher than his impressive 2.97 ERA. With good matchups next week (Mariners ranked 28th in wOBA and A’s 22nd), still makes sense to start him. But do beware.
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Carlos Rodon SP Yankees
Last start: Sunday, July 14th @ Orioles – 4IP 2ER 4H 3BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Rays + Sunday, July 28th @ Red Sox
Notes: Can’t say I’m not concerned about Carlos Rodon who’s yielded 29 earned runs over his last 27 innings. His xERA (4.48) doesn’t offer too much confidence either. With 38 strikeouts over that same period, we can at least be thankful he’s providing something. But I’m sitting him outside of points leagues unless I have no better options.
Christian Scott SP Mets
Last start: Saturday, July 13th vs. Rockies – 4.1IP 3ER 7H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Marlins + Saturday, July 27th vs. Braves
Notes: Still willing to give Christian Scott’s upside (3.19 ERA/1.06 WHIP/11.3 K/9 over four minor league seasons) a chance. Especially against the Marlins (29th in wOBA). And the Braves haven’t been as tough recently (26th in wOBA over the last month). With just six weeks left in the regular fantasy season, though, we’ll need to see that potential very soon. Points leagues for now. Categories if you have no better options.
Max Meyer SP Marlins
Last start: Sunday, July 14th in minors: 5IP W 0ER 3H 3BB 6K
2 starts next week (speculative): Tuesday, July 23rd vs. Orioles + Sunday, July 28th @ Brewers
Notes: This is still speculation. The Marlins haven’t announced if Max Meyer will get the call this week to join the Marlins rotation. But we’re at the point now where they’ll still retain a year of team control over the 25-year-old. His numbers this year won’t wow you (4.45 ERA/1.46 WHIP), but his first three career Major League starts in April were most impressive (2.12 ERA/0.82 WHIP). Add the career minor league numbers (3.18 ERA/1.19 WHIP/10.4 K/9) and his 60th overall prospect ranking (according to Fangraphs), and you have a sneaky speculative stream for next week and beyond. Tough opponents, though.
Albert Suarez SP/RP Orioles
Last start: Thursday, July 11th vs. Cubs – 5IP L 4ER 6H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd vs. Marlins + Sunday, July 28th vs. Padres
Notes: Makes sense to start Albert Suarez in a points league given the first opponent (Marlins ranked 29th in wOBA) and the RP eligibility. The Orioles offense backing him up doesn’t hurt either.
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Zack Littell SP/RP Rays
Last start: Saturday, July 13th vs. Guardians – 6IP 1ER (2R) 6H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Yankees + Saturday, July 27th vs. Reds
Spencer Arrighetti SP Astros
Last start: Saturday, July 13th vs. Rangers – 6IP 1ER 2H 3BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ A’s + Sunday, July 28th vs. Dodgers
Notes: Due to opponents next week (fun fact: the A’s rank 10th in wOBA over the last month), and inconsistency (five or more runs in four starts), I’m inclined to say no. But the strikeout rate (ranked 71st percentile) is enticing if you are in a daily categories league and don’t mind selling out for that one stat. Worth keeping an eye on, anyway.
Landon Knack SP Dodgers
Last appearance: Thursday, July 11th @ Phillies – 4.1IP 3ER 6H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Giants + Saturday, July 27th @ Astros
Colin Rea SP Brewers
Last appearance: Sunday, July 14th vs. Nationals – 5.2IP W 2ER 5H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Cubs + Sunday, July 28th @ Marlins
Yilber Diaz SP DBacks
Last start: Saturday, July 13th vs. Blue Jays – 6IP W 1ER 4H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Royals + Sunday, July 28th vs. Pirates
Notes: You won’t be too impressed with Yilber Diaz’s career ERA (4.43) and WHIP (1.30) in the minors. The strikeout rate? Quite a bit better (11.5 K/9). Not ready to trust the 23-year-old just yet. But sure, keep an eye on him.
Mitchell Parker SP Nationals
Last start: Saturday, July 13th @ Brewers – 0.2IP 5ER 3H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd vs. Padres + Sunday, July 28th @ Cardinals
David Peterson SP Mets
Last start: Thursday, July 11th vs. Nationals – 6IP W 0ER 4H 3BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd @ Yankees + Sunday, July 28th vs. Braves
Notes: There’s a decent chance Kodai Senga will return from the IL at the end of next week. Which would likely mean David Peterson won’t make a second start. He might even be replaced outright. So don’t depend on the bulk. Wouldn’t be super excited about that Yankees start anyway.
Javier Assad SP/RP Cubs
Last start: Saturday, July 13th @ Cardinals – 2.1IP 3ER 7H 2BB 0K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Brewers + Sunday, July 28th @ Royals
Michael Lorenzen SP/RP Rangers
Last start: Wednesday, July 10th @ Angles – 5IP L 5ER 5H 4BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. White Sox + Saturday, July 17th @ Blue Jays
Carlos Carrasco SP Guardians
Last start: Friday, July 12th @ Rays – 5IP L 1ER (2R) 6H 1BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Tigers + Saturday, July 27th @ Phillies
Andre Pallante SP/RP Cardinals
Last start: Wednesday, July 10th vs. Royals – 6.1IP L 4ER 6H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Pirates + Sunday, July 28th vs. Nationals
Randy Vasquez SP/RP Padres
Last start: Sunday, July 14th vs. Braves – 5IP L 2ER 4H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd @ Nationals + Sunday, July 28th @ Orioles
Carson Fulmer RP Angels
Last start: Sunday, July 14th vs. Mariners – 4.2IP 0ER 0H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd @ Mariners + Saturday, July 27th vs. A’s
Notes: Despite an impressive first start, I’m not tempted to stream Carson Fulmer outside of a deep points league (RP eligibility). Not with a 5.47 ERA over eight seasons.
Hogan Harris SP/RP A’s
Last start: Friday, July 12th @ Phillies – 3IP 2ER 3H 6BB 0K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Astros + Saturday, July 27th @ Angels
Spencer Howard SP/RP Guardians
Last start: Thursday, July 11th @ Tigers – 3IP L 4ER 7H 3BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, July 23rd vs. Tigers + Sunday, July 28th @ Phillies
Yonny Chirinos SP/RP Marlins
Last start: Friday, July 12th @ Reds – 5.2IP L 7ER 8H 4BB 1K
2 starts next week: Monday, July 22nd vs. Mets + Saturday, July 27th @ Brewers