Two-Start Pitchers for Week 19 (July 28 – August 3)

The dog days of summer are here. With vacations in full swing and football news revving up, it’s not uncommon for fantasy baseball managers to become distracted. As such, it’s the perfect time to try to gain an edge while our fellow league mates are asleep at the wheel. One way to do so is to track the week’s two-start pitchers. They can boost our fantasy teams by padding categories like strikeouts and wins. But we don’t want to start every pitcher simply because they have a two-step. We need to be selective about which two-start pitchers we roll with, since they can also negatively impact our ratios.

This weekly write-up helps you identify the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-starters are no-brainers, while others require more thought. To help you decide, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers and provide brief notes on each option.

One thing to keep in mind is that teams often don’t finalize their rotations until late 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 19.

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.

Framber Valdez (SP — HOU)

First Start: vs. WAS
Second Start: @ BOS
Framber Valdez has given up more than two earned runs only twice in his last 13 starts while snagging 10 wins in the process. He also carries elite ratios and generates ground balls at a 64.3% clip. Expect more of the same fantasy goodness in Week 19.

Cristopher Sanchez (SP — PHI)

First Start: @ CWS
Second Start: vs. DET
Cristopher Sanchez is coming off his first complete game of the season. He fired off nine frames of one-hit ball to go with 12 punchies and a win. Sanchez has allowed one earned run in each of his last six games with a healthy 25.3% K-BB rate in that span. He’s looking for his 10th consecutive quality start and should be able to grab it against the White Sox this week.

Jacob deGrom (SP — TEX)

First Start: @ LAA
Second Start: @ SEA
Jacob deGrom strikes out a batter per inning, keeps our ratios low, and has allowed more than two earned runs just three times in 20 starts. The nit to pick is that he has five long balls in his last four starts. But unless that starts to take a bigger toll on his numbers, we’ll let it slide.

Luis Castillo (SP — SEA)

First Start: @ ATH
Second Start: vs. TEX
Luis Castillo has been firing on all cylinders in July, especially on the strikeout front. He’s mowed down batters at a 29.2% clip over his last four starts — a 10-point jump from the start of the season. Castillo also registered an elite 2.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 25% K-BB rate in this stretch and hasn’t surrendered a homer for five consecutive starts. Look for the good times to continue in Week 19, despite a start at Sutter Health Park.

Matthew Boyd (SP — CHC)

First Start: @ MIL
Second Start: vs. BAL
Matthew Boyd is having a terrific season and has been phenomenal of late. He’s logged four shutout starts in his last five appearances (33 IP) while sporting a 29:3 K:BB. He’s a must-start arm right now.

Chris Bassitt (SP — TOR)

First Start: @ BAL
Second Start: vs. KCR
Chris Bassitt has been terrific in July. In four starts and one relief appearance, he’s sporting a 2.39 ERA (3.40 SIERA) and 1.10 WHIP across 26.1 frames. He also hasn’t issued a walk in three consecutive outings, feeding a more than solid 18.9% K-BB rate in that stretch. Up next, Bassitt gets one of the best two-steps of the week with the Orioles and Royals on the docket. Both teams are bottom-10 in wRC+ against righties since June, and Bassitt should shine. He’s looking for his fifth win in five starts and is a strong bet to get it.

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 19.

Max Fried (SP — NYY)

First Start: vs. TBR
Second Start: @ MIA
It’s been a brutal July for Max Fried. He’s given up at least three earned runs in all four of his starts, while his strikeouts have dried up (13.3%) and his walks have crept up (10%). Fried also has an uncharacteristic 6.52 ERA (5.36 SIERA) and 1.55 WHIP in those 19.1 innings. Fried’s been bothered by a blister over his last two starts, which could account for his diminished numbers. While he’s still a solid play, Fried comes with more risk at the moment.

Edward Cabrera (SP — MIA)

First Start: @ STL
Second Start: vs. NYY
Edward Cabrera has reigned in the walks lately and has looked sharp in the process. He’s issued only one free pass over his last four starts (23.2 IP), to go with 23 Ks and a sparkling 2.66 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Cabrera has a tough two-step on the docket, but offers 5-6 strikeouts per game while keeping the ratios smooth. He’s a solid start in shallow formats in Week 19.

Slade Cecconi (SP — CLE)

First Start: vs. COL
Second Start: vs. MIN
Slade Cecconi is a steady streamer who doesn’t take a toll on your ratios. Since the start of June, Cecconi has been a solid 4.00 ERA arm with a 1.17 WHIP and 43 Ks across 54 innings (nine starts). The strikeouts are lacking a bit, but Cecconi doesn’t walk many batters and has reached six innings in five of his last six starts. That should work against the lowly Rockies and middling Twins in Week 19. Cecconi is a nice stream this week.

Mitch Keller (SP — PIT)

First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: @ COL
We know what to expect from Mitch Keller at this point: a starter who churns through innings and doesn’t kill our ratios. The strikeouts aren’t there (6.98 K/9), but neither are the walks (2.16 BB/9). He’s a serviceable arm who snagged three wins in his last five games and is looking for his fifth consecutive quality start. Expect more of the same this week as both clubs are bottom-10 in OPS versus righties since the beginning of June.

Patrick Corbin (SP — TEX)

First Start: @ LAA
Second Start: @ SEA
After stumbling a little in June, Patrick Corbin is back on track. He hasn’t surrendered more than two earned runs in any of his last four starts while fanning a batter per inning. Luck was in Corbin’s favor, as he stranded just over 90% of runners in this stretch. However, a 3.20 xFIP and 1.16 WHIP is helpful in most formats. While the Angels and Mariners have been solid against southpaws, Corbin is still a solid option while he’s cruising.

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.

Chase Burns (SP — CIN)

First Start: vs. LAD
Second Start: vs. ATL
Chase Burns has been a strikeout machine over his five starts this season (14.54 K/9) and is fresh off back-to-back 10-strikeout games. However, he’s also struggled with control, leading to limited innings and inconsistent ratios. Unfortunately, rocky ratios are likely to continue this week. Burns faces the Dodgers at the cozy confines of Great American Ball Park, which could go sideways quickly. He caps the week against the Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway. If you need Ks, Burns can help you out. Just be sure you can absorb the ratio risk attached.

Casey Mize (SP — DET)

First Start: vs. ARI
Second Start: @ PHI
Casey Mize is coming off two poor starts where he coughed up a combined 10 earned runs across seven innings. The dud outings are surprising, as Mize hadn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his previous nine starts. Unfortunately, his matchups this week are challenging. The Diamondbacks are one of the best teams against righties, and the Phillies are nothing to sneeze at. In deeper formats, you’re likely still rolling with Mize. But I’d look for other targets in 12-team leagues — at least until Mize can right the fantasy ship.

JP Sears (SP — ATH)

First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: vs. ARI
Outside of a dud game against the Guardians, JP Sears has turned a corner over his last five starts. He’s given up three earned runs or less in four of those appearances while sporting a 27.7% strikeout rate and 20.8% K-BB rate. Sears also posted a more than steady 3.51 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over those 25.2 frames. The nit to pick is that Sears is fly-ball prone, with a near 53% rate on the year. That could be problematic with two home starts against clubs that are top-12 in OPS against southpaws. Sears is a better option in deep leagues this week.

Dylan Cease (SP — SDP)

First Start: vs. NYM
Second Start: vs. STL
The long ball has been biting Dylan Cease of late. He has a bloated 2.73 HR/9 over his last five starts, coughing up a whopping eight dingers during that stretch. Cease is a strong source of Ks, but he’s usually a ratio risk who now comes with the added threat of more home runs. If you need strikeouts, Cease is a decent two-start option. But I’d look for other targets this week, especially given the Mets are fourth-best in OPS against righties.

Drew Rasmussen (SP — TBR)

First Start: @ NYY
Second Start: vs. LAD
The tricky thing about Drew Rasmussen is that he’s under an innings restriction. He threw 75 pitches in his last start and got the hook in the fourth inning. In his prior three outings, Rasmussen operated as the team’s opener and didn’t make it to the fourth frame. Overall, Rasmussen is a ratio stabilizer with some strikeout and win upside. But if he can’t pitch to the fifth inning regularly, his fantasy value takes a hit. Combine that with two difficult matchups this week, and Rasmussen becomes a fringey option even in deeper leagues.

Frankie Montas (SP — NYM)

First Start: @ SDP
Second Start: vs. SFG
In his five starts this season, Frankie Montas posted a 4.62 ERA (3.88 SIERA) and 1.30 WHIP with a 15.9% K-BB rate. Pretty meh, and not numbers we necessarily want to rely on this week. Montas does bring some win opportunity to the table, so I’d only roll with him if you’re desperate for Ws.

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!

Justin Verlander (SP — SFG)

First Start: vs. PIT
Second Start: @ NYM
Justin Verlander is coming off his first shutout start (and win!) of the year. But it wasn’t pretty, as he racked up five walks to three strikeouts. Overall, Verlander has been an inconsistent starter in 2025, often failing to pitch deep into games. He also brings inflated ratios to the table with a 4.89 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 17 starts to go with a sub-20% strikeout rate. His start against the Pirates is a favorable one, but the risk likely isn’t worth the reward — especially with a date against the Mets at the end of the week.

Simeon Woods Richardson (SP — MIN)

First Start: vs. BOS
Second Start: @ CLE
On the surface, Simeon Woods Richardson’s 3.29 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over his last eight starts look pretty nice. However, his estimators suggest that Woods Richardson’s ERA should be a couple of runs higher. Additionally, an 18.1% strikeout rate and 11.9% walk rate in that stretch further takes some of the shine off. With few Ks, little win upside, and ratio risk and regression lurking, Woods Richardson is best left on benches.

Zach Eflin (SP — BAL)

First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: @ CHC
Zach Eflin pitched well in his return from the IL, but is a dicey play this week. Both the Blue Jays and Cubs are top-five in OPS against righties. Given Eflin’s below league-average strikeout rate (16.4%) and low win opportunity, he’s a starter best left on the bench this week.

Davis Martin (SP — CWS)

First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: @ LAA
Davis Martin returned from the IL and pitched five frames of three-run ball with a 3:4 K:BB. Not awesome, and just a tad worse than the skills he’s displayed this season. For the year, Martin has been a mid-4.00 ERA arm with a 1.24 WHIP and a sub-16% strikeout rate. With little win opportunity, Martin is a shaky starter against a tougher-than-not two-step this week.

Richard Fitts (SP — BOS)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: vs. HOU
Richard Fitts has been a solid 4.00 ERA talent with a sub-1.30 WHIP across nine starts (37 IP) this season. However, he’s bounced between Triple-A and the big leagues for most of the year and hasn’t been able to pitch deep into games consistently. Fitts should remain off our radar in most formats until he can string together a couple of solid starts.

Dane Dunning (SP — ATL)

First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: @ CIN
Dane Dunning’s last start came in 2024 when he was a member of the Texas Rangers. In a mix of starts and relief appearances that season, he carried a 5.31 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 12.1% K-BB rate across 95 innings. His ratios as a reliever in 2025 are more or less in line with those marks, making Dunning a less-than-ideal option in Week 19. It’s possible Dunning becomes a decent fill-in for a depleted Braves rotation, but let’s see him string together a couple of strong starts before we rely on him.

Eduardo Rodriguez (SP — ARI)

First Start: @ DET
Second Start: @ ATH
Eduardo Rodriguez has generally been an arm to avoid since 2024. Over the last season and a half, Rodriguez has carried an ERA above 5.00 and a WHIP higher than 1.50. Blegh. On the plus side, he has been a nice strikeout source with a 9.66 K/9 on the year. However, it’s best to look elsewhere for Ks if you’re behind in the category, as the ratio risk is all but certain with two difficult matchups on deck.

Logan Evans (SP — SEA)

First Start: @ ATH
Second Start: vs. TEX
Logan Evans has been forgettable since his recall in early July. He struggled to miss bats (6.05 K/9) and had trouble finding the strike zone (4.19 BB/9). The result is a ballooned 4.96 FIP and 1.55 WHIP across his four starts (19.1 IP). There’s little worth chasing here.

Andre Pallante (SP — STL)

First Start: @ ATH
Second Start: vs. TEX
Andre Pallante coughed up at least five earned runs in each of his last three starts and carries a 5.89 K/9 on the year. He shouldn’t be anywhere near lineups this week.

Jack Kochanowicz (SP — LAA)

First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: vs. CWS
Jack Kochanowicz has been an arm to avoid for most of the season, and Week 19 is no different. Unless you like starters with elevated ratios, sub-par strikeout rates, and are fresh off an eight-earned run start.

Brad Lord (SP — WAS)

First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: vs. MIL
Brad Lord recently moved from the bullpen to the Nationals’ starting rotation. However, we can ignore him this week, with a pesky two-step on tap. Lord’s 9.7% swinging-strike rate as both a reliever and starter this season (69 IP) leaves much to be desired. Not to mention that he could log limited innings while still being stretched out and doesn’t offer win opportunity.

Bradley Blalock (SP — COL)

First Start: @ CLE
Second Start: vs. PIT
Bradley Blalock has a chef’s kiss two-step this week. Sadly, we can’t trust him with the opportunity. Blalock has a 6.4% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate across five starts this year to go with abysmal ratios. There’s little upside and a lot of risk, making Blalock an avoid for Week 19.