Two-Start Pitchers for Week 20 (August 4 – 10)

A busy trade deadline is in the rearview mirror, and some starting rotations look a little different than they did a week ago. But even though some starters have switched uniforms, the purpose of this article remains the same: to identify and assess the week’s two-start pitchers. Looking ahead at the week’s two-steppers is a valuable strategy that can give us an edge on the waiver wire. Additionally, two-start pitchers can provide added oomph in categories like strikeouts and wins if we choose our two-steppers wisely.

This weekly write-up helps you identify the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-starters are easy calls, while others require more deliberation. To help you decide, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers and provide brief notes on each option.

It’s worth noting that starting roations often aren’t finalized until late in the weekend — and there’s a lot of moving parts this week coming off the trade deadline. As this write-up gets submitted on Saturday, 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 20.

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.

Nate Eovaldi (SP — TEX)

First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: vs. PHI
Nate Eovaldi slammed the door on July with an incredible 0.59 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across the month’s five starts (30.2 IP). He also piled up five wins in that stretch. Eovaldi has one of the more challenging two-steps of the week, but he’s still a weekly lineup staple.

Max Fried (SP — NYY)

First Start: @ TEX
Second Start: vs. HOU
Max Fried went through a bumpy patch recently, but it looks like he turned a corner in his latest outing. He fired off 6.2 innings of two-run ball while racking up nine punchouts. It was the fewest earned runs Fried allowed since June 25. Hopefully, it’s smoother sailing for Fried moving forward. While he has a tricky start against the Astros, Fried is still a trusted starter this week.

Nick Lodolo (SP — CIN)

First Start: @ CHC
Second Start: @ PIT
Nick Lodolo has been fantastic in July. He’s thrown two shutout starts, including a complete game shutout while boosting the Ks and shaving the walks. Lodolo is showcasing a 1.89 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across his five starts for the month (33.1 IP) to go with a 30.9% strikeout rate and 3.3% walk rate. He’ll have a challenging task against the Cubs in Week 20, but that shouldn’t stop us from starting Lodolo with confidence.

Bryan Woo (SP — SEA)

First Start: vs. CWS
Second Start: vs. TBR
Bryan Woo got lit up by the Athletics in his last start after he coughed up a season-high four long balls. He was lucky that they were all solo shots, but it was the second time in three starts that Woo has allowed 4+ earned runs and multiple dingers. Up next are two home starts, which should help tame the homers. While the White Sox have been pesky of late, the Rays scored the fifth-fewest runs in July. Fire up Woo as usual and cross your fingers that the ball stays in the yard.

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 20.

Quinn Priester (SP — MIL)

First Start: @ ATL
Second Start: vs. NYM
Quinn Priester continues to be a sneaky-good arm for the Brewers. He’s allowed two earned runs or less in six of his last eight starts, while sporting a 2.61 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Priester was also good for just over a K per inning in that stretch and generated ground balls at a 56.2% clip. He’s looking for his fifth consecutive win and is a strong bet to pick it up against the woeful Braves on deck. Continue to fire up Priester while he’s rolling.

Luis Severino (SP — ATH)

First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: @ BAL
Luis Severino stumbled a bit in mid-June, but has since looked sharp. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last four starts while piling up 25 strikeouts over 21.2 innings. Severino also holds a sparkling 2.49 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in that stretch to go with a 21.3% K-BB rate. The good times should continue this week with a soft two-step on the docket. Severino is a nice play in 12+ team leagues.

Sean Manaea (SP — NYM)

First Start: vs. CLE
Second Start: @ MIL
Sean Manaea has looked sharp since his return from the IL. He’s given up one earned run in each of his three starts and one relief appearance. He’s also sporting a hefty 32.4% strikeout rate and 5.9% walk rate in that 17.1-inning stretch. The K-rate will likely come down, but Manaea should be good for a strikeout per inning and steady ratios moving forward. His innings are still being managed while he gets stretched out, but Manaea offers enough strikeout and win upside to start this week, despite a difficult matchup against the Brewers.

Eric Lauer (SP — TOR)

First Start: @ COL
Second Start: @ LAD
Eric Lauer and his resurgent season continue to chug along. Since becoming a regular starter for the Blue Jays, Lauer is flexing a 3.00 ERA with matching estimators and a 0.98 WHIP across nine starts (48 IP). He’s also mowing down a batter per inning with a healthy 22.5% K-BB rate. Not too shabby. Lauer’s matchup against the Dodgers isn’t ideal, but he’s still worth slotting into lineups as a start against the Rockies helps balance things out. Lauer is a solid option in 12-teamers this week.

Justin Verlander (SP — SFG)

First Start: @ PIT
Second Start: vs. WAS
Justin Verlander hasn’t been great all season. But he just tossed five frames of one-hit ball against the Pirates with seven punchies. Yeah, it’s the Pirates. But a rematch is on tap this week, followed by a date with the Nationals. Roll Verlander out for his dreamy two-step.

Michael Soroka (SP — CHC)

First Start: vs. CIN
Second Start: @ STL
Michael Soroka has been a perfectly fine — if somewhat unlucky — starter this season. He holds a 4.87 ERA (3.61 SIERA) and 1.13 WHIP across 16 starts. Soroka also strikes out batters at a plus rate with 87 Ks across 81.1 frames this year. While we should expect more of the same skill-wise, Soroka should benefit from an upgraded defense and an increase in run support as one of the newest members of the Cubs. Soroka is a solid start in 12+ teamers this week.

Mike Burrows (SP — PIT)

First Start: vs. SFG
Second Start: vs. CIN
It’s been smooth sailing for Mike Burrows of late. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, posting a steady 3.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in that stretch. Burrows also looked sharp in the strikeout department, fanning 30 batters in those 27.2 innings. He’s fresh off a one-earned run start against the Giants, where he racked up seven punchouts across six frames. I like his odds in a rematch this week. While Burrows lacks run support, he brings the Ks and doesn’t disrupt our ratios. Feel free to start in both 12- and 15-teamers.

Brayan Bello (SP — BOS)

First Start: vs. KCR
Second Start: @ SDP
Brayan Bello is lacking in the strikeout department, but he keeps our ratios smooth and carries some win upside. Since the start of June, Bello has a 2.83 ERA (4.11 SIERA) and 1.09 WHIP across 10 starts (70 IP). Plus, he’s snagged four wins in his last six outings. Up next, Bello faces a Royals team that’s been pesky but beatable, and the Padres have been bottom-five in OPS versus righties since June. Bello is a decent play in 12-teamers in Week 20.

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.

Brandon Pfaadt (SP — ARI)

First Start: vs. SDP
Second Start: vs. COL
Brandon Pfaadt coughed up three homers in his last outing and got rocked by the Tigers to the tune of seven earned runs across 4.2 innings. While the start isn’t indicative of Pfaadt’s skills, he’s been somewhat middling overall in 2025. However, he’s worth starting this week with a favorable two-step on tap. The Padres have struggled against righties all season, and the Rockies on the road is something we always want to target. Pfaadt is worth rolling out in 15-teamers this week.

Sonny Gray (SP — STL)

First Start: @ LAD
Second Start: vs. CHC
Home runs (5) and excessive hits (30) have blown up Sonny Gray’s ratios over his last three starts. The five dingers are surprising, given that Gray gave up only one long ball across his previous 10 starts. No doubt, Gray’s 11.48 ERA and 2.33 WHIP in his last three outings are ugly. However, the skills are there. Gray still fanned more than a batter per inning in this stretch while issuing only one walk across those 13.1 frames. Unfortunately, Gray’s daunting two-step feels like a shaky time to confidently recommend slotting him in lineups. Starting Gray should come down to your level of risk tolerance this week.

Sandy Alcantara (SP — MIA)

First Start: vs. HOU
Second Start: @ ATL
Sandy Alcantara is coming off back-to-back shutout games. While it’s a nice change from Alcantara’s 4+ earned run games of late, I’m not fully buying that this is the start of a turnaround. Alcantara stranded nearly 92% of baserunners over his two scoreless starts, and a 4.38 xFIP and 4.37 SIERA suggest Alcantara was lucky. While he chews through innings, the Ks aren’t there, and there’s some ratio risk with the Astros on the docket. If you’re going to take a shot on Alcantara this week, I like him better in deeper formats.

Slade Cecconi (SP — CLE)

First Start: @ NYM
Second Start: @ CWS
Slade Cecconi has allowed more than three earned runs only twice across 13 starts this season. Overall, he’s been a stable arm who doesn’t wreck our ratios despite an 11.4% barrel and 46.9% hard-hit rate. The nit to pick is that Cecconi’s strikeouts have disappeared lately, as he has a combined seven Ks across his last three starts. Despite solid skills, the deflated strikeouts make Cecconi best suited for quality start or points leagues.

Jesus Luzardo (SP — PHI)

First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: @ TEX
Jesus Luzardo’s July has been a mixed bag. Strikeouts aren’t a problem for the hurler. But he’s been fairly inconsistent from start to start, posting the following earned runs in his last five starts: 5, 0, 4, 6, 0. This all-or-nothing approach is a headache for fantasy managers. In deeper formats, you’re likely starting Luzardo if you’re chasing Ks or are desperate for wins. But he’s likely too volatile an option in 12-team leagues.

Cal Quantrill (SP — MIA)

First Start: vs. HOU
Second Start: @ ATL
Cal Quantrill had a rocky start to the season but has quietly been a solid starter since the beginning of May. Over that 15-game span, he holds a 3.55 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 71 frames. Unfortunately, Quantrill’s 7.6% swinging-strike rate in that stretch leaves a lot to be desired, in addition to a lack of run support. Despite the solid ratios, there’s little fantasy juice to squeeze from Quantrill in a two-step.

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!

Yusei Kikuchi (SP — LAA)

First Start: vs. TBR
Second Start: @ DET
Yusei Kikuchi hasn’t tossed a strong game for five consecutive starts. Over that 25.2-frame span, he posted a 5.26 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. A 4.21 xFIP and 4.04 SIERA indicate Kikuchi pitched better than his surface stats. But he’s still been a WHIP killer and failed to pitch into the sixth inning in any of those starts. Even if you’re strikeout-needy, Kikuchi doesn’t make a ton of sense, as the risk isn’t likely worth the reward.

Casey Mize (SP — DET)

First Start: vs. MIN
Second Start: vs. LAA
Casey Mize has been struggling of late. He’s surrendered a combined 11 earned runs over his last three starts (8.2 IP), posting an inflated 11.42 ERA (4.38 SIERA) and 2.77 WHIP. While the Twins and Angels aren’t the stoutest opponents, there’s a real risk that Mize torpedoes your ratios this week. It’s likely best to keep him out of lineups until Mize can string together a couple of strong starts.

MacKenzie Gore (SP — WAS)

First Start: vs. ATH
Second Start: @ SFG
MacKenzie Gore’s last three games have been a nightmare. He coughed up 6+ earned runs in two of those starts, and walked six batters in the other. Walks have particularly plagued Gore since the end of June. In his last seven starts, he issued a whopping 22 free passes, feeding a 1.65 WHIP and 6.06 ERA (5.37 SIERA) in that 35.2-frame stretch. Gore is a mess right now. It’s best to keep him on the bench until he can turn things around.

Joey Wentz (SP — ATL)

First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: vs. MIA
Joey Wentz has been solid in his short stint as an Atlanta starter. He holds a 1.80 ERA (3.60 SIERA) and 0.80 WHIP across three starts (15 IP) with an 18.5% K-BB rate. It’s possible Wentz has found new life with the Braves, but his career marks aren’t nearly as rosy as his recent numbers. Wentz has struggled with walks for most of his time in the big leagues (4.16 BB/9), and his career ERA sits north of 5.00. Regression will likely hit at some point, and it could come as early as his next start against the hot-hitting Brewers. Keep Wentz on the sidelines this week.

Davis Martin (SP — CWS)

First Start: @ SEA
Second Start: vs. CLE
Davis Martin has been a serviceable streamer in deeper leagues this season. But he’s recently struggled with control since returning from a forearm strain at the end of July. He registered an ugly 15.6% walk rate over his last two starts, contributing to a 1.50 WHIP and 4.22 ERA in that 10.2-inning span. There’s little to chase, and ratio risk is lurking.

Bailey Falter (SP — KCR)

First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: @ MIN
Bailey Falter is coming off two consecutive one-earned run starts. But let’s not get too excited. Falter is a career 4.40 ERA arm that offers minimal strikeouts (5.56 K/9). He’s a pass for most two-start weeks.

Brandon Young (SP — BAL)

First Start: @ PHI
Second Start: vs. ATH
Brandon Young has been the Orioles’ go-to spot starter of late. But he’s an arm that can remain off our fantasy radar. Young doesn’t pitch deep into games and holds a 6.75 ERA (4.12 SIERA) and 1.54 WHIP across his last six starts (28 IP).</p>

Tanner Gordon (SP — COL)

First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: @ ARI
Tanner Gordon isn’t a strikeout pitcher, offers little win opportunity, and has been inconsistent over his five starts with the Rockies. That’s not what we want from a two-stepper.

Erick Fedde (SP — ATL)

First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: vs. MIA
New team, same Erick Fedde. In his first start with the Braves, Fedde continued to allow a handful of runs while putting up ballooned ratios. He’s given up 4+ earned runs in four of his last six starts, with more walks than strikeouts in that stretch. Steer clear.