Not gonna lie, Week 21 might just be the toughest week of the season to find two-start pitchers who are available enough to be considered streamers. This week’s comprehensive list is very top and bottom heavy. But all 32 of them are here in one place. And the list is ranked. And I made plenty of player notes. Hope it gives you a hand deciding who to start or sit. There’s just four weeks before most leagues start the playoffs. Make them count. And, as always, remember to stream responsibly.
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Tarik Skubal SP Tigers
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Mariners – 7IP W 2ER 3H 2BB 9K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Mariners + Sunday, August 18th vs. Yankees
Chris Sale SP Braves
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Brewers – 4.2IP 2ER (3R) 9H 2BB 10K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Giants + Saturday, August 17th @ Angels
George Kirby SP Mariners
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Tigers – 5IP L 3ER 7H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th @ Tigers + Sunday, August 18th @ Pirates
Pablo Lopez SP Twins
Last start: Tuesday, August 6th @ Cubs – 5IP L 4ER 7H 1BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Royals + Saturday, August 17th @ Rangers
Blake Snell SP Giants
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Nationals – 6IP W 3ER 4H 1BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Braves + Sunday, August 18th @ A’s
Notes: We seem to be getting beast-mode Blake Snell now. That includes a no hitter, 34 strikeouts over his last 21 innings, and a 1.15 ERA/0.59 WHIP over six starts. Probably a good idea to start him until further notice.
Freddie Peralta SP Brewers
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Braves – 5IP W 4ER 8H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Dodgers + Saturday, August 17th vs. Guardians
Framber Valdez SP Astros
Last start: Tuesday, August 6th @ Rangers – 8.2IP W 2ER 1H 3BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Rays + Sunday, August 18th vs. White Sox
Sonny Gray SP Cardinals
Last start: Tuesday, August 6th vs. Rays – 7IP W 2ER 4H 1BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Reds + Sunday, August 18th vs. Dodgers
Michael King SP/RP Padres
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Pirates – 5IP 3ER (4R) 6H 2BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Pirates + Sunday, August 18th @ Rockies
Luis Gil SP Yankees
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Angels – 5IP W 0ER 2H 5BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ White Sox + Sunday, August 18th @ Tigers
Taj Bradley SP Rays
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Cardinals – 4.2IP L 5ER 9H 3BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Astros + Sunday, August 18th vs. DBacks
Notes: Too early to panic about Taj Bradley who has yielded nine runs in his last two starts. His fastball was only down marginally on Wednesday (95.4 MPH average fastball vs. 96.2 all season). So it would be presumptuous to assume the 23-year-old is wearing down. Start him with confidence next week.
Clayton Kershaw SP Dodgers
Last start: Tuesday, August 6th vs. Phillies – 4.2IP L 1ER 5H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Brewers + Saturday, August 17th @ Cardinals
Notes: Clayton Kershaw, now 36, is back atop the Dodgers rotation. His fastball velo isn’t much anymore, but it hasn’t been in a long time and he’s proven he can still be very effective. In just the last two seasons, for example, his line looks like this: 270 IP/2.46 ERA/1.03 WHIP/9.5 K/9. So, when healthy, it would make sense to treat the lefty like an ace. His pitch count was in the 80s in each of the last two starts. We should see more volume in the near future.
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Brady Singer SP Royals
Last start: Monday, August 5th vs. Red Sox – 5.2IP L 4ER 10H 1BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Twins + Sunday, August 18th @ Reds
Notes: Though most of the damage against Brady Singer on Monday was via singles, and though he’s been very good of late (2.52 ERA/2.87 FIP over his last nine starts), there should be some concern that his xERA (4.55) is well above what we’ve seen on the field (3.30 ERA). Moreover, seven of those nine starts were against teams ranked in the bottom half of team wOBA. So that Twins start seems a bit imposing (they’re ranked 6th). As a two-start pitcher, it still makes sense to go for it. But if you have better options at least consider them.
Brandon Pfaadt SP DBacks
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Guardians – 6.1IP W 2ER 4H 1BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Rockies + Sunday, August 18th @ Rays
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Ben Lively SP Guardians
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. DBacks – 5IP L 4ER 4H 4BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Cubs + Sunday, August 18th @ Brewers
Notes: With such poor hard-contact numbers (average exit velocity ranked 7th percentile and hard-hit rate ranked 22nd), it’s hard to believe how steady Ben Lively has been all season (3.59 ERA/1.17 WHIP). Wednesday’s rough start was just the third time the 32-year-old yielded more than three runs. His two opponents next week are a mixed bag. The Cubs rank 23rd in wOBA while the Brewers rank 7th. I’m starting the righty in points leagues for sure, but like all season, I’m on the fence in categories. It just depends what other options you have.
Andrew Abbott SP Reds
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Marlins – 5IP L 6ER 6H 3BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Cardinals + Sunday, August 18th vs. Royals
Notes: Though Andrew Abbott has been missing more bats of late (15 strikeouts and 28 swinging strikes over his last two starts), there’s still plenty of concern about a 1.56 HR/9 rate and a not-so-good 3.41 BB/9 rate. That’s led to a 4.08 xERA despite good hard-hit numbers (hard-hit rate ranked 83rd percentile). You can still do worse in a points league, especially as a two-start pitcher, but I’d be cautious otherwise.
Gavin Stone SP Dodgers
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Phillies – 4.2IP 3ER 6H 1BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th @ Brewers + Sunday, August 18th @ Cardinals
Notes: Gavin Stone’s low strikeout rate (just 18.2% or 18th percentile) made regression seem likely after a hot start to his season. So after a rough stretch over the last six starts (6.91 ERA/1.90 WHIP), you’re probably better off taking a wait-and-see approach. Perhaps even sending him to the waiver wire. If you need volume in a points league, the gamble could be worth it, but make sure the above names are already off the board.
Jake Irvin SP Nationals
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Giants – 5IP L 5ER 8H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th @ Orioles + Sunday, August 18th @ Phillies
Notes: If you’re not enjoying the amount of home runs Jake Irvin is allowing recently (10 over his last six starts), I feel you. It’s led to an ERA of 6.82 over 33 innings. You’re not going to like the 27-year-old’s opponents next week either. They rank 3rd in wOBA and 7th, respectively. Might be a good idea to keep the righty on the bench for now, most especially in a categories league. Don’t drop him yet if you can afford the roster spot.
Tyler Mahle SP Rangers
Last start: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Astros – 5IP L 1ER 5H 1BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Red Sox + Saturday, August 17th vs. Twins
Notes: Just worth noting that Tyler Mahle is back from his Tommy John surgery rehab. Since 2021 his line looks like this: 3.91 ERA/1.21 WHIP/9.94 K/9. The righty is widely available and could be a useful streamer for the stretch run. Given the tough opponents (Red Sox rank 2nd in wOBA, Twins rank 6th), and the limited pitch count (76 in his first start back) this might not be the week for it, but you could do worse in a points league.
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Kutter Crawford SP/RP Red Sox
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Royals – 3.2IP L 6ER 5H 4BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Rangers + Sunday, August 18th @ Orioles
Notes: Probably a good idea to take a break from Kutter Crawford for the time being. He’s yielded a whopping 13 home runs in his last four starts.
Charlie Morton SP Braves
Last start: Thursday, August 8th vs. Brewers – 2.2IP 8ER 9H 1BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th @ Giants + Sunday, August 18th @ Angels
Notes: Charlie Morton is also in the obscene-home-run-allowing club. He’s up to seven in his last three starts, but really it was four on Wednesday and three two starts ago. The overall HR/9 rate is up to 1.44. That’s just too much inconsistency. Even for a points league as a two-start pitcher. I’m taking a break.
Brayan Bello SP Red Sox
Last start: Tuesday, August 6th @ Royals – 4.2IP 3ER 5H 3BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Rangers + Saturday, August 17th @ Orioles
Frankie Montas SP/RP Brewers
Last start: Thursday, August 8th @ Braves – 4IP 3ER 2H 4BB 7K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Dodgers + Sunday, August 18th vs. Guardians
Paul Blackburn SP Mets
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Rockies – 6IP 1ER (2R) 5H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th vs. A’s + Sunday, August 18th vs. Marlins
Kyle Hendricks SP/RP Cubs
Last start: Monday, August 5th vs. Twins – 6IP L 2ER 5H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Guardians + Sunday, August 18th vs. Blue Jays
Jose Urena SP/RP Rangers
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Astros – 4IP L 2ER 6H 3BB 0K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th @ Red Sox + Sunday, August 18th vs. Twins
Trevor Rogers SP Orioles
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Blue Jays – 5IP 2ER (3R) 7H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Nationals + Sunday, August 18th vs. Red Sox
Notes: Though he’ll have a better supporting cast with the Orioles, Trevor Rogers hasn’t pitched very well this season (4.71 ERA/1.56 WHIP). His expected stats are even worse (5.20 xERA). Still a pass.
Davis Daniel SP/RP Angels
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Yankees – 3.1IP L 5ER 7H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Blue Jays + Sunday, August 18th vs. Braves
Bowden Francis SP/RP Blue Jays
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Orioles – 5IP 2ER 3H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Angels + Sunday, August 18th @ Cubs
Tyler Phillips SP/RP Phillies
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th @ Dodgers – 5IP W 4ER 6H 1BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, August 13th vs. Marlins + Sunday, August 18th vs. Nationals
Notes: There’s plenty of reasons to pass on Tyler Phillips (4.32 career minor league ERA, low strikeout rate, et al.), but in addition to those, the 26-year-old isn’t super likely to get two starts next week. It’s looking like Taijuan Walker will return and push other starters back a day, creating a temporary six-man rotation.
Marco Gonzales SP Pirates
Last start: Wednesday, August 7th vs. Padres – 4.2IP 5ER 8H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th @ Padres + Sunday, August 18th vs. Mariners
Ky Bush SP White Sox
Last start: Monday, August 5th @ A’s – 4IP L 3ER 2H 5BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, August 12th vs. Yankees + Sunday, August 18th @ Astros
Notes: Not interested in Ky Bush based on mediocre minor league numbers (4.24 ERA/1.30 WHIP), the uncertainty of him remaining in the rotation, and quite honestly any association with the White Sox right now.