Two-Start Pitchers for Week 22 (August 18 – 24)

It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through August already. That means there are only a handful of weeks remaining where we can take advantage of two-start pitchers. Keeping track of two-steppers can be an advantageous strategy that boosts our strikeouts and wins, assuming we choose our two-start pitchers wisely. Looking ahead in the week also gives us a leg up on the waiver wire.

This weekly write-up helps determine the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some two-starters are no-brainers, while others require more deliberation. To help you decide, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers, along with brief notes on each player.

It’s important to note that starting rotations often aren’t finalized until late in the weekend. This write-up gets submitted on Saturday, so 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 22.

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.

Paul Skenes (SP — PIT)

First Start: vs. TOR
Second Start: vs. COL
Paul Skenes is coming off a tough outing against the Brewers, and gets another challenging matchup against the Blue Jays this week. But that shouldn’t deter us from sticking Skenes in our lineups. Plus, he caps the week with a dreamy start against the Rockies at home.

Logan Gilbert (SP — SEA)

First Start: @ PHI
Second Start: vs. ATH
Logan Gilbert is crushing it this season. His 15.8% swinging-strike rate is a career-best mark, and his 28% K-BB rate is second only to Tarik Skubal. The Phillies and Athletics have been tough on righties this season, but no matter. We’re starting Gilbert in all formats.

Joe Ryan (SP — MIN)

First Start: vs. ATH
Second Start: @ CWS
Joe Ryan is cruising this season with a 23.2% K-BB rate and smooth ratios. Start as usual this week with a tasty two-step on tap.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP — LAD)

First Start: @ COL
Second Start: @ SDP
Yoshinobu Yamamoto draws a rare two-step, as the Dodgers have seven games this week. Take advantage of the fantasy goodness here.

Hunter Brown (SP — HOU)

First Start: @ DET
Second Start: @ BAL
You don’t need me to tell you to start Hunter Brown. But keep an eye on his strikeout rate — it’s dropped eight points since the All-Star break to 23.1%. Brown is still a go this week, but falling Ks aren’t what we want to see.

Trevor Rogers (SP — BAL)

First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: vs. HOU
Trevor Rogers has been one of the more surprising arms of the season. He’s limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in all but one of his 11 starts. He’s also flexing a 1.43 ERA and 0.81 WHIP across those 69.1 frames. Part of Rogers’ success is that he slashed his walk rate from 10% in 2024 to a career-best 5.7% this year. Up next, Rogers gets a tough two-step, as both opponents are top-10 in OPS against southpaws since July. However, Rogers has been too good to sit. Plus, he pitches deep into games and should offer double-digit Ks for the week. Rogers is a nice play in 12-team leagues, despite the stiff opponents.

Nick Pivetta (SP — SDP)

First Start: vs. SFG
Second Start: vs. LAD
Nick Pivetta has been terrific since the end of June, holding opponents to one earned run or less in seven of his last nine starts. He’s also rocking a 0.75 WHIP in that 57.1-inning stretch to go with 53 Ks and a 19% K-BB rate. With those numbers, we’re rolling out Pivetta no matter the opponent.

Brandon Woodruff (SP — MIL)

First Start: @ CHC
Second Start: vs. SFG
Brandon Woodruff hasn’t skipped a beat since missing all of 2024 with a shoulder injury. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his seven starts while maintaining an elite strikeout rate and ratios. Woodruff is a must-start who pairs well with a Brewers team that is on fire. Sit back and enjoy.

Carlos Rodon (SP — NYY)

First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: vs. PHI
The nit to pick with Carlos Rodon is that the free passes have been out of control recently. Since the All-Star break, Rodon has a 14.5% walk rate, which has fed a 1.33 WHIP and 4.88 FIP over his last five starts (27 IP). Rodon is still striking out just over a batter per inning, but the ratios have taken a hit. If you’re behind in Ks or are hunting for Ws, Rodon is a decent play. But until he curbs the walks, sideways starts will lurk.

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 22.

Jacob Lopez (SP — ATH)

First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ SEA
Jacob Lopez is fresh off his fourth consecutive shutout start and looks unstoppable right now. He’s striking out batters at a 31.5% clip in that 24-frame stretch to go with a sub-1.00 WHIP. Lopez is looking for his fourth straight win and is a good bet to pick it up against the Twins. He’s an easy go this week.

Freddy Peralta (SP — MIL)

First Start: @ CHC
Second Start: vs. SFG
Freddy Peralta has looked sharp in his last two starts, albeit against soft offenses. However, he gets a tougher task this week. The Cubs chased Peralta early in his previous outing against them after he surrendered five earned runs and issued four walks. Free passes have been an issue for Peralta of late. He has an ugly 4.68 BB/9 over his last five starts (25 IP), contributing to a 1.40 WHIP in that stretch. However, Peralta still offers plenty of strikeouts and win upside, which means he’s nearly always worth rolling out in two-start weeks. Just be mindful of the possible WHIP risk.

Robbie Ray (SP — SFG)

First Start: @ SDP
Second Start: @ MIL
Robbie Ray has limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts. He also posted a steady 3.23 ERA (4.33 SIERA) and 1.10 WHIP in that 55.2-inning stretch with a 48:8 K:BB. The Ks are lacking a bit, but it’s tough to complain about Ray’s overall results. The matchups aren’t ideal, but Ray shouldn’t rock your ratios and offers double-digit strikeouts for the week.

Cade Horton (SP — CHC)

First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: @ LAA
Cade Horton has been rolling since the beginning of July, and now he comes with more strikeouts! He racked up 14 punchies over his last two games, including a season-high eight strikeouts in his latest start. In addition to the uptick in Ks, Horton tossed five scoreless starts in his last seven outings while flexing a 1.13 ERA (4.07 SIERA) and 0.88 WHIP. A .214 BABIP and high strand rate have certainly helped the cause. But Horton is still a solid play in all formats, despite a formidable matchup against the Brew Crew.

Eury Perez (SP — MIA)

First Start: vs. STL
Second Start: vs. TOR
Eury Perez is coming off two dud starts, surrendering a combined nine earned runs and five dingers against the Braves and Guardians. But Perez has looked sharp otherwise, limiting opponents to two earned runs or less in his previous six appearances. Perez’s two-start is a mixed one. The Blue Jays are one of the stiffest teams against righties, while the Cardinals are 29th in OPS against them since July 1. There’s more risk this week, given Perez’s recent play. However, both home starts should help curb the long balls, and Perez offers strikeout upside. He’s a solid option in 12+ team leagues.

Merrill Kelly (SP — TEX)

First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: vs. CLE
Merrill Kelly isn’t flashy, but he gets the job done. He fans just under a batter per inning, doesn’t issue a ton of free passes, and sports a 3.36 ERA and 1.09 WHIP for the year. The matchups this week aren’t too concerning, making Kelly a nice play in both 12- and 15-teamers.

Gavin Williams (SP — CLE)

First Start: @ ARI
Second Start: @ TEX
Gavin Williams isn’t a pitcher we get excited about starting. But he’s been sneaky-strong over his last seven starts. He bumped up his strikeouts in that stretch, racking up 45 Ks over 41.2 frames, while showcasing a 2.38 ERA (3.90 SIERA) and 1.01 WHIP. Williams’ two-step doesn’t frighten us, and the good times should keep rolling in Week 22. He’s a solid play in both 12- and 15-teamers.

Jack Flaherty (SP — DET)

First Start: vs. HOU
Second Start: vs. KCR
Jack Flaherty has been up and down this year and is coming off back-to-back five-run games against the Twins and White Sox. Yuck. Despite the volatility, his strikeouts have remained high throughout the season (28.8%), which help balance out slightly elevated walk and WHIP marks. Flaherty is still a decent start, but he brings more risk nowadays.

David Peterson (SP — NYM)

First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: @ ATL
The Braves got to David Peterson early in his last start after he surrendered a season-high six earned runs and five walks across 3.1 frames. Unfortunately, he faces Atlanta again this week, with an easier matchup against the Nationals sandwiched in between. Overall, Peterson has been a reliable arm this year. He maintains a 3.30 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across his 23 starts, and induces ground balls at a near 56% clip. His strikeouts are on the lighter side (20.5%), but Peterson pitches deep into games, which helps stretch them out. Peterson could also snag a win (or two!) if the Mets can get their act together.

Michael Wacha (SP — KCR)

First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: @ DET
You can count on a sub-3.50 ERA and sub-1.20 WHIP from Michael Wacha nearly every time he takes the mound. His strikeouts have been on the decline for the past three seasons, but Wacha is one of the steadiest arms in the league. Expect more of the same in Week 22, as Wacha looks to pick up his fourth consecutive win.

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.

Spencer Strider (SP — ATL)

First Start: vs. CWS
Second Start: vs. NYM
The long ball is killing Spencer Strider. He just got lit up by the Mets after surrendering eight earned runs and three dingers across four innings. He also coughed up five earned runs and two homers in his previous game against the Brewers. Strider has been especially terrible since the All-Star break, posting a 6.57 ERA and 1.82 WHIP over five starts (24.2 IP). Most concerning is the drop-off in Ks, as Strider registered a league-average 22.2% strikeout rate during this stretch. On paper, Strider’s two-step doesn’t look intimidating. But given his shaky performances of late, Strider is a fairly risky option this week.

Zac Gallen (SP — ARI)

First Start: vs. CLE
Second Start: vs. CIN
Zac Gallen is pitching better than his surface stats, but we shouldn’t get too excited. Gallen remains a middling 4.00 ERA talent with a 1.35 WHIP. Additionally, he’s missing fewer bats and giving up more quality contact this season. The two-step isn’t terrible, but the Guardians have been coming on strong recently. Gallen is a decent option in 15-teamers, but is best suited for points and quality starts leagues.

Jack Leiter (SP — TEX)

First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: vs. CLE
Jack Leiter’s 2.55 ERA over his past five starts looks pretty good. But that comes with a 5.49 xFIP and 5.00 SIERA, which is pretty bad. Add in a 5.84 BB/9 over that span, and you have a pitcher who could torpedo your ratios once regression kicks in. Both the Royals and Guardians have been pesky of late, making Leiter a shaky option in Week 22.

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!

Dustin May (SP — BOS)

First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: @ NYY
In his two starts with the Red Sox, Dustin May has a solid 2.79 ERA and 1.34 WHIP to go with a 12:2 K:BB across 9.2 innings. While that’s encouraging, it’s hard to ignore May’s numbers with the Dodgers earlier this year (4.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 21.5% K% in 104 IP). It’s possible the Red Sox unlocked something in May. But with a couple of challenging matchups on the slate, I’m inclined to take a wait-and-see approach.

Spencer Arrighetti (SP — HOU)

First Start: @ DET
Second Start: @ BAL
Spencer Arrighetti hasn’t quite put it all together yet since returning from the IL. He’s looked rusty, allowing either excessive runs or walks in both of his starts. I’d like to see him toss a strong outing before rolling him out for a two-step, especially with the Tigers on the docket. But it comes down to your level of risk tolerance.

Nestor Cortes (SP — SDP)

First Start: vs. SFG
Second Start: vs. LAD
Nestor Cortes has been okay-ish since returning from the IL with an elbow injury. He posted a 4.50 FIP and 1.39 WHIP across his two starts with a combined 9:4 K:BB across 9.1 innings. With a possible innings limitation and a difficult matchup against the Dodgers on tap, there’s too much room for risk here. I’d leave Cortes on the bench.

Seth Lugo (SP — KCR)

First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: @ DET
Seth Lugo is coming off consecutive 6+ earned run starts and hasn’t looked sharp since the All-Star break. He registered a 7.42 ERA (5.37 SIERA) and 1.78 WHIP over his last six appearances with a 15.4% strikeout rate. There’s not a lot of fantasy juice to squeeze here.

Yoendrys Gomez (SP — CWS)

First Start: @ ATL
Second Start: vs. MIN
Yoendrys Gomez was terrific in his first start at the big-league level. He tossed five frames of one-run ball against the Tigers to go with seven punchouts. However, Gomez has a history of high walk rates, and his 6.62 ERA and 1.87 WHIP as a reliever this season (17.2 IP) is no bueno.

Michael Liberatore (SP — STL)

First Start: @ MIA
Second Start: @ TBR
Since July 5, Michael Liberatore has a 5.47 ERA (5.93 SIERA), 1.78 WHIP and 0.8% K-BB rate across six starts. No, thank you.

Jake Irvin (SP — WAS)

First Start: vs. NYM
Second Start: @ PHI
Jake Irvin has been awful coming out of the All-Star break, with an ERA pushing 8.00. He also walked nearly as many batters as he struck out, posting an ugly 11:9 K:BB across those 24 innings. Hard pass.

Austin Gomber (SP — COL)

First Start: vs. LAD
Second Start: @ PIT
Don’t roll with Rockies pitchers for two-start weeks unless you’re a glutton for punishment.

Bradley Blalock (SP — COL)

First Start: vs. LAD
Second Start: @ PIT
See above.