If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve made the fantasy baseball playoffs. So first, congratulations! Hopefully, Fantrax has helped you along the way. But whether you’re a regular reader, or just looking for some last-minute advice, this article certainly has you covered. Below, I have listed and ranked all 37 two-start pitchers for Week 26. I made comments too! Especially in cases where roster percentages might allow for good streaming options. So feel free to scroll, remember to stream responsibly, and most importantly, good luck!
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Zack Wheeler SP Phillies
Season: 179.2IP 15W 23QS 199K 2.60 ERA 0.97 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Brewers + Sunday, September 22nd @ Mets
Pablo Lopez SP Twins
Season: 169.1IP 15W 17QS 183K 3.88 ERA 1.13 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Guardians + Saturday, September 21st @ Red Sox
Paul Skenes SP Pirates
Season: 120IP 10W 14QS 151K 2.10 ERA 0.99 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Cardinals + Sunday, September 22nd @ Reds
Shota Imanaga SP Cubs
Season: 160.1IP 13W 17QS 159K 3.03 ERA 1.02 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. A’s + Saturday, September 21st vs. Nationals
Bryan Woo SP Mariners
Season: 105.2IP 8W 10QS 82K 2.38 ERA 0.82 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Yankees + Sunday, September 22nd @ Rangers
Max Fried SP Braves
Season: 153.2IP 9W 13QS 144K 3.46 ERA 1.22 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. Dodgers + Saturday, September 21st @ Marlins
Blake Snell SP Giants
Season: 92IP 3W 8QS 124K 3.52 ERA 1.12 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Orioles + Sunday, September 22nd @ Royals
Zac Gallen SP DBacks
Season: 132IP 12W 11QS 133K 3.55 ERA 1.27 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Rockies + Saturday, September 21st @ Brewers
Seth Lugo SP Royals
Season: 193IP 16W 21QS 169K 2.94 ERA 1.09 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. Tigers + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Giants
Nathan Eovaldi SP Rangers
Season: 152IP 11W 14QS 150K 3.67 ERA 1.08 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Blue Jays + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Mariners
Yoshinobu Yamamoto SP Dodgers
Season: 78IP 6W 7QS 92K 2.88 ERA 1.06 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Braves + Saturday, September 21st vs. Rockies
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Sean Manaea SP/RP Mets
Season: 164IP 11W 13QS 171K 3.35 ERA 1.10 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Nationals + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Phillies
Notes: Fine, Sean Manaea’s xERA is a bit higher than what we’ve seen on the field (3.35 ERA). But given the extended hot streak (2.79 ERA/1.05 WHIP/9.7 K/9 over last 17 starts), it seems very reasonable to roll him out there in the playoffs.
Spencer Arrighetti SP Astros
Season: 131.2IP 7W 9QS 158K 4.72 ERA 1.42 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Padres + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Angels
Notes: If Spencer Arrighetti is on your waiver wire, chances are he’s the highest-upside play available to you (four double-digit strikeout starts). Especially in a two-start week. He did bounce back on Tuesday against the A’s (two earned runs in 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts), but induced just 12 swinging strikes (on 97 pitches). Given the inconsistency (nine out of his 26 starts have resulted in four runs allowed or more), this seems like a more ideal stream in points and daily-roster leagues. If you feel like you need to swing for the fences with the season on the line, though, the 24-year-old is your man.
Nick Pivetta SP/RP Red Sox
Season: 129.1IP 5W 10QS 156K 4.24 ERA 1.14 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Rays + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Twins
Yu Darvish SP Padres
Season: 64IP 5W 3QS 62K 3.52 ERA 1.14 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. Astros + Sunday, September 22nd vs. White Sox
Notes: I’d probably rank Yu Darvish higher if not for the pitch count concern (just 63 pitches in both starts since returning from IL). Pretty excited about that White Sox start, though. Hopefully he’ll be built up more by then.
Ranger Suarez SP Phillies
Season: 138.2IP 12W 11QS 134K 3.05 ERA 1.13 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Brewers + Saturday, September 21st @ Mets
Notes: If you want to sit Ranger Suarez against two decent opponents (Brewers ranked 9th in wOBA, Mets 10th), I get it. You’re understandably nervous about the rough eight-start stretch (6.02 ERA/1.66 WHIP dating back to June). Do keep in mind, though, that his underlying numbers during that time suggest he hasn’t been that bad (4.17 FIP/4.06 xFIP). And make sure you truly have better options.
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Chris Bassitt SP Blue Jays
Season: 163IP 10W 12QS 164K 4.20 ERA 1.41 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Rangers + Sunday, September 22nd @ Rays
Reid Detmers SP Angels
Season: 75IP 4W 4QS 88K 5.64 ERA 1.40 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. White Sox + Sunday, September 22nd @ Astros
Notes: Reid Detmers was sent to the minors after a rough start to his season (6.14 ERA/1.48 WHIP after 12 starts). Fast forward to today: he’s been very effective after two starts back with the big club (four earned runs in 12 innings with 18 strikeouts). What’s more, the hot streak goes back even further. He yielded just three runs in his last three minor league starts (covering 21 innings with 29 strikeouts). Bottom line: it looks like the 25-year-old has re-gained the feel for his slider (nine whiffs on it Monday). That should stream well against his next opponent (White Sox are last in wOBA). And it could make all the difference in any format.
Shane Baz SP Rays
Season: 60.1IP 2W 5QS 50K 3.28 ERA 1.19 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Red Sox + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Blue Jays
Notes: We’re still waiting for the whiffs and strikeouts from Shane Baz (20.2% K rate). He’s getting decent results in the meantime, but the poor contact numbers (7th percentile average exit velocity) are a red flag. Still understandable to trust the talent, but if you have more solid options, this is the right time to use them.
Albert Suarez SP/RP Orioles
Season: 119.1IP 8W 6QS 95K 3.39 ERA 1.29 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Giants + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Tigers
Notes: Nice bounce-back performance for Albert Suarez on Tuesday. Not only did he yield just one run in six innings, he set a season-high in strikeouts (8) while inducing 21 swinging strikes (on 101 pitches). This after allowing six runs to the White Sox. If it instills you with enough confidence to start the 34-year-old as a two-start pitcher against favorable opponents (Giants 20th in wOBA, Tigers 25th), you can sure do worse, especially in your RP spot in a points league.
Matthew Boyd SP Guardians
Season: 33IP 6GS 2W 3QS 35K 2.18 ERA 0.91 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. Twins + Sunday, September 22nd @ Cardinals
Notes: At 34 years old and after a less-than-mediocre 10-season career (4.84 ERA/1.31 WHIP), skepticism is warranted about Matthew Boyd’s successful return from Tommy John surgery. It was nice to see nine strikeouts on Wednesday and 17 swinging strikes (on 95 pitches), but do I want to gamble on a two-start week that includes the Twins (9th in wOBA)? Maybe in a points league where you are jonesing for volume. Categories? Not willing to go there with my season on the line.
David Peterson SP/RP Mets
Season: 102.2IP 9W 10QS 83K 2.98 ERA 1.35 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. Nationals + Saturday, September 21st vs. Phillies
Notes: The six Quality Start streak ended for David Peterson on Tuesday (four earned runs in 4.1 innings). A regression at the end of the season wouldn’t be too surprising given his xERA (4.93). Still, in a two-start week that includes the Nationals (22nd in wOBA), you could still do worse for your RP spot in a points league. Wouldn’t trust the 29-year-old much further than that, though.
Andre Pallante SP/RP Cardinals
Season: 102.1IP 6W 5QS 77K 4.13 ERA 1.40 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. Pirates + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Guardians
Notes: The propensity to eat innings (12 out of last 13 starts have gone five or more), combined with a favorable schedule (Pirates rank 28th in wOBA, Guardians 16th), make Andre Pallante a plausible streamer as an RP in points leagues.
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Merrill Kelly SP DBacks
Season: 57IP 4W 4QS 44K 4.26 ERA 1.25 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Rockies + Sunday, September 22nd @ Brewers
Notes: Since returning from a shoulder injury that cost him most of the season, Merrill Kelly has started five games. The results aren’t very good (5.72 ERA/1.48 WHIP/6.35 K/9). With expected numbers not any better (5.74 xERA), a rough schedule next week (Brewers ranked 8th in wOBA, Rockies .771 OPS at home vs. .636 on road), and the stakes being huge, I think it’s just too risky.
Joey Estes SP A’s
Season: 117.2IP 7W 8QS 88K 4.36 ERA 1.13 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Cubs + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Yankees
Jake Irvin SP Nationals
Season: 172IP 10W 15QS 145K 4.19 ERA 1.19 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Mets + Saturday, September 21st @ Cubs
Aaron Civale SP Brewers
Season: 145.2IP 6W 7QS 136K 4.57 ERA 1.32 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. Phillies + Saturday, September 21st vs. DBacks
Brandon Williamson SP Reds
2023 Season: 117IP 5W 7QS 98K 4.46 ERA 1.28 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Braves + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Pirates
Notes: The results have been good (2.08 ERA/0.77 WHIP) since Brandon Williamson returned from a shoulder injury that kept him out until September. It’s just 13 innings over three starts, though. Wednesday was the first time the 26-year-old went at least five. So he’s not likely to get a win or Quality Start during the last two weeks. And based on last season, you can’t depend much on ratios either.
Zebby Matthews SP Twins
Season: 25.1IP 6GS 1W 0QS 27K 7.11 ERA 1.66 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Guardians + Sunday, September 22nd @ Red Sox
Mitchell Parker SP Nationals
Season: 136IP 7W 10QS 122K 4.43 ERA 1.31 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Mets + Sunday, September 22nd @ Cubs
Casey Mize SP Tigers
Season: 94.2IP 2W 6QS 71K 4.47 ERA 1.40 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Royals + Sunday, September 22nd @ Orioles
Jordan Wicks SP Cubs
Season: 41IP 2W 1QS 38K 5.27 ERA 1.61 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. A’s + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Nationals
Bobby Miller SP Dodgers
Season: 54IP 2W 2QS 50K 8.17 ERA 1.69 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th @ Marlins + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Rockies
Colin Rea SP Brewers
Season: 154IP 12W 8QS 123K 4.21 ERA 1.22 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Phillies + Sunday, September 22nd vs. DBacks
Notes: Even if Colin Rea wasn’t struggling lately (7.39 ERA/1.39 WHIP over the last month), these matchups are not worth it (DBacks 1st in wOBA, Phillies 4th).
Jonathan Bermudez SP Marlins
2024 Minors: 98.1IP 98K 4.4BB/9 3.48 ERA 1.26 WHIP
2 starts next week: Tuesday, September 17th vs. Dodgers + Sunday, September 22nd vs. Braves
Jonathan Cannon SP White Sox
Season: 106.2IP 3W 6QS 74K 4.56 ERA 1.40 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th @ Angels + Sunday, September 22nd @ Padres
Tanner Gordon SP Rockies
Season: 34.1IP 8GS 0W 1QS 26K 8.65 ERA 1.72 WHIP
2 starts next week: Monday, September 16th vs. DBacks + Sunday, September 22nd @ Dodgers
Notes: Probably doesn’t matter, but Tanner Gordon isn’t super likely to get two starts next week. Antonio Senzatela is due to return from IL at some point and could either replace Gordon or create a six-man rotation.