Welcome to the Week 5 edition of two-start pitchers. It’s important to look at the week’s two-start pitchers, as they can help you gain an advantage in strikeouts and wins. However, you must also be careful about the two-steppers you start, as you can end up with bloated ratios if you choose poorly.
This weekly write-up aims to help you choose the best two-start pitchers of the week. Some are no-brainers, while others require more thought. To help with these decisions, I rank the two-start pitchers into tiers and include brief thoughts on each option.
Keep in mind that teams tend to switch up their starting rotations. As this article gets submitted on Saturday, check the league’s latest schedule of probable pitchers to ensure you’re up to date. Now, let’s look at the two-start pitchers for Week 5.
Don’t Overthink These Two-Start Pitchers
These are your set-it-and-forget-it arms for the week. All are elite starting pitchers with strong matchups.
Max Meyer (SP — MIA)
First Start: vs. CIN
Second Start: @ SEA
Max Meyer has impressed in 2025. He’s rocking a terrific 2.63 ERA — with matching ERA estimators — and 1.13 WHIP across 24 innings pitched. Meyer has at least seven punchouts in three of his four outings and is looking for his fourth consecutive quality start. With the beatable Reds at home and a date with the Mariners in Seattle, Meyer is a fantastic two-stepper in Week 5.
Spencer Schwellenbach (SP — ATL)
First Start: vs. STL
Second Start: @ ARI
Spencer Schwellenbach is coming off a down game against the Blue Jays and doesn’t have the friendliest matchups this week. But you’re not sitting Schwelly.
Bryce Miller (SP — SEA)
First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: vs. MIA
Bryce Miller has started to right the ship after a couple of rough starts to the season. In his last two outings, he combined for one earned run on five hits with 13:5 K:BB across 10 innings. The start at Fenway isn’t ideal, but Miller is still a solid two-start pitcher this week.
Kevin Gausman (SP — TOR)
First Start: @ HOU
Second Start: @ NYY
Kevin Gausman has ditched his sinker in favor of throwing more four-seamers this season. And so far, the new pitch mix is working. He has a 2.41 ERA and 0.71 WHIP across 25.1 frames with an 18.7% K-BB. The matchups aren’t the best, but Gausman is still a go in 12-teamers in Week 5.
Roll With These Two-Start Pitchers
These are solid two-starters for the week. While they come with more risk than the arms above, they’re worthy two-steppers in Week 5.
Brandon Pfaadt (SP — ARI)
First Start: vs. TBR
Second Start: vs. ATL
Brandon Pfaadt is off to a nice season with a 3.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 18:5 K:BB across 23.2 innings. He also logged three quality starts and picked up three wins across four outings. The Rays have started heating up, but there are enough strikeouts and win potential to make Pfaadt a solid start this week.
Kris Bubic (SP — KCR)
First Start: vs COL
Second Start: vs. HOU
Kris Bubic has looked sharp this year, minus a poor outing against the Yankees. Fortunately for Bubic, the Rockies (65 wRC+) and Astros (88 wRC+) aren’t the Yankees. Bubic is a fine start in 12- and 15-teamers.
Jose Soriano (SP — LAA)
First Start: vs. PIT
Second Start: @ MIN
Walks are a part of Jose Soriano’s game (9.8% BB), but so are a hefty amount of ground balls (61.4% GB). That should be enough against the hapless Pirates (.607 OPS) and Twins (.622 OPS). The Angels are firing on all cylinders right now, which could help Soriano snag a couple of wins this week.
Robbie Ray (SP — SFG)
First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: vs. TEX
Walks come with the strikeouts for Robbie Ray. In his last two starts, Ray racked up a combined 15 punchouts across eight innings. But he also issued nine free passes in that span and has a whopping 17.6% walk rate on the year. Up next is a date with a Brewers team that has struggled against lefties (.592 OPS). That’s followed by a Rangers team that has scored the fourth-fewest runs this season (63). Ray should be able to hold his own, and with the Giants on a heater, he’s a solid two-stepper in 12-teamers. Just be mindful of the WHIP risk.
Tylor Megill (SP — NYM)
First Start: vs. PHI
Second Start: @ WAS
It’s been smooth sailing for Tylor Megill this season. He’s allowed a combined three earned runs with zero home runs through 19.1 innings. Expect some regression as his 1.40 ERA / 1.34 WHIP comes with a 3.61 SIERA. But with a 9.31 K/9 and 3.26 BB/9, there’s not much to complain about with Megill. The matchup against the Phillies could prove troublesome, but Megill still makes for a solid two-start option with win potential.
Clarke Schmidt (SP — NYY)
First Start: vs. @ CLE
Second Start: vs. TOR
Clarke Schmidt threw 73 pitches across 5.2 innings in his debut last week. The leash should be longer in Week 5, and he has a loaded Yankees offense at his back.
Ryan Feltner (SP — COL)
First Start: @ KCR
Second Start: vs. CIN
Outside of a hiccup start against the Dodgers, Ryan Feltner has more than held his own this season. Feltner posted a 2.81 ERA (3.28 SIERA) and 1.19 WHIP in his first three starts, with a solid 16:4 K:BB across 16 innings. Kansas City is 29th in team wOBA this season (.266), with Cincinnati’s .291 wOBA ranked 23rd. There’s little win potential with Feltner, but he should be started in 15-team leagues.
Aaron Nola (SP — PHI)
First Start: @ NYM
Second Start: @ CHC
Aaron Nola is one of the tougher calls of the week. While he has at least seven strikeouts in three of his four starts, he’s also issued four free passes in each of his last two. Additionally, Nola’s velocity is down across the board. With unfavorable matchups on the docket, Nola could be a headache this week. He can be started in 12-teamers, but he’s a better play for 15-teamers.
Nick Lodolo (SP — CIN)
First Start: @ MIA
Second Start: @ COL
Nick Lodolo got rocked by the Mariners in his last outing but still holds a 2.31 ERA (4.07 SIERA) and 0.81 WHIP across 23.1 innings this year. The strikeouts haven’t been there this season (15.2%), but they should be coming, given Lodolo’s career 26.3% strikeout rate. The start at Coors Field isn’t ideal, but you don’t get the full Coors effect in April. Combine that with a start at Miami, and I think you roll with Lodolo in 12-teamers.
Walker Buehler (SP — BOS)
First Start: vs. CWS
Second Start: @ CLE
Walker Buehler had a couple of bad starts to begin the year, but he’s since strung together solid outings against the Rays and Blue Jays. In his last two starts, Buehler hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs and combined for 10:4 K:BB across 11.1 innings. Buehler gets some friendly matchups this week and is a decent start in 12+ teamers.
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 arms with plus matchups who could bloat your ratios if things go south. Tread carefully.
Osvaldo Bido (SP — ATH)
First Start: vs. TEX
Second Start: vs. CWS
Osvaldo Bido hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in a start this season, and his surface stats look good with a 2.61 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 20.2 frames. However, a 4.44 xERA and 5.31 xFIP warn that regression is likely coming. Despite the warning signs, Bido is worth a shot this week in 15-teamers as the Rangers and White Sox rank in the bottom five of the league in runs scored this season.
Brayan Bello (SP — BOS)
First Start: vs. SEA
Second Start: @ CLE
Brayan Bello’s 2025 debut is scheduled to be a two-step against the Mariners and Guardians. Both offenses are middle-of-the-pack, so there’s 15-team appeal. But the Red Sox could limit Bello, at least in his first start. He’s a fringy 12-team option.
Jose Quintana (SP — MIL)
First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: @ STL
A .194 BABIP has helped fuel Jose Quintana’s success through two starts. He’s showcasing a 0.71 ERA (4.25 SIERA) and 0.87 WHIP across 12.2 frames with a 6.5% K-BB. Quintana is best suited for 15-teamers this week. But know that there’s ratio risk — especially against a Cardinals team whose .761 OPS against southpaws is fifth best.
Gavin Williams (SP — CLE)
First Start: vs. NYY
Second Start: vs. BOS
The Orioles stung Gavin Williams in his last outing, but he had been solid-ish before that (3.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 14.3% K-BB). Williams has struggled with walks this season (12%), which could catch up with him against the Yankees this week. Williams is a decent play in 15-team leagues, but comes with ratio risk.
Quinn Priester (SP — MIL)
First Start: @ SFG
Second Start: @ STL
Quinn Priester has filled in nicely for a depleted Brewers rotation. He has a 0.90 ERA (4.54 SIERA) and 1.20 WHIP across 10 frames in two starts with the team. But Priester has pitched a combined 109.2 major league innings across three seasons. And with regression looming, it’s tough to have confidence in this week’s two-step. The Giants and Cardinals rank in the top five in runs scored this season, making Priester an avoid in 12-teamers and a fringy 15-team option.
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!
Zack Littell (SP — TBR)
First Start: @ ARI
Second Start: @ SDP
I don’t love the matchups for Zack Littell this week. Plus, he’s given up a bunch of loud contact this year, and his six home runs are tied for second-most this season. That’s not what you want when facing the Diamondbacks or Padres.
Jordan Hicks (SP — SFG)
First Start: vs. MIL
Second Start: vs. TEX
Jordan Hicks started the season hot but has coughed up at least five earned runs in his last two starts and posted an ugly 5:4 K:BB across those 11 innings. With a 9.1% swinging-strike rate and a 10.2% walk rate through 22.1 frames on the year, there aren’t enough strikeouts to chase here.
Mitchell Parker (SP — WAS)
First Start: vs. BAL
Second Start: vs. NYM
Mitchell Parker is an innings-eater who likely won’t give you much else. His two barrels across four starts are impressive, but he has a lowly 5.92 K/9. You can’t confidently start a two-stepper with a 6.9% K-BB on the season.
Dean Kremer (SP — BAL)
First Start: @ WAS
Second Start: @ DET
Dean Kremer has given up at least five runs in two of his four starts and has a 6.41 ERA (4.37 SIERA), 1.47 WHIP and 6.9% swinging-strike rate across 19.2 innings pitched. Nope.
Randy Vasquez (SP — SDP)
First Start: @ DET
Second Start: vs TBR
The surface stats look good for Randy Vasquez, with a 1.74 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 20.2 frames this year. But a 6.79 SIERA and -7% K-BB say watch out.
Bailey Falter (SP — PIT)
First Start: @ LAA
Second Start: @ LAD
The Angels and Dodgers aren’t as lethal against lefties, but that doesn’t mean you should start Bailey Falter.
Jonathan Cannon (SP — CWS)
First Start: @ BOS
Second Start: @ ATH
Risky starter whose 13.1% walk rate will likely come back to bite him. Plus, there’s little win potential here.
Davis Martin (SP — CWS)
First Start: @ MIN
Second Start: @ ATH
Similar to Jonathan Cannon, there’s not much to chase with Davis Martin and his underwhelming 5.24 K/9 on the year.
