In the coming week, there are currently 33 likely two-start pitchers. I’ve listed them all below in a ranked order. So if you’re trying to decide who to start next week, who to stream, and who to fill the RP spot in your points-league lineup, feel free to have a scroll. And, as always, please remember to stream responsibly.
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Luis Castillo SP Mariners
Last start: Tuesday, May 1st vs. Braves – 7IP W 0ER 3H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Twins + Saturday, May 11th vs. A’s
Cole Ragans SP/RP Royals
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th @ Blue Jays – 6.2IP W 1ER 4H 3BB 9K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Brewers + Saturday, May 11th @ Angels
Notes: Looking like Cole Ragans avoided major injury on Tuesday. He was removed with a calf cramp and ought to make both starts. I’d start him even for just one.
Shota Imanaga SP Cubs
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st @ Mets – 7IP W 0ER 3H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Padres + Sunday, May 12th @ Pirates
Justin Verlander SP Astros
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Guardians – 7IP 2ER 6H 3BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th @ Yankees + Sunday, May 12th @ Tigers
Notes: If Spencer Arrighetti remains in the rotation next week, Justin Verlander might only make one start. But either way, while the veteran is healthy, he should be in your lineup.
Freddy Peralta SP Brewers
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th vs. Rays – 5.1IP W 2ER 1H 0BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Royals + Saturday, May 11th vs. Cardinals
Notes: Freddy Peralta is in the process of appealing a suspension. It is currently a five-game suspension, so it’s plausible that he still makes both a Monday and Sunday start. That might be a stretch, but he should at least make one start. Can’t imagine you have the depth to sit him.
Bailey Ober SP Twins
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st @ White Sox – 6IP W 4ER 6H 0BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Mariners + Sunday, May 12th @ Blue Jays
Jack Flaherty SP Tigers
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Cardinals – 6.2IP 0ER 2H 1BB 14K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Guardians + Sunday, May 12th @ Astros
Notes: Yes, the resurgence of Jack Flaherty might really be a thing. This is based on a ton of whiffs (37.8% is ranked 97th percentile!), a pretty amazing walk rate (3.4%) and k rate (34%), and the resulting 3.04 xERA. He’s a must-start until further notice.
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Yu Darvish SP Padres
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th vs. Reds – 5IP W 0ER 3H 0BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Cubs + Sunday, May 12th vs. Dodgers
Walker Buehler SP Dodgers
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th (minors) – 5IP 1ER 7H 0BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Marlins + Saturday, May 11th @ Padres
Notes: It doesn’t seem like Walker Buehler’s velocity is all the way back. And his rehab assignment wasn’t dominant (4.12 ERA/1.61 WHIP in Triple-A). But you’ll probably want his two starts with one being against the Marlins (28th in wOBA).
Seth Lugo SP Royals
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st @ Blue Jays – 7IP W 1ER 2H 2BB 8K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Brewers + Sunday, May 12th @ Angels
Jordan Montgomery SP Diamondbacks
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Dodgers – 3IP L 6ER 6H 3BB 1K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th @ Reds + Sunday, May 12th @ Orioles
Notes: Sure, Jordan Montgomery could get a pass against the Dodgers on Wednesday. But his super low whiff and K rate (18% and 14%, respectively) over his first three starts is concerning. With a very tough venue (Great American Ballpark ranks out as the 3rd toughest place to pitch according to Park Factors), and then a very tough opponent (Orioles are 6th in wOBA), this two-start pitcher could reasonably sit if you have better options in your lineup.
Cristopher Sanchez SP Phillies
Last start: Monday, April 29th @ Angels – 5IP 4ER 7H 2BB 1K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Giants + Sunday, May 12th @ Marlins
Notes: Another two walks for Cristopher Sanchez on Monday. That brings his BB/9 rate (3.99) more in line with his pre-breakout numbers. Also, only one swinging strike all night with less than 50% ground balls? Getting a little concerned. I’ll still start him next week given the opponents, though. Giants are ranked 18th in wOBA. Marlins rank just 28th.
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Triston McKenzie SP Guardians
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st @ Astros – 7IP 2ER 5H 1BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Tigers + Saturday, May 11th @ White Sox
Kyle Harrison SP Giants
Last start: Thursday, May 2nd @ Red Sox – 5IP 1ER 3H 5BB 7K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th @ Rockies + Sunday, May 12th vs. Reds
Mitch Keller SP Pirates
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th @ A’s – 5IP L 3ER 5H 2BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Angles + Sunday, May 12th vs. Cubs
Luis Gil SP Yankees
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st @ Orioles – 6.1IP W 0ER 2H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Astros + Sunday, May 12th @ Rays
Braxton Garrett SP Marlins
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st (minor league rehab): 5IP 0ER 1H 3BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Dodgers + Sunday, May 12th vs. Phillies
Tyler Anderson SP Angels
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th vs. Phillies – 6IP 3ER 5H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Pirates + Saturday, May 11th vs. Royals
Notes: Though the results have been good for Tyler Anderson (2.23 ERA/1.07 WHIP), the low K rate (18.5%) and high walk rate (10.3%), combined with an xERA (4.74) over two runs higher than the actual ERA, sure makes one doubt how likely it is to continue. Maybe ride the high in points leagues.
Logan Allen SP Guardians
Last start: Thursday, May 2nd @ Astros – 5.2IP L 2ER (3R) 7H 1BBN 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Tigers + Sunday May 12th @ White Sox
Notes: Not super optimistic about Logan Allen, but the matchups are about as favorable as one can ask for (Tigers 23rd in wOBA, White Sox 30th). Good to go for points leagues. Categories? Only if you’re brave.
Jose Butto SP Mets
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Cubs – 6IP L 1ER 4H 2BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Cardinals + Sunday, May 12th vs. Braves
Kyle Gibson SP Cardinals
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th @ Tigers – 7IP 1ER 4H 2BB 9K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Mets + Saturday, May 11th @ Brewers
Notes: The ability to go deep into games (none fewer than six innings so far), makes Kyle Gibson a valid points-league stream. Categories, not so much.
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Andrew Heaney SP/RP Rangers
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Nationals – 7IP L 1ER 4H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ A’s + Sunday, May 12th @ Rockies
Miles Mikolas SP Cardinals
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st @ Tigers – 6IP L 3ER 6H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Mets + Sunday, May 12th @ Brewers
Colin Rea SP Brewers
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Rays – 6IP W 0ER 4H 2BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th @ Royals + Sunday, May 12th vs. Cardinals
Notes: Despite his good start (2.67 ERA/1.22 WHIP), Colin Rea’s xERA is over three runs higher (xERA: 5.74).
Patrick Sandoval SP Angels
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Phillies – 5IP L 2ER 4H 2BB 10K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th @ Pirates + Sunday, May 12th vs. Royals
Notes: It was fun to see Patrick Sandoval collect 10 strikeouts on Wednesday. It was only on 10 swinging strikes, though. And the walk rate is still pretty ugly (10.8% and 4.5 BB/9). If you’re desperate in a points league and all the above names are unavailable, I guess why not?
Emerson Hancock SP Mariners
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Braves – 3.2IP L 1ER 5H 4BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th @ Twins + Sunday, May 12th vs. A’s
Simeon Woods Richardson RP Twins
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th @ White Sox – 3.2IP 1ER (2R) 7H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Mariners + Saturday, May 11th @ Blue Jays
Notes: Simeon Woods Richardson doesn’t seem to have swing-and-miss stuff (3rd percentile whiff rate). He’s giving up plenty of hard contact (hard-hit rate ranks 26th percentile). And his xERA (4.81) is much higher than his actual ERA (2.45). Outside of filling your RP spot with a two-start pitcher in a deep points league, probably a good idea to steer clear.
Tyler Alexander RP Rays
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th @ Brewers – 4IP L 3ER 6H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. White Sox + Sunday, May 12th vs. Yankees
Nick Martinez SP/RP Reds
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th @ Padres – 5IP L 3ER (5R) 6H 1BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th vs. DBacks + Sunday, May 12th @ Giants
Notes: If Frankie Montas returns from the IL when first eligible, Nick Martinez might not make that second start. Wasn’t too excited about streaming him as a two-start pitcher anyway.
Chris Flexen SP/RP White Sox
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st vs. Twins – 5IP 2ER 4H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th @ Rays + Sunday, May 12th vs. Guardians
Michael Soroka SP White Sox
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th vs. Twins – 4.1IP 2ER 3H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th @ Rays + Saturday, May 11th vs. Guardians
Alex Wood SP/RP A’s
Last start: Tuesday, April 30th vs. Pirates – 4IP 2ER 4H 4 BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 6th vs. Rangers + Sunday, May 12th @ Mariners
Dakota Hudson SP/RP Rockies
Last start: Wednesday, May 1st @ Marlins – 5.2IP L 2ER 5H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 7th vs. Giants + Sunday, May 12th vs. Rangers