There’s lots of solid two-start pitchers to choose from this week. There’s plenty of not-solid options too. Because I love compiling long lists, I’ve included all 36 of them below in a ranked order. I even included notes in cases where notes seemed like a good idea. I hope this list helps you decide who to start, who to sit, and who to stream ahead of Week 9 roster locks. Thanks for giving it as scroll. And please remember to stream responsibly.
Don’t You Dare Bench These Two-Start Pitchers
Corbin Burnes SP Orioles
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Blue Jays – 6IP 1ER 6H 2BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Cardinals + Saturday, May 25th @ White Sox
Pablo Lopez SP Twins
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Yankees – 6.1IP L 3ER 10H 0BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Nationals + Sunday, May 26th vs. Rangers
Dylan Cease SP Padres
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Rockies – 5.2IP L 3ER 5H 1BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Braves + Saturday, May 25th vs. Yankees
Logan Gilbert SP Mariners
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Royals – 6.2IP L 3ER 4H 3BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, 20th @ Yankees + Saturday, May 25th @ Nationals
Framber Valdez SP Astros
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. A’s – 7IP W 0ER 2H 2BB 8K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Angels + Sunday, May 26th @ A’s
Chris Sale SP Braves
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Cubs – 7IP W 0ER 2H 0BB 9K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20 vs. Padres + Saturday, May 25th @ Pirates
Logan Webb SP Giants
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Dodgers – 6IP W 0ER 3H 3BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st @ Pirates + Sunday, May 26th @ Mets
Sonny Gray SP Cardinals
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th @ Angels – 6IP W 5ER 8H 2BB 9K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Orioles + Sunday, May 26th vs. Cubs
Ranger Suarez SP Phillies
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Mets – 5IP W 0ER 4H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st vs. Rangers + Sunday, May 26th @ Rockies
Tanner Houck SP Red Sox
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Rays – 5.2IP L 1ER (3R) 5H 3BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Rays + Sunday, May 26th vs. Brewers
Notes: Despite and xERA (3.34) that is over a run higher than the results (2.17), Tanner Houck’s breakout is looking legitimate. That’s thanks to his elite ground-ball rate (56.5%), combined with a solid K rate (23.9%), combined with some new-found elite control (3.8% walk rate ranks in the 95th percentile). He’s a must-start until further notice.
Kyle Bradish SP Orioles
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Blue Jays 4IP 2ER 4H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st @ Cardinals + Sunday, May 26th @ White Sox
Notes: Sure, the Orioles will limit Kyle Bradish’s workload after returning from a strained UCL. But for as long as he remains healthy, the 27-year-old should be treated like the breakout pitcher he was last season (2.83 ERA/1.04 WHIP/8.96 K/9). Extra bonus this week as he draws the Cardinals (ranked 27th in wOBA) and the White Sox (ranked last).
Garrett Crochet SP/RP White Sox
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Nationals – 5IP 0ER 3H 3BB 6K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st @ Blue Jays + Sunday, May 26th vs. Orioles
Notes: Dang, I think I just got a sunburn from looking at Garrett Crochet’s Statcast page. All the bright red basically says he throws super hard (92nd percentile fastball velo), and has a near-elite strikeout (91st percentile) and walk rates (82nd). That has led to an also-elite 2.41 xERA. Pretty impressive for any pitcher, but particularly so for a rookie. The lack of name recognition could allow you to pick him up as a streamer this week. If so, I’d keep him for the foreseeable future too. He’s must-start until further notice.
You Should Probably Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Charlie Morton SP Braves
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Cubs – 3IP L 3ER (4R) 5H 3BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 15th @ Cubs + Sunday, May 26th @ Pirates
Yusei Kikuchi SP Blue Jays
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th @ Orioles – 4.1IP 1ER 6H 1BB 9K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st vs. White Sox + Sunday, May 25th @ Tigers
Reese Olson SP Tigers
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Marlins – 8IP 0ER 3H 0BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Royals + Saturday, May 25th vs. Blue Jays
Notes: Reese Olson has only had one bad start out of eight this season. His ERA of 2.09 is made possible by not allowing a home run yet. Playing in Comerica Park helps (ranked as the best place for home-run prevention according to Park Factors), but he’s actually made more of his starts on the road this season. So maybe it has more to do with a near-elite ground ball rate (54.6%) that is much improved from last season (42.1%). In any case, I like the matchups next week (Royals rank 18th in wOBA/Blue Jays rank 22nd). He’s a viable streamer in all standard-sized leagues at the very least.
Jose Berrios SP Blue Jays
Last start: Monday, May 13th @ Orioles – 7IP 2ER 3H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. White Sox + Saturday, May 25th @ Tigers
Clarke Schmidt SP Yankees
Last start: Thursday, May 16th @ Twins – 8IP W 0ER 3H 0BB 8K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st vs. Mariners + Sunday, May 26th @ Padres
Michael King SP/RP Padres
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Rockies – 5.1IP L 6ER 8H 2BB 7K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st @ Reds + Sunday, May 26th vs. Yankees
Notes: Michael King’s inconsistency is pretty frustrating. After stumbling against the Rockies on the road, the righty’s now yielded four or more runs in four of his nine starts. That’s lead to a 4.31 ERA/1.36 WHIP. What’s worse, the underlying numbers say he’s earned it (xERA 4.33/4.93 FIP). The RP eligibility keeps him firmly points-league relevant, but in categories? I’m starting to get squirmy. Depends on how badly you need him.
In the Right Situation, These Two-Start Pitchers Make Sense
Bryan Woo SP Mariners
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Royals – 5.1IP W 1ER 3H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st @ Yankees + Sunday’s, May 26th @ Nationals
Taj Bradley SP Rays
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th @ Red Sox – 5IP W 2ER 4H 1BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Red Sox + Sunday, May 26th vs. Royals
Javier Assad SP/RP Cubs
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th @ Braves – 6IP W 0ER 4H 1BB 7K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st vs. Braves + Sunday, May 26th @ Cardinals
Notes: If you’ve been dismissing Javier Assad’s amazing run to begin the season (1.49 ERA/1.03 WHIP after nine starts) as nothing more than luck, you’re probably not alone. There’s some valid concern about having a super-low whiff rate (ranked 6th percentile) with just an average ground-ball rate (53rd percentile), combined with decent-but-not-great hard-contact avoidance (average exit velocity 60th percentile and hard-hit rate 72nd). It doesn’t seem like a recipe for elite ERA. Even more so when you consider that three of the 26-year-old’s opponents were offensive powerhouses (the Brewers, Braves, and Astros rank 2nd, 5th, and 6th in wOBA, respectively). Is the righty likely to regress? Yes. Could it hold off until the hotter months when home runs generally pick up (only two home runs allowed so far), maybe. I’m still hesitant to start him in a categories league, but if your options aren’t plentiful, I don’t blame you for going for it. For now, he’s an obvious points-league play.
Michael Wacha SP Royals
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th @ Mariners – 6IP W 1ER 3H 2BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Tigers + Sunday, May 6th @ Rays
Gavin Stone SP Dodgers
Last start: Tuesday, May 21st @ Giants – 6IP W 1ER 5H 3BB 2K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. DBacks + Sunday, May 26th @ Reds
Notes: The case for starting/streaming Gavin Stone mostly comes down to his great supporting cast (Dodgers are 1st in wOBA). That has resulted in four wins for the 25-year-old in eight starts. Though his low K rate (15.8%) might limit his upside, his whiff rate on secondary pitches is pretty good (his slider generates a 43.6% rate while his changeup is at 38.8%. So maybe there’s more strikeouts coming. In any case, as a two-start pitcher, Stone seems like a decent points-league bet.
Marcus Stroman SP Yankees
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th @ Twins
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Mariners + Saturday, May 25th @ Padres
Erick Fedde SP White Sox
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Nationals – 7IP W 0ER 3H 0BB 6K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Blue Jays + Saturday, May 25th vs. Orioles
Notes: Though we can safely say Erick Fedde won’t be as dominant as he was last year in Korea (won their MVP award), we can also say that, thus far, some of the success has carried over. In fact, by just about every metric, the 31-year-old has improved. His walk rate (6.6%) and K rate (23.6%), especially, are reasons for optimism. They’ve lead to a 3.47 xERA which, though still almost a run higher than the real thing (2.60 ERA), is certainly respectable. He seems like a decent stream in points leagues. Categories? That Orioles start scares me off. They’re ranked 7th in wOBA.
Andrew Abbot SP Reds
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th @ DBacks – 7IP 1ER 4H 2BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st vs. Padres + Sunday, May 26th vs. Dodgers
Notes: Super-low whiff and chase rates (14th percentile and 13th, respectively), combined with very high fly-ball rates (34.5%) cause many to doubt Andrew Abbot’s early success (3.06 ERA/2.76 xERA/1.14 WHIP over his first nine starts). His tough opponents next week also limit the 24-year-old’s value as a two-start pitcher. The Dodgers not surprisingly rank 1st overall in wOBA, while the Padres rank 8th. Also, both matches will be at Great American Ballpark. The stadium grades out as the 3rd-worst venue for pitchers according to Park Factors. Maybe for points leagues, it’s worth the risk. Categories, no thanks.
Reid Detmers SP Angels
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Cardinals – 5IP 4ER (5R) 8H 2BB 7K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Astros + Sunday, May 26th vs. Guardians
OK, fine, the results have been really bad the last five times around for Reid Detmers. He’s yielded 26 earned runs over those 27 innings. So no, you almost certainly shouldn’t start him. Maybe in a deep sort of points league. But I’m not sure if I would drop him just yet, either. The underlying numbers are still good (xERA, for example, is a respectable 3.44). And even in another not-great effort Tuesday, he still had seven strikeouts and 17 swinging strikes. The talent is there. Hopefully he figures it out again soon.
You Better Be Desperate To Start These Two-Start Pitchers
Casey Mize SP Tigers
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th vs. Marlins – 6IP L 2ER 2H 1BB 6K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st @ Royals + Sunday, May 26th vs. Blue Jays
Notes: Like his teammate Reese Olson, Casey Mize is succeeding with a solid ground-ball rate (51.4%). He hasn’t been able to keep the ball in the yard as often, though (.82 HR/9). And the bat-missing ability is suspect (just a 21.1% whiff rate and 17.5% K rate). But the 27-year-old has the same favorable matchups. So maybe you just need to be a little desperate to stream him in points leagues or deep leagues.
Mitchell Parker SP Nationals
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th @ White Sox – 5IP L 3ER 5H 2BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Twins + Sunday, May 26th vs. Mariners
Martin Perez SP/RP Pirates
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th @ Brewers – 5IP L 9ER 11H 1BB 4K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st vs. Giants + Sunday, May 26th vs. Braves
Joe Ross SP Brewers
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Pirates
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Marlins + Sunday, May 26th @ Red Sox
Ryan Weathers SP Marlins
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th @ Tigers – 8IP 0ER 3H 0BB 4K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Brewers + Sunday, May 26th @ DBacks
Ben Lively SP/RP Guardians
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th @ Rangers – 5IP W 3ER 5H 3BB 5K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th vs. Mets + Sunday, May 26th @ Angels
Cal Quantrill SP Rockies
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th @ Padres – 5IP W 3ER 5H 3BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st @ A’s + Sunday, May 26th vs. Phillies
Notes: Interesting that Cal Quantrill has been able to keep batted balls on the ground this year (50.3%). That’s new. It could be handy for a pitcher who throws half his games at Coors Field. Sadly, though, the ground balls come with just a 17.4% whiff rate and 16.7% K rate. Even with a road start against the A’s next week, I’ll pass.
Slade Cecconi SP DBacks
Last start: Tuesday, May 14th vs. Reds – 5.2IP L 6ER 7H 1BB 3K
2 starts next week: Monday, May 20th @ Dodgers + Sunday, May 26th vs. Marlins
Aaron Brooks SP A’s
Last start: Wednesday, May 15th @ Astros – 7IP L 3ER 7H 1BB 5K
2 starts next week: Tuesday, May 21st vs. Rockies + Sunday, May 26th vs. Astros