Hello and welcome to the 18th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.
I will continue to be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.
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With each passing week, I’m getting more emotional thinking about the fact that there may not be a full season in 2026 due to the uncertainty surrounding the labor dispute between Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association. I’m really trying to take time to appreciate each day that we have baseball and the joy that it’s able to bring me, even when the Tigers are struggling.
As fantasy managers start to turn the page to football, there are opportunities to creep up in the standings where others aren’t giving their teams the full attention that they still deserve. Keep putting in the work and plugging away, striving to improve each week, and you’ll reap rewards at the end of this season.
This is a living document, so we’ll update the options below as the weekend moves along.
Before we get into it, we’ll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week. With teams still trying to get their rotations lined up for the second half, there’s more uncertainty than usual for a Friday afternoon:
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With the Dodgers back into their groove of a six-man starting rotation, and with six games on their schedule, none of their hurlers are currently lined up to pitch twice next week. That’s assuming that Blake Snell returns next week. If he doesn’t, and if anyone were to get a two-start assignment (at Cubs, at Diamondbacks), it would be left-hander Justin Wrobleski who would get the call and would make for an excellent option in all formats.
The Mariners are back to utilizing a full six-man rotation instead of the piggybacking madness that they tried a few times through, which means in a six-game week, no one will draw two starts. If anything changes, it would be Luis Castillo (vs. Tigers, vs. Rays) who would make for a nice streaming option.
The Padres have yet to announce their rotation plans for the upcoming week, so while there are two spots available for two-start weeks (at Diamondbacks, vs. Astros), we don’t yet have any clarification on who that will be. Barring any major changes, it’s likely to be Griffin Canning and JP Sears, though neither one makes for a particularly strong streaming option. We’ll update here once get get additional info from the team in the coming days.
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Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of July 31 and are subject to change.
American League
▶ Strong Plays
Cam Schlittler, Yankees, RHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Braves)
Schlittler continues to pitch like the front-runner for the American League Cy Young award. The 25-year-old hurler enters his two-start week sitting at 10-6 with a 2.04 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 165/26 K/BB ratio over 136 2/3 innings through his first 23 starts. He now gets to make a pair of starts at home, and while the opponents are on the tougher side, we aren’t going out of our way to fade Schlittler against anyone at this point. Continue to ride the hot hand and enjoy what is turning out to be a magical season for the Yankees’ right-hander.
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Joe Ryan, Twins, RHP (at Royals, at Brewers)
It remains to be seen whether or not Ryan will still be donning a Twins’ jersey at this time next week, and because of that it’s possible that he won’t end up making two starts. What’s not in question is his performance. The 30-year-old hurler has posted a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 135/25 K/BB ratio across 120 1/3 innings through his first 22 starts. He should be locked into fantasy lineups regardless of matchups and whether it’s one start or two, so there’s no takeaways here, just continue to enjoy his elite production.
Troy Melton, Tigers, RHP (at Mariners, at Giants)
By this time next week, Troy Melton will be taking on a much larger role at the top of the Tigers’ rotation after Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize are likely moved at the trade deadline. He has certainly pitched like an ace through his first 11 starts on the season, going 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a 60/21 K/BB ratio over 67 innings of work. Look for those good times to continue this week in a pair of strong matchups in extreme pitcher’s parks. Melton is easily one of the top overall plays on the entire board this week and should be started in 100 percent of leagues without question.
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Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays, RHP (at Astros, at Phillies)
Yesavage hasn’t quite dominated the baseball world the way that he did at the end of the 2025 campaign, but he has still done a very nice job overall for the Jays this season. Through his first 17 starts he holds a 3.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 91/45 K/BB ratio over 91 2/3 innings of work. Both matchups are on the tougher side this week, but Yesavage has shown the ability to excel against all types of opponents this season, so it’s no reason to shy away from him now. He’s an easy start in all leagues once again.
Peter Lambert, Astros, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, at Padres)
Lambert has been an unexpected hero for the Astros this season, stepping into the starting rotation and delivering quality results throughout 18 starts, helping to offset the injuries and poor performances that the club has dealt with otherwise. Lambert sports a 3.06 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 100/39 K/BB ratio over 103 innings on the season and appears to be getting stronger as the season goes on. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start since the end of June and needs to be utilized in all formats right now – especially in a two-start week.
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▶ Decent Plays
Ian Seymour, Rays, LHP (at Rockies, at Mariners)
Aside from a couple of rough outings, Seymour has done a nice job overall for the Rays this season, whether he has been used as a traditional starter or as an opener. Fantasy managers should prefer the latter, as he generally struggles to make it through five innings and it gives him a better chance of earning a victory. The matchups this week look good on paper, but there’s always risk when you have to travel to Coors Field. I’d trust the talent here and roll Seymour out there in all league sizes this week.
Randy Dobnak, Royals, RHP (vs. Twins, vs. Cubs)
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Provided he’s not moved at the trade deadline, Dobnak should make two starts for the Royals in the upcoming week. He has done a terrific job through his first five appearances (three starts), posting a scintillating 1.04 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 14/10 K/BB ratio across 26 innings of work. It’s hard to think that he has suddenly put it all together and will be a viable fantasy option from here on out, but what we have seen so far has been mighty impressive. He also dominated the Twins his last time out and gets to get more revenge on his former club this week. I’d be comfortable streaming him in all leagues.
Reid Detmers, Angels, LHP (at Orioles, at Marlins)
While it hasn’t shown up in the win column (just three on the season), Detmers has actually done a decent job for the Angels and for fantasy managers this season. Through his first 22 starts, he holds a 4.03 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 125 innings while piling up an impressive 145 strikeouts. There’s a chance that he gets moved before the trade deadline, which would impact him starting twice next week, but as currently scheduled he makes for a strong option in all formats.
Patrick Sandoval, Red Sox, LHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Athletics)
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So far, so good for Sandoval through his first four starts with the Red Sox, posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and a 20/6 K/B ratio over 19 innings of work. That’s pretty much who he has always been, someone who is going to hurt you in WHIP, but still delivers quality overall results and contributes around a strikeout per inning. He gets the benefit of making both starts at home this week and the matchups aren’t terribly imposing, making him a decent streaming option in leagues in which he’s hanging around on the waiver wire.
Shane Bieber, Blue Jays, RHP (at Astros, at Phillies)
As expected after a long layoff due to injury, we have seen a lot of inconsistency from Bieber through his first seven starts with the Jays this season. We have seen him dominate against good teams, and we have seen him get absolutely obliterated by the Mariners in Seattle and the Nationals in Washington. He has the tools to succeed every time he takes the mound and should be able to find more consistency as the season goes on, just be aware that the overall risk is elevated right now. I’d still roll him out there for at two-start week in 15-teamers, though I may pump the breaks in 12’s.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (at Reds, at Red Sox)
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Overall on the season, Lopez sports a miserable 5.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across 70 innings in 17 appearances (14 starts). If you’re looking for a glimmer of hope though, it appears that he has finally turned the corner recently, allowing just three runs over 14 2/3 innings over his last three starts while registering an 18/8 K/BB ratio. Is that enough to trust him for two road starts against good offenses in extreme hitter’s parks? That’s up to you and your own risk tolerance. Personally, I’d pass unless I was getting desperate in wins and strikeouts and needed the extra volume.
Dean Kremer, Orioles, RHP (vs. Angels, at Rangers)
Throughout his career, Kremer has usually been a strong and reliable streaming option in times where he gets two starts or draws a good matchup in a single-start week. That makes this particular week very tricky. The matchups definitely fall in his favor, getting to take on the Angels and Rangers, but Kremer is entering these starts in extremely poor form. He has been lit up for six runs or more in each of his last two starts. Whether that’s just a blip in the radar, or he’s nursing some sort of underlying physical issue, remains to be seen. If you’re desperate for the additional start and need to make up ground in wins and strikeouts, you could roll the dice here, but I’m very leery of the recent performance. My gut says to stay away from this one.
Davis Martin, White Sox, RHP (at Red Sox, vs. Guardians)
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Martin’s overall numbers on the season still look very strong, but his recent history is a bit more worrisome. Over his last 10 starts, he holds a cringe-inducing 5.84 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and a 35/21 K/BB ratio across 49 1/3 innings of work. He has given up four or more earned runs in half of those starts, and six or more in two of them. I understand that it’s difficult for fantasy managers who have enjoyed Martin’s stellar production for most of the season to sit him for a two-start week, but in his current form he’s much more likely to hurt you than help you this week. You have been warned.
Cal Quantrill, Rangers, RHP (vs. Giants, vs. Orioles)
Quantrill continues to defy logic and expectations as he somehow finds success in the Rangers’ rotation. Eventually, fantasy managers who are trusting him are going to be left holdin the bag when it all comes crashing down. That may not happen this week against the Giants and Orioles, as he gets to make both starts in the pitcher-friendly confines in Arlington, but it’s going to happen before season’s end so be sure to tread carefully.
Slade Cecconi, Guardians, RHP (vs. Mets, at White Sox)
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Cecconi has struggled for the majority of the 2026 campaign, registering a 4.78 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and an 84/35 K/BB ratio across 107 1/3 innings of work. He has been hit especially hard over his last four starts, giving up 15 runs over 17 innings while failing to make it through five innings in three of those four outings. It may seem like a good idea to try to stream him against the Mets, but the overall upside is very limited here for the ratio risk that you would be taking on. Just stay away from this one.
National League
▶ Strong Plays
Chris Sale, Braves, LHP (vs. Marlins, at Yankees)
We had thought that Sale would make two starts this past week, but Tuesday’s rainout threw a wrench into those plans. It really didn’t impact fantasy managers though, as he’s a staple in 100 percent of lineups each and every week regardless. He’s having an outstanding season, compiling a 2.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 143/26 K/BB ratio over 117 innings and looks to be the primary competitor with Jacob Misiorowski for the National League Cy Young award. Look for that goodness to continue against the Marlins and Yankees this week. As always, he’s one of the top overall plays on the board this week.
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Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks, LHP (vs. Padres, vs. Dodgers)
At this point, it’s more than just a nice run that Eduardo Rodriguez is on, he’s having a completely resurgent season. The 33-year-old southpaw sits at 10-3 with a sterling 2.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and an 88/45 K/BB ratio across 130 2/3 innings. The matchup against the Dodgers to finish the week isn’t ideal, but he threw a gem against them in Los Angeles just before the All-Star break, so there’s really no reason to fret. If you have been rolling with him all season, continue to do so with confidence this week.
Jared Jones, Pirates, RHP (at Brewers, vs. Mets)
Jones hasn’t really missed a beat after missing the entire 2025 season, returning to post a 3.81 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 58/15 K/BB ratio over 52 innings through his first 11 starts. He has really settled in since the start of July, contributing a stellar 2.00 ERA, a ridiculous 0.63 WHIP and a 33/6 K/BB ratio over 27 innings in his last five starts. That’s absolutely elite level production. The matchups are a mixed bag, with a tough draw against the Brewers and a dream spot at home against the Mets. As long as he’s healthy enough to take the mound, there’s no reason that Jones should leave fantasy lineups for the remainder of the season.
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Logan Henderson, Brewers, RHP (vs. Pirates, vs. Twins)
Health has always been the one thing that has been able to hold Henderson back. Whenever he has been healthy and given a run in the Brewers’ rotation, the results have been terrific. That’s been the case through his first nine starts this season, as he has registered a 2.66 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 54/9 K/BB ratio over his 44 innings of work. The matchups are terrific as well, making Henderson one of the better all-around options on the board this week and someone who should be started in all leagues without hesitation.
Christian Scott, Mets, RHP (at Guardians, at Pirates)
The 27-year-old right-hander has looked incredibly sharp through his first 15 starts with the Mets this season, compiling a 2.99 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and an 85/30 K/BB ratio across 69 1/3 innings. He matches up very well against the Guardians and Pirates and should continue to have success this week. Wins will always be difficult to come by with the Mets’ offense backing him, but he has earned the right to be an every week start in all leagues until further notice.
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Jesus Luzardo, Phillies, LHP (vs. Nationals, vs. Braves)
Luzardo has to be maddeningly frustrating for fantasy managers. The 28-year-old southpaw possesses some of the best raw stuff in all of baseball, but every year he seems to go through stretches where everything falls apart for him and he completely implodes. He was on a terrific run where over an eight-start stretch he registered a 1.46 ERA and a 72/17 K/BB ratio over 49 1/3 innings before getting hammered for six runs against the Marlins his last time out. Hopefully that’s out of his system now and he gets back to dominating against a pair of familiar divisional foes this week. I’d still be using him in all leagues this week despite the debacle in his last start.
Logan Webb, Giants, RHP (at Rangers, vs. Tigers)
Webb hasn’t quite pitched like an ace this season, but he has still been a solid contributor for the Giants and for fantasy managers with a 3.93 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 93 punchouts in 119 innings. The matchups look favorable for him as well, getting to pitch against the Rangers in Arlington before battling the Tigers at home. He continues to be a safe and steady option and should be active in all fantasy lineups once again this week.
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Matthew Boyd, Cubs, LHP (vs. Dodgers, at Royals)
Boyd’s overall numbers on the season look as solid as ever, posting a 3.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 60/19 K/BB ratio over 66 innings through his first 12 starts. He has been especially strong since returning from the injured list, registering a 1.93 ERA and a 29/13 K/BB ratio over 42 innings in his seven starts while picking up four victories. The matchup against the Dodgers isn’t ideal, but it’s not enough to sit Boyd for a two-start week. He can be used with confidence in all league sizes.
▶ Decent Plays
Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Padres, vs. Dodgers)
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Since transitioning back to the Diamondbacks’ rotation, Pfaadt has been outstanding – posting a minuscule 1.85 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and an 18/4 K/BB ratio over 34 innings of work. The lack of strikeouts is a minor concern, but that’s buoyed by the added volume from getting to make a second start. The matchups also aren’t the best, having to battle the Dodgers over the weekend, but Pfaadt has been so good as of late that I’d still be willing to roll the dice. He makes for a strong streaming option in all leagues.
Brandon Sproat, Brewers, RHP (vs. Pirates, vs. Twins)
While the overall results on the season have been mediocre at best, Sproat has finally shown some signs in the past few weeks that he could be on the verge of figuring things out. Since the calendar flipped to June, he holds a 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 44/19 K/BB ratio over 43 2/3 innings over nine starts. He now gets a pair of decent matchups against the Pirates and Twins – both of them at home – where he should be a favorite to earn a victory in each of them. There’s enough meat on the bone here that I would roll him out there in all 15-team leagues and I’d probably roll the dice in 12’s as well if I were looking to gain ground in wins and strikeouts.
Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, RHP (at Yankees, vs. Rockies)
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It was a tough week for McGreevy, as he got bumped from a two-start week after Quinn Mathews was added to the Cardinals’ rotation to start on Saturday. He also got uncharacteristically lit up in his start against the Cubs, getting knocked around for seven runs on eight hits in just 1 2/3 innings. Yikes. The overall track record has been outstanding though, so we’re going to give him the benefit of the doubt here and still trust him for a two start week that includes a home tilt against the Rockies.
Javier Assad, Cubs, RHP (vs. Dodgers, at Royals)
Assad has been effective, both out of the Cubs’ bullpen and in the rotation this season, posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 48/18 K/BB ratio over 69 2/3 innings in 18 appearances (nine starts). The only downside is that he has flopped roles so much that he isn’t fully stretched out and isn’t guaranteed to go five innings in either of his starts this week. Well, that and the fact that he has to battle the Dodgers. He should still be a decent volume option in a two-start week, just understand that his chances of earning a victory are limited.
Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (vs. Athletics, at Nationals)
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For most of the season, Singer has been what we have expected him to be. A decent streaming option in good matchups and two-start weeks, and someone with limited mixed league value the rest of the time. Fortunately, he’s lined up for two starts this week and does so in a pair of quality matchups against the A’s and Nats. He also enters in good form, having posted a 2.37 ERA and 26/11 K/BB ratio over 30 1/3 innings over five starts in July. It’s never easy to click his name or lock him into lineups, but Singer makes for a quality option in both 15 and 12-team formats this week.
Bubba Chandler, Pirates, RHP (at Brewers, vs. Mets)
Chandler is another frustrating one for fantasy managers, as he seemingly has all of the necessary tools to succeed, he has just struggled to put it all together at the big league level. He fired 6 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball against the Yankees two starts ago, only to struggle at home against the Diamondbacks his last time out. It’s the walks that have really gotten him in trouble this season, which isn’t going to bode well against a patient team like the Brewers to start the week. If you’re chasing volume, at least there is upside in Chandler’s right arm to go along with the ratio risk.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Aaron Nola, Phillies, RHP (vs. Nationals, vs. Braves)
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We have seen Nola have rough seasons throughout his career, but he normally bounces back with a strong season in the following campaign. That has not been the case in 2026. Through 22 starts he sports a horrifying 5.61 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a 116/39 K/BB ratio over 114 innings. That’s not helping anyone. He gets to battle a pair of familiar divisional foes this week and gets to make both of his starts at home. That’s about all he has going for him. If your ratios are already cooked and you want to pile up as many wins and strikeouts as you can, go ahead and throw Nola to the wolves. Otherwise, there are probably better options available.
Jake Irvin, Nationals, RHP (at Phillies, vs. Reds)
Irvin has really struggled through 12 starts on the season, leading to an elevated 5.56 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 56 2/3 innings. The one thing that he has provided has been strikeouts, with 59 punchouts on the year. If you need the strikeouts and can afford the ratio hit, Irvin should approach double digits on the week and has an outside shot at scoring a victory. Maybe that’s enough to use him in some deeper leagues.
Zack Littell, Nationals, RHP (at Phillies, vs. Reds)
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Littell has been nothing more than a low-strikeout innings-eater for the Nationals this season, compiling a 4.94 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and a 68/34 K/BB ratio over 105 2/3 innings. The overall upside here is minimal and we have seen him get clobbered a couple of times already this season, leading to a much greater risk than you should be willing to take on for the minimal reward that he provides. Let’s avoid this one.
Ryan Gusto, Marlins, RHP (at Braves, vs. Angels)
Has Gusto pitched well this season? No. He holds a 5.31 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 34/13 K/BB ratio across 39 innings in his 13 appearances (eight starts). Is there reason to expect that he’ll be better going forward though? Also no. He was obliterated by the Phillies his last time out and has never consistently shown that he can be a trusted mixed league option. Combine that with the fact that he has to tangle with the Braves in Atlanta to open the week, and this one is an easy pass for me.
Michael Lorenzen, Rockies, RHP (vs. Rays, at Cardinals)
You should all know the drill by now. Never Rockies. Just don’t do it. It’s not worth the aggravation. Especially when it includes a start at Coors Field. Also when the pitcher has a 6.54 ERA and 1.81 WHIP across 104 2/3 innings. There’s no viable reason for lighting your ratios on fire here. Just don’t do it.