Hello and welcome to the 17th 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 the uncertainty surrounding the labor dispute between Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association, we can’t be sure that the 2027 season is going to begin on time. Just make sure to take some time, appreciate and enjoy the second half of the 2026 season, as we aren’t sure what the 2027 campaign will bring.
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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We already know that Jake Bennett is going to make two starts for the Red Sox this week (at Athletics, at Dodgers), what we don’t yet know is who else is going to. Ranger Suarez may come off the injured list and start on Sunday, in which case Peyton Tolle would be pushed back to Monday and would be lined up to take the ball twice. If not, then Suarez could pitch on Monday and he would be set up for the two-start week. Both have been great this season, but there’s plenty of ratio risk lurking there given the tough opposition and ballparks that they’ll need to navigate.
The Rockies only have five games on their schedule for next week, so fortunately none of their starters are going to take the ball twice. As we know by now though, even if anyone in their rotation was lined up for two starts, there’s never any justifiable reason for going there.
Someone is going to start for the Blue Jays on Monday and is likely to get a two-start week (at Nationals, vs. Cardinals), with Spencer Miles working in a bulk role as the most likely candidate. If so, he makes for a decent streaming option in deeper leagues. We’ll update here if we get any additional clarification through the weekend.
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Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of July 24 and are subject to change.
American League
▶ Strong Plays
Kyle Bradish, Orioles, RHP (at Tigers, vs. Phillies)
It took Bradish a while to really get his 2026 season on track, as he struggled early, rallied in May, got bombed twice at the beginning of June and has since posted a 2.03 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 37/12 K/BB ratio over 40 innings in his last six starts. The matchups aren’t ideal this week, but when Bradish is going right he can silence any lineup. He’s one of the top overall plays on the board this week and needs to be started in all leagues.
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Max Fried, Yankees, LHP (at White Sox, at Cubs)
Fried was absolutely brilliant in his return from the injured list this past week, spinning five innings of one-hit, shutout baseball against the Pirates while piling up seven strikeouts. He has delivered elite results every time he has taken the mound this season, and there’s no reason to expect any less in a two-start week this time around. If you waited a week to get him activated to see how he looked, now is the time to get him back in there. This should be all systems go without question.
Gerrit Cole, Yankees, RHP (at White Sox, at Cubs)
Cole really hasn’t shown much rust after missing the entire 2025 season, returning to post a strong 3.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 66/12 K/BB ratio over 62 frames in his first 11 starts. He racked up 11 strikeouts against the Pirates his last time out and appears to be growing stronger with each start. He should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week, so there’s no decision point here, just sit back and enjoy the added volume from an extra start this week.
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Keider Montero, Tigers, RHP (vs. Orioles, at Athletics)
Whatever role the Tigers have used him in this season, Montero has done a terrific job – posting a 3.14 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 78/22 K/BB ratio over 106 innings. The limited strikeout rate is mitigated by the extra volume in a two-start week and Montero has been a major asset in the ratio department throughout the season. There’s risk in having to pitch against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park, but it’s not nearly enough of a reason to avoid Montero for a two-start week. He should be started with complete confidence in all leagues.
George Kirby, Mariners, RHP (at Rangers, vs. Twins)
While the WHIP has been a bit higher than we’re used to seeing from the 28-year-old righty, Kirby has still been as solid as ever this season, compiling a 3.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 104/25 K/BB ratio over 124 innings while notching eight victories in his 19 starts. He also enters his two-start week in great form, posting quality starts in each of his last six dating back to June 10. Kick up your feet and enjoy double the production from Kirby this week.
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▶ Decent Plays
Jake Bennett, Red Sox, LHP (at Athletics, at Dodgers)
The 25-year-old southpaw is enjoying a terrific rookie campaign for the Red Sox, registering a 2.58 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 42/9 K/BB ratio over 59 1/3 innings while notching six victories in his first 10 starts. The sledding is going to get tougher this week though, having to battle the A’s in West Sacramento before traveling to Los Angeles to take on the vaunted Dodgers’ offense. He has pitched so well this season, and the Red Sox are winning so many games at the moment, that it’s hard to justify sitting Bennett at this point. Just be aware that the risk of ratio damage is much higher this week than we’re used to seeing from Bennett.
Walbert Ureña, Angels, RHP (vs. Astros, vs. Brewers)
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Ureña is quietly enjoying an impressive rookie season for the Angels, boasting a 2.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and an 83/47 K/BB ratio across 87 1/3 innings of work. Those numbers would be even better if not for a disastrous start against the A’s where he gave up seven runs over 4 1/3 innings. He should have earned the trust of fantasy managers by now and is an easy start in all leagues for a strong week with both starts coming in a pitcher-friendly environment.
Griffin Jax, Rays, RHP (vs. Rangers, vs. White Sox)
When things go wrong for Griffin Jax, they go really wrong. Twice this year he has been bombed for six runs or more, otherwise he has been terrific. The matchups this week aren’t terribly imposing and he has shown enough consistency that he should certainly be trusted for a week with a pair of home starts. He should be started in all leagues.
Tatsuya Imai, Astros, RHP (at Angels, vs. Rangers)
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It really has been all or nothing with Imai this season, either he’s brilliant and piling up strikeouts by the bushel, or he’s getting hammered around the yard and gets bounced within the first few innings. Depending on what you’re looking for, that could appeal to you, especially with a couple of decent matchups on the docket. If I’m going to take a chance, I like to do so with those that are talented and capable of elite performances. Imai has clearly shown that he has that in his range of outcomes. I wouldn’t watch his starts and sweat them out, just throw him in your lineup and hope for the best.
Anthony Kay, White Sox, LHP (vs. Yankees, at Rays)
Kay continues to muddle along in the White Sox’ rotation, posting a respectable 4.21 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and an 80/40 K/BB ratio over 98 1/3 innings. He hasn’t been working deep into games recently, but he also hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start since the calendar flipped to July. If you’re content with grabbing around eight strikeouts with decent ratios and an outside shot at a victory, you could roll the dice here, especially in deeper formats.
Kumar Rocker, Rangers, RHP (vs. Mariners, at Astros)
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Rocker has done a decent job for the Rangers through his first 19 appearances (17 starts) on the season, registering a 4.13 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and an 86/36 K/BB ratio over 96 innings of work. The matchups this week aren’t terribly imposing, making him a decent streaming option if you’re looking to gain ground in strikeouts especially. For sure I’d be using him in 15-team formats and I may even take the plunge in 12’s.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Seth Lugo, Royals, RHP (at Twins, at Rockies)
Normally I find myself advocating for using Lugo in his two-start weeks, but his recent struggles combined with a visit to Coors Field make it very difficult to trust him at the moment. Being on the road for both starts and being backed by the Royals offense don’t do him any favors in terms of generating wins, and the strikeout upside has always been limited for the veteran right-hander. If you feel like gambling on a low-upside, minimal downside type of two-start option, Lugo should work for you.
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Gage Jump, Athletics, LHP (vs. Red Sox, vs. Tigers)
Jump has been extremely inconsistent through his first 11 starts in the big leagues, giving up five runs or more three times while surrendering one earned run or fewer five times already. Unfortunately, most of those struggles have come recently as he has seen his ERA jump from 2.04 to 4.42 since June 24 and now has to battle with two of the hottest teams in all of baseball – with both starts coming at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. If you’re worried about your ratios, it may be wise to sit this one out.
Jack Perkins, Athletics, RHP (vs. Red Sox, vs. Tigers)
If we don’t want to use Gage Jump for a home two-step against the Red Sox and Tigers, then we certainly don’t want to trust Perkins in the same matchups. The right-hander holds an abysmal 6.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 62 2/3 innings on the season and now has to tangle with two extremely hot offenses in one of the best hitter’s environments in all of baseball. Stay far away from this one.
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Noah Schultz, White Sox, LHP (vs. Yankees, at Rays)
This one definitely isn’t for the risk averse fantasy manager. When Schultz is able to command his pitches, he has proven that he can be a dominant force on the mound. Unfortunately, we have also seen what can happen when he can’t locate, as he got bombed for five runs on 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings against the Rangers his last time out. If you’re the gambling type and want to wager that he’ll pile up strikeouts and keep the ratios in check over a pair of starts this week, you could be handsomely rewarded. The most likely scenario though is that he gets hit pretty hard in at least one of those starts.
Kendry Rojas, Twins, LHP (vs. Royals, at Mariners)
Rojas has been a bit of an enigma so far for the Twins, posting a strong 3.32 ERA and a miserable 1.57 WHIP with a 24/18 K/BB ratio over his first 21 2/3 innings. Eventually, all of those baserunners are going to catch up to him. He’s also not built up to take on a starter’s workload just yet, so the chances of him making it through five innings to even have a shot at earning a victory are very low. He should be able to help out in the strikeout department, but that’s all you’d be getting from streaming this two-start week.
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Slade Cecconi, Guardians, RHP (at Reds, vs. Diamondbacks)
Cecconi hasn’t quite been a prominent figure in the Guardians’ rotation this season, struggling to a 4.60 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and an 82/34 K/BB ratio over 103 2/3 innings through his first 20 starts. He hasn’t been particularly trustworthy for fantasy purposes and now he has to run through a pair of difficult matchups – especially having to battle the Reds in Cincinnati. The juice just isn’t worth the squeeze here, as his ceiling doesn’t justify the risk that you would be taking on by streaming him.
Cal Quantrill, Rangers, RHP (vs. Mariners, at Astros)
Quantrill is not someone who has ever been confused with a reliable fantasy option. While he has done a nice job overall for the Rangers this season, his 5.48 xFIP and 4.90 xERA hint that his performance is a house of cards that’s going to collapse at any point. Don’t be the one that absorbs that ratio damage when it all comes crashing down. Stay away.
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National League
▶ Strong Plays
Chris Sale, Braves, LHP (at Mets, vs. Nationals)
The 37-year-old left-hander continues to dominate whenever he takes the mound, compiling a brilliant 2.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 134/26 K/BB ratio across 111 innings through his first 19 starts on the season. Now he gets to battle a pair of familiar divisional foes where he should be a favorite to earn a victory both times that he takes the mound. There’s really no reason that Sale should ever be on benches for fantasy purposes, so just sit back and enjoy double the production from the Braves’ ace this week.
Chase Burns, Reds, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Pirates)
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Burns has been an absolutely dominant force for the Reds this season, posting a 12-1 record, 2.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 124/39 K/BB ratio over 107 2/3 innings in his 19 starts. He has been an absolute gold mine for fantasy purposes and there’s really no reason to anticipate that his production is going to fall off anytime soon. Whether he makes one start or two doesn’t impact anything decision-wise for fantasy managers, as he should be locked into all lineups each and every week. He’s one of the top options on the entire board this week.
Zack Wheeler, Phillies, RHP (at Marlins, at Orioles)
Wheeler has been one of the best stories of the 2026 season so far, coming back from a major injury to go 10-2 with a 2.16 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 117/22 K/BB ratio over 100 innings in his age-36 season. He has also been remarkably consistent from start-to-start and you know that you’re going to get elite results from him whenever he takes the mound. He’s easily one of the top overall plays on the board once again this week.
Michael King, Padres, RHP (vs. Rockies, vs. Giants)
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King is putting together another tremendous season for the Padres, posting a 3.24 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 103/49 K/BB ratio over 119 1/3 innings through his first 21 starts. Now he draws a dream two-start week, getting to battle both the Rockies and the Giants in the pitcher-friendly confines of Petco Park. He’s easily one of the top overall plays on the board this week and should be started in 100 percent of fantasy leagues without question.
Christian Scott, Mets, RHP (vs. Braves, vs. Marlins)
Scott has settled in nicely to the Mets’ rotation, contributing a terrific 3.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 78/29 K/BB ratio over 63 1/3 innings through his first 14 starts. The only problem is that he has made it through five innings just six times in those 14 outings and hasn’t even exceeded 90 pitches in a start since June 5. That lowers his win equity a bit, but he’ll still deliver quality ratios and strikeout numbers, which makes him a strong option in all leagues for his two-start week.
Eric Lauer, Dodgers, LHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Red Sox)
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Things could still change, but as of now it looks like even in a six-game week that we’ll get a two-start week from someone on the Dodgers, That’s because Shohei Ohtani is battling a knee issue and it’s unclear when he’ll return to the rotation. Lauer has done a nice job overall since joining the Dodgers, posting a 3.35 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 26/12 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 innings of work. What he lacks in strikeouts, he makes up for in win equity by pitching for baseball’s best team. Those limited strikeouts are also buoyed by the added volume of a two-start week. Lauer is a strong play in all leagues this week.
Sandy Alcantara, Marlins, RHP (vs. Phillies, at Mets)
We haven’t quite gotten the vintage version of Sandy Alcantara this season, but he has been leaps and bounds better than the version that we had to suffer through during the 2025 season. The workhorse right-hander holds a 4.01 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 110/38 K/BB ratio over a league-leading 143 2/3 innings. He should be in fantasy lineups most weeks regardless of matchups, and he always makes for a strong option when he’s toeing the slab twice. He should be started in all league sizes without question.
Zac Thornton, Mets, LHP (vs. Braves, vs. Marlins)
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The 24-year-old southpaw has been very impressive through his first four starts, putting together a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 17/6 K/BB ratio over 23 1/3 innings. He has gone at least six innings and allowed one run or less in each of his last three starts. While he’s not going to continue at this level, you should absolutely ride the hot hand here in a two-start week. He’s an easy start in all formats this week.
Brandon Sproat, Brewers, RHP (at Giants, at Angels)
Sproat has taken his lumps in the Brewers’ rotation this season, compiling a 5.09 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 91/43 K/BB ratio over 86 2/3 innings through his first 19 outings. It has finally looked like the talent is starting to shine through and everything is clicking into place recently though. Since the calendar flipped to June, Sproat boasts a 3.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 39/16 K/BB ratio across 37 2/3 innings. The matchups couldn’t get much better, battling the Giants and Angels in pitcher’s parks. He should be an easy start in all leagues this week and makes for a terrific streaming option in shallower formats where he may still be available.
Landen Roupp, Giants, RHP (vs. Brewers, at Padres)
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Roupp has quietly put together a nice season in the Giants’ rotation, registering a 3.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 113/45 K/BB ratio over 110 innings through his first 20 starts. He’s had two terrible road starts that have brought that overall line down, otherwise he has been very impressive. He has also been sizzling in the month of July, allowing just three runs over 21 innings (1.29 ERA) while posting a 14/5 K/BB ratio. He should be started with full confidence in all league sizes this week.
Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, LHP (vs. Cubs, at Blue Jays)
McGreevy has been a stabilizing force for the Cardinals and for fantasy managers this season, putting together a 3.07 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 74/27 K/BB ratio across 114 1/3 innings in his first 20 starts. It’s a travesty that it has only led to four victories. The only knock on him, aside from the lack of wins which are out of his control, is the limited strikeout rate. That’s made up for with the added volume from a two-start week. He should be utilized in all leagues this week.
▶ Decent Plays
Cade Cavalli, Nationals, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, at Braves)
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Cavalli has legitimately done a nice job for the Nationals this season, compiling a 3.58 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 127/34 K/BB ratio over 110 2/3 innings through his first 22 starts. He has been a useful option most weeks for fantasy purposes as well. Look for that trend to continue with this two-start week on tap. The Blue Jays can be bested by right-handed pitching and though the Braves will be a tougher challenge with Ronald Acuna Jr. back in the mix, it’s not enough to dissuade me from using Cavalli with double the volume this week. Go ahead and fire him up in all leagues.
Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks, RHP (at Pirates, at Guardians)
The 37-year-old right-hander has not pitched well overall this season, but there has been at least a glimmer of hope since the calendar flipped to July. Over his last four starts, Kelly has gone 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and an 18/8 K/BB ratio over 22 innings of work. The matchups against the Pirates and Guardians aren’t terribly imposing, so I’d be tempted to ride with the hot hand here, making Kelly a viable streaming option in all formats.
Mitch Keller, Pirates, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, at Reds)
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Overall, Keller’s season has been an extreme roller coaster ride. He started off brilliant, with a 2.87 ERA through his first seven starts. Then he went through a six-start stretch where he was saddled with an 8.70 ERA over 30 innings. Things have leveled off a bit since then though and he’s coming off of a terrific outing where he struck out six batters over five scoreless innings against the Yankees. Keller has always been a viable streaming option in deeper mixed leagues in two-start weeks, and I’m comfortable rolling him out there in both 15 and 12-team formats once again this time around.
Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Pirates)
Singer is having a rough time overall in his second season with the Reds, posting an uninspiring 4.53 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and an 88/32 K/BB ratio across 103 1/3 innings in his 20 starts. The matchups this week aren’t particularly imposing, which gives credence to the idea that Singer could be worth a look as a streaming option. It’s never going to feel warm and fuzzy to put Singer in your lineup for a two-start week, but the overall upside outweighs the risk here, making him a viable play in deeper mixed leagues.
Colin Rea, Cubs, RHP (at Cardinals, vs. Yankees)
Rea pretty much is who he is at this stage of his career, a decent innings eater that can have viability for fantasy purposes in weeks where the matchups fall in his favor. That’s not quite the case having to travel to St. Louis before battling the Yankees to finish the week. What’s nice about Rea is that the chances of him crushing your ratios with a blowup start are minimal, while he should be able to approach double-digit strikeouts in most two-start weeks. The ceiling isn’t that high, but he can be of use in deeper leagues.
Bubba Chandler, Pirates, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, at Reds)
Chandler has yet to deliver the elite results that fantasy managers were hoping for this season as inconsistency has led to a middling 4.47 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 90/56 K/BB ratio over 100 2/3 innings. The stuff is there, he just has to find a way to cut back on the walks to have consistent success at the game’s highest level. The matchups this week are tough, which invites in some extra ratio risk, so it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re fine with piling up strikeouts and taking a shot at a win, Chandler makes for a fine option.
Tyler Mahle, Giants, RHP (vs. Brewers, at Padres)
The overall season line for Mahle looks bleak, as he sits at 2-9 with a 5.31 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a 77/33 K/BB ratio over 83 frames through his first 16 starts. If you squint though, you can see a glimmer of hope coming out of his recent performance. The most likely scenario here is that he deals you some ratio damage and approaches double-digit strikeouts for the week while giving you a shot at a win. If that sounds appealing, go ahead and roll the dice.
Tyler Phillips, Marlins, RHP (vs. Phillies, at Mets)
Phillips has done a decent job overall on the season for the Marlins, registering a 3.52 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 58/36 K/BB ratio over 79 1/3 innings in 26 appearances (10 starts). He has won just two games though and has made it through five innings just once in his last four outings. The matchups are a mixed bag, as the Phillies are likely to cause him trouble, though the matchup against the Mets is softer. He’s fine as a volume play in deeper leagues, but the overall ceiling is very low.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, LHP (vs. Cubs, at Blue Jays)
Liberatore’s overall results on the season have been extremely disappointing, struggling to a 5.18 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and a 95/38 K/BB ratio over 99 innings through his first 20 starts. He was also knocked around by the Angels his last time out, so he doesn’t enter this week in good form. If you are able to throw caution to the wind with your ratios and are just looking to add volume, you can click his name and hope for the best. Otherwise, I’d avoid.
Andrew Alvarez, Nationals, LHP (vs. Blue Jays, at Braves)
Alvarez has been a somewhat serviceable option as an innings eater for the Nationals, but his 1.50 WHIP has dealt brutal ratio damage to fantasy managers that have risked using him. This two-step looks particularly challenging on paper as I can see that start against the Braves going sideways very quickly. He’s also not likely to be a favorite to earn a win in either start. If all you care about is piling up strikeouts, you could try it, but there are probably better alternatives available.
David Peterson, Cubs, LHP (at Cardinals, vs. Yankees)
The version of Peterson that we have seen through four starts with the Cubs looks a whole lot like the guy who couldn’t keep his spot in the Mets’ rotation. He shows flashes of brilliance now and again, but the overall results have been wholly disappointing. With these particular matchups, Peterson isn’t likely to win a game, he has never been a major asset in the strikeout department and he’s very likely to deliver ratios that will cause major damage – especially in WHIP. If you’re chasing wins and strikeouts and need the volume, maybe you could try it in deeper leagues. I’d try to stay away from this one if possible though.
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