Hello and welcome to the 15th 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.
We’re heading into the 15th week of a 27 week season. That’s more than halfway through, and one of those weeks is a half-week for the All-Star break. 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:
⚾️ Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
Aside from Reynaldo López, it’s possible that someone else will make two starts for the Braves next week (at Pirates, at Cardinals), but that all depends on when exactly Bryce Elder makes his next start. If he goes on Tuesday, he would also be lined up to pitch on Sunday. That would assume that either Hurston Waldrep or Grant Holmes is shifted back to the bullpen though. It’s also possible the Braves just roll with a full six-man rotation for the week, in which case it’s just López that will toe the slab twice. We’ll keep it updated here throughout the weekend if we get any additional clarity on the situation.
It’s unclear as of Friday what the Orioles plan to do next week. They rolled with a six-man rotation this time following the return of Dean Kremer and could opt to do the same next week. If that happens, no one will get a two-start week. If someone gets bumped to the bullpen and they stick with five-man alignment, it would be Shane Baz taking the ball twice (vs. Cubs, vs. Royals), in which case he makes for a decent option.
Those pesky Dodgers. Just when it looked like Eric Lauer would get to make two starts this past week, they opted to go with a bullpen game on Wednesday which resulted in Charlie Barnes logging seven innings in a losing effort against the Athletics. They only play six games in the final week before the All-Star break, so with their six-man rotation, no one is going to make two starts unless someone gets skipped. If that does happen, once again it would be Lauer in line for two starts (vs. Rockies, vs. Diamondbacks), which would make him a very strong option once again. We’ll update here if anything happens to change.
Aside from Freddy Peralta, it’s possible that someone else on the Mets could make two starts next week (vs. Royals, vs. Red Sox), but we aren’t quite sure who yet. Tobias Myers maybe in a bulk role? It’s also possible that they finish the first half with a bullpen day and that no one aside from Peralta gets the two-step. As always, we’ll monitor the situation and update here if we get any additional clarity.
As of now, it’s Cade Cavalli lined up to make two starts for the Nationals next week, but that’s likely to get pushed as he serves his seven-game suspension for the club’s benches-clearing incident with Willson Contreras and the Red Sox. It’s likely the Nationals call someone up or go with a bullpen game, making it so no one draws a two-start week there.
Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of July 3 and are subject to change.
American League
▶ Strong Plays
Tarik Skubal, Tigers, LHP (vs. Athletics, vs. Phillies)
The superstar left-hander had been scheduled to make two starts this past week, but wound up getting pushed back a day to accommodate the return of Casey Mize to the Tigers’ rotation. He now gets to finish up his first half with a pair of home starts against offenses that shouldn’t give him much resistance. Skubal allowed just one earned run on one hit over six innings against the Yankees in New York his last time out, posting a 9/0 K/BB ratio in the process. Expect more of the same from Skubal this week. He’s easily one of, if not the top overall option on the board and should be started in 100% of leagues without question.
Cam Schlittler, Yankees, RHP (at Rays, at Nationals)
Cam Schlittler will try to rebound from his roughest start of the season, where he gave up three first-inning homers in a losing effort against the Tigers. Matchups don’t matter, as Schlittler should be locked into all fantasy lineups each and every week as long as he’s healthy enough to take the ball. There’s a chance that he winds up getting skipped for that last start though if the Yankees want to hold him back and give him the honor of starting against the National League in the All-Star Game.
Shane McClanahan, Rays, RHP (vs. Yankees, vs. Mariners)
McClanahan has been incredible in his return to the Rays’ rotation this season, posting a 3.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 77/28 K/BB ratio over 79 2/3 innings while remaining healthy and durable through his first 16 starts. The Yankees aren’t quite as intimidating of an offense without Aaron Judge, so there’s really no reason to avoid them, making this another very strong week for McClanahan. As long as he’s healthy, he should be in there and producing elite results every week.
Jacob deGrom, Rangers, RHP (vs. Angels, vs. Astros)
Even in the twilight of his career, deGrom has proven that he can be a steady and reliable upper-echelon option for fantasy purposes. Through his first 17 starts he holds a terrific 3.48 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 115/20 K/BB ratio over 95 2/3 innings. He’s as set it and forget it as they come for fantasy purposes, as he should never leave your lineup. This week is really a who’s who of two-start pitching options around the league. That doesn’t make deGrom any less of a strong option though.
Bryan Woo, Mariners, RHP (at Marlins, at Rays)
Woo joins the ranks of the elite two-start options available in the final week leading up to the All-Star break. The 26-year-old hurler has been a bit uneven over the past month, giving up five or more runs three times in his last five starts – with all of those outings coming on the road. He’ll be away from Seattle for both starts this week, which is at least mildly concerning, but Woo has been so good overall both this season and in his career that I think you still have to give him the benefit of the doubt. I’m still using him in all league sizes, though in shallower formats if you want to sit this one out, there’s at least some rationale for doing so.
Joey Cantillo, Guardians, LHP (at Twins, at Marlins)
While he has been inconsistent at times this season, Cantillo is locked into his best stretch of the year right now – allowing two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts while posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 26/8 K/BB ratio across 24 innings. He now gets to battle a pair of exploitable offenses in two pitcher’s parks. It can be hard to trust him, but Cantillo actually looks like a terrific option in all leagues for this two-start week and is someone I’d actively look to target if he was available on waivers.
▶ Decent Plays
Will Warren, Yankees, RHP (at Rays, at Nationals)
Warren continues to be a solid weekly option in most formats, registering a 3.73 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 91 strikeouts over 89 1/3 innings on the season. The matchups are more neutral than good this week, but it’s nothing that should lead us to shy away from Warren with the added volume of a two-start week. Continue to trot him out there and enjoy the rewards that come with it.
Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays, RHP (at Giants, at Padres)
Gausman’s overall line on the season looks decent, but it has been weighed down by two disastrous outings against the Cubs and Rangers at the end of June. He appeared to right the ship his last time out, with a gem against the Mets, so I’m inclined to buy back in and trust him for what looks to be a strong two-start week in two great pitcher’s parks. Start Gausman with confidence in all league sizes.
Noah Schultz, White Sox, LHP (vs. Red Sox, vs. Athletics)
Schultz pitched decently in his return from the injured list this past week, piling up seven strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings of three-run ball against the Orioles. Even on nights when he struggles with his command, the strikeout upside is ever present, making him a worthwhile streaming target in all formats. Pitching at home should help his chances of avoiding a blow up and there’s a good chance that he picks up his third victory in one of these starts. I’d be confident rolling him out there in all league sizes.
Seth Lugo, Royals, RHP (at Mets, at Orioles)
Aside from a couple of unexpected blowup starts, Lugo has been the same safe streaming option that he has always been. His limited strikeout rate has always made him a better target in two-start weeks, and this week is no exception. The Royals’ offense has really been struggling to score runs, so his outlook to earn victories isn’t great, but as a backend rotation option in deeper leagues, he’s perfectly capable of contributing positive results this week. The ceiling is low, but so is the risk level. Feel free to fire away in all leagues.
Taj Bradley, Twins, RHP (vs. Guardians, vs. Angels)
Bradley has really come into his own and helped to solidify the middle of the Twins’ rotation this season. The 25-year-old hurler sits at 7-3 with a respectable 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 102/38 K/BB ratio over 88 2/3 innings through his first 16 starts. That will most definitely play in most leagues. He gets to finish up the first half of the season with a pair of strong matchups against the Guardians and Angels at home. He’s an easy start in all leagues where he’s already rostered and should be considered a priority target in leagues where he may be available.
José Soriano, Angels, RHP (at Rangers, at Twins)
After a brilliant start to the season, the Angels’ right-hander has come crashing back to Earth, registering a 5.34 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and a 62/33 K/BB ratio over 57 1/3 innings over 11 starts since the beginning of May. Most fantasy managers were probably blinded by the early success and the strength of his overall line and have been trotting him out weekly without much thought. If so, they have given back most, if not all of the early ratio gains that Soriano provided. He’s capable of dominating each time he takes the mound, and the matchups do fall in his favor this week, which is enough for me to give him the nod in 15-teamers. In 12’s though I’d probably try to find an alternative until Soriano gives me a reason to trust him again.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Mike Burrows, Astros, RHP (at Nationals, at Rangers)
Burrows has shown flashes of the talent that made him such an exciting prospect coming into the season, but he just hasn’t been able to consistently deliver quality results for fantasy managers. He sports a miserable 5.58 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 90 1/3 frames on the season with just 72 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings. The matchups are decent enough this week that I could understand taking the plunge as a risky volume play if you were desperate to make up ground in wins and strikeouts. Just understand the ratio risk that you’re taking on by doing so.
Noah Cameron, Royals, LHP (vs. Phillies, at Orioles)
Once considered a safe and reliable streaming option for two-start weeks, Cameron has been hit extremely hard over the past month, posting a brutal 9.00 ERA, 2.22 WHIP and a 12/8 K/BB ratio over 18 innings in his last four starts. Maybe it’s just the regular ups and downs of an MLB season and he can stop the slide and get back on track at any time. Personally, I’d like to see it happen before I risk any further ratio damage with the Royals’ southpaw. As much as it pains me, I’d try to sit this one out this week.
Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, LHP (at Tigers, at White Sox)
Springs has really fallen on hard times after a strong start to the season, posting a cringe-inducing 10.00 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and a 23/13 K/BB ratio over 27 innings in five starts during the month of June. The White Sox have been one of the strongest offenses in the league against southpaws this season, and the Tigers have been much better over the past couple of weeks, setting this up to be a potentially disastrous two-start week for Springs. The only thing that he has going in his favor is that these two starts will be on the road, away from Sutter Health Park. I just don’t see any real justification for taking on this ratio risk unless you’re already at the bottom of the league there and just need volume to stream wins and strikeouts.
National League
▶ Strong Plays
Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers, LHP (at Cardinals, at Pirates)
The flame-throwing right-hander is scheduled to finish out his stellar first half with a two-start week that looks exceptional on paper with matchups against the Cardinals and the Pirates. There’s always a chance though that the Brewers skip that final start, or at least limit him, so that he can start against the American League in the All-Star Game. Either way, Misiorowski should never leave fantasy lineups, even in single start weeks, so you’re rolling with him regardless of the number of starts that he makes. Enjoy the show and the pile of strikeouts that he’ll deliver once again.
Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies, LHP (at Royals, at Tigers)
Sánchez has shown some cracks in his armor over the past month – allowing four or more earned runs twice in his last four outings, yet he still owns a spectacular 2.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 136/23 K/BB ratio across 117 innings through his first 18 starts on the season. He gets to finish the first half of the year with two very strong matchups against teams that struggle against southpaws, though the Tigers have shown life against them recently. Expect strong ratios, double-digit strikeouts and a decent shot at a victory from the star southpaw this week.
Paul Skenes, Pirates, RHP (vs. Braves, vs. Brewers)
Skenes joins the parade of aces that are lined up to make two starts during the upcoming week. Like many of the others, it’s possible that his second start gets skipped or limited if the Pirates want him to be available for next week’s All-Star Game. That’s no reason to sit him though as he’s locked into all fantasy lineups each and every week. Skenes is enjoying another strong season with a 3.62 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 119/22 K/BB ratio over 97 innings through his first 18 starts.
Max Meyer, Marlins, RHP (vs. Mariners, vs. Guardians)
Meyer has been nothing short of exceptional for the Marlins this season, going 9-1 with a minuscule 2.53 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 112/36 K/BB ratio over 103 innings through his first 18 starts. He should be locked in as an every week start in all formats, so there’s no decision point here, just sit back and enjoy the added production from a two-start week for one of the breakout stars of the 2026 MLB season. Meyer is easily one of the top overall plays on the board this week.
Zack Wheeler, Phillies, RHP (at Reds, at Tigers)
Despite the long layoff after undergoing surgery on his pitching shoulder, Wheeler hasn’t missed a beat since joining the Phillies’ rotation at the end of April. He now sits at 8-1 on the year with a ridiculous 2.36 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and an 84/20 K/BB ratio over 80 innings in his first 13 starts. That’s absolutely elite-level production. Taking on the Reds in Cincinnati isn’t ideal, but Wheeler needs to be started in all leagues each and every week with no exception. He has wound up being one of the best overall values from fantasy drafts this season.
Reynaldo López, Braves, RHP (vs. Mets, at Cardinals)
The Braves’ right-hander has pitched well in whatever role he has been used in this season, but he has looked especially sharp in his recent transition back to the starting rotation. His last time out he punched out six batters over five innings of one-run baseball in a victory over the Cardinals, getting stretched out to 69 pitches in the process. The matchups both fall in his favor this week, so there’s a good chance that he can pick up his fifth victory on the season while approaching double-digit strikeouts and providing solid ratios. That makes him an easy start for me in all formats.
Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Brewers, vs. Braves)
Whenever we have seen McGreevy take the mound in his big league career, he has always produced great ratios and limited strikeouts. That’s the case once again this season, as he sports a 3.12 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 60/22 K/BB ratio over 95 1/3 innings in 17 starts. The matchups are both difficult this time around, but McGreevy has proven that he can hold his own against any opposing lineup. The limited strikeouts are offset by the extra volume from the second start, making McGreevy an excellent option in all leagues this week.
Andrew Abbott, Reds, LHP (vs Phillies, vs. Cubs)
Abbott got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, but he has settled in very nicely since the end of April, registering a 2.71 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 54/32 K/BB ratio over 66 1/3 innings in his last 12 starts. He’s never going to be an asset in the WHIP department, but that’s not enough to dissuade us from using him. His limited strikeout rate also gets boosted from the volume of having an extra start. The matchups aren’t great this week, having to battle a pair of strong offenses at Great American Ballpark, but Abbott is certainly worth being used in all leagues for this two-start week.
Shane Drohan, Brewers, LHP (at Cardinals, at Pirates)
Drohan has done a really nice job for the Brewers this season, compiling a 3.12 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 59/18 K/BB ratio over 57 2/3 innings in 17 appearances (seven starts). He gets to wrap up the first half with a pair of battles against familiar divisional foes where he represents a very strong streaming option. He should be started in all league sizes without hesitation.
▶ Decent Plays
Freddy Peralta, Mets, RHP (at Braves, vs. Red Sox)
Peralta hasn’t performed as the ace that the Mets were hoping for when they acquired him from the Brewers over the offseason. He holds a disappointing 4.81 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 92/38 K/BB ratio over 95 1/3 innings through his first 18 starts with the team and has been pounded for 15 runs over 12 1/3 frames over his last three starts. The chances of him turning things around aren’t great with matchups against the Braves and Red Sox looming. You drafted Peralta to be a staple of your rotation, and you’ve already absorbed the ratio damage that he has provided, so you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place here. You probably just have to continue rolling with him and hope that the overall line looks closer to what you were expecting by season’s end.
Walker Buehler, Padres, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, vs. Blue Jays)
Before he was pummelled for nine runs at Wrigley Field his last time out, Buehler had been on a really nice run for the Padres, allowing just one earned run in each of his five outings during the month of June. We’ll chalk that one up to just one bad outing with the wind blowing out and trust Buehler for a strong two-start week with both starts coming at home. If any fantasy managers gave up on him after this past week’s debacle, he makes for a very nice streaming option.
Matthew Boyd, Cubs, LHP (at Orioles, at Reds)
Boyd hasn’t been able to replicate the tremendous success he had during the 2025 campaign. Through seven starts between stints on the injured list, Boyd holds an uninspiring 5.08 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 37/10 K/BB over 33 2/3 innings. He hasn’t quite looked right yet in two starts since returning from the IL, and asking him to pitch at the Orioles and at the Reds could lead to some ratio damage if he can’t keep the ball in the yard. He’s talented enough that I’d probably still roll with him in 15-teamers, but in 12’s or anything more shallow than that, I’d try to find alternative options.
Landen Roupp, Giants, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, vs. Rockies)
Roupp has pitched decently as a backend rotation option for the Giants this season, but hasn’t delivered very fantasy-friendly results with an uninspiring 4.55 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 89 innings, though he has racked up 99 strikeouts along the way. This week is interesting though, as he gets to take on a pair of attackable offenses with both starts coming at home in the spacious confines in San Francisco. If there’s any week to try to use Roupp, this would be the one. He looks like a solid option in all leagues.
Randy Vasquez, Padres, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, vs. Blue Jays)
Vasquez pretty much is what he is at this stage of his career. Someone who will provide decent ratios, low strikeouts and a chance at a victory when he takes the mound. With two starts coming at home this week, that could be enough to roll with him in deeper leagues if that’s all you’re looking for, just understand that the overall ceiling here is very low.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Dustin May, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Brewers, vs. Braves)
May has had an absolutely roller-coaster season, with a horrendous start before putting together a couple of strong months to reclaim his season, only to give up 11 runs over 2 2/3 innings in his last two starts. Yikes. I don’t think you can start him while he’s on the downswing, especially in a pair of difficult matchups. He was also struck in the ankle by a line drive his last time out, so there’s no guarantee that he even makes both of these starts. I’d avoid this one completely.
Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, RHP (at Padres, at Dodgers)
Pfaadt looked sharp in his first start back in the Diamondbacks’ rotation last week, hurling 5 1/3 innings of one-run baseball against the Giants. He only threw 66 pitches in that one though and may still have workload limitations as he continues to get stretched back out. The matchups are a mixed bag this week, as the Padres have struggled badly against right-handers for the majority of the season while the Dodgers have pummeled them all season. If it was just the one start at the Padres, I’d like it more than taking on the Dodgers on Saturday. Maybe if I was looking for volume in deeper leagues, otherwise I’d probably stay away.
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, RHP (at Padres, at Dodgers)
It really has been a season to forget for Zac Gallen. The once fantasy stalwart is now someone that doesn’t even have a lick of mixed league value, even in a two-start week. He sits at 3-8 on the year with a horrendous 6.36 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 56/28 K/BB ratio over 92 innings in his 18 starts while surrendering a league-leading 65 earned runs and 17 homers. He has also surrendered 20 runs over his last three starts. Woof. Combine that with the fact that he has to tango with the Dodgers, and this is an easy pass in all leagues. Don’t let name recognition get the best of you here.
Michael Lorenzen, Rockies, RHP (at Dodgers, at Giants)
I briefly considered straying from the standard recommendation here, but I just can’t do it. Never Rockies. Never. Lorenzen, like all Rockies’ starters, has been abysmal this season, holding a 6.91 ERA and 1.81 WHIP with 67 punchouts over his 86 innings of work. Those numbers have been a bit better on the road (5.68 ERA, 1.58 WHIP), but it’s still not what we’re looking for. Especially when you factor in the matchup against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. It’s easy to avoid this ticking time bomb, just stay away.
Kyle Freeland, Rockies, LHP (at Dodgers, at Giants)
Never Rockies. Just don’t do it to yourself. It doesn’t even matter that both starts are on the road. He has to battle the Dodgers in that first start and that’s more than enough to dissuade fantasy managers from going here. That’s without even factoring in his horrifying 7.25 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 68/18 K/BB ratio over 77 innings on the season. But wait, isn’t most of that ratio damage due to Coors Field? You’d think so, but Freeland has actually been better at home this season than he has been on the road. Away from Coors Field he’s 0-5 with an 8.31 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 34 2/3 innings in his eight appearances. Just don’t do it to yourself, stay away.
