Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Plenty of Two-Start Options

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Plenty of Two-Start Options

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.

It's a pretty good week for quality two-start options, helpful for those either in head-to-head playoffs or looking to firm up a ticket to the dance. Unfortunately, the pool of available starters to pick up for a double-dip is thin, at least the way things flesh out now. Keep in mind rosters expand next weekend, meaning the weekend's schedule is very much in flux.


For the week, Aug. 27 - Sept. 2

UPDATED: Sunday August 26, 11:10 PM ET

AMERICAN LEAGUE

RANK PITCHER TEAM OPP COMMENT
1 Gerrit Cole HOU vs. OAK, vs. LAA
2 Carlos Carrasco CLE vs. MIN, vs. TB Remember when his ERA was north of 4.00?
3 Charlie Morton HOU vs. OAK, vs. LAA
4 Masahiro Tanaka NYY vs. CWS, vs. DET Yankees looking to feast on AL Central bottom feeders
5 Luis Severino NYY vs. DET
6 Corey Kluber CLE vs. TB
7 Justin Verlander HOU vs. LAA
8 Lance Lynn NYY vs. CWS, vs. DET Driven by win and whiff potential
9 Rick Porcello BOS at CWS
10 David Price BOS vs. MIA Coming through with Sale on the shelf
11 Eduardo Rodriguez BOS at CWS
12 Nathan Eovaldi BOS at CWS
13 Dallas Keuchel HOU vs. OAK
14 J.A. Happ NYY vs. DET
15 James Paxton SEA at OAK Expected to return
16 CC Sabathia NYY vs. CWS
17 Trevor Cahill OAK at HOU
18 Marco Gonzales SEA at SD
19 Mike Clevinger CLE vs. MIN
20 Michael Fulmer DET at KC
21

It's a pretty good week for quality two-start options, helpful for those either in head-to-head playoffs or looking to firm up a ticket to the dance. Unfortunately, the pool of available starters to pick up for a double-dip is thin, at least the way things flesh out now. Keep in mind rosters expand next weekend, meaning the weekend's schedule is very much in flux.


For the week, Aug. 27 - Sept. 2

UPDATED: Sunday August 26, 11:10 PM ET

AMERICAN LEAGUE

RANK PITCHER TEAM OPP COMMENT
1 Gerrit Cole HOU vs. OAK, vs. LAA
2 Carlos Carrasco CLE vs. MIN, vs. TB Remember when his ERA was north of 4.00?
3 Charlie Morton HOU vs. OAK, vs. LAA
4 Masahiro Tanaka NYY vs. CWS, vs. DET Yankees looking to feast on AL Central bottom feeders
5 Luis Severino NYY vs. DET
6 Corey Kluber CLE vs. TB
7 Justin Verlander HOU vs. LAA
8 Lance Lynn NYY vs. CWS, vs. DET Driven by win and whiff potential
9 Rick Porcello BOS at CWS
10 David Price BOS vs. MIA Coming through with Sale on the shelf
11 Eduardo Rodriguez BOS at CWS
12 Nathan Eovaldi BOS at CWS
13 Dallas Keuchel HOU vs. OAK
14 J.A. Happ NYY vs. DET
15 James Paxton SEA at OAK Expected to return
16 CC Sabathia NYY vs. CWS
17 Trevor Cahill OAK at HOU
18 Marco Gonzales SEA at SD
19 Mike Clevinger CLE vs. MIN
20 Michael Fulmer DET at KC
21 Blake Snell TB at CLE
22 Marco Estrada TOR at MIA
23 Jakob Junis KC vs. DET
24 Matthew Boyd DET at KC, at NYY In good spot to continue strong second half
25 Sam Gaviglio TOR at BAL, at MIA
26 Aaron Sanchez TOR at MIA
27 Shane Bieber CLE vs. TB
28 Carlos Rodon CWS at NYY, vs. BOS Tough matchups
29 Edwin Jackson OAK at HOU, vs. SEA
30 Jaime Barria LAA at HOU
31 Mike Minor TEX vs. LAD
32 Kyle Gibson MIN at CLE, at TEX
33 Mike Fiers OAK vs. SEA
34 Felix Hernandez SEA at SD
35 Hector Velazquez BOS at CWS
36 Dylan Bundy BAL at KC
37 Wade LeBlanc SEA at OAK
38 Jose Berrios MIN at TEX
39 Ryan Borucki TOR at BAL
40 Diego Castillo TB at ATL
41 Chris Bassitt OAK vs. SEA
42 Felix Pena LAA at HOU
43 Danny Duffy KC vs. DET
44 Mike Leake SEA at OAK
45 Andrew Heaney LAA at HOU
46 Brett Anderson OAK at HOU, vs. SEA
47 Brian Johnson BOS vs. MIA
48 Michael Kopech CWS vs. BOS
49 Erasmo Ramirez SEA at OAK
50 Andrew Cashner BAL at KC
51 Alex Cobb BAL vs. TOR
52 Brad Keller KC vs. BAL
53 Thomas Pannone TOR at BAL
54 Odrisamer Despaigne LAA vs. COL, at HOU
55 Reynaldo Lopez CWS at NYY
56 Osmer Morales LAA vs. COL
57 Ryne Stanek TB at ATL
58 Adam Plutko CLE vs. MIN
59 Francisco Liriano DET at NYY
60 Jake Odorizzi MIN at CLE
61 Yefry Ramirez BAL vs. TOR
62 Drew Hutchison TEX vs. MIN
63 James Shields CWS at NYY, vs. BOS
64 Lucas Giolito CWS vs. BOS
65 Jordan Zimmermann DET at NYY
66 Heath Fillmyer KC vs. BAL
67 Tyler Glasnow TB at CLE
68 Jorge Lopez KC vs. BAL
69 Stephen Gonsalves MIN at TEX
70 Ryan Yarbrough TB at CLE
71 Martin Perez TEX vs. MIN
72 David Hess BAL vs. TOR, at KC
73 Framber Valdez HOU vs. LAA
74 Ryan Carpenter DET at NYY
75 Yovani Gallardo TEX vs. MIN
76 Ariel Jurado TEX vs. LAD
77 Kohl Stewart MIN at CLE

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Rank Pitcher TEAM OPP Comments
1 Patrick Corbin ARI at SF, at LAD Draws a couple of lineups susceptible to LHP in great venues
2 Jon Gray COL at LAA, at SD Visit to minors worked (toungue firmly implanted in cheek)
3 Noah Syndergaard NYM at CHC, at SF Not sharp but capable of 10 K any time he takes the hill
4 Jack Flaherty STL vs. PIT, vs. CIN Getting better as season goes along
5 Max Scherzer WAS at PHI
6 Jon Lester CHC vs. NYM, at PHI Finding groove, facing right teams to keep it going
7 Julio Teheran ATL vs. TB, vs. PIT Pitching well lately, facing beatable lineups
8 Stephen Strasburg WAS at PHI, vs. MIL Still rusty but missing bats
9 Clayton Kershaw LAD vs. ARI
10 Walker Buehler LAD at TEX, vs. ARI
11 Jacob deGrom NYM at CHC
12 Aaron Nola PHI vs. WAS Neck and neck with Mad Max for Cy Young
13 Zack Greinke ARI at LAD
14 Cole Hamels CHC vs. NYM Strikeouts down but should ratchet back up this week
15 Kyle Freeland COL at LAA Angels struggle versus LHP
16 German Marquez COL at SD
17 Anthony DeSclafani CIN vs. MIL, at STL
18 Miles Mikolas STL vs. PIT
19 Zach Eflin PHI vs. WAS, vs. CHC
20 Kyle Hendricks CHC at PHI
21 Madison Bumgarner SF vs. ARI
22 Dereck Rodriguez SF vs. ARI
23 Luis Castillo CIN vs. MIL
24 Clay Buchholz ARI at SF, at LAD Not walking anyone plus helped by good pitching venues
25 Robbie Ray ARI at LAD
26 Rich Hill LAD vs. ARI
27 Zack Wheeler NYM at SF Continues to roll along
28 Antonio Senzatela COL at SD
29 Tyler Anderson COL at SD
30 Zack Godley ARI at SF
31 Anibal Sanchez ATL vs. PIT
32 Jake Arrieta PHI vs. WAS
33 Freddy Peralta MIL at CIN
34 Kevin Gausman ATL vs. PIT Pitching well in spite of low strikeouts lately
35 Mike Foltynewicz ATL vs. CHC Should have 3 or 4 more wins
36 John Gant STL vs. PIT
37 Tanner Roark WAS vs. MIL
38 Jameson Taillon PIT at ATL
39 Ivan Nova PIT at STL, at ATL
40 Sean Newcomb ATL vs. TB
41 Wei-Yin Chen MIA vs. TOR
42 Junior Guerra MIL at CIN, at WAS
43 Derek Holland SF vs. NYM
44 Joe Musgrove PIT at STL
45 Nick Pivetta PHI vs. CHC
46 Andrew Suarez SF vs. NYM
47 Chris Stratton SF vs. ARI, vs. NYM
48 Steven Matz NYM at SF
49 Chris Archer PIT at ATL
50 Joey Lucchesi SD vs. SEA
51 Alec Mills CHC vs. NYM
52 Jose Quintana CHC at PHI
53 Vince Velasquez PHI vs. CHC
54 Chase Anderson MIL at WAS
55 Hyun-Jin Ryu LAD vs. ARI Pitches well between DL stints
56 Trevor Williams PIT at STL
57 Jhoulys Chacin MIL at WAS
58 Jacob Nix SD vs. SEA, vs. COL
59 Alex Wood LAD at TEX
60 Mike Montgomery CHC at ATL
61 Dan Straily MIA vs. TOR
62 Robbie Erlin SD vs. COL
63 Brett Kennedy SD vs. COL
64 Gio Gonzalez WAS at PHI
65 Clayton Richard SD vs. COL
66 Pablo Lopez MIA vs. TOR
67 Austin Gomber STL vs. CIN
68 Jefry Rodriguez WAS vs. MIL
69 Cody Reed CIN at STL
70 Matt Harvey CIN vs. MIL
71 Homer Bailey CIN at STL
72 Daniel Poncedeleon STL vs. CIN
73 Jason Vargas NYM at CHC
74 Jose Urena MIA at BOS
75 Wade Miley MIL at CIN
76 Trevor Richards MIA at BOS

MLB

RANK PITCHER TEAM OPP COMMENT
1 Gerrit Cole HOU vs. OAK, vs. LAA
2 Patrick Corbin ARI at SF, at LAD Draws a couple of lineups susceptible to LHP in great venues
3 Carlos Carrasco CLE vs. MIN, vs. TB Remember when his ERA was north of 4.00?
4 Charlie Morton HOU vs. OAK, vs. LAA
5 Masahiro Tanaka NYY vs. CWS, vs. DET Yankees looking to feast on AL Central bottom feeders
6 Jon Gray COL at LAA, at SD Visit to minors worked (toungue firmly implanted in cheek)
7 Noah Syndergaard NYM at CHC, at SF Not sharp but capable of 10 K any time he takes the hill
8 Jack Flaherty STL vs. PIT, vs. CIN Getting better as season goes along
9 Max Scherzer WAS at PHI
10 Luis Severino NYY vs. DET
11 Jon Lester CHC vs. NYM, at PHI Finding groove, facing right teams to keep it going
12 Julio Teheran ATL vs. TB, vs. PIT Pitching well lately, facing beatable lineups
13 Corey Kluber CLE vs. TB
14 Justin Verlander HOU vs. LAA
15 Lance Lynn NYY vs. CWS, vs. DET Driven by win and whiff potential
16 Stephen Strasburg WAS at PHI, vs. MIL Still rusty but missing bats
17 Clayton Kershaw LAD vs. ARI
18 Walker Buehler LAD at TEX, vs. ARI
19 Jacob deGrom NYM at CHC
20 Aaron Nola PHI vs. WAS Neck and neck with Mad Max for Cy Young
21 Zack Greinke ARI at LAD
22 Rick Porcello BOS at CWS
23 David Price BOS vs. MIA Coming through with Sale on the shelf
24 Cole Hamels CHC vs. NYM Strikeouts down but should ratchet back up this week
25 Kyle Freeland COL at LAA Angels struggle versus LHP
26 Eduardo Rodriguez BOS at CWS
27 German Marquez COL at SD
28 Anthony DeSclafani CIN vs. MIL, at STL
29 Miles Mikolas STL vs. PIT
30 Zach Eflin PHI vs. WAS, vs. CHC
31 Nathan Eovaldi BOS at CWS
32 Kyle Hendricks CHC at PHI
33 Madison Bumgarner SF vs. ARI
34 Dallas Keuchel HOU vs. OAK
35 J.A. Happ NYY vs. DET
36 Dereck Rodriguez SF vs. ARI
37 Luis Castillo CIN vs. MIL
38 Clay Buchholz ARI at SF, at LAD Not walking anyone plus helped by good pitching venues
39 Robbie Ray ARI at LAD
40 James Paxton SEA at OAK Expected to return
41 Rich Hill LAD vs. ARI
42 Zack Wheeler NYM at SF Continues to roll along
43 CC Sabathia NYY vs. CWS
44 Antonio Senzatela COL at SD
45 Trevor Cahill OAK at HOU
46 Marco Gonzales SEA at SD
47 Tyler Anderson COL at SD
48 Mike Clevinger CLE vs. MIN
49 Zack Godley ARI at SF
50 Anibal Sanchez ATL vs. PIT
51 Jake Arrieta PHI vs. WAS
52 Michael Fulmer DET at KC
53 Freddy Peralta MIL at CIN
54 Blake Snell TB at CLE
55 Kevin Gausman ATL vs. PIT Pitching well in spite of low strikeouts lately
56 Marco Estrada TOR at MIA
57 Jakob Junis KC vs. DET
58 Mike Foltynewicz ATL vs. CHC Should have 3 or 4 more wins
59 Matthew Boyd DET at KC, at NYY In good spot to continue strong second half
60 John Gant STL vs. PIT
61 Sam Gaviglio TOR at BAL, at MIA
62 Aaron Sanchez TOR at MIA
63 Tanner Roark WAS vs. MIL
64 Jameson Taillon PIT at ATL
65 Ivan Nova PIT at STL, at ATL
66 Sean Newcomb ATL vs. TB
67 Wei-Yin Chen MIA vs. TOR
68 Junior Guerra MIL at CIN, at WAS
69 Shane Bieber CLE vs. TB
70 Carlos Rodon CWS at NYY, vs. BOS Tough matchups
71 Derek Holland SF vs. NYM
72 Joe Musgrove PIT at STL
73 Edwin Jackson OAK at HOU, vs. SEA
74 Jaime Barria LAA at HOU
75 Nick Pivetta PHI vs. CHC
76 Andrew Suarez SF vs. NYM
77 Mike Minor TEX vs. LAD
78 Chris Stratton SF vs. ARI, vs. NYM
79 Kyle Gibson MIN at CLE, at TEX
80 Mike Fiers OAK vs. SEA
81 Felix Hernandez SEA at SD
82 Hector Velazquez BOS at CWS
83 Dylan Bundy BAL at KC
84 Wade LeBlanc SEA at OAK
85 Jose Berrios MIN at TEX
86 Steven Matz NYM at SF
87 Chris Archer PIT at ATL
88 Ryan Borucki TOR at BAL
89 Diego Castillo TB at ATL
90 Chris Bassitt OAK vs. SEA
91 Joey Lucchesi SD vs. SEA
92 Alec Mills CHC vs. NYM
93 Jose Quintana CHC at PHI
94 Vince Velasquez PHI vs. CHC
95 Chase Anderson MIL at WAS
96 Hyun-Jin Ryu LAD vs. ARI Pitches well between DL stints
97 Felix Pena LAA at HOU
98 Danny Duffy KC vs. DET
99 Trevor Williams PIT at STL
100 Jhoulys Chacin MIL at WAS
101 Jacob Nix SD vs. SEA, vs. COL
102 Alex Wood LAD at TEX
103 Mike Leake SEA at OAK
104 Mike Montgomery CHC at ATL
105 Andrew Heaney LAA at HOU
106 Brett Anderson OAK at HOU, vs. SEA
107 Brian Johnson BOS vs. MIA
108 Dan Straily MIA vs. TOR
109 Michael Kopech CWS vs. BOS
110 Erasmo Ramirez SEA at OAK
111 Andrew Cashner BAL at KC
112 Robbie Erlin SD vs. COL
113 Brett Kennedy SD vs. COL
114 Gio Gonzalez WAS at PHI
115 Alex Cobb BAL vs. TOR
116 Clayton Richard SD vs. COL
117 Pablo Lopez MIA vs. TOR
118 Austin Gomber STL vs. CIN
119 Jefry Rodriguez WAS vs. MIL
120 Cody Reed CIN at STL
121 Matt Harvey CIN vs. MIL
122 Brad Keller KC vs. BAL
123 Thomas Pannone TOR at BAL
124 Odrisamer Despaigne LAA vs. COL, at HOU
125 Reynaldo Lopez CWS at NYY
126 Osmer Morales LAA vs. COL
127 Ryne Stanek TB at ATL
128 Homer Bailey CIN at STL
129 Adam Plutko CLE vs. MIN
130 Daniel Poncedeleon STL vs. CIN
131 Francisco Liriano DET at NYY
132 Jake Odorizzi MIN at CLE
133 Yefry Ramirez BAL vs. TOR
134 Drew Hutchison TEX vs. MIN
135 James Shields CWS at NYY, vs. BOS
136 Lucas Giolito CWS vs. BOS
137 Jordan Zimmermann DET at NYY
138 Heath Fillmyer KC vs. BAL
139 Tyler Glasnow TB at CLE
140 Jorge Lopez KC vs. BAL
141 Stephen Gonsalves MIN at TEX
142 Jason Vargas NYM at CHC
143 Ryan Yarbrough TB at CLE
144 Martin Perez TEX vs. MIN
145 David Hess BAL vs. TOR, at KC
146 Jose Urena MIA at BOS
147 Framber Valdez HOU vs. LAA
148 Ryan Carpenter DET at NYY
149 Wade Miley MIL at CIN
150 Yovani Gallardo TEX vs. MIN
151 Ariel Jurado TEX vs. LAD
152 Trevor Richards MIA at BOS
153 Kohl Stewart MIN at CLE

Want to Read More?
Subscribe to RotoWire to see the full article.

We reserve some of our best content for our paid subscribers. Plus, if you choose to subscribe you can discuss this article with the author and the rest of the RotoWire community.

Get Instant Access To This Article Get Access To This Article
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only MLB Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire MLB fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd Zola
Todd has been writing about fantasy baseball since 1997. He won NL Tout Wars and Mixed LABR in 2016 as well as a multi-time league winner in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. Todd is now setting his sights even higher: The Rotowire Staff League. Lord Zola, as he's known in the industry, won the 2013 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Article of the Year award and was named the 2017 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year. Todd is a five-time FSWA awards finalist.
MLB Bets and Expert Picks for Wednesday, April 24
MLB Bets and Expert Picks for Wednesday, April 24
MLB Points Leagues: Using wOBA to Identify Hitters
MLB Points Leagues: Using wOBA to Identify Hitters
New York Mets-San Francisco Giants, MLB Picks: Single-Game Focus, April 24
New York Mets-San Francisco Giants, MLB Picks: Single-Game Focus, April 24
DraftKings MLB: Wednesday Breakdown
DraftKings MLB: Wednesday Breakdown